Patents by Inventor Kirk R. Johnson
Kirk R. Johnson 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: 20230247171Abstract: A thermal imaging system includes an infrared camera, a user interface, and a processor. While an actuation of the user interface is detected, the processor is configured to apply non-uniformity correction (NUC) values to infrared image data in infrared images of a target scene; register the corrected infrared images using image stabilization; perform an image-stabilized optical gas imaging process using the registered infrared images to generate optical gas image data indicating a change in the target scene; and generate a display image including the optical gas image data. Actuation of the user interface may be detected while a depressible trigger is depressed, and no longer detected when the depressible trigger is released. Upon detecting the actuation of the user interface, the processor may perform a NUC process to establish the NUC values. A drift indicator in the display image may indicate movement of the infrared camera from a reference position.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 11, 2023Publication date: August 3, 2023Inventors: Matthew F. Schmidt, Kirk R. Johnson
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Patent number: 11641441Abstract: Thermal imaging systems can include an infrared camera module (200), a user interface (208), a processor (222), and a memory. The memory can include instructions to cause the processor (222) to perform a method upon a detected actuation from the user interface (208). The method can include performing a non-uniformity correction (1702) to reduce or eliminate fixed pattern noise from infrared image data from the infrared camera module (200). The method can include capturing infrared images (1704) at a plurality of times and register the captured images via a stabilization process (1706). The registered, non-uniformity corrected images can be used to perform a gas imaging process (1700). A processor (222) can be configured to compare an apparent background temperature in each of a plurality of regions of infrared image data to a target gas temperature. The processor (222) can determine if such regions lack sufficient contrast to reliably observe the target gas.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2019Date of Patent: May 2, 2023Assignee: Fluke CorporationInventors: Matthew F. Schmidt, Kirk R. Johnson
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Publication number: 20210218909Abstract: Thermal imaging systems can include an infrared camera module (200), a user interface (208), a processor (222), and a memory. The memory can include instructions to cause the processor (222) to perform a method upon a detected actuation from the user interface (208). The method can include performing a non-uniformity correction (1702) to reduce or eliminate fixed pattern noise from infrared image data from the infrared camera module (200). The method can include capturing infrared images (1704) at a plurality of times and register the captured images via a stabilization process (1706). The registered, non-uniformity corrected images can be used to perform a gas imaging process (1700). A processor (222) can be configured to compare an apparent background temperature in each of a plurality of regions of infrared image data to a target gas temperature. The processor (222) can determine if such regions lack sufficient contrast to reliably observe the target gas.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 23, 2019Publication date: July 15, 2021Inventors: Matthew F. Schmidt, Kirk R. Johnson
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Patent number: 11032492Abstract: A camera producing visible light images with thermal data. The camera may include visible light lens and sensor, an infrared light lens and sensor, and a display. The display displays some of the visible light image and thermal data from the respective sensors. The visible light image is divided into an array of zones where each zone may provide thermal data associated with the corresponding portion of the target shown in the zone. The camera may sense infrared images also provide audible alarms where the alarm is emitted with a tone of variable output to indicate the relative level of the alarm.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2019Date of Patent: June 8, 2021Assignee: Fluke CorporationInventors: Thomas J. McManus, Kirk R. Johnson, Thomas Heinke, Mathew N. Rekow
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Patent number: 11022546Abstract: Systems, cameras, and software for performing optical gas imaging using thermal imaging. Processors are programmed with instructions for a method of detecting gas that includes creating a filtered background image, a filtered foreground image, and optical gas image data, and generating a display image. The filtered background image and filtered foreground images may be created by combining infrared image data from a plurality of images captured by an infrared camera module using filtering processes. The optical gas image data may be created by comparing the filtered background image and the filtered foreground image. An image may be generated that includes the optical gas image data for presentation on a display.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2018Date of Patent: June 1, 2021Assignee: Fluke CorporationInventors: Matthew F. Schmidt, Kirk R. Johnson
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Patent number: 10872448Abstract: Systems and methods directed toward combining visible light and infrared images can include processing visible light image data to determine an edge factor value for a plurality of visible light pixels corresponding to the strength of an edge at that location. The edge factor value can be determined using features from the visible light image data and an edge gain input, which may be adjustable by a user. The edge factor values are combined with an edge midscale value to create a first set of modified visible light image data including pixels emphasized based on the strength of the edge in the visible light image. The modified visible light image data is combined with infrared image data to create combined image data having contribution from the infrared image data and the edge factor values from the visible light image data.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2018Date of Patent: December 22, 2020Assignee: Fluke CorporationInventors: Kirk R. Johnson, Matthew F. Schmidt
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Patent number: 10726559Abstract: The invention relates generally to edge detection and presentation in thermal images. Infrared and visible light images comprising at least partially overlapping target scenes are analyzed. An edge detection process is performed on the visible light image to determine which pixels represent edges in the target scene. A display image is generated in which some pixels include infrared image data and in which pixels corresponding to edges in the visible light image include a predetermined color and do not include corresponding infrared image data to emphasize edges. Edge pixels in the display image can include exclusively the predetermined color, or in some examples, a blend of a predetermined color and visible light image data. Methods can include replacing one or the other of visible light edge pixels or corresponding infrared pixels with the predetermined color before combining the visible light and infrared image data to create a display image.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2019Date of Patent: July 28, 2020Assignee: Fluke CorporationInventors: Peter A. Bergstrom, Kirk R. Johnson, James T. Pickett
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Publication number: 20190364227Abstract: A camera producing visible light images with thermal data. The camera may include visible light lens and sensor, an infrared light lens and sensor, and a display. The display displays some of the visible light image and thermal data from the respective sensors. The visible light image is divided into an array of zones where each zone may provide thermal data associated with the corresponding portion of the target shown in the zone. The camera may sense infrared images also provide audible alarms where the alarm is emitted with a tone of variable output to indicate the relative level of the alarm.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 10, 2019Publication date: November 28, 2019Inventors: Thomas J. McManus, Kirk R. Johnson, Thomas Heinke, Mathew N. Rekow
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Publication number: 20190325582Abstract: The invention relates generally to edge detection and presentation in thermal images. Infrared and visible light images comprising at least partially overlapping target scenes are analyzed. An edge detection process is performed on the visible light image to determine which pixels represent edges in the target scene. A display image is generated in which some pixels include infrared image data and in which pixels corresponding to edges in the visible light image include a predetermined color and do not include corresponding infrared image data to emphasize edges. Edge pixels in the display image can include exclusively the predetermined color, or in some examples, a blend of a predetermined color and visible light image data. Methods can include replacing one or the other of visible light edge pixels or corresponding infrared pixels with the predetermined color before combining the visible light and infrared image data to create a display image.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 28, 2019Publication date: October 24, 2019Inventors: Peter A. Bergstrom, Kirk R. Johnson, James T. Pickett
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Patent number: 10366496Abstract: The invention relates generally to edge detection and presentation in thermal images. Infrared and visible light images comprising at least partially overlapping target scenes are analyzed. An edge detection process is performed on the visible light image to determine which pixels represent edges in the target scene. A display image is generated in which some pixels include infrared image data and in which pixels corresponding to edges in the visible light image include a predetermined color and do not include corresponding infrared image data to emphasize edges. Edge pixels in the display image can include exclusively the predetermined color, or in some examples, a blend of a predetermined color and visible light image data. Methods can include replacing one or the other of visible light edge pixels or corresponding infrared pixels with the predetermined color before combining the visible light and infrared image data to create a display image.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2018Date of Patent: July 30, 2019Assignee: Fluke CorporationInventors: Peter A. Bergstrom, Kirk R. Johnson, James T. Pickett
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Publication number: 20190130621Abstract: Systems and methods directed toward combining visible light and infrared images can include processing visible light image data to determine an edge factor value for a plurality of visible light pixels corresponding to the strength of an edge at that location. The edge factor value can be determined using features from the visible light image data and an edge gain input, which may be adjustable by a user. The edge factor values are combined with an edge midscale value to create a first set of modified visible light image data including pixels emphasized based on the strength of the edge in the visible light image. The modified visible light image data is combined with infrared image data to create combined image data having contribution from the infrared image data and the edge factor values from the visible light image data.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 24, 2018Publication date: May 2, 2019Inventors: Kirk R. Johnson, Matthew F. Schmidt
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Patent number: 10152811Abstract: Systems and methods directed toward combining visible light and infrared images can include processing visible light image data to determine an edge factor value for a plurality of visible light pixels corresponding to the strength of an edge at that location. The edge factor value can be determined using features from the visible light image data and an edge gain input, which may be adjustable by a user. The edge factor values are combined with an edge midscale value to create a first set of modified visible light image data including pixels emphasized based on the strength of the edge in the visible light image. The modified visible light image data is combined with infrared image data to create combined image data having contribution from the infrared image data and the edge factor values from the visible light image data.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2015Date of Patent: December 11, 2018Assignee: Fluke CorporationInventors: Kirk R. Johnson, Matthew F. Schmidt
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Publication number: 20180335380Abstract: Systems, cameras, and software for performing optical gas imaging using thermal imaging. Processors are programmed with instructions for a method of detecting gas that includes creating a filtered background image, a filtered foreground image, and optical gas image data, and generating a display image. The filtered background image and filtered foreground images may be created by combining infrared image data from a plurality of images captured by an infrared camera module using filtering processes. The optical gas image data may be created by comparing the filtered background image and the filtered foreground image. An image may be generated that includes the optical gas image data for presentation on a display.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 27, 2018Publication date: November 22, 2018Inventors: Matthew F. Schmidt, Kirk R. Johnson
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Publication number: 20180260958Abstract: The invention relates generally to edge detection and presentation in thermal images. Infrared and visible light images comprising at least partially overlapping target scenes are analyzed. An edge detection process is performed on the visible light image to determine which pixels represent edges in the target scene. A display image is generated in which some pixels include infrared image data and in which pixels corresponding to edges in the visible light image include a predetermined color and do not include corresponding infrared image data to emphasize edges. Edge pixels in the display image can include exclusively the predetermined color, or in some examples, a blend of a predetermined color and visible light image data. Methods can include replacing one or the other of visible light edge pixels or corresponding infrared pixels with the predetermined color before combining the visible light and infrared image data to create a display image.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 10, 2018Publication date: September 13, 2018Inventors: Peter A. Bergstrom, Kirk R. Johnson, James T. Pickett
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Patent number: 9990730Abstract: The invention relates generally to edge detection and presentation in thermal images. Infrared and visible light images comprising at least partially overlapping target scenes are analyzed. An edge detection process is performed on the visible light image to determine which pixels represent edges in the target scene. A display image is generated in which some pixels include infrared image data and in which pixels corresponding to edges in the visible light image include a predetermined color and do not include corresponding infrared image data to emphasize edges. Edge pixels in the display image can include exclusively the predetermined color, or in some examples, a blend of a predetermined color and visible light image data. Methods can include replacing one or the other of visible light edge pixels or corresponding infrared pixels with the predetermined color before combining the visible light and infrared image data to create a display image.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2014Date of Patent: June 5, 2018Assignee: Fluke CorporationInventors: Peter A. Bergstrom, Kirk R. Johnson, James T. Pickett
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Publication number: 20170195548Abstract: A camera producing visible light images with thermal data. The camera may include visible light lens and sensor, an infrared light lens and sensor, and a display. The display displays some of the visible light image and thermal data from the respective sensors. The visible light image is divided into an array of zones where each zone may provide thermal data associated with the corresponding portion of the target shown in the zone. The camera may sense infrared images also provide audible alarms where the alarm is emitted with a tone of variable output to indicate the relative level of the alarm.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 23, 2017Publication date: July 6, 2017Inventors: Thomas J. McManus, Kirk R. Johnson, Thomas Heinke, Mathew N. Rekow
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Patent number: 9640077Abstract: There is disclosed a vehicle backing system configurable by a driver or spotter as a function of the type of the vehicle being backed up and a spotter's position and/or a position of another vehicle located at a rear of a first vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 2015Date of Patent: May 2, 2017Assignee: BACKSAFE SYSTEMS, INC.Inventors: Michael J. Wayman, Kevin J. Thompson, Kirk R. Johnson, Michael John Brusseau
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Patent number: 9635282Abstract: A camera producing visible light images with thermal data. The camera may include visible light lens and sensor, an infrared light lens and sensor, and a display. The display displays some of the visible light image and thermal data from the respective sensors. The visible light image is divided into an array of zones where each zone may provide thermal data associated with the corresponding portion of the target shown in the zone. The camera may sense infrared images also provide audible alarms where the alarm is emitted with a tone of variable output to indicate the relative level of the alarm.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2013Date of Patent: April 25, 2017Assignee: Fluke CorporationInventors: Thomas J McManus, Kirk R. Johnson, Thomas Heinke, Mathew Rekow
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Publication number: 20170061663Abstract: Systems and methods directed toward combining visible light and infrared images can include processing visible light image data to determine an edge factor value for a plurality of visible light pixels corresponding to the strength of an edge at that location. The edge factor value can be determined using features from the visible light image data and an edge gain input, which may be adjustable by a user. The edge factor values are combined with an edge midscale value to create a first set of modified visible light image data including pixels emphasized based on the strength of the edge in the visible light image. The modified visible light image data is combined with infrared image data to create combined image data having contribution from the infrared image data and the edge factor values from the visible light image data.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 27, 2015Publication date: March 2, 2017Inventors: Kirk R. Johnson, Matthew F. Schmidt
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Patent number: 9467605Abstract: Various embodiments of shutters for thermal imaging cameras, cameras comprising such shutters, and methods for providing such shutters are disclosed. The shutter may include a substrate with various layers and components thereon, such as a temperature sensor. The shutter may resemble a printed circuit board (PCB), utilizing efficient, cost-effective materials and methods known in the art.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2013Date of Patent: October 11, 2016Assignee: Fluke CorporationInventors: Kirk R. Johnson, Justin M. Sheard