Machine vision method and system

An automated vision and detection system, comprising:

• an imager configured to obtain a plurality of phasorgrams of an environment, each of the phasograms comprises phase information;
• wherein the imager is configured to simultaneously generate a single image using the phase information;
• a processor configured to derive a representation of the environment based on the single image;
• and
• an implementation module configured to receive the representation of the environment and generate a response based thereon.

An optical system for generating digital images, comprising:

• a light source configured to emit a beam into an environment;
• a first diffractive optical element in alignment with the light source such that the beam passes through the first diffractive optical element, resulting in an illumination wave emitted into the environment;
• a second diffractive optical element configured to receive a reflected illumination wave;
• wherein the reflected illumination wave is the illumination wave reflected back from the environment;
• a detector in alignment with the second diffractive optical element such that the detector receives the reflected illumination wave passed through the second diffractive optical element;
• wherein the detector is configured to determine wave data from the reflected illumination wave and generate an image representing the wave data;
• and
• a processor configured to receive the image representing the wave data and generate a representation of the environment.