RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM OBJECTIVES

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: NGA Records (Formerly NIMA)
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP78B04747A002100070010-1
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2016
• Document Release Date: October 2, 2001
• Sequence Number: 10
• Publication Date: October 5, 1965
• Content Type: REQ

Approved F.elease 2001/11S CRIBJRDP78B0477002100070010-1
5 October 1965
RNS7,ARCH AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM OBJECTIVES
MODULATED LIGK IMAGERY SYSTEMS PROGRAM
1. INTRODUCTION. This document conveys the background, concept and
requirements of a government-sponsored research and development pro-
gram in the field of modulated light imaging systems as these systems
relate to imagery exploitation processes.
1.1. 3acb round. Images recorded by reconnaissance systems are
Generally eytre,mely small-scale replicas of real-world scenes stored in
a wide. range of density patterns. The range of tones captured on the
.photograph often exceeds the accommodation of the human eye. The orig-
inal recording of the information and the human integration of optical
patterns cannot yet be readily controlled; therefore, efforts to improve
the exploitation of imagery must be concentrated or the manipulation of
density patterns. '~or_etimes the dicquisition an(4 processing systems
induce spuri.ou.s tone effects such as hot spots, fl're.and. halos which
cause difficulties in the image perception process; experiments have
been made to rmducp these effects by modulatinh the illumination.
Attempts have -lso been made to eliminate these effects by converting
the image to art electronic signal in order that the unwanted character-
istics may be isolated and compensated for -- thus enhancing the signal
m.nd TV image by which it is displayed. The Government desires to develop
equipment to improve the performance of the interpreter which would
present info= ti_or' to him at density and contrast levels most readily
acceotnble to the eve while at the sa.D:. time reducing eve fatigue and
incr^acing the accur-,c:.' of read-out.
1_.2. Concept. The coutr^cted organi.z.aticr selected to accomplish
this research mist b- capable of indenendent mar.agement. of the program.
The contracted organization must also: (l ~rovi e and/or obtain
throllrh suab-contract ? ea^lir; technical author iti.es in the field; (2)
ha responsive 40 "ovarnrr,,ent rearireme_ts ; (3\ be a ggr.. effective
(: , ps.~..Siv.? and in achieving th- n; iactives; and (11) furni:;h fortilr'zht technical
guidance to the Government. Representatives of the Government involved
i n this oror-r?m --r 11 maintain an open mind in eva tu.?ti ng any new concepts
which, if succees-;t u.Lly pursued, would add to the store of relevant
!cnowLeisa anal ' 1Vance the State-of-the-art. 2r,7anizations engaged in
those technical. aev lc~pr.ente ace encourage.] to present new ideas which
they believe will advance the program. It ;s the intention of the
overn e:~t to r i 1, freedom for imagination and creativity.
DECLASS REVIEW by NIMA/DOD
GROUP
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1.3. IM 2a. The program will be planned on the basis of a five-
year term. This paper defines only initial objectives; proposals in
response to them should contain an evaluation of their significance as
related to cost and time. Careful utilization of reputable industrial
management will be required, as well as obtaining maximum efficiency in
all technological aspects.
2. ADI`FI"JISTRATION. The Government will retain ultimate control of the
program. Objectives, costs, priorities, sub-contractors and consultants
involved in the program come under the purview of the Government, and
approval must be obtained before these factors are employed.
2.1. ?rojects. '?ach project under this program will be divided
into major accon,pL.shment/cost phases to facilitate =government review
and control.
2.2. Contract In"ormation.
x.2.1. The contractor is expected to provide competent and
cooperative administrative services; he will be vested
with certain authority to control the direction and
degree of technical effort within the bounds of esti-
mt-~d costs as approved by the Technical Representative.
The cog-,tractor shalt be responsible for the work per-
formance of his sub-contractors.
The Contracting Officer of the Government will desig-
nate Technical Representative to authorize specific
development efforts of the contractor. Such author-
ization shall be given in the form of written work
orders either in its origin2l form or to confirm an
oral authorization.
2.2.,11. Certain written progress reports will be required on
n regular basis by the Technical Representative to
include status of project, money expended and money
.required to complete the projects. In addition, the
contractor will be expected to provide the Technical
Representative with written reports concerning research
and development efforts when deemed .advisable by the
Government, as well as -erbal elaborations as may be
desired by the Technical Representative or Contracting
'Officer.
,i. TSCHPJIC!L '~^fIR [JT` . Modulated light imaging systems are required
which will automatically control viewing and reproduction illumination
as a f,nction of local characteristics of the image, in order to achieve
si,T'ni fi cint ; m,provem ant in the perceptibility of rear-subliminal imagery.
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Four general areas of research will be included in this program: study,
fabrication, test and evaluation. Research in this program will also
require the inclusion of certain physiological and psychological testing
involving the interpreters' application of the systems. Within the con-
text of the broad objectives set forth in this paper the technical require-
ments are:
3.1. Consultation to the Government in the modulated light imagery
systems research field.
3.2. .'awareness of all commercial and non-profit organizations work-
ing in this field. Possession of the current and historical knowledge
in order to preclude duplication of effort and to maintain awareness of
the state-of-the-.art.
3.3. Improve perceptibility by (1) defining the nature of images;
(2) defining optimum. criteria for image cerciptibility; (3) developing
photographic techniques for achieving optimum image perceptibility with
both good and poor original images. Improved image characteristics may
be achieved in two trays as follows:
3.3.1, 1utoma.tion of Photographic Techniques in Reproduction
Processes.
Contact printing.
3.3.1.2. Projection printing.
3.3.1.7. Development process.
3.3.2. Automation of Photographic Techniques in Viewing
Processes.
3.3.2.1. Direct optical viewers
3.3.2.2. Indirect optical viewers
3.3.2.3. 71ectronic viewers
3.4. Research, in the area of information transmission from photo-
graphs to the human mind, in order to interpret the maximum -amount of
information in the minimum of time with the lowest error rate. These
ultimate parameters shall be est?.blisb rd by the contractor for constant
illumination and various forms of modulated illumination, and also show
the results of varying them.
3.5. Fabricate and test breadboards with which theories of modulated
11-ht vie',;*ing n?':I printing may be analyzed.
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3.6. Manufacture prototype and production equipment which has been
proven to be practical in terms of increasing useful information from
the photograph to the interpreter, and remain within optimum costs. The
models should also reduce the time factor and interpretation error
factor in the exploitation Process.
3.'7. Tests involving interpretation or exploitation processes
will be marie employing 'government photo interpreters under operational
conditions.
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