METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING A FALSE COLOUR IMAGE

PCT No. PCT/FI92/00325 Sec. 371 Date Jul. 18, 1994 Sec. 102(e) Date Jul. 18, 1994 PCT Filed Nov. 27, 1992 PCT Pub. No. WO93/11630 PCT Pub. Date Jun. 10, 1993A method for creating a false color image, by utilizing a video camera provided with two or three arrays of semiconductor detectors, the sensitivity range whereof, in relation to wavelength, extends from the visible light range to near infrared radiation range, and where the radiation received in the semiconductor detectors is filtered. The radiation received in the first array of semiconductor detectors is filtered so that only near infrared radiation is given access to the detector array. Further, the radiation received in the second semiconductor detector array, or alternatively in the second and third semiconductor detector arrays is filtered so that of the radiation of the visible spectrum range, green and red are given access to the detector array or arrays. The signals obtained from the first and second semiconductor detector arrays, or alternatively from the first, second and third semiconductor detector arrays, representing the strength of near infrared radiation and the strength of the radiation of the green and red spectrum ranges, are decoded by changing the order of the signals in order to achieve a desired false color signal in the camera output.