Patents by Inventor Friedrich W. Kunzler

Friedrich W. Kunzler 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: 12018983
    Abstract: A combined multi-spectral and polarization (CMSP) sensor is disclosed that enhances contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR). The CMSP sensor comprises a multi-spectral and polarization (MSP) filter, a single focal plane array (FPA), and a controller. The FPA comprises a plurality of detectors and the MSP filter comprises at least a first bandpass filter having a first frequency range and a second bandpass filter having a second frequency range that is distinct from the first frequency range and a first polarization filter having a first polarization value and a second polarization filter having a second polarization value that is distinct from the first polarization value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2023
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2024
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: David Roderick Gerwe, Paul S. Idell, Kevin Ray Paxton, Friedrich W. Kunzler
  • Publication number: 20240125973
    Abstract: An image capture apparatus comprises a focal plane array and a filter device. The focal plane array comprises a plurality of detectors and the filter device is coupled with and covering the focal plane array. The filter device comprises at least one set of spectral filters, comprising at least a first spectral filter, which comprising a first wavelength range, and a second spectral filter, which comprises a second wavelength range that is different from the first wavelength range. The filter device also comprises a plurality of polarization channels, each having a polarization value that is different than the polarization value of any other of the plurality of polarization channels. The filter device further comprises a plurality of sounding filters, each operable within a spectral wavelength range and each configured to determine a characterization of atmospheric conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2022
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Inventors: David R. Gerwe, Friedrich W. Kunzler, Kevin R. Paxton
  • Publication number: 20230370563
    Abstract: An image capture apparatus comprises a focal plane array having a first portion and a second portion and a plurality of detectors. The image capture apparatus further comprises a filter device coupled with the covering the first portion of the focal plane array, the filter device comprising at least a first bandpass filter, comprising a first frequency range, and a second bandpass filter, comprising a second frequency range that is different from the first frequency range. The second portion of the focal plan array is uncovered by the filter device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2022
    Publication date: November 16, 2023
    Inventors: David R. Gerwe, Friedrich W. Kunzler
  • Publication number: 20230266165
    Abstract: A combined multi-spectral and polarization (CMSP) sensor is disclosed that enhances contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR). The CMSP sensor comprises a multi-spectral and polarization (MSP) filter, a single focal plane array (FPA), and a controller. The FPA comprises a plurality of detectors and the MSP filter comprises at least a first bandpass filter having a first frequency range and a second bandpass filter having a second frequency range that is distinct from the first frequency range and a first polarization filter having a first polarization value and a second polarization filter having a second polarization value that is distinct from the first polarization value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2023
    Publication date: August 24, 2023
    Inventors: David Roderick Gerwe, Paul S. Idell, Kevin Ray Paxton, Friedrich W. Kunzler
  • Patent number: 11635328
    Abstract: A combined multi-spectral and polarization (CMSP) sensor is disclosed that enhances contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR). The CMSP sensor comprises a multi-spectral and polarization (MSP) filter, a single focal plane array (FPA), and a controller. The FPA comprises a plurality of detectors and the MSP filter comprises at least a first bandpass filter having a first frequency range and a second bandpass filter having a second frequency range that is distinct from the first frequency range and a first polarization filter having a first polarization value and a second polarization filter having a second polarization value that is distinct from the first polarization value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: David Roderick Gerwe, Paul S. Idell, Kevin Ray Paxton, Friedrich W. Kunzler
  • Publication number: 20220196471
    Abstract: A combined multi-spectral and polarization (CMSP) sensor is disclosed that enhances contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR). The CMSP sensor comprises a multi-spectral and polarization (MSP) filter, a single focal plane array (FPA), and a controller. The FPA comprises a plurality of detectors and the MSP filter comprises at least a first bandpass filter having a first frequency range and a second bandpass filter having a second frequency range that is distinct from the first frequency range and a first polarization filter having a first polarization value and a second polarization filter having a second polarization value that is distinct from the first polarization value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2021
    Publication date: June 23, 2022
    Inventors: David Roderick Gerwe, Paul S. Idell, Kevin Ray Paxton, Friedrich W. Kunzler