Abstract: Calibration methods use a calibration target for obtaining the intrinsic and extrinsic camera parameters of one or more cameras are. The methods can include acquiring, with each camera, a sequence of target images representing the calibration target in different target poses and at different acquisition times. The methods can include identifying reference images from the target images, and defining volume bins, angle bins and multi-camera bins into which the reference images are stored. The reference images can be used to determine the intrinsic and extrinsic parameters of the one or more cameras. In some implementations, the calibration methods can enable a user to monitor the progress of the calibration process, for example by providing an interactive calibration target including an input/output user interface to guide the user in real-time during the acquisition of the target images and/or sensors to provide positional information about the target poses.

Abstract: Calibration methods use a calibration target for obtaining the intrinsic and extrinsic camera parameters of one or more cameras are. The methods can include acquiring, with each camera, a sequence of target images representing the calibration target in different target poses and at different acquisition times. The methods can include identifying reference images from the target images, and defining volume bins, angle bins and multi-camera bins into which the reference images are stored. The reference images can be used to determine the intrinsic and extrinsic parameters of the one or more cameras. In some implementations, the calibration methods can enable a user to monitor the progress of the calibration process, for example by providing an interactive calibration target including an input/output user interface to guide the user in real-time during the acquisition of the target images and/or sensors to provide positional information about the target poses.

Abstract: An optical coherent processor or correlator for processing an input image produced by an imaging device illuminated by a coherent light source utilizes an optical key for preventing unauthorized use of the processor. The principle underlying processing apparatus and method according to the invention uses an optical lock in combination with an encoded software key superimposed on a filter image. The optical lock, which is preferably in hardware form, consists of a first optical mask implementing a locking mask function that is preferably complex (phase and/or amplitude), which first optical mask is included in the optical path of the processor. The mask is fixed during assembly of the processor or correlator and a unique pattern is encoded thereon. The software key consists of a pattern defined by a key mask function that is displayed preferably using a spatial light modulator as part of a second optical mask included on the processor optical path.

Abstract: A simple optical position encoder of detecting the position of a light spot generated by any light source of either light generating or light reflecting type, directly in a binary or other encoded format at very high speed, comprises a diffractive optical element including an array of diffractive cells each being formed by a unique arrangement of diffractive sub-cells and being disposed at a predetermined position with respect to a predetermined reference point on the diffractive optical element. Each cell is capable of generating a unique optical diffraction pattern when illuminated. When an image of the light spot is formed on the diffractive element, at least one cell is positioned to receive the light spot input image, generating its unique optical diffraction pattern accordingly at an output image plane, where one or more optical detectors are disposed.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for evaluating a scale factor and a rotation angle in image processing and more particularly digital image processing. The method includes the steps of first providing an input image, and then reducing the input image to provide a smaller image. The smaller image is scaled according to a plurality of factors to produce a plurality of scaled images and is also rotated according to a plurality of factors to produce a plurality of rotated images. The scaled images in the rotated images are then placed into a mosaic which is arranged by scale and rotation. A referenced template is provided and the referenced template is correlated with the mosaic of scaled and rotated images to provide a scale factor and a rotation angle based on the position in the mosaic of the high score relation value between the reference template and the scaled and rotated images. The method is more efficient in that it reduces the amount of computations required to obtain useful results.