Electro-optical imaging array with profiled foward motion compensation

In a system comprising a first passive array of cells arranged in rows and columns for generating pixel information representing a scene, said columns arranged in a plurality of first column groups capable of transferring pixel information in accordance with independent transfer rates, and a second passive velocity estimator array of cells generating pixel information, said velocity estimator may arranged in a plurality of velocity estimator column groups capable of transferring pixel information in accordance with independent transfer rates, said velocity estimator column groups aligned with said first column groups of said first array of cells, a method processing said pixel information from said velocity estimator array and said first array of cells which compensates for scene variation, comprising the steps of:

• generating first and second images of said scene from said velocity estimator array, said second image generated at a later point in time from the generation of said first image and having associated with it a second transfer rate U.sub.0i in each of said velocity estimator column groups to compensate for forward motion of said velocity estimator array relative to said scene;
• deriving from said first and second images the image correction velocity U.sub..delta.i of at least one point in said scene in the plane of said velocity estimator array in each of said velocity estimator column groups;
• and
• transferring said pixel information through each of said column groups in said first array of cells at a pixel information transfer rate substantially equal to U.sub.01 -U.sub..delta.1 derived from said first and second images for the corresponding velocity estimator column groups;
• whereby said pixel information transfer rate may be adjusted from said second transfer rate to said pixel information transfer rate for said first array independent of aircraft navigation system inputs and resolution of an image created from the pixels of said first array can be preserved.

Apparatus for processing pixel information representing an image of a scene to compensate for terrain variations in said scene comprising, in combination:

• a passive first array of cells arranged in rows and columns capable of generating said pixel information, said columns organized into a plurality of column groups;
• a passive velocity estimator array comprising an array of cells capable of storing pixel information, said velocity estimator array organized into a plurality of columns of pixels positioned in alignment with said column groups of said first array or cells, said velocity estimator array generating first and second sequential images of said scene;
• means for processing said first and second images of said scene and for responsively deriving pixel information transfer rates for said column groups of said first array of cells, and
• means for transferring said pixel information within said first array at said pixel information transfer rates derived from said first and second images;
• whereby said pixel information transfer rates for said first array of cells may be derived independent of aircraft navigation system inputs and resolution of an image created from said first array of cells can be preserved.

An aerial reconnaissance camera comprising, in combination:

• a first passive array of cells capable of storing pixel information arranged in rows and columns, said columns arranged in a plurality of column groups;
• a passive velocity estimator array comprising an array or cells arranged in a plurality of column groups;
• means for determining pixel information transfer rates for said column groups of said first array of cells to minimize image smear due to terrain variations, comprising
• means for storing in digital format first and second images generated from said velocity estimator array;
• means for correlating said stored first and second images, said second image generated at a later point in time from said first image;
• and
• a processor responsive to said correlation means which generates pixel information transfer rate signals for said column groups of said first array of cells derived from said first and second images and a image transfer rate U.sub.0i associated with said second image in each of said column groups of said velocity estimator array;
• column transfer means responsive to said pixel information rate signals for transferring pixel information through said column groups of said first array as said pixel information transfer rates for each of said column groups;
• whereby said pixel information transfer rates for said first array of cells may be derived independent of aircraft navigation system inputs and resolution of an image created by said first array of cells may be preserved.

An aerial reconnaissance camera comprising, in combination:

• a passive first array of cells capable of storing pixel information arranged in rows and columns, said columns arranged in a plurality of column groups;
• means for determining pixel information transfer rates for each of said column groups of said first array of cells to minimize image smear due to terrain variations comprising
• means for storing in digital format first and second images generated from said first array of cells, said second image generated at a later point in time from said first image;
• means for correlating said stored first and second images;
• and
• a processor responsive to said correlation means which generates a pixel information transfer rate signal for said column groups of said first may of cells derived from said first and second images and an image transfer rate U.sub.0 associated with said second image;
• and
• column transfer means responsive to said pixel information transfer rate signal for transferring pixel information through said column groups of said first array at said pixel information transfer rates for each of said column groups;
• whereby said pixel information transfer rates may be adjusted from said second image transfer rate U.sub.0 to said pixel information transfer rate independent of aircraft navigation system inputs, and resolution of an image created by said first array of cells may be preserved.