Patents by Inventor David R. Gerwe
David R. Gerwe has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Publication number: 20240125973Abstract: An image capture apparatus comprises a focal plane array and a filter device. The focal plane array comprises a plurality of detectors and the filter device is coupled with and covering the focal plane array. The filter device comprises at least one set of spectral filters, comprising at least a first spectral filter, which comprising a first wavelength range, and a second spectral filter, which comprises a second wavelength range that is different from the first wavelength range. The filter device also comprises a plurality of polarization channels, each having a polarization value that is different than the polarization value of any other of the plurality of polarization channels. The filter device further comprises a plurality of sounding filters, each operable within a spectral wavelength range and each configured to determine a characterization of atmospheric conditions.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 17, 2022Publication date: April 18, 2024Inventors: David R. Gerwe, Friedrich W. Kunzler, Kevin R. Paxton
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Publication number: 20230370563Abstract: An image capture apparatus comprises a focal plane array having a first portion and a second portion and a plurality of detectors. The image capture apparatus further comprises a filter device coupled with the covering the first portion of the focal plane array, the filter device comprising at least a first bandpass filter, comprising a first frequency range, and a second bandpass filter, comprising a second frequency range that is different from the first frequency range. The second portion of the focal plan array is uncovered by the filter device.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 11, 2022Publication date: November 16, 2023Inventors: David R. Gerwe, Friedrich W. Kunzler
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Patent number: 10167091Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for space surveillance are disclosed herein. In one or more embodiments, the disclosed method involves scanning, by at least one sensor on at least one satellite in super-geostationary earth orbit (super-GEO), a raster scan over a field of regard (FOR). In one or more embodiments, the scanning is at a variable rate, which is dependent upon a target dwell time for detecting a target of interest. In at least one embodiment, the target dwell time is a function of a characteristic brightness of the target.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2015Date of Patent: January 1, 2019Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANYInventors: David R. Gerwe, Keith R. Williams, John Lambert, Paul D. Tarbuck, Edward A. Estrada
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Patent number: 9908640Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for space surveillance are disclosed herein. In one or more embodiments, the disclosed method involves scanning, by at least one sensor on at least one satellite in inclined super-geostationary earth orbit (super-GEO), a raster scan over a field of regard (FOR). In one or more embodiments, the scanning is at a variable rate, which is dependent upon a target dwell time for detecting a target of interest. In at least one embodiment, the target dwell time is a function of a range from at least one sensor to the target of interest and a function of a solar phase angle. In some embodiments, the axis of inclination of the inclined super-GEO is a function of the solar phase angle.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2015Date of Patent: March 6, 2018Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: David R. Gerwe, Keith R. Williams, John Lambert, Paul D. Tarbuck, Edward A. Estrada
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Publication number: 20170057661Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for space surveillance are disclosed herein. In one or more embodiments, the disclosed method involves scanning, by at least one sensor on at least one satellite in inclined super-geostationary earth orbit (super-GEO), a raster scan over a field of regard (FOR). In one or more embodiments, the scanning is at a variable rate, which is dependent upon a target dwell time for detecting a target of interest. In at least one embodiment, the target dwell time is a function of a range from at least one sensor to the target of interest and a function of a solar phase angle. In some embodiments, the axis of inclination of the inclined super-GEO is a function of the solar phase angle.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 31, 2015Publication date: March 2, 2017Inventors: David R. Gerwe, Keith R. Williams, John Lambert, Paul D. Tarbuck, Edward A. Estrada
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Publication number: 20170057662Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for space surveillance are disclosed herein. In one or more embodiments, the disclosed method involves scanning, by at least one sensor on at least one satellite in super-geostationary earth orbit (super-GEO), a raster scan over a field of regard (FOR). In one or more embodiments, the scanning is at a variable rate, which is dependent upon a target dwell time for detecting a target of interest. In at least one embodiment, the target dwell time is a function of a characteristic brightness of the target.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 31, 2015Publication date: March 2, 2017Inventors: David R. Gerwe, Keith R. Williams, John Lambert, Paul D. Tarbuck, Edward A. Estrada
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Patent number: 9541635Abstract: Systems and methods that combine forward-model image reconstruction techniques with tomographic estimation of three-dimensional atmospheric turbulence to enable high-quality anisoplanatic imaging and beam control through the atmosphere over an extended field of view using a phased laser array. The system projects laser energy onto specific locations of extended objects in various geometries, overcomes atmospheric anisoplanatism and backscatter; estimates phase across the full aperture, and reconstructs the target object in great detail to enable high-resolution aimpoint selection and maintenance. Aimpoint maintenance is performed by sequentially analyzing a passive image and a laser spot in rapid succession, in each subaperture at high signal-to-noise ratio. As a further improvement, backscatter issues from the projected laser beam are eliminated by cycling the laser and/or sequentially lasing on different wavelengths within the laser gain bandwidth.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2015Date of Patent: January 10, 2017Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Richard B. Holmes, David R. Gerwe, Paul S. Idell
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Publication number: 20160266244Abstract: Systems and methods that combine forward-model image reconstruction techniques with tomographic estimation of three-dimensional atmospheric turbulence to enable high-quality anisoplanatic imaging and beam control through the atmosphere over an extended field of view using a phased laser array. The system projects laser energy onto specific locations of extended objects in various geometries, overcomes atmospheric anisoplanatism and backscatter; estimates phase across the full aperture, and reconstructs the target object in great detail to enable high-resolution aimpoint selection and maintenance. Aimpoint maintenance is performed by sequentially analyzing a passive image and a laser spot in rapid succession, in each subaperture at high signal-to-noise ratio. As a further improvement, backscatter issues from the projected laser beam are eliminated by cycling the laser and/or sequentially lasing on different wavelengths within the laser gain bandwidth.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 10, 2015Publication date: September 15, 2016Applicant: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Richard B. Holmes, David R. Gerwe, Paul S. Idell
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Patent number: 9305378Abstract: Systems and methods which combine standard image reconstruction and beam-control techniques with tomographic estimation of three-dimensional atmospheric turbulence to enable high-quality anisoplanatic imaging of distant objects at long range through the atmosphere over an extended field-of-view using a large aperture. More specifically, the systems and methods combine the concepts of atmospheric tomography, forward-model image reconstruction and tip, tilt, beam-walk, and focus control techniques to produce image reconstructions of high quality for large objects that move rapidly as viewed by large apertures in weak or strong extended atmospheric turbulence.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2014Date of Patent: April 5, 2016Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Richard B. Holmes, David R. Gerwe, Paul S. Idell, Brandoch Calef
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Patent number: 9063344Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing blur in an image generated by an imaging system is provided. A blur model for the image is identified with respect to an exposure time for the image using a sequence of reference images of an artificial reference point object generated during the exposure time for the image. A source of the artificial reference point object is inertially stabilized over the exposure time. The image is deconvolved with the blur model identified for the image to form a modified image having a desired reduction in blur relative to the image generated by the imaging system.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2012Date of Patent: June 23, 2015Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANYInventors: Steven Griffin, Brandoch Calef, David R. Gerwe
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Patent number: 8861893Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing images. A portion of a selected image in which a moving object is present is identified. The selected image is one of a sequence of images. Pixels in a region of interest are identified in the selected image. First values are identified for a first portion of the pixels using the images and first transformations. The first portion of the pixels corresponds to the background in the selected image. A first transformation is configured to align features of the background between one image in the images and the selected image. Second values are identified for a second portion of the pixels using the images and second transformations. The second portion of the pixels corresponds to the moving object in the selected image. A second transformation is configured to align features of the moving object between one image in the images and the selected image.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2011Date of Patent: October 14, 2014Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Yang Chen, David R. Gerwe, Deying Zhang
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Patent number: 8755564Abstract: A system, circuit, and methods for increasing speed of an asynchronous pulse processing based hyperspectral target detection algorithm are disclosed. Stored optimized filter coefficients are used to provide initial filter coefficients. The initial filter coefficients are optimized using an asynchronous pulse processor based hyperspectral detection algorithm to provide optimized filter coefficients, and the optimized filter coefficients are stored.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2011Date of Patent: June 17, 2014Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Vikas Kukshya, Roy Matic, Peter Petre, David R. Gerwe
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Publication number: 20130077821Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing images. A portion of a selected image in which a moving object is present is identified. The selected image is one of a sequence of images. Pixels in a region of interest are identified in the selected image. First values are identified for a first portion of the pixels using the images and first transformations. The first portion of the pixels corresponds to the background in the selected image. A first transformation is configured to align features of the background between one image in the images and the selected image. Second values are identified for a second portion of the pixels using the images and second transformations. The second portion of the pixels corresponds to the moving object in the selected image. A second transformation is configured to align features of the moving object between one image in the images and the selected image.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 27, 2011Publication date: March 28, 2013Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANYInventors: Yang Chen, David R. Gerwe, Deying Zhang
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Patent number: 8280111Abstract: A system, circuit and methods for target detection from hyper-spectral image data are disclosed. Filter coefficients are determined using a modified constrained energy minimization (CEM) method. The modified CEM method can operate on a circuit operable to perform constrained linear programming optimization. A filter comprising the filter coefficients is applied to a plurality of pixels of the hyper-spectral image data to form CEM values for the pixels, and one or more target pixels are identified from the CEM values. The process may be repeated to enhance target recognition by using filter coefficients determined by excluding the identified target pixels from the hyper-spectral image data.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2010Date of Patent: October 2, 2012Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Vikas Kukshya, Jose M. Cruz-Albrecht, Roy Matic, Peter Petre, Mark W. Wolboldt, David R. Gerwe
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Patent number: 8189095Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for providing superresolution imaging of a target, including remote targets. An apparatus for superresolution imaging may include a receiver having a predefined receiving aperture for capturing an image of the target. The apparatus may also include a plurality of transmitters spaced apart from one another and configured to concurrently emit signals with a phase difference therebetween. The plurality of transmitters may be further configured to emit overlapping beams onto the target to produce a fringe pattern modulated at spatial frequencies beyond the resolution limit of the receiving aperture. The apparatus may further include a processor configured to process the image including at least a portion of the fringe pattern in order to produce a superresolved image including spatial frequency content beyond the resolution limit of the receiving aperture. A corresponding method may also be provided.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2008Date of Patent: May 29, 2012Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventor: David R. Gerwe
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Publication number: 20110200225Abstract: A system, circuit and methods for target detection from hyper-spectral image data are disclosed. Filter coefficients are determined using a modified constrained energy minimization (CEM) method. The modified CEM method can operate on a circuit operable to perform constrained linear programming optimization. A filter comprising the filter coefficients is applied to a plurality of pixels of the hyper-spectral image data to form CEM values for the pixels, and one or more target pixels are identified from the CEM values. The process may be repeated to enhance target recognition by using filter coefficients determined by excluding the identified target pixels from the hyper-spectral image data.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 17, 2010Publication date: August 18, 2011Inventors: Vikas Kukshya, Jose M. Cruz-Albrecht, Roy Matic, Peter Petre, Mark W. Wolboldt, David R. Gerwe
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Publication number: 20100110208Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for providing superresolution imaging of a target, including remote targets. An apparatus for superresolution imaging may include a receiver having a predefined receiving aperture for capturing an image of the target. The apparatus may also include a plurality of transmitters spaced apart from one another and configured to concurrently emit signals with a phase difference therebetween. The plurality of transmitters may be further configured to emit overlapping beams onto the target to produce a fringe pattern modulated at spatial frequencies beyond the resolution limit of the receiving aperture. The apparatus may further include a processor configured to process the image including at least a portion of the fringe pattern in order to produce a superresolved image including spatial frequency content beyond the resolution limit of the receiving aperture. A corresponding method may also be provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 30, 2008Publication date: May 6, 2010Applicant: The Boeing CompanyInventor: David R. Gerwe
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System and method for determining optical aberrations in scanning imaging systems by phase diversity
Publication number: 20040099787Abstract: An imaging system and method are provided to detect optical aberrations, such as for a scanning-array imaging system. The imaging system includes an optical system for capturing an image of an object and for focusing the image on a surface generally perpendicular to an optical axis. The imaging system also includes first and second focal plane arrays. The second focal plane array is proximate the first focal plane array, but is optically displaced from the first focal plane array by a predetermined optical path distance along the optical axis and in the in-track direction. The second focal plane array receives a defocused image having a predefined difference in focus relative to the image received by the first focal plane array, and displaced in time from the image received by the first focal plane. By analyzing the images obtained by the focal plane arrays, the imaging system detects optical aberrations.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 25, 2002Publication date: May 27, 2004Applicant: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Jean J. Dolne, David R. Gerwe, Paul S. Idell, Victor Wang