Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
163 words
An electronic image processing system (10), comprising: a processor (12) having a resistive network (14), said network (14) comprising a plurality of nodes (i); each of said nodes (i) connected to a neighboring node by a resistive component (23) and a switch (25) connected in electrical series; one or more sensors (15, 16) connected to said network (14), said one or more sensors (15, 16) generating at least two distinct sensor images of an object field (18); at least a first of said sensor images directed to said nodes (i) to set said switches (25), said switch settings forming boundaries within said network (14) corresponding to discontinuities detected in said at least a first of said sensor images; at least a second of said sensor images directed to said nodes (i) for resistive image smoothing within said boundaries of said network (14) set by said switches (25); and output means (19) connected to said processor (12) for providing a bounded, smoothed output image.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
42 words
The system of Claim 1, further comprising a plurality of latches (26) for receiving said at least a first of said sensor images and setting said switches (25), each of said latches (26) connected to a corresponding one of said switches (25).
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
The system of Claim 2, wherein said output means (19) further comprises a plurality of output amplifiers (A2), each of said output amplifiers (A2) connected to a corresponding one of said plurality of nodes (i).
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
The system of Claim 3, further comprising: a first sensor (15) for providing said first sensor image; a second sensor (16) for providing said second sensor image; and said first and second sensors co-boresighted on said object field (18).
Claim 5
Independent Claim
145 words
A method of electronic image processing, comprising the steps of: providing a processor (12) with a resistive network (14) having a plurality of nodes (i); connecting each of said nodes (i) to a neighboring node with a resistive component (23) and a switch (25) in electrical series; connecting at least one sensor (15) to said network; generating a plurality of sensor images of an object field (18); detecting discontinuities in at least a first of said sensor images; directing data representing said detected discontinuities to said nodes (i) for setting said switches (25); forming boundaries within said network (14), said boundaries defined by said switch settings corresponding to said detected discontinuities; directing data representing at least a second of said sensor images to said nodes (i) for resistive image smoothing within said boundaries formed in said network (14); and providing a bounded, smoothed output image.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of Claim 5, wherein the step of setting said switches (25) further comprises the step of directing data representing said detected discontinuities to a plurality of latches (26), each of said latches (26) connected to a corresponding one of said switches (25).
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of Claim 6, wherein the step of providing said bounded, smoothed output image further comprises the step of connecting each of a plurality of output amplifiers (A2) to a corresponding one of said plurality of nodes (i).
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of Claim 7, further comprising the steps of: connecting a plurality of sensors (15, 16) to said network for generating said plurality of sensor images; and co-boresighting said plurality of sensors on said object field (18).