Flash and Streak Detection and Persistent Identification Using Bi-Directional Detector/Display Overlay

An optical system has an underlying device configured to provide output light. A transparent optical device optically coupled to the underlying device transmits light from the underlying device through the transparent optical device to display a scene. The transparent optical device includes detector elements formed in an active area to detect light portraying at least a portion of the scene. The underlying device has transparent regions formed in the active area to allow light to pass through from the underlying device to a user. The optical system further includes an image processor that processes images produced using light detected by the detector elements to identify a specific instance of light in the scene. The image processor causes display elements in the active area of the transparent optical device to display an indicator, in the scene, correlated to the specific instance of light.