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Image processing apparatus and method with locking feature

  • US 6,570,708 B1
  • Filed: 09/18/2000
  • Issued: 05/27/2003
  • Est. Priority Date: 09/18/2000
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. An apparatus for processing an input image produced by an imaging device illuminated by a coherent light source, said apparatus comprising:

  • first Fourier transform means for performing the Fourier transform of said input image to generate a corresponding transformed input image in the spatial frequency domain within an area defined by a Fourier transform filter plane;

    first optical mask means being disposed within said area, said first optical mask implementing a locking mask function;

    data processor means for generating filter mask function control data;

    second optical mask means disposed within said area, said second optical mask means implementing a filter mask function according to said filter mask function control data to generate with said locking mask function a combined image in the spatial frequency domain;

    second Fourier transform means for performing the inverse Fourier transform of said combined image to generate a processed image only if said filter mask function control data include key control data corresponding to a key mask function complementary to said locking mask function for substantially cancel the locking effect thereof.

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