Optical flow detection system

DETAILED DESCRIPTION What is claimed is: 1.
An optical flow detection system for receiving a plurality of pixels so as to derive an instantaneous pixel velocity value and a predicted pixel velocity value for each pixel, comprising: sensor means for supplying an imaging sequence which includes potential targets represented by at least one pixel; an image queue for storing said imaging sequence; gradient means for receiving and comparing said imaging sequence to said stored imaging sequence so as to generate a pixel intensity gradient value for each of said pixels; calculation means for receiving said pixel intensity gradient values and a predicted pixel velocity value so as to generate an instantaneous pixel velocity value for each pixel; and smoothing means for receiving said instantaneous pixel velocity values which are employed in a least squares fitting to generate coefficients which are used in a set of quadratic equations to generate said predicted pixel velocity values.
2.
The optical flow detection system according to claim 1, wherein said smoothing means further comprises: extraction means for receiving said instantaneous pixel velocity values and deariving therefrom a plurality of pixel velocity statistics; fitting means for receiving said plurality of pixel velocity statistics and performing a least squares fitting of said pixel velocity statistics to said instantaneous pixel velocity value so as to generate a plurality of pixel velocity coefficients; and expansion means for employing said pixel velocity coefficients in a set of quadratic equations so as to generate said predicted pixel velocity value for each pixel.
3.
The optical flow detection system according to claim 2, wherein said set of quadratic equations is modeled upon said sensor means' expected motion.
4.
The optical flow detection system according to claim 3, further comprising: filtering means for receiving said instantaneous and predicted pixel velocity values so as to generate a combined filtered pixel velocity value; correction means for receiving said combined filtered pixel velocity value and said imaging sequence so as to generate a stabilized imaging sequence; and display means for providing a visual display of said stabilized imaging sequence wherein the optical flow detection system removes selected undesirable motion of said sensor means