Abstract: A method for rotating an image clockwise or counter clockwise by ninety degrees in place in an image buffer with a small auxiliary buffer is disclosed. The image, defined by a rectangular pattern of H lines with each line having W pixels, is segmented into square blocks of N pixels per row and N lines per column. The image is stored in an image buffer, and each square block of pixels in the image buffer is rotated by ninety degrees. A starting memory location in the image buffer is selected from a set of starting memory locations, and a memory word at the selected starting memory location is copied into a memory word of a temporary storage buffer. A replacement memory location in the image buffer is determined for the memory word in the temporary storage buffer, which is swapped with a memory word at the replacement memory location.

Abstract: The present invention is a technique for changing the contrast in a limited area of a digital image having a plurality of pixels of differing tone levels and at the same time maintaining a constant average level intensity of the pixels within the limited area by isolating a portion of the pixels and selectively altering the contrast of tone levels between pixels.

Abstract: The image is divided into regions of a given number of pixels. The original image is scaled down by a given factor. Each region of pixels is then enlarged in order to overlap its neighboring region. The enlarged regions are then sequentially written down in a scaled down version, in overlapped relationship, with each region oriented a given degree with respect to its neighboring region. The end result is a rotated image that has the same size as the original image with no gaps between neighboring oriented regions. This method applies to any arbitrary angle, as well as, to images defined as an arbitrary number of bits per pixel.

Abstract: A method for the rotation of digital images which minimizes the number of disk accesses needed. It is useful where the size of the image is large compared with the available computer memory. In a first step, the image is divided into horizontal regions of equal size, such that each region can fit, and be manipulated in the computer memory. Each region is rotated separately, and a scratch file is produced, which contains, in sequence, the rotated regions. In a series of subsequent steps, the rotated regions are, in each step, doubled in size until one region contains the entire rotated image. The method works for any rotation angle.

Abstract: A color copier having high resolution projection optics is modified to include low resolution electrical correction method and apparatus. A latent electrostatic image of an original is generated with conventional lamp and lens projection optics. This optical latent image is corrected for tone or color in real time by a parallel raster exposure arrangement. A raster input scanner (RIS) generates electrical raster image signals representative of the original. A processor converts electrical correction signals according to a prescribed scheme from the raster image signals. A raster output scanner (ROS) generates a raster latent image generated in registration with the optical latent image in response to the electrical correction signals. The RIS uses charge coupled devices (CCD's) to generate the electrical raster signals and the ROS uses a laser, and galvanometer to generate the raster latent image.

Abstract: Optical modulators and methods of modulating light include introducing light to an optical wave guide from a light source. The wave guide is formed of an elastomer film which is deformable by a mechanical or electrostatic force acting to change the cross section of the film and thereby modulate the light passing through the wave guide.

Abstract: A system for scanning an amplitude or a phase image and rapidly converting it into a video signal is disclosed. The image is scanned with a focused light beam such as from a laser and the information-modulated light is detected by fixed detectors and converted into a video signal which may then be electronically processed. The method is capable of performing in a scanning mode the same optical processing as is performed by conventional partially coherent optical processing systems. This novel method provides a video signal which represents the processed image. A particularly preferred embodiment comprises simultaneously scanning multiple color encoded surface deformation phase images which together represent a full color original object and generating simultaneously the three video signals that represent the primary colors (red, green and blue) of the original object.

Abstract: A deformation imaging system including an imaging member comprising a layer of a surface deformable material, a layer of an elastomer material, and means for establishing an imagewise electrical field across at least the surface deformable material layer and/or the elastomer layer. Embodiments wherein the surface deformable material layer and the elastomer layer are adjacent each other and embodiments wherein these layers are separated from each other are described. Various techniques for subjecting the imaging members to an electrical field and imaging methods utilizing the imaging members are also disclosed.

Abstract: A deformation imaging system including an imaging member comprising a layer of a surface deformable material, a layer of an elastomer material, and means for establishing an imagewise electrical field across at least the surface deformable material layer and/or the elastomer layer. Embodiments wherein the surface deformable material layer and the elastomer layer are adjacent each other and embodiments wherein these layers are separated from each other are described. Various techniques for subjecting the imaging members to an electrical field and imaging methods utilizing the imaging members are also disclosed.

Abstract: Lasers and methods of lasing include introducing light to an optical wave guide from a pumping light source. The wave guide is formed of a deformable elastomer film having a laser active material therein. The film is deformable by an electric field impressed across the thickness of the elastomer film. The electric field causes spatially periodic deformation of the elastomer cross-section, to produce distributed feedback and cause lasing. In one embodiment of the invention, electrodes are spaced from each other by a distance which is a function of the desired laser frequency and in another embodiment the elastic modulus of the film itself is varied as a function of the desired laser frequency.

Abstract: A method of real-time color masking is disclosed wherein pairs of color filters are inserted at specific locations in the optical paths of an electro-optical image multiplication system to thereby produce a modulated radiation pattern representative of the product of the reflectance of the positive of one color component and the negative of other color components of the original.

Abstract: A method of scanning a phase image and rapidly converting it into a video signal is disclosed. The phase image is scanned with collimated light such as from a laser and the diffracted light is detected by fixed detectors and converted into a video signal. In a preferred embodiment, multiple color encoded phase images of a full color original are simultaneously scanned, converted into video signals and electronically manipulated to effect real-time full color masking of the original.