Color video camera with selectively expanded sensitivity
First Claim
1. In a color video camera having means for defining an image beam of light reflected from a scene, apparatus comprising:
- a. at least one broad spectral response imaging device arranged in the path of the image beam;
b. intensity measuring means for producing a signal relating to image beam intensity;
c. a beam regulation controller for receiving the intensity signal from said measuring means and for producing at least one control signal corresponding to said intensity signal;
d. a spectrally selective image beam regulator having means for selectively blocking portions of the image beam which are outside the visible spectrum in response to a control signal from said beam regulation controller; and
e. a spectrally selective beam separator including filter means for separating the image beam, prior to arrival at said imaging device, according to three primary wavelength ranges which are a preselected basis for defining visible-light color images, said filter means permitting infrared light to pass with light of at least one said primary wavelength ranges whereby transmission of an infrared component of the image beam to influence said imaging device(s) is regulated by said image beam regulator and such regulation is related to image intensity by the control action of said beam regulation controller.
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Abstract
Primary color filters which also pass infrared are employed in cooperation with a broad-spectral-response, image sensing apparatus to provide a color video camera which has an extended range of operation at low light levels. The image beam which reaches the image sensing apparatus is selectively controlled by a regulatable infrared filtering device in cooperation with such primary color filters. Upon detecting a normal light level, the infrared filtering device responds by blocking infrared. At low light levels, on the other hand, infrared blocking is negated and infrared passes through some or all of the primary color filters to augment the faint visible light components which are imaged on the image sensing apparatus.
28 Citations
9 Claims
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1. In a color video camera having means for defining an image beam of light reflected from a scene, apparatus comprising:
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a. at least one broad spectral response imaging device arranged in the path of the image beam; b. intensity measuring means for producing a signal relating to image beam intensity; c. a beam regulation controller for receiving the intensity signal from said measuring means and for producing at least one control signal corresponding to said intensity signal; d. a spectrally selective image beam regulator having means for selectively blocking portions of the image beam which are outside the visible spectrum in response to a control signal from said beam regulation controller; and e. a spectrally selective beam separator including filter means for separating the image beam, prior to arrival at said imaging device, according to three primary wavelength ranges which are a preselected basis for defining visible-light color images, said filter means permitting infrared light to pass with light of at least one said primary wavelength ranges whereby transmission of an infrared component of the image beam to influence said imaging device(s) is regulated by said image beam regulator and such regulation is related to image intensity by the control action of said beam regulation controller. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. In a color video camera having a set of optics for defining an image beam, apparatus comprising:
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a. a broad-spectrum imaging array arranged to receive said image beam, said array being adapted to produce based thereon at least one image-representative signal; b. a spectrally selective mosaic of filters superposed on said array, said filters being of preselected types for transmitting respective colors from a set of primary colors, there being at least one type of said color filters which, in addition to transmitting a respective color, also transmits infrared; c. first processing means for receiving said image-representative signal(s) and for producing based thereon a measure of image beam intensity, said first processing means including means for producing at least one control signal in accordance with said measure; d. means for receiving said control signal and in response thereto regulating the infrared in the image beam; and e. second processing means for receiving said image-representative signal and for producing a video signal based thereon, said means being adapted to produce a color video signal and including switching means responsive to said control signal for converting said video camera to a monochrome mode of operation. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9)
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Specification