High contrast image apparatus employing optical filters to cause each image pick-up element to have its maximum sensitivity in a different spectral range

US5132802A · kind A · utility

Assignees

• TZN Forschungs-Und Entwicklungszentrum Unterlüss GmbH · DE
• Rheinmetall GmbH of Dusseldorf · DE

Inventors

• Josef Osthues · Mettmann, DE
• Helmut Neff · Hermannsburg, DE
• Walter Meyer · Sparks, US
• Klaus Klameth · Hannover, DE
• Brigitte Dorothea Nitsche · Lippstadt, DE
• Peter Haberacker · Germering, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Feb 15, 1990
• Grant date: Jul 21, 1992
• Expiry date: Feb 15, 2010

Classification

• Technology area (CPC H): Electricity
• CPC primary: H04N25/131
• WIPO field: Audio-visual technology
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

To obtain high contrast images of objects which are in an area covered with rich vegetation and which additionally are given a camouflage coating, the wavelength specific differences in reflection behavior of the clutter and of the camouflage coating of the object are utilized. For this purpose, the apparatus according to the invention includes at least two image pick-up elements, particularly CCD cameras, whose output signals are fed to a signal processing arrangement whereby are combined. On the side of the object, respective optical filters are disposed in front of the image pick-up elements so as to cause each image pick-up element to have its maximum sensitivity in a different spectral range.