Digitally enhanced image intensification camera

• US 7,129,462 B2
• Filed: 06/02/2003
• Issued: 10/31/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/12/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: L3 Technologies, Inc. (L3Harris Technologies, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Litton Systems Incorporated
• Inventors: Ostromek, Timothy E., Hogan, Timothy B., Short, Jeffrey C., Bacarella, Antonio V., Doster, Rodney L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Allen, Stephone B.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lee, Patrick J.
• Application Number:
  US10/250,065
• Publication Number:
  US 20030230707A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,247 Days
• Field of Search: 250/214.VT, 250/214.LA, 250/214.A, 250/214.DC, 250/559.08, 250/559.15, 378/98.2, 378/207, 348/217.1, 348/216.1, 348/229.1
• US Class Current: 250/214.0VT
• CPC Class Codes: H01J 31/50 Image-conversion or image-amplification tubes, i.e. having optical, X-ray, or analogous input, and optical output
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/11 for generating image signals from visible and infrared light wavelengths
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/75 by influencing optical camera components
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/33 Transforming infrared radiation cameras or camera modules for generating image signals from infrared radiation H04N23/20; circuitry of SSIS for transforming infrared radiation into image signals H04N25/20

Abstract

An image intensification camera system (C) for gathering image data includes an image intensifier (310) for amplifying received light (312). A relay optic assembly (316) is coupled between the image intensifier (310) and a digital image sensor (318), such as a CMOS or CCD device. Digital logic (322) is used to process or output an image or related data (334).

Claims

1. An image intensification camera system for gathering image data, the system comprising:

an image intensifier for amplifying received light;

a light transmitting assembly between the image intensifier and a digital image sensor to communicate the amplified received light from the image intensifier;

the digital image sensor for receiving and electronically transforming the amplified received light from the image intensifier; and

,

digital logic circuitry electronically connected to at least the digital image sensor to process an image or related data;

wherein the digital logic circuitry in response to the image or related data adjusts one or more operating characteristics of the digital image sensor selected from the group consisting of;

digital frame rate;

contrast and brightness;

digital image enhancement;

bad sensor pixel detection and correction; and

camera synchronization.

2. The invention of claim 1 wherein the digital logic circuitry adjusts one or more operating characteristics of the image intensifier selected from the group consisting of:

image intensifier gain;

gating; and

synchronization.

3. The invention of claim 1 wherein the digital image sensor is a charge coupled device (CCD).

4. The invention of claim 1 wherein the digital image sensor is a CMOS device.

5. The invention of claim 1 wherein the light transmitting assembly is a relay optic.

6. The invention of claim 1 wherein the light transmitting assembly is a fiber optic bond.

7. An image intensification camera system for gathering image data, the system comprising:

an image intensifier for amplifying received light;

a light transmitting assembly between the image intensifier and a digital image sensor to communicate the amplified received light from the image intensifier;

the digital image sensor for receiving and electronically transforming the amplified received light from the image intensifier; and

,

digital logic circuitry electronically connected to at least the digital image sensor to process an image or related data;

wherein the digital logic circuitry in response to the image or related data adjusts one or more operating characteristics of the digital image sensor selected from the group consisting of;

image intensifier gain;

gating; and

synchronization.

8. The invention of claim 7 wherein the digital logic circuitry adjusts one or more operating characteristics of the digital image sensor selected from the group consisting of:

digital frame rate;

contrast and brightness;

digital image enhancement;

bad sensor pixel detection and correction; and

camera synchronization.

9. The invention of claim 7 wherein the digital image sensor is a charge coupled device (CCD).

10. The invention of claim 7 wherein the digital image sensor is a CMOS device.

11. The invention of claim 7 wherein the light transmitting assembly is a relay optic.

12. The invention of claim 7 wherein the light transmitting assembly is a fiber optic bond.