Machine vision camera and video preprocessing system
First Claim
1. A video preprocessing system for use in machine vision systems, comprising:
- receiving means for receiving electromagnetic radiation of varying frequencies from a scene and for producing infrared, visible, and ultraviolet signals corresponding to the infrared, visible, and ultraviolet portions, respectively, of said electromagnetic radiation;
first, second, and third dynamic range transform means receiving said infrared, visible, and ultraviolet signals, respectively, for companding the dynamic range of said received infrared, visible and ultraviolet signals to produce dynamic range companded infrared, visible, and ultraviolet signals; and
means receiving said dynamic range companded infrared, visible, and ultraviolet signals for producing a composite output image using each of said companded infrared, visible, and ultraviolet signals.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An improved camera system intended for a machine vision system which produces an image output that is specially adapted to be received by a machine vision system. In one embodiment, the camera system receives components from three portions of the electromagnetic spectrum, these being infrared, visible, and ultraviolet, and then combines these three portions essentially as expanded colors in an expanded version of an RGB "red/green/blue" video system. This provides a better image in all types of weather and visibility conditions. In addition, the camera system includes dynamic range transform logic which selectively compresses the dynamic range of the respective pixel values comprising the image to extract the most useful information from the extended dynamic range of the image. This reduces the amount of information required to be processed while retaining a quality image. The camera system also includes motion compensation logic that removes the motion or jitter caused by the camera system being subject to vibration from various environmental influences. The system also optionally removes stationary background features from the output image.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A video preprocessing system for use in machine vision systems, comprising:
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receiving means for receiving electromagnetic radiation of varying frequencies from a scene and for producing infrared, visible, and ultraviolet signals corresponding to the infrared, visible, and ultraviolet portions, respectively, of said electromagnetic radiation; first, second, and third dynamic range transform means receiving said infrared, visible, and ultraviolet signals, respectively, for companding the dynamic range of said received infrared, visible and ultraviolet signals to produce dynamic range companded infrared, visible, and ultraviolet signals; and means receiving said dynamic range companded infrared, visible, and ultraviolet signals for producing a composite output image using each of said companded infrared, visible, and ultraviolet signals. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A video preprocessing system for use in machine vision systems, comprising:
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a charge coupled device grid receiving electromagnetic radiation of varying frequencies from a scene and for producing infrared, visible, and ultraviolet signals corresponding to the infrared, visible, and ultraviolet portions, respectively, of said electromagnetic radiation; first, second, and third dynamic range transform adjusters receiving said infrared, visible, and ultraviolet signals, respectively, for companding the dynamic range of said received infrared, visible and ultraviolet signals to produce dynamic range companded infrared, visible, and ultraviolet signals; and wherein said dynamic range companded infrared, visible, and ultraviolet signals are used to produce a composite output image using each of said infrared, visible, and ultraviolet companded signals. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for performing video preprocessing, comprising:
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receiving electromagnetic radiation of varying frequencies from a scene; producing infrared, visible, and ultraviolet signals corresponding to the infrared, visible, and ultraviolet portions, respectively, of said electromagnetic radiation; separately companding the dynamic range of each of said infrared, visible and ultraviolet signals to produce dynamic range companded infrared, visible and ultraviolet signals; and producing a composite output image using each of said companded infrared, visible, and ultraviolet signals. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13)
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14. A video preprocessing system for use in machine vision systems, comprising:
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video source means for receiving electromagnetic radiation of varying frequencies from a scene and for producing signals representing an image, wherein said signals have a dynamic range, wherein said signals correspond to two or more of the infrared, visible, and ultraviolet portions of said electromagnetic radiation; dynamic range transform means receiving said signals and for companding the dynamic range of said signals and for producing dynamic range companded signals, wherein said dynamic range transform means expands a portion of the dynamic range of said signals into a first portion of the dynamic range of said companded signals and compresses the remainder of the dynamic range of said signals into a second portion of the dynamic range of said companded signals; and means for receiving said companded signals and for producing a composite output image based on said companded signals. - View Dependent Claims (15)
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16. A video preprocessing system for use in machine vision systems, comprising:
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a charge coupled device grid for receiving electromagnetic radiation of varying frequencies from a scene and for producing signals corresponding to two or more of the infrared, visible, and ultraviolet portions of said electromagnetic radiation, said signals having a dynamic range; a dynamic range transform adjuster receiving said signals for companding the dynamic range of said signals and for producing dynamic range companded signals, wherein said dynamic range transform adjuster expands a portion of the dynamic range of said signals into a first portion of the dynamic range of said companded signals and compresses the remainder of the dynamic range of said signals into a second portion of the dynamic range of said companded signals; and wherein said companded signals are used to produce a composite output image based on said companded signals.
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17. A method for performing video preprocessing, comprising:
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receiving electromagnetic radiation of varying frequencies from a scene and producing signals corresponding to two or more of the infrared, visible, and ultraviolet portions of said electromagnetic radiation, said signals having a dynamic range; companding the dynamic range of said signals to produce dynamic range companded signals after said step of receiving, wherein said step of companding expands a portion of the dynamic range of said signals into a first portion of the dynamic range of said companded signals and compresses the remainder of the dynamic range of said signals into a second portion of the dynamic range of said companded signals; and producing a composite output image based on said companded signals.
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Specification