Computational Imaging Through Scattering Aerosols

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current imaging technologies face challenges in effectively imaging through aerosols due to light scattering and absorption, which scrambles information and limits situational awareness in various applications, especially in fog environments where visible light becomes isotropic, making it difficult to distinguish between ballistic and scattered light.

Innovation Solution

A method and system for modeling light transport through scattering media, calculating macroscopic scattering and absorption coefficients, and using these calculations to detect, localize, and characterize objects within the medium by subtracting expected background signals from images, employing both physics-based and deep learning models.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If methods discriminate between ballistic and scattered light to improve image quality, then image resolution is improved, but imaging depth is limited due to exponential decay of ballistic light intensity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage resolutionVSAvoidimaging depth

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful scattered light into a beneficial signal by using computational imaging techniques to recover object information from the diffuse light pattern. Instead of rejecting scattered light, the system utilizes the statistical properties of light transport through scattering media to reconstruct images at depths beyond the ballistic light limit, achieving imaging at 10 lt or deeper by treating scattered light as the primary information carrier rather than noise.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Measurement precision

If coherent imaging methods are used to exploit wave nature of light for imaging through scattering media, then imaging capability is improved, but the methods become sensitive to moving scatterers in aerosols

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimaging capabilityVSAvoidsensitivity to particle motion

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces coherent wave-based imaging methods with incoherent computational imaging approaches that treat light transport statistically. This substitution eliminates sensitivity to phase changes caused by moving scatterers while maintaining the ability to recover object information from diffuse light patterns through computational reconstruction based on the statistical properties of light transport in scattering media.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Adaptability or versatility

If aerosols are present in the environment, then natural phenomena occur, but security, transportation, aviation, remote sensing, surveillance, and astronomy are impacted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenatural occurrenceVSAvoidimpact on security and surveillance

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful effect of aerosols on imaging and surveillance into a beneficial capability by developing computational imaging methods that can recover object information from light that has scattered through the aerosol medium. The system uses the statistical properties of light transport to reconstruct images of objects hidden in fog, smoke, or other scattering media, transforming the obscuring aerosols from a liability into a penetrable medium for enhanced surveillance and remote sensing applications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables precise detection and localization of objects in highly scattering media by effectively separating and utilizing both ballistic and scattered light, improving imaging capabilities beyond the moderately scattering regime and enhancing situational awareness in fog and other aerosol environments.

Implementation Method 1

Light in media like aerosols is plagued by absorption and scattering interactions that attenuate and change the propagation direction of the light

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectScattering: Scattering

Implementation Method 2

Light in media like aerosols is plagued by absorption and scattering interactions that attenuate and change the propagation direction of the light

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentUS12117384B1Utilizing highly scattered light for intelligence through aerosols

Publication Date: 2024.10.15 NATIONAL TECHNOLOGY & ENGINEERING SOLUTIONS OF SANDIA LLC

AI summary

A method for modeling light transport through a scattering medium prior to being incident on a detector and a corresponding system is disclosed. The method determines the effects of scattering and absorption caused by particles as a function of the density, size, and refractive index of the particles, as well as the wavelength of the light source. Based on the determined scattering and absorption coefficients, the signal incident on the detector may be calculated. The calculation may also be inverted such that based upon the detected signal, an object may be detected, and its location in the scattering medium may be estimated.