ERI System,

Extended Resolution Imaging
1)_ Surveillance: 
Install, and Upgrade existing low resolution CCTV (Closed Circuit TV) systems, with Extra High Resolution CCTV equipment. 		 Click image to Enlarge
Extended Resolution Imaging System
    a).. Cheap Upgrade:
In existing CCTV surveillance systems it is possible to increase resolution from 2 times standard resolution, to 16 times, utilzing the Extended Resolution Imaging System (ERI). 

In normal operation the the Modified CCTV system displays and records images in Std. RS-170/Rs-170A, which allows it to be recorded on a standard VCR.

Resolution Multiplication can be X2, X3, X4 in both H & V. The "high resolution" images are recovered using a specialized software package running on a PC, e.g., any "n" sequential images (fields or frames) can reproduce a single Hi Res image of X "n" resolution increase.
 

    a).. Upgrade:
In certain existing CCTV surveillance systems it is possible to increase its resolution from 2 times standard resolution, to 16 times.

This is accompolished by the addition of a system called Extended Resolution Imaging (ERI). 

ERI takes advantage of the spacing and finite size of CCD photosites. [1]

The Extended Resolution is accompolished by the addition to an existing CCTV system of a two enexpensive components. 1) A modified Taking Lens (ISD Lens), and  2) a Lens Controller (ISD Controller). 

In normal operation the the Modified CCTV system records images on a standard VCR, as before.

The Extended Resolution Image is derived --only when needed--by the use of a PC workstation running special software that takes any sequential "n" fields/frames [2] and derives a single High Resolution image
The Hi-Res Camera System has the following attributes: 

PRINCIPLE: 
It is based on taking advantage of the space between active photo sites. 
Early cameras physically moved the CCD array--moving the sites to otherwise unsensed areas of the image. 
This approach slowed the image capture time; and was used mainly for archival imaging. 

My approach moves the image instead of the CCD array, and does it in real-time. That is, a new position every field time (16.667msec). 

There are two versions: 

    Version One: 
        is used for real time Video capture, and along with the 
        (lens bound) Image Shifting Device (ISD), requires a 
        specialized frame buffer for real-time video output. 

    Version Two: 
        does not require a frame buffer. Its use is mainly for 
        surveillance camera recording systems where 
        real-time high resolution is not required. 
        The high resolution information is retrieved--after the 
        fact--using a workstation running specialized software.   See 4)_ 
 
 


FEATURES, Version Two: 
1)_  Resolution Multiplication is programmable: Horizontal X 2, X3, X4; Vertical  X 2, X3, X4 (Horizontal & Vertical resolution are independent of one another). 
2)_  The device for image resolution multiplication resides in the camera's (taking) lens. This has the advantage of upgrading or retrofitting existing camera systems. 
3)_ The output, for all intents and purposes, is NTSC (RS-170A interlaced) compatible, i.e., it can be tape recorded. 
(a).. At any given time, each field or frame has video that is 
____unique to the portion of the sensed image. 
(b).. However, when viewed on a standard NTSC display, 
____it appears no different than a standard NTSC camera.    
____In essence, it trades TIME for RESOLUTION. 
4)_ Viewing the "high resolution" images requires a specialized software package (running on a workstation) such that, in a X4 by X4 resolution scenario, any 16 sequential images (fields or frames) can reproduce a single Hi Res image having a total resolution increase of X16.  (this is the highest resolution attempted, or was theoretically possible in the prototype at that time).
5)_  

 

At the time of its development, the system had a great potential as a ubiquitous Hi-Res solution in almost every category, from Scientific, industrial, to consumer. However, with the advent of multi megapixel CCDs and digital cameras, its competitiveness has diminished. 

In my estimation however, it is a inexpensive method of upgrading existing surveillance camera systems.  Additionally, it may also be a viable solution for new surveillance camera systems. 

With the world climate change brought on by the WTC attack, high quality surveillance camera systems are sorely needed, and needed NOW!