Patents by Inventor H. Keith Nishihara

H. Keith Nishihara 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).

  • Publication number: 20180092580
    Abstract: A method for determining oxygen saturation includes emitting light from sources into tissue; detecting the light by detectors subsequent to reflection; and generating reflectance data based on detecting the light. The method includes determining a first subset of simulated reflectance curves from a set of simulated reflectance curves stored in a tissue oximetry device for a coarse grid; and fitting the reflectance data points to the first subset of simulated reflectance curves to determine a closest fitting one of the simulated reflectance curves. The method includes determining a second subset of simulated reflectance curves for a fine grid based on the closest fitting one of the simulated reflectance curves; determining a peak of absorption and reflection coefficients from the fine grid; and determining an absorption and a reflectance coefficient for the reflectance data points by performing a weighted average of the absorption coefficients and reflection coefficients from the peak.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2017
    Publication date: April 5, 2018
    Inventors: Kate LeeAnn Bechtel, H. Keith Nishihara
  • Publication number: 20180065642
    Abstract: An occupant support adapted for use in a vehicle includes a sensory system and a control system. The sensor system is configured to generate signals indicative of at least one of a physiological characteristic of the occupant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2017
    Publication date: March 8, 2018
    Inventors: Dale J. FRYE, James T. HOTARY, Cedric KETELS, Rudy K. YUKICH, Houstin L. LICHTENWALNER, H. Keith NISHIHARA
  • Patent number: 9696808
    Abstract: One embodiment of the invention includes a method of providing device inputs. The method includes illuminating hand gestures performed via a bare hand of a user in a foreground of a background surface with at least one infrared (IR) light source. The method also includes generating a first plurality of silhouette images associated with the bare hand based on an IR light contrast between the bare hand and the background surface and generating a second plurality of silhouette images associated with the bare hand based on an IR light contrast between the bare hand and the background surface. The method also includes determining a plurality of three-dimensional features of the bare hand relative to the background surface based on a parallax separation of the bare hand in the first plurality of silhouette images relative to the second plurality of silhouette images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation
    Inventors: H. Keith Nishihara, Shi-Ping Hsu, Adrian Kaehler, Lars Jangaard
  • Patent number: 9658765
    Abstract: One embodiment of the invention includes a computer interface system. The system comprises a user interface screen configured to display visual content and an input system configured to detect a presence of an input object within a threshold distance along a normal axis of the user interface screen. The system further comprises a graphical controller configured to magnify a portion of the visual content that is located at an approximate location of a base of the normal axis on the user interface screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation
    Inventors: H. Keith Nishihara, Shi-Ping Hsu, Adrian Kaehler, Eric Gradman, Kjerstin Williams
  • Publication number: 20160262665
    Abstract: A method for determining oxygen saturation includes emitting light from sources into tissue; detecting the light by detectors subsequent to reflection; and generating reflectance data based on detecting the light. The method includes determining a first subset of simulated reflectance curves from a set of simulated reflectance curves stored in a tissue oximetry device for a coarse grid; and fitting the reflectance data points to the first subset of simulated reflectance curves to determine a closest fitting one of the simulated reflectance curves. The method includes determining a second subset of simulated reflectance curves for a fine grid based on the closest fitting one of the simulated reflectance curves; determining a peak of absorption and reflection coefficients from the fine grid; and determining an absorption and a reflectance coefficient for the reflectance data points by performing a weighted average of the absorption coefficients and reflection coefficients from the peak.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2016
    Publication date: September 15, 2016
    Inventors: Kate LeeAnn Bechtel, H. Keith Nishihara
  • Patent number: 9377874
    Abstract: A system and method is provided for a gesture recognition interface system. The system comprises a projector configured to project colorless light and visible images onto a background surface. The projection of the colorless light can be interleaved with the projection of the visible images. The system also comprises at least one camera configured to receive a plurality of images based on a reflected light contrast difference between the background surface and a sensorless input object during projection of the colorless light. The system further comprises a controller configured to determine a given input gesture based on changes in relative locations of the sensorless input object in the plurality of images, and being further configured to initiate a device input associated with the given input gesture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth W. Aull, H Keith Nishihara, Shi-Ping Hsu
  • Patent number: 9369646
    Abstract: Examples of systems and methods to provide estimates of dark current for pixels of a photosensor as a function of the temperature of the sensor and the gain applied to the photosensor are described. In various implementations, the dark current estimated for each pixel can depend at least partly on a global scale factor and a global bias that depend on temperature and gain and a temperature-independent and gain-independent offset value for each pixel. The scale, bias, and offsets may be determined from multiple dark field images taken by the sensor over a range of operating temperatures. In some cases, the scale and bias can be determined using a subset of less than all the image pixels. Scale and bias derived for a particular sensor can be used in the calibration of different sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: Skybox Imaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Chwen-Yuan Ku, H. Keith Nishihara, M. Dirk Robinson
  • Patent number: 9345439
    Abstract: A method for determining oxygen saturation includes emitting light from sources into tissue; detecting the light by detectors subsequent to reflection; and generating reflectance data based on detecting the light. The method includes determining a first subset of simulated reflectance curves from a set of simulated reflectance curves stored in a tissue oximetry device for a coarse grid; and fitting the reflectance data points to the first subset of simulated reflectance curves to determine a closest fitting one of the simulated reflectance curves. The method includes determining a second subset of simulated reflectance curves for a fine grid based on the closest fitting one of the simulated reflectance curves; determining a peak of absorption and reflection coefficients from the fine grid; and determining an absorption and a reflectance coefficient for the reflectance data points by performing a weighted average of the absorption coefficients and reflection coefficients from the peak.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: ViOptix, Inc.
    Inventors: Kate LeeAnn Bechtel, H. Keith Nishihara
  • Publication number: 20150319385
    Abstract: Examples of systems and methods to provide estimates of dark current for pixels of a photosensor as a function of the temperature of the sensor and the gain applied to the photosensor are described. In various implementations, the dark current estimated for each pixel can depend at least partly on a global scale factor and a global bias that depend on temperature and gain and a temperature-independent and gain-independent offset value for each pixel. The scale, bias, and offsets may be determined from multiple dark field images taken by the sensor over a range of operating temperatures. In some cases, the scale and bias can be determined using a subset of less than all the image pixels. Scale and bias derived for a particular sensor can be used in the calibration of different sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2015
    Publication date: November 5, 2015
    Inventors: Chwen-Yuan Ku, H. Keith Nishihara, M. Dirk Robinson
  • Patent number: 9171445
    Abstract: A network of interreporting participant stations configured to monitor and analyze station movement such that activity levels of the individual stations can be determined and reported across the network to alert participant stations whenever the activity level of any one of the participant stations has dropped to a pre-determined level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Inventors: H Keith Nishihara, Neil D. Hunt, Catherine Lu, Julie Raymond
  • Publication number: 20150179040
    Abstract: A network of interreporting participant stations configured to monitor and analyze station movement such that activity levels of the individual stations can be determined and reported across the network to alert participant stations whenever the activity level of any one of the participant stations has dropped to a pre-determined level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2014
    Publication date: June 25, 2015
    Inventors: H. Keith Nishihara, Neil D. Hunt, Catherine Lu, Julie Raymond
  • Patent number: 9019239
    Abstract: Creative design systems and methods are disclosed. In one embodiment, a creative design system is provided. The creative design system comprises a high resolution display, an interactive stylus that includes a transmitter at a tip of the interactive stylus that transmits an encoded signal associated with the interactive stylus and a plurality of sensors that track movement of the interactive stylus over the high resolution display by capturing and decoding the transmitted encoded signal as the stylus moves over the high resolution display. A creative design controller is configured to display sketches of context in response to the tracking of the movement of the interactive stylus over the high resolution display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation
    Inventors: H. Keith Nishihara, Shi-Ping Hsu, Donald G. Lariviere
  • Patent number: 8972902
    Abstract: One embodiment of the invention includes a method for executing and interpreting gesture inputs in a gesture recognition interface system. The method includes detecting and translating a first sub-gesture into a first device input that defines a given reference associated with a portion of displayed visual content. The method also includes detecting and translating a second sub-gesture into a second device input that defines an execution command for the portion of the displayed visual content to which the given reference refers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation
    Inventors: H. Keith Nishihara, Shi-Ping Hsu, Adrian Kaehler, Bran Ferren, Lars Jangaard
  • Patent number: 8820644
    Abstract: A hand held device containing at least one camera can perform various functions. In some embodiments, the optical path between the lens and the optical sensor may be redirected at least once to allow it to fit within the body of a narrow device. For example, at least one reflector or beam combiner may be used to redirect the light so that part of the optical path is perpendicular to another part of the optical path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Bran Ferren, H. Keith Nishihara
  • Publication number: 20130317331
    Abstract: A method for determining oxygen saturation includes emitting light from sources into tissue; detecting the light by detectors subsequent to reflection; and generating reflectance data based on detecting the light. The method includes determining a first subset of simulated reflectance curves from a set of simulated reflectance curves stored in a tissue oximetry device for a coarse grid; and fitting the reflectance data points to the first subset of simulated reflectance curves to determine a closest fitting one of the simulated reflectance curves. The method includes determining a second subset of simulated reflectance curves for a fine grid based on the closest fitting one of the simulated reflectance curves; determining a peak of absorption and reflection coefficients from the fine grid; and determining an absorption and a reflectance coefficient for the reflectance data points by performing a weighted average of the absorption coefficients and reflection coefficients from the peak.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2013
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Applicant: ViOptix, Inc.
    Inventors: Kate LeeAnn Bechtel, H. Keith Nishihara
  • Patent number: 8589824
    Abstract: A system and method is provided for a gesture recognition interface system. The interface system may comprise a first and second light source positioned to illuminate a background surface. The interface system may also comprise at least one camera operative to receive a first plurality of images based on a first reflected light contrast difference between the background surface and a sensorless input object caused by the first light source and a second plurality of images based on a second reflected light contrast difference between the background surface and the sensorless input object caused by the second light source. The interface system may further comprise a controller operative to determine a given input gesture based on changes in relative locations of the sensorless input object in the first plurality of images and the second plurality of images. The controller may further be operative to initiate a device input associated with the given input gesture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation
    Inventors: William Daniel Hillis, H Keith Nishihara, Shi-Ping Hsu
  • Publication number: 20130271628
    Abstract: Examples of systems and methods to provide estimates of dark current for pixels of a photosensor as a function of the temperature of the sensor and the gain applied to the photosensor are described. In various implementations, the dark current estimated for each pixel can depend at least partly on a global scale factor and a global bias that depend on temperature and gain and a temperature-independent and gain-independent offset value for each pixel. The scale, bias, and offsets may be determined from multiple dark field images taken by the sensor over a range of operating temperatures. In some cases, the scale and bias can be determined using a subset of less than all the image pixels. Scale and bias derived for a particular sensor can be used in the calibration of different sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2012
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Applicant: SKYBOX IMAGING, INC.
    Inventors: Chwen-Yuan Ku, H. Keith Nishihara, M. Dirk Robinson
  • Patent number: 8432448
    Abstract: A system and method is provided for an intrusion detection system. The intrusion detection system comprises a first camera configured to acquire first visual images of a monitored area and a second camera configured to acquire second visual images of the monitored area. The intrusion detection system also comprises a detection device configured to compare the first images with a background image of the monitored area. The detection device can mark differences between the first images and the background image as a potential intruder. The intrusion detection system further comprises a tracking device configured to evaluate each of the first images relative to each of the second images to determine three-dimensional characteristics associated with the potential intruder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Chris Hassapis, H. Keith Nishihara
  • Patent number: 8345920
    Abstract: One embodiment of the invention includes a gesture recognition interface system. The interface system may comprise at least one light source positioned to illuminate a first side of a light-diffusive screen. The interface system may also comprise at least one camera positioned on a second side of the light-diffusive screen, the second side being opposite the first side, and configured to receive a plurality of images based on a brightness contrast difference between the light-diffusive screen and an input object. The interface system may further comprise a controller configured to determine a given input gesture based on changes in relative locations of the input object in the plurality of images. The controller may further be configured to initiate a device input associated with the given input gesture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Bran Ferren, H. Keith Nishihara
  • Patent number: 8234578
    Abstract: A system and method is provided for a collaboration input/output (I/O) system. The collaboration I/O system may comprise a display screen and a gesture image system. The gesture image system may be configured to generate image data associated with a location and an orientation of a first sensorless input object relative to a background surface. The collaboration I/O system may also comprise a transceiver. The transceiver could be configured to transmit the image data to at least one additional collaboration I/O system at at least one remote location. The transceiver can be further configured to receive image data from each of the at least one additional collaboration I/O system, such that the display screen can be configured to display the image data associated with a location and orientation of a sensorless input object associated with each of the at least one additional collaboration I/O system superimposed over a common image of visual data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Systems Corporatiom
    Inventors: Bran Ferren, H Keith Nishihara