Target Characterization Based on Persistent Collocation of Multiple Specks of Light in Time Series Imagery

摘要

Techniques for characterizing targets include obtaining multiple time series of images. Each image represents light measured in an interrogation area under conditions that cause only one optical marker type of at least two optical marker types to emit or scatter light. Each different time series indicates light measured from a different single optical marker type. The at least two optical marker types are configured to collocate with a single target type. The techniques include determining a path of a speck of light from an individual optical marker of a first optical marker type. The techniques also include determining whether the path corresponds to the target type based on persistence of collocation of a speck of light from each of the other optical marker types. The collocation can be based on maximum correlation in a portion of contemporaneous images. The persistence can be long compared to random separation times.

主权项

1. A method comprising:
providing a supply of at least two optical marker types that scatter or emit light under a corresponding number of different conditions, wherein the at least two optical marker types are configured to collocate with a single target type; introducing a fluid that includes the supply into an interrogation region of a channel; serially imaging the interrogation region under the corresponding number of different conditions to produce a plurality of time series of images wherein each time series of images detects light from a single optical marker type of the at least two optical marker types; determining, in a first time series of the plurality of time series of images, a path of a moving speck of light from an individual optical marker of a first optical marker type of the at least two optical marker types based on particle tracking velocimetry and rate of any fluid flow of the fluid; and determining whether the path corresponds to the target type based on persistence of collocation of the speck of light from the individual optical marker of the first optical marker type with a moving speck of light from each of other optical marker types of the at least two optical marker types, wherein the other optical marker types are different from the first optical marker type.