Patents by Inventor William J. Parrish

William J. Parrish 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: 20260118183
    Abstract: The current disclosure provides fixtures for calibrating thermal imaging sensors. It can include two or more temperature control devices: one for controlling the ambient temperature of the sensor and one that controls the temperature of a blackbody scene. The fixture can also include a reflective element that can be configured such that in one configuration the sensor views the blackbody and in another views itself. By keeping the blackbody and the sensor ambient temperature different, this arrangement allows for rapid viewing of two scene temperatures for each time the temperatures of the sensor and blackbody are slewed. This design simplifies the calibration process, reduces test time, and reduces costs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2025
    Publication date: April 30, 2026
    Inventors: Matt Buckley, Andrew Duerner, Jack Wiest, William J. Parrish, Daniel Bode
  • Patent number: 12591956
    Abstract: Thermal cameras, particularly less elaborate inexpensive designs, may deliver high temperature resolution at the expense of less clear displayed images. For many low visibility uses, such as firefighting, it may be advantageous to sacrifice some temperature detail for clarity and object recognition. Without sacrificing the actual detailed temperature information available in a captured scene, it may be beneficial to apply filters in series to raw image data that reduce visible noise and build back in feature contrast for the purposes of providing a user a displayed image that permits ease of object recognition, while still providing the raw data to a thermography module to maintain high resolution of temperature information if desired. In addition, more efficient and useful edge highlighting techniques are disclosed. For very low contrast scenes, such as smoky rooms and the like, other specific filters and equalization methods may be applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2026
    Assignee: Seek Thermal, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Bode, Brian Nehring, Sofia Hamrin, William J. Parrish
  • Patent number: 12529604
    Abstract: Thermal cameras exist at price points and volume manufacturing suitable for practical consideration of integration of thermal camera modules into host electronic devices, including automobiles, PED's—smartphones, tablets, etc. However, individual thermal cameras require extensive unit-specific data to provision and operate each individual camera with acceptable performance. This along with non-standard electrical interfaces, are adoption barriers to host device manufacturers, for example, where some devices, including some PED's, have become bus-based platforms allowing for functional modules to be packaged into common PED's and operated by way of apps. Some modern PED's, for example, include standard high-speed data busses and low-speed control busses. Devices and methods are disclosed for delivering compatibility with standard internal interfaces and storing the camera module's unit-specific data in a memory element on the camera module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2026
    Assignee: Seek Thermal, Inc.
    Inventors: Leonard Araki, Lars Mininni, William J. Parrish
  • Patent number: 12480824
    Abstract: A temperature-controlled calibration source for thermal imaging that provides for extremely inexpensive, mass producible, field deployable thermal calibration in specific, relatively low temperature ranges, and in particular temperatures near nominal human body temperature. A calibration source suitable for such applications may be implemented primarily as a suitable designed Printed Circuit Board (PCB), packaged in a thermally isolating housing and powered of commonly available power sources such as USB chargers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2024
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2025
    Assignee: Seek Thermal, Inc.
    Inventors: William J. Parrish, Andrew Duerner, Brian Nehring, Matt Buckley, Charles Meyer
  • Patent number: 12387298
    Abstract: Thermal cameras, particularly less elaborate inexpensive designs, may deliver high temperature resolution at the expense of less clear displayed images. For many low visibility uses, such as firefighting, it may be advantageous to sacrifice some temperature detail for clarity and object recognition. Without sacrificing the actual detailed temperature information available in a captured scene, it may be beneficial to apply filters in series to raw image data that reduce visible noise and build back in feature contrast for the purposes of providing a user a displayed image that permits ease of object recognition, while still providing the raw data to a thermography module to maintain high resolution of temperature information if desired. In addition, more efficient and useful edge highlighting techniques are disclosed. For very low contrast scenes, such as smoky rooms and the like, other specific filters and equalization methods may be applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2023
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2025
    Assignee: Seek Thermal, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Bode, Brian Nehring, Sofia Hamrin, William J. Parrish
  • Patent number: 12193788
    Abstract: Systems and methods based on thermal imaging for rapid detection of fever conditions in humans that provide for extremely inexpensive, mass producible, field deployable devices accurate in specific, relatively low temperature ranges, and in particular temperatures near nominal human body temperature. The system may include a thermal imager tailored for the application and a corresponding mass producible controlled temperature calibration source configured to provide real time calibration near the human body temperature of interest. The imager and source are deployed in a way such that target people and the calibration source will be within the imager FOV for fever detection. The combination of real time near measurement temperature calibration, with suitable thermography approaches, yield fast, accurate measurements in the fever range using low cost, easy-to-produce components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2025
    Assignee: Seek Thermal, Inc.
    Inventors: William J. Parrish, Jacob Collins, Ross E. Williams
  • Publication number: 20240397216
    Abstract: Thermal cameras exist at price points and volume manufacturing suitable for practical consideration of integration of thermal camera modules into host electronic devices, including automobiles, PED's—-smartphones, tablets, etc. However, individual thermal cameras require extensive unit-specific data to provision and operate each individual camera with acceptable performance. This along with non-standard electrical interfaces, are adoption barriers to host device manufacturers, for example, where some devices, including some PED's, have become bus-based platforms allowing for functional modules to be packaged into common PED's and operated by way of apps. Some modern PED's, for example, include standard high-speed data busses and low-speed control busses. Devices and methods are disclosed for delivering compatibility with standard internal interfaces and storing the camera module's unit-specific data in a memory element on the camera module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2024
    Publication date: November 28, 2024
    Inventors: Leonard Araki, Lars Mininni, William J. Parrish
  • Publication number: 20240361191
    Abstract: A temperature-controlled calibration source for thermal imaging that provides for extremely inexpensive, mass producible, field deployable thermal calibration in specific, relatively low temperature ranges, and in particular temperatures near nominal human body temperature. A calibration source suitable for such applications may be implemented primarily as a suitable designed Printed Circuit Board (PCB), packaged in a thermally isolating housing and powered of commonly available power sources such as USB chargers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2024
    Publication date: October 31, 2024
    Inventors: William J. Parrish, Andrew Duerner, Brian Nehring, Matt Buckley, Charles Meyer
  • Patent number: 12104962
    Abstract: An ultra-small thermal imaging core, or micro-core. The design of the micro-core may include substrates for mounting optics and electronic connectors that are thermally matched to the imaging Focal Plane Array (FPA). Test fixtures for test and adjustment that allow for operation and image acquisition of multiple cores may also be provided. Tooling may be included to position the optics to set the core focus, either by moving the lens and lens holder as one or by pushing and/or pulling the lens against a lens positioning element within the lens holder, while observing a scene. Test procedures and fixtures that allow for full temperature calibration of each individual core, as well as providing data useful for uniformity correction during operation may also be included as part of the test and manufacture of the core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2024
    Assignee: Seek Thermal, Inc.
    Inventors: William J. Parrish, Andreas Engberg, Jason Wolfe, Derek Moran, Blake Henry, Ross Williams, Russ Mead
  • Patent number: 12055446
    Abstract: A temperature controlled calibration source for thermal imaging that provides for extremely inexpensive, mass producible, field deployable thermal calibration in specific, relatively low temperature ranges, and in particular temperatures near nominal human body temperature. A calibration source suitable for such applications may be implemented primarily as a suitable designed Printed Circuit Board (PCB), packaged in a thermally isolating housing and powered of commonly available power sources such as USB chargers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2024
    Assignee: Seek Thermal, Inc.
    Inventors: William J. Parrish, Andrew Duerner, Brian Nehring, Matt Buckley, Charles Meyer
  • Publication number: 20240240988
    Abstract: An ultra-small thermal imaging core, or micro-core. The design of the micro-core may include substrates for mounting optics and electronic connectors that are thermally matched to the imaging Focal Plane Array (FPA). Test fixtures for test and adjustment that allow for operation and image acquisition of multiple cores may also be provided. Tooling may be included to position the optics to set the core focus, either by moving the lens and lens holder as one or by pushing and/or pulling the lens against a lens positioning element within the lens holder, while observing a scene. Test procedures and fixtures that allow for full temperature calibration of each individual core, as well as providing data useful for uniformity correction during operation may also be included as part of the test and manufacture of the core.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2023
    Publication date: July 18, 2024
    Inventors: William J. Parrish, Andreas Engberg, Jason Wolfe, Derek Moran, Blake Henry, Ross Williams, Russ Mead
  • Patent number: 11892356
    Abstract: Test procedures and equipment for the test and calibration of ultra-small thermal imaging cores, or micro-cores are disclosed. Test fixtures for calibration and adjustment that allow for operation and image acquisition of multiple cores at a time may also be provided. Test procedures and fixtures that allow for full temperature calibration of each individual core, as well as providing data useful for uniformity correction during operation, may also be provided as part of the test and manufacture of the core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: Seek Thermal, Inc.
    Inventors: William J. Parrish, Derek Moran, Blake Henry
  • Publication number: 20230410263
    Abstract: Thermal cameras, particularly less elaborate inexpensive designs, may deliver high temperature resolution at the expense of less clear displayed images. For many low visibility uses, such as firefighting, it may be advantageous to sacrifice some temperature detail for clarity and object recognition. Without sacrificing the actual detailed temperature information available in a captured scene, it may be beneficial to apply filters in series to raw image data that reduce visible noise and build back in feature contrast for the purposes of providing a user a displayed image that permits ease of object recognition, while still providing the raw data to a thermography module to maintain high resolution of temperature information if desired. In addition, more efficient and useful edge highlighting techniques are disclosed. For very low contrast scenes, such as smoky rooms and the like, other specific filters and equalization methods may be applied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2023
    Publication date: December 21, 2023
    Inventors: Daniel Bode, Brian Nehring, Sofia Hamrin, William J. Parrish
  • Publication number: 20230410262
    Abstract: Thermal cameras, particularly less elaborate inexpensive designs, may deliver high temperature resolution at the expense of less clear displayed images. For many low visibility uses, such as firefighting, it may be advantageous to sacrifice some temperature detail for clarity and object recognition. Without sacrificing the actual detailed temperature information available in a captured scene, it may be beneficial to apply filters in series to raw image data that reduce visible noise and build back in feature contrast for the purposes of providing a user a displayed image that permits ease of object recognition, while still providing the raw data to a thermography module to maintain high resolution of temperature information if desired. In addition, more efficient and useful edge highlighting techniques are disclosed. For very low contrast scenes, such as smoky rooms and the like, other specific filters and equalization methods may be applied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2023
    Publication date: December 21, 2023
    Inventors: Daniel Bode, Brian Nehring, Sofia Hamrin, William J. Parrish
  • Publication number: 20230366740
    Abstract: Thermal cameras exist at price points and volume manufacturing suitable for practical consideration of integration of thermal camera modules into host electronic devices, including automobiles, PED's—smartphones, tablets, etc. However, individual thermal cameras require extensive unit-specific data to provision and operate each individual camera with acceptable performance. This along with non-standard electrical interfaces, are adoption barriers to host device manufacturers, for example, where some devices, including some PED's, have become bus-based platforms allowing for functional modules to be packaged into common PED's and operated by way of apps. Some modern PED's, for example, include standard high-speed data busses and low-speed control busses. Devices and methods are disclosed for delivering compatibility with standard internal interfaces and storing the camera module's unit-specific data in a memory element on the camera module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2023
    Publication date: November 16, 2023
    Inventors: Leonard Araki, Lars Mininni, William J. Parrish
  • Patent number: 11774293
    Abstract: An ultra-small thermal imaging core, or micro-core. The design of the micro-core may include substrates for mounting optics and electronic connectors that are thermally matched to the imaging Focal Plane Array (FPA). Test fixtures for test and adjustment that allow for operation and image acquisition of multiple cores may also be provided. Tooling may be included to position the optics to set the core focus, either by moving the lens and lens holder as one or by pushing and/or pulling the lens against a lens positioning element within the lens holder, while observing a scene. Test procedures and fixtures that allow for full temperature calibration of each individual core, as well as providing data useful for uniformity correction during operation may also be included as part of the test and manufacture of the core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Seek Thermal, Inc.
    Inventors: William J. Parrish, Andreas Engberg, Jason Wolfe, Derek Moran, Blake Henry, Ross Williams, Russ Mead
  • Patent number: 11625828
    Abstract: Systems and methods based on thermal imaging for rapid detection of fever conditions in humans that provide for extremely inexpensive, mass producible, field deployable devices accurate in specific, relatively low temperature ranges, and in particular temperatures near nominal human body temperature. The system may include a thermal imager tailored for the application and a corresponding mass producible controlled temperature calibration source configured to provide real time calibration near the human body temperature of interest. The imager and source are deployed in a way such that target people and the calibration source will be within the imager FOV for fever detection. The combination of real time near measurement temperature calibration, with suitable thermography approaches, yield fast, accurate measurements in the fever range using low cost, easy-to-produce components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: Seek Thermal, Inc.
    Inventors: William J. Parrish, Jacob Collins, Ross E. Williams
  • Publication number: 20230084786
    Abstract: Systems and methods based on thermal imaging for rapid detection of fever conditions in humans that provide for extremely inexpensive, mass producible, field deployable devices accurate in specific, relatively low temperature ranges, and in particular temperatures near nominal human body temperature. The system may include a thermal imager tailored for the application and a corresponding mass producible controlled temperature calibration source configured to provide real time calibration near the human body temperature of interest. The imager and source are deployed in a way such that target people and the calibration source will be within the imager FOV for fever detection. The combination of real time near measurement temperature calibration, with suitable thermography approaches, yield fast, accurate measurements in the fever range using low cost, easy-to-produce components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2022
    Publication date: March 16, 2023
    Inventors: William J. Parrish, Jacob Collins, Ross E. Williams
  • Publication number: 20220260424
    Abstract: An ultra-small thermal imaging core, or micro-core. The design of the micro-core may include substrates for mounting optics and electronic connectors that are thermally matched to the imaging Focal Plane Array (FPA). Test fixtures for test and adjustment that allow for operation and image acquisition of multiple cores may also be provided. Tooling may be included to position the optics to set the core focus, either by moving the lens and lens holder as one or by pushing and/or pulling the lens against a lens positioning element within the lens holder, while observing a scene. Test procedures and fixtures that allow for full temperature calibration of each individual core, as well as providing data useful for uniformity correction during operation may also be included as part of the test and manufacture of the core.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2022
    Publication date: August 18, 2022
    Inventors: William J. Parrish, Andreas Engberg, Jason Wolfe, Derek Moran, Blake Henry, Ross Williams, Russ Mead
  • Patent number: 11353365
    Abstract: An ultra-small thermal imaging core, or micro-core. The design of the micro-core may include substrates for mounting optics and electronic connectors that are thermally matched to the imaging Focal Plane Array (FPA). Test fixtures for test and adjustment that allow for operation and image acquisition of multiple cores may also be provided. Tooling may be included to position the optics to set the core focus, either by moving the lens and lens holder as one or by pushing and/or pulling the lens against a lens positioning element within the lens holder, while observing a scene. Test procedures and fixtures that allow for full temperature calibration of each individual core, as well as providing data useful for uniformity correction during operation may also be included as part of the test and manufacture of the core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: Seek Thermal, Inc.
    Inventors: William J. Parrish, Andreas Engberg, Jason Wolfe, Derek Moran, Blake Henry, Ross Williams, Russ Mead