초록 ▼

An image analysis and enhancement system is provided with an image processor, imaging metrics, an image storage depository, and a reconfigurable sensor device that can be present at the same location. A remote reconfigurable sensor device is connected to the image processor via a communication link.

An image analysis and enhancement system is provided with an image processor, imaging metrics, an image storage depository, and a reconfigurable sensor device that can be present at the same location. A remote reconfigurable sensor device is connected to the image processor via a communication link. Both the reconfigurable sensor device and the remote reconfigurable sensor device are equipped with selectable optical elements and imaging elements that are selected in a desired combination and orientation to capture desired image frames from a target scene or object. The selectable optical and imaging elements are provided with actuating devices to move and translate the selected optical and imaging elements into a desired orientation with one another, so that a desired imaging technique can be employed to obtain an enhanced image. The system is applicable to industrial, medical and military use.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. An image analysis and enhancement system, comprising: an image processor; imaging metrics connected to said image processor; an image depository for storing images, said image depository being connected to said image processor; means for controlling the image processor; means

What is claimed is: 1. An image analysis and enhancement system, comprising: an image processor; imaging metrics connected to said image processor; an image depository for storing images, said image depository being connected to said image processor; means for controlling the image processor; means for displaying an image stored in said image depository; and a reconfigurable sensor device for obtaining a plurality of configurations of a target image; said reconfigurable sensor device being connected to said image processor. 2. A system according to claim 1, further comprising: at least one remote reconfigurable sensor device for obtaining a plurality of configurations of a remote-image target, said remote reconfigurable sensor device being connected to said image processor. 3. A system according to claim 1, wherein said reconfigurable sensor device is provided with a plurality of optical and image-collecting elements, said reconfigurable sensor device further comprising selection means for selecting one of a plurality of possible arrangements of said plurality of optical and image-collecting elements to use in conjunction with a predetermined imaging technique. 4. A system according to claim 2, wherein said remote reconfigurable sensor device is provided with a plurality of optical and image-collecting elements, said remote reconfigurable sensor device further comprising selection means for selecting one of a plurality of possible arrangements of said plurality of optical and image-collecting elements to use in conjunction with a predetermined imaging technique. 5. A system according to claim 2, wherein said remote reconfigurable sensor device is connected to said image processor by a communications link. 6. A system according to claim 1, wherein said reconfigurable sensor device includes an optical member. 7. A system according to claim 6, further comprising: an optical actuator for translating said optical member to allow microscanning of the target image. 8. A system according to claim 7, wherein said reconfigurable sensor device has means for adjusting said optical member so as to bring said target image in and out of focus. 9. A system according to claim 8, wherein said reconfigurable sensor device further comprises: a hyperspectral filter; a polarizer in optical alignment with said hyperspectral filter and said optical member; and means for translating said filter. 10. A system according to claim 8, wherein said reconfigurable sensor device further comprises: a hyperspectral filter; a microscan focal plane array in alignment with said hyperspectral filter and said optical member; means for translating said hyperspectral filter in relation to said microscan focal plane array. 11. A system according to claim 8, wherein said reconfigurable sensor device further comprises: a microscan focal plane array; a polarizer; and means for translating the optical orientation of said microscan focal plane array in relation to said polarizer. 12. A system according to claim 1, wherein said image processor in combination with said imaging metrics and said reconfigurable sensor device have means for grabbing a frame of a target image at 0�� polarization represented by an image signal V0 and then grabbing a frame of a target image at 90�� polarization represented by an image signal V90 and then utilizing the respective target images to assemble an image formulated by the expression (V0-V90)/(V0+V90). 13. A system according to claim 1, wherein said image processor in combination with said imaging metrics and said reconfigurable sensor device have means for grabbing a frame of a target image at 0�� polarization represented by an image signal Vo and then grabbing a frame of a target image at 90�� polarization represented by an image signal V90 and then utilizing the respective target images to assemble an enhanced image formulated by the expression (V0-V90)/(V0+V90). 14. A system according to claim 1, wherein said image processor in combination with said imaging metrics and said reconfigurable sensor have image enhancing means for obtaining an enhanced polarization difference image. 15. A system according to claim 14, wherein: said enhanced polarization difference image is achieved by obtaining a first focused image of a target at a 0�� reference orientation and obtaining a first polarized defocused image of the target at the 0�� reference orientation, and obtaining a second focused image of the target at a 90�� orientation and obtaining a second polarized defocused image at the 90�� orientation, and subtracting the first polarized defocused image from the first focused image to obtain a value V0, and subtracting the second polarized defocused image from the second focused image to obtain a value V90, and then utilizing the values V0 and V90 in a mathematical expression (V0-V90)/(V0+V90) which represents said enhanced polarization difference image. 16. A system according to claim 1, wherein said image processor in combination with said imaging metrics and said reconfigurable sensor have image enhancing means for obtaining an enhanced microscanned image without need of polarization. 17. A system according to claim 16, wherein said enhanced microscanned image is achieved by obtaining a focused microscanned image and by obtaining an unfocused microscanned image and then subtracting the unfocused microscanned image from the focused microscanned image.