초록 ▼

The specification discloses a method and apparatus for stabilizing images in the reference frame of a forward or down looking infrared receiver moving relative to the scene. An infrared modulator (14) is disposed in the image plane of the receiver for imaging infrared energy from the scene. The modu

The specification discloses a method and apparatus for stabilizing images in the reference frame of a forward or down looking infrared receiver moving relative to the scene. An infrared modulator (14) is disposed in the image plane of the receiver for imaging infrared energy from the scene. The modulator (14), normally nonreflecting of infrared energy incident thereon, is capable of having reflective spots written on selected locations thereon to reflect infrared energy incident at those locations. Detectors (24) positioned to detect infrared energy reflected from the modulator provide an output signal representing the radiance values of the sampled scene element. A microprocessor (30) is connected to the detector, responsive to the detected output signal, to detect image motion caused by relative motion between the receiver and the scene from the detected information. The microprocessor (30) provides transform information about the transformation from reference frame to modulator coordinates such that infrared energy reflected from the modulator will appear stabilized to a sampling frame in the computer during relative motion between the telescope and the scene. Interface electronics (32) connected to the microprocessor (30) converts selected sampling points in the window frame coordinates to modulator coordinates at which coordinates an electron gun (21) writes reflective spots on the modulator.

대표청구항 ▼

A method for stabilizing images in a computer reference frame for a telescope moving relative to a scene, comprising the steps of: (a) sampling radiance values of the scene reflected from spots written on a thermoptic modulator for a selected set of points having fixed coordinates in the reference f

A method for stabilizing images in a computer reference frame for a telescope moving relative to a scene, comprising the steps of: (a) sampling radiance values of the scene reflected from spots written on a thermoptic modulator for a selected set of points having fixed coordinates in the reference frame; (b) processing information about the reference frame coordinates of the points in step (a), the radiance values obtained in step (a) and stored radiance values obtained from a preceding set of observations to obtain transform data representing motion of the image from the scene caused by the relative motion of the telescope to the scene; (c) selecting a set of points having the same coordinates in the reference frame as the set in step (a) to obtain the next set of radiance values; (d) transforming coordinates of the points selected in step (c) to modulator coordinates from the transform data obtained in step (b); and (e) writing reflective spots on a thermoptic modulator at the modulator coordinates obtained in step (d) to acquire a new set of radiance values.