Patent ID: 6108611
Filing Date: 2000-08-22
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
Signal processing apparatus for receiving an analogue signal conveying output values of elements of a detector, said detector comprising an array of elements, the apparatus comprising:(a) an analogue to digital converter for receiving a signal derived from the output values of the detector elements;(b) digital processing means for: (1) receiving a digital output signal from the analogue to digital converter; (2) for each detector element, summing successive values representative of a viewed scene and derived from the output signal of the analogue to digital converter; (3) generating an output signal conveying the sum values for each detector element; and (4) correcting for linear and/or higher order non-uniformities in the response of each detector element;(c) a memory for receiving and storing digital values representative of the sum values;(d) a digital to analogue converter for converting the digital values contained in the memory to an analogue signal; and(e) analogue signal modifying means for subtracting the analogue signal output by the digital to analogue converter from the analogue signal conveying output values of the elements of the detector, such that the sum value associated with a particular detector element is subtracted from the corresponding detector output value prior to the signal being transmitted to the analogue to digital converter.