US3704931A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method and apparatus for providing an enhanced image of an object
Assignee: Bendix Corp
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Filing: 1971-08-30
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Granted: 1972-12-05
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Expires: 1991-08-30
Abstract
Abstract An enhanced image of an object is formed using a multicomponent signal having a weak signal component representing the object that is mixed with a strong signal component representing a localized source that tends to mask the weak signal component by multiplying the multicomponent signal by the intensity distribution of the high-frequency portion of that signal. This multiplication provides a multicomponent output signal having one component separate from all other components that provides a clear image of the object. Embodiment for providing images from multicomponent optic signals and from lower frequency multicomponent signals such as acoustic signals are described herein.
Inventors
- 👤 Rolf K Mueller
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 17:06
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03H; G03H3/00; G03H1/00; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S359/00; Y10S359/90
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
130 words
A method for providing an enhanced image of an object using a wave energy signal having a first signal component representing said object and a second signal component different from said first signal component that is mixed with said first signal component comprising the steps of: providing a representation of the spatial distribution of the intensity of said wave energy signal; removing at least one low spatial frequency component from said spatial distribution of intensity; multiplying said signal and the remaining high spatial frequency portion of said spatial distribution of intensity, said multiplication providing a multicomponent output signal having one output signal component comprising the product of said first component and the intensity distribution of said second component, said one output signal component providing a clear image of said object.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
130 words
A method for providing an enhanced image of an object using a wave energy signal having a first signal component representing said object and a second signal component different from said first signal component that is mixed with said first signal component comprising the steps of: providing a representation of the spatial distribution of the intensity of said wave energy signal; removing at least one low spatial frequency component from said spatial distribution of intensity; multiplying said signal and the remaining high spatial frequency portion of said spatial distribution of intensity, said multiplication providing a multicomponent output signal having one output signal component comprising the product of said first component and the intensity distribution of said second component, said one output signal component providing a clear image of said object.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
105 words
The method of claim 1 in which: said spatial distribution of intensity comprises the square of the absolute value of the spatial distribution of said wave energy signal and is represented mathematically by the equation: S 2 S1 2 + S2 2 + S1*S2 + S1S2* where: S 2 said intensity distribution; S said wave energy signal distribution; S1 said first component S2 said second component; and S1* and S2* the complex conjugates of S1 and S2, respectively; said step of removing at least one low spatial frequency component from said intensity distribution comprises the removal of the component represented by said S2 2 term.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
66 words
The method of claim 2 in which: said multiplying step is represented mathematically by the expression: S . S 2 2 S1 2 S2 + S1 S2 2 + S1*S22 + S12S2* + S1 S1 2 where: S 2 said high spatial frequency portion of said intensity distribution; and said one output signal component providing said clear image is represented by said S1 S2 2 term.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
69 words
The method of claim 3 in which: said first signal component comprises a weak signal component and said second signal component comprises a strong signal component representing a virtual image of a source that is small with respect to said object and that would otherwise mask said weak component and prevent the formation of an image; and said first and second signal components are mutually coherent with each other.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 3 further including the step of electronically removing the S1*S22 and S12S2* components from said S . S 2 product signal in order to enhance the image provided by said S2 2S1 signal component.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
51 words
The method of claim 3 further including the step of multiplying said S . S 2 product signal by an appropriate transformation factor to remove the S1*S22 and S12S2* components from said S . S 2 product signal in order to enhance the image provided by said S2 2S1 signal component.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
84 words
The method of claim 1 in which: said wave energy signal comprises an optic signal; and said steps of providing a representation of the spatial distribution of the intensity of said signal and of removing said at least one low spatial frequency component from said spatial distribution of intensity are performed simultaneously by directing said signal onto an area square-law detector having a poor low spatial frequency response, said area detector recording the high spatial frequency portion of the intensity distribution of said signal.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
97 words
The method of claim 7 in which said first and second signal components of said wave energy signal are mutually coherent and said multiplying includes: mixing a reference signal with said wave energy signal to form a hologram on a recording surface; aligning said hologram with said recorded area detector; and directing a reference beam to strike and be modulated by said hologram to recreate said wave energy signal, said recreated wave energy signal being directed to propagate from said hologram to strike and be multiplied by said recorded high spatial frequency portion of said intensity distribution.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
134 words
The method of claim 8 in which: said hologram is represented mathematically by the expression: R + S1 + S2 2 where: R said reference signal; S1 said first signal component; S2 said second signal component; and said modulation of said reference beam by said hologram is represented mathematically by the expression: R . R + S1 + S2 2 said reference signal striking said hologram causes a multicomponent reconstruction signal to propagate from said hologram; said multicomponent reconstruction signal has an image component represented by the mathematic expression (S1 + S2); said (S1 + S2) image component propagates in a direction separate from the other components of said reconstruction signal; and said reference signal strikes said hologram at an angle causing said (S1 + S2) image component to intercept said recorded area detector.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method of claim 1 in which: said step of providing a representation of the intensity of said wave energy signal includes: recording the spatial distribution of the amplitude of said wave energy signal; and rectifying and squaring said recorded spatial amplitude distribution to thereby provide said spatial intensity distribution.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
164 words
A method for providing an enhanced image of an object disposed proximate an unwanted reflecting background comprising the steps of: irradiating said object and said reflecting background with coherent wave energy from a source that is small in size with respect to the size of said object; receiving the radiation reflected by said object and background, the small size of said source causing said received radiation from said background to comprise a wave field representing a virtual image of said small source; providing a representation of the spatial distribution of the intensity of said received radiation; removing at least one low spatial frequency component of said intensity distribution; and multiplying said received radiation and the remaining high spatial frequency portion of said spatial distribution of intensity, said multiplication providing a multicomponent output signal having one output signal component comprising the product of said first component and the square of said second component, said one output signal component providing a clear image of said object.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
164 words
A method for providing an enhanced image of an object disposed proximate an unwanted reflecting background comprising the steps of: irradiating said object and said reflecting background with coherent wave energy from a source that is small in size with respect to the size of said object; receiving the radiation reflected by said object and background, the small size of said source causing said received radiation from said background to comprise a wave field representing a virtual image of said small source; providing a representation of the spatial distribution of the intensity of said received radiation; removing at least one low spatial frequency component of said intensity distribution; and multiplying said received radiation and the remaining high spatial frequency portion of said spatial distribution of intensity, said multiplication providing a multicomponent output signal having one output signal component comprising the product of said first component and the square of said second component, said one output signal component providing a clear image of said object.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
109 words
A device for providing an image of an object from a wave energy signal having a first signal component representing said object and a secOnd signal component different from said first signal component that is mixed with said first signal component comprising: means for forming the high spatial frequency portion of the spatial distribution of the intensity of said wave energy signal; and means for multiplying said signal and said intensity distribution, said multiplication providing a multicomponent output signal having one signal component comprising the product of said first component and the square of said second component, said one output signal component providing a clear image of said object.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
109 words
A device for providing an image of an object from a wave energy signal having a first signal component representing said object and a secOnd signal component different from said first signal component that is mixed with said first signal component comprising: means for forming the high spatial frequency portion of the spatial distribution of the intensity of said wave energy signal; and means for multiplying said signal and said intensity distribution, said multiplication providing a multicomponent output signal having one signal component comprising the product of said first component and the square of said second component, said one output signal component providing a clear image of said object.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
34 words
The device of claim 12 in which said means for forming intensity distribution of said high-frequency portion of said wave energy signal comprise an area square-law detector having a poor low spatial frequency response.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
85 words
The device of claim 12 wherein said first and second signal components of said wave energy signal are mutually coherent and said multiplying means comprise: a hologram of said wave energy signal disposed proximate said recorded area square-law detector; and means for directing a reference signal to strike said hologram and recreate said wave energy signal, said reference signal being directed to strike said hologram at an angle that causes said recreated signal to propagate from said hologram along a direction intercepting said area detector.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
110 words
The device of claim 14 wherein said multiplying means provide an output signal expressed by the mathematical expression: S . S 2 2 S1 2 S2 + S1 S2 2 + S1*S22 + S12S2* + S1 S1 2 where: S said wave energy signal distribution; S 2 said high spatial frequency portion of said intensity distribution; S1 said first component; S2 said second component; S1* and S2* the complex conjugates of S1 and S2, respectively; S1 S2 2 said one signal component providing said clear image; and the device further includes: reconstruction means for electronically removing said S1*S2 and S12S2* components from said product signal to further enhance said image.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3598471A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-12-05 | 1976-06-05 | 1976-12-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-12-05 | 1980-06-05 | 1980-12-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-12-05 | 1984-06-05 | 1984-12-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |