Abstract: A method of image compression, comprising: providing image-data encoding light; transforming said light from an image space to a transform space utilizing an optical component; and converting said transformed light into electrical signals, which electrical signals represent a compressed representation of said image data.

Abstract: The invention relates to determining a matching between discrete optical elements, such as an SLM and a CCD, and continuous optical systems, subsystems and/or elements, such as Fourier lens and individual lenslet of lenslet arrays. Exemplary processing performed by such matched systems includes discrete transforms, such as the discrete Fourier transform, the discrete cosine transform and the discrete wavelet transform.

Abstract: A method of performing a DFT (discrete Fourier transform) or a DFT derived transform on data, comprising: providing spatially modulated light having spatial coherence, said spatially modulated light representing the data to be transformed; Fourier transforming said spatially modulated light, using an at least one optical element; and compensating for at least one of a scaling effect and a dispersion effect of said at least one optical element, using an at least one dispersive optical element.

Abstract: A shearing generator comprising: an input light source; an image generator that generates two images of the input light source at an output plane, the image generator comprising a beam splitter that splits light from the input source into at least one pair of interfering light waves at an output thereof, and defines different optical paths for the light propagation of the light waves, said optical paths including at least one phase shifting element that provides for a different phase shift for the two paths.

Abstract: A method of performing a DFT (discrete Fourier transform) or a DFT derived transform on data, comprising: providing spatially modulated light having spatial coherence, said spatially modulated light representing the data to be transformed; Fourier transforming said spatially modulated light, using an at least one optical element; and compensating for at least one of a scaling effect and a dispersion effect of said at least one optical element, using an at least one dispersive optical element.

Abstract: An optical signal processor for transforming a first vector into a second vector comprising: a plurality of linear light sources each of which provides light having an intensity responsive to a different component of the first vector, a spatial light modulator comprising a plurality of modulation zones each of which zones receives light from substantially only one of the light sources and transmits light in proportion to a transmittance that characterizes the modulation zone; and at least one light detector for each component of the second vector that receives light transmitted from a plurality of modulation zones, each of which is illuminated by light from a different light source, and generates a signal responsive to the received light that represents a component of the second vector.

Abstract: A shearing generator comprising: an input light source; an image generator that generates two images of the input light source at an output plane, the image generator comprising a beam splitter that splits light from the input source into at least one pair of interfering light waves at an output thereof, and defines different optical paths for the light propagation of the light waves, said optical paths including at least one phase shifting element that provides for a different phase shift for the two paths.

Abstract: Apparatus for optically applying a transform to data, comprising: a spatially modulated light source, that generates a spatially modulated light beam; a diffractive element that replicates said light beam; and a lens that applies a Fourier transform to said replicated light beam.

Abstract: A digital to analog converter array including a plurality of pixels arranged in an array and independently addressable to selectively modulate light; a digital counter which generates a sequence of numbers in digital form; an analog signal source which generates an analog signal that corresponds the sequence generated by the digital counter; and a plurality of array elements which control the pixels, each element including a digital memory register holding at least one input number; a comparator which generates an enabling signal responsive to a comparison between the number in the sequence and the input number; and a sample and hold circuit which samples the value of the analog signal, responsive to said enabling signal, and sets an output voltage controlling a pixel to said value, wherein the array is configured so that the comparators in all the array elements compare the number in the sequence to the input numbers held in said array elements substantially simultaneously.