System and method for using filtering and pixel correlation to increase sensitivity in image sensors
US9294690B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 29, 2012 |
| Grant date | Mar 22, 2016 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 14, 2033 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH10F39/811
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An over sampled image sensor in which the pixel size is small enough to provide spatial oversampling of the minimum blur size of the sensor optics is disclosed. Image processing to detect targets below the typical limit of 6× the temporal noise floor is also disclosed. The apparatus is useful in detecting dimmer targets and targets at a longer range from the sensors. The inventions exploits signal processing, which allows spatial temporal filtering of the superpixel image in such manner that the Noise Equivalent Power is reduced by a means of Superpixel Filtering and Pooling, which increases the sensitivity far beyond a non-oversampled imager. Overall visual acuity is improved due to the ability to detect dimmer targets, provide better resolution of low intensity targets, and improvements in false alarm rejection.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.