Abstract: A high sensitivity, single chip, low light level imaging device is provided. The imaging device of the present invention utilizes sparse color sampling, to maximize the luminance information gathered. In particular, color information is gathered by a small proportion of the pixels included in an image sensor, while the remaining pixels operate at full spectrum sensitivity. The present invention allows the correct hue of objects to be determined, while providing high sensitivity to available luminance information in a scene. The imaging device can include a global near infrared blocking filter that can be selectively placed in the optical path of the device. In addition or alternatively, opaque pixels may be included in the image sensor to correct for errors caused by charge diffusion.

Abstract: A high sensitivity, single chip, low light level imaging device is provided. The imaging device of the present invention utilizes sparse color sampling, to maximize the luminance information gathered. In particular, color information is gathered by a small proportion of the pixels included in an image sensor, while the remaining pixels operate at full spectrum sensitivity. The present invention allows the correct hue of objects to be determined, while providing high sensitivity to available luminance information in a scene. In addition, the present invention allows hue information to be ascribed to objects in a scene, even in combination with luminance data collected over a spectrum that includes the near infrared and infrared wavelengths.

Abstract: A high sensitivity, single chip, low light level imaging device is provided. The imaging device of the present invention utilizes sparse color sampling, to maximize the luminance information gathered. In particular, color information is gathered by a small proportion of the pixels included in an image sensor, while the remaining pixels operate at full spectrum sensitivity. The present invention allows the correct hue of objects to be determined, while providing high sensitivity to available luminance information in a scene. In addition, the present invention allows hue information to be ascribed to objects in a scene, even in combination with luminance data collected over a spectrum that includes the near infrared and infrared wavelengths.

Abstract: A charge transport apparatus for use in a signal information system (10) is disclosed. The apparatus includes a detector (18), having a number of radiation sensitive elements (24), for receiving a radiation signal (14) and generating electrical charge responsive to the received signal (14). The resulting charge is conveyed to a readout port area (32) by impressing a stepped potential gradient or a potential field with a varying sweep rate on the detector (18). The stepped potential gradient or variably swept potential field is communicated to the detector (18) via underlying tines (38).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a charge coupled device CCD X-ray imager for reducing split events during integration. The imager includes a semiconductor material having a photosensitive region for receiving X-ray radiation energy and for generating electrical charges corresponding to the received X-ray radiation, and having a plurality of permanent barriers formed therein to divide the semiconductor material into a plurality of columns. Barrier electrodes are coupled to the semiconductor material for establishing in said semiconductor material a plurality of temporary barriers having a sufficient potential gradient to substantially reduce the occurrence of split events. Collection site electrodes are coupled to the semiconductor material for effecting the collection of the generated electrical charges. The temporary barriers are erected in the columns to form an array of potential wells.

Abstract: A dual mode imaging device is provided which employs a frame transfer charge device. The device comprises an image zone for receiving radiation and generating first output as a function of the amount of radiation received during a predetermined time period. A memory zone is employed to receive and store the first output during a first mode of operation as well as receive radiation and generate a second output as a function of the amount of radiation received during a second mode of operation. A shift register is provided for transmitting either the first output or the second output for processing.

Abstract: Dead spots within an array of photo-sensitive video signal generation elements are detected based on an excessive rate-of-change in sequentially-accessed pre-stored digital sensitivity correction coefficients corresponding to the array of photosensitive elements. The coefficients are sequentially accessed for use in making synchronous real-time sensitivity corrections to the non-dead video output from corresponding ones of the sensor elements. In response to such detected dead spots, an artificial video signal is also substituted during any dead spot so as to "fill-in" the "missing" portions of the video signal otherwise present due to dead spots in the array of video signal generating elements. In the exemplary embodiment, the leading and trailing edge of such dead spots is detected by comparing arithmetic differences between successive correction coefficients to a predetermined threshold value.

Abstract: A video imaging apparatus for scanning an area during relative motion in a direction defining a track axis has at least two linear sensors each comprised of at least one array of charge coupled devices. The sensors are oriented substantially perpendicular to the track axis thereby defining a cross-track axis. The arrays are further fixed relative to each other and oriented for simultaneously scanning the same area. A master clock signal is used to readout the data produced by the first sensor. A phase-locked loop produces a slaved, pliant, clock signal for reading the data out of the second sensor. By varying the phase of the slaved clock signal relative to the master clock signal, mechanical offset between the two sensors is compensated. By varying the average frequency of the slaved clock signal relative to the master clock signal, scale differences between the two sensors are compensated.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for compensating for sensitivity variations in image sensors. The sensing surface of an image sensor is arbitrarily divided into a plurality of detection elements. A field of uniform brightness is presented to the image sensor and the video signal from each detection element is multiplied by a corresponding correction value. The altered video signal is compared to a reference and the corresponding correction value is either incremented or decremented so that the altered video signal approaches the reference. During operation, the video data received from each detection element is multiplied by the corresponding correction value to produce corrected video data.

Abstract: A program card comprised of passive elements is collocated or otherwise considered part of the cathode ray tube, CRT, module of a modularized display unit, and is used to dictate major system operating parameters to a set of cooperating electronic modules. This concept allows an appropriate standard set of electronic modules to drive CRTs of differing deflection angles, screen and neck sizes. Sparing cost and logistic complexity can be reduced at field installations which utilize CRT displays of various sizes.

Abstract: A dark current compensation system for use with a semiconductor imaging device. A p-n junction, thermally connected to the semiconductor imaging device, is forward biased by a temperature variant voltage. The bias voltage is varied in accordance with the temperature of the junction such that the current through the forward biased junction is substantially equal to the reverse saturation current of the junction times a predetermined constant. A dark current compensation signal is derived from the current through the junction.