Patents by Inventor Richard W. Benton

Richard W. Benton 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: 7760965
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing imagery using images acquired via any known Electro-Optical (EO) system. In accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present invention, a first frame of data is selected as a template frame (e.g., a given frame). A second frame of data can be captured using the EO system. At least a portion of the second frame can be correlated with the template frame to generate a shift vector. The second frame can then be registered with the template frame by interpolating the second frame using the shift vector and re-sampling at least a portion of the second frame to produce a registered frame. The template frame can also be re-sampled. The registered frame and the re-sampled template frame can then be combined to generate an averaged frame. The averaged frame can be spatially filtered to enhance edges within the averaged frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Gene D. Tener, Richard W. Benton, Sr., Timothy Alderson
  • Patent number: 7103235
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing imagery using images acquired via any known Electro-Optical (EO) system. In accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present invention, a first frame of data is selected as a template frame (e.g., a given frame). A second frame of data can be captured using the EO system. At least a portion of the second frame can be correlated with the template frame to generate a shift vector. The second frame can then be registered with the template frame by interpolating the second frame using the shift vector and re-sampling at least a portion of the second frame to produce a registered frame. The template frame can also be re-sampled. The registered frame and the re-sampled template frame can then be combined to generate an averaged frame. The averaged frame can be spatially filtered to enhance edges within the averaged frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Gene D. Tener, Richard W. Benton, Sr., Timothy Alderson
  • Publication number: 20020159651
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing imagery using images acquired via any known Electro-Optical (EO) system. In accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present invention, a first frame of data is selected as a template frame (e.g., a given frame). A second frame of data can be captured using the EO system. At least a portion of the second frame can be correlated with the template frame to generate a shift vector. The second frame can then be registered with the template frame by interpolating the second frame using the shift vector and re-sampling at least a portion of the second frame to produce a registered frame. The template frame can also be re-sampled. The registered frame and the re-sampled template frame can then be combined to generate an averaged frame. The averaged frame can be spatially filtered to enhance edges within the averaged frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2001
    Publication date: October 31, 2002
    Inventors: Gene D. Tener, Richard W. Benton,, Timothy Alderson
  • Patent number: 5825922
    Abstract: A digital signal processing system which uses an input image including a plurality of pixels to establish boundaries of objects in the input image. Each of the pixels has a gradient value and the object includes a centroid. Using a segmentation process, the digital signal processing system decides on a perimeter surrounding the object in the input image and then repeatedly searches for a pixel having the highest gradient value and marks that pixel having the highest gradient value as an edge pixel of the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1998
    Assignee: Martin Marietta Corporation
    Inventors: William A. Pearson, Richard W. Benton, John D. Lofgren
  • Patent number: 5652912
    Abstract: A memory controller includes an input data path and an output data path. First circuitry generates signals to put the input data into at least one variably-dimensioned logical array of memory cells of a memory. Second circuitry generates signals to extract from the memory the contents of at least one variably-dimensioned logical array of memory cells. The memory may be double buffered such that data input to one of the portions may take place simultaneously as data output from the other of the portions. In a preferred embodiment, any combination of up to 254 total variable-dimensioned logical arrays of memory cells may be defined for input to and output from the memory. The memory controller may be viewed as supporting two simultaneous processes, an input "windowing" process for receiving windows of data and an output "windowing" process for simultaneously passing out windows of data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 29, 1997
    Assignee: Martin Marietta Corporation
    Inventors: John D. Lofgren, Richard W. Benton
  • Patent number: 5604822
    Abstract: A digital signal processing system which uses an input image including a plurality of pixels to establish boundaries of objects in the input image. Each of the pixels has a gradient value and the object includes a centroid. Using a segmentation process, the digital signal processing system decides on a perimeter surrounding the object in the input image and then repeatedly searches for a pixel having the highest gradient value and marks that pixel having the highest gradient value as an edge pixel of the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1997
    Assignee: Martin Marietta Corporation
    Inventors: William A. Pearson, Richard W. Benton, John D. Lofgren
  • Patent number: 5479526
    Abstract: A targeting system which receives input data from two sources having different video characteristics. The apparatus includes a multiple-pass centroid eroder, which operates at a multiple of the video input rate. The apparatus identifies "hot spots," i.e., potential targets, and uses the identified potential targets from the two video sources to correlate targeting of submodules producing the two video signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 26, 1995
    Assignee: Martin Marietta
    Inventors: Richard W. Benton, Richard M. Rudy, James R. Yde
  • Patent number: 5421019
    Abstract: A parallel data processor comprised of an array of identical cells concurrently performing identical operations under the direction of a central controller, and incorporating one or more of a special cell architecture including a segmented memory, conditional logic for preliminary processing, and circuitry for indicating when the cell is active, and programmable cell interconnection including cell bypass and alternate connection of edge cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 30, 1995
    Assignee: Martin Marietta Corporation
    Inventors: Wlodzimierz Holsztynski, Richard W. Benton, W. Keith Johnson, Robert A. McNamara, Roger S. Naeyaert, Douglas A. Noden, Ronald W. Schoomaker