Patents Assigned to Point Grey Research Inc.
  • Patent number: 9485420
    Abstract: An image capture system and method wherein an image capture device has a plurality of virtual image capture devices and is configured to capture images according to a selected virtual image capture device. The selection of virtual image capture devices may vary with time, the number of images taken, or the occurrence of certain events. Images may be communicated over a data link to one or more processors, which may display the images to users. Users may add, edit or delete profiles, causing corresponding changes to virtual imaging devices. Virtual image capture devices may communicate with each other and may be configured to capture images based on analysis of images taken by other virtual capture devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: Point Grey Research Inc.
    Inventors: Donald Ray Murray, Vladimir Tucakov, Michael Charles Park
  • Patent number: 8098955
    Abstract: An imaging device has a plurality of predefined regions of interest. The predefined regions of interest may be selected or deselected. Image data from selected regions of interest is transmitted to a host. In some embodiments the regions of interest comprise tiles. A set of selected tiles may be identified by a bit vector. An example application provides a digital camera configured to provide predefined regions of interest. The camera may be configured to permit a host to select or deselect the regions of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Point Grey Research Inc.
    Inventors: Roderick A. Barman, Stewart Kingdon, Malcolm Steenburgh
  • Patent number: 8081207
    Abstract: A camera system has a chassis carrying one or more cameras. Each camera has support member mounted to the chassis and an imaging chip mounted to the support member. An optical system for imaging onto the imaging chip may also be mounted to the chassis. The chassis and support members may have coefficients of thermal expansion that are substantially matched. In some embodiments the support members are located between the imaging chips and one or more circuit boards to which the imaging chips are electrically connected. In some embodiments the imaging chips are located over apertures or other channels through the chassis and light is incident on the imaging chips by way of the channels. The relative locations of the imaging chips can be maintained constant to preserve calibration for stereo imaging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Point Grey Research Inc.
    Inventors: Roderick A. Barman, Don Murray
  • Patent number: 7692684
    Abstract: A system for counting a number of people or other moving objects entering or leaving a space has a camera which provides an image of an entrance to the space. A data processor identifies moving objects in the image. The data processor is configured to count people or other objects which enter or leave an area within the image for two or more segments of a boundary of the area. Accuracy of the counting system can be monitored by comparing the counts for the different segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Point Grey Research Inc.
    Inventors: Shyan Ku, Malcolm Steenburgh, Vladimir Tucakov
  • Patent number: 7337344
    Abstract: The invention provides a method of synchronizing one or more devices on a first bus with one or more devices on a second bus. The method comprises acquiring timing information from the first bus and the second bus, determining a timing offset between the first bus and the second bus, and, broadcasting the timing offset to the one or more devices on the second bus so that the one or more devices on the second bus can adjust their timing to be synchronized with the one or more devices on the first bus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Point Grey Research Inc.
    Inventors: Roderick A. Barman, Stewart J. Kingdon, Timothy D. Vlaar
  • Publication number: 20070053677
    Abstract: A camera has a strobe output. When the camera acquires a sequence of images, a strobe pattern control determines for each image whether or not to apply a strobe signal to the strobe output according to a predetermined pattern. The predetermined pattern and the length of the sequence can be user defined by way of a suitable software interface, for example. The strobe output may be used to control a device such as a flash unit, a sound recorder or the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2005
    Publication date: March 8, 2007
    Applicant: Point Grey Research Inc.
    Inventors: Malcolm Steenburgh, Michael Gibbons, Stewart Kingdon, Roderick Barman
  • Publication number: 20060067456
    Abstract: A system for counting a number of people or other moving objects entering or leaving a space has a camera which provides an image of an entrance to the space. A data processor identifies moving objects in the image. The data processor is configured to count people or other objects which enter or leave an area within the image for two or more segments of a boundary of the area. Accuracy of the counting system can be monitored by comparing the counts for the different segments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2004
    Publication date: March 30, 2006
    Applicant: Point Grey Research Inc.
    Inventors: Shyan Ku, Malcolm Steenburgh, Vladimir Tucakov
  • Patent number: 6915008
    Abstract: A system for localizing objects has two or more measurement units. Calibration methods provide transformations to a common reference frame by locating calibration features in local reference frames of the measurement units. A calibration target spanning measurement fields of the measurement units may be used. The measurement units may have overlapping measurement fields. The measurement units may comprise stereo vision units or other units capable of locating objects or object features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: Point Grey Research Inc.
    Inventors: Rod Barman, Malcolm Steenburgh, Don Murray, Shyan Ku
  • Publication number: 20040187044
    Abstract: The invention provides a method of synchronizing one or more devices on a first bus with one or more devices on a second bus. The method comprises acquiring timing information from the first bus and the second bus, determining a timing offset between the first bus and the second bus, and, broadcasting the timing offset to the one or more devices on the second bus so that the one or more devices on the second bus can adjust their timing to be synchronized with the one or more devices on the first bus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2004
    Publication date: September 23, 2004
    Applicant: Point Grey Research Inc.
    Inventors: Roderick A. Barman, Stewart J. Kingdon, Timothy D. Vlaar
  • Patent number: 6795200
    Abstract: A system for measuring dimensions of cuboid objects may be used to measure dimensions of boxes travelling on a conveyor. The system has a pair of digital cameras which obtain images of one or more lines projected by a projector on upper surfaces of the objects. The height of the upper surfaces can be determined by triangulation. Lengths and widths of the upper surfaces are measured by locating endpoints of the projected lines and fitting rectangles to the located endpoints. The system does not require rigid mounting of the projector relative to the cameras. A third camera may be used to determine speed and direction of the conveyor motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Assignee: Point Grey Research Inc.
    Inventors: Rod Barman, Stewart Kingdon, Don Murray, Vladimir Tucakov, Malcolm Steenburgh
  • Patent number: 6392688
    Abstract: A stereo camera system suitable for use in high performance computer vision systems has two or more electronic cameras. Each camera has an assembly comprising a light sensing array and a lens assembly which are each directly mounted to a rigid mounting member. The rigid mounting member may be, for example, a thick metal plate penetrated by a plurality of apertures which provide light paths between the lens assemblies and the light sensing arrays. Stereo camera systems according to the invention are more rugged than current stereo camera systems. Calibration is maintained for longer periods of time. Relative motion between the two or more cameras is virtually eliminated. Relative motion between the optical components of individual cameras is virtually eliminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: Point Grey Research Inc.
    Inventors: Rod Barman, Vladimir Tucakov
  • Patent number: D445818
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2001
    Assignee: Point Grey Research Inc.
    Inventor: Vladimir Tucakov