Abstract: A method for image acquisition includes receiving, by an image acquisition computing device, a digitized LiDAR image frame and a thermal image frame of a region of interest from a read out integrated circuit of an image acquisition device coupled to the image acquisition computing device. The LiDAR image frame and the thermal image frame are processed to detect one or more objects of interest located in the region of interest. The detected one or more objects of interest are correlated between the LiDAR image frame and the thermal image frame. The detected one or more objects of interest are identified based on the correlation between the LiDAR image frame and the thermal image frame. An integrated LiDAR and thermal image acquisition device is also disclosed.

Abstract: Embodiments of systems and methods for multi-aperture ranging are disclosed.

Abstract: Embodiments of systems and methods for multi-aperture ranging are disclosed. An embodiment of a device includes a main lens, configured to receive an image from the field of view of the main lens, a multi-aperture optical component having optical elements optically coupled to the main lens and configured to create a multi-aperture image set that includes a plurality of subaperture images, wherein at least one point in the field of view is captured by at least two of the subaperture images, an array of sensing elements, a ROIC configured to receive the signals, to convert the signals to digital data, and to output the digital data, and an image processing system, responsive to the digital data that is output from the ROIC, which is configured to generate disparity values that correspond to at least one point in common between the at least two subaperture images.

Abstract: Embodiments of systems and methods for multi-aperture ranging are disclosed. An embodiment of a device includes a main lens, configured to receive an image from the field of view of the main lens, a multi-aperture optical component having optical elements optically coupled to the main lens and configured to create a multi-aperture image set that includes a plurality of subaperture images, wherein at least one point in the field of view is captured by at least two of the subaperture images, an array of sensing elements, a ROIC configured to receive the signals, to convert the signals to digital data, and to output the digital data, and an image processing system, responsive to the digital data that is output from the ROIC, which is configured to generate disparity values that correspond to at least one point in common between the at least two subaperture images.

Abstract: A method for image acquisition includes receiving, by an image acquisition computing device, a digitized LiDAR image frame and a thermal image frame of a region of interest from a read out integrated circuit of an image acquisition device coupled to the image acquisition computing device. The LiDAR image frame and the thermal image frame are processed to detect one or more objects of interest located in the region of interest. The detected one or more objects of interest are correlated between the LiDAR image frame and the thermal image frame. The detected one or more objects of interest are identified based on the correlation between the LiDAR image frame and the thermal image frame. An integrated LiDAR and thermal image acquisition device is also disclosed.

Abstract: An embodiment of a device is disclosed. The device includes a lens, operative in the infrared, configured to receive an image of a field of view of the lens, a microlens array, operative in the infrared, optically coupled to the lens and configured to create an array of light field images based on the image, a photodetector array comprising a plurality of non-silicon photodetectors, photosensitive in at least part of the thermal spectrum from 3 microns to 14 microns, the photodetector array being optically coupled to the microlens array and configured to generate output signals from the non-silicon photodetectors based on the array of light field images, and a read-out integrated circuit (ROIC) communicatively coupled to the photodetector array and configured to receive the signals from the photodetector array, convert them to digital signals and to output digital data.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for video based process monitoring and control are disclosed. An example method for monitoring a process having at least one state includes obtaining a first set of images of the process and identifying from the first set of images at least one reference image that corresponds to the at least one state. The example method also includes obtaining at least one analysis image of the process. The example method further includes comparing the analysis image to the at least one reference image using digital analysis. The example method also includes determining whether the analysis image corresponds to the at least one state based on the comparison.

Abstract: Methods and systems for identifying an individual are provided. The systems and methods make use of principal component analysis and account for intra-individual variation by utilizing a plurality of images obtained from a stream of data representing a plurality of images of the individual. To identify the individual the system and method account for the intra-individual variation in the stream of data to produce a compensated representation of the individual. The system and method and to match the compensated representation a representation from a reference database to identify the individual.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for producing a reduced-glare image. The method and system use at least two light sources located a selected distance apart from each other. An image acquisition device acquires a first image of an object using illumination from the first light source, but not the second. Then the image acquisition device acquires a second image of the object using illumination from the second light source, but not the first. The two images, having glare at different pixel locations, are then used to form a reduced-glare image.

Abstract: A system and method for acquiring, processing, and comparing an image with a stored image to determine if a match exists. In particular, the system refines the image data associated with an object based on pre-stored color values, such as flesh tone color. The system includes a storage element for storing flesh tone colors of a plurality of people, and a defining stage for localizing a region of interest in the image. A combination stage combines the unrefined region of interest with one or more pre-stored flesh tone colors to refine the region of interest based on color. This flesh tone color matching ensures that at least a portion of the image corresponding to the unrefined-region of interest having flesh tone color is incorporated into the refined region of interest. Hence, the system can localize the head, based on the flesh tone color of the skin of the face in a rapid manner. According to one practice, the refined region of interest is smaller than or about equal to the unrefined region of interest.

Abstract: A system and method for acquiring, processing, and comparing an image with a stored image to determine if a match exists. In particular, the system refines the image data associated with an object based on pre-stored color values, such as flesh tone color. The system includes a storage element for storing flesh tone colors of a plurality of people, and a defining stage for localizing a region of interest in the image. A combination stage combines the unrefined region of interest with one or more pre-stored flesh tone colors to refine the region of interest based on color. This flesh tone color matching ensures that at least a portion of the image corresponding to the unrefined region of interest having flesh tone color is incorporated into the refined region of interest. Hence, the system can localize the head, based on the flesh tone color of the skin of the face in a rapid manner. According to one practice, the refined region of interest is smaller than or about equal to the unrefined region of interest.

Abstract: A proximity detector for detecting the position of a magnetic target having a transceiver module with a light emitting source, an optical detector, and a 2×2 optical coupler joining the light emitting source and optical detector is provided. A sensor having an outer case houses a collimating lens, a polarizer, a Faraday material, and a mirror. A multi-mode optical fiber connects the transceiver module to the sensor. Preferably, the proximity detector detects the position of the magnetic target, which is substantially axially spaced from the sensor, using a single polarizer aligned with a single Faraday material. Preferably, the Faraday material comprises an iron garnet material, and most preferably a bismuth iron garnet material.

Abstract: A system and method for acquiring, processing, and comparing an image with a stored image to determine if a match exists. In particular, the system refines the image data associated with an object based on pre-stored color values, such as flesh tone color. The system includes a storage element for storing flesh tone colors of a plurality of people, and a defining stage for localizing a region of interest in the image. A combination stage combines the unrefined region of interest with one or more pre-stored flesh tone colors to refine the region of interest based on color. This flesh tone color matching ensures that at least a portion of the image corresponding to the unrefined region of interest having flesh tone color is incorporated into the refined region of interest. Hence, the system can localize the head, based on the flesh tone color of the skin of the face in a rapid manner. According to one practice, the refined region of interest is smaller than or about equal to the unrefined region of interest.

Abstract: A CO.sub.2 waveguide laser frequency modulation (FM) system which applies the Fourier series components of a triangular drive waveform selectively to the tuning PZT at one end of the waveguide and the FM PZT at the other end to achieve an improvement over the waveform than can be achieved by applying the fundamental and its harmonics to the FM PZT alone. The system applies the fundamental component to the tuning PZT and the odd harmonics to the FM PZT. The frequency-separated drive signals are applied in proper phase to the PZT's at each end of the waveguide via waveform synthesizer, frequency splitter and amplifiers. The waveform synthesizer includes a ROM containing digitized values of segments of the waveform amplitudes and a digital-to-analog converter for converting the digital ROM data to an analog signal.