← Back to Patent Explorer
US4654876A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Digital image motion correction method

Assignee: Northrop Grumman Guidance and Electronics Co Inc
•
Filing: 1984-12-19
•
Granted: 1987-03-31
•
Expires: 2004-12-19
📄 Original PDF 🌐 Google Patents 🔄 Sync Now

Abstract

Abstract A method of image motion distortion correction involving the steps of electronically scanning an optical image to produce first and second lines of stored digital pixel data indicative of the intensity of picture elements of the optical image, registering within a corresponding scanning window position the difference between each second line picture element value of a number of sets of second line picture elements, and a number of first individual line picture elements, each corresponding to an associated set, thereafter utilizing that particular window position having the minimum accumulated difference value to produce an image shift signal having a value corresponding to that particular window position, shifting the storage position of the second line with respect to the first line by an amount proportional to the value of the shift signal, and utilizing the shifted lines of data to modulate an image producing readout device such as a CRT to reproduce the optical image.

Inventors

  • 👤 Arland A. Atkins

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-24 22:27
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N5/00; H04N5/14; H04N5/144; H04N5/145; H04N23/00; H04N23/60; H04N23/68; H04N23/681; H04N23/6811; H04N23/682; H04N23/683

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 35
Claim 1
Independent Claim 222 words
A method of enabling the transformation of the position of a second line of image data with respect to a first line of image data comprising the steps of: a. defining a scanning window having a first, second and nth position therein corresponding to a first, second and nth position of sets of first, second and nth second line picture elements scanned by said window, n being an integer; b. registering data indicative of the differences between second line picture element values of a first set of second line picture elements and the picture element value of a first picture element of said first line; c. registering data indicative of the differences between second line picture element values of a second set of second line picture elements and the picture element value of a second picture element of said first line, and so forth with respect to subsequent sets of second line picture elements and other first line picture elements scanned by said window; d. identifying that particular window position having data associated therewith indicative of the minimum accumulated differences upon the completion of steps b and c; and e. utilizing said particular window position identified in accordance with step d to produce an image shift signal having a value corresponding to said particular window position identified in accordance with step d.
Claim 2
Independent Claim 222 words
A method of enabling the transformation of the position of a second line of image data with respect to a first line of image data comprising the steps of: a. defining a scanning window having a first, second and nth position therein corresponding to a first, second and nth position of sets of first, second and nth second line picture elements scanned by said window, n being an integer; b. registering data indicative of the differences between second line picture element values of a first set of second line picture elements and the picture element value of a first picture element of said first line; c. registering data indicative of the differences between second line picture element values of a second set of second line picture elements and the picture element value of a second picture element of said first line, and so forth with respect to subsequent sets of second line picture elements and other first line picture elements scanned by said window; d. identifying that particular window position having data associated therewith indicative of the minimum accumulated differences upon the completion of steps b and c; and e. utilizing said particular window position identified in accordance with step d to produce an image shift signal having a value corresponding to said particular window position identified in accordance with step d.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 34 words
The method of claim 1 including the step of shifting the position of said second line with respect to said first line by an amount proportional to the value of said image shift signal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 28 words
The method of claim 2 wherein said image shift signal is stored along with said second line picture elements to tag said second line for later image shifting.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 29 words
The method of claim 1, 2, or 3 wherein the steps thereof are repeated with respect to subsequent lines of picture elements until an entire image frame is processed.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 14 words
The method of claim 1, 2, or 3 wherein said picture elements are pixels.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 19 words
The method of claim 1, 2, or 3 wherein said picture elements are sub-pixels produced by interpolation of pixels.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 16 words
The method of claim 4 wherein said picture elements are sub-pixels produced by interpolation of pixels.
Claim 9
Independent Claim 220 words
A method of enabling the transformation of the position of a second line of image data with respect to a first line of image data comprising the steps of: a. defining a scanning window having a first, second and nth position therein corresponding to a first, second and nth position of sets of first, second and nth second line picture elements scanned by said window, n being an integer; b. registering within a corresponding window position the difference between each second line picture element value of a first set of second line picture elements and the picture element value of a first picture element of said first line; c. registering within a corresponding window position the difference between each second line picture element value of a second set of second line picture elements and the picture element value of a second picture element of said first line, and so forth with respect to subsequent sets of second line picture elements and other first line picture elements; d. identifying that particular window position having the minimum accumulated difference value upon the completion of steps b and c; and e. utilizing said particular window position identified in accordance with step d to produce an image shift signal having a value corresponding to said particular window position identified in accordance with step d.
Claim 10
Independent Claim 220 words
A method of enabling the transformation of the position of a second line of image data with respect to a first line of image data comprising the steps of: a. defining a scanning window having a first, second and nth position therein corresponding to a first, second and nth position of sets of first, second and nth second line picture elements scanned by said window, n being an integer; b. registering within a corresponding window position the difference between each second line picture element value of a first set of second line picture elements and the picture element value of a first picture element of said first line; c. registering within a corresponding window position the difference between each second line picture element value of a second set of second line picture elements and the picture element value of a second picture element of said first line, and so forth with respect to subsequent sets of second line picture elements and other first line picture elements; d. identifying that particular window position having the minimum accumulated difference value upon the completion of steps b and c; and e. utilizing said particular window position identified in accordance with step d to produce an image shift signal having a value corresponding to said particular window position identified in accordance with step d.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 33 words
The method of claim 8 including the step of shifting the position of said second line with respect to said first line by an amount proportional to the value of said shift signal.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 28 words
The method of claim 9 wherein said image shift signal is stored along with said second line picture elements to tag said second line for later image shifting.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 29 words
The method of claim 8, 9, or 10 wherein the steps thereof are repeated with respect to subsequent lines of picture elements until an entire image frame is processed.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 14 words
The method of claim 8, 9, or 10 wherein said picture elements are pixels.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 19 words
The method of claim 8, 9, or 10 wherein said picture elements are sub-pixels produced by interpolation of pixels.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 16 words
The method of claim 11 wherein said picture elements are sub-pixels produced by interpolation of pixels.
Claim 17
Independent Claim 184 words
A method of enabling the transformation of the position of a second line of image data with respect to a first line of image data comprising the steps of: a. defining a scanning window having a first, second and nth position therein corresponding to a first, second and nth position of sets of first, second and nth second line picture elements scanned by said window, n being an integer; b. comparing each picture element value of a first set of second line picture elements with a first picture element of said first line and determining which window position has the minimum difference value and registering a correlation signal corresponding to that particular window position having the minimum difference value; c. repeating step b with respect to second and subsequent sets of second line picture elements and corresponding differing individual picture elements of said first line; d. thereafter identifying which particular window position has registered the maximum number of correlation signals; and e. generating a shift signal having a value corresponding to the identification of said particular window position, identified in accordance with step d.
Claim 18
Independent Claim 184 words
A method of enabling the transformation of the position of a second line of image data with respect to a first line of image data comprising the steps of: a. defining a scanning window having a first, second and nth position therein corresponding to a first, second and nth position of sets of first, second and nth second line picture elements scanned by said window, n being an integer; b. comparing each picture element value of a first set of second line picture elements with a first picture element of said first line and determining which window position has the minimum difference value and registering a correlation signal corresponding to that particular window position having the minimum difference value; c. repeating step b with respect to second and subsequent sets of second line picture elements and corresponding differing individual picture elements of said first line; d. thereafter identifying which particular window position has registered the maximum number of correlation signals; and e. generating a shift signal having a value corresponding to the identification of said particular window position, identified in accordance with step d.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim 33 words
The method of claim 15 including the step of shifting the position of said second line with respect to said first line to the extent indicated by the value of said shift signal.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim 28 words
The method of claim 16 wherein said image shift signal is stored along with said second line picture elements to tag said second line for later image shifting.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim 29 words
The method of claim 15, 16, or 17 wherein the steps thereof are repeated with respect to subsequent lines of picture elements until an entire image frame is processed.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim 14 words
The method of claim 15, 16, or 17 wherein said picture elements are pixels.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim 19 words
The method of claim 15, 16, or 17 wherein said picture elements are sub-pixels produced by interpolation of pixels.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim 16 words
The method of claim 18 wherein said picture elements are sub-pixels produced by interpolation of pixels.
Claim 25
Independent Claim 28 words
The method of claims 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 10, 15, 16 or 17 wherein adjacent sets of said second line picture elements have picture elements in common.
Claim 26
Independent Claim 295 words
A method of enabling the transformation of the position of a second line of image data with respect to a first line of image data comprising the steps of: a. scanning an optical image to produce said first and second line of image data indicative of the intensity of picture elements of said optical image; b. defining a scanning window having a first, second and nth position therein corresponding to a first, second and nth position of sets of first, second and nth second line picture elements scanned by said window, n being an integer; c. registering within a corresponding window position the difference between each second line picture element value of a first set of second line picture elements and the picture element value of a first picture element of said first line; d. registering within a corresponding window position the difference between each second line picture element value of a second set of second line picture elements and the picture element value of a second picture element of said first line, and so forth with respect to subsequent sets of second line picture elements and other first line picture elements; e. identifying that particular window position having the minimum accumulated difference value upon the completion of steps b and c; f. utilizing said particular window position identified in accordance with step d to produce an image shift signal having a value corresponding to said particular window position identified in accordance with step d; g. shifting the position of said second line with respect to said first line by an amount proportional to the value of said shift signal; and h. utilizing the lines of data shifted in accordance with step g to modulate an image producing readout device to reproduce said optical image.
Claim 27
Independent Claim 295 words
A method of enabling the transformation of the position of a second line of image data with respect to a first line of image data comprising the steps of: a. scanning an optical image to produce said first and second line of image data indicative of the intensity of picture elements of said optical image; b. defining a scanning window having a first, second and nth position therein corresponding to a first, second and nth position of sets of first, second and nth second line picture elements scanned by said window, n being an integer; c. registering within a corresponding window position the difference between each second line picture element value of a first set of second line picture elements and the picture element value of a first picture element of said first line; d. registering within a corresponding window position the difference between each second line picture element value of a second set of second line picture elements and the picture element value of a second picture element of said first line, and so forth with respect to subsequent sets of second line picture elements and other first line picture elements; e. identifying that particular window position having the minimum accumulated difference value upon the completion of steps b and c; f. utilizing said particular window position identified in accordance with step d to produce an image shift signal having a value corresponding to said particular window position identified in accordance with step d; g. shifting the position of said second line with respect to said first line by an amount proportional to the value of said shift signal; and h. utilizing the lines of data shifted in accordance with step g to modulate an image producing readout device to reproduce said optical image.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim 11 words
The method of claim 23 wherein said picture elements are pixels.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim 16 words
The method of claim 23 wherein said picture elements are sub-pixels produced by interpolation of pixels.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim 22 words
The method of claim 23, 24 or 25 wherein adjacent sets of said second line picture elements have picture elements in common.
Claim 31
Independent Claim 259 words
A method of enabling the transformation of the position of a second line of image data with respect to a first line of image data comprising the steps of: a. scanning an optical image to produce said first and second line of image data indicative of the intensity of picture elements of said optical image; b. defining a scanning window having a first, second and nth position therein corresponding to a first, second and nth position of sets of first, second and nth second line picture elements scanned by said window, n being an integer; c. comparing each picture element value of a first set of second line picture elements with a first picture element of said first line and determining which window position has the minimum difference value, and registering a correlation signal corresponding to that particular window position having the minimum difference value; d. repeating step b with respect to second and subsequent sets of second line picture elements and corresponding differing individual picture elements of said first line; e. thereafter identifying which particular window position has registered the maximum number of correlation signals; f. generating a shift signal having a value corresponding to the identification of said particular window position, identified in accordance with step e; g. shifting the position of said second line with respect to said first line to the extent indicated by the value of said shift signal; and h. utilizing the lines of data shifted in accordance with step g to modulate an image producing readout device to reproduce said optical image.
Claim 32
Independent Claim 259 words
A method of enabling the transformation of the position of a second line of image data with respect to a first line of image data comprising the steps of: a. scanning an optical image to produce said first and second line of image data indicative of the intensity of picture elements of said optical image; b. defining a scanning window having a first, second and nth position therein corresponding to a first, second and nth position of sets of first, second and nth second line picture elements scanned by said window, n being an integer; c. comparing each picture element value of a first set of second line picture elements with a first picture element of said first line and determining which window position has the minimum difference value, and registering a correlation signal corresponding to that particular window position having the minimum difference value; d. repeating step b with respect to second and subsequent sets of second line picture elements and corresponding differing individual picture elements of said first line; e. thereafter identifying which particular window position has registered the maximum number of correlation signals; f. generating a shift signal having a value corresponding to the identification of said particular window position, identified in accordance with step e; g. shifting the position of said second line with respect to said first line to the extent indicated by the value of said shift signal; and h. utilizing the lines of data shifted in accordance with step g to modulate an image producing readout device to reproduce said optical image.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim 11 words
The method of claim 27 wherein said picture elements are pixels.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim 16 words
The method of claim 27 wherein said picture elements are sub-pixels produced by interpolation of pixels.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim 22 words
The method of claim 27, 28 or 29 wherein adjacent sets of said second line picture elements have picture elements in common.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US3952299A Cited
US3629833A Cited
US4458266A Cited
US4488174A Cited
US4510618A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1990-03-30 1990-09-29 1991-03-31 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1994-03-30 1994-09-29 1995-03-31 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1998-03-30 1998-09-29 1999-03-31 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

Assigned Categories & Tags

No categories assigned to this patent yet.

Assign Category Tag