Combined SBI and conventional image processor

An FPA and SBI image processor that allows both FPA and SBI imaging devices to use a common high resolution monitor and archive, the apparatus comprising:

• an input port adapted for accepting a first SBI formatted digital sample data stream;
• an input port adapted for accepting a video signal comprised of a first series of pixel-oriented video frames from an FPA video source;
• a processor capable of (a) converting the first series of pixel-oriented video frames in the video signal to a second SBI formatted digital sample data stream;
• (b) rasterizing the first SBI formatted digital sample data stream into a second series of pixel-oriented video frames;
• (c) selecting a first output from the first SBI formatted digital sample data stream, the second SBI formatted digital sample data streams, the first series of pixel-oriented video frames, and the second series of pixel-oriented video frames;
• and (d) rendering the first output to a suitable format for the high resolution monitor;
• and
• an output port adapted for outputting the first output to the high resolution monitor.

A method for allowing both an FPA video source and an SBI imaging device to use a common high resolution monitor and archive, the method comprising the steps of:

• acquiring, as a first source, a series of pixel-oriented frames of video from the FPA video source;
• inputting, as a second source, an SBI formatted digital sample data stream from the SBI imaging device;
• selecting, as an output selection, one of the first source and the second source;
• outputting the output selection to the high resolution monitor;
• and
• triggering the output selection to be sent to the archive.

An FPA and SBI image processor for FPA and SBI imaging devices, the apparatus comprising:

• a first input port adapted for accepting a first SBI formatted digital sample data stream;
• a second input port adapted for accepting a video signal from an FPA video source;
• an FPA processor for rendering the video signal from the FPA video source to a second SBI formatted digital sample data stream, further comprising:
• a frame grabber for acquiring an FPA video frame from the video signal;
• and
• a frame mapper for rendering the FPA video frame into an SBI formatted digital sample data stream;
• a selector for selecting an SBI formatted digital sample data stream from the first or second SBI formatted digital sample data streams for processing;
• an SBI processor means for generating processed data by processing the selected SBI formatted digital sample data stream;
• and
• an output port adapted for outputting the processed data.

A method for allowing both an FPA video source and an SBI imaging device to use a common high resolution monitor and archive, the method comprising the steps of:

• acquiring, as a first source, a series of pixel-oriented frames of video from the FPA video source;
• inputting, as a second source, an SBI formatted digital sample data stream from the SBI imaging device;
• rasterizing the second source into a pixel-oriented FPA format;
• selecting, as an output selection, one of the first source and the second source;
• rendering the output selection to a suitable high resolution FPA video signal for use with the high resolution monitor;
• outputting the output selection to the high resolution monitor;
• and
• triggering the output selection to be sent to the archive.