Integration of TV video with IR tracker features

• US 6,104,429 A
• Filed: 02/23/1995
• Issued: 08/15/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 08/10/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Raytheon Company (Rtx Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Raytheon Company (Rtx Corporation)
• Inventors: Thurman, Mark
• Primary Examiner(s): Le, Vu
• Application Number:
  US08/393,528
• Time in Patent Office: 2,000 Days
• Field of Search: 348/162, 348/169, 348/170, 348/171, 348/172, 348/143, 382/103
• US Class Current: 348/162
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 3/7864 T.V. type tracking systems

Abstract

A tracking system (200) adapted to receive input imagery and provide standard television format video input signals in response thereto. The video input signals are processed (228) to provide intermediate analog and digital signals. The intermediate analog signals are further processed (239) to provide centroid tracking of a target. The intermediate digital signals are processed (236) to provide correlation tracking of the target. In a specific implementation, the standard television format video input signals are provided by a charge coupled device (214), a Vidicon camera, an infrared focal plane array, a Newvicon camera or other device which generates standard television format video signals. A video rotation circuit may be used to provide proper image orientation regardless of the mounting orientation of the system. The invention provides a tracking system which allows for the direct use of video signals from a camera or other signal by a digital processing system without the requirement for scan conversion.

Claims

1. A system for tracking a target, said system comprising:

first means for providing standard television format video input signals;

a signal processor for processing said video input signals to provide intermediate analog and digital signals;

a control tracker for processing said intermediate analog signals to provide centroid tracking of said target; and

a correlation tracker for processing said intermediate digital signals to provide correlation tracking of said target.

2. The invention of claim 1 wherein said first means is a charge coupled device image sensor.

3. The invention of claim 1 wherein said signal processor includes an amplifier and level shifting circuit for providing said intermediate analog signals.

4. The invention of claim 3 wherein said signal processor includes a thresholding circuit for providing said intermediate digital signals.

5. The invention of claim 1, wherein said signal processor includes means for rotating said video input signals, and wherein said video rotation means includes means for digitizing said input video signals.

6. The invention of claim 5 wherein said video rotation means includes means for storing said digitized video input signals in a first format.

7. The invention of claim 6 wherein said video rotation means includes means for reading said stored digitized video input signals in a second format to provide digitized rotated output signals.

8. The invention of claim 7 wherein said video rotation means includes means for converting said digitized rotated output signals to analog rotated output signals.

9. The invention of claim 1 wherein said first means is an infrared focal plane array.

10. The invention of claim 1 wherein said first means is a Vidicon camera.

11. The invention of claim 1 wherein said first means is a Newvicon camera.