Abstract: In a method of using a polarimeter for improved mapping and perception of objects on the ground, the polarimeter records raw image data to obtain polarized images of an area. The raw image data is processed to form processed images. The processed images are enhanced, and objects are detected and tracked. The polarimeter may be in a vehicle on the ground or in the air.

Abstract: A method for enhancing an image for facial recognition comprises capturing an image of the face with a polarizer and correcting the polarized image for non-uniformity. Stokes Parameters S0, S1, S2 are obtained by weighted subtraction of the polarized image to form Stokes images. DoLP is computed from the Stokes images, and facial recognition algorithms are applied to the DoLP image. A system for enhancing images for facial recognition comprises a polarimeter configured to record polarized image data of a subject's face, a signal processing unit and logic configured to receive and store in memory the image data from the polarimeter, calculate Stokes parameters from the image data, and compute a DoLP image from the Stokes parameters.

Abstract: A method for enhancing an image for facial recognition comprises capturing an image of the face with a polarizer and correcting the polarized image for non-uniformity. Stokes Parameters S0, S1, S2 are obtained by weighted subtraction of the polarized image to form Stokes images. DoLP is computed from the Stokes images, and facial recognition algorithms are applied to the DoLP image. A system for enhancing images for facial recognition comprises a polarimeter configured to record polarized image data of a subject's face, a signal processing unit and logic configured to receive and store in memory the image data from the polarimeter, calculate Stokes parameters from the image data, and compute a DoLP image from the Stokes parameters.

Abstract: A method for detecting the presence of foreign fluids on surface comprises estimating an expected polarization response for a foreign fluid desired to be detected. Oil from an oil spill is one such foreign fluid. A polarimeter records raw image data of a surface (e.g., the surface of water) to obtain polarized images of the surface. IR and polarization data products are computed from the polarized images. The IR and polarization data products are converted to multi-dimensional data set to form multi-dimensional imagery. Contrast algorithms are applied to the multi-dimensional imagery to form enhanced contrast images, from which foreign fluids can be automatically detected.

Abstract: A method for detecting the presence of foreign fluids on surface comprises estimating an expected polarization response for a foreign fluid desired to be detected. Oil from an oil spill is one such foreign fluid. A polarimeter records raw image data of a surface (e.g., the surface of water) to obtain polarized images of the surface. IR and polarization data products are computed from the polarized images. The IR and polarization data products are converted to multi-dimensional data set to form multi-dimensional imagery. Contrast algorithms are applied to the multi-dimensional imagery to form enhanced contrast images, from which foreign fluids can be automatically detected.

Abstract: A method for enhancing an image for facial recognition comprises capturing an image of the face with a polarizer and correcting the polarized image for non-uniformity. Stokes Parameters S0, S1, S2 are obtained by weighted subtraction of the polarized image to form Stokes images. DoLP is computed from the Stokes images, and facial recognition algorithms are applied to the DoLP image. A system for enhancing images for facial recognition comprises a polarimeter configured to record polarized image data of a subject's face, a signal processing unit and logic configured to receive and store in memory the image data from the polarimeter, calculate Stokes parameters from the image data, and compute a DoLP image from the Stokes parameters.

Abstract: In a method of using a polarimeter for improved mapping and perception of objects on the ground, the polarimeter records raw image data to obtain polarized images of an area. The raw image data is processed to form processed images. The processed images are enhanced, and objects are detected and tracked. The polarimeter may be in a vehicle on the ground or in the air.

Abstract: In a method of detecting objects behind substantially transparent surfaces, a polarimeter with pixelated polarizer array architecture records raw image data of a surface and obtains polarized images. Glare is reduced in the polarized images to form enhanced contrast images. The glare reduction method selects optimal pixels from a subset of a super pixels of polarizing filters and displays the optimal pixels.

Abstract: In a method for determining orientation of an object, raw image data of the sky is recorded using a sky polarimeter. One or more of Stokes parameters (S0, S1, S2), degree of linear polarization (DoLP), and angle of polarization (AoP) are calculated from the image data to produce a set of processed images. Last known position and time data of the object are obtained, and a known Sun azimuth and elevation are calculated using the last known position and time data. Roll and pitch of the object are found, and the roll and pitch data are used to find a zenith in the processed images. The yaw/heading of the object is determined using the difference between a polarization angle at the zenith and a calculated Sun azimuth.

Abstract: A method for detecting and tracking aerial objects and vehicles comprises recording raw image data using a polarimeter to obtain polarized images of the sky. The images are then corrected for non-uniformity, optical distortion, and registration. IR and polarization data products are computed, and the resultant data products are converted to a multi-dimensional data set for exploitation. Contrast enhancement algorithms are applied to the multi-dimensional imagery to form enhanced object images. The enhanced object images may then be displayed to a user, and/or an annunciator may announce the presence of an object.

Abstract: A method for detecting the presence of foreign fluids on surface comprises estimating an expected polarization response for a foreign fluid desired to be detected. Oil from an oil spill is one such foreign fluid. A polarimeter records raw image data of a surface (e.g., the surface of water) to obtain polarized images of the surface. IR and polarization data products are computed from the polarized images. The IR and polarization data products are converted to multi-dimensional data set to form multi-dimensional imagery. Contrast algorithms are applied to the multi-dimensional imagery to form enhanced contrast images, from which foreign fluids can be automatically detected.

Abstract: A method for enhancing an image for facial recognition comprises capturing an image of the face with a polarizer and correcting the polarized image for non-uniformity. Stokes Parameters S0, S1, S2 are obtained by weighted subtraction of the polarized image to form Stokes images. DoLP is computed from the Stokes images, and facial recognition algorithms are applied to the DoLP image. A system for enhancing images for facial recognition comprises a polarimeter configured to record polarized image data of a subject's face, a signal processing unit and logic configured to receive and store in memory the image data from the polarimeter, calculate Stokes parameters from the image data, and compute a DoLP image from the Stokes parameters.

Abstract: A method for detecting the presence of foreign fluids on surface comprises estimating an expected polarization response for a foreign fluid desired to be detected. Oil from an oil spill is one such foreign fluid. A polarimeter records raw image data of a surface (e.g., the surface of water) to obtain polarized images of the surface. IR and polarization data products are computed from the polarized images. The IR and polarization data products are converted to multi-dimensional data set to form multi-dimensional imagery. Contrast algorithms are applied to the multi-dimensional imagery to form enhanced contrast images, from which foreign fluids can be automatically detected.

Abstract: In a method for determining orientation of an object, raw image data of the sky is recorded using a sky polarimeter. One or more of Stokes parameters (S0, S1, S2), degree of linear polarization (DoLP), and angle of polarization (AoP) are calculated from the image data to produce a set of processed images. Last known position and time data of the object are obtained, and a known Sun azimuth and elevation are calculated using the last known position and time data. Roll and pitch of the object are found, and the roll and pitch data are used to find a zenith in the processed images. The yaw/heading of the object is determined using the difference between a polarization angle at the zenith and a calculated Sun azimuth.

Abstract: A system for determining a new orientation and/or position of an object comprises a sky polarimeter configured to record image data of the sky, a signal processing unit, and logic configured to receive and store in memory the image data received from the sky polarimeter. The logic calculates the Stokes parameters (S0, S1, S2,), DoLP, and AoP from the image data, detects obscurants and filters the obscurants (such as clouds and trees) from the image data to produce a filtered image. The logic is further configured to find the Sun and zenith in the filtered image, and to determine the roll, pitch, yaw, latitude and longitude of the object using the filtered image.

Abstract: A method using Infrared Imaging Polarimetry for detecting the presence of foreign fluids on water comprises estimating an expected polarization response for a foreign fluid desired to be detected. Oil from an oil spill is one such foreign fluid. An optimal position of a polarimeter to take images of the water's surface is determined from the expected polarization response. The polarimeter is positioned at the optimal position and records raw image data of the water's surface to obtain polarized images of the area. The polarized images are corrected, and IR and polarization data products are computed. The IR and polarization data products are converted to multi-dimensional data set to form multi-dimensional imagery. Contrast algorithms are applied to the multi-dimensional imagery to form enhanced contrast images, from which foreign fluids can be automatically detected.

Abstract: A method for detecting and tracking aerial objects and vehicles comprises recording raw image data using a polarimeter to obtain polarized images of the sky. The images are then corrected for non-uniformity, optical distortion, and registration. IR and polarization data products are computed, and the resultant data products are converted to a multi-dimensional data set for exploitation. Contrast enhancement algorithms are applied to the multi-dimensional imagery to form enhanced object images. The enhanced object images may then be displayed to a user, and/or an annunciator may announce the presence of an object.

Abstract: A method using Infrared Imaging Polarimetry for detecting the presence of foreign fluids on water comprises estimating an expected polarization response for a foreign fluid desired to be detected. Oil from an oil spill is one such foreign fluid. An optimal position of a polarimeter to take images of the water's surface is determined from the expected polarization response. The polarimeter is positioned at the optimal position and records raw image data of the water's surface to obtain polarized images of the area. The polarized images are corrected, and IR and polarization data products are computed. The IR and polarization data products are converted to multi-dimensional data set to form multi-dimensional imagery. Contrast algorithms are applied to the multi-dimensional imagery to form enhanced contrast images, from which foreign fluids can be automatically detected.

Abstract: A system for determining a new orientation and/or position of an object comprises a sky polarimeter configured to record image data of the sky, a signal processing unit, and logic configured to receive and store in memory the image data received from the sky polarimeter. The logic calculates the Stokes parameters (S0, S1, S2,), DoLP, and AoP from the image data, detects obscurants and filters the obscurants (such as clouds and trees) from the image data to produce a filtered image. The logic is further configured to find the Sun and zenith in the filtered image, and to determine the roll, pitch, yaw, latitude and longitude of the object using the filtered image.

Abstract: A method using Long Wave Infrared Imaging Polarimetry for improved mapping and perception of a roadway or path and for perceiving or detecting obstacles comprises recording raw image data using a polarimeter to obtain polarized images of the roadway or area. The images are then corrected for non-uniformity, optical distortion, and registration. IR and polarization data products are computed, and the resultant data products are converted to a multi-dimensional data set for exploitation. Contrast enhancement algorithms are applied to the multi-dimensional imagery to form enhanced object images. The enhanced object images may then be displayed to a user, and/or an annunciator may announce the presence of an object. Further, the vehicle may take evasive action based upon the presence of an object in the roadway.