Abstract: A method for increasing the pixel count delivered from a plurality of light detectors when scanning an object that includes positioning a mask, having a plurality of two dimensional Walsh-Hadamard filter patterns, in front of a plurality of light detectors to control the passage of light through the mask filter patterns to the light detectors. The method also includes positioning a lens assembly in front of the mask to project an image through the mask filter patterns on to the plurality of light detectors. The method also includes moving the mask, plurality of light detectors, or the image in a plane defined by a planar surface of the plurality of light detectors. The method also includes measuring the filtered image projected through the mask with the plurality of light detectors.

Abstract: A method for stereo rectifying a pair of images include: for each image of the pair of images, determining a position of an epipole in an image plane associated with a first camera orientation of a camera that captures the image; for each image of the pair of images, positioning the epipole in a center of a virtual image plane associated with a second camera orientation of the camera; subsequent to the positioning, aligning the pair of images relative to each other by rotating around a stereo base line that intersects the epipoles of the pair of images, and rotating the virtual image planes to position the virtual image plane substantially parallel to the stereo base line and their normal vectors substantially parallel to each other so as to obtain a stereo rectified pair of image planes. An embodiment of the invention also relates to a method and system for accurately determining the epipoles when they are unknown.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for pixel multiplication in optical imaging systems. In one example, an expanded optical point spread function, referred to as a code spread function, is used to phase modulate an incident electromagnetic wavefront, and digital processing, including correlation techniques, are used to filter and process the modulated wavefront to recover sub-pixel information from an image produced by the wavefront on a pixilated detector array.

Abstract: A method for multispectral imaging that includes positioning a continuously graded color filter in front of a plurality of detectors. Wavelengths of energy passed by the filter vary smoothly along the filter length and the detectors are configured in a pattern having a plurality of rows each having a plurality of detectors. Each of the plurality of rows is oriented across the length of the filter. The method also includes measuring outputs of the detectors in response to moving an image along the length of the filter and generating a spectrum response function for the image based on the outputs of two or more rows of the detectors using a time delayed integration method.

Abstract: A motion detecting engine is provided. Given a pair of stereo rectified images in which the stereo rectified images are taken at different times from one or more sensors that are oriented perpendicular to a stereo baseline and parallel to each other, for each feature in one of the stereo rectified images, the motion detecting engine associates a subject feature with the same feature in the other stereo rectified image to form a feature association. For each feature association, the motion detecting engine forms a feature motion track following a subject feature association from one of the stereo rectified images to the other stereo rectified image. The motion detecting engine then differentiates feature motion tracks from other feature motion tracks that are parallel to the stereo baseline. The feature motion tracks being differentiated by the motion detecting engine represent detected objects that are moving with respect to the ground.

Abstract: A method for processing stereo rectified images, each stereo rectified image being associated with a camera position, the method including selecting a first pair of stereo rectified images; determining a first point cloud of features from the pair of stereo rectified images; determining the locations of the features of the first point cloud with respect to a reference feature in the first point cloud; selecting a second pair of stereo rectified images so that one stereo rectified image of the second pair is common to the first pair, and scaling a second point cloud of features associated with the second pair of stereo rectified images to the first point cloud of features.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for pixel multiplication in optical imaging systems. In one example, an expanded optical point spread function, referred to as a code spread function, is used to phase modulate an incident electromagnetic wavefront, and digital processing, including correlation techniques, are used to filter and process the modulated wavefront to recover sub-pixel information from an image produced by the wavefront on a pixilated detector array.

Abstract: A method for processing stereo rectified images, each stereo rectified image being associated with a camera position, the method including selecting a first pair of stereo rectified images; determining a first point cloud of features from the pair of stereo rectified images; determining the locations of the features of the first point cloud with respect to a reference feature in the first point cloud; selecting a second pair of stereo rectified images so that one stereo rectified image of the second pair is common to the first pair, and scaling a second point cloud of features associated with the second pair of stereo rectified images to the first point cloud of features.

Abstract: In accordance with various aspects of the disclosure, a method and apparatus is disclosed for constructing a three-dimensional model of a scene captured as a video stream including obtaining a video stream of a scene by a first camera; locating a horizon with respect to the scene with a second camera; and constructing a three-dimensional model of the scene based upon the obtained video stream and the located horizon.

Abstract: A motion detecting engine is provided. Given a pair of stereo rectified images in which the stereo rectified images are taken at different times from one or more sensors that are oriented perpendicular to a stereo baseline and parallel to each other, for each feature in one of the stereo rectified images, the motion detecting engine associates a subject feature with the same feature in the other stereo rectified image to form a feature association. For each feature association, the motion detecting engine forms a feature motion track following a subject feature association from one of the stereo rectified images to the other stereo rectified image. The motion detecting engine then differentiates feature motion tracks from other feature motion tracks that are parallel to the stereo baseline. The feature motion tracks being differentiated by the motion detecting engine represent detected objects that are moving with respect to the ground.

Abstract: A method for stereo rectifying a pair of images include: for each image of the pair of images, determining a position of an epipole in an image plane associated with a first camera orientation of a camera that captures the image; for each image of the pair of images, positioning the epipole in a center of a virtual image plane associated with a second camera orientation of the camera; subsequent to the positioning, aligning the pair of images relative to each other by rotating around a stereo base line that intersects the epipoles of the pair of images, and rotating the virtual image planes to position the virtual image plane substantially parallel to the stereo base line and their normal vectors substantially parallel to each other so as to obtain a stereo rectified pair of image planes. An embodiment of the invention also relates to a method and system for accurately determining the epipoles when they are unknown.

Abstract: A method for multispectral imaging that includes positioning a continuously graded color filter in front of a plurality of detectors. Wavelengths of energy passed by the filter vary smoothly along the filter length and the detectors are configured in a pattern having a plurality of rows each having a plurality of detectors. Each of the plurality of rows is oriented across the length of the filter. The method also includes measuring outputs of the detectors in response to moving an image along the length of the filter and generating a spectrum response function for the image based on the outputs of two or more rows of the detectors using a time delayed integration method.

Abstract: A method for increasing the pixel count delivered from a plurality of light detectors when scanning an object that includes positioning a mask, having a plurality of two dimensional Walsh-Hadamard filter patterns, in front of a plurality of light detectors to control the passage of light through the mask filter patterns to the light detectors. The method also includes positioning a lens assembly in front of the mask to project an image through the mask filter patterns on to the plurality of light detectors. The method also includes moving the mask, plurality of light detectors, or the image in a plane defined by a planar surface of the plurality of light detectors. The method also includes measuring the filtered image projected through the mask with the plurality of light detectors.

Abstract: A system for measuring deflection in a structure. The novel system includes a detector array for measuring a position of a spot of light and a light source configured to form a spot of light at a position that is dependent on a deflection in the structure. In an illustrative embodiment, the system includes a corner reflector adapted to reflect a beam of light from the light source to the detector array such that a vertical position of the reflected beam is dependent on a total bending in the structure. In an alternate embodiment, the system includes a mirror for reflecting a beam of light from the light source to the detector array such that a vertical position of the reflected beam at the detector array is dependent on a deflection angle between two adjacent panels in the structure.

Abstract: In accordance with various aspects of the disclosure, a method and apparatus is disclosed for constructing a three-dimensional model of a scene captured as a video stream including obtaining a video stream of a scene by a first camera; locating a horizon with respect to the scene with a second camera; and constructing a three-dimensional model of the scene based upon the obtained video stream and the located horizon.

Abstract: A system for measuring deflection in a structure. The novel system includes a detector array for measuring a position of a spot of light and a light source configured to form a spot of light at a position that is dependent on a deflection in the structure. In an illustrative embodiment, the system includes a corner reflector adapted to reflect a beam of light from the light source to the detector array such that a vertical position of the reflected beam is dependent on a total bending in the structure. In an alternate embodiment, the system includes a mirror for reflecting a beam of light from the light source to the detector array such that a vertical position of the reflected beam at the detector array is dependent on a deflection angle between two adjacent panels in the structure.

Abstract: An electrically switched device wherein arbitrary optical filters can be rapidly switched into, or out of, an optical path. The switchable filter includes a prism substrate (106), a moveable filter plate (108) with a switchable gap (112) between it and a wall (150) of the prism, and a mechanism (512) for moving the filter plate (108) into and out of contact with the prism (106). When the moveable filter plate (108) is sufficiently far from the prism (106), a ray of light (102) traversing through the prism (106) is totally reflected from the prism's wall (150) and there is no filtering of the light. When the filter plate (108) is brought into contact with the prism wall (150), such that the gap (112) between them is negligible, the ray of light (102) passes through the prism wall and into the filter plate (108). The plate (108) then modifies the light spectrum and returns the light back to the prism (106) where it further reflects and then passes out of the prism toward the point of focus.