US Patent 8487996 Systems and methods for overhead imaging and video

Examples of an imaging sensor include a two-dimensional staring sensor with spectral filter strips for multispectral overhead imaging. The sensor may also include a panchromatic sensor with block or strip filters. The sensor may be used to collect multispectral color image data at a sampling resolution from overhead imaging platforms such as airplanes or satellites. The sensor can be used to provide video images. If a panchromatic sensor is included, the sensor may be used to collect panchromatic image data. Examples of methods for processing the image date include using the panchromatic image data to perform multi-frame enhancement or panchromatic sharpening on spectral images to improve their quality and resolution.