Optical image processor
First Claim
1. An optical image processor for processing non-coherent light, comprising:
- a collimated, two-dimensional image beam source of non-coherent light;
first beam splitter means for dividing the image beam from said image beam source into first and second beam paths;
an optical delay line in said second beam path;
second beam splitter means for combining the image beams in said first and second beam paths, causing said image beams to destructively interfere with each other and thereby produce a subtracted output image beam; and
first and second focusing lenses in said first and second paths for producing generally focused images at said second beam splitter means, said first focusing lens being intentionally defocused relative to said second focusing lens.
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Abstract
An optical processing system based on noncoherent light processing employs both geometrical and diffraction optical systems. One portion of the optical system performs a subtraction operation of the image from itself where one of the subtracted images is relatively defocused and one is delayed in time from the other. The subtracted image is edge-enhanced and then applied to a spatial filter employing an interferometer in which spatial filters are contained in the interferometer iris plates. Additional spatial filtering is performed on the interference image and the processed image is displayed in an appropriate display which can selectively view the processed image, the unprocessed image or combinations of the two. Light storage elements are employed for storing the processed images in appropriate buffers over a given length of time. The buffers are read out by a flashlamp. Suitable shutters are closed during the readout process.
74 Citations
17 Claims
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1. An optical image processor for processing non-coherent light, comprising:
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a collimated, two-dimensional image beam source of non-coherent light; first beam splitter means for dividing the image beam from said image beam source into first and second beam paths; an optical delay line in said second beam path; second beam splitter means for combining the image beams in said first and second beam paths, causing said image beams to destructively interfere with each other and thereby produce a subtracted output image beam; and first and second focusing lenses in said first and second paths for producing generally focused images at said second beam splitter means, said first focusing lens being intentionally defocused relative to said second focusing lens. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 17)
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14. An optical image processor for processing non-coherent light comprising:
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a collimating image beam source, an interferometer comprising an interferometer beam splitter, first and second reflecting mirrors disposed relative to said interferometer beam splitter to cause interference between reflected portions of said collimated image source, first and second aperture plates disposed between said interferometer beam splitter and said first and second reflecting mirrors, and first and second light modulators disposed in said first and second aperture plates;
said interferometer producing an output image beam;a spatial filter disposed in the path of said output image beam; and output imaging means for displaing the spatially filtered image beam.
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Specification