Color night vision cameras, systems, and methods thereof
US9894337B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 21, 2016 |
| Grant date | Feb 13, 2018 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 21, 2036 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04N2209/048
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Disclosed are improved methods, systems and devices for color night vision that reduce the number of intensifiers and/or decrease noise. In some embodiments, color night vision is provided in system in which multiple spectral bands are maintained, filtered separately, and then recombined in a unique three-lens-filtering setup. An illustrative four-camera night vision system is unique in that its first three cameras separately filter different bands using a subtractive Cyan, Magenta and Yellow (CMY) color filtering-process, while its fourth camera is used to sense either additional IR illuminators or a luminance channel to increase brightness. In some embodiments, the color night vision is implemented to distinguish details of an image in low light. The unique application of the three-lens subtractive CMY filtering allows for better photon scavenging and preservation of important color information.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.