WO1999062246A1 - Exposure control in an image sensor system - Google Patents

Exposure control in an image sensor system Download PDF

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Publication number
WO1999062246A1
WO1999062246A1 PCT/SE1998/000864 SE9800864W WO9962246A1 WO 1999062246 A1 WO1999062246 A1 WO 1999062246A1 SE 9800864 W SE9800864 W SE 9800864W WO 9962246 A1 WO9962246 A1 WO 9962246A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
image sensor
detector elements
image
test
detector
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/SE1998/000864
Other languages
French (fr)
Swedish (sv)
Inventor
Torbjörn GUSTAFSSON
Stan Zyra
Original Assignee
Försvarets Forskningsanstalt
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority to SE9500596A priority Critical patent/SE509734C3/en
Application filed by Försvarets Forskningsanstalt filed Critical Försvarets Forskningsanstalt
Priority to PCT/SE1998/000864 priority patent/WO1999062246A1/en
Publication of WO1999062246A1 publication Critical patent/WO1999062246A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01S—RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
    • G01S3/00—Direction-finders for determining the direction from which infrasonic, sonic, ultrasonic, or electromagnetic waves, or particle emission, not having a directional significance, are being received
    • G01S3/78—Direction-finders for determining the direction from which infrasonic, sonic, ultrasonic, or electromagnetic waves, or particle emission, not having a directional significance, are being received using electromagnetic waves other than radio waves
    • G01S3/781—Details
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01S—RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
    • G01S3/00—Direction-finders for determining the direction from which infrasonic, sonic, ultrasonic, or electromagnetic waves, or particle emission, not having a directional significance, are being received
    • G01S3/78—Direction-finders for determining the direction from which infrasonic, sonic, ultrasonic, or electromagnetic waves, or particle emission, not having a directional significance, are being received using electromagnetic waves other than radio waves
    • G01S3/782—Systems for determining direction or deviation from predetermined direction
    • G01S3/785—Systems for determining direction or deviation from predetermined direction using adjustment of orientation of directivity characteristics of a detector or detector system to give a desired condition of signal derived from that detector or detector system
    • G01S3/786—Systems for determining direction or deviation from predetermined direction using adjustment of orientation of directivity characteristics of a detector or detector system to give a desired condition of signal derived from that detector or detector system the desired condition being maintained automatically
    • G01S3/7864—T.V. type tracking systems
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N23/00—Cameras or camera modules comprising electronic image sensors; Control thereof
    • H04N23/70—Circuitry for compensating brightness variation in the scene
    • H04N23/71—Circuitry for evaluating the brightness variation
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N25/00—Circuitry of solid-state image sensors [SSIS]; Control thereof
    • H04N25/50—Control of the SSIS exposure
    • H04N25/53—Control of the integration time
    • H04N25/533—Control of the integration time by using differing integration times for different sensor regions

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an image sensor.
  • An image sensor can be equipped with a number of detector elements arranged in the form of a matrix.
  • a detector element in a matrix generates an electric signal as a function of the light incident on the detector element.
  • the signals from the detector elements can be converted to an image in a monitor or be processed by an electronic device, in military applications, for instance, a target tracker.
  • an image sensor can be blinded or disturbed by laser radiation in the form of a so-called interference laser.
  • the interference may be caused by the laser radiation being reflected or spread in different directions when hitting irregularities in the beam path or detector surface.
  • the laser radiation is spread to the lens and its mechanics, such as mountings, and is reflected.
  • the interference can also be caused by the intensity of the laser radiation over-exciting the signal from the individual detector elements. A sufficiently over-excited signal can affect neighbouring detector elements.
  • a prior-art target tracker for military use comprises an image sensor of a conventional kind which supplies the target tracker with image information, see Fig. 1.
  • the target tracker cannot, on the basis of image information from the image sensor, determine whether the image from the image sensor is disturbed by a laser and therefore also cannot take any counter-measure, such as continuing in the same direction until the image is free from interference.
  • the invention is here described essentially from a military perspective, it is the applicant's pronounced intention, on the basis of the general overexposure problems, to protect by a patent an image sensor with built-in overexposure control for general applications. It goes without saying that an image sensor can also be underexposed and this can be taken care of in a corresponding fashion by the image sensor being provided with built-in underexposure control.
  • the invention also comprises such an image sensor.
  • the invention provides a solution to the problem that the actual image sensor, while detecting incident radiation, emits a warning about blinding or overexposure and underexposure, respectively, by being designed in the manner that is evident from the independent claim.
  • the remaining claims concern preferred embodiments of the invention.
  • Fig. 1 shows a prior-art target tracking device with a conventional CCD detector
  • Fig. 2 shows a target tracking device with a smart image sensor
  • Fig. 3 illustrates a target tracking device with a smart image sensor and a built-in laser warning receiver according to the invention
  • Fig. 4 is a flow diagram of the control of the reading from the image sensor in
  • the exposure time for a detector element is the time from the zeroing of the value of the detector element until its value has been frozen for reading. As a rule, all detector elements in a detector matrix are zeroed at the same time. Also the values of all detector elements are frozen at the same time. This means that the exposure time in such known sensors is the same for all detector elements in one and the same image.
  • Such an image sensor which consists of a circuit solution comprising a detector matrix and a processor for the controlling of and reading from the detector matrix, will below be referred to as a smart image sensor.
  • a smart image sensor is MAPP 2200 from the Link ⁇ ping company IVP - Integrated Vision Products AB.
  • the invention is based on the use of a smart image sensor for detecting in a conventional way normal luminous intensity variations from a scene while at the same time certain detector elements or arrays of detector elements, called test areas, are given a significantly different exposure time. In the example involving overexposure, they are given a significantly shorter exposure time. As a result, they can detect whether the image sensor is exposed to interference laser or in some other way is considerably overexposed. A considerable stopping down in one step, adapted to the new luminous intensity condition, can then be effected for the major part of the detector elements.
  • test areas can be given a significantly longer exposure time in the case of underexposure.
  • FIG. 1 A conventional target tracking device was mentioned above and is shown in Fig. 1. If the CCD detector is replaced by a smart image sensor, a device according to Fig. 2 will be obtained.
  • the image sensor consists of 256 lines, each consisting of 256 pixels.
  • the exposure time for the lines is set to a normal value with an intention to obtaining a normally exposed image.
  • An image is composed by lines being zeroed, exposed and read successively.
  • the read lines are stored in a video storage means, from which the image signal is transferred to the target tracker.
  • the exposure time is set at a fracture of the normal one on one or more lines, referred to as test lines.
  • the exposure time can be, for instance, 1/10 of that for the other detector lines.
  • the image value from the test lines is then compared with a predetermined laser warning value. If the image value exceeds the laser warning value in spite of the short exposure time, it is assumed that the image sensor is exposed to laser blinding and a laser warning signal is emitted, see Fig. 3.
  • test lines with a short exposure time can be used to control the exposure of the major part of the image sensor.
  • a conventional image sensor is overexposed, which results in gradual stopping down, which takes time in case of considerable overexposure, it is possi- ble to let the image value for one or more test lines control the stopping down. Consequently, the change of the exposure time can directly in one step be made very great.
  • test lines with different exposure times to improve the possibility of controlling the exposure.
  • the smart image sensor is made up of 256 lines.
  • the non-appearing image information from these test lines can be replaced by, for instance, the arithmetic mean value of the image information from the two neighbouring detector lines or the image information from the preceding image in the test line involved, provided that this was not a test line at that time as well.
  • the initial test line in each new image can be changed according to plan or randomly. This results in a displacement of all test lines, which are imagined to be arranged starting from the first test line, to new positions between the different images. Then there will be no areas which are systematically blind to blinding or overexposure.
  • the lines making up an image are designated LineNo. where 1 ⁇ LineNo. ⁇ 256.
  • test lines are selected among these and are designated TestLineNo.(n) where 1 ⁇ n ⁇ 16
  • TestLineNo.(l) RANDOM(1-16).
  • TestLineNo.(k+1) TestLineNo.(k) + 16 where 1 ⁇ k ⁇ 15.
  • test areas obtain a longer exposure time than the major part of the detector elements.
  • test areas can be displaced between each image only if their exposure time is not longer than the image period.
  • the image information from test areas can be used to build, at a lower image frequency, alternative images which have an exposure time different from that of the basic images.
  • a changed exposure time for the basic images can be based on the image contents of these alternative images.

Abstract

The present invention relates to an image sensor with built-in exposure control. It consists of a circuit solution comprising a detector matrix and a processor, in which the exposure time for individual detector elements or arrays of detector elements, such as detector lines, can be controlled individually. One or more detector elements or arrays thereof constitute test areas and are given a significantly different exposure time compared with the major part of the detector elements. The image value from the test area or test areas is then compared with a predetermined threshold value, and the processor utilises this comparison to control the next exposure of the major part of the detector elements.

Description

Exposure control in an image sensor system
The present invention relates to an image sensor. An image sensor can be equipped with a number of detector elements arranged in the form of a matrix. A detector element in a matrix generates an electric signal as a function of the light incident on the detector element. The signals from the detector elements can be converted to an image in a monitor or be processed by an electronic device, in military applications, for instance, a target tracker.
The invention has been developed on the basis of military requirements. In these contexts, an image sensor can be blinded or disturbed by laser radiation in the form of a so-called interference laser. The interference may be caused by the laser radiation being reflected or spread in different directions when hitting irregularities in the beam path or detector surface. The laser radiation is spread to the lens and its mechanics, such as mountings, and is reflected. The interference can also be caused by the intensity of the laser radiation over-exciting the signal from the individual detector elements. A sufficiently over-excited signal can affect neighbouring detector elements.
As an example of an application of the invention, a target tracker will be discussed in the following. A prior-art target tracker for military use comprises an image sensor of a conventional kind which supplies the target tracker with image information, see Fig. 1. The target tracker cannot, on the basis of image information from the image sensor, determine whether the image from the image sensor is disturbed by a laser and therefore also cannot take any counter-measure, such as continuing in the same direction until the image is free from interference.
A corresponding problem for image sensors generally seen, also in civilian applications, is that they can be over-excited, overexposured. The exposure time must then be adjusted. Although the invention is here described essentially from a military perspective, it is the applicant's pronounced intention, on the basis of the general overexposure problems, to protect by a patent an image sensor with built-in overexposure control for general applications. It goes without saying that an image sensor can also be underexposed and this can be taken care of in a corresponding fashion by the image sensor being provided with built-in underexposure control. The invention also comprises such an image sensor. The invention provides a solution to the problem that the actual image sensor, while detecting incident radiation, emits a warning about blinding or overexposure and underexposure, respectively, by being designed in the manner that is evident from the independent claim. The remaining claims concern preferred embodiments of the invention.
The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which
Fig. 1 shows a prior-art target tracking device with a conventional CCD detector, Fig. 2 shows a target tracking device with a smart image sensor, Fig. 3 illustrates a target tracking device with a smart image sensor and a built-in laser warning receiver according to the invention, and Fig. 4 is a flow diagram of the control of the reading from the image sensor in
Fig. 3.
The exposure time for a detector element is the time from the zeroing of the value of the detector element until its value has been frozen for reading. As a rule, all detector elements in a detector matrix are zeroed at the same time. Also the values of all detector elements are frozen at the same time. This means that the exposure time in such known sensors is the same for all detector elements in one and the same image.
Modern image sensors are now available, where each detector element or an array of detector elements, for instance a detector line, can be given a different exposure time compared with its neighbours. Such an image sensor, which consists of a circuit solution comprising a detector matrix and a processor for the controlling of and reading from the detector matrix, will below be referred to as a smart image sensor. Such a known smart image sensor is MAPP 2200 from the Linkδping company IVP - Integrated Vision Products AB.
The invention is based on the use of a smart image sensor for detecting in a conventional way normal luminous intensity variations from a scene while at the same time certain detector elements or arrays of detector elements, called test areas, are given a significantly different exposure time. In the example involving overexposure, they are given a significantly shorter exposure time. As a result, they can detect whether the image sensor is exposed to interference laser or in some other way is considerably overexposed. A considerable stopping down in one step, adapted to the new luminous intensity condition, can then be effected for the major part of the detector elements.
Correspondingly, the test areas can be given a significantly longer exposure time in the case of underexposure.
A conventional target tracking device was mentioned above and is shown in Fig. 1. If the CCD detector is replaced by a smart image sensor, a device according to Fig. 2 will be obtained. As an example, it is here assumed that the image sensor consists of 256 lines, each consisting of 256 pixels. The exposure time for the lines is set to a normal value with an intention to obtaining a normally exposed image. An image is composed by lines being zeroed, exposed and read successively. The read lines are stored in a video storage means, from which the image signal is transferred to the target tracker.
To ensure that one gets to know if the image sensor is blinded, the exposure time is set at a fracture of the normal one on one or more lines, referred to as test lines. The exposure time can be, for instance, 1/10 of that for the other detector lines. The image value from the test lines is then compared with a predetermined laser warning value. If the image value exceeds the laser warning value in spite of the short exposure time, it is assumed that the image sensor is exposed to laser blinding and a laser warning signal is emitted, see Fig. 3.
Correspondingly, special test lines with a short exposure time can be used to control the exposure of the major part of the image sensor. Instead of merely discovering that a conventional image sensor is overexposed, which results in gradual stopping down, which takes time in case of considerable overexposure, it is possi- ble to let the image value for one or more test lines control the stopping down. Consequently, the change of the exposure time can directly in one step be made very great.
It is also possible to use several test lines with different exposure times to improve the possibility of controlling the exposure. In the example described, it was stated that the smart image sensor is made up of 256 lines. Some lines, for instance every 16th line, are test lines, the image information of which is not supplied to the video storage means (= target tracker in the application concerned), but their signal is used for laser warning and exposure con- trol. The non-appearing image information from these test lines can be replaced by, for instance, the arithmetic mean value of the image information from the two neighbouring detector lines or the image information from the preceding image in the test line involved, provided that this was not a test line at that time as well.
To prevent disturbance falling between two test lines from not being indicated, the initial test line in each new image can be changed according to plan or randomly. This results in a displacement of all test lines, which are imagined to be arranged starting from the first test line, to new positions between the different images. Then there will be no areas which are systematically blind to blinding or overexposure.
With reference to Fig. 4, the lines making up an image are designated LineNo. where 1 < LineNo. < 256.
In this example, 16 test lines are selected among these and are designated TestLineNo.(n) where 1 < n < 16
For each new image, the first test line, TestLineNo.(l), is randomly given a value between 1 and 16. TestLineNo.(l) = RANDOM(1-16).
The following applies to the next testing TestLineNo.(k+1) = TestLineNo.(k) + 16 where 1 < k < 15.
The lines are successively scanned from LineNo. = 1 to LineNo. = 256. This process is repeated continuously.
When LineNo. = TestLJneNo.(n) where n = 1 to 16, i.e. when LineNo. is equal to any TestLineNo., a laser jamming test is carried out in this example.
It should be emphasised once more that the method is the same in case of a more general overexposure control. As stated above, the invention is therefore applicable also in such cases. Moreover, it goes without saying that the stated example involving an image sensor having 256 lines, each comprising 256 pixels, is an example only. It is possible to use an image sensor of any size whatever that is available. Nor do the test areas have to be lines but also other groupings of detector elements as well as individual detector elements are feasible. Of course it is also possible, due to application, to have test lines which are both closer and more spaced apart than every 16th line. The same applies, of course, to other types of test areas.
Finally, it may be repeated that the invention can also be used for underexposure control. In this case, the test areas obtain a longer exposure time than the major part of the detector elements. In this case, however, the test areas can be displaced between each image only if their exposure time is not longer than the image period.
In the overexposure as well as underexposure case, the image information from test areas can be used to build, at a lower image frequency, alternative images which have an exposure time different from that of the basic images. A changed exposure time for the basic images can be based on the image contents of these alternative images.

Claims

Claims:
1. An image sensor with built-in exposure control, c h a r a c t e r i s e d in that it consists of a circuit solution comprising a detector matrix and a processor, in which the exposure time for individual detector elements or arrays of detector elements, for instance detector lines, can be controlled individually, that one or more detector elements or a ays thereof constitute test areas which, during the time in which the major part of the detector elements are exposed to the main purpose of the image sensor, are given a significantly different exposure time compared with said major part of the detector elements, that the image value from the test area or test areas is compared with a predetermined threshold value, and that the processor utilises this comparison to control the next exposure of the major part of the detector elements.
2. An image sensor as claimed in claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i s e d in that in case of established incorrect exposure, the processor is adapted to make an aperture change, adapted to the exposure time of the test area, in one step for the major part of the detector elements.
3. An image sensor as claimed in claim 1 or 2, c h a r a c t e r i s e d in that it is provided with overexposure control by the test areas being given a significantly shorter exposure time than said major part of the detector elements.
4. An image sensor as claimed in claim 3, c h a r a c t e r i s e d in that it is included in a military sensor system, that the overexposure value is a value indicating that the image sensor is exposed to laser blinding, and that in case of established overexposure, the processor emits a laser warning signal.
5. An image sensor as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, c h a r - a c t e r i s e d in that it comprises a plurality of test areas with different exposure times.
6. An image sensor as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, c h a r a c t e r i s e d in that the test area or test areas are displaced between each new image.
7. An image sensor as claimed in claim 6, c h a r a c t e r i s e d in that the test area or test areas in two succeeding images do not have common detector elements.
8. An image sensor as claimed in claim 6 or 7, c h a r a c t e r i s e d in that a first test area is displaced randomly from each picture to the next, and that other test areas, if any, are regularly distributed over the image sensor in relation to the first test area.
9. An image sensor as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, c h a r a c t e r i s e d in that, when imaging the surroundings, the non-appearing image information from a test area is replaced by the average value of image information from detector elements adjoining the test area.
10. An image sensor as claimed in claim 7 or 8, c h a r a c t e r i s e d in that, when imaging the surroundings, the non-appearing image information from the test area is replaced by the image information from the preceding image in a corresponding area.
PCT/SE1998/000864 1995-02-17 1998-05-12 Exposure control in an image sensor system WO1999062246A1 (en)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
SE9500596A SE509734C3 (en) 1995-02-17 1995-02-17 Image sensor with built-in upper exposure control
PCT/SE1998/000864 WO1999062246A1 (en) 1995-02-17 1998-05-12 Exposure control in an image sensor system

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
SE9500596A SE509734C3 (en) 1995-02-17 1995-02-17 Image sensor with built-in upper exposure control
PCT/SE1998/000864 WO1999062246A1 (en) 1995-02-17 1998-05-12 Exposure control in an image sensor system

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1999062246A1 true WO1999062246A1 (en) 1999-12-02

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WO (1) WO1999062246A1 (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP4130643A3 (en) * 2021-08-01 2023-03-01 Bird Aerosystems Ltd. Device, system, and method of aircraft protection and countermeasures against missiles

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US4706123A (en) * 1985-04-05 1987-11-10 Thomson Csf Photosensitive device with locally adjustable exposure time
WO1990001844A1 (en) * 1988-08-02 1990-02-22 Sorex Corporation Wide dynamic range image sensor
EP0522580A2 (en) * 1991-07-12 1993-01-13 Texas Instruments Incorporated Method for controlling operation of imaging systems and devices
US5260557A (en) * 1992-01-31 1993-11-09 Hughes Aircraft Company Method and apparatus for acquisition and tracking of light sources in a transient event rich environment
US5280167A (en) * 1992-06-18 1994-01-18 Her Majesty The Queen As Represented By The Minister Of National Defence Of Her Majesty's Canadian Government Very high angular resolution laser beam rider detector having a gated image intensifier and a video camera
US5387933A (en) * 1991-12-31 1995-02-07 Thomson-Csf Detector-fitted camera provided with electronic protection
WO1997017800A1 (en) * 1995-11-07 1997-05-15 California Institute Of Technology An image sensor with high dynamic range linear output
US5747792A (en) * 1996-08-30 1998-05-05 Mcdonnell Douglas Corporation Circuit and method for preventing laser jamming of night vision goggles

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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE2642764A1 (en) * 1976-09-23 1978-03-30 Fraunhofer Ges Forschung Optical monitor for arc welder - has optical shutter element to open lens during natural breaks in arc
US4706123A (en) * 1985-04-05 1987-11-10 Thomson Csf Photosensitive device with locally adjustable exposure time
WO1990001844A1 (en) * 1988-08-02 1990-02-22 Sorex Corporation Wide dynamic range image sensor
EP0522580A2 (en) * 1991-07-12 1993-01-13 Texas Instruments Incorporated Method for controlling operation of imaging systems and devices
US5387933A (en) * 1991-12-31 1995-02-07 Thomson-Csf Detector-fitted camera provided with electronic protection
US5260557A (en) * 1992-01-31 1993-11-09 Hughes Aircraft Company Method and apparatus for acquisition and tracking of light sources in a transient event rich environment
US5280167A (en) * 1992-06-18 1994-01-18 Her Majesty The Queen As Represented By The Minister Of National Defence Of Her Majesty's Canadian Government Very high angular resolution laser beam rider detector having a gated image intensifier and a video camera
WO1997017800A1 (en) * 1995-11-07 1997-05-15 California Institute Of Technology An image sensor with high dynamic range linear output
US5747792A (en) * 1996-08-30 1998-05-05 Mcdonnell Douglas Corporation Circuit and method for preventing laser jamming of night vision goggles

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP4130643A3 (en) * 2021-08-01 2023-03-01 Bird Aerosystems Ltd. Device, system, and method of aircraft protection and countermeasures against missiles

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
SE509734C2 (en) 1999-03-01
SE9500596D0 (en) 1995-02-17
SE9500596L (en) 1998-06-13
SE509734C3 (en) 1999-06-21

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