Optical non-uniformity correction (NUC) for active mode imaging sensors
US9473768B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 3, 2014 |
| Grant date | Oct 18, 2016 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 19, 2034 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA62B1/04
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Optical non-uniformity correction (NUC) of an active mode image sensor scans a spot over a portion of the sensor's FOV within a frame time so that the net response of the sensor is approximately uniform. Scanning the laser spot simultaneously performs the NUC and provides the illumination of the FOV for imaging the scene. The laser spot is suitably scanned in an overlapping geometrical pattern relative to a line-of-sight of the sensor's imager while modulating a spacing between overlapping laser spots, the size of the spot, a dwell time of the laser spot or the energy of the laser spot or combinations thereof as a function of the scan position of the laser spot so that the laser illumination is inversely proportional to the imager response at the scan position of the laser spot. A liquid crystal waveguide may be used to form and scan the small laser spot over the FOV within the frame time.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.