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US5132842A
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Optical image transformation system
Assignee: Boeing North American Inc
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Filing: 1989-07-21
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Granted: 1992-07-21
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Expires: 2009-07-21
Abstract
Abstract An optical system is provided for the transformation of input images to be correlated by a pattern recognition system. A pulse of light from a laser carries an input image to a beam splitter. The beam splitter divides the input pulse into an output pulse and a thoughput pulse that is directed through an optical ring resonator. The ring resonator is an optical reimaging system that transforms the input image in scale or orientation. The transformed version of the input image is then directed to the beam splitter where it is split into a modified output pulse and a modified throughput pulse that reenters the ring resonator. The transformation process is self-repeating to generate a series of successively modified output images that are equally spaced in time. The series of output images can be provided to an optical pattern recognition system for correlation with a stored reference. The generation of successive transformations of the input image precludes the necessity of storing a large library of reference images to be matched with the input image.
Inventors
- 👤 Pochi A. Yeh
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 16:55
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06V; G06V10/00; G06V10/88
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
111 words
A method of generating successive transformations of an optical image, comprising the steps of: receiving a laser beam input pulse carrying the optical image; splitting said input pulse into an output pulse and a throughput pulse; directing said throughput pulse through an optical ring resonator: optically transforming said throughput pulse into a modified pulse carrying a transformation of the optical image; splitting said modified pulse into a modified output pulse and a modified throughput pulse; and directing said modified throughput pulse and successive modifications thereof through said optical ring resonator to generate successive modifications of said modified output and throughput pulses, said successive modifications comprising successive transformations of the optical image.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
111 words
A method of generating successive transformations of an optical image, comprising the steps of: receiving a laser beam input pulse carrying the optical image; splitting said input pulse into an output pulse and a throughput pulse; directing said throughput pulse through an optical ring resonator: optically transforming said throughput pulse into a modified pulse carrying a transformation of the optical image; splitting said modified pulse into a modified output pulse and a modified throughput pulse; and directing said modified throughput pulse and successive modifications thereof through said optical ring resonator to generate successive modifications of said modified output and throughput pulses, said successive modifications comprising successive transformations of the optical image.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the step of optically transforming comprises modifying the optical image by a predetermined factor in scale.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the step of optically transforming comprises rotating the optical image by a predetermined angle of rotation.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the step of optically transforming comprises modifying the optical image by at least one of the factors of scale, orientation, aspect ratio, and intensity.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
147 words
A method of optical image recognition, comprising the steps of: storing a single version of a reference image to be recognized; receiving a laser beam input pulse carrying an optical image; splitting said input pulse into an output pulse and a throughput pulse; directing said throughput pulse through an optical ring resonator; optically transforming said throughput pulse into a modified pulse carrying a transformation of said optical image; splitting said modified pulse into a modified output pulse and a modified throughput pulse; directing said modified throughput pulse and successive modifications thereof through said optical ring resonator to generate successive modifications of said modified output and throughput pulses, said successive modifications comprising successive transformations of said optical image; comparing said successive transformations of said optical image with said reference image; and generating a correlation peak when one of said transformations of said optical image matches said reference image.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
147 words
A method of optical image recognition, comprising the steps of: storing a single version of a reference image to be recognized; receiving a laser beam input pulse carrying an optical image; splitting said input pulse into an output pulse and a throughput pulse; directing said throughput pulse through an optical ring resonator; optically transforming said throughput pulse into a modified pulse carrying a transformation of said optical image; splitting said modified pulse into a modified output pulse and a modified throughput pulse; directing said modified throughput pulse and successive modifications thereof through said optical ring resonator to generate successive modifications of said modified output and throughput pulses, said successive modifications comprising successive transformations of said optical image; comparing said successive transformations of said optical image with said reference image; and generating a correlation peak when one of said transformations of said optical image matches said reference image.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 5, wherein the step of optically transforming comprises modifying said optical image by a predetermined amount of at least one of the factors of scale, orientation, aspect ratio, and intensity.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
54 words
The method of claim 5, further comprising the steps of: providing said successive modifications of said optical image in a series of output pulses equally spaced in time; and determining the amount of modification of the modified optical image that matches said reference image by noting the time at which said correlation peak occurs.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
174 words
A method of optical image recognition, comprising the steps of: storing a single version of each of a plurality of reference images to be recognized; receiving a laser beam input pulse carrying an optical image; splitting said input pulse into an output pulse and a throughput pulse; directing said throughput pulse through an optical ring resonator; optically transforming said throughput pulse into a modified pulse, said modified pulse comprising said optical image modified by a predetermined amount of at least one of the factors of scale, orientation, aspect ratio, and intensity; splitting said modified pulse into a modified output pulse and a modified throughput pulse; directing said modified throughput pulse and successive modifications thereof through said optical ring resonator to generate successive modifications of said modified output and throughput pulses, said successive modifications comprising successive modifications of said optical image; comparing said successive modifications of said optical image with each of said reference images; and generating a correlation peak when one of said modifications of said optical image matches one of said reference images.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
174 words
A method of optical image recognition, comprising the steps of: storing a single version of each of a plurality of reference images to be recognized; receiving a laser beam input pulse carrying an optical image; splitting said input pulse into an output pulse and a throughput pulse; directing said throughput pulse through an optical ring resonator; optically transforming said throughput pulse into a modified pulse, said modified pulse comprising said optical image modified by a predetermined amount of at least one of the factors of scale, orientation, aspect ratio, and intensity; splitting said modified pulse into a modified output pulse and a modified throughput pulse; directing said modified throughput pulse and successive modifications thereof through said optical ring resonator to generate successive modifications of said modified output and throughput pulses, said successive modifications comprising successive modifications of said optical image; comparing said successive modifications of said optical image with each of said reference images; and generating a correlation peak when one of said modifications of said optical image matches one of said reference images.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
57 words
The method of claim 8, further comprising the steps of: providing said successive modifications of said optical image in a series of output pulses equally spaced in time; and determining the amount of modification of the modified optical image that matches said one of said reference images by noting the time at which said correlation peak occurs.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-07-21 | 1996-01-20 | 1996-07-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-07-21 | 2000-01-20 | 2000-07-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-07-21 | 2004-01-20 | 2004-07-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |