<title>Real-time image fusion system for low-light color night vision</title>

Abstract

We present an apparatus to support real-time imaging for color night vision through fusion of information derived from two channels of low-light CCD. The processing system is comprised of a bi-channel real-time video acquisition module, a low-light image pretreatment module, a core image fusion module, a real-time video output module and a user interface module. The bi-channel active videos are firstly captured and stored in the main memories of preprocessing DSP (Digital Signal Processor). Then, the low-light image pretreatment module will preprocess images buffered in the main memories. After pretreatment the real-time image datum are passed into the core image fusion module. In this module the bi-channel images are finally fused. The pretreatment and core fusion circuits are based on the special DSP TMI300 of Philips. The fused image data is then transferred to the real-time video output module for display. The user interface module is provided for easily adjusting the acquisition area of the image. The fusion system can run independently without presentation of computer.