Patents by Inventor Matthew F. Schmidt

Matthew F. Schmidt 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).

  • Publication number: 20230343066
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses that utilize machine learning techniques to identify maintenance assets using sets of machine-health diagnostic images and link individual machine-health diagnostic images to the identified maintenance assets are described. The sets of machine-health diagnostic images may include a set of thermal images, a set of visible-light images, and/or a set of acoustic images. An identified maintenance asset may comprise an individual machine associated with a unique asset identifier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2023
    Publication date: October 26, 2023
    Inventors: Matthew F. Schmidt, Michael D. Stuart, Seyed Navid Roohani Isfahani, Shreyas Shivaram Shastry, Dileepa Prabhakar, Ronald Ainsworth
  • Publication number: 20230247171
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2023
    Publication date: August 3, 2023
    Inventors: Matthew F. Schmidt, Kirk R. Johnson
  • Patent number: 11641441
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: Fluke Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew F. Schmidt, Kirk R. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20220343674
    Abstract: A system for screening persons' temperatures comprises an imaging device configured to generate imagery data, including infrared image data, of a first scene and a second scene. The system receives imagery data from the first scene, identifies persons in the scene using the imagery data, and determines each person's temperature. The system further compares the persons' temperatures to a threshold and indicates a person should be directed to the second scene if the person's temperature is above a threshold. Subsequently, the system determines and compares the person's temperature in the second scene and provides an indication if the person's temperature exceeds a second threshold. Further, a confidence factor can be associated with determinations of persons' temperatures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2022
    Publication date: October 27, 2022
    Inventor: Matthew F. Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20220338740
    Abstract: A system for screening persons' temperatures comprises an imaging device configured to generate imagery data, including infrared image data, of a first scene and a second scene. The system receives imagery data from the first scene, identifies persons in the scene using the imagery data, and determines each person's temperature. The system further compares the persons' temperatures to a threshold and indicates a person should be directed to the second scene if the person's temperature is above a threshold. Subsequently, the system determines and compares the person's temperature in the second scene and provides an indication if the person's temperature exceeds a second threshold. Further, a confidence factor can be associated with determinations of persons' temperatures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2022
    Publication date: October 27, 2022
    Inventors: Matthew F. Schmidt, Han B. Tran, Wayne S. Hoofnagle, Dileepa Prabhakar
  • Publication number: 20210218909
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2019
    Publication date: July 15, 2021
    Inventors: Matthew F. Schmidt, Kirk R. Johnson
  • Patent number: 11022546
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: Fluke Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew F. Schmidt, Kirk R. Johnson
  • Patent number: 10872448
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignee: Fluke Corporation
    Inventors: Kirk R. Johnson, Matthew F. Schmidt
  • Patent number: 10728468
    Abstract: A thermal imaging camera comprises an infrared lens assembly and associated IR sensor for detecting thermal images of a target scene, a processor, and at least one additional sensor. The at least one additional sensor is configured to provide measurement data to the processor, where it is compared to a predetermined requirement. If the measurement data satisfies the predetermined requirement, the camera will prompt the user via a display. During use, the camera can prompt the user to provide annotation data, conduct a thermographic inspection, inspect the target scene, or perform other tasks based on the measurement data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: Fluke Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas J. McManus, Matthew F. Schmidt
  • Patent number: 10713781
    Abstract: Aspects of the invention generally relate to illumination gas imaging and detection. Camera systems can illuminate a target scene with light sources configured to emit absorbing and non-absorbing wavelengths with respect to a target gas. An image of the target scene illuminated with a non-absorbing wavelength can be compared to a non-illuminated image of the target scene in order to determine information about the background of the target scene. If sufficient light of the non-absorbing wavelength is scattered by the scene toward a detector, the target scene comprises an adequate background for performing a gas imaging process. A camera system can alert a user of portions of the target scene suitable or unsuitable for performing a gas imaging process. If necessary, the user can reposition the system until sufficient portions of the target scene are recognized as suitable for performing the gas imaging process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: Fluke Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew F. Schmidt, Tyler B. Evans, Derek Hutton
  • Patent number: 10571591
    Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) imaging device comprises an optical position sensor, an RF sensor assembly, a processor, and a memory. The optical position sensor captures an optical image of a field of view and outputs data representing the optical image. The RF sensor assembly is disposed at a first position and receives an RF signal for capturing an RF image of a portion of a space disposed behind a surface at the first position and outputs data representing the RF signal. The processor receives the data representing the optical image and the RF signal, and determines that an optical signature of a reference marker is present in the optical image. If the optical signature is present in the optical image, the processor defines the first position of the RF assembly as a reference position. The memory stores the data representing the RF signal in association with the reference position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: Fluke Corporation
    Inventors: Jamie Rhead, Paul H. Heydron, Christopher D. Corrigan, Nikola Mrvaljevic, Matthew F. Schmidt
  • Patent number: 10564116
    Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) imaging device comprises a position sensor, an RF sensor assembly, an optical sensor, a processor, and a memory. The position sensor determines a position of the RF imaging device relative to a surface. The RF sensor assembly captures RF image data representing an RF image of a portion of a space behind the surface at the determined position. The optical sensor captures optical image data representing an optical image of the surface at the determined position. The processor produces a composite image in which at least one or more portions of the RF image and one or more portions of the optical image that correspond to the same position relative to the surface are simultaneously viewable. The RF image data and the optical image data are stored in the memory in association with position data derived from the determined position of the RF imaging device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: Fluke Corporation
    Inventors: Jamie Rhead, Paul H. Heydron, Christopher D. Corrigan, Brian Knight, Nikola Mrvaljevic, Luis R. Silva, Matthew F. Schmidt
  • Patent number: 10444344
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for optical sensor-based position sensing are provided. In the method and apparatus, a first displacement is detected by a first optical position sensor and a second displacement is detected by a second optical position sensor of an optical position sensor assembly located on a radio frequency (RF) imaging device. A processor coupled to the optical position sensor assembly determines a position of the RF imaging device based at least in part on the detected first and second displacements. The processor determines a tilt of the RF imaging device based at least in part on the detected first and second displacements and associates, in a memory, the position and the tilt of the RF imaging device with data representing an RF image of a portion of a space disposed behind a surface captured by the RF imaging device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: Fluke Corporation
    Inventors: Jamie Rhead, David Bruce Lentz, Dileepa Prabhakar, Matthew F. Schmidt
  • Patent number: 10375325
    Abstract: Systems and methods can be used to detect thermal anomalies in a target scene of an infrared image. Acquired thermal image data can be compared to a statistical thermal profile to detect thermal anomalies in the image data. Anomaly data based on the comparison can be used to generate an image representing locations and/or severity of detected anomalies. Systems can be used to acquire thermal image data for generating and/or updating statistical thermal profiles for use in anomaly detection processes. Auxiliary measurement devices can provide measurement data representative of one or more parameters of the target scene. The measurement data can be used to select from a plurality of possible statistical thermal profiles associated with the target scene to best match the current parameters of the scene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: Fluke Corporation
    Inventor: Matthew F. Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20190172192
    Abstract: Aspects of the invention generally relate to illumination gas imaging and detection. Camera systems can illuminate a target scene with light sources configured to emit absorbing and non-absorbing wavelengths with respect to a target gas. An image of the target scene illuminated with a non-absorbing wavelength can be compared to a non-illuminated image of the target scene in order to determine information about the background of the target scene. If sufficient light of the non-absorbing wavelength is scattered by the scene toward a detector, the target scene comprises an adequate background for performing a gas imaging process. A camera system can alert a user of portions of the target scene suitable or unsuitable for performing a gas imaging process. If necessary, the user can reposition the system until sufficient portions of the target scene are recognized as suitable for performing the gas imaging process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2019
    Publication date: June 6, 2019
    Inventors: Matthew F. Schmidt, Tyler B. Evans, Derek Hutton
  • Publication number: 20190130621
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2018
    Publication date: May 2, 2019
    Inventors: Kirk R. Johnson, Matthew F. Schmidt
  • Patent number: 10217210
    Abstract: Aspects of the invention generally relate to illumination gas imaging and detection. Camera systems can illuminate a target scene with light sources configured to emit absorbing and non-absorbing wavelengths with respect to a target gas. An image of the target scene illuminated with a non-absorbing wavelength can be compared to a non-illuminated image of the target scene in order to determine information about the background of the target scene. If sufficient light of the non-absorbing wavelength is scattered by the scene toward a detector, the target scene comprises an adequate background for performing a gas imaging process. A camera system can alert a user of portions of the target scene suitable or unsuitable for performing a gas imaging process. If necessary, the user can reposition the system until sufficient portions of the target scene are recognized as suitable for performing the gas imaging process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: Fluke Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew F. Schmidt, Tyler B. Evans, Derek Hutton
  • Patent number: 10152811
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: Fluke Corporation
    Inventors: Kirk R. Johnson, Matthew F. Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20180335380
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2018
    Publication date: November 22, 2018
    Inventors: Matthew F. Schmidt, Kirk R. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20180172820
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for optical sensor-based position sensing are provided. In the method and apparatus, a first displacement is detected by a first optical position sensor and a second displacement is detected by a second optical position sensor of an optical position sensor assembly located on a radio frequency (RF) imaging device. A processor coupled to the optical position sensor assembly determines a position of the RF imaging device based at least in part on the detected first and second displacements. The processor determines a tilt of the RF imaging device based at least in part on the detected first and second displacements and associates, in a memory, the position and the tilt of the RF imaging device with data representing an RF image of a portion of a space disposed behind a surface captured by the RF imaging device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2016
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Inventors: Jamie RHEAD, David Bruce LENTZ, Dileepa PRABHAKAR, Matthew F. SCHMIDT