Patents by Inventor Alain Bergeron
Alain Bergeron has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 11852772Abstract: A mail screening apparatus is provided to perform the inspection of mail or similar objects. Terahertz inspection is used to localize potential suspicious areas by imaging the contents inside the envelope or small parcel. The mail screening apparatus includes a primary and a secondary inspection zone, preferably allowing inspection of the mail in a normal and a zoomed mode, respectively. The same light source, image capture device and intervening optical components are used in both normal and zoomed modes. Metal detection may optionally be used to enhance awareness in the presence of metallic content. In one implementation, metal detection zones are provided in an orthogonal configuration with respect to the primary inspection zone used for terahertz imaging to accommodate for both manual and automatic inspection of mail.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2022Date of Patent: December 26, 2023Assignee: RAYSECUR INC.Inventors: Linda Marchese, Alain Bergeron, Eric Giroux, Marc Terroux
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Publication number: 20230328340Abstract: An imaging system that includes an image sensor and imaging optics is provided. The image sensor has a sensing surface and it captures images of a scene. The imaging optics is optically coupled to the image sensor and is configured to form the images of the scene onto the sensing surface of the image sensor. The imaging optics includes a sensor-adjacent optical element having an exit surface located in close proximity to the sensing surface of the image sensor. The exit surface of the sensor-adjacent optical element and the sensing surface of the image sensor are spaced apart by a gap having a gap width enabling evanescent-wave coupling from the exit surface to the sensing surface for light having wavelengths within the sensor spectral range.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2021Publication date: October 12, 2023Inventors: Michel DOUCET, Alain BERGERON, Francis GENEREUX, Hassane OULACHGAR, Marc TERROUX
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Publication number: 20220390590Abstract: There is described a terahertz (THz) imaging device and method for imaging an object hidden underneath clothing. The THz imaging device is generally configured for illuminating a region of clothing with a THz illumination beam, collecting a return optical beam reflected from the region of clothing in response to the illumination, generating a THz image based on the collected return optical beam, and tracking a position and orientation of the THz imaging device as the THz image is generated. A plurality of complementary THz images are generated by repeating the steps of illuminating, collecting, generating and tracking for a plurality of points of view of the THz imaging device relative to the clothing. By registering these THz images to one another in a common coordinate system based on the tracked position and orientation, the THz imaging device can output a composite THz image representing the hidden object, if any.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 12, 2020Publication date: December 8, 2022Inventors: Linda MARCHESE, Alain BERGERON, Marc TERROUX, Michel DOUCET, François BERTHIAUME, Martin BRIAND, Mélanie LECLERC, Fabien CLAVEAU
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Publication number: 20220196869Abstract: A mail screening apparatus is provided to perform the inspection of mail or similar objects. Terahertz inspection is used to localize potential suspicious areas by imaging the contents inside the envelope or small parcel. The mail screening apparatus includes a primary and a secondary inspection zone, preferably allowing inspection of the mail in a normal and a zoomed mode, respectively. The same light source, image capture device and intervening optical components are used in both normal and zoomed modes. Metal detection may optionally be used to enhance awareness in the presence of metallic content. In one implementation, metal detection zones are provided in an orthogonal configuration with respect to the primary inspection zone used for terahertz imaging to accommodate for both manual and automatic inspection of mail.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 11, 2022Publication date: June 23, 2022Inventors: Linda Marchese, Alain Bergeron, Eric Giroux, Marc Terroux
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Patent number: 11368637Abstract: A method and system for imaging a target scene using a microbolometer array having multiple lines of microbolometer pixels are disclosed. Each line is switchable between an exposed state and a shielded state, where the line is exposed to the target scene and a reference scene, respectively. The method may include alternating between generating a target frame of the target scene and generating a reference frame of the reference scene, each of which in a rolling shutter mode. The method may also include, concurrently with the generating steps, alternating between sequentially shielding each line after its readout in the exposed state for its next readout in the shielded state, and sequentially exposing each line after its readout in the shielded state for its next readout in the exposed state. The method may also include adjusting the target frames using the reference frames to generate thermal images of the target scene.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2021Date of Patent: June 21, 2022Assignee: INSTITUT NATIONAL D'OPTIQUEInventors: Bruno Tremblay, Alain Bergeron
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Patent number: 11300699Abstract: A mail screening apparatus is provided to perform the inspection of mail or similar objects. Terahertz inspection is used to localize potential suspicious areas by imaging the contents inside the envelope or small parcel. The mail screening apparatus includes a primary and a secondary inspection zone, preferably allowing inspection of the mail in a normal and a zoomed mode, respectively. The same light source, image capture device and intervening optical components are used in both normal and zoomed modes. Metal detection may optionally be used to enhance awareness in the presence of metallic content. In one implementation, metal detection zones are provided in an orthogonal configuration with respect to the primary inspection zone used for terahertz imaging to accommodate for both manual and automatic inspection of mail.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2019Date of Patent: April 12, 2022Assignee: RAYSECUR, INCInventors: Linda Marchese, Alain Bergeron, Eric Giroux, Marc Terroux
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Publication number: 20210158056Abstract: Methods and systems for crowd surveillance in a public space are provided. The public space has one or more entry points each associated with a corresponding entry zone. Using an entry sensor network, each individual accessing the public space through one of the entry zones is tagged. Each tagged individual is then tracked using the entry sensor network and an interior sensor network. A mood analysis based on data acquired by at least the entry sensor network is performed and includes evaluating at least one physiological or behavioral parameter representative of an emotional state of the individual. A mood-based risk assessment of the individual is then performed based on the mood analysis.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 20, 2020Publication date: May 27, 2021Inventors: Pierre GALARNEAU, Suzie DUFOUR, LoÏc LE NOC, André FOUGÈRES, Alain BERGERON
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Patent number: 10564268Abstract: A method is for phase-error correction in a synthetic aperture (SA) imaging system. A transmission signal and a local oscillator (LO) signal are generated with a relative time delay, which can be adjusted in real-time to match a range to a target region to be imaged. A portion of the transmission signal is transmitted onto the target region and a return signal is collected and mixed with a portion of the LO signal to provide a raw SA signal. Transmission and LO phase errors associated respectively with the transmission and LO signals are determined, as well as a frequency jitter between the transmission and LO signals. A phase-corrected SA signal is obtained by applying a phase correction to the raw SA signal based on the transmission phase error, the LO phase error and the frequency jitter. An SA imaging system is capable of implementing the method for phase-error correction.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2017Date of Patent: February 18, 2020Assignee: INSTITUT NATIONAL D'OPTIQUEInventors: Simon Turbide, Alain Bergeron
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Publication number: 20190196044Abstract: A mail screening apparatus is provided to perform the inspection of mail or similar objects. Terahertz inspection is used to localize potential suspicious areas by imaging the contents inside the envelope or small parcel. The mail screening apparatus includes a primary and a secondary inspection zone, preferably allowing inspection of the mail in a normal and a zoomed mode, respectively. The same light source, image capture device and intervening optical components are used in both normal and zoomed modes. Metal detection may optionally be used to enhance awareness in the presence of metallic content. In one implementation, metal detection zones are provided in an orthogonal configuration with respect to the primary inspection zone used for terahertz imaging to accommodate for both manual and automatic inspection of mail.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 4, 2019Publication date: June 27, 2019Applicant: RAYSECUR, INC.Inventors: Linda MARCHESE, Alain BERGERON, Eric GIROUX, Marc TERROUX
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Patent number: 10247842Abstract: A mail screening apparatus is provided to perform the inspection of mail or similar objects. Terahertz inspection is used to localize potential suspicious areas by imaging the contents inside the envelope or small parcel. The mail screening apparatus includes a primary and a secondary inspection zone, preferably allowing inspection of the mail in a normal and a zoomed mode, respectively. The same light source, image capture device and intervening optical components are used in both normal and zoomed modes. Metal detection may optionally be used to enhance awareness in the presence of metallic content. In one implementation, metal detection zones are provided in an orthogonal configuration with respect to the primary inspection zone used for terahertz imaging to accommodate for both manual and automatic inspection of mail.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2016Date of Patent: April 2, 2019Assignee: RaySecur Inc.Inventors: Linda Marchese, Alain Bergeron, Éric Giroux, Marc Terroux
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Patent number: 10175351Abstract: There is described a method for processing data generated by a synthetic aperture imaging system, comprising: receiving raw data representative of electromagnetic signals reflected by a target area to be imaged; receiving a parameter change for the synthetic aperture imaging system; digitally correcting the raw data in accordance with the parameter change, thereby compensating for the parameter change in order to obtain corrected data; and generating an image of the target area using the corrected data.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2015Date of Patent: January 8, 2019Assignee: INSTITUT NATIONAL D'OPTIQUEInventors: Alain Bergeron, Linda Marchese
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Publication number: 20180241477Abstract: A method is for phase-error correction in a synthetic aperture (SA) imaging system. A transmission signal and a local oscillator (LO) signal are generated with a relative time delay, which can be adjusted in real-time to match a range to a target region to be imaged. A portion of the transmission signal is transmitted onto the target region and a return signal is collected and mixed with a portion of the LO signal to provide a raw SA signal. Transmission and LO phase errors associated respectively with the transmission and LO signals are determined, as well as a frequency jitter between the transmission and LO signals. A phase-corrected SA signal is obtained by applying a phase correction to the raw SA signal based on the transmission phase error, the LO phase error and the frequency jitter. An SA imaging system is capable of implementing the method for phase-error correction.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 17, 2017Publication date: August 23, 2018Inventors: Simon TURBIDE, Alain BERGERON
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Patent number: 10042172Abstract: A beam conditioning device includes a coherence-breaking module and a beam transforming module. The coherence-breaking module is configured to break a spatial coherence between beam components of the light beam and may include coherence-breaking mirrors having a structured pattern on their reflective surfaces. The beam transforming module may include a primary optical element and a secondary optical element and is configured to transform the spatial energy distribution and the footprint of the light beam. The beam conditioning device may be used to transform a Gaussian light beam into a flat-top light beam suitable for terahertz imaging applications, although other initial and/or final energy distributions may be considered.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2016Date of Patent: August 7, 2018Assignee: INSTITUT NATIONAL D'OPTIQUEInventors: Michel Doucet, Alain Bergeron, Linda Marchese
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Patent number: 10042049Abstract: There is described a method for processing data generated by a synthetic aperture imaging system, comprising: receiving raw data representative of electromagnetic signals reflected by a target area to be imaged; receiving a parameter change for the synthetic aperture imaging system; digitally correcting the raw data in accordance with the parameter change, thereby compensating for the parameter change in order to obtain corrected data; and generating an image of the target area using the corrected data.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2015Date of Patent: August 7, 2018Assignee: INSTITUT NATIONAL D'OPTIQUEInventors: Alain Bergeron, Linda Marchese
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Publication number: 20180113207Abstract: There is described a method for processing data generated by a synthetic aperture imaging system, comprising: receiving raw data representative of electromagnetic signals reflected by a target area to be imaged; receiving a parameter change for the synthetic aperture imaging system; digitally correcting the raw data in accordance with the parameter change, thereby compensating for the parameter change in order to obtain corrected data; and generating an image of the target area using the corrected data.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 30, 2015Publication date: April 26, 2018Inventors: Alain Bergeron, Linda Marchese
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Publication number: 20180113208Abstract: There is described a method for processing data generated by a synthetic aperture imaging system, comprising: receiving raw data representative of electromagnetic signals reflected by a target area to be imaged; receiving a parameter change for the synthetic aperture imaging system; digitally correcting the raw data in accordance with the parameter change, thereby compensating for the parameter change in order to obtain corrected data; and generating an image of the target area using the corrected data.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 30, 2015Publication date: April 26, 2018Inventors: Alain Bergeron, Linda Marchese
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Publication number: 20170184865Abstract: A beam conditioning device includes a coherence-breaking module and a beam transforming module. The coherence-breaking module is configured to break a spatial coherence between beam components of the light beam and may include coherence-breaking mirrors having a structured pattern on their reflective surfaces. The beam transforming module may include a primary optical element and a secondary optical element and is configured to transform the spatial energy distribution and the footprint of the light beam. The beam conditioning device may be used to transform a Gaussian light beam into a flat-top light beam suitable for terahertz imaging applications, although other initial and/or final energy distributions may be considered.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 23, 2016Publication date: June 29, 2017Inventors: Michel DOUCET, Alain BERGERON, Linda MARCHESE
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Publication number: 20170187932Abstract: A mail screening apparatus is provided to perform the inspection of mail or similar objects. Terahertz inspection is used to localize potential suspicious areas by imaging the contents inside the envelope or small parcel. The mail screening apparatus includes a primary and a secondary inspection zone, preferably allowing inspection of the mail in a normal and a zoomed mode, respectively. The same light source, image capture device and intervening optical components are used in both normal and zoomed modes. Metal detection may optionally be used to enhance awareness in the presence of metallic content. In one implementation, metal detection zones are provided in an orthogonal configuration with respect to the primary inspection zone used for terahertz imaging to accommodate for both manual and automatic inspection of mail.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2016Publication date: June 29, 2017Inventors: Linda MARCHESE, Alain BERGERON, Éric GIROUX, Marc TERROUX
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Patent number: 9261594Abstract: There is provided a System and method of wavefront compensation in a synthetic aperture imaging system. A return signal data representative of a signal reflected by a target area to be imaged is received. A compensation phase figure corresponding to a wavefront compensation to be applied is provided. The compensation phase figure is added or otherwise applied to the phase pattern of the return signal data in order to obtain a compensated phase pattern. An optical beam is spatially modulated according to the compensated phase pattern to produce a modulated optical beam such that the compensation phase figure produces a wavefront compensation on the optical beam. An image of the target area is optically generated using the modulated optical beam.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2010Date of Patent: February 16, 2016Assignee: INSTITUT NATIONAL D'OPTIQUEInventors: Alain Bergeron, Linda Marchese, Michel Doucet
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Patent number: 9176227Abstract: There is described a method for processing data generated by a synthetic aperture imaging system, comprising: receiving raw data representative of electromagnetic signals reflected by a target area to be imaged; receiving a parameter change for the synthetic aperture imaging system; digitally correcting the raw data in accordance with the parameter change, thereby compensating for the parameter change in order to obtain corrected data; and generating an image of the target area using the corrected data.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2010Date of Patent: November 3, 2015Assignee: INSTITUTE NATIONAL D'OPTIQUEInventors: Alain Bergeron, Linda Marchese