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).
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Publication number: 20260118183Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 29, 2025Publication date: April 30, 2026Inventors: Matt Buckley, Andrew Duerner, Jack Wiest, William J. Parrish, Daniel Bode
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Patent number: 12591956Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 19, 2023Date of Patent: March 31, 2026Assignee: Seek Thermal, Inc.Inventors: Daniel Bode, Brian Nehring, Sofia Hamrin, William J. Parrish
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Patent number: 12529604Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 12, 2023Date of Patent: January 20, 2026Assignee: Seek Thermal, Inc.Inventors: Leonard Araki, Lars Mininni, William J. Parrish
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Patent number: 12480824Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 10, 2024Date of Patent: November 25, 2025Assignee: Seek Thermal, Inc.Inventors: William J. Parrish, Andrew Duerner, Brian Nehring, Matt Buckley, Charles Meyer
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Patent number: 12387298Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 19, 2023Date of Patent: August 12, 2025Assignee: Seek Thermal, Inc.Inventors: Daniel Bode, Brian Nehring, Sofia Hamrin, William J. Parrish
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Patent number: 12193788Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 18, 2022Date of Patent: January 14, 2025Assignee: Seek Thermal, Inc.Inventors: William J. Parrish, Jacob Collins, Ross E. Williams
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Publication number: 20240397216Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 30, 2024Publication date: November 28, 2024Inventors: Leonard Araki, Lars Mininni, William J. Parrish
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Publication number: 20240361191Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 10, 2024Publication date: October 31, 2024Inventors: William J. Parrish, Andrew Duerner, Brian Nehring, Matt Buckley, Charles Meyer
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Patent number: 12104962Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 25, 2023Date of Patent: October 1, 2024Assignee: Seek Thermal, Inc.Inventors: William J. Parrish, Andreas Engberg, Jason Wolfe, Derek Moran, Blake Henry, Ross Williams, Russ Mead
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Patent number: 12055446Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 15, 2021Date of Patent: August 6, 2024Assignee: Seek Thermal, Inc.Inventors: William J. Parrish, Andrew Duerner, Brian Nehring, Matt Buckley, Charles Meyer
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Publication number: 20240240988Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 25, 2023Publication date: July 18, 2024Inventors: William J. Parrish, Andreas Engberg, Jason Wolfe, Derek Moran, Blake Henry, Ross Williams, Russ Mead
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Patent number: 11892356Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 27, 2020Date of Patent: February 6, 2024Assignee: Seek Thermal, Inc.Inventors: William J. Parrish, Derek Moran, Blake Henry
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Publication number: 20230410263Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 19, 2023Publication date: December 21, 2023Inventors: Daniel Bode, Brian Nehring, Sofia Hamrin, William J. Parrish
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Publication number: 20230410262Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 19, 2023Publication date: December 21, 2023Inventors: Daniel Bode, Brian Nehring, Sofia Hamrin, William J. Parrish
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Publication number: 20230366740Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 12, 2023Publication date: November 16, 2023Inventors: Leonard Araki, Lars Mininni, William J. Parrish
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Patent number: 11774293Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 29, 2022Date of Patent: October 3, 2023Assignee: Seek Thermal, Inc.Inventors: William J. Parrish, Andreas Engberg, Jason Wolfe, Derek Moran, Blake Henry, Ross Williams, Russ Mead
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Patent number: 11625828Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 16, 2021Date of Patent: April 11, 2023Assignee: Seek Thermal, Inc.Inventors: William J. Parrish, Jacob Collins, Ross E. Williams
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Publication number: 20230084786Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 18, 2022Publication date: March 16, 2023Inventors: William J. Parrish, Jacob Collins, Ross E. Williams
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Publication number: 20220260424Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 29, 2022Publication date: August 18, 2022Inventors: William J. Parrish, Andreas Engberg, Jason Wolfe, Derek Moran, Blake Henry, Ross Williams, Russ Mead
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Patent number: 11353365Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 20, 2018Date of Patent: June 7, 2022Assignee: Seek Thermal, Inc.Inventors: William J. Parrish, Andreas Engberg, Jason Wolfe, Derek Moran, Blake Henry, Ross Williams, Russ Mead