Method and Apparatus for Diffuse Imaging with Nonimpulsive Illumination

Technology      

This invention introduces a diffuse imaging framework through which a focused image is produced without optical focus; instead, the image is reconstructed from time-resolved measurements of light intensity in response to time-varying scene illumination. The imaging system is made up of a source of scene illumination with intensity varying in time, a light meter for time-resolved measurement of the intensity of light incident, and a means to record time-resolved light meter outputs.  

Problem Addressed  

Conventional imaging uses steady-state illumination and light sensing with focusing optics and does not exploit variations of the light with time. This invention presents a new method for imaging without focusing optics such as lenses and mirrors.  

Advantages      

• Diffuse imaging opens up possibilities for forming images without lenses and mirrors and enables the implementation of challenging new applications such as imaging occluded scenes
• This technology makes building practical imaging systems using non-ultrafast, optoelectronic hardware possible 

Publications

"Diffuse Imaging: Creating Optical Images with Unfocused Time-Resolved Illumination and Sensing." IEEE Signal Processing Letters 19, no. 1 (October 31, 2011): 31-34.