EP0133356A2
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Optical image processor
Assignee: Quantum Diagnostics Ltd
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Filing: 1984-07-25
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2004-07-25
Abstract
Abstract @ An optical processing system based on noncoherent light processing employs both geometrical and diffraction optical systems. One portion of the optical system (25, 26) preforms a subtraction operation of the image from itself where one of the subtracted images is relatively defocused and one is delayed in time from the other. The subtracted image is edge- enhanced (32) and then applied to a spatial filter employing an interferometer (56) in which spatial filters (61, 62) are contained in the interferometer iris plates (59, 60). Additional spatial filtering (72) is performed on the interference image and the processed image is displayed in an appropriate display (78, 81) which can selectively view the processed image, the unprocessed image, or combinations of the two. Light storage elements are employed for storing the processed images in appropriate buffers (23, 24, 64) over a given length of time. The buffers are read out by a flashlamp. Suitable shutters (15, 16, 80, 82) are closed during the readout process.
Inventors
- 👤 Curtis Birnach
- 👤 Jay Tanner
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 13:07
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B27/00; G02B27/42; G02B27/46; G01; G01J; G01J9/00; G01J9/02; G06; G06E; G06E3/00; G06E3/001
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
73 words
An optical image processor comprising: a collimated image source (10,11); first beam splitter means (18) for dividing the image from the image source into a first path (26) and a second path (25); an optical delay line in the second path (25); and second beam splitter means (30) for combining the light images in the first and second paths (26,25) and for subtracting the said light images and producing a subtracted output image.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
73 words
An optical image processor comprising: a collimated image source (10,11); first beam splitter means (18) for dividing the image from the image source into a first path (26) and a second path (25); an optical delay line in the second path (25); and second beam splitter means (30) for combining the light images in the first and second paths (26,25) and for subtracting the said light images and producing a subtracted output image.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
51 words
An image processor as claimed in claim 1, including first and second focusing lenses (20,22) in the respective first and second paths (26,25) for producing generally focused images at the second beam splitter means (30), the first focusing lens (20) being intentionally slightly defocused relative to the second focusing lens (22).
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
An image processor as claimed in claim 1 or 2, including an iris (32) disposed in the path of the subtracted output image.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
An image processor as claimed in any preceding claim, including a 1/4 wave plate (29) disposed in the first path (26).
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
55 words
An image processor as claimed in any preceding claim, including a first buffer (23) and a second buffer (24) in the respective first and second paths (26,25) and high intensity illuminator means (40) arranged to illuminate the first and second buffers (28,24) to read out the stored images in the first and second buffers (28,24).
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
97 words
An image processor as claimed in claim 5, including second beam splitter means (12), disposed between the collimated image source (10,11) and the first beam splitter means (18), for directing an image of the unprocessed light of the collimated image source along a third path (14); first and second optical switches (16,15) disposed respectively in the third path (14) and in the path (13) between the first and second beam splitter means (18,12); and means for controlling the optical switches (16,15) such that they are closed and pass no light when the illuminator means (40) is energized.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
An image processor as claimed in claim 6, including optical lens means for selectively combining together and displaying the light in the third path (14) and the subtracted output image.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
40 words
An image processor as claimed in claim 6, including an interferometer (56-60) disposed in the path of the subtracted output image for spatially filtering the subtracted output image, and third buffer means (64) disposed in the output of the interferometer.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
An image processor as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4, including an interferometer (56-60) disposed in the path of the subtracted output image for spatially filtering the subtracted output image.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
127 words
An image processor as claimed in claim 8 or 9, in which the interferometer (56-60) comprises an interferometer beam splitter (56), first and second reflecting mirrors (57,58) disposed relative to the interferometer beam splitter (56) to cause interference between reflected portions of the collimated image source, first and second aperture plates (59,60) disposed between the interferometer beam splitter (56) and the first and second reflecting mirrors (57,58) respectively, and first and second light modulators (61,62) associated with the first and second aperture plates (59.60) respectively, the interferometer producing an output image beam; a spatial filter (72) being disposed in the path of the output image beam for producing a spatially filtered image beam; and output image means (76-81) being provided for observing the spatially filtered image beam.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
39 words
An image processor as claimed in claim 8, including third beam splitter means (50) receiving and combining the light images from the third path (14) and the subtracted output image and directing the combined images toward the interferometer (56-60).
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
31 words
An image processor as claimed in claim 11, including optical lens means for selectively combining together and displaying the light images in the third path (14) and the subtracted output image.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
114 words
An optical image processor comprising: a collimated image source (10,11); an interferometer comprising an interferometer beam splitter (56), first and second reflecting mirrors (57,58) disposed relative to the interferometer beam splitter (56) to cause interference between reflected portions of the collimated image source, first and second aperture plates (59,60) disposed between the interferometer beam splitter (56) and the first and second reflecting mirrors (57,58) respectively, and first and second light modulators (61,62) associated with the first and second aperture plates (59,60) respectively, the interferometer producing an output image beam; a spatial filter (72) disposed in the path of the output image beam; and output imaging means (76-81) for displaying the spatially filtered image beam.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
114 words
An optical image processor comprising: a collimated image source (10,11); an interferometer comprising an interferometer beam splitter (56), first and second reflecting mirrors (57,58) disposed relative to the interferometer beam splitter (56) to cause interference between reflected portions of the collimated image source, first and second aperture plates (59,60) disposed between the interferometer beam splitter (56) and the first and second reflecting mirrors (57,58) respectively, and first and second light modulators (61,62) associated with the first and second aperture plates (59,60) respectively, the interferometer producing an output image beam; a spatial filter (72) disposed in the path of the output image beam; and output imaging means (76-81) for displaying the spatially filtered image beam.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
78 words
An optical image processor as claimed in any preceding claim, including a housing (100) for the optical components of the processor; heater means (104) disposed in the housing (100) for heating the interior of the housing (100) to a temperature higher than ambient temperature; and control means (105) operatively connected to the heater means (104) for maintaining constant the temperature within the housing (100) by controllably increasing and reducing the power applied to the said heater means (104).
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
24 words
An optical processor as claimed in claim 14, in which the housing (100) is hermetically sealed and is filled with a dry inert gas.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
24 words
An optical processor as claimed in claim 14 or 15. in which the housing (100) is mounted to be relatively unaffected by ambient shocks.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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