Patents by Inventor Donna E. Hewitt

Donna E. Hewitt 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).

  • Patent number: 9160914
    Abstract: A compressive imaging system modulates an incident light stream and senses the modulated light stream to obtain compressive measurements. The measurements are algorithmically processed to reconstruct a sequence of images. The image sequence is displayed. The system receives user input (through a user interface) representing a user command to set or change one or more visual performance factors such as image quality and frame rate. The system immediately adjusts the visual performance factors by adjusting one or more underlying system parameters/algorithms. Thus, the visual consequences of any inputs to the user interface become immediately apparent in the displayed sequence of images. The user may therefore intuitively learn how to operate the user interface simply by making trial inputs and observing their effects in the displayed image sequence. The user interface may include one or more mechanical input devices and/or one or more graphical user interface (GUI) elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: InView Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Robert F. Bridge, Donna E. Hewitt, Tyler H. Weston
  • Patent number: 8970740
    Abstract: A mechanism for reconstructing sub-images based on measurement data acquired by an imaging system including an array of light modulating elements and an array of photodetectors. Each sub-image is reconstructed based on samples from a respective photodetector and a respective set of measurement patterns defined on a respective virtual sub-region on the modulating array. Each virtual sub-region is configured to include at least the light modulating elements that are able to send a non-trivial amount of light to the respective photodetector during a pattern application period. The virtual sub-regions overlap because many light modulating elements are capable of sending light to more than one photodetector. Whenever a measurement pattern of one virtual sub-region overlaps the measurement pattern of a neighboring virtual sub-region, the two measurement patterns agree by design. Thus, the measurement patterns for the collection of virtual sub-regions combine to form a pattern on the whole modulating array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: In View Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew A. Herman, Donna E. Hewitt, Tyler H. Weston, Lenore McMackin
  • Patent number: 8922688
    Abstract: A compressive imaging system for optimizing dynamic range during the acquisition of compressed images. A light modulator modulates incident light with spatial patterns to produced modulated light. A light sensing device generates an electrical signal representing intensity of the modulated light over time. The system amplifies a difference between the electrical signal and an adjustable baseline voltage and captures samples of the amplified signal. The adjustable baseline voltage is set to be approximately equal to the average value of the electrical signal. A compressive imaging system for identifying and correcting hot spot(s) in the incident light field. Search patterns are sent to the light modulator and the corresponding samples of the electrical signal are analyzed. Once the hot spot is located, the light modulating elements corresponding to the hot spot may be turned off or their duty cycle may be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: InView Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Robert F. Bridge, James M. Tidman, Lenore McMackin, Donna E. Hewitt, Richard G. Baraniuk
  • Patent number: 8760542
    Abstract: An imaging system and method that captures compressive sensing (CS) measurements of a received light stream, and also obtains samples of background light level (BGLL). The BGLL samples may be used to compensate the CS measurements for variations in the BGLL. The system includes: a light modulator to spatially modulate the received light stream with spatial patterns, and a lens to concentrate the modulated light stream onto a light detector. The samples of BGLL may be obtained in various ways: (a) injecting calibration patterns among the spatial patterns; (b) measuring complementary light reflected by digital micromirrors onto a secondary output path; (c) separating and measuring a portion of light from the optical input path; (d) low-pass filtering the CS measurements; and (e) employing a light power meter with its own separate input path. Also, the CS measurements may be high-pass filtered to attenuate background light variation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: InView Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Robert F. Bridge, Matthew A. Herman, Donna E. Hewitt, Tyler H. Weston, Justin A. Fritz
  • Publication number: 20140168482
    Abstract: A mechanism for reconstructing sub-images based on measurement data acquired by an imaging system including an array of light modulating elements and an array of photodetectors. Each sub-image is reconstructed based on samples from a respective photodetector and a respective set of measurement patterns defined on a respective virtual sub-region on the modulating array. Each virtual sub-region is configured to include at least the light modulating elements that are able to send a non-trivial amount of light to the respective photodetector during a pattern application period. The virtual sub-regions overlap because many light modulating elements are capable of sending light to more than one photodetector. Whenever a measurement pattern of one virtual sub-region overlaps the measurement pattern of a neighboring virtual sub-region, the two measurement patterns agree by design. Thus, the measurement patterns for the collection of virtual sub-regions combine to form a pattern on the whole modulating array.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2013
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: InView Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew A. Herman, Donna E. Hewitt, Tyler H. Weston, Lenore McMackin
  • Patent number: 8717492
    Abstract: A compressive imaging (CI) device including a light modulator and a light sensor (e.g., a single-element sensor or a sensor array). The CI device may support the focusing of light on the light modulator and/or on the light sensor in a number of ways: (1) determining a focus indicator value by analyzing a 1D or 2D image in the incident light field; (2) measuring light spillover between modulator regions and light sensing elements—either at the level of voltage measurements or the level of reconstructed images; (3) measure noise in reconstructed sub-images; (4) measuring an amount high-frequency content in the incident light field; (5) incorporating a range finder to measure distance to the object being imaged; (6) incorporating an image sensor downstream from the modulator; and (7) splitting a portion of the incident light onto an image sensor, prior to the modulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: InView Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Lenore McMackin, Donna E. Hewitt, Tyler H. Weston, Byron Zollars
  • Publication number: 20140104487
    Abstract: An imaging system and method that captures compressive sensing (CS) measurements of a received light stream, and also obtains samples of background light level (BGLL). The BGLL samples may be used to compensate the CS measurements for variations in the BGLL. The system includes: a light modulator to spatially modulate the received light stream with spatial patterns, and a lens to concentrate the modulated light stream onto a light detector. The samples of BGLL may be obtained in various ways: (a) injecting calibration patterns among the spatial patterns; (b) measuring complementary light reflected by digital micromirrors onto a secondary output path; (c) separating and measuring a portion of light from the optical input path; (d) low-pass filtering the CS measurements; and (e) employing a light power meter with its own separate input path. Also, the CS measurements may be high-pass filtered to attenuate background light variation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: InView Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Robert F. Bridge, Matthew A. Herman, Donna E. Hewitt, Tyler H. Weston, Justin A. Fritz
  • Patent number: 8634009
    Abstract: A compressive imaging system for optimizing dynamic range during the acquisition of compressed images. A light modulator modulates incident light with spatial patterns to produced modulated light. A light sensing device generates an electrical signal representing intensity of the modulated light over time. The system amplifies a difference between the electrical signal and an adjustable baseline voltage and captures samples of the amplified signal. The adjustable baseline voltage is set to be approximately equal to the average value of the electrical signal. A compressive imaging system for identifying and correcting hot spot(s) in the incident light field. Search patterns are sent to the light modulator and the corresponding samples of the electrical signal are analyzed. Once the hot spot is located, the light modulating elements corresponding to the hot spot may be turned off or their duty cycle may be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: InView Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin F. Kelly, Gary L. Woods, Lenore McMackin, Robert F. Bridge, James M. Tidman, Donna E. Hewitt
  • Patent number: 8570406
    Abstract: An imaging system and method that captures compressive sensing (CS) measurements of a received light stream, and also obtains samples of background light level (BGLL). The BGLL samples may be used to compensate the CS measurements for variations in the BGLL. The system includes: a light modulator to spatially modulate the received light stream with spatial patterns, and a lens to concentrate the modulated light stream onto a light detector. The samples of BGLL may be obtained in various ways: (a) injecting calibration patterns among the spatial patterns; (b) measuring complementary light reflected by digital micromirrors onto a secondary output path; (c) separating and measuring a portion of light from the optical input path; (d) low-pass filtering the CS measurements; and (e) employing a light power meter with its own separate input path. Also, the CS measurements may be high-pass filtered to attenuate background light variation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: InView Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin F. Kelly, Richard G. Baraniuk, Lenore McMackin, Robert F. Bridge, Sujoy Chatterjee, Donna E. Hewitt, Tyler H. Weston
  • Patent number: 8570405
    Abstract: An imaging system and method that captures compressive sensing (CS) measurements of a received light stream, and also obtains samples of background light level (BGLL). The BGLL samples may be used to compensate the CS measurements for variations in the BGLL. The system includes: a light modulator to spatially modulate the received light stream with spatial patterns, and a lens to concentrate the modulated light stream onto a light detector. The samples of BGLL may be obtained in various ways: (a) injecting calibration patterns among the spatial patterns; (b) measuring complementary light reflected by digital micromirrors onto a secondary output path; (c) separating and measuring a portion of light from the optical input path; (d) low-pass filtering the CS measurements; and (e) employing a light power meter with its own separate input path. Also, the CS measurements may be high-pass filtered to attenuate background light variation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: InView Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin F. Kelly, Richard G. Baraniuk, Leonore McMackin, Robert F. Bridge, Sujoy Chatterjee, Donna E. Hewitt, Tyler H. Weston
  • Publication number: 20130002968
    Abstract: A compressive imaging system modulates an incident light stream and senses the modulated light stream to obtain compressive measurements. The measurements are algorithmically processed to reconstruct a sequence of images. The image sequence is displayed. The system receives user input (through a user interface) representing a user command to set or change one or more visual performance factors such as image quality and frame rate. The system immediately adjusts the visual performance factors by adjusting one or more underlying system parameters/algorithms. Thus, the visual consequences of any inputs to the user interface become immediately apparent in the displayed sequence of images. The user may therefore intuitively learn how to operate the user interface simply by making trial inputs and observing their effects in the displayed image sequence. The user interface may include one or more mechanical input devices and/or one or more graphical user interface (GUI) elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2012
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Inventors: Robert F. Bridge, Donna E. Hewitt, Tyler H. Weston
  • Publication number: 20120241597
    Abstract: A compressive imaging system for optimizing dynamic range during the acquisition of compressed images. A light modulator modulates incident light with spatial patterns to produced modulated light. A light sensing device generates an electrical signal representing intensity of the modulated light over time. The system amplifies a difference between the electrical signal and an adjustable baseline voltage and captures samples of the amplified signal. The adjustable baseline voltage is set to be approximately equal to the average value of the electrical signal. A compressive imaging system for identifying and correcting hot spot(s) in the incident light field. Search patterns are sent to the light modulator and the corresponding samples of the electrical signal are analyzed. Once the hot spot is located, the light modulating elements corresponding to the hot spot may be turned off or their duty cycle may be reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2012
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Inventors: Robert F. Bridge, James M. Tidman, Lenore McMackin, Donna E. Hewitt, Richard G. Baraniuk
  • Publication number: 20120038817
    Abstract: A compressive imaging (CI) device including a light modulator and a light sensor (e.g., a single-element sensor or a sensor array). The CI device may support the focusing of light on the light modulator and/or on the light sensor in a number of ways: (1) determining a focus indicator value by analyzing a 1D or 2D image in the incident light field; (2) measuring light spillover between modulator regions and light sensing elements—either at the level of voltage measurements or the level of reconstructed images; (3) measure noise in reconstructed sub-images; (4) measuring an amount high-frequency content in the incident light field; (5) incorporating a range finder to measure distance to the object being imaged; (6) incorporating an image sensor downstream from the modulator; and (7) splitting a portion of the incident light onto an image sensor, prior to the modulator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2011
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Inventors: Lenore McMackin, Donna E. Hewitt, Tyler H. Weston, Byron Zollars
  • Publication number: 20120038805
    Abstract: A compressive imaging system for optimizing dynamic range during the acquisition of compressed images. A light modulator modulates incident light with spatial patterns to produced modulated light. A light sensing device generates an electrical signal representing intensity of the modulated light over time. The system amplifies a difference between the electrical signal and an adjustable baseline voltage and captures samples of the amplified signal. The adjustable baseline voltage is set to be approximately equal to the average value of the electrical signal. A compressive imaging system for identifying and correcting hot spot(s) in the incident light field. Search patterns are sent to the light modulator and the corresponding samples of the electrical signal are analyzed. Once the hot spot is located, the light modulating elements corresponding to the hot spot may be turned off or their duty cycle may be reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2011
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Inventors: Kevin F. Kelly, Richard G. Baraniuk, Gary L. Woods, Lenore McMackin, Robert F. Bridge, James M. Tidman, Donna E. Hewitt
  • Publication number: 20120038789
    Abstract: An imaging system and method that captures compressive sensing (CS) measurements of a received light stream, and also obtains samples of background light level (BGLL). The BGLL samples may be used to compensate the CS measurements for variations in the BGLL. The system includes: a light modulator to spatially modulate the received light stream with spatial patterns, and a lens to concentrate the modulated light stream onto a light detector. The samples of BGLL may be obtained in various ways: (a) injecting calibration patterns among the spatial patterns; (b) measuring complementary light reflected by digital micromirrors onto a secondary output path; (c) separating and measuring a portion of light from the optical input path; (d) low-pass filtering the CS measurements; and (e) employing a light power meter with its own separate input path. Also, the CS measurements may be high-pass filtered to attenuate background light variation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2011
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Inventors: Kevin F. Kelly, Richard G. Baraniuk, Lenore McMackin, Robert F. Bridge, Sujoy Chatterjee, Donna E. Hewitt, Tyler H. Weston
  • Publication number: 20120038790
    Abstract: An imaging system and method that captures compressive sensing (CS) measurements of a received light stream, and also obtains samples of background light level (BGLL). The BGLL samples may be used to compensate the CS measurements for variations in the BGLL. The system includes: a light modulator to spatially modulate the received light stream with spatial patterns, and a lens to concentrate the modulated light stream onto a light detector. The samples of BGLL may be obtained in various ways: (a) injecting calibration patterns among the spatial patterns; (b) measuring complementary light reflected by digital micromirrors onto a secondary output path; (c) separating and measuring a portion of light from the optical input path; (d) low-pass filtering the CS measurements; and (e) employing a light power meter with its own separate input path. Also, the CS measurements may be high-pass filtered to attenuate background light variation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2011
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Inventors: Kevin F. Kelly, Richard G. Baraniuk, Lenore McMackin, Robert F. Bridge, Sujoy Chatterjee, Donna E. Hewitt, Tyler H. Weston