Patents Assigned to NODAR Inc.
  • Patent number: 12263836
    Abstract: An automated vehicle assistance system is provided for supervised or unsupervised vehicle movement. The system includes a control system and a first sensor system. The first sensor system may receive first image data of a scene and may output a first disparity map and a first confidence map based on the first image data. The control system may output a video stream based on the first disparity map and the first confidence map. The vehicle assistance system also may include a second sensor system that receives second image data of at least a portion of the scene that outputs a second confidence map based on second image data. The video stream may include super-frames, with each super-frame including a 2D image of the scene, a depth map corresponding to the 2D image, and a certainty map corresponding to the depth map.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2025
    Assignee: NODAR Inc.
    Inventors: Leaf Alden Jiang, Carsten Louis Boers
  • Patent number: 12125215
    Abstract: A method of detecting and tracking objects includes (a) obtaining point-cloud data captured by camera sensors on a vehicle travelling along a road surface, (b) compressing the point-cloud data to bird's-eye-view (BEV) data representing a view along a BEV direction oriented approximately perpendicular to the road surface, the BEV data representing the objects on a BEV plane oriented approximately parallel the road surface, (c) establishing a grid of cells for the BEV plane, (d) for each cell, determining occupancy values of the cell for a time tn and performing noise reduction by assigning weights to the cell based on predicted occupancy values of the cell for the time tn and on occupancy values of the cell for a previous time tn?1, and (e) outputting to a controller of the vehicle, in real time or nearly real time, an occupancy evidence map of objects in the vehicle's environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2024
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2024
    Assignee: NODAR Inc.
    Inventors: Vikram Shree, Leaf Alden Jiang, Piotr Swierczynski
  • Publication number: 20240326787
    Abstract: An automated vehicle assistance system is provided for supervised or unsupervised vehicle movement. The system includes a control system and a first sensor system. The first sensor system may receive first image data of a scene and may output a first disparity map and a first confidence map based on the first image data. The control system may output a video stream based on the first disparity map and the first confidence map. The vehicle assistance system also may include a second sensor system that receives second image data of at least a portion of the scene that outputs a second confidence map based on second image data. The video stream may include super-frames, with each super-frame including a 2D image of the scene, a depth map corresponding to the 2D image, and a certainty map corresponding to the depth map.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2023
    Publication date: October 3, 2024
    Applicant: NODAR Inc.
    Inventors: Leaf Alden Jiang, Carsten Louis Boers
  • Patent number: 12094144
    Abstract: A system and a method are provided for repairing a depth map. The repairing includes representing pixels of the depth map using a matrix H having values corresponding to depths, the pixels including hole pixels and non-hole pixels; determining a confidence mask matrix C for the depth map; for each hole pixel, determining a kernel G of neighboring pixels, the neighboring pixels having values corresponding to a predetermined distribution, and convolving the kernel G with corresponding portions of the matrix C and the matrix H to obtain an estimated depth; generating a corrected matrix ? in which values for non-hole pixels are retained and in which the hole pixels have values corresponding to their estimated depths. The estimated depths may be normalized based on the matrix C. An updated depth map based on the corrected matrix ? may be outputted to a control system of a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Assignee: NODAR Inc.
    Inventors: Vikram Shree, Piotr Swierczynski, Leaf Alden Jiang
  • Patent number: 12043283
    Abstract: A small-object perception system, for use in a vehicle, includes a stereo vision system that captures stereo images and outputs information identifying an object having a dimension in a range of ˜20 cm to about ˜100 cm in a perception range of ˜3 meters to ˜150 meters from the vehicle, and a system controller configured to receive output signals from the stereo vision system and to provide control signals to control a path of movement of the vehicle. The stereo vision system includes cameras separated by a baseline of ˜1 meter to ˜4 meters. The stereo vision system includes a stereo matching module configured to perform stereo matching on left and right initial images and to output a final disparity map based on a plurality of preliminary disparity maps generated from the left and right initial images, with the preliminary disparity maps having different resolutions from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2024
    Assignee: NODAR Inc.
    Inventors: Jing Wang, Leaf Alden Jiang
  • Publication number: 20240242382
    Abstract: A long-baseline and long depth-range stereo vision system is provided that is suitable for use in non-rigid assemblies where relative motion between two or more cameras of the system does not degrade estimates of a depth map. The stereo vision system may include a processor that tracks camera parameters as a function of time to rectify images from the cameras even during fast and slow perturbations to camera positions. Factory calibration of the system is not needed, and manual calibration during regular operation is not needed, thus simplifying manufacturing of the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2024
    Publication date: July 18, 2024
    Applicant: NODAR Inc.
    Inventors: Leaf Alden Jiang, Philip Bradley Rosen, Piotr Swierczynski
  • Publication number: 20240183963
    Abstract: An automatically calibrated vision system includes: a vision calibration system; a first sensor system that receives first data of a scene captured by a first sensor on a movable machine and outputs a first map based on the first data; a second sensor system that receives second data of the scene captured by a second sensor on the movable machine and outputs a second map based on the second data. The vision calibration system computes calibration data based on the first and second maps, supplies the calibration data to the first sensor system and/or the second sensor system for automatic calibration of the first sensor system and/or the second sensor system, and outputs, to a controller of the movable machine, a calibrated depth map comprised of depth measurements calibrated using the calibration data. The first sensor system and/or the second sensor system automatically perform(s) a self-calibration using the calibration data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2023
    Publication date: June 6, 2024
    Applicant: NODAR Inc.
    Inventors: Piotr Swierczynski, Leaf Alden Jiang, Matthew Beveridge
  • Patent number: 11983899
    Abstract: A long-baseline and long depth-range stereo vision system is provided that is suitable for use in non-rigid assemblies where relative motion between two or more cameras of the system does not degrade estimates of a depth map. The stereo vision system may include a processor that tracks camera parameters as a function of time to rectify images from the cameras even during fast and slow perturbations to camera positions. Factory calibration of the system is not needed, and manual calibration during regular operation is not needed, thus simplifying manufacturing of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Assignee: NODAR Inc.
    Inventors: Leaf Alden Jiang, Philip Bradley Rosen, Piotr Swierczynski
  • Patent number: 11834038
    Abstract: An automated vehicle assistance system is provided for supervised or unsupervised vehicle movement. The system includes a control system and a first sensor system. The first sensor system may receive first image data of a scene and may output a first disparity map and a first confidence map based on the first image data. The control system may output a video stream based on the first disparity map and the first confidence map. The vehicle assistance system also may include a second sensor system that receives second image data of at least a portion of the scene that outputs a second confidence map based on second image data. The video stream may include super-frames, with each super-frame including a 2D image of the scene, a depth map corresponding to the 2D image, and a certainty map corresponding to the depth map.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: NODAR Inc.
    Inventors: Leaf Alden Jiang, Carsten Louis Boers
  • Publication number: 20230356743
    Abstract: A small-object perception system, for use in a vehicle, includes a stereo vision system that captures stereo images and outputs information identifying an object having a dimension in a range of ˜20 cm to about ˜100 cm in a perception range of ˜3 meters to ˜150 meters from the vehicle, and a system controller configured to receive output signals from the stereo vision system and to provide control signals to control a path of movement of the vehicle. The stereo vision system includes cameras separated by a baseline of ˜1 meter to ˜4 meters. The stereo vision system includes a stereo matching module configured to perform stereo matching on left and right initial images and to output a final disparity map based on a plurality of preliminary disparity maps generated from the left and right initial images, with the preliminary disparity maps having different resolutions from each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2023
    Publication date: November 9, 2023
    Applicant: NODAR Inc.
    Inventors: Jing Wang, Leaf Alden Jiang
  • Patent number: 11782145
    Abstract: An automatically calibrated vision system includes: a vision calibration system; a first sensor system that receives first data of a scene captured by a first sensor on a movable machine and outputs a first map based on the first data; a second sensor system that receives second data of the scene captured by a second sensor on the movable machine and outputs a second map based on the second data. The vision calibration system computes calibration data based on the first and second maps, supplies the calibration data to the first sensor system and/or the second sensor system for automatic calibration of the first sensor system and/or the second sensor system, and outputs, to a controller of the movable machine, a calibrated depth map comprised of depth measurements calibrated using the calibration data. The first sensor system and/or the second sensor system automatically perform(s) a self-calibration using the calibration data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: NODAR Inc.
    Inventors: Piotr Swierczynski, Leaf Alden Jiang, Matthew Beveridge
  • Publication number: 20230076036
    Abstract: An automated vehicle assistance system is provided for supervised or unsupervised vehicle movement. The system includes a control system and a first sensor system. The first sensor system may receive first image data of a scene and may output a first disparity map and a first confidence map based on the first image data. The control system may output a video stream based on the first disparity map and the first confidence map. The vehicle assistance system also may include a second sensor system that receives second image data of at least a portion of the scene that outputs a second confidence map based on second image data. The video stream may include super-frames, with each super-frame including a 2D image of the scene, a depth map corresponding to the 2D image, and a certainty map corresponding to the depth map.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2022
    Publication date: March 9, 2023
    Applicant: NODAR Inc.
    Inventors: Leaf Alden Jiang, Carsten Louis Boers
  • Patent number: 11577748
    Abstract: A small-object perception system, for use in a vehicle, includes a stereo vision system that captures stereo images and outputs information identifying an object having a dimension in a range of ˜20 cm to about ˜100 cm in a perception range of ˜3 meters to ˜150 meters from the vehicle, and a system controller configured to receive output signals from the stereo vision system and to provide control signals to control a path of movement of the vehicle. The stereo vision system includes cameras separated by a baseline of ˜1 meter to ˜4 meters. The stereo vision system includes a stereo matching module configured to perform stereo matching on left and right initial images and to output a final disparity map based on a plurality of preliminary disparity maps generated from the left and right initial images, with the preliminary disparity maps having different resolutions from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: NODAR Inc.
    Inventors: Jing Wang, Leaf Alden Jiang
  • Publication number: 20230005184
    Abstract: A long-baseline and long depth-range stereo vision system is provided that is suitable for use in non-rigid assemblies where relative motion between two or more cameras of the system does not degrade estimates of a depth map. The stereo vision system may include a processor that tracks camera parameters as a function of time to rectify images from the cameras even during fast and slow perturbations to camera positions. Factory calibration of the system is not needed, and manual calibration during regular operation is not needed, thus simplifying manufacturing of the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2022
    Publication date: January 5, 2023
    Applicant: NODAR Inc.
    Inventors: Leaf Alden Jiang, Philip Bradley Rosen, Piotr Swierczynski
  • Patent number: 11427193
    Abstract: An automated vehicle assistance system is provided for supervised or unsupervised vehicle movement. The system includes a control system and a first sensor system. The first sensor system may receive first image data of a scene and may output a first disparity map and a first confidence map based on the first image data. The control system may output a video stream based on the first disparity map and the first confidence map. The vehicle assistance system also may include a second sensor system that receives second image data of at least a portion of the scene that outputs a second confidence map based on second image data. The video stream may include super-frames, with each super-frame including a 2D image of the scene, a depth map corresponding to the 2D image, and a certainty map corresponding to the depth map.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: NODAR Inc.
    Inventors: Leaf Alden Jiang, Carsten Louis Boers
  • Patent number: 11321875
    Abstract: A long-baseline and long depth-range stereo vision system is provided that is suitable for use in non-rigid assemblies where relative motion between two or more cameras of the system does not degrade estimates of a depth map. The stereo vision system may include a processor that tracks camera parameters as a function of time to rectify images from the cameras even during fast and slow perturbations to camera positions. Factory calibration of the system is not needed, and manual calibration during regular operation is not needed, thus simplifying manufacturing of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: NODAR Inc.
    Inventors: Leaf Alden Jiang, Philip Bradley Rosen, Piotr Swierczynski
  • Patent number: 11321876
    Abstract: A long-baseline and long depth-range stereo vision system is provided that is suitable for use in non-rigid assemblies where relative motion between two or more cameras of the system does not degrade estimates of a depth map. The stereo vision system may include a processor that tracks camera parameters as a function of time to rectify images from the cameras even during fast and slow perturbations to camera positions. Factory calibration of the system is not needed, and manual calibration during regular operation is not needed, thus simplifying manufacturing of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: NODAR Inc.
    Inventors: Leaf Alden Jiang, Philip Bradley Rosen, Piotr Swierczynski
  • Publication number: 20220111839
    Abstract: An automated vehicle assistance system is provided for supervised or unsupervised vehicle movement. The system includes a control system and a first sensor system. The first sensor system may receive first image data of a scene and may output a first disparity map and a first confidence map based on the first image data. The control system may output a video stream based on the first disparity map and the first confidence map. The vehicle assistance system also may include a second sensor system that receives second image data of at least a portion of the scene that outputs a second confidence map based on second image data. The video stream may include super-frames, with each super-frame including a 2D image of the scene, a depth map corresponding to the 2D image, and a certainty map corresponding to the depth map.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2021
    Publication date: April 14, 2022
    Applicant: NODAR Inc.
    Inventors: Leaf Alden Jiang, Carsten Louis Boers
  • Patent number: 11282234
    Abstract: A long-baseline and long depth-range stereo vision system is provided that is suitable for use in non-rigid assemblies where relative motion between two or more cameras of the system does not degrade estimates of a depth map. The stereo vision system may include a processor that tracks camera parameters as a function of time to rectify images from the cameras even during fast and slow perturbations to camera positions. Factory calibration of the system is not needed, and manual calibration during regular operation is not needed, thus simplifying manufacturing of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: NODAR Inc.
    Inventors: Leaf Alden Jiang, Philip Bradley Rosen, Piotr Swierczynski
  • Publication number: 20210350576
    Abstract: A long-baseline and long depth-range stereo vision system is provided that is suitable for use in non-rigid assemblies where relative motion between two or more cameras of the system does not degrade estimates of a depth map. The stereo vision system may include a processor that tracks camera parameters as a function of time to rectify images from the cameras even during fast and slow perturbations to camera positions. Factory calibration of the system is not needed, and manual calibration during regular operation is not needed, thus simplifying manufacturing of the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2021
    Publication date: November 11, 2021
    Applicant: NODAR Inc.
    Inventors: Leaf Alden Jiang, Philip Bradley Rosen, Piotr Swierczynski