Abstract: Optical imaging includes: configuring a spatial mode sorter to provide, in response to a received input optical signal, a separate output optical signal for each spatial mode in a set of target spatial modes: receiving a set of output optical signals from the spatial mode sorter during a detection interval of time: processing information based at least in part on the set of output optical signals received in the detection interval of time: and providing an estimated measurement for discriminating among a first set of two or more predetermined target images based at least in part on information derived from the processing. During the detection interval of time, a total number of the output optical signals is greater than two and less than ten.

Abstract: Methods, system and devices for multiplexed x-ray detection systems are described. The x-ray detection systems are designed using a multiplexed array of x-ray sources that are turned on simultaneously in groups of two or more x-ray sources to form multiple exposures that are detected by a plurality of detectors. The number of exposures, as well as x-ray source characteristics and parameters, such as the number and output energy level associated with each x-ray source are determined to optimize the quality of reconstrued images or maximize the detection/classification accuracy of object(s) and/or material(s) based on a total photon energy budget. The disclosed detection methods and devices improve both the quality and acquisition speed of x-ray images and x-ray measurement data for detection/classification of object(s) and/or material(s).

Abstract: Methods, devices and systems are described that enable generation of images with enhanced resolution and/or enhance dynamic range. The described systems eliminate the need to laterally shift the system components, or in some systems, any shift all, and instead utilize multiple exposures made at different magnifications, zoom settings, and/or aperture settings to produce images with higher resolution and/or dynamic range. One example method includes acquiring a plurality of images where each image is acquired at a particular magnification factor different than other acquired images. Each of the acquired images is processed to obtain one or more parameters, functions or modified images, and then the images are combined based on the one or more parameters, functions or modified images to obtain an enhanced-resolution image having a resolution that is higher than a resolution of each of acquired images.

Abstract: Optical imaging includes: configuring a spatial mode sorter to provide, in response to a received input optical signal, a separate output optical signal for each spatial mode in a set of target spatial modes: receiving a set of output optical signals from the spatial mode sorter during a detection interval of time: processing information based at least in part on the set of output optical signals received in the detection interval of time: and providing an estimated measurement for discriminating among a first set of two or more predetermined target images based at least in part on information derived from the processing. During the detection interval of time, a total number of the output optical signals is greater than two and less than ten.

Abstract: Imaging a distribution of one or more optical sources includes: receiving respective optical signals from a spatial mode sorter during each of two or more detection intervals of time; after each of the two or more detection intervals of time, processing information based at least in part on: (1) the respective optical signal received in the corresponding detection interval of time, and (2) a first set of models comprising a set of distributions related to one or more optical sources, each model corresponding to a different number of optical sources in the distribution, and configuring the spatial mode sorter based at least in part on the processing; and providing an estimated measurement characterizing the distribution of one or more optical sources based at least in part on the processed information. The processing after at least one of the two or more detection intervals of time includes computing an eigen-projection.

Abstract: Methods, system and devices for multiplexed x-ray detection systems are described. The x-ray detection systems are designed using a multiplexed array of x-ray sources that are turned on simultaneously in groups of two or more x-ray sources to form multiple exposures that are detected by a plurality of detectors. The number of exposures, as well as x-ray source characteristics and parameters, such as the number and output energy level associated with each x-ray source are determined to optimize the quality of reconstrued images or maximize the detection/classification accuracy of object(s) and/or material(s) based on a total photon energy budget. The disclosed detection methods and devices improve both the quality and acquisition speed of x-ray images and x-ray measurement data for detection/classification of object(s) and/or material(s).

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for providing virtual bags that can be used to simulate and quantify performance of different explosive detection system architectures. The virtual bags can be provided to a simulator for designing and simulating operation of imaging scanners, including X-ray and millimeter-wave based threat detection equipment deployed in transit facilities and other secure locations. One example method of generating container models for a container inspection system includes generating a plurality of objects using a probability function; generating a respective position, scale, and orientation for each of the objects within a container having a defined boundary; generating pairings for a respective material for each of the objects using a probability function; and storing a container instance indicating at least one of: the generated pairings, the respective object positions, object scales, object orientation, the objects, or the respective materials in a computer-readable storage device.

Abstract: A polarization plenoptic camera that can acquire the polarization information of reflected light from an object in a single shot; i.e., in real time, to avoid issues such as motion blur and also avoid the additional system complexity that derives from mechanical scanning of a polarizer. The camera includes a polarization-sensitive focal plane array, a first microlens array having a pitch that is equal to a pitch of the pixel array; and either a second microlens array having a pitch that is greater than the pitch of the pixel array, a coded aperture mask, or a second microlens array and a coded aperture mask. A method for obtaining a plenoptic image of an object scene is disclosed.

Abstract: A polarization plenoptic camera that can acquire the polarization information of reflected light from an object in a single shot; i.e., in real time, to avoid issues such as motion blur and also avoid the additional system complexity that derives from mechanical scanning of a polarizer. The camera includes a polarization-sensitive focal plane array, a first microlens array having a pitch that is equal to a pitch of the pixel array; and either a second microlens array having a pitch that is greater than the pitch of the pixel array, a coded aperture mask, or a second microlens array and a coded aperture mask. A method for obtaining a plenoptic image of an object scene is disclosed.

Abstract: Multispectral imaging systems are disclosed. An exemplary multispectral imager includes a narrow-band absorptive filter array and a sensor array comprising a plurality of pixels. The narrow-band absorptive filter array has a plurality of filter elements, each filter element being associated with a pixel of the sensor array. The filter elements are organized into groups of N filter elements, where N is greater than three. Each filter element absorbs one narrow band and transmits N?1 narrow bands. The group of N filter elements absorbs all N narrow bands.

Abstract: Multispectral imaging systems are disclosed. An exemplary multispectral imager includes a narrow-band absorptive filter array and a sensor array comprising a plurality of pixels. The narrow-band absorptive filter array has a plurality of filter elements, each filter element being associated with a pixel of the sensor array. The filter elements are organized into groups of N filter elements, where N is greater than three. Each filter element absorbs one narrow band and transmits N?1 narrow bands. The group of N filter elements absorbs all N narrow bands.

Abstract: Systems and methods for image data fusion include providing first and second sets of image data corresponding to an imaged first and second scene respectively. The scenes at least partially overlap in an overlap region, defining a first collection of overlap image data as part of the first set of image data, and a second collection of overlap image data as part of the second set of image data. The second collection of overlap image data is represented as a plurality of image data subsets such that each of the subsets is based on at least one characteristic of the second collection, and each subset spans the overlap region. A fused set of image data is produced by an image processor, by modifying the first collection of overlap image data based on at least a selected one of, but less than all of, the image data subsets.

Abstract: A method of pre-processing a defocused image of an object includes applying an object-based sharpening filter on the defocused image to produce a sharper image; and quantizing the sharper image using block-wise quantization. A system for generating decoded text data from alphanumeric information printed upon an object includes a camera that obtains image data of the alphanumeric information. The system also includes a pre-processor that (a) performs block-wise quantization of the image data to form conditioned image data, and (b) performs optical character recognition on the conditioned image data to generate the decoded text data.

Abstract: A method of pre-processing a defocused image of an object includes applying an object-based sharpening filter on the defocused image to produce a sharper image; and quantizing the sharper image using block-wise quantization. A system for generating decoded text data from alphanumeric information printed upon an object includes a camera that obtains image data of the alphanumeric information. The system also includes a pre-processor that (a) performs block-wise quantization of the image data to form conditioned image data, and (b) performs optical character recognition on the conditioned image data to generate the decoded text data.

Abstract: Systems and methods for image data fusion include providing first and second sets of image data corresponding to an imaged first and second scene respectively. The scenes at least partially overlap in an overlap region, defining a first collection of overlap image data as part of the first set of image data, and a second collection of overlap image data as part of the second set of image data. The second collection of overlap image data is represented as a plurality of image data subsets such that each of the subsets is based on at least one characteristic of the second collection, and each subset spans the overlap region. A fused set of image data is produced by an image processor, by modifying the first collection of overlap image data based on at least a selected one of, but less than all of, the image data subsets.