Non-uniformity correction techniques for infrared imaging devices
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method of removing noise from image frames captured by an infrared imaging device, the method comprising:
- receiving an intentionally blurred image frame, wherein the blurred image frame comprises blurred thermal image data associated with a scene and noise introduced by the infrared imaging device;
determining, for each row of the blurred image frame, a corresponding row fixed pattern noise (FPN) correction term;
determining, for each column of the blurred image frame, a corresponding column FPN correction term;
applying the row and column FPN correction terms to the blurred image frame to provide a corrected blurred image frame;
processing the corrected blurred image frame to determine a plurality of non-uniformity correction (NUC) terms to reduce a portion of the noise comprising spatially uncorrelated fixed pattern noise (FPN); and
applying the NUC terms to the captured image frames.
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Abstract
Various techniques are disclosed for performing non-uniformity correction (NUC) for infrared imaging devices. Intentionally blurred image frames may be obtained and processed to correct for FPN (e.g., random spatially uncorrelated FPN in one embodiment) associated with infrared sensors of the infrared imaging device. Intentionally blurred image frames may be used to distinguish between FPN associated with the infrared sensors and desired scene information. Advantageously, such techniques may be implemented without requiring the use of a shutter to perform flat field correction for the infrared imaging device.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. A method of removing noise from image frames captured by an infrared imaging device, the method comprising:
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receiving an intentionally blurred image frame, wherein the blurred image frame comprises blurred thermal image data associated with a scene and noise introduced by the infrared imaging device; determining, for each row of the blurred image frame, a corresponding row fixed pattern noise (FPN) correction term; determining, for each column of the blurred image frame, a corresponding column FPN correction term; applying the row and column FPN correction terms to the blurred image frame to provide a corrected blurred image frame; processing the corrected blurred image frame to determine a plurality of non-uniformity correction (NUC) terms to reduce a portion of the noise comprising spatially uncorrelated fixed pattern noise (FPN); and applying the NUC terms to the captured image frames. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A device comprising:
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an infrared imaging device comprising a plurality of infrared sensors adapted to capture image frames; and a processor adapted to process an intentionally blurred image frame, wherein the blurred image frame comprises blurred thermal image data associated with a scene and noise introduced by the infrared imaging device, wherein the processor is adapted to; determine, for each row of the blurred image frame, a corresponding row fixed pattern noise (FPN) correction term; determine, for each column of the blurred image frame, a corresponding column FPN correction term; apply the row and column FPN correction terms to the blurred image frame to provide a corrected blurred image frame; use the corrected blurred image frame to determine a plurality of non-uniformity correction (NUC) terms to reduce a portion of the noise comprising spatially uncorrelated fixed pattern noise (FPN), and apply the NUC terms to the captured image frames. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification