The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Sep. 15, 2009
Filed:
Apr. 28, 2006
Brian Johansen, Hillsboro, OR (US);
Mehmet E. Alpay, Portland, OR (US);
Brian Johansen, Hillsboro, OR (US);
Mehmet E. Alpay, Portland, OR (US);
Electro Scientific Industries, Inc., Portland, OR (US);
Abstract
A method and apparatus to improve image quality in images captured via monochromatic cameras using multi-wavelength lighting. A contrast optimization algorithm determines which particular wavelength among those available is most suitable to maximize contrast. The quality of the image can be further improved through active noise cancellation by determining the lighting schemes that provide maximum and minimum contrast between a target and a background. The elimination of image texture data (i.e., noise) is then accomplished through pixel-by-pixel division of the maximum by the minimum contrast image. Alternatively, images obtained using at least two wavelengths can be algebraically combined for noise reduction. The resulting composite image can be fed into any known target identification algorithm.