Signal processor for an imaging sensor system
First Claim
1. A signal processor for use with an imaging sensor system that comprises a plurality of detectors which are scanned across an image scene during a first portion of a scan cycle and scanned across a reference temperature source during a second portion of said scan cycle, said signal processor providing video output signals to a video monitor which are representative of said image scene, said signal processor comprising:
- input processor means coupled to said imaging sensor system for processing analog signals derived from each of said plurality of detectors in order to equalize the gains of said analog signals relative to one another another during said first portion of said scan cycle based upon stored gain correction signals derived from a predetermined sensor responsivity calibration procedure, for processing said analog signals in order to restore the DC levels of signals derived from each of said detectors to DC values related to said reference temperature source during said second portion of said scan cycle, and for processing the equalized and DC restored signals to provide digitized first output signals from said input processor means, said input processor means including means for generating automatic responsivity equalization factors and DC restoration values including circuit means for correcting errors in said equalization factors resulting from adjustment of said restoration values and for correcting errors in said restoration values resulting from adjustment of said equalization factors;
scan converter means coupled to said input processor means for storing digitized first output signals and processing the stored digitized signals to provide digitized second output signals which are compatible with said video monitor; and
output processor means coupled to said scan converter means for processing said second digitized output signals in a manner which permits software-controlled digitized image enhancement thereof, and for converting the enhanced second digitized output signals into analog video signals compatible with said video monitor.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A signal processor for use with an imaging sensor system that provides enhanced video imagery. The signal processor may be coupled to a FLIR system, for example, which comprises a plurality of detectors that are scanned across an image scene and reference temperature source during separate portions of each scan cycle. The signal processor comprises an input processor coupled to the imaging sensor system which processes analog signals derived from each of the plurality of detectors. The input processor normalizes the analog signals relative to one another during the active portion of the scan cycle based upon stored data derived from a predetermined sensor responsivity calibration procedure. This normalization function equalizes the gains associated with all channels of the sensor system. The input processor also restores the DC levels of each of the sensor channels to respective DC values related to the reference temperature source during the inactive portion of the scan cycle. This function is performed during the calibration procedure and while the system is in operation. The input processor digitizes the signals which are applied to a scan converter. The scan converter stores the digitized signals and converts the stored signals into signals which are compatible with a video monitor employed to view the image. An output processor is coupled to the scan converter that is employed to process signals in a manner which permits software-controlled digitized image enhancement thereof, and which converts the enhanced signals into analog video output signals compatible with the video monitor.
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Citations
11 Claims
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1. A signal processor for use with an imaging sensor system that comprises a plurality of detectors which are scanned across an image scene during a first portion of a scan cycle and scanned across a reference temperature source during a second portion of said scan cycle, said signal processor providing video output signals to a video monitor which are representative of said image scene, said signal processor comprising:
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input processor means coupled to said imaging sensor system for processing analog signals derived from each of said plurality of detectors in order to equalize the gains of said analog signals relative to one another another during said first portion of said scan cycle based upon stored gain correction signals derived from a predetermined sensor responsivity calibration procedure, for processing said analog signals in order to restore the DC levels of signals derived from each of said detectors to DC values related to said reference temperature source during said second portion of said scan cycle, and for processing the equalized and DC restored signals to provide digitized first output signals from said input processor means, said input processor means including means for generating automatic responsivity equalization factors and DC restoration values including circuit means for correcting errors in said equalization factors resulting from adjustment of said restoration values and for correcting errors in said restoration values resulting from adjustment of said equalization factors; scan converter means coupled to said input processor means for storing digitized first output signals and processing the stored digitized signals to provide digitized second output signals which are compatible with said video monitor; and output processor means coupled to said scan converter means for processing said second digitized output signals in a manner which permits software-controlled digitized image enhancement thereof, and for converting the enhanced second digitized output signals into analog video signals compatible with said video monitor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A signal processor for use with an imaging sensor system that comprises a plurality of detectors which are scanned across an image scene during a first portion of a scan cycle and scanned across a reference temperature source during a second portion of said scan cycle, said signal processor providing video output signals to a video monitor which are representative of said image scene, said signal processor comprising:
input processor means coupled to said imaging sensor system for processing analog signals derived from each of said plurality of detectors in order to equalize the gains of said analog signals relative to one another during said first portion of said scan cycle based upon stored gain correction signals derived from a predetermined sensor responsivity calibration procedure, for processing said analog signals in order to restore the DC levels of signals derived from each of said detectors to DC values related to said reference temperature source during said second portion of said scan cycle, and for processing the equalized and DC restored signals to provide digitized first output signals from said input processor means, said input processor means including means for generating automatic responsivity equalization factors and DC restoration values including circuit means for correcting errors in said equalization factors resulting from adjustment of said restoration values, and for correcting errors in said restoration values resulting from adjustment of said equalization factors.
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10. A signal processor for use with an imaging sensor system that comprises a plurality of detectors which are scanned across an image scene during a first portion of a scan cycle and scanned across a reference temperature source during a second portion of said scan cycle, said signal processor providing video output signals to a video monitor which are representative of said image scene, said signal processor comprising:
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input processor means coupled to said imaging sensor system for processing analog signals derived from each of said plurality of detectors in order to equalize the gains of said analog signals relative to one another during said first portion of said scan cycle based upon stored gain correction signals derived from a predetermined sensor responsivity calibration procedure, for processing said analog signals in order to restore the DC levels of signals derived from each of said detectors to DC values related to said reference temperature source during said second portion of said scan cycle, and for processing the equalized and DC restored signals to provide digitized first output signals from said input processor means, said input processor means including means for generating automatic responsivity equalization factors and DC restoration values including circuit means for correcting errors in said equalization factors resulting from adjustment of said restoration values, and for correcting errors in said restoration values resulting from adjustment of said equalization factors; and means for converting and processing said digitized first output signals from input processor means into analog video output signals compatible with said video monitor.
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11. A signal processor for use with an imaging sensor system that comprises a plurality of detectors which are scanned across an image scene during a first portion of a scan cycle and scanned across a reference temperature source during a second portion of said scan cycle, said signal processor providing video output signals to a video monitor which are representative of said image scene, said signal processor comprising:
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input processor means coupled to said imaging sensor system for processing analog signals derived from each of said plurality of detectors in order to equalize gains of said analog signals relative to one another during said first portion of said scan cycle based upon stored gain correction signals derived from a predetermined sensor responsivity calibration procedure, for processing said analog signals in order to restore the DC levels of signals derived from each of said detectors to DC values related to said reference temperature source during said second portion of said scan cycle, and for processing the equalized and DC restored signals to provide digitized first output signals from said input processor means, said input processor means including means for generating accurate automatic responsivity equalization factors and accurate DC restoration values including means for substantially eliminating offsets in restoration values resulting from adjustment of equalization factors, and vice-versa; and means for converting and processing said digitized first output signals from said input processor means into analog video output signals compatible with said video monitor.
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Specification