Abstract: A method for increasing dynamic range of a time-delay integration (TDI) image includes assigning a value N to a line-number setting and generating each line of the TDI image by (i) selecting N lines from N corresponding images of an image sequence, and (ii) integrating the N lines. The brightness of the TDI image is evaluated, after which the line-number setting is updated to a new value. In another method, the value of a TDI pixel is initialized to the value of a corresponding pixel in a first image of the image sequence. While the TDI pixel value is less than a ceiling, a contribution is added to the TDI pixel value, the contribution being based on the value of an additional corresponding pixel in an additional image of the image sequence. After adding, the resulting TDI pixel value may be scaled based on the number of contributions.

Abstract: A method for increasing dynamic range of a time-delay integration (TDI) image includes assigning a value N to a line-number setting and generating each line of the TDI image by (i) selecting N lines from N corresponding images of an image sequence, and (ii) integrating the N lines. The brightness of the TDI image is evaluated, after which the line-number setting is updated to a new value. In another method, the value of a TDI pixel is initialized to the value of a corresponding pixel in a first image of the image sequence. While the TDI pixel value is less than a ceiling, a contribution is added to the TDI pixel value, the contribution being based on the value of an additional corresponding pixel in an additional image of the image sequence. After adding, the resulting TDI pixel value may be scaled based on the number of contributions.

Abstract: A method for increasing dynamic range of a time-delay integration (TDI) image includes assigning a value N to a line-number setting and generating each line of the TDI image by (i) selecting N lines from N corresponding images of an image sequence, and (ii) integrating the N lines. The brightness of the TDI image is evaluated, after which the line-number setting is updated to a new value. In another method, the value of a TDI pixel is initialized to the value of a corresponding pixel in a first image of the image sequence. While the TDI pixel value is less than a ceiling, a contribution is added to the TDI pixel value, the contribution being based on the value of an additional corresponding pixel in an additional image of the image sequence. After adding, the resulting TDI pixel value may be scaled based on the number of contributions.

Abstract: A method for generating time delay integration color images at increased resolution includes (a) capturing sequential digital two-dimensional color images of a scene using an area scan color image sensor including lines of color sensor pixels, wherein each color sensor pixel including a Bayer-type array of photosites, and (b) processing the sequential digital two-dimensional color images to generate a time delay integration color image of an object moving in the scene, wherein the processing includes increasing resolution of the time delay integration color image by including crossover pixels formed by combining photosites from sequentially captured two-dimensional color images.

Abstract: A method for generating time delay integration color images at increased resolution includes (a) capturing sequential digital two-dimensional color images of a scene using an area scan color image sensor including lines of color sensor pixels, wherein each color sensor pixel including a Bayer-type array of photosites, and (b) processing the sequential digital two-dimensional color images to generate a time delay integration color image of an object moving in the scene, wherein the processing includes increasing resolution of the time delay integration color image by including crossover pixels formed by combining photosites from sequentially captured two-dimensional color images.

Abstract: A method for processing a plurality of input images associated with a respective plurality of input times, the input images and input times being provided by an event timing system, comprises: selecting an output frame rate; generating a plurality of output images, corresponding to the output frame rate, from the plurality of input images; and assigning to each output image a final output time provided by the event timing system, the final output time being the input time associated with an input image contributing to the output image.

Abstract: A system for processing event timing images includes: area scan image sensor for generating sequential digital two-dimensional images of a scene; and time delay integration module for processing the sequential digital two-dimensional images to generate a time delay integration image of a moving object in the scene.

Abstract: A method for processing event timing images includes: capturing sequential digital two-dimensional images of a scene using an area scan image sensor; and processing the sequential digital two-dimensional images to generate a time delay integration image of an object moving in the scene.

Abstract: A method for processing a plurality of input images associated with a respective plurality of input times, the input images and input times being provided by an event timing system, comprises: selecting an output frame rate; generating a plurality of output images, corresponding to the output frame rate, from the plurality of input images; and assigning to each output image a final output time provided by the event timing system, the final output time being the input time associated with an input image contributing to the output image.

Abstract: A system for processing event timing images includes: area scan image sensor for generating sequential digital two-dimensional images of a scene; and time delay integration module for processing the sequential digital two-dimensional images to generate a time delay integration image of a moving object in the scene.

Abstract: A system is provided for recording and timing of events, and includes: a camera system for capturing images of the events and comprising a clock; an event recorder for detecting the events and being communicatively coupled with the clock; and a data processing system capable of assigning times provided by the clock to the images captured by the camera system and events detected by the event recorder.

Abstract: A method for processing event timing images includes: capturing sequential digital two-dimensional images of a scene using an area scan image sensor; and processing the sequential digital two-dimensional images to generate a time delay integration image of an object moving in the scene.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided to effectively reduce the non-active detection gap between sensor elements of an optical sensor. Reducing the non-active gap can subsequently reduce the time delay between sensor elements, mitigating the image degrading effects of a composite element time delay. While applicable to use with a wide range of optical sensors, the invention may be used for detecting aspects of a variable-rate dynamic colorful object using a matrix sensor or a tri-linear color CCD sensor. In one variation, optical fibers extend from a first fiber optic faceplate to a second fiber optic faceplate. The optical fibers can be oriented toward or directly mounted to the sensor elements. A spacer may be used to separate the optical fibers for alignment with the sensor elements and the other end of the optical fibers are attached to each other.

Abstract: A line scan digital camera is directed at a station for recording and displaying a time-sequential scene. The digital camera takes a sequence of digital image frames representative of one or more bodies crossing a plane in space, wherein each frame represents a line image of the body, thus forming a fractional part of the scene, and the set of time-successive frames forms a recognizable image on an external display. Within the camera, frames enter a buffer and a microprocessor in the camera compares blocks from successive line images to detect changes indicative of objects entering or leaving the field of view. The changes detected by pixel or block analysis identify information-containing portions of the data stream and their time of occurrence.

Abstract: The present invention provides a reaction time measurement system that includes a hard-wired or battery-powered accelerometer module attached to a starting block or platform to detect acceleration when a contestant moves. Although the block is grossly stationary, it undergoes slight movement and mechanical vibration, so the accelerometer produces an output signal. A filter or a processing unit in the module processes the output signal to define the reaction time or moment when the athlete starts to leave the block. Preferably the module removably attaches to the starting block by a rigid coupling, and its processor stores and annotates the accelerometer signal. A link or connector signals the reaction time, or the stored signal on request, to a central monitor at which false start detection determination are made and records created.