With Linear Array Patents (Class 348/166)
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Patent number: 11805221Abstract: Various embodiments disclosed herein describe a divided-aperture infrared spectral imaging (DAISI) system that is adapted to acquire multiple IR images of a scene with a single-shot (also referred to as a snapshot). The plurality of acquired images having different wavelength compositions that are obtained generally simultaneously. The system includes at least two optical channels that are spatially and spectrally different from one another. Each of the at least two optical channels are configured to transfer IR radiation incident on the optical system towards an optical FPA unit comprising at least two detector arrays. One of the at least two detector arrays comprises a cooled mid-wavelength infra-red FPA. The system further comprises at least one temperature reference source or surface that is used to dynamically calibrate the two detector arrays and compensate for a temperature difference between the two detector arrays.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2020Date of Patent: October 31, 2023Assignee: REBELLION PHOTONICS, INC.Inventors: Robert Timothy Kester, Nathan Adrian Hagen
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Patent number: 11442128Abstract: During the delivery of thermal therapy, the measured temperature at each pixel in a cross-sectional temperature slice of a multi-pixel thermal image is compared to a maximum temperature limit. When the measured temperature of a pixel is higher than the maximum temperature limit for a predetermined number of consecutive cross-sectional temperature slices, the pixel is masked if the absolute value of the average difference between the measured temperature at the pixel and the measured temperatures at the pixel's neighbors is greater than a maximum temperature variation. The measured temperature of the masked pixel is ignored in subsequent cross-sectional temperature slices until the delivery of thermal therapy is complete.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2019Date of Patent: September 13, 2022Assignee: Profound Medical Inc.Inventors: Alexandre Bigot, Benjamin Yat-Chung Leung
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Patent number: 10255890Abstract: A display controller for reducing display noise includes a memory configured to store frame data including M-lines of data, where M is an integer of at least 2; a data size controller configured to variably adjust a size of data transmitted to the display device; and a display driving circuit configured to read data corresponding to the data size from the memory and transmit the data to the display device.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 2016Date of Patent: April 9, 2019Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Bo Young Kim, Min Chul Kim, Hong Sik Park
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Patent number: 10148927Abstract: Digital camera systems and methods are described that provide a color digital camera with direct luminance detection. The luminance signals are obtained directly from a broadband image sensor channel without interpolation of RGB data. The chrominance signals are obtained from one or more additional image sensor channels comprising red and/or blue color band detection capability. The red and blue signals are directly combined with the luminance image sensor channel signals. The digital camera generates and outputs an image in YCrCb color space by directly combining outputs of the broadband, red and blue sensors.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2016Date of Patent: December 4, 2018Assignee: Callahan Cellular L.L.C.Inventors: Richard Ian Olsen, James Gates, Darryl L. Sato
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Patent number: 9007466Abstract: A method for thermographic imaging is described. The method captures a plurality of thermal images of a surface of an object, at non-linear intervals over a period of time, each of the thermal images being associated with temporal data. The method then processes the plurality of thermal images and the temporal data, and identifies features within the object based on the processing.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2011Date of Patent: April 14, 2015Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Bryon Edward Knight, Donald Robert Howard, Harry Israel Ringermacher
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Patent number: 8976249Abstract: Technologies and implementations for capturing images from IR signals are generally disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2011Date of Patent: March 10, 2015Assignee: Empire Technology Development LLCInventor: Seungil Kim
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Publication number: 20150009337Abstract: A buffered direct injection pixel is disclosed that includes a photodiode for receiving an input signal, a direct injection transistor associated with the photodiode, and a Sackinger current minor coupled with the direct injection transistor, providing reduced size, low noise and low power, as compared to prior art buffered direct injection pixels.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 8, 2013Publication date: January 8, 2015Inventor: Lin Minlong
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Patent number: 8896701Abstract: An active infrared sensor may include an imaging infrared sensor to provide an output signal conveying time-sequential infrared images of a scene which includes a subject, a beam generator to generate a millimeter wave energy beam, and a processor. An initial infrared image of the scene may be stored in a memory. After storing the initial infrared image, the beam generator may illuminate the subject with the millimeter wave energy beam. A temperature change across the subject due to the millimeter wave energy beam may be estimated based on the output signal and the stored initial infrared image. The beam generator may stop illuminating the subject when a highest temperature change across the subject is at least equal to a predetermined temperature change limit.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2010Date of Patent: November 25, 2014Assignee: Ratheon CompanyInventors: Kenneth W. Brown, David R. Sar, James R. Gallivan, Wilkie M. Phillips
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Patent number: 8854471Abstract: Disclosed herein are an infrared (IR) sensor and a sensing method using the same, in which disturbance by an external luminous object is removed using the IR sensor that irradiates IR light into a sensing area to sense an object, so that the position or distance of the object can be precisely and accurately sensed. An IR sensor includes an illumination unit that irradiates IR light into a sensing area; an image pickup device that obtains an IR image in the sensing area by sensing the IR light incident from the sensing area; and a control unit that controls the emission time at which the illumination unit irradiates the IR light and the pickup time of the image pickup device.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2009Date of Patent: October 7, 2014Assignees: Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Dugan UmInventors: Sung Chul Kang, Gi Hun Yang, Dugan Um, Dongseok Ryu
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Publication number: 20140267769Abstract: An infrared detector system is described in which a despeckle filter is applied to image data generated by a High Operating Temperature (HOT) detector array. The filter reads the data associated with each pixel of the image generated and compares it with selected neighbouring pixels. The comparison yields a series of values that are compared to predetermined thresholds and the pixel is scored according to the number of values that exceed the threshold set. The score assigned to the pixel then determines the treatment of the pixel in the image to be generated. The data value of the pixel may be ignored, included or substituted with an alternative calculated value.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 18, 2012Publication date: September 18, 2014Inventor: Luke Alexander Pillans
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Patent number: 8830327Abstract: A video surveillance system includes at least one of a camera or a streamer. A data base server is coupled to the camera and can store metadata for a video clip from the camera or streamer. A media storage server is coupled to both the camera or, the streamer, and to the data base server to store the clip in the absence of any network video recorders.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2011Date of Patent: September 9, 2014Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Edsel James Tink, Yves Van Der Elst, Victor Gottardi
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Patent number: 8797409Abstract: An imaging device for real-time display of image data on a local display and on a remote display is disclosed. In some embodiments, the imaging device can include an imaging engine, a memory device for storing image data, and a processor for receiving the image data from the imaging engine, storing the image data in the memory device, retrieving the image data from the memory device, and transmitting the image data to both a local display and remote display so that the image data can be viewed on both the remote display and local display simultaneously.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2012Date of Patent: August 5, 2014Assignee: Fluke CorporationInventor: Thomas Heinke
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Patent number: 8754901Abstract: A computer system generates video based cohorts. Digital video data is processed to identify a set of color and texture based attributes associated with clothing worn by a set of objects. The digital video data comprises metadata describing the set of objects. The set of color and texture based attributes are analyzed using cohort criteria to form a result. The cohort criteria specify attributes that are associated with members of a given cohort. A set of cohorts is generated based on the result. Each cohort in the set of cohorts comprises a subset of objects from the set of objects that share at least one color and texture based attribute in common.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2013Date of Patent: June 17, 2014Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Robert L. Angell, Sergio Borger, Robert R. Friedlander, James R. Kraemer, Yashodhara M. Patnaik
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Patent number: 8749570Abstract: A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer program product for generating video based cohorts. Digital video data is processed to identify a set of color and texture based attributes associated with the set of objects. The digital video data comprises metadata describing the set of objects. The set of color and texture based attributes are analyzed using cohort criteria to form a result. The cohort criteria specify attributes that are associated with members of a given cohort. A set of cohorts is generated based on the result. Each cohort in the set of cohorts comprises a subset of objects from the set of objects that share at least one color and texture based attribute in common.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2008Date of Patent: June 10, 2014Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Robert Lee Angell, Robert R Friedlander, James R Kraemer, Sergio Borger, Yashodhara M. Patnaik
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Patent number: 8749636Abstract: A multi-band aperture filter for optically coupling to a focal plane array (FPA) of a camera includes a substrate, and a first spectral coating on a first surface of the substrate that passes both a first longer and a second shorter wavelength band. A second spectral coating that passes the longer wavelength band and blocks the shorter wavelength band is on an outer annulus region, but not on an inner region on the first surface or a second surface of the substrate. The second spectral coating provides a larger aperture area for the longer wavelength band as compared to an aperture area for the shorter wavelength band to passively realize different F-numbers for the bands to provide substantially matched beam spot sizes on the detector array for the longer wavelength band and the shorter wavelength band, such as a long-wave infrared (LWIR) band and a mid-wave IR (MWIR) band.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2011Date of Patent: June 10, 2014Assignee: Lockheed Martin CorporationInventor: Kevin L. Brown
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Patent number: 8743208Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing imager pixel signals to reduce noise. The processing includes receiving a target pixel signal, receiving at least one neighboring pixel signal, formulating a dynamic noise signal based at least in part on a value of the target pixel signal, and controlling a noise reduction operation using the dynamic noise signal.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2013Date of Patent: June 3, 2014Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventor: Ilia Ovsiannikov
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Publication number: 20140139643Abstract: An imager array may be provided as part of an imaging system. The imager array may include a plurality of infrared imaging modules. Each infrared imaging module may include a plurality of infrared sensors associated with an optical element. The infrared imaging modules may be oriented, for example, substantially in a plane facing the same direction and configured to detect images from the same scene. Such images may be processed in accordance with various techniques to provide images of infrared radiation. The infrared imaging modules may include filters or lens coatings to selectively detect desired ranges of infrared radiation. Such arrangements of infrared imaging modules in an imager array may be used to advantageous effect in a variety of different applications.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2013Publication date: May 22, 2014Applicant: FLIR Systems, Inc.Inventors: Nicholas Högasten, Mark Nussmeier, Eric A. Kurth, Theodore R. Hoelter, Katrin Strandemar, Pierre Boulanger, Barbara Sharp
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Patent number: 8729476Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of two dimensional (2D) radiometric imaging. The present invention especially relates to a sensor unit. The sensor unit according to the present invention comprises a reflecting element mounted so as to be rotatable around an axis of rotation and a line sensor operating in the microwave, millimeter wave and/or terahertz frequency range and having its field of view directed towards the reflecting element, whereby the axis of rotation intersects with a reflection plane of the reflecting element.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2009Date of Patent: May 20, 2014Assignee: Sony CorporationInventors: Stefan Koch, Marc Guthoerl
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Patent number: 8619143Abstract: An image sensing system includes an IR notch filter configured to block transmission of spectral energy having wavelengths in an interface region between the visible and the invisible spectra and enable transmission of spectral energy having wavelengths in at least the visible spectrum and the near-infrared (IR) spectrum, a digital image sensor including a two-dimensional array of pixel elements and configured to generate output signals at each pixel element as pixel data representing an image of a scene, and a color filter array including a two-dimensional array of selectively transmissive filters superimposed on and in registration with the two-dimensional array of pixel elements. The color filter array includes a first group of selectively transmissive filters disposed to transmit spectral energy in one or more colors of the visible spectrum and a second group of gray color filters disposed to transmit spectral energy in at least the near-infrared (IR) spectrum.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2010Date of Patent: December 31, 2013Assignee: PIXIM, Inc.Inventor: Ricardo J. Motta
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Patent number: 8599264Abstract: Methods for comparing infrared image data and/or for generating infrared image comparison data are provided. In one method two image data sets are selected including visual-light and infrared image data from one or more points of view of a scene. Visual-light image data from each data set can be compared to determine an alignment correlation between different points of view for the visual-light data. The alignment correlation can then be used to correlate infrared image data from each data set. The correlated infrared image data can be compared to generate infrared comparison image data. Thermal imaging cameras capable of performing such methods are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2010Date of Patent: December 3, 2013Assignee: Fluke CorporationInventor: Roger Schmidt
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Patent number: 8587656Abstract: A face camera mount structure in a vehicle has a camera for imaging a driver's face being disposed on a reverse side of a dial at a portion that does not interfere with a speedometer design portion on the dial. A camera facing portion of the dial that faces a lens of the camera is covered with a print of a near-infrared light passing ink that selectively passes a near-infrared light. The high transparency factor of the near-infrared light through the ink makes it possible for the camera to image a sufficiently bright near-infrared light image without being recognized by a driver of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2007Date of Patent: November 19, 2013Assignee: DENSO CORPORATIONInventor: Takashi Koumura
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Patent number: 8502872Abstract: A thermal infrared solid-state imaging device includes a pixel array having pixels diodes, a vertical power supply line connected to horizontal drive lines and commonly connecting the horizontal drive lines, integrating circuits for integrating voltages at the ends of the vertical signal lines for a predetermined integration time, and current sources connected to the vertical signal lines at an opposite end to the end of the vertical signal line which is connected to the integrating circuit. The integration time is equally divided substantially into two periods, and during one divided period of the integration time, energization is performed between one end of the vertical power supply line and the current source, and during the other divided period of the integration time, the energization is performed between other end of the vertical power supply line and the current source.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2010Date of Patent: August 6, 2013Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric CorporationInventor: Masashi Ueno
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Patent number: 8339457Abstract: An imaging device for real-time display of image data on a local display and on a remote display is disclosed. In some embodiments, the imaging device can include an imaging engine, a memory device for storing image data, and a processor for receiving the image data from the imaging engine, storing the image data in the memory device, retrieving the image data from the memory device, and transmitting the image data to both a local display and remote display so that the image data can be viewed on both the remote display and local display simultaneously.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2007Date of Patent: December 25, 2012Assignee: Fluke CorporationInventor: Thomas Heinke
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Patent number: 8305449Abstract: An apparatus for detecting a focus state has an optical image-forming system that forms an object image, a plurality of line sensors that is arranged on a projected area of the optical image-forming system; a plurality of monitor sensors that is arranged on the projected area along the direction of a line-sensor array, each monitor sensor being adjacent to a corresponding line sensor and monitoring an amount of light incident on the corresponding line sensor; and a signal processor that outputs image-pixel signals corresponding to the object image on the basis of electric charges accumulated in the plurality of line sensors. At least an endmost monitor sensor corresponding to an endmost line sensor is arranged on the center-facing side of the endmost line sensor.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2010Date of Patent: November 6, 2012Assignee: Pentax Ricoh Imaging Company, Ltd.Inventors: Koichi Sato, Yutaka Takakubo, Kazuo Sugitani
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Patent number: 8228381Abstract: A video and data capturing system and method includes a mobile unit having an image sensor and motion sensing equipment connected to a microprocessor. The mobile unit is installed in an object for detecting visual images and motion data associated with the object. The mobile unit communicates with a base unit capable of analyzing the image and motion data and correcting the image data so it is level with the horizon. A foot unit may be used in conjunction with the mobile unit for detection of an athlete's foot acceleration for determining when the athlete's foot comes in contact with the ground. A field unit may be used in conjunction with the mobile unit and foot unit to determine the location of the foot unit on a playing surface to assist in determining whether an athlete is in or out of bounds, or their location on the playing surface.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 2009Date of Patent: July 24, 2012Inventor: Walter Accurso
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Patent number: 8218012Abstract: A sensor is used to detect and track a plurality of objects by using a separate track window for each object. Such sensors may be electro optical or infrared. Each object of interest (potential target) in the sensor FOV has a unique track window assigned. This allows independent control of video frame summing for each object to maintain a constant (optimized) signal to noise ratio (SNR) over an extremely large signal dynamic range and reduces track jitter by the simultaneous tracking of multiple objects.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2008Date of Patent: July 10, 2012Assignee: BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc.Inventors: Michael E DeFlumere, William E Shaw, Walter P Watson
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Patent number: 8203611Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes an electron emission array having electron sources arranged in matrix form, a photoelectric conversion film opposed to the electron emission array, and a control and drive circuit configured to select one or more horizontal scan lines in a given video signal output period and to cause the electron sources included in the selected one or more horizontal scan lines to emit electrons toward the photoelectric conversion film, wherein the control and drive circuit is further configured to cause the electron sources included in the selected one or more horizontal scan lines to emit electrons toward the photoelectric conversion film in any one or more blanking periods excluding both a blanking period immediately following the given video signal output period and a blanking period immediately preceding a next video signal output period in which the one or more horizontal scan lines will be selected next time.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2008Date of Patent: June 19, 2012Assignees: Nippon Hoso Kyokai, Hamamatsu Photonics K.K., Futaba Corporation, Pioneer CorporationInventors: Yuki Honda, Masakazu Namba, Yoshiyuki Hirano, Saburo Okazaki, Norifumi Egami, Toshihisa Watabe, Yoshiro Takiguchi, Akira Kobayashi, Shigeo Itoh, Masateru Taniguchi, Kazuhito Nakamura, Kenta Miya, Yoshiyuki Okuda, Kazuto Sakemura
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Patent number: 8125523Abstract: An ultrasonic video display device may comprise a memory; a programmable logic device, which may comprise a VGA signal receiving module for receiving and demodulating digital video signals and a video signal processing module including a memory controller, a gamma correcting unit, a scaling processing unit, a filtering unit, a chrominance space converting unit, a chrominance sampling unit and an interleaved sampling controller. The ultrasonic video display may also include a first digital-to-analog converter having an input coupled to an output of the VGA signal receiving module to convert the digital video signals into VGA analog signals and to output the VGA analog signals. A second digital-to-analog converter may receive video digital signals, convert the video digital signals into video analog signals, and output the video analog signals.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2008Date of Patent: February 28, 2012Assignee: Shenzhen Mindray Bio-Medical Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Xuewu Zhang, Song Chen
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Publication number: 20120038778Abstract: A system capable of low power personnel detection is based on a focused linear array of passive infrared detectors sampled and processed over time. For example, an exemplary system can have a sensor that captures infrared line images for personnel detection by scanning through a sensing plane of a linear array's field of view. In such a system, a processor controls the array sensor and stores the resulting images. Velocity characteristics of moving objects are incorporated into the images over time resulting in horizontal velocity profile images. Long wave infrared (LWIR) radiation can be sensed, which works in day and night conditions without illumination. LWIR sensors, such as microbolometers, as well as pyroelectrics, can be used.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 11, 2010Publication date: February 16, 2012Applicant: United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the ArmyInventors: Gene A. Klager, Joshua K. Gabonia, John E. Hutchison, III, Harry W. McClellan, JR.
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Patent number: 8098282Abstract: The present invention advantageously provides a means by which the privacy zone on a PTZ camera can be maintained so that an object in the camera's sight is always masked or covered. An algorithm which remembers the defined privacy zones as an area in space marked by four rays touching the four corners of the marked zone and having absolute Pan, Tilt angular coordinates is presented. The privacy zone is initially defined by a rectangle on the screen with known pixel co-ordinates which are translated into angular coordinates. Then, when the camera moves and prepares to display a new screen, the privacy zone is superimposed on the object to be masked. Locating the object and displaying its privacy zone is done by translating the absolute angular coordinates of the original privacy zone into pixel coordinates. Additionally, multiple privacy zones can be displayed on one camera screen.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2007Date of Patent: January 17, 2012Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Manoj Gopinath, Arathi Mariswamy
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Patent number: 7602478Abstract: A method for providing an observer with an intuitive awareness of a tactical environment is disclosed. In an illustrative embodiment, the method displays a 360° panoramic view of the environment surrounding a warship, wherein the view is augmented by radar data, infrared imagery, visible imagery, and tactical information about targets within the field-of-view.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2007Date of Patent: October 13, 2009Assignee: Lockheed Martin CorporationInventor: George Raymond Root, Jr.
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Publication number: 20090128399Abstract: A method for providing an observer with an intuitive awareness of a tactical environment is disclosed. In an illustrative embodiment, the method displays a 360° panoramic view of the environment surrounding a warship, wherein the view is augmented by radar data, infrared imagery, visible imagery, and tactical information about targets within the field-of-view.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 21, 2007Publication date: May 21, 2009Applicant: LOCKHEED MARTIN CORPORATIONInventor: George Raymond Root, JR.
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Patent number: 7304675Abstract: A system (100) and method for outputting data from a detector (104). The novel system (100) includes a first controller (118) that samples the detector (104) at a first rate, a memory (112) for storing the sampled data, and a second controller (120) that outputs data from the memory (112) at a second rate. In a illustrative embodiment, the first rate is symmetrical from field to field, while the second rate is asymmetrical from field to field.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2003Date of Patent: December 4, 2007Assignee: Raytheon CompanyInventors: Frank N. Cheung, Robert J. Coda
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Patent number: 6268883Abstract: A system and method for radiation detection with an increased frame rate. A semi-parallel processing configuration is used to process a row or column of pixels in a focal-plane array in parallel to achieve a processing rate up to and greater than 1 million frames per second.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 1998Date of Patent: July 31, 2001Assignee: California Institute of TechnologyInventors: Alan T. Zehnder, Ares J. Rosakis, G. Ravichandran
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Patent number: 6181414Abstract: A multi-channel spectral imaging module for an automated testing system for cytological applications. The multi-channel spetral imaging module generates four channels of digitized images of a cytological specimen for further processing in the automated testing system. The multi-spectral imaging module comprises a visible light source and an infrared light source, an optical imaging module, a prism module, and an output stage. The cytological specimen is strobed by the visible light and infrared light sources and the illuminated images of the specimen are focussed and coupled to the prism module by the optical imaging module. The prism module breaks the illuminated image into four channels comprising three visible light channels and an infrared channel. The output stage comprises a CCD array sensor for each channel. The CCD array sensor digitizes the image for channel and produces an output for further processing.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 1999Date of Patent: January 30, 2001Assignee: Morphometrix Technologies IncInventors: Ryan S. Raz, Gordon Rosenblatt, Daniel S. Maclean
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Patent number: 6081255Abstract: An object of the present invention is to remote control a position of a cursor displayed on a display screen of a reception unit by means of two-dimensional/three-dimensional positioning of a transmission unit. Another object of the present invention is to select a function by operating an ON/OFF switch of the transmission unit.A light emitted from a light source block of a transmission unit 10 is injected via a first optical block 13. A reception unit 20 receives the light from the transmission unit 10 via a second optical block 21 of a sensor block 22. A detection block 28 detects a light intensity according to an output from this sensor block. A control block 26 calculates a two-dimensional/three-dimensional position of the transmission unit 10 and displays the position as the cursor position on the display screen.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 1997Date of Patent: June 27, 2000Assignee: Sony CorporationInventor: Tadakuni Narabu
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Patent number: 5682035Abstract: A thermal infrared imaging device (10) includes a thermal detector (50) having a linearly-arrayed plurality of spaced apart detector elements (50', 50", 50"', . . . ). A scene to be viewed is scanned across the detector (50) with successive fields of the scene shifted according the spacing between adjacent detector elements (50', 50", 50"', . . . ) in order to capture image information for the entire scene by interlacing of successive scan lines from the plurality of detector elements (50', 50", 50"', . . . ). Each complete scan of the viewed scene across the detector (50) creates an image field including a scan line for each detector element (50', 50", 50"', . . . ). Each scan line includes plural pixels, or picture elements of the viewed scene, each having a value indicative of the thermal infrared brightness of the viewed scene at the corresponding location along the scan line. An scan-line sum for each scan line is created by adding the absolute values of the pixel values for each scan line.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 1995Date of Patent: October 28, 1997Assignee: Hughes ElectronicsInventors: Tim Gallagher, Richard Chin
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Patent number: 5663562Abstract: The present system provides a thermal imaging device including a detector array responsive to thermal infrared radiation. The detector array has a linearly-arrayed plurality of spaced-apart detector elements defining cooperatively a length dimension for the detector array. Each of the plurality of detector elements provides a corresponding individual electrical signal indicative of the thermal infrared radiation incident thereon. The detector elements vary from one another in the plurality of detector elements, and the thermal imaging device responsively provides a visible-light image replicating a viewed scene. The thermal imaging device includes a scanning device scanning the viewed scene across the plurality of detector elements in a direction generally perpendicular to the length dimension.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 1995Date of Patent: September 2, 1997Assignee: Hughes ElectronicsInventors: Russell Jones, Tim Gallagher, Stephen P. Shaffer
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Patent number: 5587583Abstract: A thermal imaging device (10) has single integrated circuit chip (86) to perform various analog signal processing (ASP) functions. The imaging device (10) has a detector array (50) including a plurality of detectors (50') each of which generate an electrical signal (78) indicative of the infrared flux incident thereon. These electrical signals (78) are processed and provided in the form of serial analog video signals (52) to the ASP chip (86). The ASP chip (86) includes circuitry (200) for correcting for the differing responsivity of serial manufactured detector arrays (50), circuitry (202) for correcting the gain of the serial analog signal (52) globally, and circuitry (206) for sensing the gain of a processing serial analog signal (90) which the ASP chip (86) provides to an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter (92) of the thermal imaging device (10).Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 1995Date of Patent: December 24, 1996Assignee: Hughes ElectronicsInventors: Richard Chin, David Le Fevre
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Patent number: 5557326Abstract: A method for creating a false color image, by utilizing a video camera provided with two or three arrays of semiconductor detectors, the sensitivity range whereof, in relation to wavelength, extends from the visible light range to near infrared radiation range, and where the radiation received in the semiconductor detectors is filtered. The radiation received in the first array of semiconductor detectors is filtered so that only near infrared radiation is given access to the detector array. Further, the radiation received in the second semiconductor detector array, or alternatively in the second and third semiconductor detector arrays is filtered so that of the radiation of the visible spectrum range, green and red are given access to the detector array or arrays.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 1994Date of Patent: September 17, 1996Assignee: Valtion teknillinen tutkimuskeskusInventors: Markku Rantasuo, Tuomas Hame
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Patent number: 5485009Abstract: Laser active imaging system allowing in particular to use a wide field by means of a detecting device including a linear array of N juxtaposed photodetector elements oriented along the direction of scanning and associated with a focusing lens. The receiver includes a circuitry receiving the N detected channels and is equipped with compensation circuits for the time shift exhibited by the video signals as a function of the distance so as to bring the illuminated objects back to their angular location for the display of the observed field. The processing circuits include circuits for measuring the amplitude and the Doppler shift and for identification of the distance through the rank of the detection channel.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 1987Date of Patent: January 16, 1996Assignee: Thomson - CSFInventors: Jean L. Meyzonnetie, Bertrand Remy
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Patent number: 5396282Abstract: An image mapping radiometer mounted on a craft flying an orbit above an object zone. The radiometer includes main optics having in the visible field thereof a unit object zone defined by the swath width over the object zone and a distance in the direction of orbit, and a plurality of linear photoelectic detectors each being assigned to one of a plurality of observation spectral bands and located in the focal plane of the main optics, thereby sequentially imaging the unit object zone. A correcting section has correction optics for projecting a correction pattern onto the photoelectric detectors so as to correct the band-to-band registration, i.e., the positional deviation between the elements of the detectors. A movable mirror is provided for selecting either of the main optics and correction optics. When the correction pattern is projected, a lattice pattern having a pitch different from the element pitch is generated on the light-sensitive surfaces of the detectors.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 1992Date of Patent: March 7, 1995Assignee: NEC CorporationInventor: Kazuhiro Ogikubo
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Patent number: 5371533Abstract: A combined scene-based and DC-restored image restoration system enhances the utility of video images generated from the input of a forward-looking infrared system. This system and related methods remove a desired portion of the DC content from each of a plurality of input signals that are generated from a plurality of adjacent portions of a source image to obtain a plurality of resultant signals from which a plurality of video images is produced.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 1991Date of Patent: December 6, 1994Assignee: Hughes Aircraft CompanyInventor: Lloyd J. Lewins
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Patent number: 5323186Abstract: A method and means for converting a high resolution machine monitored phoiode array, comprising staircased linear sets of detectors operating in a time-delay-integration mode, to a low resolution visually monitored array, by delaying the output signal of odd sets in the staircase by the time required to scan one set and integrating the outputs of odd and even sets.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 1992Date of Patent: June 21, 1994Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the ArmyInventor: Sen-Te Chow