Method of difference sensing through optical coherent change detection

1. A method of difference sensing, the method comprising the steps of:

producing a reference image using temporal averaging and spatial averaging, the temporal averaging and spatial averaging comprising taking a series of images of the same scene, spatially aligning the series of images, and then summing corresponding pixel values of the series of images to create a temporal average of pixel intensity;

producing a test image;

computationally comparing the reference image with the test image to arrive at a resulting difference image, such that the temporal averaging and spatial averaging effectively isolates in the difference image coherent changes imbedded in a complex and rapidly changing environment from transient changes inherent to the complex and rapidly changing environment.

2. The method of claim 1 , the test image being produced using temporal averaging and spatial averaging.

3. The method of claim 1 , computationally comparing involving subtracting the reference image from the test image.

4. The method of claim 1 , the temporal averaging being within a specific time frame.

5. The method of claim 4 , the spatial averaging involving a spatial sum of pixel intensity over the specified time frame.

6. The method of claim 1 , background being deducted from the difference image to reduce computational detection load.

7. The method of claim 1 , the reference image being saved at periodic intervals for subsequent chronological referencing.

8. The method of claim 1 , the reference image being produced from a series of under exposed images.

9. The method of claim 1 , including a step of producing the reference image and the test image utilizing polarization difference imaging.

10. The method of claim 1 , including a step of coordinating more than one sensor modality.

11. The method of claim 10 , the more than one sensor modality being an image sensor and an auditory sensor.