Patents by Inventor Michael W. Kudenov

Michael W. Kudenov has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 9442015
    Abstract: Polarization based channeled images are optically demodulated to produce directly viewable images. A channeled image flux is converted to an unpolarized flux by a phosphor or other sensor, and the resulting converted flux is demodulated by modulating at a spatial frequency corresponding to a modulating frequency of the channeled image flux. After modulation, the converted flux is spatially filtered to remove or attenuate portions associated with the modulation frequency and harmonics thereof. The resulting baseband flux is then imaged by direct viewing, projection, or using an image sensor and a display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignees: The Arizona Board of Regents on Behalf of the University of Arizona, North Carolina State University
    Inventors: Michael W. Kudenov, Michael J. Escuti
  • Patent number: 9074993
    Abstract: White-light snapshot channeled linear imaging (CLI) polarimeters include polarization gratings (PGs) configured to produce a compensated shear between portions of an input light flux in first and second polarization states. The disclosed CLI polarimeters can measure a 2-dimensional distribution of linear Stokes polarization parameters by incorporating two identical PGs placed in series along an optical axis. In some examples, CLI polarimeters are configured to produce linear (S0, S1, and S2) and complete (S0, S1, S2 and S3) channeled Stokes images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: The Arizona Board of Regents on Behalf of the University of Arizona
    Inventor: Michael W. Kudenov
  • Patent number: 9068928
    Abstract: Snapshot imaging polarimeters comprise Sagnac interferometers that include diffraction gratings situated to produce shear between counter-propagating optical fluxes produced by a polarizing beam splitter. The counter-propagating, sheared optical fluxes are focused onto a focal plane array to produce fringe patterns. The fringe patterns correspond to a scene polarization distribution modulated onto a spatial carrier frequency associated with a diffraction order. Multi-blazed gratings can be used so that modulations at a plurality of spatial frequencies are produced, with each spatial frequency corresponding to a spectral component of an input optical flux. Modulated fringe patterns can be demodulated to obtain scene Stokes parameter distributions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: The Arizona Board of Regents on Behalf of the University of Arizona
    Inventor: Michael W. Kudenov
  • Patent number: 9046422
    Abstract: Snapshot imaging Fourier transform spectrometers include a lens array that produces sub-images that are directed through a birefringent interferometer in orthogonal polarization eigenstates that acquire an optical path difference. Interference patterns based on this OPD can be Fourier transformed to obtain a spectral image. In some examples, polarizing gratings provide a spatial heterodyne frequency and offset the spectra.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: The Arizona Board of Regents on Behalf of the University of Arizona
    Inventor: Michael W. Kudenov
  • Publication number: 20140163389
    Abstract: Snapshot spectral images viewing down the axis of the esophagus are processed to identify eosinophils. The snapshot images are based on fluorescence emitted in response to excitation optical radiation at two or more wavelengths. Ratio of spectral powers between snapshot images can be used in identification. In some examples, a relative abundance or density eosinophils is obtained, and processed to perform an in vivo assessment of tissue, such as esophageal tissue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2013
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Inventors: Michael W. Kudenov, Bhaskar Banerjee
  • Publication number: 20140078298
    Abstract: Polarization based channeled images are optically demodulated to produce directly viewable images. A channeled image flux is converted to an unpolarized flux by a phosphor or other sensor, and the resulting converted flux is demodulated by modulating at a spatial frequency corresponding to a modulating frequency of the channeled image flux. After modulation, the converted flux is spatially filtered to remove or attenuate portions associated with the modulation frequency and harmonics thereof. The resulting baseband flux is then imaged by direct viewing, projection, or using an image sensor and a display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Inventors: Michael W. Kudenov, Michael J. Escuti
  • Patent number: 8368889
    Abstract: An imaging polarimeter optics unit comprising: a first polarization-sensitive beam-splitter optic, a retarder, a second polarization-sensitive beam-splitter optic, and an analyzer, through which input light passes in sequence, wherein the retarder and polarization-sensitive beam-splitters cause the input light to have optical components that provide different information about the state of polarization of the input beam is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: The Arizona Board of Regents on Behalf of the University of Arizona
    Inventors: James T. Schwiegerling, Eustace Dereniak, Michael W. Kudenov, Haitao Luo, Kazuhiko Oka, Edward A. DeHoog
  • Publication number: 20130027713
    Abstract: White-light snapshot channeled linear imaging (CLI) polarimeters include polarization gratings (PGs) configured to produce a compensated shear between portions of an input light flux in first and second polarization states. The disclosed CLI polarimeters can measure a 2-dimensional distribution of linear Stokes polarization parameters by incorporating two identical PGs placed in series along an optical axis. In some examples, CLI polarimeters are configured to produce linear (S0, S1, and S2) and complete (S0, S1, S2 and S3) channeled Stokes images.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2012
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Inventor: Michael W. Kudenov
  • Publication number: 20120268745
    Abstract: Snapshot imaging Fourier transform spectrometers include a lens array that produces sub-images that are directed through a birefringent interferometer in orthogonal polarization eigenstates that acquire an optical path difference. Interference patterns based on this OPD can be Fourier transformed to obtain a spectral image. In some examples, polarizing gratings provide a spatial heterodyne frequency and offset the spectra.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2012
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Inventor: Michael W. Kudenov
  • Publication number: 20120176622
    Abstract: Snapshot imaging polarimeters comprise Sagnac interferometers that include diffraction gratings situated to produce shear between counter-propagating optical fluxes produced by a polarizing beam splitter. The counter-propagating, sheared optical fluxes are focused onto a focal plane array to produce fringe patterns. The fringe patterns correspond to a scene polarization distribution modulated onto a spatial carrier frequency associated with a diffraction order. Multi-blazed gratings can be used so that modulations at a plurality of spatial frequencies are produced, with each spatial frequency corresponding to a spectral component of an input optical flux. Modulated fringe patterns can be demodulated to obtain scene Stokes parameter distributions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2011
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Inventor: Michael W. Kudenov
  • Publication number: 20100271475
    Abstract: An imaging polarimeter optics unit comprising: a first polarization-sensitive beam-splitter optic, a retarder, a second polarization-sensitive beam-splitter optic, and an analyzer, through which input light passes in sequence, wherein the retarder and polarization-sensitive beam-splitters cause the input light to have optical components that provide different information about the state of polarization of the input beam is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2008
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Inventors: James T. Schwiegerling, Eustace Dereniak, Michael W. Kudenov, Haitao Luo, Kazuhiko Oka, Edward A. Dehoog