Abstract: The invention relates to a synchronization signal decoder and associated method for improving digital image display. A composite video stream includes a distortion compliant signal and a synchronization signal. A level shift circuit is adapted to shift a voltage level of the composite video stream such that the distortion compliant signal is readily distinguishable from the synchronization signal. A level shift disable circuit is adapted to disable the level shift circuit responsive to the composite video stream.

Abstract: A system for providing a printed output image including information from a data collection system onto a single print medium is disclosed. Data collection systems and methods are disclosed for collecting data from a plurality of spatially separated sources and for providing that data as a sequence of output signals. The data collection system includes a housing a selection element, one or more image paths and an image plane. The selection element selectively and alternatively couples visual images from separate object sources along the image paths and onto the image plane. The selection element may include optical shutters for selectively occluding or transmitting the visual images and may include illumination elements for providing a controlled sequence of illumination at selected ones of the object sources. The system can assemble the printed data in a format suitable for printing as an identification card.

Abstract: A system for providing a printed output image including information from a data collection system onto a single print medium is disclosed. Data collection systems and methods are disclosed for collecting data from a plurality of spatially separated sources and for providing that data as a sequence of output signals. The data collection system includes a housing a selection element, one or more image paths and an image plane. The selection element selectively and alternatively couples visual images from separate object sources along the image paths and onto the image plane. The selection element may include optical shutters for selectively occluding or transmitting the visual images and may include illumination elements for providing a controlled sequence of illumination at selected ones of the object sources. The system can assemble the printed data in a format suitable for printing as an identification card.

Abstract: A system for providing a printed output image including information from a data collection system onto a single print medium is disclosed. Data collection systems and methods are disclosed for collecting data from a plurality of spatially separated sources and for providing that data as a sequence of output signals. The data collection system includes a housing a selection element, one or more image paths and an image plane. The selection element selectively and alternatively couples visual images from separate object sources along the image paths and onto the image plane. The selection element may include optical shutters for selectively occluding or transmitting the visual images and may include illumination elements for providing a controlled sequence of illumination at selected ones of the object sources. The system can assemble the printed data in a format suitable for printing as an identification card.

Abstract: An apparatus which remotely visualizes and detects toxic, flammable and other gas leaks and enables one to see gas clouds in real-time. A dual band thermal imaging infrared video camera fitted with a special filter images gas clouds. Image processing is utilized to develop and colorize the gas cloud information for display. The gas image is superimposed over a background image provided by a co-located visible light video camera.

Abstract: The invention is an apparatus and method for tracking colors in image features by using color elements. A scan signal representing a scanned imaage with colored features is converted into color element signals representing instantaneous magnitude values of predetermined color elements. These values are compared against predetermined color element magnitude value combinations representing expected colors of features in the image. If the instantaneous magnitude values match a predetermined color element value combination, the corresponding color is correlated with a picture element of the scanned image. More elaborately, image features are recognized by comparing the matched combination with the expected image feature locations. When a set of instantaneous values matching one of the expected color element combinations is correlated with an expected location, a determination is made whether the color element combination is one expected for the particular feature location.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for encoding and decoding a signal which is divided into a plurality of signal lines, each of which is a successive line of pixel signal values taken from a two-dimensional informational field. The apparatus for encoding includes the following elements: means for deriving a neighborhood value representing the pixel signal values taken from the two-dimensional field in the neighborhood of a pixel signal value to be encoded, which neighborhood value is based, at least in part, on a pixel signal value in another signal line than that in which the pixel signal value to be encoded is located: means for deriving the difference between the neighborhood value and the pixel signal value to be encoded; and means for outputting the difference as the encoded representation of the pixel signal value to be encoded.

Abstract: A beamformer device for forming at least one beam from the outputs of a sensor array, including: a plurality of radiation sources; means for providing to each radiation source a signal from an associated one of the sensors in the sensor array; a detector array of radiation-sensitive means for providing a series of spaced signals representing radiation incident from each of the radiation sources; and means for varying the delays between the spaced signals for optimizing the response of the device to a signal from a predetermined direction.

Abstract: A system for precisely determining the position of a beam of incident radiation. In one embodiment in the disclosure the system is utilized in an orbiting, Ritchey-Chretien telescope to determine the precise position of the image of a guide star in the focal plane of the telescope. In that embodiment a first reticle plate, having concentric ring reticle lines, is located at the edge of the tangential focal surface of the telescope and outside of the focal area being used for observation. A second reticle plate, having radial reticle lines, is located adjacent to the first reticle plate at the edge of the sagittal focal surface of the telescope and outside of the focal area being used for observation. A relay lens system and an image dissector tube are positioned behind the reticle plates so that light refracted by the reticle plates is passed by the relay lens system to the image dissector tube. A guide star is imaged on the first and second reticle plates.