Patents by Inventor Iain Richard Tyrone McClatchie
Iain Richard Tyrone McClatchie 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: 10666865Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of panoramic still and motion photography. In a first embodiment, a camera apparatus for panoramic photography includes a first image sensor positioned to capture a first image. The first image sensor has a rolling-shutter readout arranged in portrait orientation. The camera apparatus also includes second image sensor positioned to capture a second image. The second image sensor has a rolling-shutter readout arranged in portrait orientation. Finally, the camera apparatus includes a controller configured to signal the second image sensor to start capturing the second image before the first image sensor finishes capturing the first image. At least a portion of the first image is in front of the second image relative to a forward direction of the camera apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2019Date of Patent: May 26, 2020Assignee: Google LLCInventors: Richard Francis Lyon, Gary Embler, Iain Richard Tyrone McClatchie, Jason Holt
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Publication number: 20190313022Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of panoramic still and motion photography. In a first embodiment, a camera apparatus for panoramic photography includes a first image sensor positioned to capture a first image. The first image sensor has a rolling-shutter readout arranged in portrait orientation. The camera apparatus also includes second image sensor positioned to capture a second image. The second image sensor has a rolling-shutter readout arranged in portrait orientation. Finally, the camera apparatus includes a controller configured to signal the second image sensor to start capturing the second image before the first image sensor finishes capturing the first image. At least a portion of the first image is in front of the second image relative to a forward direction of the camera apparatus.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 24, 2019Publication date: October 10, 2019Inventors: Richard Francis Lyon, Gary Embler, Iain Richard Tyrone McClatchie, Jason Holt
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Patent number: 10397476Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of panoramic still and motion photography. In a first embodiment, a camera apparatus for panoramic photography includes a first image sensor positioned to capture a first image. The first image sensor has a rolling-shutter readout arranged in portrait orientation. The camera apparatus also includes second image sensor positioned to capture a second image. The second image sensor has a rolling-shutter readout arranged in portrait orientation. Finally, the camera apparatus includes a controller configured to signal the second image sensor to start capturing the second image before the first image sensor finishes capturing the first image. At least a portion of the first image is in front of the second image relative to a forward direction of the camera apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2017Date of Patent: August 27, 2019Assignee: Google LLCInventors: Richard Francis Lyon, Gary Embler, Iain Richard Tyrone McClatchie, Jason Holt
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Patent number: 9959634Abstract: Methods and systems for identifying depth data associated with an object are disclosed. The method includes capturing, with an image capturing device, a plurality of source images of the object. The image capturing device has a sensor that is tilted at a known angle with respect to an object plane of the object such that the image capturing device has a depth of field associated with each source image, the depth of field defining a plane that is angled with respect to the object plane. An image processor analyzes the plurality of source images to identify segments of the source images that satisfy an image quality metric. Position data is assigned to the identified segments of the source images, the position data including depth positions based on the plane defined by the depth of field.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2012Date of Patent: May 1, 2018Assignee: Google LLCInventors: Peter Gregory Brueckner, Iain Richard Tyrone McClatchie, Matthew Thomas Valente
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Publication number: 20180077351Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of panoramic still and motion photography. In a first embodiment, a camera apparatus for panoramic photography includes a first image sensor positioned to capture a first image. The first image sensor has a rolling-shutter readout arranged in portrait orientation. The camera apparatus also includes second image sensor positioned to capture a second image. The second image sensor has a rolling-shutter readout arranged in portrait orientation. Finally, the camera apparatus includes a controller configured to signal the second image sensor to start capturing the second image before the first image sensor finishes capturing the first image. At least a portion of the first image is in front of the second image relative to a forward direction of the camera apparatus.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 21, 2017Publication date: March 15, 2018Inventors: Richard Francis Lyon, Gary Embler, Iain Richard Tyrone McClatchie, Jason Holt
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Patent number: 9857663Abstract: An optical system is provided that uses unwanted light to perform autofocus functions. More particularly, one or more optical elements may be used to reflect unwanted light to one or more secondary image sensors associated with an autofocus function. Such unwanted light may include, for example, IR, UV, or visible light not necessary for creating a resulting image detected by a primary sensor.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2013Date of Patent: January 2, 2018Assignee: Google Inc.Inventor: Iain Richard Tyrone McClatchie
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Patent number: 9794479Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of panoramic still and motion photography. In a first embodiment, a camera apparatus for panoramic photography includes a first image sensor positioned to capture a first image. The first image sensor has a rolling-shutter readout arranged in portrait orientation. The camera apparatus also includes second image sensor positioned to capture a second image. The second image sensor has a rolling-shutter readout arranged in portrait orientation. Finally, the camera apparatus includes a controller configured to signal the second image sensor to start capturing the second image before the first image sensor finishes capturing the first image. At least a portion of the first image is in front of the second image relative to a forward direction of the camera apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 2016Date of Patent: October 17, 2017Assignee: Google Inc.Inventors: Richard Francis Lyon, Gary Embler, Iain Richard Tyrone McClatchie, Jason Holt
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Publication number: 20170292838Abstract: A vehicle collects oblique imagery along a nominal heading using rotated camera-groups with optional distortion correcting electronic image sensors that align projected pixel columns or rows with a pre-determined direction on the ground, thereby improving collection quality, efficiency, and/or cost. In a first aspect, the camera-groups are rotated diagonal to the nominal heading. In a second aspect, the distortion correcting electronic image sensors align projected pixel columns or rows with a pre-determined direction on the ground. In a third aspect, the distortion correcting electronic image sensors are rotated around the optical axis of the camera. In a fourth aspect, cameras collect images in strips and the strips from different cameras overlap, providing large-baseline, small-time difference stereopsis.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 21, 2016Publication date: October 12, 2017Applicant: Tolo, Inc.Inventors: Iain Richard Tyrone MCCLATCHIE, David Levy KANTER
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Publication number: 20170249512Abstract: Techniques for remote detection of insect infestation are described. In a first aspect, an aerial platform operates above trees and captures imagery of the trees suitable for detecting indicators of insect infestation. In a second aspect, imagery of trees captured by an aerial platform operated above the trees is analyzed to detect indicators of insect infestation. In a third aspect, the capturing of imagery of the trees is performed by a camera that dynamically adjusts the point of focus relative to the ground and/or top of the trees. In particular embodiments, the imagery is oblique imagery. In selected embodiments, the capturing of imagery comprises down-sampling or discarding portions of the imagery. In portions of some embodiments, the detection employs machine-learning techniques, such as convolved neural nets.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 21, 2015Publication date: August 31, 2017Inventors: Iain Richard Tyrone MCCLATCHIE, David Levy KANTER
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Patent number: 9503639Abstract: A vehicle collects oblique imagery along a nominal heading using rotated camera-groups with optional distortion correcting electronic image sensors that align projected pixel columns or rows with a pre-determined direction on the ground, thereby improving collection quality, efficiency, and/or cost. In a first aspect, the camera-groups are rotated diagonal to the nominal heading. In a second aspect, the distortion correcting electronic image sensors align projected pixel columns or rows with a pre determined direction on the ground. In a third aspect, the distortion correcting electronic image sensors are rotated around the optical axis of the camera. In a fourth aspect, cameras collect images in strips and the strips from different cameras overlap, providing large-baseline, small-time difference stereopsis.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2014Date of Patent: November 22, 2016Assignee: Tolo, Inc.Inventors: Iain Richard Tyrone McClatchie, David Levy Kanter
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Patent number: 9383540Abstract: In one aspect, a system for controlling the focus of a lens is disclosed. The system may generally include a sensor configured to detect changes in a focal distance of the lens and a thermal device configured to adjust a lens temperature of the lens. In addition, the system may include one or more computing devices communicatively coupled to the sensor and the thermal device. The computing device(s) may be configured to control the thermal device such that the lens temperature is adjusted in a manner that reduces variations in the focal distance.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2013Date of Patent: July 5, 2016Assignee: Google Inc.Inventors: Tarak Gandhi, Iain Richard Tyrone McClatchie, Ian Rickard Muldoon
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Publication number: 20160142632Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of panoramic still and motion photography. In a first embodiment, a camera apparatus for panoramic photography includes a first image sensor positioned to capture a first image. The first image sensor has a rolling-shutter readout arranged in portrait orientation. The camera apparatus also includes second image sensor positioned to capture a second image. The second image sensor has a rolling-shutter readout arranged in portrait orientation. Finally, the camera apparatus includes a controller configured to signal the second image sensor to start capturing the second image before the first image sensor finishes capturing the first image. At least a portion of the first image is in front of the second image relative to a forward direction of the camera apparatus.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 26, 2016Publication date: May 19, 2016Inventors: Richard Francis Lyon, Gary Embler, Iain Richard Tyrone McClatchie, Jason Holt
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Patent number: 9300872Abstract: A hybrid stabilizer isolates a payload from vibrations across six degrees of freedom using an underdamped passive stabilizer in series with an active stabilizer that is mounted to the foundation, thereby improving isolation. In a first aspect, the passive stabilizer is one or more underdamped springs that reduce high frequency vibrations and in some embodiments the passive stabilizer is tuned to a resonant frequency at most half the control loop frequency of the active stabilizer. The active stabilizer is a six-axis motion platform that reduces or eliminates low frequency vibrations, particularly around the resonant frequency of the passive stabilizer. In a second aspect, the hybrid stabilizer isolates one or more cameras and is mounted to a vehicle, reducing motion blur and improving camera tracking, thereby enhancing the quality of images captured by the cameras.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 2014Date of Patent: March 29, 2016Assignee: Tolo, Inc.Inventor: Iain Richard Tyrone McClatchie
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Publication number: 20160044239Abstract: A vehicle collects oblique imagery along a nominal heading using rotated camera-groups with optional distortion correcting electronic image sensors that align projected pixel columns or rows with a pre-determined direction on the ground, thereby improving collection quality, efficiency, and/or cost. In a first aspect, the camera-groups are rotated diagonal to the nominal heading. In a second aspect, the distortion correcting electronic image sensors align projected pixel columns or rows with a pre-determined direction on the ground. In a third aspect, the distortion correcting electronic image sensors are rotated around the optical axis of the camera. In a fourth aspect, cameras collect images in strips and the strips from different cameras overlap, providing large-baseline, small-time difference stereopsis.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2014Publication date: February 11, 2016Inventors: Iain Richard Tyrone MCCLATCHIE, David Levy KANTER
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Publication number: 20160037080Abstract: A vehicle collects oblique imagery along a nominal heading using rotated camera-groups with optional distortion correcting electronic image sensors that align projected pixel columns or rows with a pre-determined direction on the ground, thereby improving collection quality, efficiency, and/or cost. In a first aspect, the camera-groups are rotated diagonal to the nominal heading. In a second aspect, the distortion correcting electronic image sensors align projected pixel columns or rows with a pre determined direction on the ground. In a third aspect, the distortion correcting electronic image sensors are rotated around the optical axis of the camera. In a fourth aspect, cameras collect images in strips and the strips from different cameras overlap, providing large-baseline, small-time difference stereopsis.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2014Publication date: February 4, 2016Inventors: Iain Richard Tyrone MCCLATCHIE, David Levy KANTER
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Publication number: 20150365631Abstract: A vehicle collects oblique imagery along an intercardinal nominal heading using rotated camera-groups with distortion correcting electronic image sensors that align projected pixel columns or rows with a pre-determined direction on the ground, thereby improving collection quality, efficiency, and/or cost. In a first aspect, the camera-groups are rotated diagonal to the nominal heading. In a second aspect, the distortion correcting electronic image sensors align projected pixel columns or rows with a pre-determined direction on the ground. In a third aspect, the distortion correcting electronic image sensors are rotated around the optical axis of the camera. In a fourth aspect, cameras collect images in strips and the strips from different cameras overlap, providing large-baseline, small-time difference stereopsis.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 22, 2015Publication date: December 17, 2015Inventors: Iain Richard Tyrone MCCLATCHIE, David Levy KANTER
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Patent number: 9212715Abstract: In one aspect, a tunable vibration damper may include a housing and a damper stack disposed within the housing. The damper stack may be formed from a viscoelastic material and may have a vertical stiffness and a horizontal stiffness. The damper stack may also include a plurality of column sections and a plurality of disk sections, with each pair of adjacent column sections being separated by one of the disk sections. The disk sections may extend radially outwardly relative to the column sections. In addition, at least one of the vertical stiffness or the horizontal stiffness may be tunable by adjusting a stiffness-related parameter of the damper stack.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2013Date of Patent: December 15, 2015Assignee: Google Inc.Inventors: Alexander Thomas Starns, Matthew Thomas Valente, Iain Richard Tyrone McClatchie
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Patent number: 9179064Abstract: A vehicle collects oblique imagery along an intercardinal nominal heading using rotated camera-groups with distortion correcting electronic image sensors that align projected pixel columns or rows with a pre-determined direction on the ground, thereby improving collection quality, efficiency, and/or cost. In a first aspect, the camera-groups are rotated diagonal to the nominal heading. In a second aspect, the distortion correcting electronic image sensors align projected pixel columns or rows with a pre-determined direction on the ground. In a third aspect, the distortion correcting electronic image sensors are rotated around the optical axis of the camera. In a fourth aspect, cameras collect images in strips and the strips from different cameras overlap, providing large-baseline, small-time difference stereopsis.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2015Date of Patent: November 3, 2015Assignee: Tolo, Inc.Inventors: Iain Richard Tyrone McClatchie, David Levy Kanter
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Publication number: 20150264262Abstract: A hybrid stabilizer isolates a payload from vibrations across six degrees of freedom using an underdamped passive stabilizer in series with an active stabilizer that is mounted to the foundation, thereby improving isolation. In a first aspect, the passive stabilizer is one or more underdamped springs that reduce high frequency vibrations and in some embodiments the passive stabilizer is tuned to a resonant frequency at most half the control loop frequency of the active stabilizer. The active stabilizer is a six-axis motion platform that reduces or eliminates low frequency vibrations, particularly around the resonant frequency of the passive stabilizer. In a second aspect, the hybrid stabilizer isolates one or more cameras and is mounted to a vehicle, reducing motion blur and improving camera tracking, thereby enhancing the quality of images captured by the cameras.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 20, 2014Publication date: September 17, 2015Inventor: Iain Richard Tyrone MCCLATCHIE
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Patent number: 9113551Abstract: Systems, methods and articles of manufacture for rigid flex circuit boards are described herein. Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to equipping a rigid flex circuit board with a first rigid substrate, a second rigid substrate that includes an asymmetric region where the first rigid substrate is not extended over the asymmetric region of the second rigid substrate. The rigid flex circuit board also includes a flexible substrate between the first rigid substrate and the second rigid substrate. A second portion of the flexible substrate protrudes from the non-overlap region where the second portion of the flexible substrate is not adhered to the second rigid substrate in the non-overlap region. The second portion of the flexible substrate is configured to be accessible from the asymmetric region of the rigid flex circuit board.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2012Date of Patent: August 18, 2015Assignee: Google Inc.Inventors: Iain Richard Tyrone McClatchie, Ian Muldoon