Multispectral To Color Conversion (e.g., Infrared And Visible, Infrared Bands, Etc.) Patents (Class 348/33)
  • Patent number: 11488521
    Abstract: When the frequency of a driving clock used to drive a pixel in a display device reaches a target frequency, some of delay circuits are disabled, thereby reducing power consumption for generating the driving clock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: SILICON WORKS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jin Ho Choi, Jang Su Kim, Tae Geun Kim
  • Patent number: 10277828
    Abstract: An image pickup apparatus is configured to obtain polarization information based on a plurality of images having different polarization states obtained by changing a retardation provided to light from an object. The image pickup apparatus includes an image pickup element configured to obtain the plurality of images, and a controller configured to change the retardation and to set an image pickup condition of the image pickup apparatus. The controller sets the image pickup condition while the retardation is changed to a reference value that is from ?90 degrees to +90 degrees inclusive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Rie Ishimatsu
  • Patent number: 10212492
    Abstract: A method and monitoring center (304) for supporting supervision of events in a monitored area (300) based on sensor data (D) reported by sensors over a communication network (302). When the monitoring center (304) detects an abnormal event (E), it identifies a set of sensors (S1-S3) which are potentially impacted by the event, and also identifies network nodes (N1-N3, BS) that are able to communicate sensor data reported by the identified sensors (S1-S3). The monitoring center (304) then instructs (In) the identified network nodes to promote the communication of sensor data reported by the identified sensors. Thereby, transport of the sensor data will be enhanced and it will arrive promptly and properly at the monitoring center, to enable any watching staff to take notice and evaluate the abnormal event as soon as possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (publ)
    Inventors: Joakim Formo, Marcus Nyberg, Vlasios Tsiatsis, Anna Viggedal
  • Patent number: 9990705
    Abstract: Techniques for atmospheric compensation in satellite imagery that include converting an image including an array of radiance values to an array of surface reflectance values. The conversion is performed in an automated fashion by identifying one or more portions of the image for which the surface reflectance can be estimated and determining the Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD) by iteratively comparing the radiance value captured by the image sensor to a calculated radiance value (based on the known surface reflectance, historical values for other atmospheric parameters, and the AOD) and adjusting the AOD until the calculated radiance value is substantially the same as the captured radiance value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: DIGITALGLOBE, INC.
    Inventor: Fabio Pacifici
  • Patent number: 9940527
    Abstract: A driving assist system for a vehicle and a method thereof includes a broadband camera which photographs the surrounding area of the vehicle to create an image including four channels of light information having different wavelengths. The broadband image data and the position of the vehicle are matched so that a road and an obstacle are easily recognized using a minimal number of cameras while driving the vehicle. Recognition performance of a drivable area is significantly improved, navigation for the vehicle is easily measured, and the biometric recognizing abilities of a driver monitoring camera is improved, thereby improving the convenience of a driver by the improvement of a the performance of a driving assist device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: Hyundai Mobis Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Won oh Lee, Jung won Lee
  • Patent number: 9052575
    Abstract: A method performed by a display system is provided. The method includes projecting a first infrared pattern from a first projection plane of a first projector into a scene, capturing the first infrared pattern from the scene in a capture plane of at least one image capture device, and determining a first correspondence mapping between the first projector and the image capture device from at least the first infrared pattern in the first projection plane and the first infrared pattern in the capture plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Nelson Liang An Chang, Niranjan Damera-Venkata, Simon Widdowson
  • Patent number: 9002326
    Abstract: A method is provided which comprises, upon detecting a particular event, determining that a notification is to be provided for the particular event; and activating a light source acting as a camera flash to provide the notification. The method may further comprise determining if an image capture application is currently active and only having the light source emit the camera flash as the notification if the image capture application is not currently active. The method may also comprise determining an orientation of the mobile device, determining if the image capture application is active, and only having the light source emit the camera flash as the notification if the orientation is indicative of visibility of the light source and if the image capture application is not currently active. The method may also comprise determining that the camera flash is to be modulated; and having the light source modulated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: William Donald Santo, Jong-Suk Lee, Sherman Wang, Gregory Jason Fields
  • Patent number: 8989487
    Abstract: Provided are an image composition apparatus for composing color images with black-and-white images including infrared components, and an image composition method thereof. The image composition method includes generating a first image signal with color information and a second image signal including infrared components without color information, dividing the first image signal into a brightness signal and a color signal, composing the brightness signal of the first image signal with a brightness signal of the second image signal to generate a composed brightness signal, and composing the composed brightness signal with the color signal of the first image signal to generate a color image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Won-hee Choe, Jae-hyun Kwon, Seong-deok Lee
  • Patent number: 8947729
    Abstract: There is provided a color processing apparatus comprising: a calculation unit configured to calculate, for each of a plurality of light sources, a first colorimetric value that is obtained by measuring a color having a spectral reflectance indicated by spectral reflectance information under the light source; a mapping unit configured to obtain, for each of the plurality of light sources, a second colorimetric value by mapping the first colorimetric value of the light source within a gamut under the light source; a color separation unit configured to obtain the output information from a plurality of the second colorimetric values, by adjusting the output information such that an error between a colorimetric value obtained by measuring a color output by the image output apparatus according to the output information under each of the light sources and the second colorimetric value for the light source is minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Ayato Imai
  • Patent number: 8854420
    Abstract: A high-resolution image device that is used to receive images in a variable depth of field environment may include a color image sensor, a panchromatic image sensor, and a measuring device. The color image sensor may be configured to receive a color image of an object. Similarly, a synchronous panchromatic image may be received by the panchromatic image sensor. The image device may be configured to replace a luminance component from the original color image with a luminance component from the panchromatic image. The measuring device may be configured to measure a distance between the image sensors and the object, such that the image device may be configured to use the distance to account for the effect of parallax.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventor: Iain Richard Tyrone McClatchie
  • Patent number: 8848031
    Abstract: Disclosed is a digital microscope system capable of controlling two or more microscope units with a controlling unit. The digital microscope system includes (i) two or more microscope units, (ii) a camera interface, (iii) a controlling unit and (iv) a light output device. The microscope unit includes a lens tube, a digital camera, a light terminator and a stand. The camera interface includes two or more camera interface (I/F) channels and a camera interface channel selector. The controlling unit includes a memory, a display device, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a power supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Huvitz Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jin-Wug Son, Jin-Whan Yun
  • Patent number: 8810651
    Abstract: A digital security camera system and method for pseudo-color covert night vision is provided. The system includes one or more light sources adapted for providing selective illumination at a plurality of infrared wavelengths, such as 730 nm, 830 nm and 940 nm. A monochrome digital image capture device records multiple images of a target illuminated in the plurality of wavelengths and stored in a storage device. A processor retrieves the set of recorded images and assigns each wavelength to a specific color channel. The color channels are combined into a composite color image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Honeywell International, Inc
    Inventor: Cristian M. Calnegru
  • Patent number: 8760494
    Abstract: An imaging system for identifying camouflaged or concealed objects includes an image sensor for receiving at least a portion of reflected light from an interrogation region having foliage including at least an ultraviolet (UV) including band. The image sensor includes a 2-D photodetector array that has a plurality of photodetector pixels that provides sensitivity to the UV band. The 2-D photodetector array generates at least a first detection signal from at least the UV band. A green light filter can be added to exclude green light in the background from being detected. A processor for data processing is coupled to an output of the photodetector array that forms processed image data from at least the first detection signal. The processed image data can be used to generate a visual image that reveals camouflaged or concealed objects, or be used for automatic detection of camouflaged or concealed objects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventor: David Twede
  • Patent number: 8717457
    Abstract: A spectral capture parameter is adjusted for capturing successive frames of motion image data. Spectral content in a first region of a current frame is compared to spectral content in a counterpart region in a previous frame. It is determined whether the spectral content has changed by more than a threshold value, based on the comparison. Responsive to a determination that the spectral content has changed by more than the threshold value, the spectral capture parameter for the first region is adjusted, and the adjusted spectral capture parameter is applied to an imaging system for capture of a successive frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Andy Lai Lin, Francisco Imai, Axel Becker-Lakus
  • Patent number: 8711256
    Abstract: There is provided an image processing apparatus including an image acquisition unit that obtains color image data composed of wavelength components in a visible light region only, and monochrome image data which does not contain the wavelength components in the visible light region and which is composed of wavelength components in other than visible light region only, a color information extraction unit that extracts color information from the color image data, a luminance information extraction unit that extracts luminance information from the monochrome image data, and a synthesis unit that synthesizes the extracted color information and the extracted luminance information to generate composite image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Koichi Yoshikawa
  • Patent number: 8681216
    Abstract: A depth-sensing camera system includes a common sensor configured to record color and infrared data from a target, an infrared illuminant that projects infrared light on the target, and a control logic that switches a mode of operation of the. camera between a color mode and an infrared mode. When the camera system is in the infrared mode, the infrared illuminant operates to project the infrared light on the target and when in the color mode, the infrared illuminant is disabled. The camera system also includes a color buffer for storing color chroma and luma values and a depth buffer for storing infrared luma data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Lee Warren Atkinson
  • Patent number: 8599264
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Fluke Corporation
    Inventor: Roger Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20130271562
    Abstract: A user recognition apparatus includes: a visible-light image processing unit configured to acquire a visible-light image using a visible-light camera; an infrared-light image processing unit configured to acquire an infrared-light image using an infrared-light camera; a threshold value processing unit configured to remove a background of the infrared-light image using a threshold value, and generate a clipped infrared-light image; an optical flow processing unit configured to calculate an optical flow based on the clipped infrared-light image and the visible-light image, and generate a clipped visible-light image based on the calculated optical flow; and a visible light processing unit configured to recognize a user based on the clipped visible-light image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2012
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Applicant: ELECTRONICS AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Hyun-Gon KIM, Jun-Seok Park, Hae-Ryong Lee
  • Patent number: 8432433
    Abstract: A method and apparatus involve electronically transforming a monochromatic infrared source image of a source scene into a natural daylight color image of the source scene as a function of reference information, the only information derived from the source scene and utilized in the transforming being the monochromatic infrared source image. According to a different aspect, an apparatus includes an infrared image detector that provides a monochromatic infrared source image of a source scene, and includes a transformation section that transforms the monochromatic infrared source image into a natural daylight color image of the source scene as a function of reference information, the only information derived from the source scene and utilized in the transforming being the monochromatic infrared source image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Raytheon Canada Limited
    Inventor: Andrew James Gabura
  • Patent number: 8416302
    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: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Chunhui Zhang, Yasuyuki Matsushita, Yuan Kong, Zicheng Liu
  • Publication number: 20130083157
    Abstract: An imaging device is provided with an imaging element. The imaging element has a sensitive wavelength region including an infrared wavelength region, and selectively including a visible wavelength region, and is composed of at least three types of pixels having spectral sensitivities different from each other. The imaging device generates a luminance signal including an infrared wavelength component, a color-difference signal including a visible wavelength component, and a visible luminance signal as a luminance signal in the visible wavelength region, from original image data including at least three types of original image components obtained by an imaging operation by the imaging element; and generates a color image based on a low frequency component in the luminance signal and in the color-difference signal, and based on a low frequency component in the visible luminance signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2011
    Publication date: April 4, 2013
    Applicant: Konica Minolta Advanced Layers, Inc.
    Inventors: Koichi Kamon, Tetsuya Katagiri
  • Patent number: 8405709
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a determining unit, a converter, and a display unit. The determining unit receives image data for three-dimensional display as input, and determines the three-dimensional display format corresponding to the input data. The converter converts the input data in accordance with the determination results from the determining unit. The display unit displays the converted results from the converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Yasutaka Hirasawa, Seiji Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 8379134
    Abstract: Object detection and selection for use in a device having digital camera functionality is described. The mechanism detects the occurrence of a gesture by a pointing member in an image frame captured by an IR image sensor. The gesture is then recognized and an object pointed to is detected. The object detected is then selected as a result of the gesture recognition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventor: Brett Foster
  • Patent number: 8319822
    Abstract: A high-resolution image device that is used to receive images in a variable depth of field environment may include a color image sensor, a panchromatic image sensor, and a measuring device. The color image sensor may be configured to receive a color image of an object. Similarly, a synchronous panchromatic image may be received by the panchromatic image sensor. To generate a fine spatial color image with higher resolution than the image received by the color image sensor, the image device may be configured to replace a luminance component from the original color image with a luminance component from the panchromatic image. However, due to a spatial difference between apertures of the color and panchromatic image sensors, parallax error may occur due to a perceived shift of the imaged object against a reference background in the color and panchromatic images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventor: Iain Richard Tyrone McClatchie
  • Patent number: 8243093
    Abstract: Aspects of the present invention relate to creation, modification and implementation of dither pattern structures applied to an image to diminish contouring artifacts. Some aspects relate to dither pattern structures with pixel values in a first color channel pattern that are spatially dispersed from pixel values in a corresponding pattern in a second color channel. Some aspects relate to application. Some aspects relate to systems and apparatus for creation and application of these dither pattern structures comprising pixel values dispersed across color channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Sharp Laboratories of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Xiao-Fan Feng, Scott J. Daly
  • Patent number: 8223206
    Abstract: Various techniques are provided for identifying filters used with infrared cameras. A plurality of filters may be installed in a filter wheel of an infrared camera. Identifiers associated with the filters may be read by the infrared camera to identify the various types of filters currently installed in the filter wheel. The installed filters can be selected by the camera or a user for use in particular applications as desired. For example, filters may be selected based on associations between the filters, filter identifiers, and targets stored in a table or other record maintained by the infrared camera. Settings of the infrared camera may be adjusted in response to filter selections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: FLIR Systems, inc.
    Inventors: Brian Cromwell, Calvin Banks
  • Patent number: 8102447
    Abstract: An image with a bright image plane can be photographed without deteriorating the yield. An object is photographed by a CCD (18) through each of plural filters (141-14N) that have optical films vacuum deposited thereon so that spectral transmission characteristics vary between the filters periodically. Image data obtained by photographing is converted into image data which corresponds to a band by using a plurality of coefficients for converting the spectral transmission characteristics of the filter into spectral transmission characteristics of the target band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: National University Corporation Gunma University
    Inventor: Naoya Ohta
  • Patent number: 8044965
    Abstract: In order to calculate the calorimetric value of a color patch under a given viewing illuminant, a plurality of colorimetric value sets obtained by measuring the colors of color patches under a plurality of illuminants are stored in a memory, the type of spectral distribution and white point information of the viewing illuminant are obtained (S12), and a calorimetric value set corresponding to the type of spectral distribution of the viewing illuminant is selected (S13). A colorimetric value set under the viewing illuminant is calculated from the selected calorimetric value set, on the basis of the white point information of the viewing illuminant and the white point information of the illuminant of the selected colorimetric value set (S14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takahiro Suzuki
  • Patent number: 7916326
    Abstract: A system and method for efficient transfer of image data to a service provider comprises a digital image source, an image pump, and a communication path to the service provider. The digital image source may be connected to the image pump using any appropriate communication configuration. Digital image data from the digital image source is transferred to the image pump, which may format the digital image data to conform to requirements of the particular service provider. The image pump may also attach customer account information and user service selections to the digital image data. The image pump may then send the digital image data and any attached information to the service provider. The service provider responsively may perform the requested services and return a finished product to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Eric D. Edwards, Neal J. Manowitz, Steven G. Goldstein
  • Patent number: 7765461
    Abstract: To present a moving picture processing device having a user interface very easy to use when selecting part of moving pictures from multiple moving pictures. The moving picture processing device comprises a moving picture display unit for displaying whole or part of plural stored moving pictures sequentially, an input accepting unit for accepting an input for display of moving picture, a moving picture menu compiling unit for compiling a menu of moving pictures displayed when the input accepting unit accepts the input, and a menu display unit for displaying a menu of moving pictures compiled by the moving picture menu compiling unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Akihiko Suzuki, Kazuaki Hiraga
  • Publication number: 20100091089
    Abstract: Various techniques are provided for identifying filters used with infrared cameras. A plurality of filters may be installed in a filter wheel of an infrared camera. Identifiers associated with the filters may be read by the infrared camera to identify the various types of filters currently installed in the filter wheel. The installed filters can be selected by the camera or a user for use in particular applications as desired. For example, filters may be selected based on associations between the filters, filter identifiers, and targets stored in a table or other record maintained by the infrared camera. Settings of the infrared camera may be adjusted in response to filter selections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2008
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Inventors: Brian Cromwell, Calvin Banks
  • Patent number: 7340099
    Abstract: A method of fusing a low resolution multispectral image with a high resolution panchromatic image comprising the step of generating a new synthetic pan image using multispectral bands from the multispectral image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: University of New Brunswick
    Inventor: Yun Zhang
  • Patent number: 7305103
    Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product are provided for sharpening bands of sensor data in the visual spectrum. Blue, green, red, near-infrared, and panchromatic bands of data are received. Data of the panchromatic band is corrected based on the blue, green, red, and near-infrared bands of data, and the data of one or more of the green, red, and near-infrared bands is sharpened based on the corrected data of the panchromatic band. The sharpened data of the green, red, and near-infrared bands is combined with the received panchromatic band of data and then displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2007
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Robert W. Turner, Pauline Joe, James J. Rustik, Ingrid L. Criswell
  • Patent number: 7048384
    Abstract: A projection system for presenting infrared scenes having biological and chemical agents, simulants and objects such as battlefield items. The generated scenes are primarily for the evaluation of infrared sensors, cameras and stand-off detectors. The system may have two or more projectors that combine various scenes into one scene having components with modified or imposed spectra signatures. Also, the system may generate a dynamic series of scenes that show synthetic scenarios of moving objects, agent clouds, non-toxic simulants and other items.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Barrett E. Cole, Robert E. Higashi
  • Patent number: 6937758
    Abstract: Reproducing sepia tone images. The image is scanned using conventional RGB light and added infrared wavelengths. Using L*a*b* color coordinate system, “L”-channel values are determined by the infrared channel only, and “a” and “b” channels are filled with respective benchmark values that represents the yellow-brown sepia background tone of the original. This new L*a*b* data is converted to appropriate output device color space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Douglas G. Keithley
  • Patent number: 6885394
    Abstract: There is provided a method outputting multi-band image data, including the steps of obtaining a spectral waveform per pixel of an image photographed by a multi-band camera; performing conversion of the thus obtained spectral waveform per pixel into control signals corresponding to a plurality of image reproduction processes, for outputting to an image outputting machine; and obtaining a final control signal synthesizing the plurality of control signals. There is also provided an apparatus for implementing the above method. The image reproduction processes can be consecutively switched in accordance with the purpose of the image reproduction, whereupon the image can be outputted in the image reproduction process suited most to the purpose for reproducing the color with a higher priority given to which factor, the coincidence of the visual appearance between the original image and the duplicate image or the stability of visual appearance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takafumi Noguchi
  • Patent number: 6792136
    Abstract: A method beginning at (10) is provided for creating high-fidelity visible coloring from infrared images of a scene under surveillance. The infrared images captured at (12) are analyzed at (14) to determine if an object, such as a face, is identifiable within the image. If an object is identifiable at (16) the object features are compared to a plurality of stored object features at (20). If there is a match at (22), the color characteristics of the object are obtained at (24) and the object is colored at (26) based on the stored database feature information. If there is no match at (22) or identifiable object at (16) and object color cannot be identified at (23), the image is analyzed at (28) to determine if a pattern, such as clothing, is identifiable within the image. If a pattern is identifiable at (30), the color characteristics of the pattern are obtained at (34) and the pattern is colored at (36) according to infrared reflectance characterization in conjunction with the stored pattern information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: TRW Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph W. Niesen
  • Publication number: 20040135881
    Abstract: Featured is an apparatus and method for detecting an object (e.g., human, man-made object) from its background, which object may be camouflaged so as to blend the object with the background. In its broadest aspects the detecting method includes viewing an area while selectively and varyingly changing a sensitivity of a viewing device to certain wavelengths of light lying in any one of the ultraviolet (UV) range, the visible range or the near and/or far infrared and determining the presence of an object when a visual difference between the object and background is discerned when the sensitivity of the viewing device is changed to a certain mixture of wavelengths of light. The method further includes determining the presence of an object when a visual difference is observed between the object and the background and no discernable difference is observed one sensitivity of the viewing device is changed to least another mixture of wavelengths.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2003
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Inventors: Peter W.J. Jones, Dennis W. Purcell
  • Publication number: 20040051781
    Abstract: A color conversion layer includes a matrix resin, a fluorescence conversion dye and a dendrimer for converting a wavelength distribution of incident light and emitting a converted light. The fluorescence conversion dye and the dendrimer may be chemically bonded to each other via a covalent bond. Alternatively, the dendrimer may include the fluorescence conversion dye in a clathrate state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2003
    Publication date: March 18, 2004
    Inventors: Koji Kawaguchi, Makoto Kobayashi, Kenya Sakurai
  • Patent number: 6704798
    Abstract: Information returned by a server to a client includes instructions, executable by either a proxy server or the client, for converting the returned information from a first representation to a second representation. The representation conversion may be made by a proxy server, for example, to make transmission of the returned information to the client more efficient, and/or to render the returned information in a format suitable for display by the client. By having the server embed representation conversion information in the query response, the representation conversion can take into account the type and other characteristics of information being returned, as well as the computational and display characteristics of the client.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Jeffrey Clifford Mogul
  • Publication number: 20030156186
    Abstract: The present invention provides a registration correction method for image processing, by which location deviations among images with different behaviors such as visible ray images and invisible ray images can be corrected. According to this method, one of a visible ray image and an invisible ray image is designated as a reference image, and the other as an object image. A reference window is set within the reference image, and an object window of the same size as the reference window is set within the object image. While the object window is shifted by the pixel within the object image, the differential values of the brightness in the x-axis and y-axis directions of each pixel in the reference window and the object window are obtained. The object point where the total of the squares or the absolute values of the differences between the differential values of the reference window and the object window becomes smallest is set as the point corresponding to the reference point of the reference window.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2003
    Publication date: August 21, 2003
    Applicant: PECK CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Megumu Kuroiwa, Jong Hwan Kim, Norikazu Matsumoto, Jun Sakata, Kazumoto Onodera, Takakazu Ishimatsu, Byungdug Jun, Kazuichi Sugiyama, Eung Nam Kim
  • Patent number: 6597807
    Abstract: Red-Green-Blue color-coding of overlaid registered stereo pair imagery from different spectral regions (for example, near-, mid-, and far-infrared) can be used to derive depth perception information. The human preattentive vision process uses coarse spatial structure in the scene to fuse the images for the detection of depth and motion cues. Optimization is accomplished by assigning green to the lowest spatial frequency content image, then red to the next lowest, and finally blue. If the fusion of one of the colored imagery layers produces depth perception information in one portion of the scene whereas the other two colored layers do not, the human mind can retain the information from this color and discard the inputs from the other two colors as noise. The same is true for the other two colors. Human color discrimination and depth perception are combined to greatly enhance preattentive object recognition in the fused stereo pair imagery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Wendell R. Watkins, Jay B. Jordan
  • Patent number: 6504155
    Abstract: An infrared camera with lower dissipation power, a wide range of operating environment temperature, and a shorter warmup is provided. The infrared camera includes a plurality of device operating-temperature setting circuits setting respective device operating temperatures different from one another, a device operating-temperature setting switch for selecting one of the output of the device operating-temperature setting circuits, and a temperature sensor, and performs imaging by switching the connection target of the device operating-temperature setting switch according to a measurement by the temperature sensor, that is to say, according to the temperature inside an enclosure and selecting an operating temperature for an imaging device among a plurality of device operating-temperature settings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Norio Ookawa
  • Patent number: 6445725
    Abstract: A spread spectrum communication apparatus for communicating through a plurality of communication channels corresponding to a plurality of diffusion codes comprises a selector to select the number of communication channels which are used in accordance with a communication partner, and a communication unit to communicate with the communication partner through the communication channels of the number selected by the selector. The communication unit has a division unit to divide transmission data in accordance with the number of communication channels selected. The selector selects the number of communication channels in accordance with whether the communication partner is a color terminal or a black and white terminal, or in accordance with a processing speed of the communication partner, or in accordance with whether the communication partner processes binary image data or processes multivalue image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Isamu Sato, Mitsuhiko Sato
  • Patent number: 6292212
    Abstract: An infrared digital electronic camera includes a solid state color image sensor having an array of image sensing elements and an array of color filter elements including infrared color filter elements arranged over the image sensing elements for producing a color image signal. A signal processing circuit processes the color image signals from the image sensor to produce a false color image signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Joseph P. Zigadlo, Carl L. Holden, Mark E. Schrader, Richard M. Vogel
  • Patent number: 6281805
    Abstract: An automotive CCD camera includes a UV filter receiving light corresponding to lane images and filtering through ultraviolet light, a condenser condensing the UV light filtered through the UV filter and transmitting the light, and a light disperser dispersing the light transmitted by the condenser to output the light through at least two different paths. A CCD cell assembly receives the light dispersed by the light disperser, photographs the same and outputs light signals. An adder adds the light signals output by the CCD cell assembly and outputs image signals in which yellow lane markers can be extracted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Dong-Min Lee
  • Patent number: 6150930
    Abstract: A video system (30) including an illuminator (26) and a silicon detector (34) which provides operators of motor vehicles (20) with an enhanced display of the vehicle's operating environment (24 and 28). The illuminator (26) provides a source of short wavelength infrared energy. A single silicon detector (34) processes electromagnetic signals in the short wavelength infrared spectrum and selected color signals in the visible light spectrum. A visual display (60) of the operating environment comprising the infrared image with enhancements from selected portions of the colored light spectrum are provided to the operator of the vehicle (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: Alan Neal Cooper
  • Patent number: 5999212
    Abstract: A detection system for detecting a target flying over water, which includes a detector positioned to receive radiation reflected by the target off water, and producing a detector output signal having an amplitude proportional to the amount of received radiation, a high-pass filter for passing portions of the detector output signal having a frequency greater than a prescribed threshold frequency, and for blocking portions of the detector output signal having a frequency lower than the prescribed threshold frequency. The prescribed threshold frequency is sufficiently high to ensure that only the portions of the detector output signal produced by the radiation reflected by the target off the water are passed by the high-pass filter, and that portions of the detector output signal produced by solar glitter are not passed. In a specific embodiment, the system is designed to be installed on a ship for the purpose of detecting low-flying, fast-moving targets, such as cruise missiles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Holmes Crosby, Michael J. Wardlaw
  • Patent number: 5745173
    Abstract: An improved camera system intended for a machine vision system which produces an image output that is specially adapted to be received by a machine vision system. In one embodiment, the camera system receives components from three portions of the electromagnetic spectrum, these being infrared, visible, and ultraviolet, and then combines these three portions essentially as expanded colors in an expanded version of an RGB "red/green/blue" video system. This provides a better image in all types of weather and visibility conditions. In addition, the camera system includes dynamic range transform logic which selectively compresses the dynamic range of the respective pixel values comprising the image to extract the most useful information from the extended dynamic range of the image. This reduces the amount of information required to be processed while retaining a quality image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1998
    Inventors: Michael Kenneth Edwards, Paul Howard Mayeaux
  • Patent number: 5568186
    Abstract: A dewar cooled piezo electric activated beam splitter permits a filtered dimensional multispectral multidetector staring imager to operate as a target acquisition and recognition device as well as a detector and classifier of unknown chemical vapors or other targets with spectral fingerprint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1996
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Mark L. G. Althouse