Reduction of background clutter in structured lighting systems
| DWPI Title: Method for segmenting light of laser from background light in structured lighting system used in various applications, involves subtracting intensity values due to background light from value of image that includes wavelength of light |
| Abstract: Methods for segmenting the reflected light of an illumination source having a characteristic wavelength from background illumination (i.e. clutter) in structured lighting systems can comprise pulsing the light source used to illuminate a scene, pulsing the light source synchronously with the opening of a shutter in an imaging device, estimating the contribution of background clutter by interpolation of images of the scene collected at multiple spectral bands not including the characteristic wavelength and subtracting the estimated background contribution from an image of the scene comprising the wavelength of the light source and, placing a polarizing filter between the imaging device and the scene, where the illumination source can be polarized in the same orientation as the polarizing filter. Apparatus for segmenting the light of an illumination source from background illumination can comprise an illuminator, an image receiver for receiving images of multiple spectral bands, a processor for calculations and interpolations, and a polarizing filter. |
| Use: Method for segmenting light of laser from background light in structured lighting system (claimed). Uses include but are not limited to mapping, autonomous navigation, dexterous manipulation, surveillance and reconnaissance, component inspection, geometric modeling, laser-based three-dimensional volumetric imaging, simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) applications, etc. |
| Advantage: The effects of background clutter that can impede the utilization of structured lighting system can be minimized. |
| Novelty: The method involves receiving an image comprising spectral band that includes the wavelength of light (108) from laser (104) and two additional images that do not include the wavelength. The light intensity values due to background light are calculated by interpolating the light intensity values for the corresponding locations in additional images. The estimated values are subtracted from the light intensity value of image that includes the wavelength. |
| Filed: 10/13/2006 |
| Application Number: US2006580572A |
| Tech ID: SD 10018.1 |
| This invention was made with Government support under Contract No. DE-NA0003525 awarded by the United States Department of Energy/National Nuclear Security Administration. The Government has certain rights in the invention. |
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