Patent US6353673B1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6353673B1
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Real-time opto-electronic image processor
Assignee: Intellisense Systems Inc
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Filing: 2000-04-27
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Granted: 2002-03-05
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Expires: 2020-04-27
Abstract
Abstract A system and method for real time optical processing of images by simultaneous combining the variable set of images in selected spectral intervals. Spectral images at a plurality of spectral intervals are collected if needed. According to criteria established in a particular application, coefficients for an optimal combination of selected spectral intervals are calculated. Positive and negative images are continuously captured through the optical filter whose transmission spectrum adjusted to positive and negative coefficients of the optimal combination. Negative images are subtracted from positive images and a sequence of resulting optimized images is displayed in real time.
Inventors
- 👤 Paul I. Shnitser
- 👤 Sergey Sandomirsky
- 👤 Il'ya Agurok
- 👤 Aramais Avakian
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 12:36
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06T; G06T5/00; G06T5/50; G06V; G06V10/00; G06V10/20; G06V10/255; G06V10/30; G06V10/88
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 41
Claim 1
Independent Claim
202 words
A method of real-time optical processing of images by simultaneously combining a variable set of images in various orientations of light polarization and in selected spectral intervals comprising the steps of: turning a liquid crystal achromatic rotator of light polarization off; selecting a set of spectral intervals; adjusting transmitting spectrum of an optical filter to a first selected spectral interval; acquiring a spectral image through the adjusted optical filter; turning the liquid crystal achromatic rotator of light polarization on; repeating the above steps for orthogonal light polarizations, for each selected spectral interval; defining an object area; extracting object and background spectral-polarimetric parameters from the set of spectral-polarimetric images; calculating an optimal set of weight coefficients for each spectral-polarimetric interval satisfying application criteria; adjusting a filter transmission spectrum to positive weight coefficients for corresponding spectral intervals to create a positive filter; capturing an image through the positive filter at a relevant polarization; adjusting a filter transmission spectrum to negative weight coefficients for corresponding spectral intervals to create a negative filter; capturing an image through the negative filter at a relevant polarization; subtracting the image captured through the negative filter from the image captured through the positive filter; recording and displaying the resulting image.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
202 words
A method of real-time optical processing of images by simultaneously combining a variable set of images in various orientations of light polarization and in selected spectral intervals comprising the steps of: turning a liquid crystal achromatic rotator of light polarization off; selecting a set of spectral intervals; adjusting transmitting spectrum of an optical filter to a first selected spectral interval; acquiring a spectral image through the adjusted optical filter; turning the liquid crystal achromatic rotator of light polarization on; repeating the above steps for orthogonal light polarizations, for each selected spectral interval; defining an object area; extracting object and background spectral-polarimetric parameters from the set of spectral-polarimetric images; calculating an optimal set of weight coefficients for each spectral-polarimetric interval satisfying application criteria; adjusting a filter transmission spectrum to positive weight coefficients for corresponding spectral intervals to create a positive filter; capturing an image through the positive filter at a relevant polarization; adjusting a filter transmission spectrum to negative weight coefficients for corresponding spectral intervals to create a negative filter; capturing an image through the negative filter at a relevant polarization; subtracting the image captured through the negative filter from the image captured through the positive filter; recording and displaying the resulting image.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
53 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising cycling through the method of real time optical processing of images, wherein an orientation of light linear polarization and at least one of the number of spectral intervals, their position and the spectral width of each of these intervals can be varied in each cycle.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising: monitoring spectral parameters of background of an image; determining if the background spectral parameters deviate significantly from established background spectral parameters; and reextracting the object and background spectral parameters if the background spectral parameters deviate significantly from the established background spectral parameters.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
121 words
A system for real-time optical processing of images by simultaneously combining a set of images in different orientations of light linear polarization, in selected spectral intervals comprising: an objective lens; a liquid crystal achromatic rotator of light polarization; an acousto-optic tunable filter coupled to the objective lens; an image capture device coupled to the acousto-optic tunable filter; a liquid crystal achromatic rotator of light polarization driver; a multi-frequency generator connected to the acousto-optic tunable filter; and a processor coupled to the multi-frequency generator which controls the multi-frequency generator and the liquid crystal achromatic rotator of light polarization driver, calculates object and background spectral parameters, monitors changes of background spectral parameters, calculates weight coefficients for optimal image processing, and performs image subtraction.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
121 words
A system for real-time optical processing of images by simultaneously combining a set of images in different orientations of light linear polarization, in selected spectral intervals comprising: an objective lens; a liquid crystal achromatic rotator of light polarization; an acousto-optic tunable filter coupled to the objective lens; an image capture device coupled to the acousto-optic tunable filter; a liquid crystal achromatic rotator of light polarization driver; a multi-frequency generator connected to the acousto-optic tunable filter; and a processor coupled to the multi-frequency generator which controls the multi-frequency generator and the liquid crystal achromatic rotator of light polarization driver, calculates object and background spectral parameters, monitors changes of background spectral parameters, calculates weight coefficients for optimal image processing, and performs image subtraction.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
91 words
A method for real time optical enhancement of imaging contrast between an object and a background comprising the steps of: establishing object and background spectral-polarimetric parameters; calculating filter coefficients based upon the object and background spectral-polarimetric parameters for maximizing contrast between the object and background in real time; adjusting an acousto-optic filter transmission spectrum based upon the calculated filter coefficients; and capturing an image through a relevant orientation of the liquid crystal achromatic rotator of light polarization and an acousto-optic filter having the transmission spectrum based upon the calculated filter coefficients.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
91 words
A method for real time optical enhancement of imaging contrast between an object and a background comprising the steps of: establishing object and background spectral-polarimetric parameters; calculating filter coefficients based upon the object and background spectral-polarimetric parameters for maximizing contrast between the object and background in real time; adjusting an acousto-optic filter transmission spectrum based upon the calculated filter coefficients; and capturing an image through a relevant orientation of the liquid crystal achromatic rotator of light polarization and an acousto-optic filter having the transmission spectrum based upon the calculated filter coefficients.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 5 , further comprising choosing initial orientations of light polarization and wavelengths for analysis.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
51 words
The method of claim 5 , further comprising: monitoring the background spectral-polarimetric parameters of an image; determining if the background spectral-polarimetric parameters deviate significantly from the established background spectral-polarimetric parameters; and reestablishing the object and background spectral-polarimetric parameters if the background spectral-polarimetric parameters deviate significantly from the established background spectral-polarimetric parameters.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 7 , wherein the step of determining if the background spectral-polarimetric parameters deviate significantly from the established background spectral-polarimetric parameters compares the background spectral-polarimetric parameters to a background vector.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 5 , further comprising targeting an object area on a spectral image, wherein the step of establishing the object and background spectral-polarimetric parameters establishes the object and background spectral-polarimetric parameters based on the targeted spectral area.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 5 , wherein the step of capturing an image through the optical filter corresponding to a set of the calculated filter coefficients subtracts images captured through one filter from images captured through another filter.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 5 , further comprising displaying the image captured through the optical filter corresponding to a set of the calculated filter coefficients.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
109 words
A method for real time optical enhancement of imaging contrast comprising the steps of: acquiring a set of real time images; creating a translation from the set of real time images into a spectral-polarimetric representation of the set of real time images by using a liquid crystal achromatic rotator or light polarization and an acousto-optic filter; processing the spectral-polarimetric representation of the set of real time images into positive and negative discrete spectral coefficients to create a high contrast image determinant adaptive spectral-polarimetric filter; and translating the spectral-polarimetric representation of the set of real time images into a high contrast image using the high contrast image determinant adaptive spectral-polarimetric-filter.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
109 words
A method for real time optical enhancement of imaging contrast comprising the steps of: acquiring a set of real time images; creating a translation from the set of real time images into a spectral-polarimetric representation of the set of real time images by using a liquid crystal achromatic rotator or light polarization and an acousto-optic filter; processing the spectral-polarimetric representation of the set of real time images into positive and negative discrete spectral coefficients to create a high contrast image determinant adaptive spectral-polarimetric filter; and translating the spectral-polarimetric representation of the set of real time images into a high contrast image using the high contrast image determinant adaptive spectral-polarimetric-filter.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 12 , further comprising choosing initial orientations of light polarization and wavelengths for use in creating the translation.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
53 words
The method of claim 12 , further comprising: monitoring background spectral-polarimetric parameters of an image; determining if the background spectral-polarimetric parameters deviate significantly from established background spectral-polarimetric parameters; and recreating a translation, reprocessing the spectral-polarimetric representation and retranslating the spectral-polarimetric representation if the background spectral-polarimetric parameters deviate significantly from the established background spectral-polarimetric-parameters.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 14 , wherein the step of determining if the background spectral-polarimetric parameters deviate significantly from the established background spectral-polarimetric parameters compares the background spectral-polarimetric parameters to a background vector.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 12 , further comprising targeting an object area on a spectral image.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 12 , further comprising subtracting images captured through a positive discrete spectral-polarimetric coefficient filter coefficient from images captured through a negative discrete spectral-polarimetric coefficient filter.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 12 , further comprising storing and displaying the high contrast image.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
85 words
A system for optical enhancement of imaging contrast comprising: an objective lens; a liquid crystal achromatic rotator of light polarization; an acousto-optic tunable filter coupled to the objective lens; an image capture device coupled to the acousto-optic tunable filter; a liquid crystal achromatic rotator of light polarization driver; a multi-frequency generator connected to the acousto-optic tunable filter; and a processor coupled to the multi-frequency generator which controls liquid crystal achromatic rotator of light polarization the operation, and calculates filter coefficients for the multi frequency generator.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
85 words
A system for optical enhancement of imaging contrast comprising: an objective lens; a liquid crystal achromatic rotator of light polarization; an acousto-optic tunable filter coupled to the objective lens; an image capture device coupled to the acousto-optic tunable filter; a liquid crystal achromatic rotator of light polarization driver; a multi-frequency generator connected to the acousto-optic tunable filter; and a processor coupled to the multi-frequency generator which controls liquid crystal achromatic rotator of light polarization the operation, and calculates filter coefficients for the multi frequency generator.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system according to claim 19 , wherein the multi-frequency generator comprises an acousto-optic tunable filter driver.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system according to claim 19 , wherein the image capture device comprises a photodetector array that receives a filtered image from the acousto-optic tunable filter.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system according to claim 21 , wherein the processor receives multiple filtered images from the image capture device and the processor further combines the multiple filtered images to create a high contrast image.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system according to claim 22 , further comprising a monitor coupled to the processor that displays the high contrast image created by the processor.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system according to claim 19 , further comprising a frame grabber coupled to the image capture device.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
49 words
The system according to claim 19 , wherein the acousto-optic tunable filter receives an image from the objective lens, the liquid crystal achromatic rotator of light polarization and the multi-frequency generator drives the acousto-optic tunable filter to filter the image according to the filter coefficients calculated by the processor.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
206 words
A method of real-time optical processing of images by simultaneously combining a variable set of images in selected spectral intervals comprising the steps of: selecting a set of spectral intervals; adjusting transmitting spectrum of an optical filter to a first selected spectral interval; acquiring a spectral image through the adjusted optical filter; repeating the above steps for each selected spectral interval; defining an object area; extracting object and background spectral parameters from the set of spectral images; monitoring spectral parameters of the background of an image; determining if the background spectral parameters deviate significantly from established background spectral parameters; and reextracting the object and background spectral parameters if the background spectral parameters deviate significantly from the established background spectral parameters; calculating an optimal set of weight coefficients for each spectral interval satisfying application criteria; adjusting a filter transmission spectrum to positive weight coefficients for corresponding spectral intervals to create a positive filter; capturing an image through the positive filter; adjusting a filter transmission spectrum to negative weight coefficients for corresponding spectral intervals to create a negative filter; capturing an image through the negative filter subtracting the image captured through the negative filter from the image captured through the positive filter; recording and displaying the resulting image.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
206 words
A method of real-time optical processing of images by simultaneously combining a variable set of images in selected spectral intervals comprising the steps of: selecting a set of spectral intervals; adjusting transmitting spectrum of an optical filter to a first selected spectral interval; acquiring a spectral image through the adjusted optical filter; repeating the above steps for each selected spectral interval; defining an object area; extracting object and background spectral parameters from the set of spectral images; monitoring spectral parameters of the background of an image; determining if the background spectral parameters deviate significantly from established background spectral parameters; and reextracting the object and background spectral parameters if the background spectral parameters deviate significantly from the established background spectral parameters; calculating an optimal set of weight coefficients for each spectral interval satisfying application criteria; adjusting a filter transmission spectrum to positive weight coefficients for corresponding spectral intervals to create a positive filter; capturing an image through the positive filter; adjusting a filter transmission spectrum to negative weight coefficients for corresponding spectral intervals to create a negative filter; capturing an image through the negative filter subtracting the image captured through the negative filter from the image captured through the positive filter; recording and displaying the resulting image.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method of claim 26 , further comprising cycling through the method of real time optical processing of images, wherein at least one of the number of spectral intervals, their position and the spectral width of each of these intervals can be varied in each cycle.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
18 words
The methods of claim 26 , further comprising acquiring a set of spectral images in various light polarizations.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
146 words
A method for real time optical enhancement of imaging contrast comprising the steps of: acquiring a set of real time images; creating a translation from the set of real time images into a spectral representation of the set of real time images by using an acousto-optic filter; processing the spectral representation of the set of real time images into positive and negative discrete spectral coefficients to create a high contrast image determinant adaptive spectral filter; monitoring background spectral parameters of an image; determining if the background spectral parameters deviate significantly from established background spectral parameters; recreating a translation, reprocessing the spectral representation and retranslating the spectral representation if the background spectral parameters deviate significantly from the established background spectral parameters; and translating the spectral representation of the set of real time images into a high contrast image using the high contrast image determinant adaptive spectral filter.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
146 words
A method for real time optical enhancement of imaging contrast comprising the steps of: acquiring a set of real time images; creating a translation from the set of real time images into a spectral representation of the set of real time images by using an acousto-optic filter; processing the spectral representation of the set of real time images into positive and negative discrete spectral coefficients to create a high contrast image determinant adaptive spectral filter; monitoring background spectral parameters of an image; determining if the background spectral parameters deviate significantly from established background spectral parameters; recreating a translation, reprocessing the spectral representation and retranslating the spectral representation if the background spectral parameters deviate significantly from the established background spectral parameters; and translating the spectral representation of the set of real time images into a high contrast image using the high contrast image determinant adaptive spectral filter.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 29 , further comprising choosing initial wavelengths for use in creating the translation.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 29 , wherein the step of determining if the background spectral parameters deviate significantly from the established background spectral parameters compares the background spectral parameters to a background vector.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 29 , further comprising targeting an object area on a spectral image.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 29 , further comprising subtracting images captured through a positive discrete spectral coefficient filter coefficient from images captured through a negative discrete spectral coefficient filter.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 29 , further comprising storing and displaying the high contrast image.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2005-03-04 | 2005-09-03 | 2006-03-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-03-04 | 2009-09-03 | 2010-03-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-03-04 | 2013-09-03 | 2014-03-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |