Hyperspectral identification of target

1. A method of analyzing an object of interest with a hyperspectral imaging system, the method comprising:

collecting, via a hyperspectral camera of the hyperspectral imaging system, light emitted by the object of interest;

passing the collected light through an optical interferometer;

determining, via an analyzer of the hyperspectral imaging system, a spectral response of the collected light, wherein the analyzer comprises a processor and memory;

generating, via the analyzer, a data file of a hyperspectral image, the data file comprising information regarding a spectral response at each pixel of the hyperspectral image;

comparing, via the analyzer, a spectral response at a first pixel of the hyperspectral image with a spectral response of a known object, the first pixel being associated with the object of interest; and

responsive to the comparing, generating, via the analyzer, an identity of the object of interest based, at least in part, on a determination of whether the spectral response at the first pixel matches the spectral response of the known object.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

determining, via the analyzer, the identity of the object of interest to be that of the known object in response to the spectral response at the first pixel matching the spectral response of the known object; and

determining, via the analyzer unit, the identity of the object of interest to be unknown in response to the spectral response at the first pixel not matching the spectral response of the known object.

3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising comparing, via the analyzer, a spectral response at a second pixel of the hyperspectral image with the spectral response of the known object, the second pixel being associated with the object of interest.

4. The method of claim 3 , further comprising:

determining, via the analyzer, the identity of the object of interest to be that of the known object in response to the spectral response at the first pixel and the second pixel matching the spectral response of the known object; and

determining, via the analyzer, the identity of the object of interest to be unknown in response to the spectral response at at least one of the first pixel and the second pixel not matching the spectral response of the known object.

5. The method of claim 3 , further comprising:

determining, via the analyzer, the identity of the object of interest to be that of the known object in response to the spectral response at the second pixel matching the spectral response of the known object; and

determining, via the analyzer, the identity of the object of interest to be unknown in response to the spectral response at the second pixel not matching the spectral response of the known object.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the data file comprises a three-dimensional dataset, the three-dimensional dataset describing an x-coordinate of the hyperspectral image, a y-coordinate of the hyperspectral image, and a wavelength of light emitted at an x-y coordinate of the hyperspectral image.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the spectral response of the known object is a spectral response for a person generating body heat.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the spectral response of the known object and the spectral response at the first pixel comprise wavelengths of emitted light.

9. A method of locating an object of interest with a hyperspectral imaging system, the method comprising:

placing a hyperspectral tag on the object of interest, wherein a spectral response of the hyperspectral tag is known;

collecting, via the hyperspectral imaging system, light emitted by an area of interest;

processing, via an analyzer of the hyperspectral imaging system, the collected light emitted by the area of interest into a first hyperspectral image, the first hyperspectral image comprising a data file that comprises information regarding a spectral response at each pixel of the first hyperspectral image, wherein the analyzer comprises a processor and memory;

comparing, via the analyzer, the spectral response at a first pixel of the first hyperspectral image with the spectral response of the hyperspectral tag, the first pixel being associated with the object of interest; and

responsive to the comparing, generating, via the analyzer, an identity of the object of interest based, at least in part, on a determination of whether the spectral response at the first pixel matches the spectral response of the hyperspectral tag.

10. The method of claim 9 , further comprising capturing a second hyperspectral image and repeating the processing and comparing steps for the second hyperspectral image in response to the comparing not identifying the known spectral response of the hyperspectral tag in the first hyperspectral image.

11. The method of claim 9 , wherein the hyperspectral tag comprises a radioactive isotope.

12. The method of claim 9 , wherein the hyperspectral tag comprises aluminum thread that is incorporated into an article of clothing worn by the object of interest.

13. The method of claim 9 , wherein the object of interest is a person and the hyperspectral tag is placed on the person without the person's knowledge.

14. The method of claim 9 , further comprising:

determining, via the analyzer, the identity of the object of interest to be friendly in response to the spectral response at the first pixel being a match; and

determining, via the analyzer, the identity of the object of interest to be unfriendly in response to the spectral response at the first pixel not being a match.

15. A hyperspectral imaging system for locating an object of interest, the hyperspectral imaging system comprising:

a hyperspectral tag associated with the object of interest;

a hyperspectral camera for collecting light emitted by an object of interest;

an interferometer that modulates the collected light emitted by the object of interest;

an analyzer for processing the modulated light to generate a data file that comprises information regarding a spectral response at each pixel of a hyperspectral image and for analyzing the hyperspectral image to locate the spectral response of the hyperspectral tag within the hyperspectral image, the analyzer comprising a CPU and memory; and

a repository for storing captured hyperspectral images.

16. The hyperspectral imaging system of claim 15 , further comprising a control station for operating the hyperspectral imaging system.

17. The hyperspectral imaging system of claim 16 , wherein the hyperspectral camera, the repository, and the control station are located on an aircraft.

18. The hyperspectral imaging system of claim 16 , wherein the hyperspectral camera, the repository, and the control station are located on a land vehicle.

19. The hyperspectral imaging system of claim 15 , wherein the hyperspectral tag comprises a radioactive isotope.

20. The hyperspectral imaging system of claim 15 , wherein the hyperspectral tag comprises aluminum thread that is incorporated into an article of clothing worn by the object of interest.