Method for enhancing visibility

• US 7,193,767 B1
• Filed: 03/03/2004
• Issued: 03/20/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/03/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Jonathan Peeri
• Original Assignee: Jonathan Peeri
• Inventors: Peeri, Jonathan
• Primary Examiner(s): Mack; Ricky
• Assistant Examiner(s): HASAN, MOHAMMED A
• Application Number:
  US10/791,609
• Time in Patent Office: 1,112 Days
• Field of Search: 359/290, 359/291, 359/298, 359/604, 382/251, 382/252, 382270-273
• US Class Current: 359/290
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 1/04 Optical or mechanical part supplementary adjustable parts
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 1/0418 using attenuators
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 1/4228 arrangements with two or more detectors, e.g. for sensitivity compensation
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 23/12 with means for image conversion or intensification
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/13312 Circuits comprising photodetectors for purposes other than feedback
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/13318 Circuits comprising a photodetector
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/346 based on modulation of the reflection angle, e.g. micromirrors micromirrors devices per se G02B26/0833

Abstract

Method for automatic image enhancement to common optics in-use today at various visibility conditions by combining devices such as a Light Control Panel (32), collimating optics (30, 31), diffractive optics (45,46), reflective optics (35, 36), etc. By using devices such as the Light Control Panel the Visibility Enhancing Method provides the ability to control separately each picture element, thus enhancing the viewer'"'"'s visibility.

Claims

1. A method for Enhancing the Visibility of images, comprising:

a) Focusing an image upon a plurality of pixels;

b) for each pixel of said plurality of pixels, determining the intensity of the light that falls upon the pixel; and

c) adjusting each pixel'"'"'s effect on light as a function of the intensity determination corresponding to that pixel, wherein each pixel'"'"'s effect on light is controlled by the pixel'"'"'s own embedded light sensitive element.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the image is focused using an optical array comprised of optical devices.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the image can be of any frequency range in the spectrum.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the embedded light sensitive element comprises a transistor.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the light falling upon said plurality of pixels is reprocessed using an optical array.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the image is collimated and manipulated such that the enhanced image appears to have originated from the observed scenery.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the image is collimated and manipulated such that the enhanced image is magnified.

8. The method of claim 1 where the same devices used for focusing the observed scenery are used for directing and collimating the said enhanced image.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein each pixel is controlled by adjusting the pixel'"'"'s translucency.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein each pixel is controlled by adjusting the pixel'"'"'s reflectivity.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein each pixel is controlled by adjusting the pixel'"'"'s light polarization.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein each pixel is controlled by adjusting the pixel'"'"'s light rotation.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein each pixel is controlled by adjusting the pixel'"'"'s light direction.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein each pixel is controlled by adjusting the pixel'"'"'s light phase shift.

15. A light controlled panel comprising:

a plurality of pixels;

for each pixel of said plurality of pixels, means for determining the intensity of light that falls upon the individual pixel; and

means for adjusting each pixel'"'"'s effect on light as a function of the intensity determination corresponding to that pixel, wherein said means for adjusting each pixel'"'"'s effect on light comprises a plurality of control devices.

16. The light controlled panel of claim 15, wherein each pixel is controlled by adjusting the pixel'"'"'s translucency.

17. The light controlled panel of claim 15, wherein each pixel is controlled by adjusting the pixel'"'"'s reflectivity.

18. The light controlled panel of claim 15, wherein each pixel is controlled by adjusting the pixel'"'"'s light polarization.

19. The light controlled panel of claim 15, wherein each pixel is controlled by adjusting the pixel'"'"'s light rotation.

20. The light controlled panel of claim 15, wherein each pixel is controlled by adjusting the pixel'"'"'s light direction.

21. The light controlled panel of claim 15, wherein each pixel is controlled by adjusting the pixel'"'"'s light phase shift.

22. The light controlled panel of claim 15, wherein each pixel has a corresponding control device.