Patents by Inventor Joseph Kostrzewa
Joseph Kostrzewa 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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Publication number: 20170195584Abstract: Various techniques are provided to implement a modular infrared imager assembly configured to interface with supporting electronics provided, for example, by a third party. In one example, a system includes an imager assembly comprising a focal plane array configured to capture thermal image data from a scene and output the thermal image data, a printed circuit board assembly, and processing electronics communicatively connected to the focal plane array through the printed circuit board assembly and configured to receive and process the thermal image data. The system further includes a connector communicatively connected to the imager assembly and configured to interface with supporting electronics configured to receive and additionally process the thermal image data.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 22, 2017Publication date: July 6, 2017Inventors: Joseph Kostrzewa, Bruce Covington, Chris Posch, Wayne Patterson, Charles Handley, Dan Walker, Vu L. Nguyen
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Patent number: 9473681Abstract: A housing for an infrared camera module may be implemented with a substantially non-metal cover configured to substantially or completely enclose various components of an infrared imaging device. A metal layer may be disposed on various interior and/or exterior surfaces of the cover. Such implementations may be used to reduce the effects of various environmental conditions which may otherwise adversely affect the performance of the infrared imaging device. In addition, one or more conductive traces may be built into the housing and/or on interior surfaces of the housing to facilitate the passing of signals from components of the infrared imaging device such as infrared sensors, read out circuitry, a temperature measurement component, and/or other components. One or more fiducial markers may be provided to align various components of the infrared camera module during manufacture.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2013Date of Patent: October 18, 2016Assignee: FLIR Systems, Inc.Inventors: Theodore R. Hoelter, Joseph Kostrzewa, Pierre Boulanger, Barbara Sharp, Eric A. Kurth
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Publication number: 20160088240Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure may include a focal plane array configured to capture thermal image data from a scene. The embodiments may further include a sensor window displaced a first distance from the focal plane array. The embodiments may also include a protective window displaced a second distance greater than the first distance from the focal plane array, wherein the second distance causes damage or debris incident on the protective window to be out of focus in the thermal image data.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 11, 2015Publication date: March 24, 2016Inventors: Joseph Kostrzewa, Bruce Covington, Chris Posch
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Patent number: 9247131Abstract: Various techniques are disclosed for providing systems for providing alignment guide information to selectively direct a visible light source to substantially align the visible light source with a desired subject and to project a visible light beam substantially on the desired subject. For example, a system may include a small form factor infrared imaging module to capture thermal images of a scene, which may be received by a processor to generate alignment guide information such as a user-viewable image of the scene, a user-viewable cue, and a framing reticle. In another example, such a system may be implemented as a camera. In yet another example, such a system may be implemented as a spotlight.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2015Date of Patent: January 26, 2016Assignee: FLIR Systems, Inc.Inventors: Joseph Kostrzewa, Shawn Jepson, Nicholas Högasten, Theodore R. Hoelter, Katrin Strandemar
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Publication number: 20150365592Abstract: Various techniques are disclosed for providing systems for providing alignment guide information to selectively direct a visible light source to substantially align the visible light source with a desired subject and to project a visible light beam substantially on the desired subject. For example, a system may include a small form factor infrared imaging module to capture thermal images of a scene, which may be received by a processor to generate alignment guide information such as a user-viewable image of the scene, a user-viewable cue, and a framing reticle. In another example, such a system may be implemented as a camera. In yet another example, such a system may be implemented as a spotlight.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 10, 2015Publication date: December 17, 2015Inventors: Joseph Kostrzewa, Shawn Jepson, Nicholas Högasten, Theodore R. Hoelter, Katrin Strandemar
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Publication number: 20150319378Abstract: A shutter assembly may be provided for an infrared imaging module to selectively block external infrared radiation from reaching infrared sensors of the infrared imaging module. For example, the shutter assembly may comprise a paddle situated external to an optical element (e.g., lens) and adapted to be selectively moved by an actuator to substantially block external infrared radiation from entering the optical element. The shutter assembly may be stacked relative to a housing of the infrared imaging module without excessively increasing the overall profile of the infrared imaging module. A substantially reflective low emissivity interior surface may be provided on the paddle to reflect infrared radiation originating from an infrared sensor assembly of the infrared imaging module back to the infrared sensor assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 23, 2015Publication date: November 5, 2015Inventors: Theodore R. Hoelter, Joseph Kostrzewa, Pierre Boulanger, Barbara Sharp, Eric A. Kurth, Nicholas Högasten, Katrin Strandemar
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Publication number: 20150312488Abstract: Various techniques are provided to compensate for and/or update ineffective (e.g., stale) calibration terms due to calibration drifts in infrared imaging devices. For example, a virtual-shutter non-uniformity correction (NUC) procedure may be initiated to generate NUC terms to correct non-uniformities when appropriate triggering events and/or conditions are detected that may indicate presence of an object or scene to act as a shutter (e.g., a virtual shutter). Scene-based non-uniformity correction (SBNUC) may be performed during image capturing operations of the infrared imaging device, for example, when a virtual-shutter scene is not available. Further, snapshots of calibration data (e.g., NUC terms) produced during the virtual-shutter NUC procedure, the SBNUC process, and/or other NUC process may be taken.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 25, 2015Publication date: October 29, 2015Inventors: Joseph Kostrzewa, Vu L. Nguyen, Theodore R. Hoelter, Nicholas Högasten, Mark Nussmeier, Eric A. Kurth, Katrin Strandemar, Pierre Boulanger, Barbara Sharp
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Patent number: 9102776Abstract: Various techniques are disclosed to detect and mitigate the effects of burn-in events occurring in thermal imaging systems. Such events may be attributable to the sun (e.g., solar burn-in) and/or other high thermal energy sources. In one example, a method includes detecting a burn-in event that causes thermal images captured by a focal plane array (FPA) to exhibit a blemish; and mitigating the blemish in the thermal images. In another example, a thermal imaging system includes a focal plane array (FPA) adapted to capture thermal images; and a processor adapted to: detect a burn-in event that causes the thermal images to exhibit a blemish, and mitigate the blemish in the thermal images.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2012Date of Patent: August 11, 2015Assignee: FLIR Systems, Inc.Inventors: Joseph Kostrzewa, Leonard Araki, Russell D. Grannemann
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Patent number: 9058653Abstract: Various techniques are disclosed for providing systems for providing alignment guide information to selectively direct a visible light source to substantially align the visible light source with a desired subject and to project a visible light beam substantially on the desired subject. For example, a system may include a small form factor infrared imaging module to capture thermal images of a scene, which may be received by a processor to generate alignment guide information such as a user-viewable image of the scene, a user-viewable cue, and a framing reticle. In another example, such a system may be implemented as a camera. In yet another example, such a system may be implemented as a spotlight.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2013Date of Patent: June 16, 2015Assignee: FLIR Systems, Inc.Inventors: Joseph Kostrzewa, Shawn Jepson, Nicholas Högasten, Theodore R. Hoelter, Katrin Strandemar
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Publication number: 20130329054Abstract: A housing for an infrared camera module may be implemented with a substantially non-metal cover configured to substantially or completely enclose various components of an infrared imaging device. A metal layer may be disposed on various interior and/or exterior surfaces of the cover. Such implementations may be used to reduce the effects of various environmental conditions which may otherwise adversely affect the performance of the infrared imaging device. In addition, one or more conductive traces may be built into the housing and/or on interior surfaces of the housing to facilitate the passing of signals from components of the infrared imaging device such as infrared sensors, read out circuitry, a temperature measurement component, and/or other components. One or more fiducial markers may be provided to align various components of the infrared camera module during manufacture.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 13, 2013Publication date: December 12, 2013Applicant: FLIR Systems, Inc.Inventors: Theodore R. Hoelter, Joseph Kostrzewa, Pierre Boulanger, Barbara Sharp, Eric A. Kurth
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Patent number: 8471206Abstract: Systems and methods are directed to determining the vacuum integrity within a vacuum package assembly containing an infrared detector, such as within an infrared imaging device. For example for an embodiment, a method of performing a vacuum pressure test on a vacuum package includes changing a first parameter value associated with an infrared detector within the vacuum package to vary a temperature of the infrared detector; measuring a second parameter value associated with the infrared detector based on the changing of the first parameter value; comparing the second parameter value to a threshold value; and determining a vacuum pressure condition of the vacuum package based on the comparing of the second parameter value to the threshold value.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2009Date of Patent: June 25, 2013Assignee: Flir Systems, Inc.Inventors: Joseph Kostrzewa, Russell D. Granneman
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Patent number: 8378290Abstract: Systems and methods directed to calibration techniques for infrared cameras are disclosed for some embodiments. For example, a method of determining infrared sensor calibration information, in accordance with an embodiment, includes performing a calibration operation on an infrared sensor to obtain calibration information, wherein the infrared sensor is not within an infrared camera core, and storing the calibration information.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 2008Date of Patent: February 19, 2013Assignee: Flir Systems, Inc.Inventors: George Speake, Nuwan Nagahawatte, Richard M. Goeden, Ted Takagi, Robert Ernst, Gary B. Hughes, Joseph Kostrzewa, John Graff, Russell Granneman, Michael Kent, Neela Nalam, Stephen Lyon, Barbara Sharp, Pierre Boulanger, Neil Cutcliffe, Tim Martin, Ted Hoelter
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Patent number: 8077995Abstract: Systems and methods provide infrared camera techniques that may improve image quality or infrared camera performance over a range of varying conditions. For example, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a system is disclosed that transforms data provided by an infrared camera based upon environmental conditions at the time the data was obtained. As an example, the image quality provided by the infrared camera may be improved over a range of environmental conditions by the proper transformation of the data based upon the data and/or sensor information.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2008Date of Patent: December 13, 2011Assignees: FLIR Systems, Inc., Autoliv Development ABInventors: Bill Terre, Joseph Kostrzewa, Jan-Erik Källhammer, Tobias Höglund
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Patent number: 8049163Abstract: Systems and methods directed to calibration techniques for infrared cameras are disclosed. For example, a method of obtaining calibration information for an infrared device includes providing a calibration target adapted to provide a low-emissivity scene; performing a calibration operation on the infrared device to obtain the calibration information; and storing the calibration information.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 2008Date of Patent: November 1, 2011Assignee: Flir Systems, Inc.Inventors: Russell Granneman, Nuwan Nagahawatte, Richard M. Goeden, Ted Takagi, Robert Ernst, Gary B. Hughes, Joseph Kostrzewa, John Graff, George Speake, Michael Kent, Neela Nalam, Stephen Lyon, Barbara Sharp, Pierre Boulanger, Neil Cutcliffe, Tim Martin, Ted Hoelter
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Patent number: 7869919Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed herein to provide improved infrared camera techniques for vehicular applications. For example, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a vehicle includes at least a first plate to reflect infrared energy and an infrared camera to detect the infrared energy reflected from the first plate(s) to provide infrared images. The plate allows the infrared camera to provide a desired line of sight view without requiring the infrared camera to be directly within the line of sight.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2006Date of Patent: January 11, 2011Assignee: Flir Systems, Inc.Inventors: Joseph Kostrzewa, William A. Terre, James T. Woolaway
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Patent number: 7796168Abstract: Methods and systems for mitigating undesirable video flash in infrared camera systems are disclosed. A frame of video can be stored in a buffer and information related to the frame of video can be processed prior to displaying the video such that the processed information facilitates display of the video substantially without flashing. A display of a non-flashed frame can be frozen while a flash event would otherwise cause a flashed frame to be displayed. The shift in a histogram caused by a flash event or some portion thereof can be subtracted from pixels of an image. Thus, image quality can be substantially enhanced.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2006Date of Patent: September 14, 2010Assignees: Flir Systems, Inc., Autoliv Development ABInventors: Joseph Kostrzewa, Peter Hall, Ognjan Hedberg, Tobias Höglund, Leonard S. Araki, Douglas R. Kraemer
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Patent number: 7340162Abstract: Systems and methods provide infrared camera techniques that may improve image quality or infrared camera performance over a range of varying conditions. For example, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a system is disclosed that transforms data provided by an infrared camera based upon environmental conditions at the time the data was obtained. As an example, the image quality provided by the infrared camera may be improved over a range of environmental conditions by the proper transformation of the data based upon the sensor's information.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2005Date of Patent: March 4, 2008Assignees: Flir Systems, Inc., Autoliv Development ABInventors: Bill Terre, Joseph Kostrzewa, Jan-Erik Källhammer, Tobias Höglund
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Patent number: 7329869Abstract: A camera system exhibiting reduced effects from temperature changes. The camera system includes an IR sensor; an optical arrangement adapted to focus incoming light onto the sensor; a processing arrangement adapted to process signals produced by the sensor; a heatsink in thermal contact with and is adapted to transfer heat energy away from, the processing arrangement; and a thermal equalizer. The thermal equalizer at least partially surrounds and is in thermal contact with the optics/sensor unit and is formed at least partially from a material having a high thermal conductivity. The thermal equalizer conducts heat energy from warmer to cooler parts of the optics/sensor unit. The thermal equalizer is also thermally insulated from ambient air surrounding the camera system and from the heatsink.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2005Date of Patent: February 12, 2008Assignees: Autoliv Development AB, Flir Systems, Inc.Inventors: Anders Cassel, Frank Paul Leonelli, Jr., Marcel Tremblay, Joseph Kostrzewa
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Publication number: 20070069134Abstract: A camera system exhibiting reduced effects from temperature changes. The camera system includes an IR sensor; an optical arrangement adapted to focus incoming light onto the sensor; a processing arrangement adapted to process signals produced by the sensor; a heatsink in thermal contact with and is adapted to transfer heat energy away from, the processing arrangement; and a thermal equalizer. The thermal equalizer at least partially surrounds and is in thermal contact with the optics/sensor unit and is formed at least partially from a material having a high thermal conductivity. The thermal equalizer conducts heat energy from warmer to cooler parts of the optics/sensor unit. The thermal equalizer is also thermally insulated from ambient air surrounding the camera system and from the heatsink.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 13, 2005Publication date: March 29, 2007Inventors: Anders Cassel, Frank Paul Leonelli, Marcel Tremblay, Joseph Kostrzewa
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Publication number: 20060188246Abstract: Systems and methods provide infrared camera techniques that may improve image quality or infrared camera performance over a range of varying conditions. For example, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a system is disclosed that transforms data provided by an infrared camera based upon environmental conditions at the time the data was obtained. As an example, the image quality provided by the infrared camera may be improved over a range of environmental conditions by the proper transformation of the data based upon the sensor's information.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 23, 2005Publication date: August 24, 2006Inventors: Bill Terre, Joseph Kostrzewa, Jan-Erik Kallhammer, Tobias Hoglund