Lockheed Martin Corporation

Robert M Krohn

Steven J Pratt

Glenn L Kehley

Jeffrey Scott Poulin

Alfred T Rundle

David J Coffelt

James S Howard

Douglas N McMartin

Peggi J Eller

An apparatus processes a video image. The apparatus includes an imaging device, a frame grabber device, and a host computer. The imaging device () produces a gray level image representing the video image. The frame grabber device conducts preprocessing functions on the gray level image and produces a plurality of image types from the gray level image. The host computer has a memory for storing the plurality of image types. The plurality of image types are transferred directly from the frame grabber device to the memory of the host computer.

Reconfigurable, multi-output frame grabber for machine vision applications

A method or technique of operating the LED illumination system within a line scan camera comprises the operation of the LED illumination sources at a relatively high gain control level, less than the one hundred percent maximum or acceptable gain level, and a correspondingly reduced duty cycle level, which is less than one hundred percent (100%), so as to effectively reduce the aging of the LEDs and thereby achieve extended service lives for the LEDs. As the LEDs age with usage, whereby their luminosity levels degrade, the duty cycle percentage level is progressively increased until a maximum output or one hundred percent duty cycle percentage level is reached at which time the gain control percentage is progressively increased up until the maximum acceptable gain percentage level. An end-of-life prediction technique or routine is also capable of being derived from the progressively increased gain control percentages so as to enable the replacement of the LED illumination sources at appropriate times.

Method of LED life extension and end-of-life prediction

The invention is characterized in certain aspects by data processing architectures and methods of processing a mail piece having a destination address field through outgoing and incoming mail centers. An illustrative method includes receiving a mail piece at an outgoing mail center for transport to an incoming mail center and subsequent sorting and transport from the incoming mail center to an an addressee. The mail piece includes a destination address field that is divided into a first address portion and a second address portion. The first address portion is interpreted at the outgoing mail center and used to sort the mail piece for transport to the incoming mail center. The second address portion is eventually resolved and used by the incoming mail center to sort the mail piece for subsequent delivery to an addressee. Because resolution of the second address portion is not required until the physical mail piece arrives at the incoming mail center, secondary address resolution is delayed in accordance with a set of predetermined time parameters. The second address portion is eventually resolved to generate a set of sorting instructions that are made accessible to the incoming mail center in accordance with the specified time parameters. By assigning a deferral time unique to each mail piece of a selected plurality of mail pieces, secondary address resolution for those mail pieces can be prioritized according to need.

System and method of deferred postal address processing

A new and improved line scan camera achieves the proper framing of the image field of view by using a first test card to calibrate the true bottom and leading edge portions of the test card which simulate the true bottom and leading portions of an article being scanned or photographed. Still further, the architecture of the electronic chip incorporated within the charge coupled device (CCD) of the camera effectively divides the linear array of pixels into a plurality of channels, and amplifier gain and black offset adjustments are made with respect to exposure levels, characteristic of the pixels disposed at the channel boundaries, under different degrees of input whiteness signals applied to a test card of a predetermined color shade, so as to achieve channel-to-channel seam matching. Subsequently, correction factors are effectively superimposed upon substantially all of the exposure levels characteristic of substantially all of the pixels comprising the line scan of the line scan camera such that true uniform exposure levels are in fact achieved.

Automatic calibration and built-in diagnostic procedures for line scan cameras

Methods and systems for calibrating and aligning Time Delay Integration (TDI) Charge Coupled Device (CCD) sensors. A TDI sensor for linear imaging (line sensor) is calibrated by generating a two dimensional image from the line sensor, analyzing the two dimensional image, and calibrating the line sensor based on the analysis. An alignment correction can then be generated, the correction applied to the line sensor placement and the line sensor re-tested. A calibration system includes means for generating a two dimensional image from the TDI line sensor, means for analyzing the two dimensional image, and means for calibrating the line sensor based on the analysis of the two dimensional image.

Method and system for calibration of time delay integration imaging devices

A line scan camera comprises a printed circuit board upon which a charge-coupled device (CCD) is mounted. A lens component is fixed within a lens mount, and the base of the lens mount is adjustably mounted upon an optical bench. Calibration devices adjustably interconnect the lens mount to the printed circuit board and to the optical bench so as to calibrate the positional location of the lens component relative to the charge-coupled device (CCD) and to an object plane past which objects to be scanned and photographed are conveyed. In this manner, the focus distance defined between the lens component and the charge-coupled device (CCD) as well as the focal distance defined between the lens component and the object plane are fixed and do not need any further calibration. The object plane is defined upon the front surface of a sealed housing enclosure and all of the components are disposed within the housing enclosure so as to prevent dust and contaminants from collecting upon the optical components. LED arrays are disposed within the front of the housing so as to illuminate and properly expose the objects conveyed past the object plane. A positive pressure differential is also created within the sealed housing enclosure so as to prevent the ingress of dust and contaminants into the housing enclosure.

Growing community of inventors

Ithaca, NY, United States of America

Robert M Krohn