NASA 1996 SBIR Phase I

PROJECT TITLE : Multiresolution CMOS APS Camera for Robotic Vision

TECHNICAL ABSTRACT (LIMIT 200 WORDS)

The proposed innovation to be addressed in this work is the development of a compact, ultra low power CMOS active pixel sensor (APS) camera with multiresolution readout that can enhance imaging performance and reduce computational load on vision and range finding algorithms for tele-operated or autonomous robotic navigation. The proposed multiresolution sensor can be read out at varying resolutions in either a block averaging or block summing mode. In the former, blocks of pixels (e.g. 2 x 2, 3 x 3, ... 8 x 8 kernels) can be averaged together to create a lower resolution image(s) for machine vision algorithms (e.g. stereo vision range finding) thus enhancing the speed performance of those algorithms. In the latter summing mode, imaging performance can be enhanced under low light level conditions by summing neighboring pixels together, thus increasing useful dynamic range.

The recent development of the CMOS APS by the proposers during their former employment at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory has, for the first time, permitted large scale integration of supporting circuitry and smart camera functions on the same chip as a high performance image sensor. The proposed multiresolution smart sensor offers NASA unprecedented image sensor functionality while lowering system power and mass and increasing system robustness.

Image preprocessing for machine vision applications including industrial inspection, autonomous navigation for robotic applications, automotive, and scientific applications such as biological vision modeling. Progressive transmission of compressed images over local area networks, phone and internet.

Sabrina E. Kemeny, Ph.D.
Photobit, LLC
2529 Foothill Blvd., Suite #104
La Crescenta, CA 91214

Photobit, LLC
2529 Foothill Blvd., Suite #104
La Crescenta, CA 91214