Locating Infrared Emissive Objects Patents (Class 250/342)
  • Patent number: 11961381
    Abstract: A detector is provided. The detector includes a sensor configured to detect airborne particulates at a premises and processing circuitry. The processing circuitry is configured to determine a characteristic associated with the detected airborne particulates, compare the characteristic associated with the detected airborne particles to data associated with predefined characteristics of burned materials, detect, based at least on the comparison, presence of a fire; and determine, if the presence of the fire is detected, a characteristic of the fire based on the characteristic associated with the detected airborne particles and the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: The ADT Security Corporation
    Inventor: Ryan Nathanial Sandler
  • Patent number: 11902637
    Abstract: An apparatus includes imaging optics having an objective lens configured to focus electromagnetic radiation to an intermediate image plane and one or more optical devices configured to generate an optical beam from the electromagnetic radiation. The apparatus also includes at least one imaging sensor configured to capture an image from the optical beam. The apparatus further includes a beam generator configured to generate and transmit an HEL beam through the imaging optics. In addition, the apparatus includes an intermediate alignment target configured to be moveably positioned at the intermediate image plane. The intermediate alignment target includes a first-wavelength target configured to reflect a first spectral band of the HEL beam to a first of the at least one imaging sensor (the first imaging sensor configured to capture a first-wavelength infrared image of the first spectral band) and transmit remaining spectral portions of the HEL beam towards the objective lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Jason R. Lavine, Liam T. Skoyles
  • Patent number: 11902043
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method for automated operation of network devices within a home communication network includes detecting actuator actions for a plurality of actuators within the home communication network, each actuator of the plurality of actuators configured to change a state of at least one network device. The detected actuator actions are correlated with one or more sensor values from a plurality of sensors within the home communication network to generate configuration data. The configuration data includes a trigger graph with one or more trigger conditions and an action graph corresponding to the trigger graph. The action graph indicates one or more actuator actions associated with at least one actuator of the plurality of actuators. Upon detecting a trigger condition of the one or more trigger conditions, the at least one actuator of the plurality of actuators is triggered to perform the one or more actions indicated by the action graph.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Norbert Egi, Wei Ling
  • Patent number: 11823458
    Abstract: An object detection and tracking system to identify an object of interest and to determine the location of the object within an area. The system includes a processing unit, a visual image system, a thermal image system, and a location mapping system. The visual image system is positioned relative to an area to capture a visual image of at least a portion of the area. The thermal image system is positioned relative to the area to capture a thermal image of at least a portion of the area concurrently with capture of the visual image to cooperatively identify an object in the area. The at least portion of the area captured in the thermal image conforms to the at least portion of the area captured in the visual image. The location mapping system is positioned relative to the area to determine a location of the object in the area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: EMBEDTEK, LLC
    Inventor: Kent Tabor
  • Patent number: 11781994
    Abstract: A measurement apparatus (10) includes a generator (121) that irradiates electromagnetic waves on a measurement target (M) including a substance that undergoes a structural transition from a first substance with an unstable structure to a second substance with a stable structure due to entry of a foreign substance, a receiver (122) that receives the electromagnetic waves including information on a spectroscopic spectrum of the measurement target (M), and a controller (116) that acquires the measured spectroscopic spectrum based on the electromagnetic waves received by the receiver (122), calculates ratio information between the first substance and the second substance based on the acquired measured spectroscopic spectrum, and generates diagnostic information regarding entry of the foreign substance based on the ratio information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: YOKOGAWA ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Syuhei Okada
  • Patent number: 11668605
    Abstract: Provided is a system for detecting flame, which includes a light collecting module configured to collect light emitted from flame and sense location information and intensity information of the collected light, a memory configured to store a program for determining fire information on the basis of the sensed location information and intensity information of the light, and a processor configured to calculate intensity information and fluttering information of the flame from the intensity information of the light by executing the program stored in the memory, to calculate centroid spatial distribution information of the flame from the location information of the light, and to detect whether there is flame on the basis of at least one of the intensity information of the flame, the fluttering information of the flame, and the centroid spatial distribution information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: ELECTRONICS AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Soo Cheol Kim, Hyun Seok Kim, So Yung Park, Hoe Sung Yang, Kang Bok Lee, Kwang Soo Cho, Kyu Won Han
  • Patent number: 11651474
    Abstract: The system and method for super resolution processing at long standoff distances in real-time. The system collects a series of image frames and estimated the shift, rotation, and zoom parameters between each of the image frames. A matrix is generated and then an inversion is applied to the matrix to produce a super resolution image of an area of interest while mitigating the effect of any bad pixels on image quality. In some cases, the area of interest is user-defined and in some cases image chips are provided by tracking software. A fast steering mirror can be used to steer and/or dither the focal plane array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony M. Sommese, Daniel Engheben
  • Patent number: 11613289
    Abstract: A cart that follows a transmission module based on position information of the transmission module and a method for moving the cart are provided. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the cart accumulatively stores the position information of the transmission module and generates a moving path based on the position information of the transmission module and moves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventor: Sunryang Kim
  • Patent number: 11604098
    Abstract: A method for estimating human body temperature includes receiving, via a thermal camera, a thermal image captured of a real-world environment, the thermal image including thermal intensity values for each of a plurality of pixels of the thermal image. A position of a human face is identified within the thermal image, the human face corresponding to a human subject. An indication of a distance between the human subject and the thermal camera is received. Based on the distance, a distance correction factor is applied to one or more thermal intensity values of one or more pixels corresponding to the human face to give one or more distance-corrected thermal intensity values. Based on the one or more distance-corrected thermal intensity values an indication of a body temperature of the human subject is reported.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Raymond Kirk Price, Christopher Douglas Edmonds, Michael Bleyer
  • Patent number: 11604257
    Abstract: A LIDAR device for optically detecting a field of view. The LIDAR device includes: a control unit for emitting at least one control signal; an electric motor, which has a motor current and is controllably rotatable about a rotational axis with the aid of the at least one control signal, and on which a switchable light source emitting light radiation is situated. The LIDAR device also includes at least one switch for suppressing the emission of the light radiation depending on a behavior of a current variable representing the motor current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Fabian Utermoehlen, Jan Sparbert, Remigius Has, Stefan Leidich
  • Patent number: 11598728
    Abstract: An approach for collecting disparate data within a pipe involves a sensor arrangement configured to be deployed within the pipe. The sensor arrangement includes a plurality of sensors configured to detect disparate data related to the pipe. Each sensor of the plurality of sensors is coupled to a respective collection computer on the sensor arrangement. A synchronization module is configured to synchronize the disparate data. A database is configured to store the synchronized data. A processor is configured to process the synchronized data. A user interface configured to present the synchronized data to a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: HYDROMAX USA, LLC
    Inventors: Guy Schiavone, Adam Fredrick Stewart
  • Patent number: 11598671
    Abstract: A method for estimating human body temperature includes receiving, via a thermal camera, one or more thermal images captured of a real-world environment, the one or more thermal images including thermal intensity values for each of a plurality of pixels. Positions of a plurality of human faces are identified in the one or more thermal images. A distribution of thermal intensity values of the plurality of human faces is determined. A position of a test human face of a test human subject is identified within a subsequent thermal image. One or more test thermal intensity values of one or more pixels corresponding to the test human face are identified. An indication of a body temperature of the test human subject is reported based on a comparison of the one or more test thermal intensity values and the distribution of thermal intensity values of the plurality of human faces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Raymond Kirk Price, Michael Bleyer, Christopher Douglas Edmonds
  • Patent number: 11565658
    Abstract: A vehicle theft-prevention system can include a plurality of sensors configured to sense measurements proximate to a vehicle and a body configured to secure to a window of the vehicle. The body can include a wireless transceiver and at least one computing device coupled to the plurality of sensors and the wireless transceiver. The at least one computing device can be configured to receive, via the wireless transceiver, an indication to enter an armed mode from an unarmed mode. The at least one computing device can be configured to, in response to the indication, transition to the armed mode, wherein transitioning to the armed mode comprises setting a configuration of at least one property of a subset of the plurality of sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: KEEP Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: David Moeller, Jonathan Manuzak, Ian Mathews, Rahul Maran, Nick Allison, Eldon Stegall, Taylor Riggs, Matt Ashcraft, Shih-Cheng Lan
  • Patent number: 11553247
    Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a thermal image detector to determine a heat blob count based on a frame of thermal image data captured in the media environment, an audience image detector to identify a face of an audience member based on a frame of audience image data captured in the media environment, the frame of audience image data corresponding to a field of view associated with at least one heat blob included in the heat blob count, and a people meter controller to cause a people meter, which is to emit a prompt for audience identification information, not to emit the prompt for at least a first time period after the audience member is identified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: The Nielsen Company (US), LLC
    Inventors: Stanley Wellington Woodruff, John T. LiVoti
  • Patent number: 11514679
    Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting or following a person within an observed area. One example system includes a sensor and a processor configured to: receive, from the sensor, a series of readings indicative of the person in the observed area, wherein the observed area is divided into a plurality of zones; determine a sequential occurrence of each of a plurality of ordered events by applying a detection threshold value to the series of readings, wherein the detection threshold value is lower than a noise threshold of the sensor, and wherein each of the plurality of ordered events is associated with at least one of the plurality of zones; and determine a trigger condition based on the sequential occurrence of each of the plurality of ordered events; and provide an instruction to a fixture based on the trigger condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: ZURN INDUSTRIES, LLC
    Inventors: Brandon Feil, Arindam Chakraborty
  • Patent number: 11493771
    Abstract: A system and method. The system may include a head-up display (HUD). The HUD may include a positionable combiner optical element (COE) and a combiner alignment detector (CAD) configured to conform images displayed on the positionable COE with a view through the positionable COE. The CAD may include a mirror that moves with the positionable COE, an infrared (IR) emitter configured to emit IR pulses onto the mirror with a duty cycle of less than 1% such that an average time-based radiance of the IR pulses is compatible with a night vision imaging system (NVIS), and an IR detector configured to receive the IR pulses reflected off of the mirror.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua Gerdes, Carl Bycraft, Kurt A. Stahl, Christopher A. Keith, Donald Graham
  • Patent number: 11490490
    Abstract: A lighting appliance includes a housing, a lighting element disposed in the housing is capable of displaying multiple color temperatures, a control unit disposed in the housing, an electrical communication system in communication with the lighting element and the control unit, and a sensor disposed on a portion of the housing, where the sensor is in communication with the lighting element and the control unit via the electrical communication system, and when a motion signal is detected by the sensor, the control unit is configured to instruct the lighting element to illuminate in a predetermined light mode for a predetermined time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: Good Earth Lighting, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander Kowalenko, Brian Coleman, Brian Calderon
  • Patent number: 11479677
    Abstract: A coating composition includes: (i) a film-forming resin; (ii) an infrared reflective pigment; and (iii) an infrared fluorescent pigment different from the infrared reflective pigment. When the coating composition is cured to form a coating and exposed to radiation comprising fluorescence-exciting radiation, the coating has a greater effective solar reflectance (ESR) compared to the same coating exposed to the radiation comprising fluorescence-exciting radiation except without the infrared fluorescent pigment. A multi-layer coating including the coating composition, and a substrate at least partially coated with the coating composition is also disclosed. A method of reducing temperature of an article includes applying the coating composition to at least a portion of the article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignees: PPG Industries Ohio, Inc., The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Michael A. Zalich, Michael F. Baxter, Paul H. Berdahl, Stuart D. Hellring, Jeffrey L. Stalker
  • Patent number: 11474191
    Abstract: A method is provided for configuring a tracking system which estimates a location within a space by comparison of measurements of RF signals, made at the location, with a radio fingerprint map of the space. Estimated locations are correlated with synchronised detections of presence of a user (30) by sensors of a lighting system. RF signal measurements made by a user at a given time may thereby be associated with a user (30) detected at the same time in one or more respective sensing areas of lighting system sensors. The user (30) making RF signal measurements at a determined location may thereby be associated with a user (30) detected by the lighting system sensors at the same time. The association may be used to configure the radio fingerprint map. The location of the detected user (30) as determined by the tracking system may be provided to the lighting system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: SIGNIFY HOLDING B.V.
    Inventor: Gunnar Wetzker
  • Patent number: 11420662
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for generating and verifying secure messages between vital equipment for controlling a railway network, wherein the apparatus includes control and/or processing components configured to carry out the following steps: a) generating a message body including information that may change the state of the railway network; b) generating a first pseudo-signature on the basis of the message body and a first cryptographic key; c) transmitting the first pseudo-signature to a second apparatus; d) receiving a second pseudo-signature from the second apparatus; e) generating a message signature on the basis of the second pseudo-signature and the first cryptographic key; f) generating a message by combining the message body and the message signature; g) sending the message to a recipient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: Hitachi Rail STS S.P.A.
    Inventors: Paolo Bozzo, Jacopo D'Amico, Paola De Bernardi, Alessandro Parodi, Claudio Plescovich, Giorgio Ravera
  • Patent number: 11417184
    Abstract: Security devices and associated methods have a housing, a camera with a field of view of a monitored area outside the housing, a microphone to sense audio from the monitored area, a speaker to generate sound audible to the monitored area, an illumination source to illuminate the monitored area, a communication module to communicate with a communication network, a motion sensor to detect motion within the monitored area, at least two removable battery casings, each configured via a release button to hold at least one battery within the housing, and a control circuit that, when the motion sensor detects motion, is operable to (a) activate the illumination source, (b) capture video and audio from the camera and the microphone, and (c) send the captured video and audio to a remote server via the communication module and the communication network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Spiro Sacre, Matthew J. England, Robert Tso, Samuel Taeyoung Lee, Mark Siminoff, James Siminoff, Christopher Loew
  • Patent number: 11385352
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes emitting, by an automotive vehicle, one or more light beams from a LiDAR system toward an environment surrounding the automotive vehicle, receiving one or more return light beams at the LiDAR system of the automotive vehicle, detecting one or more objects located in the environment surrounding the automotive vehicle based on the return light beams, and simultaneously measuring one or more air characteristics of the environment surrounding the automotive vehicle. The simultaneous detecting of the one or more objects and measuring of the one or more air characteristics may be performed by the LiDAR system. The method may further include sending, by the automotive vehicle, location information to a server associated with vehicle navigation, and sending information of the detected objects and measured air characteristics to the server associated with vehicle navigation, the server configured to update a vehicle-navigation map based on the information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: Lyft, Inc.
    Inventor: Farzad Cyrus Foroughi Abari
  • Patent number: 11386530
    Abstract: Various techniques are provided for removing turbulent gases from thermal images of high temperature scenes and for detecting gas leaks. In one example, a method includes receiving a plurality of thermal images captured of a scene comprising a furnace tube and combustion gas exhibiting higher temperatures than the furnace tube. Each thermal image comprises a plurality of pixels each having an associated pixel value. The method also includes applying a digital filter to the thermal images to generate a processed thermal image. Each pixel of the processed thermal image has an associated minimum pixel value determined from corresponding pixels of the thermal images to remove the higher temperature combustion gas from the processed thermal image. Additional methods and systems are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: FLIR Systems AB
    Inventor: Jonas Wijk
  • Patent number: 11357210
    Abstract: A feeding apparatus, disposed in a detecting room having therein a target object, includes a fixing element, at least one target sensing unit, a rotating element, a driving module, and a control unit. The fixing element includes at least one lens disposed on a sidewall of the fixing element. The lens converges an infrared radiation in the detecting room onto the target sensing unit which then generates a position signal corresponding to the target object. The rotating element is disposed on one side of the fixing element. The rotating element includes a discharge channel. The driving module is connected to the rotating element. The control unit is coupled to the target sensing unit and the driving module to receive a position signal from the target sensing unit and control the driving module to drive the rotating element according to the position signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: CHICONY ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Chien-Yueh Chen
  • Patent number: 11350163
    Abstract: A method, computer program product, and system for determining whether an individual at a venue views content in a monitor includes a processor defining a venue that includes at least one monitor for viewing content, where the at least one monitor has a viewing angle and the at least one monitor is viewable by an individual situated within a viewing cone defined by the viewing angle and within a pre-determined perpendicular distance from monitor. The processor identifies, based on communicating with location services on each client of a plurality of clients, a plurality of users (associated with the clients) entering the venue. The processor determines, in real time, for each user of the plurality of users and for each monitor of at least one monitor, a likelihood that the user is viewing the at least one monitor, wherein the determining comprises, for each user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Jeremy A. Greenberger, Zachary M. Greenberger
  • Patent number: 11307690
    Abstract: Provided are an electronic device, a program, and a control method capable of improving detection accuracy. An electronic device includes a proximity sensor, a ranging sensor, and a controller configured to switch a sensor to be operated between the proximity sensor and the ranging sensor in accordance with the distance between an object to be detected and the electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: KYOCERA Corporation
    Inventors: Kenji Shimada, Shigeki Tanabe, Koutaro Yamauchi, Manabu Sakuma, Hideki Morita, Yasuhiro Ueno, Isao Masuike
  • Patent number: 11294159
    Abstract: An eye-mounted device includes a contact lens and an embedded imaging system. The front aperture of the imaging system faces away from the user's eye so that the image sensor in the imaging system detects imagery of a user's external environment. The optics for the imaging system has a folded optical path, which is advantageous for fitting the imaging system into the limited space within the contact lens. In one design, the optics for the imaging system is based on a two mirror design, with a concave mirror followed by a convex mirror.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: Tectus Corporation
    Inventors: Brian Elliot Lemoff, Flint Orin Hamblin, George Michael Mihalakis
  • Patent number: 11268766
    Abstract: A process for measuring wear of a refractory lining of a receptacle intended to contain molten metal, containing the following steps: scanning a first surface of the refractory lining using a first laser scanner in order to obtain a first initial set of data representative of the first surface, scanning a second surface of the refractory lining using a second laser scanner, distinct from the first laser scanner, in order to obtain a second initial set of data representative of the second surface, wherein the second surface includes a grey zone for the first laser scanner, the receptacle defining an obstacle located between the first laser scanner and the grey zone during scanning by the first laser scanner, and calculating a final set of data using the first initial set of data and the second initial set of data, the final set of data being representative of a surface of the refractory lining including the first surface and the second surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: ARCELORMITTAL
    Inventors: Marco Picco, David Glijer, Daniel Gualtieri
  • Patent number: 11262244
    Abstract: The present invention is a motion detection system that will consistently report detected movement, while reducing the number of false reports. The motion detection system includes a receiver and a dual sensor motion detector. The dual sensor motion detector utilizes sensors mounted in a weatherproof chassis. The dual sensors are located at the same vertical height in the weatherproof chassis and separated by a predetermined distance from the center of the chassis. Each sensor is rotated at an angle away from the center of the chassis. Each sensor has a coverage area dictated by its viewing angle (or field-of-view) and viewing distance. By utilizing dual sensors, a user can set the dual sensor motion detector to an AND operation or an OR operation. Motion is detected when both sensors detect movement simultaneously or motion is detected when any one of the two sensors detects movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Orange Peel Projects, Inc.
    Inventor: Tal Moore
  • Patent number: 11150348
    Abstract: A LiDAR system includes one or more light sources configured to emit a set of light pulses in a temporal sequence with randomized temporal spacings between adjacent light pulses, one or more detectors configured to receive a set of return light pulses, and a processor configured to: determine a time of flight for each return light pulse of the set of return light pulses; and obtain a point cloud based on the times of flight of the set of return light pulses. Each point corresponds to a respective return light pulse. The processor is further configured to, for each respective point of the set of points in the point cloud: analyze spatial and temporal relationships between the respective point and a set of neighboring points in the set of points; and evaluate a quality factor for the respective point based on the spatial and temporal relationships.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: Cepton Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jon Day Allen, Dongyi Liao, Mark Armstrong McCord
  • Patent number: 11114754
    Abstract: A radar antenna device (16) having an antenna arrangement (19) that is accommodated in a housing (17) and is provided with a protective plate (20) for being separated with respect to a furnace atmosphere formed within a furnace chamber, said protective plate (20) being disposed on the housing, a radar-transparent limp material layer (21) comprising pores being disposed as a shield at a distance upstream of the protective plate (20) in such a manner that a space which is separated by the material layer (21) with respect to the furnace chamber is formed, a fluid line opening into said space for applying a fluid flow to the material layer (21).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: TMT TAPPING-MEASURING-TECHNOLOGY GMBH
    Inventors: Jean-Francois Stumper, Kevin Viktor
  • Patent number: 11098895
    Abstract: An innovative oxyhydrogen (HHO) burner system including one or more burner systems is provided to eliminate emissions through total combustion. Each burner system includes at least one HHO gas supply and an external natural gas supply, both of which are connected to a gas mixer. A controller regulates the amounts of incoming HHO gas and the natural gas through being mixed. The mixed gas is supplied to each burner assembly with a predetermined pressure and flowrate to generate a flame for the total combustion of the exhaust stream inside the exhaust pipe. With feedback from an exhaust measuring system inside the exhaust pipe adjacent the outlet, the controller can adjust the burner system for optimal operations and achieve total combustion. Thus, by passing the exhaust or gases through a substantial cross-section covered by each flame, emissions can be greatly reduced or eliminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: Total Combustion LLC
    Inventors: Harold Glasband, James W. Moore, Jacob M. Youngman, Anthony R. Trianfante
  • Patent number: 11073602
    Abstract: A user identification based control system includes a time of flight ranging sensor configured to sense a distance to a person, where the time of flight ranging sensor is positioned so the sensed distance is a function of a height of the person. Processing circuitry is coupled to the time of flight ranging sensor and configured to identify the person based upon sensed distance and to generate control signals to control peripheral components based upon the identity of the person. The time of flight ranging sensor may also be used to sense speed of the person for identification purposes. In general, the time of flight ranging sensor is positioned a known height over a surface on which the person is present, such as in the doorway or on a ceiling of a room.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: STmicroelectronics, inc.
    Inventors: Xiaoyong Yang, Rui Xiao
  • Patent number: 11026314
    Abstract: A sensor for sensing environmental characteristics of a space may include a visible light sensing circuit for recording an image of the space and a control circuit responsive to the visible light sensing circuit. The control circuit may detect an occupancy or vacancy condition in the space in response to the visible light sensing circuit, and measure a light level in the space in response to the visible light sensing circuit. The control circuit may also include a low-energy occupancy sensing circuit for detecting an occupancy condition in the space. The control circuit may disable the visible light sensing circuit when the space is vacant. The control circuit may detect an occupancy condition in the space in response to the low-energy occupancy sensing circuit and subsequently enable the visible light sensing circuit. The visible light sensor may be configured in a way that protects the privacy of the occupants of the space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventor: James P. Steiner
  • Patent number: 11010607
    Abstract: A method for controlling an unmanned flying object (UAV) that is used to detect and measure objects in a specified region, where a largely obstacle-free flyover zone is determined for the region to be detected and measured, where the unmanned flying object takes overview measurements of the region utilizing suitable sensors and recording technology in the flyover zone, wherein a three-dimensional digital surface model of the region is ascertained together with the objects located therein based on the overview measurements, and based on the three-dimensional digital surface model, a sequence of positions for detailed measurements and an obstacle-free flight path are ascertained for an unmanned model aircraft for assuming the sequence of positions and are used as the basis for control of the unmanned model aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Josef Alois Birchbauer, Juergen Hatzl
  • Patent number: 10996542
    Abstract: An infrared imaging system is provided with a shutter assembly having an integrated thermistor. In one example, a device includes a shutter assembly. The shutter assembly includes a paddle configured to move between an open position and a closed position. The paddle is configured to block external infrared radiation from reaching a focal plane array (FPA) in a closed position, and pass the external infrared radiation to the FPA in an open position. The shutter assembly also includes an embedded thermistor configured to sense a temperature of the paddle when the paddle is in the open position. In another example, an infrared sensor assembly includes a first set of mechanically engageable electrical contacts for engaging with a second set of mechanically engageable electrical contacts of a shutter assembly electrically coupled with a thermistor through a conductive path. Additional devices and related methods are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: FLIR Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Kostrzewa, Bruce A. Covington, Marcel Tremblay, Theodore R. Hoelter, Pierre M. Boulanger
  • Patent number: 10935431
    Abstract: A sensor system for use in a gas turbine engine. The sensor system includes a reflective surface configured to reflect optical features corresponding to combustion in a combustion chamber that exit the combustion chamber via at least one opening therein. The sensor system further includes an optical sensor configured to receive the reflected optical features from the reflective surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventor: Stephen K. Kramer
  • Patent number: 10902706
    Abstract: A passive infrared motion detector discriminates between the motion of humans and pets in a premises. The motion detector includes an infrared sensor and a mirror for focusing infrared radiation from distinct fields of view. In one embodiment, a mask prevents infrared radiation from reaching the infrared sensor, and cut away regions on the surface of the mask allow selective passage of infrared radiation to the infrared sensor. In an alternative embodiment, the cylindrical mirror elements includes reflective and unreflective regions, which allow selective passage of infrared radiation to the infrared sensor. The cut away regions and the reflective regions are elongated to correspond to the shape of standing humans. As a result, the infrared radiation from animals only partially reaches the infrared sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: TYCO FIRE & SECURITY GMBH
    Inventors: Boris Zhevelev, Yehuda Shviki, Zach Avidar, Vitaly Roytenburd
  • Patent number: 10891838
    Abstract: The present application provides a detection apparatus and a control system, wherein the detection apparatus comprises a passive infrared sensor and a Fresnel lens provided on the passive infrared sensor, and wherein the detection apparatus further comprises a rotation unit, the rotation unit being capable of driving the passive infrared sensor and the Fresnel lens to rotate together. The detection apparatus of the present application can be used for controlling lamplight, air conditioner, heating and ventilation in a building or can be used for security, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventor: LingHao Tian
  • Patent number: 10890417
    Abstract: The Compound Eye Laser Illumination Seeker (CELIS) is a tracking system used to guide items to point at a laser-illuminated target, with the illumination being either pulsed or modulated at either a specific rate or within a range of rates. The CELIS, comprising a multiaperture compound receiver optics (MACRO) to collect the signal, a set of light guides to combine the received light into light representing individual angular sectors and redirect it to detectors whose output represents the illumination signal in that quadrant, a spectral filter, an angle filter, the set of detectors, and processing electronics. The output is an electronic signal indicating the angular difference between the pointing direction of the signal and the pointing direction of the tracking device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: LUMINIT LLC
    Inventors: Jun Ai, Fedor Dimov, Russell Kurtz, Emmanuel Gorce
  • Patent number: 10877144
    Abstract: A device for determining the topography of the burden surface in a shaft furnace (10), the device comprising a radar device (20) that scans the burden surface (18) and has an antenna device (22) arranged in the area of a furnace cover (13), the antenna device being arranged on an axis of rotation (24) that is inclined in relation to a vertical axis (15) of the shaft furnace at an angle of inclination ? and being rotatable about the axis of rotation by means of a drive device in such a manner that a radar fan beam (28) formed by the emitted radar radiation of the antenna device is incident upon the burden surface along a profile line p and sweeps across the burden surface as the antenna device rotates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: TMT TAPPING-MEASURING-TECHNOLOGY SARL
    Inventors: Hans-Uwe Morgenstern, Ulrich Oster, Kevin Viktor, Jean-Francois Stumper
  • Patent number: 10810481
    Abstract: A system and method for counting persons using passages to an area by analyzing vibrations in the floor or the air above the floor with sensors and a machine learning system. The machine learning system uses a model, usually implemented as a neural network on a processor. The network is trained in levels and implemented in layers. Different levels classify and analyze vibrations by timing and frequency, by movements of persons, and by identity of persons The same person is identified by patterns in the vibrations and the vibrations are correlated to determine and count when a person uses a combination of passages. Location information for the person is used to identify persons in places and doing activities of interest. The model may be trained on one processor and downloaded to another processor for evaluation. Additional sensors and levels of training may be implemented on the latter processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Inventor: Thomas Danaher Harvey
  • Patent number: 10699107
    Abstract: An image detection method for determining the postures of a user includes: obtaining a plurality of images of a user; determining whether the user moves; and when the user is determined to be moving, calculating whether the amount of images is greater than a first predetermined value or not, calculating whether or not the amount of images of the user in the region of interest (ROI) is greater than a second predetermined value, and calculating whether or not the amount of images of the user not in the ROI is greater than a third predetermined value, in order to determine the postures of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: Wistron Corp.
    Inventors: Po Chun Chen, Yu-Ren Lai, Ching-An Cho, Kuo Ting Huang, Yu-Yen Chen
  • Patent number: 10698130
    Abstract: A stand-alone sensor includes a main part, a sensing head mounting on the main part, and a movable shield retractably disposed in the main part. The movable shield is rotatable around the sensing head when protruded from the main part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: SIGNIFY HOLDING B.V.
    Inventors: Zhi Hong Xie, Cheng Zhi Jiang, Kai Liu, Huang Haiming
  • Patent number: 10690813
    Abstract: A display device has a display, operable to generate a real image, and an optical system with one or more lenslets arranged to generate a virtual sub-image from a respective partial real image on the display, by each lenslet projecting light from the display to an eye position. The sub-images combine to form a virtual image viewable from the eye position. A radial focal length distribution of the optical system decreases with increasing radial angle at radial angles greater than 20° from the frontward direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: Tesseland LLC
    Inventors: Pablo Benitez, Juan Carlos Minano, Dejan Grabovickic, Jiayao Liu, Marina Buljan, Pablo Zamora
  • Patent number: 10634380
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of an occupancy monitoring system. The occupancy monitoring system includes a thermal sensor configured to monitor a gate (e.g., entry way) to a space. The thermal sensor includes a pixel array that generates a pixel value for each pixel in the pixel array, and the pixel value corresponds to a quantity of heat or thermal information detected by a pixel. The occupancy monitoring system acquires pixel values for the pixels of the pixel array. The occupancy monitoring system determines whether there is a change in occupancy of the space based on changes to a first region (or first pixel cluster) of the pixel array and a second region (or second pixel cluster) of the pixel array over time. The occupancy monitoring system may adjust lighting, temperature, and/or security systems for the space as the occupancy changes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: OSRAM SYLVANIA Inc.
    Inventors: Marijan Kostrun, Anant Aggarwal, Richard C. Garner
  • Patent number: 10625817
    Abstract: An electrically power assisted bicycle includes an electric motor that generates an assist force assisting human power of a rider, a detachable battery that supplies electric power to the electric motor, a headlight, and an operation panel including a display that displays information, a power button that turns on or off the electrically power assisted bicycle, an illuminance sensor that outputs a signal in accordance with received light, and a controller configured or programmed to control the headlight to be on or off. The power button and the illuminance sensor are located close to each other on or in the operation panel. After a predetermined time period passes after the controller is activated by the power button being pressed by the rider, the controller starts controlling the headlight to be on or off in accordance with the signal output by the illuminance sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: YAMAHA HATSUDOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hirokatsu Kishita, Satoshi Katayama, Toshio Koga
  • Patent number: 10613552
    Abstract: An approach is provided that identifies a current position of a drone. The approach further detects a current target location and determines a surveillance position with the surveillance position being predicted to be undetectable from the current target location. The approach then instructs the drone to move from the current position to the surveillance position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: Lenovo (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Roderick Echols, Russell S. VanBlon
  • Patent number: 10602054
    Abstract: A method to record video with a video camera while respecting bystander privacy includes acquiring sensory data separate from the video, parsing the sensory data for evidence of a human being in a field of view of the video camera, and recording video with the video camera if no human being is detected in the field of view, based upon the sensory data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLC
    Inventors: Jaeyeon Jung, Matthai Philipose
  • Patent number: 10487998
    Abstract: A lighting fixture includes a lighting device, a motion sensor, and a wireless transceiver configured to transmit and receive wireless signals. The lighting fixture further includes a controller communicably coupled to the lighting device, to the motion sensor, and to the transceiver. The controller is configured to adjust a light provided by the lighting device based on a motion detection by the motion sensor and based on a wireless input signal received by the transceiver indicating whether a second motion is detected by a second lighting fixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITED
    Inventors: Timothy Glenn Wright, Nam Chin Cho, James Richard Christ