Patent US5199773A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US5231502A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5231502A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Image information processing techniques for improving the resolution of scanned imaging systems
Assignee: Allegretti & Witcoff Ltd
•
Filing: 1991-05-13
•
Granted: 1993-07-27
•
Expires: 2011-05-13
Abstract
Abstract Improved apparatus and methods of image information processing are disclosed which extend the operational coverage of an image system to higher velocity to height ratio scenarios while optimizing image resolution. The invention typically is implemented by a time delay and integrate charge-coupled device. In conjunction with an image variable row scan rate, a novel method of clocking the device is used to adjust the number of cycles of clocking performed in one row read out time, and to simultaneously transfer pixel information located in a plurality of rows of an imaging array having a predetermined row relationship. The relationship between the variable row scan rate, the predetermined row relationship and the number of cycles of clocking is adjusted so that the scan rate can increase above a maximum base scan rate by a factor of (AB)/(B-1), where A is the number of cycles of clocking performed and B is an integer corresponding to the predetermined row relationship. This increased scan rate and clocking optimizes resolution in the extended operational coverage scenario at (B-1)/(AB). In some non-scanning applications, the velocity to height ratio will determine the rate of image movement across the array, and the row relationship and the number of cycles of clocking will be the chosen parameters to optimize resolution.
Inventors
- 👤 William R. Pfister
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 16:50
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N25/00; H04N25/70; H04N25/71; F; F02; F02B; F02B75/00; F02B75/02; F02B2075/022; F02B2075/027
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
185 words
In a system for processing image information comprising an array of cells capable of representing pixel information arranged in rows and columns, and further comprising row read out means for transferring pixel information represented by a row of the cells to a utilization device at a predetermined row read out rate corresponding to a predetermined row read out time period, improved apparatus for optimizing resolution of the system comprising in combination: means for scanning said rows with radiation at a variable row scan rate; row transfer means for simultaneously transferring pixel information located in a plurality of the rows having a predetermined row relationship to adjacent rows and for transferring pixel information located in a predetermined number of the rows to the read out means during the row read out time period; and adjusting means for adjusting the relationship between the variable row scan rate, predetermined row relationship and predetermined number of rows to improve the resolution of an image generated by said system during time periods in which the row scan rate exceeds the row read out rate of the row read out means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
185 words
In a system for processing image information comprising an array of cells capable of representing pixel information arranged in rows and columns, and further comprising row read out means for transferring pixel information represented by a row of the cells to a utilization device at a predetermined row read out rate corresponding to a predetermined row read out time period, improved apparatus for optimizing resolution of the system comprising in combination: means for scanning said rows with radiation at a variable row scan rate; row transfer means for simultaneously transferring pixel information located in a plurality of the rows having a predetermined row relationship to adjacent rows and for transferring pixel information located in a predetermined number of the rows to the read out means during the row read out time period; and adjusting means for adjusting the relationship between the variable row scan rate, predetermined row relationship and predetermined number of rows to improve the resolution of an image generated by said system during time periods in which the row scan rate exceeds the row read out rate of the row read out means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
59 words
Apparatus, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the predetermined row relationship is defined by dividing at least some of the rows into a plurality of groups of B rows, one of the rows in each said group being selected for simultaneous transfer of pixel information by the row transfer means, where B is a positive integer greater than 1.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus, as claimed in claim 2, wherein the adjusting means operates so that the row scan rate is inversely proportional to B-1.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus, as claimed in claim 2, wherein said predetermined number of rows equals A, where A is a positive integer greater than 0.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus, as claimed in claim 4, wherein the adjusting means operates so that the row scan rate is directly proportional to A times B.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
39 words
Apparatus, as claimed in claim 4, wherein the row read out rate defines a base row scan rate and wherein the adjusting means operates so that the row scan rate substantially equals the base row scan rate times (AB)/(B-1).
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus, as claimed in claim 1 and further comprising means for scanning each row of the array with radiation at the variable row scan rate.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus, as claimed in claim 7, wherein the means for scanning comprises a moving vehicle carrying the row transfer means and adjusting means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
48 words
Apparatus, as claimed in claim 8, and further comprising means for measuring the row scan rate and wherein the adjusting means comprises means for adjusting at least one of the predetermined row relationship and the predetermined number of rows in response to changes in the row scan rate.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
54 words
Apparatus, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the row transfer means comprises: phase means for simultaneously transferring pixel information located in a plurality of rows having a predetermined row relationship; and cycle means for transferring pixel information from a predetermined number of rows to the read out means during the row read out time.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the row read out means comprises a shift register.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the row transfer means comprises a shift register and a clock driver driven by said shift register.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
11 words
Apparatus, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the radiation is light.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the array of cells comprises a charge-coupled device.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
176 words
In a system for processing image information comprising an array of cells capable of representing pixel information arranged in rows and columns, and further comprising row read out means for transferring pixel information represented by a row of the cells to a utilization device at a predetermined row read out rate corresponding to a predetermined row read out time period, a method for optimizing resolution of the system comprising the steps of: scanning said rows with radiation at a variable row scan rate; simultaneously transferring pixel information located in a plurality of the rows having a predetermined row relationship to adjacent rows and transferring pixel information located in a predetermined number of the rows to the read out means during the row read out time period; and adjusting the relationship between the variable row scan rate, predetermined row relationship and predetermined number of rows to improve the resolution of an image generated by said system during time periods in which the row scan rate exceeds the row read out rate of the row read out means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
176 words
In a system for processing image information comprising an array of cells capable of representing pixel information arranged in rows and columns, and further comprising row read out means for transferring pixel information represented by a row of the cells to a utilization device at a predetermined row read out rate corresponding to a predetermined row read out time period, a method for optimizing resolution of the system comprising the steps of: scanning said rows with radiation at a variable row scan rate; simultaneously transferring pixel information located in a plurality of the rows having a predetermined row relationship to adjacent rows and transferring pixel information located in a predetermined number of the rows to the read out means during the row read out time period; and adjusting the relationship between the variable row scan rate, predetermined row relationship and predetermined number of rows to improve the resolution of an image generated by said system during time periods in which the row scan rate exceeds the row read out rate of the row read out means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
55 words
The method, as claimed in claim 15, wherein the predetermined row relationship is defined by dividing at least some of the rows into a plurality of groups of B rows, one of the rows in each said group being selected for simultaneous transfer of pixel information, where B is a positive integer greater than 1.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method, as claimed in claim 16, wherein the row scan rate is adjusted to be inversely proportional to B-1.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method, as claimed in claim 16, wherein said predetermined number of rows equals A, where A is a positive integer greater than 0.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method, as claimed in claim 18, wherein the row scan rate is adjusted to be directly proportional to A times B.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method, as claimed in claim 18, wherein the row read out rate defines a base row scan rate and wherein the row scan rate is adjusted to be substantially equal to the base row scan rate times (AB)/(B-1).
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method, as claimed in claim 15, and further comprising the step of scanning each row of the array with radiation at the variable row scan rate.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method, as claimed in claim 21, wherein the step of scanning comprises the step of carrying the image processing system in a vehicle and exposing said array to radiation as the vehicle moves.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
53 words
The method, as claimed in claim 22, and further comprising the step of measuring the row scan rate and wherein the step of adjusting further comprises the step of adjusting at least one of the predetermined row relationship and the predetermined number of rows in response to changes in the row scan rate.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method, as claimed in claim 15, wherein the radiation is light.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method, as claimed in claim 15, wherein the array of cells comprises a charge-coupled device.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4129887A
Cited
US4280141A
Cited
US4330796A
Cited
US4764813A
Cited
US4679090A
Cited
US4952809A
Cited
US4989086A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1996-07-26 | 1997-01-25 | 1997-07-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-07-26 | 2001-01-25 | 2001-07-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-07-26 | 2005-01-25 | 2005-07-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |