Patents by Inventor Richard C. Puetter

Richard C. Puetter 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: 10504206
    Abstract: A method and system for enhancing spatial resolution of an image of an object includes using an image detector with a sensor array of pixels configured for extended dynamic range detection. Multiple image sample are collected to assemble a stack of image samples and input into an image processor for processing using an image reconstruction engine to generate a single output image from the stack. In a preferred embodiment, the image reconstruction engine executes the Pixon method for image reconstruction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: Micro Biz Ventures LLC
    Inventor: Richard C. Puetter
  • Patent number: 10304167
    Abstract: A method for spatially-adaptive tone mapping in an image having high dynamic range includes using a computing device to receive an input image from an image sensor comprising a plurality of pixels having pixel locations and determine within the input image a plurality of local size scales, each comprising a neighborhood having substantially constant illumination. The variation in reflectance within each neighborhood is estimated and local contrast within each neighborhood is enhanced. Using the illumination and variation within the contrast-enhanced neighborhoods, the image is remapped to a reduced dynamic range to generate an output image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: Micro USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard C. Puetter, Vesa Junkkarinen
  • Publication number: 20180012339
    Abstract: A method for spatially-adaptive tone mapping in an image having high dynamic range includes using a computing device to receive an input image from an image sensor comprising a plurality of pixels having pixel locations and determine within the input image a plurality of local size scales, each comprising a neighborhood having substantially constant illumination. The variation in reflectance within each neighborhood is estimated and local contrast within each neighborhood is enhanced. Using the illumination and variation within the contrast-enhanced neighborhoods, the image is remapped to a reduced dynamic range to generate an output image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2017
    Publication date: January 11, 2018
    Inventors: Richard C. PUETTER, Vesa JUNKKARINEN
  • Publication number: 20180012337
    Abstract: A method and system for enhancing spatial resolution of an image of an object includes using an image detector with a sensor array of pixels configured for extended dynamic range detection. Multiple image sample are collected to assemble a stack of image samples and input into an image processor for processing using an image reconstruction engine to generate a single output image from the stack. In a preferred embodiment, the image reconstruction engine executes the Pixon method for image reconstruction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2017
    Publication date: January 11, 2018
    Inventor: Richard C. PUETTER
  • Patent number: 9659237
    Abstract: A method for determining a level of haze within a field of view of an image sensor adapted for detecting a plurality of color components includes collecting a first image of the field of view at a first point in time, defining regions of the first image as a reference and determining reference intensities for each color component. At least one second image is collected at different points in time and intensities for each color component are determined and compared against the reference intensities. If the intensities of second image differ from the reference intensities by more than a predetermined threshold, all or a portion of the second image is designated as being obscured by haze and requiring correction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: Micro USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard C. Puetter, Vesa Junkkarinen
  • Publication number: 20160217346
    Abstract: A method for determining a level of haze within a field of view of an image sensor adapted for detecting a plurality of color components includes collecting a first image of the field of view at a first point in time, defining regions of the first image as a reference and determining reference intensities for each color component. At least one second image is collected at different points in time and intensities for each color component are determined and compared against the reference intensities. If the intensities of second image differ from the reference intensities by more than a predetermined threshold, all or a portion of the second image is designated as being obscured by haze and requiring correction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2013
    Publication date: July 28, 2016
    Applicant: Pixon Imaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard C. Puetter, Vesa Junkkarinen
  • Patent number: 8786732
    Abstract: An image sensor comprises a pixel array having a plurality of pixel regions, wherein the pixel array is adapted to generate at least one signal from each pixel region and a separate signal from a subset of pixels within each pixel region, both during a single exposure period. In one embodiment, the sensor is in communication with a shift register which accumulates the separate signal and transfers the separate signal to an amplifier. The shift register further accumulates the at least one signal from the pixel region after the separate signal has been transferred to the amplifier and transfers the at least one signal to the amplifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Pixon Imaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard C. Puetter, Vesa Junkkarinen
  • Publication number: 20140118588
    Abstract: An image sensor comprises a pixel array having a plurality of pixel regions, wherein the pixel array is adapted to generate at least one signal from each pixel region and a separate signal from a subset of pixels within each pixel region, both during a single exposure period. In one embodiment, the sensor is in communication with a shift register which accumulates the separate signal and transfers the separate signal to an amplifier. The shift register further accumulates the at least one signal from the pixel region after the separate signal has been transferred to the amplifier and transfers the at least one signal to the amplifier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2013
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Inventors: Richard C. Puetter, Vesa Junkkarinen
  • Patent number: 5912993
    Abstract: The method identifies a pixon, a fundamental and indivisible unit of information, and a pixon basis, which represents the smallest number of cells of arbitrary shape or position required to fit the data, representing the minimum degrees of freedom necessary to specify the image. The goodness-of-fit is determined according to the Maximum Residual Likelihood (MRL) statistic or a similar chi-squared statistic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1999
    Assignee: Regents of the University of Calif.
    Inventors: Richard C. Puetter, Robert K. Pina
  • Patent number: RE47523
    Abstract: An image sensor comprises a pixel array having a plurality of pixel regions, wherein the pixel array is adapted to generate at least one signal from each pixel region and a separate signal from a subset of pixels within each pixel region, both during a single exposure period. In one embodiment, the sensor is in communication with a shift register which accumulates the separate signal and transfers the separate signal to an amplifier. The shift register further accumulates the at least one signal from the pixel region after the separate signal has been transferred to the amplifier and transfers the at least one signal to the amplifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: PIXON IMAGING, INC.
    Inventors: Richard C. Puetter, Vesa Junkkarinen