Patents by Inventor Lawrence E. Albertelli

Lawrence E. Albertelli 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: 7406196
    Abstract: A method and system for detecting the corners of a region in an image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Lawrence E. Albertelli, Nina Kung
  • Patent number: 7304663
    Abstract: Resolution of an image capture system is measured by imaging a test target having a progression of feature sizes and pitch in respective sub-fields thereof. The image captured by the imaging system is then inspected to determine a sub-field image which does not include aliasing in the form of a Moire' pattern. Inclusion of reference numerals corresponding to the sub-field image feature size and pitch allows direct reading of the resolution of the imaging system. Such a system enables fast and accurate determination of the resolution and alignment of an imaging system using an inexpensively produced test target together with an arbitrary image viewing program.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2007
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventor: Lawrence E. Albertelli
  • Patent number: 7236643
    Abstract: In order to render information contained in images more detectable in the presence of noise, the present invention discloses a system and method to binarize the images in the presence of noise. The method of this invention comprises the steps of applying a dynamic range reducing filter to the digitized image values, obtaining a range reduced image; applying an edge detecting filter to the range reduced image, obtaining a filtered image; and then, adaptively binarizing the digitized image utilizing the corresponding filtered image to obtain an adaptive threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Lawrence E. Albertelli, David L. Ii, Nina Kung
  • Patent number: 7068856
    Abstract: A simple and robust method for determining the orientation angle of a scanned image or the angular orientation of an object in an electronic image based on using descriptors of the image and systems that implement the method are disclosed. A system including means for acquiring the electronic image, means for determining image centroid coordinates, means for obtaining second order moments corresponding to the image, and, means for determining an orientation angle of a principal axis of the image implements the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Lawrence E. Albertelli, David L. Ii, Nina Kung
  • Patent number: 7058240
    Abstract: The systems and methods of this invention provide a simple classifier suitable for real time use. The classifier adapts to changing system conditions and does not require recalculating the details of the classifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Lawrence E. Albertelli, Charles Call, David L. Ii, Nina Kung
  • Patent number: 7051937
    Abstract: A system and method to binarize the bar code image in the presence of noise in order to render bar codes more detectable in the presence of noise. The method of this invention includes the steps of applying a gradient detecting filter to the bar code image, obtaining a filtered image, and then, adaptively binarizing the bar code image utilizing the corresponding filtered image to obtain an adaptive threshold. A system that implements the method is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Lawrence E. Albertelli, David L. Ii, Nina Kung
  • Patent number: 6992696
    Abstract: Resolution of an image capture system is measured by imaging a test target having a progression of feature sizes and pitch in respective sub-fields thereof. The image captured by the imaging system is then inspected to determine a sub-field image which does not include aliasing in the form of a Moire' pattern. Inclusion of reference numerals corresponding to the sub-field image feature size and pitch allows direct reading of the resolution of the imaging system. Such a system enables fast and accurate determination of the resolution and alignment of an imaging system using an inexpensively produced test target together with an arbitrary image viewing program.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventor: Lawrence E. Albertelli
  • Patent number: 6980249
    Abstract: Focused imaging of constant size and resolution over a wide range of distances and a wide field of view in object space is provided by a doubly telecentric catadioptric optical system including an external limiting aperture at the juncture of the focal planes of two objectives, with a large-diameter concave spherical or aspheric mirror as the primary objective, and a camera lens as the secondary objective. Constant resolution avoids rescaling of images made at different depths for machine recognition tasks such as OCR, saving computation time and cost, and increasing through-put and accuracy. For digital linescan cameras, constant resolution of the image avoids scanning objects at different line rates for different depths of objects being scanned, thus maximizing speed of the objects and, hence, throughput. The field of view is constant over the entire range of depth and is not limited by the diameter of the camera lens elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin, Corporation
    Inventor: Lawrence E. Albertelli
  • Patent number: 6898314
    Abstract: A method and system of reading images. The method includes decimating an image and normalizing the decimated image. Then, rebinning grayscale pixel data associated with the decimated image and reassigning a selected range of grayscales representing a region of interest of the remapped grayscale pixel data to one while zeroing others. The method also includes labeling the connected pixels associated with the range of grayscales representing the region of interest and then extending the connected pixels through region growing using a preselected offset value. Lastly, the method includes filtering segmented regions of the connected pixels to eliminate certain candidates. The system is designed to implement the steps of the enumerated method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Nina Kung, Lawrence E. Albertelli, David L. Ii
  • Publication number: 20040076344
    Abstract: The systems and methods of this invention provide a simple classifier suitable for real time use. The classifier adapts to changing system conditions and does not require recalculating the details of the classifier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2002
    Publication date: April 22, 2004
    Applicant: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Lawrence E. Albertelli, Charles Call, David L. Ii, Nina Kung
  • Publication number: 20040052430
    Abstract: A simple and robust method for determining the orientation angle of a scanned image or the angular orientation of an object in an electronic image based on using descriptors of the image and systems that implement the method are disclosed. A system including means for acquiring the electronic image, means for determining image centroid coordinates, means for obtaining second order moments corresponding to the image, and, means for determining an orientation angle of a principal axis of the image implements the method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2002
    Publication date: March 18, 2004
    Applicant: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Lawrence E. Albertelli, David L. Ii, Nina Kung
  • Publication number: 20030179934
    Abstract: In order to render information contained in images more detectable in the presence of noise, the present invention discloses a system and method to binarize the images in the presence of noise. The method of this invention comprises the steps of applying a dynamic range reducing filter to the digitized image values, obtaining a range reduced image; applying an edge detecting filter to the range reduced image, obtaining a filtered image; and then, adaptively binarizing the digitized image utilizing the corresponding filtered image to obtain an adaptive threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2002
    Publication date: September 25, 2003
    Applicant: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Lawrence E. Albertelli, David L. Ii, Nina Kung
  • Publication number: 20030178490
    Abstract: In order to render bar codes more detectable in the presence of noise, the present invention discloses a system and method to binarize the bar code image in the presence of noise. The method of this invention comprises the steps of applying of a gradient detecting filter to the bar code image, obtaining a filtered image, and then, adaptively binarizing the bar code image utilizing the corresponding filtered image to obtain an adaptive threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2002
    Publication date: September 25, 2003
    Applicant: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Lawrence E. Albertelli, David L. Ii, Nina Kung
  • Publication number: 20030118236
    Abstract: A method and system of reading images. The method includes decimating an image and normalizing the decimated image. Then, rebinning grayscale pixel data associated with the decimated image and reassigning a selected range of grayscales representing a region of interest of the remapped grayscale pixel data to one while zeroing others. The method also includes labeling the connected pixels associated with the range of grayscales representing the region of interest and then extending the connected pixels through region growing using a preselected offset value. Lastly, the method includes filtering segmented regions of the connected pixels to eliminate certain candidates. The system is designed to implement the steps of the enumerated method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2001
    Publication date: June 26, 2003
    Inventors: Nina Kung, Lawrence E. Albertelli, David L. Ii
  • Patent number: 6484066
    Abstract: An image lift tunnel scanner uses extended depth of field cameras in order to view objects of various shapes and sizes on a conveyor system. The image lift tunnel scanner operates by passing a package first through a dimensioning device, such light curtain that determines the package's height, width, length, orientation and position on the conveyor belt. A bottom scan camera takes a fixed focus image and requires only a trigger and length information from the light curtain. The length information determines the duration of the scan after the camera receives the trigger signal. A top scan camera also requires a trigger and the length information along with the height information so that it can set its focus. Each of two side cameras also receives trigger and length information. If the package is registered on the conveyor belt, the only additional information required is the package width and the package position on the conveyor belt so that the start and stop of the image scan can be calculated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Michael J. Riess, Lawrence E. Albertelli
  • Publication number: 20020008139
    Abstract: Focused imaging of constant size and resolution over a wide range of distances and a wide field of view in object space is provided by a doubly telecentric catadioptric optical system including an external limiting aperture at the juncture of the focal planes of two objectives, with a large-diameter concave spherical or aspheric mirror as the primary objective, and a camera lens as the secondary objective. Constant resolution avoids rescaling of images made at different depths for machine recognition tasks such as OCR, saving computation time and cost, and increasing through-put and accuracy. For digital linescan cameras, constant resolution of the image avoids scanning objects at different line rates for different depths of objects being scanned, thus maximizing speed of the objects and, hence, throughput. The field of view is constant over the entire range of depth and is not limited by the diameter of the camera lens elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2001
    Publication date: January 24, 2002
    Inventor: Lawrence E. Albertelli