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Video image enhancement utilizing a two-dimensional digital aperture correction filter

Assignee: Litton Marine Systems Inc
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Filing: 1989-08-28
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Granted: 1990-11-13
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Expires: 2009-08-28
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Abstract

Abstract A video camera system has a modulation transfer function (MTF). Video image data are stored in frame grabbers and converted in a digital signal processor from the image domain to the spatial domain by a two-dimensional digital Fourier transform. The spatial data are filtered by a two-dimensional aperture correction filter that has an MTF inverse to the uncorrected system MTF. The filtered spatical data are converted back into the image domain by a two-dimensional inverse digital Fourier transform. The two-dimensional digital aperture correction filter is stored in the form of software in the digital signal processor.

Inventors

  • 👤 Clifford B. Cantrell

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-09 20:03
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06T; G06T5/00; G06T5/73; G06T5/10; G06T5/20; H; H04; H04N; H04N5/00; H04N5/14; H04N5/20; H04N5/205; H04N5/208; A; A61; A61B; A61B18/00; A61B2018/00636; A61B2018/00696; A61B2018/00767; A61B2018/00773; A61B2018/00791; A61B18/04; A61B18/08; A61B18/082; A61B2018/087; G06T2207/00; G06T2207/20; G06T2207/20048; G06T2207/20056

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim 151 words
Apparatus for enhancing the image of a video system, said system having a two-dimensional system Modulation Transfer Function (MTF), said MTF spanning from substantially zero spatial frequency to the diffraction limit thereof, comprising a source of two-dimensional video image signals, digital storage means for storing two-dimensional frame signals from at least one frame of said video image signals, said frame signals being in digital format, two-dimensional digital Aperture Correction Filter (ACF) means having a two-dimensional filter MTF that consists solely of the inverse of said system MTF from substantially zero spatial frequency to said diffraction limit, said ACF means providing digital two-dimensional ACF signals in accordance with said filter MTF, and digital signal processing means for combining said two-dimensional frame signals with said two-dimensional ACF signals to provide enhanced two-dimensional video image signals so that said system with said ACF has a substantially flat MTF substantially out to said diffraction limit.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 151 words
Apparatus for enhancing the image of a video system, said system having a two-dimensional system Modulation Transfer Function (MTF), said MTF spanning from substantially zero spatial frequency to the diffraction limit thereof, comprising a source of two-dimensional video image signals, digital storage means for storing two-dimensional frame signals from at least one frame of said video image signals, said frame signals being in digital format, two-dimensional digital Aperture Correction Filter (ACF) means having a two-dimensional filter MTF that consists solely of the inverse of said system MTF from substantially zero spatial frequency to said diffraction limit, said ACF means providing digital two-dimensional ACF signals in accordance with said filter MTF, and digital signal processing means for combining said two-dimensional frame signals with said two-dimensional ACF signals to provide enhanced two-dimensional video image signals so that said system with said ACF has a substantially flat MTF substantially out to said diffraction limit.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 14 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said digital storage means comprises frame grabber means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 106 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said digital signal processing means comprises first transform means responsive to said two-dimensional frame signals for transforming said two-dimensional frame signals from the image domain to the spatial frequency domain thereby providing spatial image data, spatial filter means responsive to said ACF signals and said spatial image data for multiplying said spatial image data with said ACF signals to provide spatial filtered image data, and second transform means providing a transform inverse to said first transform means responsive to said spatial filtered image data for transforming said spatial filtered image data from the spatial frequency domain to the image domain.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 30 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said first transform means comprises a two-dimensional digital Fourier transform function, and said second transform means comprises a two-dimensional inverse digital Fourier transform function.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 31 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said two-dimensional digital Fourier transform function comprises a fast Fourier transform, and said two-dimensional inverse digital Fourier transform function comprises an inverse fast Fourier transform.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 36 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said digital signal processing means includes convolution means responsive to said frame signals for performing a two-dimensional convolution of said frame signals with said ACF signals in the image domain.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 22 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said two-dimensional digital aperture correction filter means comprises software stored in said digital signal processing means.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US4330833A Cited
US4747157A Cited
US4805031A Cited
US4764974A Cited
US4855829A Cited
US4811097A Cited
US4846187A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1993-11-12 1994-05-14 1994-11-13 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1997-11-12 1998-05-14 1998-11-13 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2001-11-12 2002-05-14 2002-11-13 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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