Abstract: A method (100) is provided for characterizing a functionality of a flash (14) from at least one image (200) captured with a camera (12) using the flash (14). The method (100) includes: analyzing the image (200) by segmenting (106) the image (200) into at least one sub-region (206, 208), and applying a metric (108) to the sub-region (206, 208) to measure an image property within the sub-region (206, 208); and determining (110) the functionality of the flash (14) in response to a result of the applied metric.

Abstract: A method (300) is provided for classifying an image as being one of a daytime image or a nighttime image. The method includes: obtaining an image to be analyzed (302); determining a first parameter (nH) representative of a first amount of pixels in the image that are sufficiently red or yellow (308); determining a second parameter (nV) representative of a second amount of pixels in the image that are sufficiently light (308); and classifying an image as one of a daytime image or a nighttime image based upon the first and second parameters (310, 312, 314).

Abstract: Various applications for structured CNT-engineered materials are disclosed herein. In one application, systems are disclosed, wherein a structured CNT-engineered material forms at least part of an object capable of providing its own structural feedback. In another application, systems are disclosed, wherein a structured CNT-engineered material forms at least part of an object capable of generating heat. In yet another application, systems are disclosed, wherein a structured CNT-engineered material forms at least part of an object capable of functioning as an antenna, for example, for receiving, transmitting, absorbing and/or dissipating a signal. In still another application, systems are disclosed, wherein a structured CNT-engineered material forms at least part of an object capable of serving as a conduit for thermal or electrical energy.

Abstract: A method for detecting a persistent change in a dynamically varying scene includes: obtaining a set of reference images of the scene; transforming the reference images into an abstract feature space; classifying pixels of the reference images in the abstract feature space; generating a stable reduced-reference image based on the classifications of corresponding pixels; obtaining a set of test images of the scene; transforming the test images into the abstract feature space; classifying pixels of the test images in the abstract feature space; generating a stable test image based on the classifications of corresponding pixels; and comparing the stable reduced-reference and test images to one another to detect a difference therein, the difference corresponding to a persistent change in the dynamically varying scene occurring between when the reference images and the test images were obtained.

Abstract: A battery includes a folded bicell battery stack with an embedded fiber optic cable and sensor. A cell casing encloses the bicell stack with at least one fiber optic cable is embedded within the battery. The fiber optic cable includes an internal portion disposed within the cell casing and having at least one optical sensor disposed thereon. An external portion of the fiber optic cable protrudes from the casing. A sealing gasket is disposed at least partially around the fiber optic cable and between the cell sealing edges at a point of entry of the fiber optic cable into the battery.

Abstract: A method of fabricating an electrochemical energy storage cell such as a battery or supercapacitor involves positioning a portion of a fiber optic cable that includes at least one optical fiber sensor over a current collector layer. The electrode material of the energy storage cell is deposited over the current collector layer and the fiber optic cable.

Abstract: An optical coupler includes at least one input waveguide and a plurality of output waveguides. The optical coupler spatially disperses optical signals carried on the input waveguide according to wavelength to the output waveguides. The input waveguides and the output waveguides are arranged to provide crosstalk between optical signals carried on the output waveguides.

Abstract: A system includes utilizes optical sensors arranged within or on portions of an electrochemical energy device (e.g., a rechargeable Li-ion battery, supercapacitor or fuel cell) to measure operating parameters (e.g., mechanical strain and/or temperature) of the electrochemical energy device during charge/recharge cycling. The measured parameter data is transmitted by way of light signals along optical fibers to a controller, which converts the light signals to electrical data signal using a light source/analyzer. A processor then extracts temperature and strain data features from the data signals, and utilizes a model-based process to detect intercalation stage changes (i.e., characteristic crystalline structure changes caused by certain concentrations of guest species, such as Li-ions, within the electrode material of the electrochemical energy device) indicated by the data features. The detected intercalation stage changes are used to generate highly accurate operating state information (e.g.

Abstract: A monitoring and management system (MMS) includes one or more fiber optic cables arranged within or on portions of an energy storage device. Each fiber optic cable includes multiple optical sensors. At least one of the optical sensors is configured to sense a parameter of the energy storage device that is different from a parameter of the energy storage device sensed by at least another optical sensor of the multiple optical sensors. The MMS includes a light source configured to provide light to the one or more fiber optic cables and a detector configured to detect light reflected by the optical sensors. The detector generates an electrical signal based on the reflected light. A processor is coupled to receive the electrical signal, to analyze the electrical signal, and to determine state of the energy storage device based on analysis of the electrical signal.

Abstract: Sensor material is arranged to interact with input light and to asymmetrically alter a spectral distribution of the input light in response to presence of an external stimulus. A detector is configured to sense the altered input light and to generate at least one electrical signal comprising information about a shift in the centroid of a spectral distribution of the altered input light relative to a centroid of the spectral distribution of the input light.

Abstract: A battery management system includes one or more fiber optic sensors configured to be disposed within an electrochemical battery. Each fiber optic sensor is capable of receiving input light and providing output light that varies based on the input light and an amount of free or dissolved gas present within the battery. A detector detects the output light and generates an electrical detector signal in response to the output light. Battery management circuitry determines the state of the battery based at least in part on the detector signal.

Abstract: A method for determining an operating state (e.g., state-of-charge or state-of-health) and/or generating management (charge/discharge) control information in a system including an electrochemical energy device (EED, e.g., a rechargeable Li-ion battery, supercapacitor or fuel cell) that uses optical sensors to detect the intercalation stage change events occurring in the EED. The externally or internally mounted optical sensors measure operating parameter (e.g., strain and/or temperature) changes of the EED during charge/recharge cycling, and transmit measured parameter data using light signals sent over optical fibers to a detector/converter. A processor then analyzes the measured parameter data, e.g., using a model-based estimation process, to detect intercalation stage changes (i.e., crystalline structure changes caused by migration of guest species, such as Li-ions, between the EED's anode and cathode), and generates the operating state and charge/discharge control information based the analysis.

Abstract: Various applications for structured CNT-engineered materials are disclosed herein. In one application, systems are disclosed, wherein a structured CNT-engineered material forms at least part of an object capable of providing its own structural feedback. In another application, systems are disclosed, wherein a structured CNT-engineered material forms at least part of an object capable of generating heat. In yet another application, systems are disclosed, wherein a structured CNT-engineered material forms at least part of an object capable of functioning as an antenna, for example, for receiving, transmitting, absorbing and/or dissipating a signal. In still another application, systems are disclosed, wherein a structured CNT-engineered material forms at least part of an object capable of serving as a conduit for thermal or electrical energy.

Abstract: Sensor material is arranged to interact with input light and to asymmetrically alter a spectral distribution of the input light in response to presence of an external stimulus. A detector is configured to sense the altered input light and to generate at least one electrical signal comprising information about a shift in the centroid of a spectral distribution of the altered input light relative to a centroid of the spectral distribution of the input light.

Abstract: A method (100) is provided for detecting an obstruction within a field of view of a camera (12) from an image (200) captured by the camera (12). The method (100) includes: analyzing the image (200) by applying edge detection (104) to the image (200), identifying (108) regions of the image (200) lacking edge content and comparing (112) a size of the identified regions to a threshold; and determining if there is an obstruction based upon a result of said comparison.

Abstract: A method for automatically detecting a constrained curve over a set of images includes: obtaining a set of one or more binary images of a scene wherein pixels thereof are designated as an edge pixel or not; and, processing at least one of the images. The processing includes: applying a Hough transform to the image to generate an accumulator array; determining Hough peaks from the accumulator array; selecting Hough peaks subject to a set of constraints; determining Hough curve segments for the selected Hough peaks; grouping the Hough curve segments into clusters; selecting from the clusters a cluster having a greatest number of Hough curve segments; and fitting a curve to the Hough curve segments grouped in the selected cluster.

Abstract: A system includes utilizes optical sensors arranged within or on portions of an electrochemical energy device (e.g., a rechargeable Li-ion battery, supercapacitor or fuel cell) to measure operating parameters (e.g., mechanical strain and/or temperature) of the electrochemical energy device during charge/recharge cycling. The measured parameter data is transmitted by way of light signals along optical fibers to a controller, which converts the light signals to electrical data signal using a light source/analyzer. A processor then extracts temperature and strain data features from the data signals, and utilizes a model-based process to detect intercalation stage changes (i.e., characteristic crystalline structure changes caused by certain concentrations of guest species, such as Li-ions, within the electrode material of the electrochemical energy device) indicated by the data features. The detected intercalation stage changes are used to generate highly accurate operating state information (e.g.

Abstract: A monitoring and management system (MMS) includes one or more fiber optic cables arranged within or on portions of an energy storage device. Each fiber optic cable includes multiple optical sensors. At least one of the optical sensors is configured to sense a parameter of the energy storage device that is different from a parameter of the energy storage device sensed by at least another optical sensor of the multiple optical sensors. The MMS includes a light source configured to provide light to the one or more fiber optic cables and a detector configured to detect light reflected by the optical sensors. The detector generates an electrical signal based on the reflected light. A processor is coupled to receive the electrical signal, to analyze the electrical signal, and to determine state of the energy storage device based on analysis of the electrical signal.

Abstract: A method for detecting a persistent change in a dynamically varying scene includes: obtaining a set of reference images of the scene; transforming the reference images into an abstract feature space; classifying pixels of the reference images in the abstract feature space; generating a stable reduced-reference image based on the classifications of corresponding pixels; obtaining a set of test images of the scene; transforming the test images into the abstract feature space; classifying pixels of the test images in the abstract feature space; generating a stable test image based on the classifications of corresponding pixels; and comparing the stable reduced-reference and test images to one another to detect a difference therein, the difference corresponding to a persistent change in the dynamically varying scene occurring between when the reference images and the test images were obtained.

Abstract: A method for automatically detecting a constrained curve over a set of images includes: obtaining a set of one or more binary images of a scene wherein pixels thereof are designated as an edge pixel or not; and, processing at least one of the images. The processing includes: applying a Hough transform to the image to generate an accumulator array; determining Hough peaks from the accumulator array; selecting Hough peaks subject to a set of constraints; determining Hough curve segments for the selected Hough peaks; grouping the Hough curve segments into clusters; selecting from the clusters a cluster having a greatest number of Hough curve segments; and fitting a curve to the Hough curve segments grouped in the selected cluster.