Optical correlation apparatus and method
US8078663B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 18, 2005 |
| Grant date | Dec 13, 2011 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 29, 2029 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06V10/895
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
This invention relates to a pattern recognition correlator and method for correlating input data with one or more reference data sets. The input data, which may be for instance digital amplitude modulated optical data, is used to modulate an optical signal to form a phase modulated optical signal. This temporal phase modulated optical signal is then converted into a parallel optical phase signal, preferably through use of an optical delay, and modulated by an optical phase modulator. When there is a correlation between the input data and the reference data the emerging wavefront is plane and can be strongly coupled to a detector. In the absence of correlation the emergent wavefront is not plane and so is not coupled as strongly to the detector. The detector output can therefore be used as an indication of correlation.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.