Abstract:
A system for determining a new orientation and/or position of an object comprises a sky polarimeter configured to record image data of the sky, a signal processing unit, and logic configured to receive and store in memory the image data received from the sky polarimeter. The logic calculates the Stokes parameters (S0, S1, S2,), DoLP, and AoP from the image data, detects obscurants and filters the obscurants (such as clouds and trees) from the image data to produce a filtered image. The logic is further configured to find the Sun and zenith in the filtered image, and to determine the roll, pitch, yaw, latitude and longitude of the object using the filtered image. A method for determining a new position/orientation of an object comprises recording raw image data using a sky polarimeter, calculating S0, S1, S2, DoLP, and AoP from the image data, detecting obscurants and filtering the obscurants from the image data to produce a filtered image, obtaining last known position/orientation data of the object, finding the Sun and zenith in the filtered image, and determining the roll, pitch, yaw, latitude and longitude of the object using the filtered image.
Abstract:
A method using Long Wave Infrared Imaging Polarimetry for improved mapping and perception of a roadway or path and for perceiving or detecting obstacles comprises recording raw image data using a polarimeter to obtain polarized images of the roadway or area. The images are then corrected for non-uniformity, optical distortion, and registration. IR and polarization data products are computed, and the resultant data products are converted to a multi-dimensional data set for exploitation. Contrast enhancement algorithms are applied to the multi-dimensional imagery to form enhanced object images. The enhanced object images may then be displayed to a user, and/or an annunciator may announce the presence of an object. Further, the vehicle may take evasive action based upon the presence of an object in the roadway.
Abstract:
A method using Infrared Imaging Polarimetry for detecting the presence of foreign fluids on water comprises estimating an expected polarization response for a foreign fluid desired to be detected. Oil from an oil spill is one such foreign fluid. An optimal position of a polarimeter to take images of the water's surface is determined from the expected polarization response. The polarimeter is positioned at the optimal position and records raw image data of the water's surface to obtain polarized images of the area. The polarized images are corrected, and IR and polarization data products are computed. The IR and polarization data products are converted to multi-dimensional data set to form multi-dimensional imagery. Contrast algorithms are applied to the multi-dimensional imagery to form enhanced contrast images, from which foreign fluids can be automatically detected.
Abstract:
A pesticide application method and device of the present disclosure produces a non-incendiary, organic-polymerization based pesticide smoke producing reaction. The smoke mainly comprises pesticide and reaction products of the initiator compound. A composition for the non-pyrotechnic generation of pesticide-containing smoke is provided that includes an initiator, and a pesticide agent. Some versions of the composition also include a monomer that polymerizes exothermically. A non-pyrotechnic method of generating pesticide-containing smoke is provided, which includes initiating a frontal reaction (FR) in a composition for the non-pyrotechnic generation of pesticide-containing smoke, and generating smoke comprising the pesticide agent. A method of applying a pesticide to an area is provided, involving initiating an FR to generate pesticide-containing smoke, and exposing the area to the smoke for a period of time sufficient to kill pests. A non-pyrotechnic smoke generator for generating a pesticide-containing smoke is provided, including the smoke-generating composition and an initiation source.
Abstract:
In a method of using a polarimeter for improved mapping and perception of objects on the ground, the polarimeter records raw image data to obtain polarized images of an area. The raw image data is processed to form processed images. The processed images are enhanced, and objects are detected and tracked. The polarimeter may be in a vehicle on the ground or in the air.
Abstract:
A method for enhancing an image for facial recognition comprises capturing an image of the face with a polarizer and correcting the polarized image for non-uniformity. Stokes Parameters S0, S1, S2 are obtained by weighted subtraction of the polarized image to form Stokes images. DoLP is computed from the Stokes images, and facial recognition algorithms are applied to the DoLP image. A system for enhancing images for facial recognition comprises a polarimeter configured to record polarized image data of a subject's face, a signal processing unit and logic configured to receive and store in memory the image data from the polarimeter, calculate Stokes parameters from the image data, and compute a DoLP image from the Stokes parameters.
Abstract:
A short wave infrared polarimeter comprising a pixelated polarizer array and an Indium-Gallium-Arsenide (“InGaAs”) focal plane array. The short wave infrared polarimeter optionally includes a micro-lens array and/or an aperture layer
Abstract:
A long wave infrared imaging polarimeter (LWIP) is disclosed including a pixilated polarizing array (PPA) in close proximity to a microbolometer focal plane array (MFPA), along with an alignment engine for aligning and bonding the PPA and MFPA and method for assembly.
Abstract:
A method using Infrared Imaging Polarimetry for detecting the presence of foreign fluids on water comprises estimating an expected polarization response for a foreign fluid desired to be detected. Oil from an oil spill is one such foreign fluid. An optimal position of a polarimeter to take images of the water's surface is determined from the expected polarization response. The polarimeter is positioned at the optimal position and records raw image data of the water's surface to obtain polarized images of the area. The polarized images are corrected, and IR and polarization data products are computed. The IR and polarization data products are converted to multi-dimensional data set to form multi-dimensional imagery. Contrast algorithms are applied to the multi-dimensional imagery to form enhanced contrast images, from which foreign fluids can be automatically detected.
Abstract:
A system for determining a new orientation and/or position of an object comprises a sky polarimeter configured to record image data of the sky, a signal processing unit, and logic configured to receive and store in memory the image data received from the sky polarimeter. The logic calculates the Stokes parameters (S0, S1, S2,), DoLP, and AoP from the image data, detects obscurants and filters the obscurants (such as clouds and trees) from the image data to produce a filtered image. The logic is further configured to find the Sun and zenith in the filtered image, and to determine the roll, pitch, yaw, latitude and longitude of the object using the filtered image. A method for determining a new position/orientation of an object comprises recording raw image data using a sky polarimeter, calculating S0, S1, S2, DoLP, and AoP from the image data, detecting obscurants and filtering the obscurants from the image data to produce a filtered image, obtaining last known position/orientation data of the object, finding the Sun and zenith in the filtered image, and determining the roll, pitch, yaw, latitude and longitude of the object using the filtered image.