Patents by Inventor Nicholas Hogasten

Nicholas Hogasten 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: 20200186736
    Abstract: Techniques to set a frame rate and associated device manufacturing are disclosed. In one example, an imaging device includes a detector array configured to detect electromagnetic radiation associated with a scene and provide image data frames according to a first frame rate. The imaging device further includes a readout circuit configured to provide the image data frames according to a frame rate for the readout circuit. The imaging device further includes a fuse configured to set the frame rate for the readout circuit. Related methods and systems are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2019
    Publication date: June 11, 2020
    Inventors: Robert F. Cannata, Brian B. Simolon, Nicholas Högasten, Christopher Chan, Eric A. Kurth
  • Publication number: 20200186712
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for facilitating burst mode calibration sensing and image mode sensing. In one example, a device includes a detector array configured to detect electromagnetic radiation and provide image data frames according to a first frame rate. The device further includes a logic circuit configured to determine whether a threshold delay has elapsed. The device further includes a frame output circuit configured to: provide, based at least on the threshold delay having elapsed, the image data frames according to the first frame rate; and provide, based at least on the threshold delay not having elapsed, the image data frames according to a second frame rate lower than the first frame rate. Related methods and systems are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2019
    Publication date: June 11, 2020
    Inventors: Nicholas Högasten, Brian B. Simolon, Christopher Chan, Robert F. Cannata, Eric A. Kurth
  • Patent number: 10623667
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure may include an imaging system that allows for the transfer of high dynamic range (HDR) radiometric thermal images over a low bitrate interface. The image system may capture HDR images and output the HDR images over a communications interface to be processed. The HDR images may be converted to low dynamic range (LDR) images by a transfer function in order to be sent over the low bitrate interface. An inverse transfer function may also be sent along with the LDR image. Once the LDR image has been sent over the low bitrate interface, the LDR image may be converted to a reconstructed image using the inverse transfer function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: FLIR SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Nicholas Högasten, Per Elmfors
  • Publication number: 20200090308
    Abstract: Various techniques are provided for reducing noise in captured image frames. In one example, a method includes determining row values for image frames comprising scene information and noise information. The method also includes performing first spectral transforms in a first domain on corresponding subsets of the row values to determine first spectral coefficients. The method also includes performing second spectral transforms in a second domain on corresponding subsets of the first spectral coefficients to determine second spectral coefficients. The method also includes selectively adjusting the second spectral coefficients. The method also includes determining row correction terms based on the adjusted second spectral coefficients to reduce the noise information of the image frames. Additional methods and systems are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2019
    Publication date: March 19, 2020
    Inventors: Stephanie Lin, Nicholas Hõgasten
  • Patent number: 10587825
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure may include an imaging system that allows for the transfer of high dynamic range (HDR) radiometric thermal images over a low bitrate interface. The image system may capture HDR images and output the HDR images over a communications interface to be processed. The HDR images may be converted to low dynamic range (LDR) images by a transfer function in order to be sent over the low bitrate interface. An inverse transfer function may also be sent along with the LDR image. Once the LDR image has been sent over the low bitrate interface, the LDR image may be converted to a reconstructed image using the inverse transfer function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: FLIR SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Nicholas Högasten, Per Elmfors
  • Publication number: 20190373193
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed herein to detect pixels exhibiting anomalous behavior in captured image frames. In some examples, temporal anomalous behavior may be identified, such as flickering pixels exhibiting large magnitude changes in pixel values that vary rapidly from frame-to-frame. In some examples, spatial anomalous behavior may be identified, such as pixels exhibiting values that deviate from an expected linear response in comparison with other neighbor pixels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2019
    Publication date: December 5, 2019
    Inventors: Joseph Kostrzewa, Nicholas Hogasten, Theodore R. Hoelter, Scott McNally
  • Publication number: 20190325566
    Abstract: Various techniques are provided for reducing noise in captured image frames. In one example, a method includes determining row values for image frames comprising scene information and noise information. The method also includes performing first spectral transforms in a first domain on corresponding subsets of the row values to determine first spectral coefficients. The method also includes performing second spectral transforms in a second domain on corresponding subsets of the first spectral coefficients to determine second spectral coefficients. The method also includes selectively adjusting the second spectral coefficients. The method also includes determining row correction terms based on the adjusted second spectral coefficients to reduce the noise information of the image frames. Additional methods and systems are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2019
    Publication date: October 24, 2019
    Inventor: Nicholas Högasten
  • Patent number: 10425603
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed herein to detect pixels exhibiting anomalous behavior in captured image frames. In some examples, temporal anomalous behavior may be identified, such as flickering pixels exhibiting large magnitude changes in pixel values that vary rapidly from frame-to-frame. In some examples, spatial anomalous behavior may be identified, such as pixels exhibiting values that deviate from an expected linear response in comparison with other neighbor pixels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: FLIR Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Kostrzewa, Nicholas Hogasten, Theodore R. Hoelter, Scott McNally
  • Patent number: 10425569
    Abstract: Systems and methods may be provided for operating a camera based the position, orientation, or motion of the camera. A system can include a firearm, a camera mounted to the firearm, a sensor that gathers sensor data associated with at least one of a position, an orientation, or a motion of the firearm, and a processor that receives the sensor data and operates the camera based on the sensor data. The system may be used to capture image data such as video image data in response to a detected ballistic event, to modify the power status of the camera in response to a detected position of the camera, or to operate a display of the camera in response to a non-ballistic motion of the camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: FLIR SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Andrew C. Teich, Patrick B. Richardson, Nicholas Hogasten
  • Patent number: 10425595
    Abstract: Modular infrared imaging systems and methods disclosed herein, in accordance with one or more embodiments, provide for capturing an infrared image, sensing a mode of operation, processing the captured infrared image according to the sensed mode of operation, generating a processed infrared image based on the sensed mode of operation, and displaying the processed infrared image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: FLIR SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Frank, Yves Chappaz, Mary L. Deal, Patrick B. Richardson, Austin A. Richards, Nicholas Högasten, James T. Woolaway
  • Patent number: 10389953
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: FLIR Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Theodore R. Hoelter, Joseph Kostrzewa, Pierre Boulanger, Barbara Sharp, Eric A. Kurth, Nicholas Högasten, Katrin Strandemar
  • Publication number: 20190251681
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure may include an imaging system that allows for absolute radiometry of low dynamic range (LDR) radiometric images down-sampled from high dynamic range (HDR) radiometric thermal images. The imaging system may capture HDR images. The HDR images may be converted to LDR images by a transfer function. In certain embodiments, a video and/or a stream of HDR images may be captured. A sequence of frames may be defined for at least a plurality of the HDR images. Each of the HDR images of the sequence of frames may be converted to LDR images using the same transfer function.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2019
    Publication date: August 15, 2019
    Inventors: Nicholas Hogasten, Austin A. Richards
  • Patent number: 10360711
    Abstract: Various techniques are provided to combine visible and thermal image data. In one example, a method includes receiving visible image data and thermal image data for a scene. The method also includes extracting high spatial frequency content from the visible image data to provide filtered visible image data. The method also includes applying a corresponding gain to the filtered visible image data to provide weighted visible image data. The method also includes merging the weighted visible image data and the thermal image data to provide combined image data. Additional methods, systems, and other implementations are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: FLIR Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephanie Lin, Nicholas Hogasten
  • Patent number: 10321031
    Abstract: Various techniques are disclosed for providing a device attachment configured to releasably attach to and provide infrared imaging functionality to mobile phones or other portable electronic devices. For example, a device attachment may include a housing with a tub on a rear surface thereof shaped to at least partially receive a user device, an infrared sensor assembly disposed within the housing and configured to capture thermal infrared image data, and a processing module communicatively coupled to the infrared sensor assembly and configured to transmit the thermal infrared image data to the user device. Thermal infrared image data may be captured by the infrared sensor assembly and transmitted to the user device by the processing module in response to a request transmitted by an application program or other software/hardware routines running on the user device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: FLIR Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Frank, Nicholas Högasten, Theodore R. Hoelter, Katrin Strandemar, Pierre Boulanger, Barbara Sharp, Andrew C. Teich, Dwight Dumpert, Mark Nussmeier, Eric A. Kurth, Gerald W. Blakeley, III, Michael Fox
  • Patent number: 10321076
    Abstract: A partially attenuating shutter may be used to identify and reduce fixed pattern noise (FPN) associated with imaging devices. In one example, a system includes an image capture component configured to capture images in response to incident radiation from a scene along an optical path. The system includes a shutter configured to attenuate a first portion of the incident radiation and permit a second portion of the incident radiation to pass. The system also includes an actuator configured to translate the shutter between an open position out of the optical path, and a closed position in the optical path between the scene and the image capture component. The system also includes a processor configured to determine a plurality of FPN correction terms using images captured by the image capture component while the shutter is in the open and closed positions. Related systems and methods are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: FLIR Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Sam Grigorian, Nicholas Högasten, Pierre Boulanger
  • Publication number: 20190141261
    Abstract: An imager array may be provided as part of an imaging system. The imager array may include a plurality of infrared imaging modules. Each infrared imaging module may include a plurality of infrared sensors associated with an optical element. The infrared imaging modules may be oriented, for example, substantially in a plane facing the same direction and configured to detect images from the same scene. Such images may be processed in accordance with various techniques to provide images of infrared radiation. The infrared imaging modules may include filters or lens coatings to selectively detect desired ranges of infrared radiation. Such arrangements of infrared imaging modules in an imager array may be used to advantageous effect in a variety of different applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2018
    Publication date: May 9, 2019
    Inventors: Nicholas Högasten, Mark Nussmeier, Eric A. Kurth, Theodore R. Hoelter, Katrin Strandemar, Pierre Boulanger, Barbara Sharp
  • Patent number: 10250822
    Abstract: Various techniques are disclosed for providing a wearable apparatus having an integrated infrared imaging module. In one example, a wearable apparatus implemented as a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) may include a shield to protect a user from an external environment, one or more infrared imaging modules, a projector, a processor, and a communication module for projecting a user-viewable thermal image onto a surface of the shield. Such infrared imaging modules may be positioned internal to the SCBA for protection from a hazardous external environment. In another example, a wearable apparatus implemented as a welding mask may include one or more infrared imaging modules, a projector, a processor, and a communication module, so as to project a user-viewable thermal image onto a surface of a shield of the welding mask, while at the same time protecting these components and the welder's face from a harsh welding environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: FLIR Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: William A. Terre, Andrew C. Teich, Giovanni Lepore, Nicholas Hogasten, Theodore R. Hoelter, Katrin Strandemar
  • Patent number: 10244190
    Abstract: Techniques using small form factor infrared imaging modules are disclosed. An imaging system may include visible spectrum imaging modules, infrared imaging modules, illumination modules, and other modules to interface with a user and/or a monitoring system. Visible spectrum imaging modules and infrared imaging modules may be positioned in proximity to a scene that will be monitored while visible spectrum-only images of the scene are either not available or less desirable than infrared images of the scene. Imaging modules may be configured to capture images of the scene at different times. Image analytics and processing may be used to generate combined images with infrared imaging features and increased detail and contrast. Selectable aspects of non-uniformity correction processing, true color processing, and high contrast processing, may be performed on the captured images. Control signals based on the combined images may be presented to a user and/or a monitoring system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: FLIR Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Pierre Boulanger, Barbara Sharp, Theodore R. Hoelter, Andrew C. Teich, Nicholas Högasten, Jeffrey S. Scott, Katrin Strademar, Mark Nussmeier, Eric A. Kurth
  • Patent number: 10122944
    Abstract: Various techniques are provided for implementing an infrared imaging system. In one example, a system includes a focal plane array (FPA). The FPA includes an array of infrared sensors adapted to image a scene. The FPA also includes a bias circuit adapted to provide a bias voltage to the infrared sensors. The bias voltage is selected from a range of approximately 0.2 volts to approximately 0.7 volts. The FPA also includes a read out integrated circuit (ROIC) adapted to provide signals from the infrared sensors corresponding to captured image frames. Other implementations are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: FLIR Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Nussmeier, Eric A. Kurth, Nicholas Högasten, Theodore R. Hoelter, Katrin Strandemar, Pierre Boulanger, Barbara Sharp
  • Publication number: 20180292529
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure may include one or more object detection devices. The object detection devices may include at least one distance sensor such as a radar, lidar, or other distance sensor and at least one thermal sensor such as a thermal imaging device. One or more object detection devices may be mounted to vehicles to provide enhanced representations of an area around the vehicles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2018
    Publication date: October 11, 2018
    Inventor: Nicholas Högasten