Computational Optical Sensing and Processing Laboratory

The main research challenge of our laboratory is to derive precise abstract information or decisions from large complex noisy topological data sets captured by one or multiple optical sensors. We apply special optical arrangements such as different holographic setups and fluorescent illuminations for microscopic imaging, or multi-spectral camera-based patient monitoring systems or wide-angle multi-camera systems in monitoring. The heavy computational load is handled by many-core processor arrays, such as GPUs in desktop applications or embedded low-power systems.

Main Research Areas

• Combination of fluorescent and digital holographic microscopy;
• Design and application of the Color or Monochrome Digital Holographic Microscopes (DHM);
• Automatic monitoring, classification, counting of microbiological organisms;
• Visual remote aircraft detector sensor for UAVs;
• Visual navigation for UAVs;
• Photoplethysmography;
• Design and programming of mixed signal focal-plane sensor-processor systems

The laboratory has three major topics. The first is digital holographic microscopy. Here an already established technology for automatic detection of algae, protozoa, and worm is already licensed  in the water industry and ready for further licensing, while further research activities are being pursued to combine the holographic microscope with fluorescent microscopy and other technologies. Medical application of the holographic microscope technology is also developed as an industrial application.

The second topic is the development of UAV collision-avoidance systems. In this project, an embedded multi-camera vision system has been built to identify and track remote aircraft and derive inertial data from optical flow for navigation. Moreover, the system can calculate the self position of the aircraft based on known landmarks like a runway. This work is done in-cooperation with the  Systems and Control Lab within our own Institute, which develops the aircraft, and their navigation and control systems.

The third topic is vision based remote patient monitoring. Here the goal is to measure physiological data including pulse and breath signals from perinatal infants on a non-contact way. 

Main Achievements

In cooperation with Budapest Waterworks we have developed an automatic water quality monitoring system, called DHM. This device, by using our patented digital holographic microscope technology, is able to detect, classify and count algae in water samples real time.
Our water quality monitoring device can perform real-time detection and numeration of worms and algae. Proliferation of the worms, otherwise, is a byproduct of the applied filtering process. 

An on board visual collision forecast/avoidance and navigation system has been developed for for UAVs.

Non-contact, vision-based pulse and breath detection technology has been developed and successfully demonstrated.

Products/Services

The laboratory with its industrial partners delivers industrial microbiological measurement devices for automatic identification and counting of algae, protozoa, and worm species either in already processed drinking or industrial water. Our industrial customers are waterworks, sewage farms, food and beverage industry, and environmental protection agencies.

The DHM technology is also ready to utilize in the medical area, by building in to existing or future microscopic products.