Method and apparatus for an on-chip variable acuity imager array incorporating roll, pitch and yaw angle rates measurement
View Patent ↗A variable acuity imager incorporates an array of detection elements for light energy, in the visible, infrared, ultraviolet, or light energy in another region of the electromagnetic spectrum with a means to change the spatial configuration of the array to include “superpixels” by combining energy detected by adjacent elements, thus permitting any number of high-resolution “foveal” regions to be placed within the confines of the focal plane array and moved around at the frame rate of the imaging device. Detectors to measure the pitch, yaw and roll angle rates of background imagery using velocity-sensing circuitry are employed for variation of the foveal regions to accommodate motion of the array.
1. A method for data transmission from an image array comprising the steps of:
providing an X by Y array of detector elements;
identifying a predetermined feature;
examining the array elements for presence of the predetermined feature;
defining a pixel set within a fovea associated with one or more elements of the array in which the predetermined feature is present;
agglomerating elements outside of the fovea to create super-pixels;
reading a data value from each of the foveal pixels and super-pixels in the array; and,
analyzing the data values for temporal data content;
providing a plurality of additional arrays comprising 12 arrays spaced circumferentially at substantially equal angles around the X by Y array;
detecting the motion of a focused element of background image from one pixel to another pixel separated by a predefined distance in a circumferential array;
calculating velocity based on the motion detection;
spatially integrating calculated velocities for adjacent elements of the circumferential array;
providing the integrated signal for modifying the foveal pixel set definition; and,
modifying the definition of the foveal pixel set in response to the measured responses of the circumferential arrays.
2. A method as defined in claim 1 wherein the step of detecting comprises the steps of:
measuring propagation of an edge by adjacent pixels in the circumferential array; and
synchronizing the measured edges.