US5144442A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Wide dynamic range camera
Assignee: i Sight Inc
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Filing: 1991-11-21
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Granted: 1992-09-01
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Expires: 2011-11-21
Abstract
Abstract This invention is directed to a wide dynamic range video imaging apparatus. More specifically, the invention is directed to a video imaging apparatus comprising a) a sensor for providing a plurality of video images of a scene at different exposure levels and b) a processor for processing the plurality of video images to produce a combined video image including image information from the plurality of video images by applying neighborhood transforms to the plurality of video images, the processor comprising a selector for locally selecting the operating levels of the dynamic range of the combined video image within the dynamic range of the sensor, whereby the resulting video image includes image information from the plurality of video images with enhanced information content at local areas therein.
Inventors
- 👤 Ran Ginosar
- 👤 Oliver Hilsenrath
- 👤 Yehoshua Zeevi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 14:46
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N23/00; H04N23/70
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
57 words
Wide dynamic range video imaging apparatus comprising: sensor means for providing a plurality of video images of a scene at different exposure levels; and means for processing the plurality of video images to produce a combined video image including image information from the plurality of video images by applying neighborhood transforms to the plurality of video images.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
57 words
Wide dynamic range video imaging apparatus comprising: sensor means for providing a plurality of video images of a scene at different exposure levels; and means for processing the plurality of video images to produce a combined video image including image information from the plurality of video images by applying neighborhood transforms to the plurality of video images.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
64 words
The video imaging apparatus of claim 1, wherein the means to process the plurality of video images comprises means for locally selecting the operating levels of the dynamic range of the combined video image within the dynamic range of the sensor means, whereby the resulting video image includes image information from a plurality of video images with enhanced information content at local areas therein.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The video imaging apparatus of claim 1, wherein said means for processing the plurality of video images comprises means for highlighting edges in the combined video image.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The video imaging apparatus of claim 1, wherein said means for providing a plurality of video images comprises a single camera sequentially operated at a plurality of different exposure levels.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The video imaging apparatus of claim 1, wherein said means for providing a plurality of video images comprises a plurality of cameras each operating at a different exposure level.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The video imaging apparatus of claim 1, wherein said means for processing also comprises image enhancement means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The video imaging apparatus of claim 6, wherein said image enhancement means comprises histogram equalization means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The video imaging apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sensors can be area sensors or line sensors.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
56 words
Wide dynamic range video imaging apparatus comprising: means for receiving a plurality of video images of a scene at different exposure levels; and means for processing the plurality of video images to produce a combined video image including image information from the plurality of video images by applying neighborhood transforms to the plurality of video images.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
56 words
Wide dynamic range video imaging apparatus comprising: means for receiving a plurality of video images of a scene at different exposure levels; and means for processing the plurality of video images to produce a combined video image including image information from the plurality of video images by applying neighborhood transforms to the plurality of video images.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
106 words
Wide dynamic range video imaging apparatus comprising: sensor means for providing a plurality of video images of a scene at different exposure levels; and means for processing the plurality of video images to produce a combined video image including image information from the plurality of video images by applying neighborhood transforms to the plurality of video images, said means comprising means for locally selecting the operating levels of the dynamic range of the combined video image within the dynamic range of the sensor means, whereby the resulting video image includes image information from the plurality of video images with enhanced information content at local areas therein.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
106 words
Wide dynamic range video imaging apparatus comprising: sensor means for providing a plurality of video images of a scene at different exposure levels; and means for processing the plurality of video images to produce a combined video image including image information from the plurality of video images by applying neighborhood transforms to the plurality of video images, said means comprising means for locally selecting the operating levels of the dynamic range of the combined video image within the dynamic range of the sensor means, whereby the resulting video image includes image information from the plurality of video images with enhanced information content at local areas therein.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-09-01 | 1996-03-02 | 1996-09-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-09-01 | 2000-03-02 | 2000-09-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-09-01 | 2004-03-02 | 2004-09-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |