Hybrid image processing with feedback

Abstract We devise an image processing system that is characterized by the terms “hybrid” (optical and electronical) and by “feedback”. One part of the total system consists of an incoherent optical image forming system with spatial filtering. The other part is a TV system, whose camera looks at its own monitor. The total system is capable to perform operations with the following properties: passive or active, with positive or negative feedback, linear or non-linear, with or without spatial and temporal spread. The spatial spread may be space-invariant or space variant. The TV time delay of 1/25 second per cycle is a valuable feature of this feedback system. It allows for example to solve a partial differential equation and to display the solution u ( x, y, t ) in real time.