US5083204A — Signal processor for an imaging sensor system

Claim 1

Independent Claim 310 words

A signal processor for use with an imaging sensor system that comprises a plurality of detectors which are scanned across an image scene during a first portion of a scan cycle and scanned across a reference temperature source during a second portion of said scan cycle, said signal processor providing video output signals to a video monitor which are representative of said image scene, said signal processor comprising: input processor means coupled to said imaging sensor system for processing analog signals derived from each of said plurality of detectors in order to equalize the gains of said analog signals relative to one another another during said first portion of said scan cycle based upon stored gain correction signals derived from a predetermined sensor responsivity calibration procedure, for processing said analog signals in order to restore the DC levels of signals derived from each of said detectors to DC values related to said reference temperature source during said second portion of said scan cycle, and for processing the equalized and DC restored signals to provide digitized first output signals from said input processor means, said input processor means including means for generating automatic responsivity equalization factors and DC restoration values including circuit means for correcting errors in said equalization factors resulting from adjustment of said restoration values and for correcting errors in said restoration values resulting from adjustment of said equalization factors; scan converter means coupled to said input processor means for storing digitized first output signals and processing the stored digitized signals to provide digitized second output signals which are compatible with said video monitor; and output processor means coupled to said scan converter means for processing said second digitized output signals in a manner which permits software-controlled digitized image enhancement thereof, and for converting the enhanced second digitized output signals into analog video signals compatible with said video monitor.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 310 words

A signal processor for use with an imaging sensor system that comprises a plurality of detectors which are scanned across an image scene during a first portion of a scan cycle and scanned across a reference temperature source during a second portion of said scan cycle, said signal processor providing video output signals to a video monitor which are representative of said image scene, said signal processor comprising: input processor means coupled to said imaging sensor system for processing analog signals derived from each of said plurality of detectors in order to equalize the gains of said analog signals relative to one another another during said first portion of said scan cycle based upon stored gain correction signals derived from a predetermined sensor responsivity calibration procedure, for processing said analog signals in order to restore the DC levels of signals derived from each of said detectors to DC values related to said reference temperature source during said second portion of said scan cycle, and for processing the equalized and DC restored signals to provide digitized first output signals from said input processor means, said input processor means including means for generating automatic responsivity equalization factors and DC restoration values including circuit means for correcting errors in said equalization factors resulting from adjustment of said restoration values and for correcting errors in said restoration values resulting from adjustment of said equalization factors; scan converter means coupled to said input processor means for storing digitized first output signals and processing the stored digitized signals to provide digitized second output signals which are compatible with said video monitor; and output processor means coupled to said scan converter means for processing said second digitized output signals in a manner which permits software-controlled digitized image enhancement thereof, and for converting the enhanced second digitized output signals into analog video signals compatible with said video monitor.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 111 words

The signal processor of claim 1 wherein said input processor means comprises: analog to digital conversion means for converting applied analog signals into said digitized first output signals; summing means for combining said analog signals, said DC restoration signals and said gain correction signals and applying the combined signals to said analog to digital converter; and computer processor means coupled to said analog to digital conversion means and said summing means for computing said DC level correction signals and for controlling combining of the analog signals, gain correction signals and DC level correction signals in a predetermined manner to provide signals which are digitized by said analog to digital conversion means.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 144 words

The signal processor of claim 2 wherein said computer processor means comprises: a non-volatile memory for storing gain correction constants derived from said calibration procedure; first memory means coupled to said summing means for storing said DC restoration signals prior to their application to said summing means; second memory means coupled to said summing means for storing said gain correction signals prior to their application to said summing means; a computer processor coupled to said non-volative memory, said first and second memory means and said analog to digital converter for computing said DC restoration signals and storing them in said first memory means, for loading said gain correction signals from said non-volative memory into said second memory means, and for controlling the processing of said analog signals, and said gain correction signals in order to combine said signals in said analog to digital converter.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 88 words

The signal processor of claim 3 wherein said first memory means comprises: a clamping voltage reference circuit coupled to said analog to digital converter for processing output signals derived therefrom in order to provide fixed voltage reference signals for the computation of said DC restoration signals; and a counter circuit for processing to said voltage reference signals in order to provide incrementing and decrementing signals to said first memory means which adjust and normalize said DC restoration signals relative to said fixed voltage reference during each scan cycle.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 56 words

The signal processor of claim 4 wherein said first and second memory means further comprise: first and second random access memories; first and second digital to analog converters coupled between said first and second random access memories, respectively, for converting digital signals stored in said memories into analog signals compatible with said analog to digital converter.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 55 words

The signal processor of claims 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 wherein said scan conversion means comprises: a scan converter for storing said digitized first output signals; and interpolation means coupled to said scan converter for converting the digitized first output signals into said digitized second output signals which are compatible with said video monitor.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 111 words

The signal processor of claim 6 wherein said output processor means comprises: look-up table generation means for computing and storing a look-up table comprising image enhancement correction signals; digital to analog conversion means coupled to said look-up table generation means for converting signals received from said scan converter means into analog video output signals compatible with said video monitor; aperture correction means coupled to said digital to analog converter for processing the enhanced signals derived from said look-up table generation means in order to enhance the modulation transfer function of said system; and computer processor means coupled to said look-up table generation means for computing the signals comprising said look-up table.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 71 words

The signal processor of claim 7 wherein said look-up table generation means comprises: histogram generation means for generating a histogram of the number of occurrences of said first output signals at each intensity level associated with said sensor; a look-up table memory for storing said image enhancement signals; said computer processor means computing said image enhancement correction signals utilizing said histogram and storing said computed signals in said look-up table memory.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 230 words

A signal processor for use with an imaging sensor system that comprises a plurality of detectors which are scanned across an image scene during a first portion of a scan cycle and scanned across a reference temperature source during a second portion of said scan cycle, said signal processor providing video output signals to a video monitor which are representative of said image scene, said signal processor comprising: input processor means coupled to said imaging sensor system for processing analog signals derived from each of said plurality of detectors in order to equalize the gains of said analog signals relative to one another during said first portion of said scan cycle based upon stored gain correction signals derived from a predetermined sensor responsivity calibration procedure, for processing said analog signals in order to restore the DC levels of signals derived from each of said detectors to DC values related to said reference temperature source during said second portion of said scan cycle, and for processing the equalized and DC restored signals to provide digitized first output signals from said input processor means, said input processor means including means for generating automatic responsivity equalization factors and DC restoration values including circuit means for correcting errors in said equalization factors resulting from adjustment of said restoration values, and for correcting errors in said restoration values resulting from adjustment of said equalization factors.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 230 words

A signal processor for use with an imaging sensor system that comprises a plurality of detectors which are scanned across an image scene during a first portion of a scan cycle and scanned across a reference temperature source during a second portion of said scan cycle, said signal processor providing video output signals to a video monitor which are representative of said image scene, said signal processor comprising: input processor means coupled to said imaging sensor system for processing analog signals derived from each of said plurality of detectors in order to equalize the gains of said analog signals relative to one another during said first portion of said scan cycle based upon stored gain correction signals derived from a predetermined sensor responsivity calibration procedure, for processing said analog signals in order to restore the DC levels of signals derived from each of said detectors to DC values related to said reference temperature source during said second portion of said scan cycle, and for processing the equalized and DC restored signals to provide digitized first output signals from said input processor means, said input processor means including means for generating automatic responsivity equalization factors and DC restoration values including circuit means for correcting errors in said equalization factors resulting from adjustment of said restoration values, and for correcting errors in said restoration values resulting from adjustment of said equalization factors.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 255 words

A signal processor for use with an imaging sensor system that comprises a plurality of detectors which are scanned across an image scene during a first portion of a scan cycle and scanned across a reference temperature source during a second portion of said scan cycle, said signal processor providing video output signals to a video monitor which are representative of said image scene, said signal processor comprising: input processor means coupled to said imaging sensor system for processing analog signals derived from each of said plurality of detectors in order to equalize the gains of said analog signals relative to one another during said first portion of said scan cycle based upon stored gain correction signals derived from a predetermined sensor responsivity calibration procedure, for processing said analog signals in order to restore the DC levels of signals derived from each of said detectors to DC values related to said reference temperature source during said second portion of said scan cycle, and for processing the equalized and DC restored signals to provide digitized first output signals from said input processor means, said input processor means including means for generating automatic responsivity equalization factors and DC restoration values including circuit means for correcting errors in said equalization factors resulting from adjustment of said restoration values, and for correcting errors in said restoration values resulting from adjustment of said equalization factors; and means for converting and processing said digitized first output signals from input processor means into analog video output signals compatible with said video monitor.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 255 words

A signal processor for use with an imaging sensor system that comprises a plurality of detectors which are scanned across an image scene during a first portion of a scan cycle and scanned across a reference temperature source during a second portion of said scan cycle, said signal processor providing video output signals to a video monitor which are representative of said image scene, said signal processor comprising: input processor means coupled to said imaging sensor system for processing analog signals derived from each of said plurality of detectors in order to equalize the gains of said analog signals relative to one another during said first portion of said scan cycle based upon stored gain correction signals derived from a predetermined sensor responsivity calibration procedure, for processing said analog signals in order to restore the DC levels of signals derived from each of said detectors to DC values related to said reference temperature source during said second portion of said scan cycle, and for processing the equalized and DC restored signals to provide digitized first output signals from said input processor means, said input processor means including means for generating automatic responsivity equalization factors and DC restoration values including circuit means for correcting errors in said equalization factors resulting from adjustment of said restoration values, and for correcting errors in said restoration values resulting from adjustment of said equalization factors; and means for converting and processing said digitized first output signals from input processor means into analog video output signals compatible with said video monitor.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 242 words

A signal processor for use with an imaging sensor system that comprises a plurality of detectors which are scanned across an image scene during a first portion of a scan cycle and scanned across a reference temperature source during a second portion of said scan cycle, said signal processor providing video output signals to a video monitor which are representative of said image scene, said signal processor comprising: input processor means coupled to said imaging sensor system for processing analog signals derived from each of said plurality of detectors in order to equalize gains of said analog signals relative to one another during said first portion of said scan cycle based upon stored gain correction signals derived from a predetermined sensor responsivity calibration procedure, for processing said analog signals in order to restore the DC levels of signals derived from each of said detectors to DC values related to said reference temperature source during said second portion of said scan cycle, and for processing the equalized and DC restored signals to provide digitized first output signals from said input processor means, said input processor means including means for generating accurate automatic responsivity equalization factors and accurate DC restoration values including means for substantially eliminating offsets in restoration values resulting from adjustment of equalization factors, and vice-versa; and means for converting and processing said digitized first output signals from said input processor means into analog video output signals compatible with said video monitor.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 242 words

A signal processor for use with an imaging sensor system that comprises a plurality of detectors which are scanned across an image scene during a first portion of a scan cycle and scanned across a reference temperature source during a second portion of said scan cycle, said signal processor providing video output signals to a video monitor which are representative of said image scene, said signal processor comprising: input processor means coupled to said imaging sensor system for processing analog signals derived from each of said plurality of detectors in order to equalize gains of said analog signals relative to one another during said first portion of said scan cycle based upon stored gain correction signals derived from a predetermined sensor responsivity calibration procedure, for processing said analog signals in order to restore the DC levels of signals derived from each of said detectors to DC values related to said reference temperature source during said second portion of said scan cycle, and for processing the equalized and DC restored signals to provide digitized first output signals from said input processor means, said input processor means including means for generating accurate automatic responsivity equalization factors and accurate DC restoration values including means for substantially eliminating offsets in restoration values resulting from adjustment of equalization factors, and vice-versa; and means for converting and processing said digitized first output signals from said input processor means into analog video output signals compatible with said video monitor.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1995-01-20	1995-07-22	1996-01-21	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1999-01-20	1999-07-22	2000-01-21	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2003-01-20	2003-07-22	2004-01-21	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Signal processor for an imaging sensor system

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