Appeal No. 2006-1049
Application No. 09/667,826
5. Applicants state at column 3, lines 18-33, that:
The present invention provides a solution to the above noted problems
by providing an infrared focal plane array detection system employing
on-focal plane nonuniformity correction which compensates for the
inherent nonuniformities in the detector elements forming the focal
plane array. This allows nonuniformities in the detection signal
outputs from the individual detector elements in the focal plane array
to be compensated prior to the amplification necessary for further
signal processing. This in turn provides improved image quality as
well as reduced cost in the signal processing circuitry by avoiding the
necessity for expensive high resolution analog-to-digital converters
and associated digital offset correction processing. Additionally,
greater nonuniformities in detector arrays may be tolerated increasing
yields, and hence reducing cost, of an array manufacturing process.
6. The invention can be understood by reference to Figures 1, 2, 3A, 3B,
7, and 10 of the drawings, all of which are reproduced in Appendix 1 of this
opinion.
7. Referring to Figure 1, a block schematic drawing of an infrared focal
plane array imaging system in accordance with the present invention is illustrated.
(col. 4, lines 65-67).
8. As shown, the principal components of the infrared imaging system
include focal plane array 10, detector array interface circuit 12, focal plane sensor
controller 14, and display processor 16. Incident infrared (IR) radiation is focused
onto the focal plane array 10 via IR lens 18 (col. 5, lines 1-5).
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