Enhanced vision system sensitive to infrared radiation

Abstract

An enhanced vision system and method for use with vision systems with an imager sensitive to infrared radiation of less than 2-microns in wavelength, to produce a first image signal. Another imager sensitive to infrared radiation at least 3-microns in wavelength may be used to produce a second image signal. Preferably, the first image signal represents sensed electric light sources, and the second image signal represents sensed background such as terrain, runways, structures, and obstacles. A signal processor combines an image signal representing locally maximum values of the first image signal with the second image signal to create a displayed image.

1 . A vision system, comprising:
 a detection system configured to detect electromagnetic radiation, and to produce a first detected image signal corresponding to radiation detected over a first range of wavelengths; and   a signal processor operatively associated with the detection system and adapted to produce a modified image signal representing a portion of the detected image signal.   
   
   
       2 . The vision system of  claim 1 , wherein the first range of wavelengths lies above about 0.4 microns and below about 2.4 microns. 
   
   
       3 . The vision system of  claim 1 , wherein the portion of the detected image signal includes at least one feature selected from the detected image signal. 
   
   
       4 . The vision system of  claim 3 , wherein the at least one feature includes a detected radiation source. 
   
   
       5 . The vision system of  claim 4 , wherein the detected radiation source includes the center of the detected radiation source. 
   
   
       6 . The vision system of  claim 4 , wherein the detected radiation source includes a locally maximum value of the detected image signal. 
   
   
       7 . The vision system of  claim 1 , wherein the first range of wavelengths corresponds to radiation substantially emitted by electric lights. 
   
   
       8 . The vision system of  claim 1 , further comprising a display operatively associated with the signal processor and configured to present the displayed image. 
   
   
       9 . A vision system, comprising:
 a detection system configured to detect electromagnetic radiation, and to produce a detected image signal corresponding to radiation detected over a given range of wavelengths; and   a signal processor adapted to compare the detected image signal to predefined data representative of expected sensed objects, and to produce an output signal based on the predefined data when sufficient similarity is found between the detected image signal and the predefined data.   
   
   
       10 . A vision system, comprising:
 means for detecting electromagnetic radiation and producing a first detected image signal corresponding to radiation detected over a given range of wavelengths; and   means for comparing the detected image signal to predefined data representative of expected sensed objects, and for producing an output signal based on the predefined data when sufficient similarity is found between the detected image signal and the predefined data.