Television – Camera – system and detail – Solid-state image sensor
Reexamination Certificate
1999-02-02
2001-02-13
Garber, Wendy (Department: 2712)
Television
Camera, system and detail
Solid-state image sensor
C348S217100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06188433
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates generally to charge coupled devices (CCDs) and, more specifically, to methods for increasing the dynamic range of CCDs.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Sensor-based, electro-optical systems have historically been limited in their ability -to image a wide range of illumination levels within a single integrated scene. This limitation n intra-scene dynamic range is emphasized in systems applied in low light level applications where the scene illumination can be as high as 1,000,000 to 1. Standard video rate image sensors are limited in dynamic range and therefore are only able to discern a limited portion of the total scene content. This lack of adequate dynamic range is particularly noticeable in video imaging systems employing image intensifiers where the brightness of large diameter transparent halos around point sources of light exceed the intra-scene dynamic range capability of standard sensor technology.
Therefore, there is a need for a method and apparatus for increasing the dynamic range of sensor based imagers.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an imaging system that is capable of achieving a relatively high intra-scene dynamic range using a charge-coupled device (CCD) sensor. The imaging system includes functionality for controlling the intensity of the image reaching the CCD sensor during the CCD integration period in a manner that enhances the dynamic range of the imaging system. The image intensity is varied in a complementary manner with the charge well depth of the CCD sensor during the integration period to achieve the dynamic range improvement. The inventive principles are suitable for use in any imaging system that uses CCDs or similar sensing devices. The invention is particularly advantageous in systems for use in low-light conditions, such as those using intensifiers to increase the intensity of visual images to better discern faint objects/scenes.
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Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp.
Garber Wendy
Moe Aung S.
Sheridan & Ross P.C.
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