Abstract: Video cameras, such as charge coupled device cameras, are used for optically making spatial measurements. For example, such cameras are used for laser beam analysis. Such cameras also have drawbacks including baseline offset error and poor signal-to-noise ratio. By adjusting the baseline so that both noise and the desired signal produce only positive digital counts, deriving a baseline offset level with only noise, and then subtracting the baseline offset level from subsequent frames Containing data representing both noise and the desired signal, the baseline offset is corrected. With the baseline offset being corrected, signal-to-noise ratio improving techniques, such as frame averaging and results averaging, can be applied to extract the desired signals which would otherwise be buried in the noise. The method and apparatus is particularly suited to laser beam performance evaluations.

Abstract: Video cameras, such as charge coupled device cameras, are used for optically making dimensional measurements of laser beams. Such cameras have drawbacks including baseline offset error, shading error, pixel-to-pixel fixed pattern offsets, and poor signal-to-noise ratio. Methods and apparatus to correct for these errors, without losing any desired signal components, wherein the baseline offset error is corrected without the loss of any signal components that may otherwise be obscured due to noise. The baseline of the signal is raised above a digitizer's zero level, an average baseline without an input signal present is determined, and then the average baseline is subtracted from the subsequently obtained signals. The subtraction process is performed such that the subsequent frames in memory retain all negative signal components, as well as positive signal components, and thus there is no loss of the desired signal.

Abstract: A high resolution video display system suitable for use in displaying large outdoor scoreboards is disclosed. Video signals are converted from analog to digital format. Portions of the signal are selected for display on the scoreboard and the selected portions are then processed and transmitted to the scoreboard elements. A high resolution display is obtained by utilizing quantizing, selection, and transmission circuits which can operate in real time at a rate sufficiently high to keep up with the incoming video signal. This permits the system to utilize more video information than it has previously been possible to use. An additional feature of the invention is the ability to simulate a traveling sign display by causing a message to appear to move across the scoreboard.

Abstract: A high speed video display system suitable for use in operating video scoreboard displays is disclosed. Video data for a complete frame is converted from analogue to digital format and is directly loaded into a display memory (RAM). The digitized data is then outputted via a display interface to the display board which may consist of variable intensity devices, such as, incandescent light bulbs. The system, although under computer control, does not include the computer in the data handling path thereby permitting increased data handling rates. The video converter for the system includes circuits for changing the display format to produce "zoom" enlargements and wide screen displays suitable for racetrack applications.

Abstract: A large display system capable of displaying a video image receives video signals, quantizes those signals to produce a digital code capable of representing variations in the light content of the image and processes the digital code so to control individual display devices on a large matrix of such devices to have different levels of visibility to thereby reproduce the video image for viewing by a large audience. A data processor is utilized to store the digital representation of the video image in memory so that on line or off line presentations can be made.

Abstract: A large display system capable of displaying a color video image receives video signals, quantizes those signals to produce a digital code capable of representing variations in the light content of the image and processes the digital code so as to control individual display devices on a large matrix of such devices to have different levels of visibility to thereby reproduce the video image for viewing by a large audience. A data processor is optionally utilized to store the digital representation of the video image in memory so that on line or off line presentations can be made.

Abstract: A large display system capable of displaying a video image receives video signals, quantizes those signals to produce a digital code capable of representing variations in the light content of the image and processes the digital code so as to control individual display devices on a large matrix of such devices to have different levels of visibility to thereby reproduce the video image for viewing by a large audience. A data processor is optionally utilized to store the digital representation of the video image in memory so that on line or off line presentations can be made.