Responsive To Nonvisible Energy Patents (Class 348/162)
  • Publication number: 20110032326
    Abstract: System and method are described for visualization and for display of remote surface measurement areas by capture of both visible and invisible views of image zones of an identified surface measurement area and the mutual display of visible and infrared views of thermal image zones with temperature indication across a panoramic view of the measured area by video.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2010
    Publication date: February 10, 2011
    Inventors: Milton Bernard Hollander, Shahin Baghai
  • Publication number: 20110001829
    Abstract: A multifunctional X-ray reader includes an enclosure assembled from a front and a rear enclosure to define a receiving chamber for receiving at least one circuit board therein; a liquid crystal display (LCD) screen provided on the front enclosure and electrically connected to the circuit board; at least one push-button group arranged on the enclosure and electrically connected to the circuit board; an X-ray film tray outward extendably received in the enclosure for holding an X-ray film thereon; and an image capture unit located in the enclosure to face toward the X-ray film tray and electrically connect to the circuit board. The image capture unit captures an image data from the X-ray film, and the captured image data is displayed on the LCD display screen and simultaneously stored in a memory card held in a memory card holder provided on the enclosure and electrically connected to the circuit board.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2009
    Publication date: January 6, 2011
    Inventor: Jung-Chang LAI
  • Publication number: 20100321501
    Abstract: A device implemented with the present invention senses and converts unseeable electromagnetic (EM) energy such as high frequency radio, infrared, ultraviolet, etc. to an image in the human visual spectrum (red to violet—i.e. the rainbow). The size of the image and quality of the image is improved by rotating or oscillating the sensors in order to scan a broader array of electrometric energy. The electromagnetic radiation detector (EMR) comprises: a sensor circuit that generates EMR signals of the scanned electromagnetic energy of the desired band of electromagnetic spectrum. The EMR detector further comprises processors that convert the EMR signals into image data that is used to generate the visible image of the scanned electromagnetic energy; and a motor that allows the sensor circuit to scan the electromagnetic energy. The sensor circuit may be a plug-in PCB module to allow ready selection of the desired frequency band.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2010
    Publication date: December 23, 2010
    Inventor: Donald J. Arndt
  • Publication number: 20100277592
    Abstract: A read out operation for reading out image data from a conversion circuit irradiated with a radiation, and a read out operation for reading out offset image data from the conversion circuit without irradiated with a radiation are selectively conducted, a control is conducted to repeat at a plurality of times the operation for reading out the offset image data, offset data corresponding to each pixel is extracted from one of the plurality of the offset image data to generate corrective offset image data such that offset data corresponding to all the pixels in a row of the matrix is not extracted from one of the plurality of offset image data, and the corrective offset image data is subtracted from the image data to perform an offset correction to render line noise less noticeable, for an offset correction without line noise by a simple signal processing to be provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2009
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Keigo Yokoyama, Tadao Endo, Toshio Kameshima, Tomoyuki Yagi, Katsuro Takenaka
  • Publication number: 20100277593
    Abstract: In order to detect an image generated by an image source, a mirror arrangement is arranged between the image source and a detector. The mirror arrangement includes two spaced-apart deflection mirrors, which are parallel to each other or form an acute angle of less than 90° between them. In particular when the image source is a scintillator layer, shielding of X-rays from the detector with simultaneous compact dimensioning of the apparatus is achieved in this manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Applicant: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.
    Inventors: Peter SCHMITT, Guenther KOSTKA, Rolf BEHRENDT, Matthias KUBE, Wolfgang GROEGER
  • Publication number: 20100260494
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for a Curvilinear Sensor System are disclosed. The present invention includes a wide variety of generally curved, aspheric or non-planar arrangement of sensors and their equivalents. The curvilinear surfaces, edges or boundaries that define the geometry of the present invention may be continuous, or may be collections or aggregations of many small linear, planar or other segments which are able to approximate a curved line or surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2010
    Publication date: October 14, 2010
    Inventors: Gary Edwin Sutton, Douglas Gene Lockie, Jose Manuel Sasian-Alvarado, William Maynard Barton, JR., Ian Douglas Johnston
  • Patent number: 7808524
    Abstract: A vision-based augmented reality system using an invisible marker indicates an invisible marker on a target object to be tracked, such that it can rapidly and correctly track the target object by detecting the invisible marker. The augmented reality system includes a target object including an infrared marker drawn by an invisible infrared light-emitting material; a visible-ray camera for capturing an image of the TO; an infrared-ray camera for capturing an image of the IM included in the TO image; an optical axis converter for allowing the infrared-ray camera and the visible-ray camera to have the same viewing point; an image processing system for rendering a prepared virtual image to the TO image to generate a new image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Industry-University Cooperation Foundation Hanyang University
    Inventors: Jong-II Park, Han-Hoon Park
  • Publication number: 20100201823
    Abstract: In some implementations, invisible light is emitted toward a subject being imaged in a low-light environment. A camera having a first color image sensor captures an image of the subject. Image processing is used to correct distortion in the image caused by the invisible light, and an augmented color image is output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2009
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Chunhui Zhang, Yasuyuki Matsushita, Yuan Kong, Zicheng Liu
  • Patent number: 7760911
    Abstract: The methods and systems of the present invention enable the estimation of optical flow by performing color segmentation and adaptive bilateral filtering to regularize the flow field to achieve a more accurate flow field estimation. After creating pyramid models for two input image frames, color segmentation is performed. Next, starting from a top level of the pyramid, additive flow vectors are iteratively estimated between the reference frames by a process including occlusion detection, wherein the symmetric property of backward and forward flow is enforced for the non-occluded regions. Next, a final estimated optical flow field is generated by expanding the current pyramid level to the next lower level and the repeating the process until the lowest level is reached. This approach not only generates efficient spatial-coherent flow fields, but also accurately locates flow discontinuities along the motion boundaries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Sarnoff Corporation
    Inventors: Jiangjian Xiao, Hui Cheng
  • Publication number: 20100171835
    Abstract: An object of examination is irradiated with an electromagnetic wave including a frequency component from 30 GHz to 30 THz and a Fourier transform image of the transmitted or reflected electromagnetic wave from the object of examination is obtained. The obtained Fourier transform image is subjected to a spatial frequency filtering processing. This method can visualize only the part to be visualized in an imaging operation using a terahertz wave.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2008
    Publication date: July 8, 2010
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shintaro Kasai, Toshihiko Ouchi
  • Patent number: 7724280
    Abstract: A surveillance system having two specialized surveillance cameras with corresponding specialized illuminators is provided in a dual compartment container that eliminates internal light reflection problems by separating each camera and corresponding illuminator while combining each camera with an alternate illuminator, rendering the system more accurate, yet more compact and suited to unobtrusive placement. Considerable heat is generated by the specialized illuminators, requiring a heat sink to preserve illuminator life expectancy and to prevent the adjacent cameras from being adversely affected by the heat. Another feature enabling the system to work in its compact form despite the heat from the illuminators is that the protective case itself is adapted to be a heat sink for the illuminators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Bosch Security Systems BV
    Inventors: Jack Gin, Dan Hsu
  • Patent number: 7725095
    Abstract: An RF unit comprises a tuner, a demodulator and a mixer. At least the tuner and the mixer are disposed on separate first and second substrates. The RF unit further comprises a housing accommodating the first and second substrates. The first substrate and the second substrate are arranged on different levels inside the housing and maintain a predetermined distance between each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing
    Inventors: Tiam Fatt Tey, Lye Yoong Lum, Feng Lin
  • Publication number: 20100103268
    Abstract: A generator generates a visible light video signal by receiving visible light and generating an invisible light video signal by receiving invisible light. A synthesizer synthesizes the visible light video signal and the invisible light video signal in such a manner that a synthesis ratio can be changed. An adjuster receives parameters relating to image synthesis inputted by an operator from outside and adjusts the synthesis ratio based on the received parameters. A display unit generates a synthetic image from a synthetic video signal and displays the synthetic image. Then, the parameters inputted to the adjuster by the operator are received and the synthesis ratio is changed by the adjuster based on the received parameters while the synthetic image is being displayed by the display unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2009
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Inventor: Katsumi TOKUYAMA
  • Patent number: 7705855
    Abstract: A display system includes a subpixelated display panel having subpixels in two saturated primary colors. In one embodiment, the primary colors are selected so as to be a substantially metameric pair for an achromatic color such as white. Information display efficiencies arise from utilizing a checkerboard arrangement for the two primary colored subpixels and from using subpixel rendering algorithms to render an image on the display. The bichromatic display may display a black and white image combined with a monochromatic image, or may provide the capability to overlay a first image from a first image source carried on a chromatic channel onto a second image from a second image source carried on a luminance channel, where the first image source detects light wavelengths that the Human Vision System is not sensitive to, such as infrared light. This latter embodiment of the bichromatic display system is suitable for night vision devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Candice Hellen Brown Elliott
  • Patent number: 7701378
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of validating a number comprising a plurality of digits, the number having a maximum value, each digit being successively entered by a user during several stages. The method includes a test stage activated when the number of digits entered is equal to that of the maximum value minus a unit. This test consists in comparing the most significant digit entered with the most significant digit of the maximum value. The test validates the set of digits entered when the most significant digit entered is greater than the most significant digit of the maximum value. The invention also relates to a device capable of implementing the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing
    Inventor: Goulven Querre
  • Publication number: 20100054545
    Abstract: In a system and method for displaying properties on an object, an imager is configured to capture an image of an object of interest and generate image data from the captured image, wherein the image data comprise information of the object of interest that cannot be detected by the naked eye, and an image processing unit transforms the imaged data into a viewable format. An image projector displays an image in accordance with the Image data transformed by the image processing unit onto the object of interest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2006
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Inventor: Larry Elliott
  • Patent number: 7612799
    Abstract: An infrared camera, in accordance with one embodiment, includes a housing having disposed therein one or more heating elements; a vent; a sensor for detecting a humidity level and providing a sensor signal indicating the humidity level within the housing; and a logic circuit configured to receive the sensor signal and determine if the humidity level within the housing should be reduced, wherein the logic circuit provides a control signal to switch on at least one of the heating elements if the humidity level should be reduced via the vent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: FLIR Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Frank, Marcel Tremblay, James T. Woolaway
  • Publication number: 20090268031
    Abstract: An electric device enabling the user to visually judge the section of present and amount of a substance absorbing or reflecting ultraviolet radiation. The electric device comprises an image detecting portion (6, 66, 127, 149) for receiving ultraviolet radiation and detecting an image from the received ultraviolet radiation and a display section (2, 32, 42, 52, 62, 82, 92, 102, 126, 147, 172) for displaying ultraviolet radiation information created from the image formed by the detected ultraviolet radiation by the image detecting portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2006
    Publication date: October 29, 2009
    Inventors: Kazunari Honma, Mamoru Arimoto, Hitoshi Hirano, Satoru Shimada
  • Patent number: 7609291
    Abstract: A device and method for producing an enhanced color image of a scene of interest captures a grayscale image of the scene of interest using a flash of infrared light and a color image of the scene of interest without using any flash of infrared light. The grayscale information from the grayscale image and the visible color information from the color image are combined to produce the enhanced color image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: Avago Technologies ECBU IP (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Chin Hin Oon, Kean Loo Keh, Farn Hin Chen, Eit Thian Yap, Gim Eng Chew, Kee Yean Ng, Thye Linn Mok, Wool Kin Goon, Rene P. Helbing, Janet Bee Yin Chua
  • Publication number: 20090256915
    Abstract: A radiation image capturing system includes at least one image capturing apparatus including a radiation detector, at least one image capturing apparatus including a stimulable phosphor panel for generating radiation image information, which is readable by an image reading apparatus, and at least one control device for controlling at least the image capturing apparatus and the image reading apparatus based on image capturing instruction information supplied from an external source. The control device includes a change setting unit for changing settings of the image capturing instruction information depending on whether the image capturing apparatus and the image reading apparatus are usable or not, and a controller for controlling the image capturing apparatus and the image reading apparatus based on the changed settings of the image capturing instruction information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Publication date: October 15, 2009
    Applicant: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Daiki Harada, Naoki Mochizuki, Yasunori Ohta, Hiroshi Fukuda, Kazuharu Ueta, Eiichi Kito, Naoyuki Nishino
  • Publication number: 20090160941
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus with adjustable imaging plane, said apparatus having mechanical, electronic or optical means to adjust the position and the orientation of the imaging plane, which successively captures a plurality of images while adjusting the imaging plane, and a method to integrate the captured images to a single high-resolution image by exploration of the mutual information not available in a single image, such as the sub-pixel observations due to the spatial misalignment, thus achieving an image resolution higher than the senor resolution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2007
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Inventors: Zhaohui Sun, Majid Rabbani
  • Publication number: 20090091621
    Abstract: A digital camera is capable of sensing ultraviolet (UV) intensity. The digital camera includes an UV processing module, a memory, a microprocessor, and a power management module. The UV processing module measures outside UV, so as to generate an UV intensity value and output the UV intensity value to the microprocessor, such that the microprocessor compares the UV intensity value with an UV index (UVI) table stored in the memory to output a comparison value, and the UVI is then displayed on a display. The power management module activates a power management mode according to the comparison value, so as to turn off the power of the camera according to the time-counting about the UV intensity, thereby warning a user of the camera.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2008
    Publication date: April 9, 2009
    Applicant: ALTEK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hsiang-Yin CHEN, Chun-Ming CHEN
  • Publication number: 20090086026
    Abstract: A radiation image capturing apparatus includes: a radiation detector for detecting charge information; an analog multiplexer for passing an analog charge information signal read out from each pixel of the radiation detector, alternately in a first order and a second order opposite to the first order; an analog signal amplifier for amplifying the analog charge information signal; an analog/digital converter for converting the analog charge information signal to a corresponding digital charge information signal; and a signal correcting unit for using one of a first digital charge information signal corresponding to the analog charge information signal that has passed through the analog multiplexer in the first order and a second digital charge information signal corresponding to the analog charge information signal that has passed through the analog multiplexer in the second order, to correct the other of the first digital charge information signal and the second digital charge information signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Applicant: FUJIFILM CORPORATION
    Inventor: Koji WATANABE
  • Publication number: 20090040310
    Abstract: A solid-state image pickup device according to the present invention has a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements and a plurality of switching elements. The photoelectric conversion element is formed above at least one switching element, and a shielding electrode layer is disposed between the switching elements and the photoelectric conversion elements. Further, a radiation image pickup device according to the present invention has a radiation conversion layer for directly converting radiation into electric charges, and a plurality of switching elements, and has the radiation conversion layer formed above one or more switching elements, and a shielding electrode layer disposed between the switching elements and the radiation conversion layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2008
    Publication date: February 12, 2009
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Keiichi Nomura, Masakazu Morishita, Chiori Mochizuki, Minoru Watanabe, Takamasa Ishii
  • Patent number: 7483213
    Abstract: An image combining viewer transmits a daylight image directly through the viewer, while reflecting at least one wavelength other than visible light towards a sensor. A display for displaying the image received by the sensor in a visible wavelength is reflected by the back surface of the mirror back along the optical path, combining the displayed image with the daylight image so that they appear to be a single image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: Omnitech Partners
    Inventor: Eugene Pochapsky
  • Patent number: 7482909
    Abstract: In a night vision device for motor vehicles having at least one night vision camera, a control unit and a display unit for displaying a night vision image, the control unit is designed to ascertain and display assister markings for longitudinal and/or lateral guidance while driving the motor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Karsten Haug
  • Patent number: 7483049
    Abstract: During a sporting or similar event, participants and objects are automatically tracked using a scalable matrix of fixed, non-adjustable overhead cameras that form a view of the entire performance area. The participants and objects are identified with attached visible or non-visible markers that are detected using image analysis. A real-time database of two-dimensional movement locations is created from the resulting information, which is then used to automatically direct multiple fixed, adjustable side-view cameras for capturing and recording the event. Image analysis of this side-view video detects additional markers providing a three-dimensional model of the participants and objects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Inventors: James A. Aman, William R. Haller
  • Patent number: 7466345
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes a sensor array, readout apparatus, and control circuit. The readout apparatus includes first LPFs arranged in correspondence with signal lines, an analog multiplexer, and a second LPF. The cut-off frequencies of the first and second LPFs can be switched on two stages, and the control circuit switches the cut-off frequencies of the first and second LPFs in accordance with the imaging mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshio Kameshima, Tadao Endo, Tomoyuki Yagi, Katsuro Takenaka
  • Publication number: 20080297602
    Abstract: An application device operated by infrared (IR) sensing is provided. The application device includes a camera module and an IR sensor. The camera module has a storage unit and is suitable for receiving an enable signal to activate a recording so as to produce an image data. The IR sensor is suitable for sensing whether an IR signal is interrupted, or sensing whether there is an IR radiation in a detecting area of the IR sensor. When the IR sensor senses the IR signal is interrupted or detects an IR radiation from the detecting area of the IR sensor, the IR sensor activates a switch to transmit an enable signal to the camera module so as to start recording image data into the storage unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2007
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Applicant: APPRO TECHNOLOGY INC.
    Inventor: Ching-Shan Chang
  • Publication number: 20080252731
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a method and camera for obtaining a high-contrast image of a predetermined target present in an area under observation. The method involves obtaining an in-band image of the observation area including the target using a filter whose bands are aligned with selected characteristic wavelength bands of the target and an out-of-band image of the observation area excluding the target using the filter with its bands non-aligned with the selected characteristic wavelength bands of the target. Processing of the in-band and out-of-band images results in a high-contrast image highlighting the presence of the target in the observation area and thereby allowing its detection and monitoring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2006
    Publication date: October 16, 2008
    Applicant: Photon Etc. Inc.
    Inventors: Sebastien Blais-Ouellette, Ed Wishnow
  • Patent number: 7362215
    Abstract: A system and method for monitoring the surroundings of a vehicle, having sensors for detecting characteristics of the surroundings and means for processing the detected information. The sensors are optical sensors, at least two sensors are provided, the sensors operate in the wide-angle range, and the means for processing the detected information deliver spatial information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Holger Janssen
  • Patent number: 7343278
    Abstract: A facility for determining the 3-dimensional location and orientation of a subject surface in a distinguished perspective image of the subject surface is described. The subject surface has innate visual features, a subset of which are selected. The facility uses the location of the selected visual features in a perspective image of the subject surface that precedes the distinguished perspective image in time to identify search zones in the distinguished perspective image. The facility searches the identified search zones for the selected visual features to determine the 2-dimensional locations at which the selected visual features occur. Based on the determined 2-dimensional locations, the facility determines the 3-dimensional location and orientation of the subject surface in the distinguished perspective image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2008
    Assignee: ARToolWorks, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark N. Billinghurst, Hirokazu Kato
  • Patent number: 7333129
    Abstract: A fire detection system for an enclosed area comprises: at least one infrared (IR) imager for generating infrared images of at least a portion of the enclosed area, for determining from the images that a fire is perceived present in the enclosed area, and for generating a first signal indicative of the perceived presence of fire; at least one fire detector for monitoring at least a portion of the enclosed area, the fire detector comprising at least one fire byproduct chemical sensor for generating at least one second signal representative of the presence of at least one fire byproduct chemical in the enclosed area; and a controller governed by the first and second signals to confirm that a fire is present in the enclosed area. In one embodiment, the enclosed area is divided into a plurality of detection zones with at least one fire detector disposed at each detection zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: Rosemount Aerospace Inc.
    Inventors: Mark S. Miller, Thomas G. Wiegele
  • Publication number: 20080006892
    Abstract: A photoelectric conversion device comprises a first semiconductor region of a first conductivity type; a second semiconductor region of a second conductivity type serving as a photoelectric conversion element together with a part of the first semiconductor region; a gate electrode transferring electric carriers generated in the photoelectric conversion element to a third semiconductor region of the second conductivity type. Moreover, the photoelectric conversion device comprises an isolation region for electrically isolating the second semiconductor region from a fourth semiconductor region of the second conductivity type adjacent to the second semiconductor region. Wiring for applying voltage to the gate electrode is arranged on the isolation region. Here, a fifth semiconductor region of the second conductivity type having an impurity concentration lower than that of the fourth semiconductor region is provided between the fourth semiconductor region and the isolation region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2007
    Publication date: January 10, 2008
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Ken-Ichiro URA, Yoshihiko FUKUMOTO, Yuzo KATAOKA
  • Publication number: 20070291120
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention comprise methods and systems for identifying uniformly colored regions in a digital image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2006
    Publication date: December 20, 2007
    Inventors: Richard John Campbell, Toyohisa Matsuda, Lawrence Shao-hsien Chen
  • Publication number: 20070279525
    Abstract: A system for increasing component longevity in a display device includes: a display device; a sensor for detecting an audience associated with the display device; and a control subsystem connected to the sensor. The control subsystem is configured to deactivate at least one component of the display device when no audience is detected by the sensor. A method of increasing component longevity includes determining the presence or absence of an audience with respect to a display device; and deactivating at least one component of the display device when the audience associated with the display device is not present.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2006
    Publication date: December 6, 2007
    Inventors: Kuohua Wu, David L. Erickson
  • Publication number: 20070272837
    Abstract: A vehicle occupant detection device includes light-receiving elements for receiving light from a vehicle interior, and a signal processing part for processing a signal detected by the light detecting elements. A vehicle occupant in the vehicle interior is detected by the signal detecting part on the basis of an image signal obtained by the light-receiving elements. The vehicle occupant detection device has a band-pass filter, which has a frequency range whose transmission band is substantially the same as a sunlight absorption spectrum band, and in which a wavelength of the light received by the light-receiving element is selected in accordance with the transmission band. An object that is to be detected and is present in the vehicle interior is accordingly imaged/detected by the vehicle occupant detection device using a certain wavelength region of near infrared light, and decreases in contrast in relation with sunlight are eliminated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2007
    Publication date: November 29, 2007
    Applicant: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masashi Yoshifuku, Naotaka Kumakiri, Takashi Furukawa
  • Patent number: 7053928
    Abstract: A system (100) for combining multi-spectral images of a scene (102) is disclosed. The system (100) is compatible with a viewing system (104) for viewing the scene (102) in a first spectral range. The viewing system (104) has an objective lens (110), an image intensifier (112) and viewing optics (114). There is a detector (128) for viewing the scene (102) in a second spectral band. The detector (128) has an image output (129) representative of the viewed scene. A display (132) for receiving and displaying the image output is provided. There is a collimator (134) for receiving and projecting the displayed image. A beam mixer (118) is provided for receiving both the viewed scene in the first spectral band and the displayed image and conveying the combined images to the viewing system (104) to construct the combined multi-spectral images of the scene. The system may also be used stand-alone without the viewing system (104).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: Litton Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Clifford James Connors, Michael Jude Iosue, Timothy Everett Ostromek
  • Patent number: 7015944
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for improving visibility in a vehicle, especially in darkness, bad weather and fog, including one or more laser headlights radiating laser light of a wavelength outside the visible spectrum into a predetermined solid angle area ahead of the vehicle, a camera which is sensitive outside the visible spectrum and used for taking images of current traffic scenes, as well as an optical display system in the vehicle for reproducing the captured images in the visible spectrum. According to the present invention, provision is made for at least two different types of laser headlights which each illuminate different parts of the solid angle area to be observed to produce an angle-dependent radiation pattern of the laser light in a simple manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Michael Holz, Edgar Weidel
  • Patent number: 6982743
    Abstract: Provided is a multispectral and omnidirectional imaging sensor and system that produces improved surround awareness, as well as methods of use therefor. The multispectral omnidirectional optical sensor device comprises a series of view and reflecting mirrors for splitting the electromagnetic spectrum into two or more electromagnetic wavelength bands; in combination with a plurality of cameras that are spaced relative to the reflecting mirrors. Each camera senses one of the wavelength bands or the resulting signal passing through the mirrors and creates an image thereof (focussed on the same view), so that each image is automatically registered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2006
    Assignee: Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania
    Inventors: Kostas Danilidis, Elli Angelopoulou, Vijay Kumar
  • Patent number: 6972787
    Abstract: An object is tracked with a plurality of cameras, at least one of which is sensitive to both visible and invisible light. An invisible light illuminator attached to the object reflects a target of invisible light. At least one camera processes the invisible light. A command module then selects and activates one of the cameras based on the satisfaction of a triggering condition, which may be based upon appearance, proximity, orientation, position, or any other characteristic of the illuminator with respect to the cameras.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2005
    Assignee: Digeo, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul G. Allen, James A. Billmaier, Robert E. Novak, Matthew Regan
  • Patent number: 6940539
    Abstract: Described herein is a cable length compensator for inclusion in video imaging systems such as X-ray video imaging systems. When such systems are installed at sites of use, cables must generally be installed in the signal path, and the lengths of these cables—which can affect signal resolution—generally cannot be predicted prior to the time of installation. The cable compensator may be situated in the signal path along with the cable to compensate the signal for the effects of the cable so that the desired gain is provided across the desired range of signal frequencies. The compensator includes a low frequency compensation path and a high frequency compensation path, wherein the low frequency compensation path provides a simple gain adjustment to low frequency signals and the high frequency path provides gain adjustment dependent on both signal frequency and cable length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Alexander Y. Tokman, Manfred D. Boehm
  • Patent number: 6919917
    Abstract: A device for monitoring the environment of a vehicle being parked, which is used for reliably detecting objects in the way, and which makes it possible to calculate parking maneuvers. The device includes at least one video camera having laterally arranged object-detection sensors, which cover areas that are not recorded by the video camera. In this manner, the driver can be supplied in a simple manner with warnings, even though a putative obstacle is not detectable in the video image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2005
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Holger Janssen
  • Patent number: 6873361
    Abstract: An image sensor (21) has a plurality of chips (31). Each chip (31) has a plurality of converter (33) for converting incident beams into electric signals and a plurality of electric signal storages (35). The converters (33) are arranged in one row or a plurality of rows in the vicinity of the first end portion (31a) of the chip (31). Each electric signal storage (35) extends from the converter (33) to the second end portion (31b) opposite to the first end portion (31a). The first end portion (31a) of each chip (31) is shifted relative to the first end portion (31a) of an adjacent chip (31) so that the row of the converters (33) of the respective chips (31) are stepwise exposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Assignees: Takeharu Etoh, Shimadzu Corporation
    Inventor: Takeharu Etoh
  • Patent number: 6803944
    Abstract: The invader detector has a fixing portion attached and fixed within a vehicle, a sensor containing portion for enclosing an ultrasonic sensor for detecting an invader into the vehicle, and an angular displacement shaft for angularly displacing the sensor containing portion. The sensor containing portion can be driven to a detection position for detecting the invader into the vehicle or a storage position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: Fujitsu Ten Limited
    Inventors: Kouji Oku, Shinji Yakura, Seiji Akiyama
  • Publication number: 20040196371
    Abstract: The close region image extraction device according to the present invention ensures robustness during outdoor usage and acquires close region images at the field rate. This device comprises a color camera for taking color moving images; an infrared light source for irradiating a nearby object OB with infrared light; an infrared camera for alternately acquiring a lit infrared image and an unlit infrared image; an absolute value differential image acquiring section for acquiring an absolute value differential image for the lit infrared image and unlit infrared image; a close region image extraction section for extracting a close region image from the absolute value differential image; and an object image extraction section for extracting an object image that represents the nearby object from the close region image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2003
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Applicant: Nara Institute of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Yasuyuki Kono, Masatsugu Kidode, Takahiro Ueoka, Tatsuyuki Kawamura
  • Publication number: 20040183899
    Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a pipe probing apparatus comprising a running member which moves forward and backward in a cylindrical pipe while pulling a cable and which includes a camera with a lens, the pipe probing apparatus enabling the position of the camera to be easily adjusted in accordance with the size of the pipe, enabling a hollow located over the pipe to be monitored, and being capable of running smoothly during the forward or backward movement. The present invention provides a pipe probing apparatus comprising a running member which moves forward and backward in a cylindrical pipe and which includes a camera with a lens, the running member being provided with a link mechanism that uses an elevating and lowering adjust means to integrally elevate and lower the camera and a radar device located above the camera. Moreover, the radar device can be independently elevated and lowered.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2004
    Publication date: September 23, 2004
    Applicant: Murata Kikai Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takeshi Shiota
  • Patent number: 6765609
    Abstract: A solid-state image sensor, which has a two-dimensional matrix of a plurality of pixels used to sense the two-dimensional spatial distribution of radioactive rays, light rays, electrons, ions, or the like, is provided with an aperture that extends through a substrate at an image sensing unit on which the pixels are arranged, and a signal transfer path that connects signal transfer electrodes for reading images of the respective pixels kept clear of the aperture. Furthermore, the image sensing unit is divided into at least two regions by a boundary including the aperture, and these regions have individual signal read registers. With this structure, the image sensor serves as both an image sensor for sensing the two-dimensional distribution of radiation or the like, and an aperture for passing such radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: Hamamatsu Photonics K.K.
    Inventor: Katsuyuki Kinoshita
  • Publication number: 20040066453
    Abstract: An imaging system, comprising a foil, which is manufactured from a electrically insulating foil material, the foil being provided with a plurality of channels of a first kind which are substantially perpendicular to a foil surface, in each channel of the first kind at least one electrophoretic medium of a first kind being included, a visual exterior of the electrophoretic medium of the first kind being dependent on an electric field applied over the electrophoretic medium of the first kind, characterized in that the foil material is optically transparent and each channel of the first kind extends from a foil surface located on a control side over a part of the thickness of the foil in the direction of a foil surface located on the view side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2003
    Publication date: April 8, 2004
    Inventors: Matheus Adrianus Dam, Martinus Theodorus M. Knaven, Eghert Schroten
  • Patent number: 6707488
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for detecting a moving target in an observed environment wherein the observed environment includes the moving target and a scattering background. In the method, radiation is transmitted at the observed environment, and radiation is received from the observed environment. Temporal resolution channels are formed from both the transmitted and received radiation. The temporal resolution channels are coherently mixed and then averaged in time to produce an average integral coherent component channel. A non-coherent integral channel is formed from the received radiation. The average integral coherent component channel is normalized using the non-coherent integral channel to produce normalized components. The normalized components are compared and the presence of the moving target is determined based on the result of the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Inventors: Avtandil N. Anuashvili, Nowshade Kabir