System and method for enhancing detection of objects through an obscuring medium

• US 6,288,974 B1
• Filed: 03/30/1999
• Issued: 09/11/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 03/30/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: the united states of america as represented by the secretary of the navy
• Original Assignee: The United States of America As Represented By The Secretary of Agriculture
• Inventors: Nelson, Robert S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Pihulic, Daniel T.
• Application Number:
  US09/281,173
• Time in Patent Office: 896 Days
• Field of Search: 367/87, 367/13, 367/902, 367/11, 367/7, 600/407
• US Class Current: 367/135
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 17/89 for mapping or imaging
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/487 Extracting wanted echo signals , e.g. pulse detection

Abstract

A system for detecting an object of interest through a medium such as the atmosphere or ocean employs a reference object from which a reference signal emanates. A detector detects and transforms the reference signal into a transformed reference signal and further detects and transforms an object signal emanating from an object of interest into a transformed object signal. The object signal may be radiated, re-radiated, or scattered from the object of interest. An image processor generates a corrected image signal by applying an image transfer function to convolve the transformed object signal. Then a display presents a corrected image of the object of interest in response to receiving the corrected image signal.

Claims

1. A system for detecting an object of interest through a medium, comprising:

a reference object from which a reference signal emanates;

a detector for detecting and transforming said reference signal into a transformed reference signal and for detecting and transforming an object signal emanating from an object of interest into a transformed object signal;

an image processor for determining an image transform function from said transformed reference signal and undistorted image information about said reference object, and applying said image transform function to said transformed object signal to generate a corrected image signal; and

a display for presenting a corrected image of said object of interest in response to receiving said corrected image signal.

2. The system of claim 1 where in said object signal is scattered from said object of interest.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein said detector is an ionizing radiation detector.

4. The system of claim 3 wherein said ionizing radiation detector is selected from the group that includes ultraviolet, X-ray, and particle detectors.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein said detector is a non-ionizing radiation detector.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein said detector is selected from the group that includes infrared, radio frequency, and optical detectors.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein said detector is an acoustic detector.

8. The system of claim 1 where in said object signal radiates from said object of interest.

9. A method for detecting an object of interest through a medium, comprising the steps of:

receiving a reference signal emanating from a reference object;

receiving an object signal emanating from an object of interest;

transforming said reference signal into a transformed reference signal;

transforming said object signal into a transformed object signal;

determining an image transform function from said transformed reference signal and undistorted image information about said reference object;

applying said image transform function to said transformed object signal for generating a corrected image signal; and

displaying a corrected image of said object of interest in response to receiving said corrected image signal.

10. The method of claim 9 further including the step of irradiating said reference object and object of interest to produce said reference signal and object signal, respectively.

14. The system of claim 10 wherein said detector is a non-ionizing radiation detector.

15. The system of claim 14 wherein said detector is selected from the group that includes acoustic, infrared, radio frequency, and optical detectors.

11. A system for detecting an object of interest through an obscuring medium, comprising:

a radiation source for generating an interrogation signal which is transformed by an object of interest into an image signal;

a reference object which transforms said interrogation signal into a reference signal;

a detector for detecting and transforming said reference signal into a transformed reference signal and for detecting and transforming an object signal emanating from an object of interest into a transformed object signal;

an image processor for determining an image transform function from said transformed reference signal and undistorted image information about said reference object, and applying said image transform function to said transformed object signal to generate a corrected image signal; and

a display for presenting a corrected image of said object of interest in response to receiving said corrected image signal.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein said detector is an ionizing radiation detector.

13. The system of claim 12 wherein said ionizing radiation detector is selected from the group that includes ultraviolet, X-ray, and particle detectors.

16. A system for detecting an object of interest through a medium, comprising:

a reference object from which a reference signal emanates;

multiple detectors for detecting and transforming said reference signal into a transformed reference signal and for detecting and transforming an object signal emanating from an object of interest into a transformed object signal;

an image processor for determining an image transform function from said transformed reference signal and undistorted image information about said reference object, and applying said image transform function to said transformed object signal to generate a corrected image signal; and

a display for presenting a corrected image of said object of interest in response to receiving said corrected image signal.

17. The system of claim 16 wherein image processor generates said corrected image signal by applying an inverse image transfer function to convolve said transformed object signal.