Patents by Inventor Nile E. Fairfield

Nile E. Fairfield 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: 20240126147
    Abstract: An apparatus has a lens assembly which has: a front region with an entrance window of the lens assembly; a window structure at the entrance window; a back region; a lens between the window structure and the back region; and a heater coupled to heat the window structure. The lens assembly includes a reflective surface. The front region is on a first side of the reflective surface. The back region is on a second side of the reflective surface. The reflective surface reflects thermal radiation generated by the heater. The reflected radiation is reflected towards the first side. Other features are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2023
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Inventors: Nile E. Fairfield, William J. Hall, Jace Dispenza, Sean Tauber, David Ovrutsky, Stephanie Lin
  • Patent number: 11882356
    Abstract: Techniques for facilitating palette and infrared image generation systems and methods are provided. In one example, a method includes receiving user input indicative of a plurality of threshold temperatures to divide a temperature range into a plurality of temperature regions and a respective visual representation mode for each of the plurality of temperature regions. Each of the plurality of temperature regions is bound by at least one of the plurality of threshold temperatures. The respective visual representation mode for each of the plurality of temperature regions is a color mode or a grayscale mode. The method further includes generating a palette based on the user input. Related devices and systems are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: Teledyne FLIR Commercial Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Nile E. Fairfield, Joseph Kostrzewa
  • Publication number: 20230131678
    Abstract: Techniques for facilitating imager verification systems and methods are provided. In one example, an imaging device includes a focal plane array. The focal plane array includes a detector array including a plurality of detectors, where each of the plurality of detectors is configured to detect electromagnetic radiation to obtain image data. The focal plane array further includes a readout circuit configured to perform a readout to obtain the image data from each of the plurality of detectors. The imaging device further includes a processing circuit configured to perform a verification of the imaging device based at least on the image data. Related methods and systems are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2022
    Publication date: April 27, 2023
    Inventors: Nile E. Fairfield, Randy J. Hansen, Kelsey M. Judd, Sean Tauber, Jeffrey Imamura
  • Publication number: 20230031084
    Abstract: Techniques to test infrared detectors are disclosed. In one example, a focal plane array for an imaging system includes a plurality of infrared detectors arranged in a plurality of rows and columns where each of the infrared detectors is configured to provide an output signal in response to externally received thermal radiation associated with a scene. A plurality of offset circuits of the imaging system may be electrically coupled to the focal plane array and configured to selectively superimpose fixed-pattern noise on the output signals to provide modified output signals. A readout integrated circuit of the imaging system may be configured to provide the modified output signals for processing to test an integrity of the infrared detectors. Modified output signals that are outside an expected output range based on the thermal radiation and known offset may be determined defective. Related methods, devices, and systems are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2022
    Publication date: February 2, 2023
    Inventors: Sean Tauber, Brian B. Simolon, Naseem Y. Aziz, Nile E. Fairfield
  • Publication number: 20220337810
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for providing vehicular radiometric calibration systems and methods. In one example, a method includes capturing, by an array of infrared sensors mounted on a vehicle, a thermal image of a scene during navigation of the vehicle and/or while the vehicle is stationary. The thermal image comprises a plurality of pixel values. Each infrared sensor of the array is associated with a respective one of the plurality of pixel values. The method further includes determining temperature data associated with a portion of the scene, where the portion is associated with a subset of the plurality of pixel values. The method further includes generating a correction value based on the thermal image and the temperature data. Related systems, vehicles, and devices are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2022
    Publication date: October 20, 2022
    Inventors: Sean Tauber, Michael D. Walters, Theodore R. Hoelter, Nile E. Fairfield, Chris J. Posch, Kelsey M. Judd
  • Publication number: 20220182532
    Abstract: Techniques for facilitating palette and infrared image generation systems and methods are provided. In one example, a method includes receiving user input indicative of a plurality of threshold temperatures to divide a temperature range into a plurality of temperature regions and a respective visual representation mode for each of the plurality of temperature regions. Each of the plurality of temperature regions is bound by at least one of the plurality of threshold temperatures. The respective visual representation mode for each of the plurality of temperature regions is a color mode or a grayscale mode. The method further includes generating a palette based on the user input. Related devices and systems are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2021
    Publication date: June 9, 2022
    Inventors: Nile E. Fairfield, Joseph Kostrzewa
  • Patent number: 9998697
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for systems and methods using small form factor infrared imaging modules to monitor occupants in an interior compartment of a vehicle. For example, a vehicle-mounted system may include one or more infrared imaging modules, a processor, a memory, alarm sirens, and a communication module. The vehicle-mounted system may be mounted on, installed in, or otherwise integrated into a vehicle with an interior compartment. The infrared imaging modules may be configured to capture thermal images of desired portions of the interior compartments. Various thermal image processing and analytics may be performed on the captured thermal images to determine the presence and various attributes of one or more occupants. Based on the determination of the presence and various attributes, occupant detection information or control signals may be generated. Occupant detection information may be used to perform various monitoring operations, and control signals may adjust various vehicle components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: FLIR Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Frank, Austin A. Richards, Victoria L. White, Nile E. Fairfield, Arthur Stout, David W. Lee, Nicholas Högasten, Theodore R. Hoelter, Katrin Strandemar
  • Patent number: 9948872
    Abstract: Various systems and methods are disclosed for monitoring and controlling using small infrared imaging modules to enhance occupant safety and energy efficiency of buildings and structures. In one example, thermal images captured by infrared imaging modules may be analyzed to detect presence of persons, identify and classify power-consuming objects, and monitor environmental conditions. Based on the processed thermal images, various power-consuming objects (e.g., an HVAC system, lighting, a water heater, and other appliances) may be controlled to increase energy efficiency. In another example, thermal images captured by infrared imaging modules may be analyzed to detect various hazardous conditions, such as a combustible gas leak, a CO gas leak, a water leak, fire, smoke, and, an electrical hotspot. If such hazardous conditions are detected, an appropriate warning may be generated and/or various objects may be controlled to remedy the conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: FLIR Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Frank, Pierre Boulanger, Shawn Jepson, Patrick B. Richardson, Nile E. Fairfield, Nicholas Högasten, Theodore R. Hoelter, Katrin Strandemar
  • Publication number: 20170088098
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for systems and methods using small form factor infrared imaging modules to monitor occupants in an interior compartment of a vehicle. For example, a vehicle-mounted system may include one or more infrared imaging modules, a processor, a memory, alarm sirens, and a communication module. The vehicle-mounted system may be mounted on, installed in, or otherwise integrated into a vehicle with an interior compartment. The infrared imaging modules may be configured to capture thermal images of desired portions of the interior compartments. Various thermal image processing and analytics may be performed on the captured thermal images to determine the presence and various attributes of one or more occupants. Based on the determination of the presence and various attributes, occupant detection information or control signals may be generated. Occupant detection information may be used to perform various monitoring operations, and control signals may adjust various vehicle components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2016
    Publication date: March 30, 2017
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Frank, Austin A. Richards, Victoria L. White, Nile E. Fairfield, Arthur Stout, David W. Lee, Nicholas Högasten, Theodore R. Hoelter, Katrin Strandemar
  • Patent number: 9517679
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for systems and methods using small form factor infrared imaging modules to monitor occupants in an interior compartment of a vehicle. For example, a vehicle-mounted system may include one or more infrared imaging modules, a processor, a memory, alarm sirens, and a communication module. The vehicle-mounted system may be mounted on, installed in, or otherwise integrated into a vehicle with an interior compartment. The infrared imaging modules may be configured to capture thermal images of desired portions of the interior compartments. Various thermal image processing and analytics may be performed on the captured thermal images to determine the presence and various attributes of one or more occupants. Based on the determination of the presence and various attributes, occupant detection information or control signals may be generated. Occupant detection information may be used to perform various monitoring operations, and control signals may adjust various vehicle components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: FLIR Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Frank, Austin A. Richards, Victoria L. White, Nile E. Fairfield, Arthur Stout, David W. Lee, Nicholas Högasten, Theodore R. Hoelter, Katrin Strandemar
  • Publication number: 20140093133
    Abstract: Various techniques are disclosed for systems and methods using small form factor infrared imaging modules to monitor occupants in an interior compartment of a vehicle. For example, a vehicle-mounted system may include one or more infrared imaging modules, a processor, a memory, alarm sirens, and a communication module. The vehicle-mounted system may be mounted on, installed in, or otherwise integrated into a vehicle that has an interior compartment. The infrared imaging modules may be configured to capture thermal images of desired portions of the interior compartments. Various thermal image processing and analytics may be performed on the captured thermal images to determine the presence and various attributes of one or more occupants. Based on the determination of the presence and various attributes, occupant detection information and/or control signals may be generated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2013
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Applicant: FLIR Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Frank, Austin A. Richards, Victoria L. White, Nile E. Fairfield, Arthur Stout, David W. Lee, Nicholas Högasten, Theodore R. Hoelter, Katrin Strandemar
  • Publication number: 20130321637
    Abstract: Various systems and methods are disclosed for monitoring and controlling using small infrared imaging modules to enhance occupant safety and energy efficiency of buildings and structures. In one example, thermal images captured by infrared imaging modules may be analyzed to detect presence of persons, identify and classify power-consuming objects, and monitor environmental conditions. Based on the processed thermal images, various power-consuming objects (e.g., an HVAC system, lighting, a water heater, and other appliances) may be controlled to increase energy efficiency. In another example, thermal images captured by infrared imaging modules may be analyzed to detect various hazardous conditions, such as a combustible gas leak, a CO gas leak, a water leak, fire, smoke, and, an electrical hotspot. If such hazardous conditions are detected, an appropriate warning may be generated and/or various objects may be controlled to remedy the conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2013
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: FLIR Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Frank, Pierre Boulanger, Shawn Jepson, Patrick B. Richardson, Nile E. Fairfield, Nicholas Högasten, Theodore R. Hoelter, Katrin Strandemar
  • Publication number: 20130314536
    Abstract: Various techniques are disclosed for systems and methods using small form factor infrared imaging modules to monitor occupants in an interior compartment of a vehicle. For example, a vehicle-mounted system may include one or more infrared imaging modules, a processor, a memory, alarm sirens, and a communication module. The vehicle-mounted system may be mounted on, installed in, or otherwise integrated into a vehicle that has an interior compartment. The infrared imaging modules may be configured to capture thermal images of desired portions of the interior compartments. Various thermal image processing and analytics may be performed on the captured thermal images to determine the presence and various attributes of one or more occupants. Based on the determination of the presence and various attributes, occupant detection information and/or control signals may be generated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2013
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Applicant: FLIR Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Frank, Austin A. Richards, Victoria L. White, Nile E. Fairfield, Arthur Stout, David W. Lee, Nicholas Högasten, Theodore R. Hoelter, Katrin Strandemar