Hybrid single-pixel camera switching mode for spatial and spot/area measurements

A method for using a single-pixel camera system for spot measurement and spatial scene reconstruction, the method comprising:

• in response to a light modulation device comprising an array of imaging elements being configured to modulate incoming light according to a clustered pattern that enables spot measurement of a localized area of interest, said clustered pattern being specific to said localized area:
• measuring, using a photodetector of a single-pixel camera, a magnitude of an intensity of said modulated light across pixel locations in said clustered pattern, said magnitude corresponding to an integral value across said pixels, said integral value comprising a spot measurement;
• and,
• in response to said light modulation device being configured to modulate incoming light according to a multiplicity of spatial patterns that enable spatial scene reconstruction:
• measuring, using said photodetector, a magnitude of multiple intensities corresponding to the light being modulated by different spatial patterns;
• and,
• reconstructing a spatial appearance of a scene from said measurements to obtain a spatially reconstructed scene.

A single-pixel camera system for performing spot measurement and spatial scene reconstruction, the camera system comprising:

• a light modulation device comprising a configurable array of imaging elements which modulate incoming light of a scene;
• a switch for toggling a configuration of said light modulation device to a first state wherein said array of imaging elements are configured according to a clustered pattern which enables spot measurement of a localized area of interest, and to a second state wherein said array of imaging elements are configured according to a multiplicity of spatial patterns which enable spatial scene reconstruction;
• a photodetector for measuring an intensity of said modulated light, this measuring being equivalent to integrating;
• and,
• a processor receiving said measurements, wherein in response to said light modulation device being configured to said first state, said measurements comprise a spot measurement of the localized area of interest, and in response to said light modulation device being configured to said second state, said processor spatially reconstructing said scene from multiple measurements obtained by integrating the incoming light modulated by said multiplicity of spatial patterns.