Imaging systems and methods for recovering object visibility
US8350957B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 9, 2007 |
| Grant date | Jan 8, 2013 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 6, 2029 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06T2207/30232
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A system and method are provided for imaging in scattering media such as fog, water and biological tissues. Normally, such images suffer from poor visibility due to backscattering and signal attenuation. At least two images are taken of the scene using active widefield polarized illumination, with different states of a camera-mounted polarizer. The degree of polarization of backscatter is estimated in every point of the scene, leading to an estimation of the backscatter in every point of the scene. A portion or all of the value of backscatter can be deducted in each point of the scene resulting in an enhanced image with improved contrast and brightness range across the field of view.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.