Patents by Inventor Kevin M. Crotty

Kevin M. Crotty 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: 7668376
    Abstract: System and method for analyzing an image. A received image, comprising an object or objects, is optionally preprocessed. Invariant shape features of the object(s) are extracted using a generalized invariant feature descriptor. The generalized invariant feature descriptor may comprise a generalized invariant feature vector comprising components corresponding to attributes of each object, e.g., related to circularity, elongation, perimeter-ratio-based convexity, area-ratio-based convexity, hole-perimeter-ratio, hole-area-ratio, and/or functions of Hu Moment 1 and/or Hu Moment 2. Non-invariant features, e.g., scale and reflection, may be extracted to form corresponding feature vectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: National Instruments Corporation
    Inventors: Siming Lin, Kevin M. Crotty, Nicolas Vazquez
  • Patent number: 7171048
    Abstract: System and method for determining the presence of an object of interest in a target data set. Portions of a target data set may be located that match an object of interest, e.g., in a template data set, with respect to various information, e.g., edge or boundary information. The invention includes improved methods for mapping point sets or curves to new point sets or curves for curve matching. The method determines the presence of an object of interest in a target data set despite of or using various types of topological transformations of the object of interest in the target data set. One or more mapping operators are determined based on template curves and/or example target curves. Pattern matching is performed on one or more target data sets using the mapping operator(s) to generate pattern matching results, and the pattern matching results output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: National Instruments Corporation
    Inventors: Lothar Wenzel, Ram Rajagopal, Satish V. Kumar, Darren R. Schmidt, Kevin M. Crotty, Matthew S. Fisher, Dinesh Nair
  • Patent number: 7139432
    Abstract: System and method for determining the presence of an object of interest in a target image. Regions of a target image may be located that match an object of interest, e.g., in a template image, with respect to various information, e.g., luminance, color and/or other types of boundary information. The invention includes improved methods for mapping point sequences (e.g., pixel sequences) or curves to new point sets or curves for curve matching. The method determines the presence of an object of interest in a target image despite of or using various types of topological transformations of the object of interest in the target image. One or more mapping operators are determined based on template curves and/or example target curves. Pattern matching is performed on one or more target images using the mapping operator(s) to generate pattern matching results, and the pattern matching results output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2006
    Assignee: National Instruments Corporation
    Inventors: Lothar Wenzel, Ram Rajagopal, Satish V. Kumar, Darren R. Schmidt, Kevin M. Crotty, Matthew S. Fisher, Dinesh Nair
  • Patent number: 7136505
    Abstract: System and method for determining a mapping operator for use in a pattern matching application, where the mapping operator enhances differences between respective objects of interest and background objects, e.g., objects not of interest. First and second information is received regarding an object of interest and objects that may appear with the object of interest in an acquired target data set, respectively. The mapping operator is determined using the first information and the second information by determining a template discrete curve characterizing the object of interest, determining one or more target discrete curves characterizing the background objects, and generating a mapping operator that enhances differences between the mapped template discrete curve and the mapped target discrete curves. The operator is stored in a memory and is operable to be used in a pattern matching application to locate instances of the object of interest in acquired target data sets or images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: National Instruments Corporation
    Inventors: Lothar Wenzel, Ram Rajagopal, Satish V. Kumar, Darren R. Schmidt, Kevin M. Crotty, Matthew S. Fisher, Dinesh Nair
  • Patent number: 7133538
    Abstract: System and method for determining the presence of an object of interest in a target image. Regions of a target image may be located that match an object of interest, e.g., in a template image, with respect to various information, e.g., luminance, color and/or other types of boundary information. The invention includes improved methods for mapping point sets or curves to new point sets or curves for curve matching. The method determines the presence of an object of interest in a target image despite of or using various types of topological transformations of the object of interest in the target image. A plurality of mapping operators are determined based on template curves and/or example target curves, e.g., background object curves. Pattern matching is performed on one or more target images using the mapping operators to generate pattern matching results, and the pattern matching results output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2006
    Assignee: National Instruments Corporation
    Inventors: Lothar Wenzel, Ram Rajagopal, Satish V. Kumar, Darren R. Schmidt, Kevin M. Crotty, Matthew S. Fisher, Dinesh Nair
  • Patent number: 7120301
    Abstract: System and method for re-sampling discrete curves, thereby efficiently characterizing point sets or curves in a space. The method may also provide improved means for mapping point sets or curves to new point sets or curves for curve matching. A weight vector or function is determined based on a plurality of discrete curves, e.g., from one or more template data sets or images. The weight function enhances differences between weighted discrete curves. A set of orthonormal polynomials is determined based on the computed weight function, where the set of orthonormal polynomials comprises a set of orthogonal eigenfunctions of a Sturm-Liouville differential equation. Values for a plurality of zeros for one of the set of orthonormal polynomials is determined that comprise resampling points for the plurality of discrete curves. Each of the plurality of discrete curves is resampled based on the determined values of the plurality of zeros.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: National Instruments Corporation
    Inventors: Lothar Wenzel, Ram Rajagopal, Satish V. Kumar, Darren R. Schmidt, Kevin M. Crotty, Matthew S. Fisher, Dinesh Nair
  • Publication number: 20030198389
    Abstract: System and method for determining the presence of an object of interest in a target image. Regions of a target image may be located that match an object of interest, e.g., in a template image, with respect to various information, e.g., luminance, color and/or other types of boundary information. The invention includes improved methods for mapping point sequences (e.g., pixel sequences) or curves to new point sets or curves for curve matching. The method determines the presence of an object of interest in a target image despite of or using various types of topological transformations of the object of interest in the target image. One or more mapping operators are determined based on template curves and/or example target curves. Pattern matching is performed on one or more target images using the mapping operator(s) to generate pattern matching results, and the pattern matching results output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2002
    Publication date: October 23, 2003
    Inventors: Lothar Wenzel, Ram Rajagopal, Satish V. Kumar, Darren R. Schmidt, Kevin M. Crotty, Matthew S. Fisher, Dinesh Nair
  • Publication number: 20030198388
    Abstract: System and method for determining the presence of an object of interest in a target data set. Portions of a target data set may be located that match an object of interest, e.g., in a template data set, with respect to various information, e.g., edge or boundary information. The invention includes improved methods for mapping point sets or curves to new point sets or curves for curve matching. The method determines the presence of an object of interest in a target data set despite of or using various types of topological transformations of the object of interest in the target data set. One or more mapping operators are determined based on template curves and/or example target curves. Pattern matching is performed on one or more target data sets using the mapping operator(s) to generate pattern matching results, and the pattern matching results output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2002
    Publication date: October 23, 2003
    Inventors: Lothar Wenzel, Ram Rajagopal, Satish V. Kumar, Darren R. Schmidt, Kevin M. Crotty, Matthew S. Fisher, Dinesh Nair
  • Publication number: 20030194134
    Abstract: System and method for determining a mapping operator for use in a pattern matching application, where the mapping operator enhances differences between respective objects of interest and background objects, e.g., objects not of interest. First and second information is received regarding an object of interest and objects that may appear with the object of interest in an acquired target data set, respectively. The mapping operator is determined using the first information and the second information by determining a template discrete curve characterizing the object of interest, determining one or more target discrete curves characterizing the background objects, and generating a mapping operator that enhances differences between the mapped template discrete curve and the mapped target discrete curves. The operator is stored in a memory and is operable to be used in a pattern matching application to locate instances of the object of interest in acquired target data sets or images.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2002
    Publication date: October 16, 2003
    Inventors: Lothar Wenzel, Ram Rajagopal, Satish V. Kumar, Darren R. Schmidt, Kevin M. Crotty, Matthew S. Fisher, Dinesh Nair
  • Publication number: 20030194133
    Abstract: System and method for determining the presence of an object of interest in a target image. Regions of a target image may be located that match an object of interest, e.g., in a template image, with respect to various information, e.g., luminance, color and/or other types of boundary information. The invention includes improved methods for mapping point sets or curves to new point sets or curves for curve matching. The method determines the presence of an object of interest in a target image despite of or using various types of topological transformations of the object of interest in the target image. A plurality of mapping operators are determined based on template curves and/or example target curves, e.g., background object curves. Pattern matching is performed on one or more target images using the mapping operators to generate pattern matching results, and the pattern matching results output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2002
    Publication date: October 16, 2003
    Inventors: Lothar Wenzel, Ram Rajagopal, Satish V. Kumar, Darren R. Schmidt, Kevin M. Crotty, Matthew S. Fisher, Dinesh Nair
  • Publication number: 20030194144
    Abstract: System and method for re-sampling discrete curves, thereby efficiently characterizing point sets or curves in a space. The method may also provide improved means for mapping point sets or curves to new point sets or curves for curve matching. A weight vector or function is determined based on a plurality of discrete curves, e.g., from one or more template data sets or images. The weight function enhances differences between weighted discrete curves. A set of orthonormal polynomials is determined based on the computed weight function, where the set of orthonormal polynomials comprises a set of orthogonal eigenfunctions of a Sturm-Liouville differential equation. Values for a plurality of zeros for one of the set of orthonormal polynomials is determined that comprise resampling points for the plurality of discrete curves. Each of the plurality of discrete curves is resampled based on the determined values of the plurality of zeros.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2002
    Publication date: October 16, 2003
    Inventors: Lothar Wenzel, Ram Rajagopal, Satish V. Kumar, Darren R. Schmidt, Kevin M. Crotty, Matthew S. Fisher, Dinesh Nair