Image analysis through polarization modulation and combination
US6781763B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 1, 2002 |
| Grant date | Aug 24, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 1, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B27/1066
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A substantially passive optical image processor providing image dissection into orthogonally polarized components each modulated on a pixel-by-pixel basis in one or more encounters with an included polarization-altering modulator element of electrical or optical nature. The modulation-processed images are recombined into an output image of the processor. Alternate arrangements of the invention are also described, arrangements including multiple modulation event processing in a plurality of forms and the accommodation of multiple input and multiple output processor images. Mathematical description of the processor's function is included along with identification of real world uses of the invention. Holographic uses of the invention are also disclosed. The underlying concepts of the invention are viewed as applicable to both present day slower and faster future optical materials.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.