Transforming Infra-red Radiation (epo) Patents (Class 348/E5.09)
  • Patent number: 11968458
    Abstract: An imaging system and method includes a rolling shutter sensor that captures a plurality of images of a scene, a time-varying illumination source that illuminates the scene, and a processor that receives the plurality of images from the rolling shutter sensor and separates the plurality of images into a plurality of feeds. Each of the plurality of images is captured as a series of lines. The rolling shutter sensor and the time-varying illumination source are operated synchronously to cause a plurality of on-cadence lines of the rolling shutter sensor to receive more illumination from the time-varying illumination source than a plurality of off-cadence lines of the rolling shutter sensor. Each of the plurality of feeds has a different contribution of the time-varying illumination source to an overall illumination of the scene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Jason Paul Watson, Ian E. McDowall
  • Patent number: 11941897
    Abstract: A vehicle occupant monitoring system, OMS, comprises an image acquisition device with a rolling shutter image sensor configured to selectively operate in either: a full-resolution image mode where an image frame corresponding to the full image sensor is provided; or a region of interest, ROI, mode, where an image frame corresponding to a limited portion of the image sensor is provided. An object detector is configured to receive a full-resolution image from the image sensor and to identify a ROI corresponding to an object of interest within the image. A controller is configured to obtain an image corresponding to the ROI from the image sensor operating in ROI mode, the image having an exposure time long enough for all rows of the ROI to be illuminated by a common pulse of light from at least one infra-red light source and short enough to limit motion blur within the image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: FotoNation Limited
    Inventors: Istvan Andorko, Petronel Bigioi, Piotr Stec
  • Patent number: 11940625
    Abstract: A display includes a light-guide optical element (LOE) (20) and a projector arrangement (10a) for injecting an image into the LOE so as to propagate within the LOE by internal reflection at a pair of major faces. The image is coupled out from the LOE by a coupling-out arrangement, exemplified here as internal partially-reflecting surfaces (22b). The image is coupled out from the LOE in a direction away from the eye of the observer (24b), and a reflector (30) reflects the coupled-out image back through the LOE (32), towards the eye of the observer (26). Reflector (30) is preferably a selective partial reflector, and may be convex to provide a desired apparent image distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: Lumus Ltd.
    Inventors: Yochay Danziger, Ronen Chriki, Daniel Michaels
  • Patent number: 11889198
    Abstract: An image capture device having a housing containing a first image capture apparatus configured to acquire images in a first wavelength range, the first image capture apparatus being a thermal camera or a thermal photographic apparatus, a second image capture apparatus configured to acquire images in a second wavelength range disjoint from the first wavelength range, and an illumination system for emitting radiation in the second wavelength range. The image capture device includes a thermal isolation partition interposed between the first image capture apparatus and the illumination system so as to thermally isolate the first image capture apparatus from the illumination system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: FAURECIA INTERIEUR INDUSTRIE
    Inventors: Omar Ben Abdelaziz, Amine Ben Mhamed
  • Patent number: 11889206
    Abstract: A solid-state imaging device capable of acquiring an RGB image, a CMY image, and luminance information through one imaging process. The solid-state imaging device includes a pixel array portion in which a plurality of pixel unit groups are arrayed, the pixel unit group including pixel units disposed in a 2×2 matrix, the pixel unit including pixels disposed in an 2×2 matrix, and the pixels including a photoelectric conversion unit and a color filter. Each of the pixel unit groups is configured such that an R filter and a C filter are included as the color filters in a first pixel unit among four pixel units constituting the pixel unit group, a G filter and an M filter are included as the color filters in each of second and third pixel units, and a B filter and a Y filter are included as the color filters in a fourth pixel unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation
    Inventor: Takayuki Ogasahara
  • Patent number: 11867564
    Abstract: Various embodiments disclosed herein describe a divided-aperture infrared spectral imaging (DAISI) system that is adapted to acquire multiple IR images of a scene with a single-shot (also referred to as a snapshot). The plurality of acquired images having different wavelength compositions that are obtained generally simultaneously. The system includes at least two optical channels that are spatially and spectrally different from one another. Each of the at least two optical channels are configured to transfer IR radiation incident on the optical system towards an optical FPA unit comprising at least two detector arrays disposed in the focal plane of two corresponding focusing lenses. The system further comprises at least one temperature reference source or surface that is used to dynamically calibrate the two detector arrays and compensate for a temperature difference between the two detector arrays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Rebellion Photonics, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Timothy Kester, Nathan Adrian Hagen
  • Patent number: 11819315
    Abstract: A human condition detection device comprises a depth image-taking module for taking a depth image of a target area. A millimeter-wave radar module detects breaths or heartbeats in the target area to provide a signal. A thermal image-taking module takes a thermal image of the target area. A processor module determines whether a person is in the target area based on the depth image. The processor module determines whether there is any breath or heartbeat based on the signal if a person is in the target area. The processor module determines whether there is any abnormal vital sign of the person in the target area based on the signal and the thermal image if there is a breath or heartbeat in the target area. The processor module actuates the warning module to provide a warning if there is an abnormal vital sign of the person in the target area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: GIGA-BYTE TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kuang-Hua Pai, Chih-Liang Chang, Jyun-Hong Lu, Mim-Nan Yeh, Hung-Ta Chen
  • Patent number: 11815737
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides night vision binoculars with a replaceable objective lens. The night vision binoculars include: a main body, an objective lens and a locking member. The main body is provided with a mounting base; the objective lens is provided with a locking hole and detachably inserted into the mounting base. The objective lens rotates in the mounting base; and the locking member is slidingly disposed on the main body and provided with a locking position and an unlocking position. When the locking member is in the locking position, the locking member is inserted into the locking hole; and when the locking member is in the unlocking position. The objective lens can be removed from the mounting base. Through the above structure setting, the user is convenient to disassemble the objective lens; and the night vision binoculars are simple in structure and convenient to use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Inventor: Peng Wang
  • Patent number: 11818472
    Abstract: Video or image capture device and method of operation of the capture device are described. One example apparatus includes a first sensor array comprising a first plurality image sensors, a second sensor array comprising a second plurality image sensors; a third sensor array comprising a third plurality image sensors; a fourth sensor array comprising a fourth plurality image sensors and a fifth sensor array comprising a fifth plurality image sensors. The second sensor array and the fourth sensor array are configured to be excluded from use for capturing images in a portrait format. The third sensor array and the fifth sensor array are configured to be excluded from use for capturing images in a landscape format. The first sensor array is configured to be used for capturing images in the portrait format and the landscape format.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Inventor: Donald Siu
  • Patent number: 11778288
    Abstract: A sensor array (1) for recording a color image in the visible spectrum (8) and hyperspectral information that is spatially linked with the color image, wherein the sensor array (1) includes an image sensor (2) composed of a plurality of photocells (3), wherein respectively a color filter (4) is fixedly assigned to at least one portion of the photocells (3), wherein each photocell (3) is assigned to a subcell (5) and each subcell (5) is assigned to a supercell (6). Each subcell (5) has at least one additional filter of a channel, and all the channels together cover at least the entire visible spectrum (8), and the characteristic wavelengths (9) of the individual filters belonging to a channel in each case differ from one another between the subcells (5) of a supercell (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Scholly Fiberoptic GmbH
    Inventors: Daniel Harter, Johannes Bourbon
  • Patent number: 11776138
    Abstract: Examples are described that relate to correcting line bias in images. One example provides a method comprising receiving, from an imaging device, a plurality of images each comprising a plurality of lines of pixels. The method further comprises, for each image of the plurality of images, for each line of pixels of the plurality of lines of pixels, based at least on one or more pixel values of one or more pixels in the line of pixels, determining a line bias correction for the line, and applying the line bias correction to each pixel in the line, the line bias correction comprising an offset applied to each pixel value in the line of pixels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Bleyer, Christopher Douglas Edmonds, Raymond Kirk Price
  • Patent number: 11770628
    Abstract: The disclosed imaging device includes pixels each including a photoelectric convertor, a focus controller controlling a focal position of light, and a pixel controller controlling charge accumulation in the photoelectric convertors and readout of signals from the pixels. The pixels include a first pixel outputting signal corresponding to light in a first wavelength band and a second pixel outputting signal corresponding to light in a second wavelength band. The pixel controller executes, during one frame, a first period of accumulating charge in the photoelectric convertor of the first pixel in a state that the light in the first wavelength band is focused on, a second period of accumulating charge in the photoelectric convertor of the second pixel in a state that the light in the second wavelength band is focused on, and a third period of reading out signals corresponding to amount of charge generated in the photoelectric convertors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kenji Michimata
  • Patent number: 11765340
    Abstract: A goggle system is provided. The goggle system includes a computing device, a goggle device configured to be worn by a user and including a detector configured to simultaneously acquire image data of a subject in a first image mode and a second image mode, at least one eye assembly configured to display at least one of an image in the first image mode, an image in the second image mode, and a hybrid image including pixels of image data from the first image mode and pixels of image data from the second image mode, and a communications module configured to transmit acquired image data from the goggle device to the computing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Samuel Achilefu, Yang Liu, Viktor Gruev, Joseph P. Culver, Walter Akers, Adam Bauer
  • Patent number: 11733422
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a portable terahertz security inspection apparatus, including: a carrying body; a terahertz emitting device arranged on the carrying body, wherein the terahertz emitting device includes a terahertz signal source and an emitting unit connected to the terahertz signal source and configured to emit a terahertz wave; a terahertz detector arranged on the carrying body and configured to receive the terahertz wave reflected from an inspected object; a data acquisition and processing system arranged on the carrying body and connected to the terahertz detector, wherein the data acquisition and processing system is configured to receive a scan data for the inspected object from the terahertz detector and generate a terahertz image; and a display device connected to the data acquisition and processing system and configured to receive and display the terahertz image from the data acquisition and processing system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignees: Nuctech Company Limited, Tsinghua University
    Inventors: Ziran Zhao, Yingxin Wang, Meng Chen, Xuming Ma
  • Patent number: 11699220
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products of fusing Molecular Chemical Imaging (MCI) and Red Green Blue (RGB) images are disclosed herein. A sample is illuminated with illuminating photons which interact with the sample and are used to form MCI and RGB images. The MCI and RGB images are fused by way of mathematical operations to generate a RGB image with a detection overlay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: CHEMIMAGE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Heather Gomer, Patrick Treado, Jihang Wang
  • Patent number: 11658741
    Abstract: An optical detection device includes a photocurrent input terminal; a first branch connected to the photocurrent input terminal includes a plural of MOS transistors; a second branch connected to the photocurrent input terminal includes a plural of MOS transistors. The MOS transistors in the first branch and the MOS transistors in the second branch are arranged in a mirror image manner; a control module connected to the first branch and the second branch to turn on or off the MOS transistors in the second branch; a first auxiliary current input terminal connected to the first branch and a second auxiliary current input terminal connected to the first branch, which are used to compensate the current of the MOS transistors in the first branch; a first current output terminal connected to the first branch and the second branch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: SUZHOU MI TU OPTOELECTRONIC TECHNOLOGY CO. LTD.
    Inventors: Zhi Zhang, Xiao Han, Xianglin Xiang
  • Patent number: 11635370
    Abstract: An IR imaging device includes an optical element receiving infrared radiation from a scene, a filter blocking IR radiation outside of a particular range of wavelengths, an array of sensor pixels to capture an image of the scene based on infrared radiation received through the optical element and filter, the array of sensor pixels comprising a first array of sensor pixels to image gas in within a first spectral bandwidth, and a second array of sensor pixel to sense IR radiation in a second spectral bandwidth where gas is not detected, a read-out integrated circuit (ROIC) and logic circuitry to generate a first image sensed by the first array and a second image sensed by the second array, and gas detection logic to detect the presence of gas in the first image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: FLIR Systems AB
    Inventors: Hakan E. Nygren, Jonas Sandsten, Per Lilja, Marta Barenthin-Syberg, Henning Hagman, Eric A. Kurth, Brian B. Simolon, Naseem Y. Aziz, Ulf Wallgren
  • Patent number: 11615521
    Abstract: A light 2 for reflected light that emits visible light for reflected light onto a front side of a veneer 6, a light 32 for invisible light that emits near-infrared light for transmitted light onto a back side of the veneer 6, and an image processing device 1 that detects defects of the veneer 6 by analyzing a captured image generated by a line sensor camera 4 are provided. Defects of the veneer 6 are discriminated on the basis of a set of shading and shapes in an infrared-transmitted-light image based on the transmitted light, and colors in a visible-light image based on the reflected light. Consequently, even if a defect has a small color difference from a normal part in the visible-light image, difference of shading between the defective part and the normal part appears in the infrared-transmitted-light image, and a defect that is difficult to detect by seeing only a color difference in a visible-light image can be relatively easily detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: MEINAN MACHINERY WORKS, INC.
    Inventor: Koji Morita
  • Patent number: 11611812
    Abstract: A method for assessing an ambient light level during video acquisition with a video camera is provided. The video camera is operably connected with an IR illuminator, and having a day mode in which an IR-cut filter is arranged in front of an image sensor and a night mode in which the IR-cut filter is not arranged in front of the image sensor. The method comprises: acquiring a stream of images with the video camera in night mode, with the IR illuminator having a first illumination output level, and then reducing an output level of the IR illuminator to a predetermined illumination output level during acquisition of a sequence of a predetermined number of consecutive image frames within the image stream, and then assessing a measure representative of an ambient light level from an evaluation of the sequence of image frames.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: AXIS AB
    Inventors: Jimmie Jönsson, Pontus Rosenberg, Ola Håkansson, Axel Thuresson
  • Patent number: 11538145
    Abstract: A gas monitoring image recording device, a gas monitoring image recording method, and a gas monitoring image recording program according to the present invention involve: acquiring gas monitoring image data including a plurality of time-series images for use in monitoring a gas leak; extracting a leakage candidate area as a candidate for a gas leak based on the gas monitoring image data acquired; extracting predetermined features related to the gas leak in response to extracting the leakage candidate area; and causing a storage unit to store the features extracted in association with the gas monitoring image data from which the leakage candidate area has been extracted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: Konica Minolta, Inc.
    Inventors: Xiaochen Zhang, Shoji Kotani
  • Patent number: 11520875
    Abstract: An electronic device according to various embodiments of the present invention comprises: an infrared filter for passing light in an infrared wavelength band; an image sensor for converting the received light into a video signal and outputting the video signal; an infrared light-emitting unit for emitting the light in the infrared wavelength band; and a processor. The processor can execute a first application, confirm a security level of the first application, and authorize the first application with an authority for controlling at least one of the image sensor, the infrared filter and the infrared light-emitting unit according to the confirmed security level of the first application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hye-Kyoung Jeon, Ho-Seok Kang, Jun-Hyun Park, Sung-Koo Lee, Woong-Ho Hong, Moo-Young Kim
  • Patent number: 11513496
    Abstract: A method of monitoring and controlling an industrial process includes capturing images of a non-sensible process condition of the industrial process with an image capture device, receiving the images of the non-sensible process condition with a computer system, and converting each image into a corresponding numeric value with a machine learning model stored in and operable by the computer system. The corresponding numeric value is then received and compared to a predetermined numeric value for the non-sensible process condition with a closed-loop controller, and an actuator operates with the closed-loop controller to adjust operation of the industrial process when the corresponding numeric value fails to match the predetermined numeric value or is outside of a defined threshold near the predetermined numeric value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Technology and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Jitendra V. Kadam, Apostolos T. Georgiou, Kiran R. Sheth, Weimen Li, Onur Onel, Joshua L. Pulsipher
  • Patent number: 11516385
    Abstract: Examples are disclosed that relate to blending different types of images captured by different types of cameras employing different sensing modalities based on a dynamic weighting. The dynamic weighting is calculated based on a dynamic quality proxy that serves as an approximation of image quality that may change from image to image. In one example, a first image of a scene is received from a first camera. A dynamic quality proxy is received. A second image of the scene is received from a second camera with a different sensing modality than the first camera. A composite image blended from the first and second images in proportion to a dynamic weighting that is based on the dynamic quality proxy is output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Bleyer, Raymond Kirk Price, Christopher Douglas Edmonds
  • Patent number: 11516391
    Abstract: Systems and techniques are described for large field of view digital imaging. A device's first image sensor captures a first image based on first light redirected from a first path onto a redirected first path by a first light redirection element, and the device's second image sensor captures a second image based on second light redirected from a second path onto a redirected second path by a second light redirection element. A virtual extension of the first path beyond the first light redirection element can intersect with a virtual extension of the second path intersect beyond the second light redirection element. The device can modify the first image and second image using perspective distortion correction, and can generate a combined image by combining the first image and the second image. The combined image can have a larger field of view than the first image and/or the second image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Jian Ma, Shen-Ge Wang, Sergiu Radu Goma
  • Patent number: 11496660
    Abstract: A dual sensor imaging system and a depth map calculation method thereof are provided. The dual sensor imaging system includes at least one color sensor, at least one infrared ray (IR) sensor, a storage device, and a processor. The processor is configured to load and execute a computer program stored in the storage device to: control the color sensor and the IR sensor to respectively capture multiple color images and multiple IR images by adopting multiple exposure conditions suitable for an imaging scene, adaptively select a combination of the color image and the IR image that are comparable to each other from the color images and the IR images; and calculate a depth map of the imaging scene by using the selected color image and IR image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: Altek Semiconductor Corp.
    Inventors: Shih-Yuan Peng, Shu-Chun Cheng, Hsu-Lien Huang, Yun-Chin Li, Kuo-Ming Lai
  • Patent number: 11488369
    Abstract: Systems for identifying threat materials such as CBRNE threats and locations are provided. The systems can include a data acquisition component configured to determine the presence of a CBRNE threat; data storage media; and processing circuitry operatively coupled to the data acquisition device and the storage media. Methods for identifying a CBRNE threat are provided. The methods can include: determining the presence of a CBRNE threat using a data acquisition component; and acquiring an image while determining the presence of the CBRNE threat. Methods for augmenting a real-time display to include the location and/or type of CBRNE threat previously identified are also provided. Methods for identifying and responding to CBRNE threats are provided as well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: TELEDYNE FLIR DETECTION, INC.
    Inventors: Scott Donahue, Jeremy P. Walker, Jessica L. Milke, Jason Robosky
  • Patent number: 11480517
    Abstract: Disclosed is a methodology for determination and prediction of heat exchanger fouling, such as polymer fouling in the circulation loop that forms part of the heat exchanger system. The buildup of a polymer or other undesired material deposit in the heat exchanger provides a distinctive temperature signature (thermal gradient) on the surface of the heat exchanger asset, which is visualized using a thermographic camera. Coupling images (thermograms) from the camera with a machine learning algorithm identifies fouling and, with knowledge of the historical data of the asset and operating and ambient conditions, enables prediction of future fouling. The thermal images provide several types, or orders, of temperature information that are indicative of locations vulnerable to fouling. In one case, the method uses machine learning applied to time-based temperature change/gradient information to detect hidden polymer fouling in areas that form part of the heat exchanger asset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Ali Al Shehri, Vincent Cunningham, Ayman Amer, Wei Xu, Faisal Melibari
  • Patent number: 11467090
    Abstract: Apparatus include divergence optics removably coupled to receive a probe beam in a first imaging mode to cause the probe beam to diverge before impinging on a first area of a target surface, and to not receive the probe beam in a second imaging mode to cause the probe beam to impinge on a second area of the target surface smaller than the first area, collection optics configured to receive, in response to the probe beam, luminescence light emitted from the first area and spectral light emitted from the second area, and an optical detector coupled to the collection optics, wherein the optical detector includes a luminescence imaging detector portion and a spectral imaging detector portion adjacent to the luminescence imaging detector portion, wherein the luminescence imaging detector portion is configured to receive the luminescence light emitted from the first area and the spectral imaging detector portion is configured to receive the spectral light from the second area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignees: Triad National Security, LLC, University of Hawaii, Manoa
    Inventors: Patrick J. Gasda, Roger Craig Wiens, Steven P. Love, Samuel M. Clegg, Anupam Misra, Tayro Acosta-Maeda
  • Patent number: 11454545
    Abstract: A depth thermal imaging module, including a thermal imager array, which includes a plurality of at least two thermal imagers that capture thermal radiation of a wavelength of a scene from different viewpoints. Each thermal imager includes a thermal imager chip, a lens stack, and a focal plane with focal length f. The thermal imagers are separated by a baseline distance of 2h and depth measurement Z is performed on an object of interest based on Z=2hf/? where ? is the difference in location of the object of interest between its location in the thermal image captured by a first thermal imager and the location of the object of interest in the thermal image captured by a second thermal imager and represents as an offset of the point on the focal plane of the first thermal imager and the second thermal imagers relative to their optical axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: COMPERTUM MICROSYSTEMS INC.
    Inventor: Francis Piu Man
  • Patent number: 11438528
    Abstract: Focal plane arrays (FPAs) of plasmonic enhanced pyramidal silicon Schottky photodetectors (PDs) operative in the short wave infrared (SWIR) regime, and imaging systems combining such FPAs with active illumination sources and readout integrated circuit (ROIC). Such imaging systems enable imaging in the SWIR regime using inexpensive silicon detector arrays, specifically in vehicular environments in which such an imaging system may be mounted on a vehicle and image various moving and stationary targets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: TriEye Ltd.
    Inventors: Uriel Levy, Avraham Bakal, Omer Kapach
  • Patent number: 11438541
    Abstract: An imaging device includes: a first temperature detection element 16 that detects temperature on the basis of infrared rays; a second temperature detection element 17 for temperature reference; and a drive circuit 10A including a switch circuit 101 including a butterfly switch circuit, a first current source 82A, a second current source 82B, a differential circuit 83, and an analog-digital conversion circuit 84. The first temperature detection element 16 and the second temperature detection element 17 are connected to a first input end 101A and a second input end 101B of the switch circuit. A first output end 101C and the first current source 82A are connected to a first input end 83A of the differential amplifier. A second output end 101D of the switch circuit and the second current source 82B are connected to a second input end 83B of the differential amplifier. An output end 83C of the differential amplifier is connected to an input portion of the analog-digital conversion circuit 84.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: SONY SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hajime Hosaka, Yoshikazu Nitta, Kenichi Okumura
  • Patent number: 11405574
    Abstract: An imaging device includes: a first temperature detection element 16 that detects temperature on the basis of infrared rays; a second temperature detection element 17 for temperature reference; and a drive circuit 10A including a switch circuit 101 including a butterfly switch circuit, a first current source 82A, a second current source 82B, a differential circuit 83, and an analog-digital conversion circuit 84. The first temperature detection element 16 and the second temperature detection element 17 are connected to a first input end 101A and a second input end 101B of the switch circuit. A first output end 101C and the first current source 82A are connected to a first input end 83A of the differential amplifier. A second output end 101D of the switch circuit and the second current source 82B are connected to a second input end 83B of the differential amplifier. An output end 83C of the differential amplifier is connected to an input portion of the analog-digital conversion circuit 84.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: SONY SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hajime Hosaka, Yoshikazu Nitta, Kenichi Okumura
  • Patent number: 11061132
    Abstract: A building radar-camera system includes a camera configured to capture one or images, the one or more images including first locations within the one or more images of one or more points on a world-plane and a radar system configured to capture radar data indicating second locations on the world-plane of the one or more points. The system includes one or more processing circuits configured to receive a correspondence between the first locations and the second locations of the one or more points, generate a sphere-to-plane homography, the sphere-to-plane homography translating between points captured by the camera modeled on a unit-sphere and the world-plane based on the correspondence between the first locations and the second locations, and translate one or more additional points captured by the camera or captured by the radar system between the unit-sphere and the world-plane based on the sphere-to-plane homography.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Lior Kirsch, Yohai Falik, Igal Dvir
  • Patent number: 11010878
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure may include an imaging system that allows for absolute radiometry of low dynamic range (LDR) radiometric images down-sampled from high dynamic range (HDR) radiometric thermal images. The imaging system may capture HDR images. The HDR images may be converted to LDR images by a transfer function. In certain embodiments, a video and/or a stream of HDR images may be captured. A sequence of frames may be defined for at least a plurality of the HDR images. Each of the HDR images of the sequence of frames may be converted to LDR images using the same transfer function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: FLIR Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas Hogasten, Austin A. Richards
  • Patent number: 10523856
    Abstract: A method and an electronic device for producing a composite image are provided. The method includes receiving visible image data and near infrared (NIR) image data from a composite sensor, determining whether at least one portion of the NIR image data having a level of detail greater than or equal to a threshold, and generating a composite image by fusing the visible image data with the at least one portion of the NIR image data based on the determination and storing the composite image in a memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Alok Shankarlal Shukla, Prajit Sivasankaran Nair, Lokesh Rayasandra Boregowda
  • Patent number: 10373235
    Abstract: A pay-at-the-table device is augmented to include an imaging sub-system having one or more image-capture components. A front-facing image sensor records video, or takes still photos. A wide view image sensor/lens captures a view of an entire table (or some portion thereof). When table images are captured by the imaging system, image post-processing is used to ensure that any details that can identify the individual patrons are masked or otherwise obscured; in this way, only generic demographic data (e.g., number of patrons, gender, approximate age, etc.) is captured, and all such data is maintained anonymously and without reference to any payment or other information that might provide the restaurant with the patron's true identity. The image-capture components may also include image sensors enable events (e.g., drinks needing refills, entrée arrival, etc.) to be monitored. An infrared image sensor captures thermal data, which can identify the temperature of the prepared food.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: TABLETOP MEDIA, LLC
    Inventors: Viren R. Balar, Kevin C. Mowry, Jeffrey E. Taylor, Christopher M. Wellheuser, Vernon Y. Franklin
  • Patent number: 10048121
    Abstract: Calibration devices, systems, and methods for calibrating a sensor. In one example a calibrator includes a housing, a dual-axis mirror positioning mechanism disposed within the housing, and a single calibration mirror coupled to the dual-axis mirror positioning mechanism and disposed within the housing, the dual-axis mirror positioning mechanism being configured to rotate the calibration mirror about a first axis to move the calibration mirror from a stowed position into a deployed position and, when the calibration mirror is in the deployed position, to rotate the calibration mirror about a second axis into a plurality of calibration positions, the first and second axes being orthogonal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: RAYTHEON COMPANY
    Inventors: Andrew J. Zimmerman, Susan B. Spencer, Michael L. Menendez
  • Patent number: 10048483
    Abstract: An optical device for microscopic observation 4 comprises: a cold stop 13 having openings 13d, 13e corresponding to a low-magnification microscope optical system 5 and being a stop member arranged in a vacuum vessel 12 to let the light from the sample S pass to the camera 3; a warm stop 10 having an opening 14 corresponding to a high-magnification microscope optical system 5 and being a stop member arranged outside the vacuum vessel 12 to let the light from the sample S pass toward the cold stop 13; and a support member 11 supporting the warm stop 10 so that the warm stop can be inserted to or removed from on the optical axis of the light from the sample S, wherein the warm stop 10 has a reflective surface 15 on the camera 3 side and wherein the opening 14 is smaller than the openings 13d, 13e.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: HAMAMATSU PHOTONICS K.K.
    Inventors: Tomonori Nakamura, Ikuo Arata, Yoshihiro Ito
  • Patent number: 9661235
    Abstract: A camera including an image capture module, and at least one other module. The image capture module is a sealed module and includes: a housing; at least one image sensor to convert light into electrical signals; an optical system associated with the image sensor and arranged to transmit light through the housing to the at least one image sensor; the image capture module and the at least one other module being directly or indirectly mounted to each other, and interoperable with each other to capture images. An image capture module and method of construction of a camera are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: Blackmagic Design Pty Ltd.
    Inventors: Grant Petty, Simon Kidd, Michael Cornish, Stuart Elford, David Lunn, John Vanzella, Carsten Buettner, Patrick Tolcher
  • Patent number: 8934020
    Abstract: Techniques for processing video content in a video camera are provided. The techniques include a method for processing video content in at video camera according to the disclosure includes capturing thermal video data using a thermal imaging sensor, determining quantization parameters for the thermal video data, quantizing the thermal video data to generate quantized thermal video data content and video quantization information, and transmitting the quantized thermal video data stream and the video quantization information to a video analytics server over a network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Pelco, Inc.
    Inventors: Lei Wang, Farzin Aghdasi, Greg Millar
  • Patent number: 8848059
    Abstract: Systems and methods for receiving infrared data with a camera designed to detect images based on visible light are provided. A system can include a camera and image processing circuitry electrically coupled to the camera. The image processing circuitry can determine whether each image detected by the camera includes an infrared signal with encoded data. If the image processing circuitry determines that an image includes an infrared signal with encoded data, the circuitry may route at least a portion of the image (e.g., the infrared signal) to circuitry operative to decode the encoded data. If the image processing circuitry determines that an image does not include an infrared signal with encoded data, the circuitry may route the image to a display or storage. Images routed to the display or storage can then be used as individual pictures or frames in a video because those images do not include any effects of infrared light communications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Victor Tiscareno, Kevin Johnson, Cindy Lawrence
  • Patent number: 8823803
    Abstract: An IR camera includes a thermal radiation capturing arrangement for capturing thermal radiation of an imaged view in response to input control unit(s) receiving user inputs from a user of the IR camera; a processing unit arranged to process the thermal radiation data in order for the thermal radiation data to be displayed by an IR camera display as thermal images; and an IR camera display arranged to display thermal images to a user of the IR camera. The processing unit is further arranged to determine at least one temperature reference value representing the temperature of the surrounding environment of the imaged view; and calculate at least one output power value indicative of an amount of energy dissipated in a part of the imaged view by using the temperature value of the thermal radiation data corresponding to said part of the imaged view and the at least one determined temperature reference value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: FLIR Systems AB
    Inventors: Katrin Strandemar, Henrik Jönsson, Torbjörn Hamrelius, Gunnar Palm
  • Patent number: 8817106
    Abstract: Systems and methods disclosed herein provide an image capture component adapted to capture an infrared image, a control component adapted to provide a plurality of selectable processing modes to a user, receive a user input corresponding to a user selected processing mode, generate a control signal indicative of the user selected processing mode and transmit the generated control signal. The user selected processing modes, for example, may be directed to maritime applications, such as night docking, man overboard, night cruising, day cruising, hazy conditions, and/or shoreline modes. The systems and methods further provide a processing component adapted to receive the generated control signal from the control component, process the captured infrared image according to the user selected processing mode, and generate a processed infrared image, and a display component adapted to display the processed infrared image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: FLIR Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick B. Richardson, Jeffrey D. Frank, Austin A. Richards, Nicholas Högasten, James T. Woolaway
  • Patent number: 8659653
    Abstract: A device for evaluating the appearance of the surface of a tire (P) comprising a color linear camera (1) comprising means (14, 15, 16) for separating the light beam (F) reflected by the surface of said tire (P) and entering the camera (1) into at least two base colors (R, G, B) of given wavelength, so as to direct the light beam to as many sensors (11, 12, 13) capable of obtaining a basic image in gray level (41, 42, 43) for each of the base colors, as many lighting means (21, 22, 23) as base colors, said lighting means being oriented so as to light the surface to be evaluated at different angles, characterized in that each of the lighting means (21, 22, 23) emits a colored light (R, G, B) that differs from that of the other lighting means, and the wavelength of which corresponds substantially to the wavelength of one of the base colors selected by the camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignees: Michelin Recherche et Technique S.A., Compagnie Generale des Etablissements Michelin
    Inventors: Alexandre Joly, Jean-Paul Zanella
  • Patent number: 8400512
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the fields of imaging systems, security screenings, contraband object detection, microwave screening, millimeter wave screening and Terahertz screening. The present invention especially relates to a camera assisted sensor imaging system and a multi aspect imaging system. The camera assisted sensor imaging system according to the present invention comprises an optical and/or infrared camera unit for generating camera image information, a processing and control unit for detecting targets based on the generated camera image information, and a sensor unit adapted to successively scan portions of a detected target and to generate a plurality of corresponding image information parts, whereby the sensor unit is operable in the microwave, millimeter wave and/or Terahertz frequency range, and the processing and control unit is further adapted to construct an image of the target based on the image information parts and based on the generated camera image information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Stefan Koch, Marc Guthoerl
  • Patent number: 8384783
    Abstract: An IR camera includes a thermal radiation capturing arrangement for capturing thermal radiation of an imaged view in response to input control unit(s) receiving user inputs from a user of the IR camera; a processing unit arranged to process the thermal radiation data in order for the thermal radiation data to be displayed by an IR camera display as thermal images; and an IR camera display arranged to display thermal images to a user of the IR camera. The processing unit is further arranged to determine at least one temperature reference value representing the temperature of the surrounding environment of the imaged view; and calculate at least one output power value indicative of an amount of energy dissipated in a part of the imaged view by using the temperature value of the thermal radiation data corresponding to said part of the imaged view and the at least one determined temperature reference value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Flir Systems AB
    Inventors: Katrin Strandemar, Henrik Jönsson, Torbjörn Hamrelius, Gunnar Palm
  • Patent number: 8379091
    Abstract: The invention relates to an infrared camera comprising an optical zoom, characterized in that it comprises: —a matrix detector (5) comprising a cooled screen, a matrix able to detect infrared radiation; —a module (123) for modifying the focal length of the camera, the modifying module being able to vary the focal length of the camera so as to ensure the optical zoom function of the camera; and —an imager module (L4) able to ensure, for all the values of focal length of the camera: on the one hand the focusing of the infrared radiation on the matrix of the detector, and on the other hand the conjugation of the pupil of the camera on the cooled screen of the detector. The invention also relates to a method of observing a scene with the camera according to the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Sagem Defense Securite
    Inventors: Sylvie Colentier, Frédéric Duval
  • Patent number: 8374438
    Abstract: An imaging device and system include integration of an imaging camera (visible-light or near-infrared) with a thermal infrared sensor, capturing a baseline image from this camera simultaneously with acquisition of baseline thermal infrared data, which may correspond to a known good condition or part, automatic generation of an edge version of the baseline image for use as an alignment template, and on subsequent thermal infrared inspections, superposition of the alignment template on a live video image from the visible camera, so as to facilitate highly repeatable alignment of the thermal infrared sensor to an object being inspected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Redshift Systems Corporation
    Inventor: Matthias Wagner
  • Patent number: 8189877
    Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods to automatically analyze Landsat satellite data of forests. The present invention can easily be used to monitor any type of forest disturbance such as from selective logging, agriculture, cattle ranching, natural hazards (fire, wind events, storms), etc. The present invention provides a large-scale, high-resolution, automated remote sensing analysis of such disturbances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Carnegie Institution of Washington
    Inventor: Gregory P. Asner
  • Patent number: 7764324
    Abstract: A thermal imaging device is provided for converting an image in the terahertz radiation range to the visible range. In one embodiment, the device includes a converter having a thermochromic liquid crystal layer mounted on a sapphire base. In another embodiment, the device includes a thermal absorption layer including a metal selected from the group of iron, aluminum, tin, and copper. In a further embodiment, the device has an light source shaped as an annulus for illuminating a rearward surface of the converter, configured to permit visible light rays to pass through the annulus for capture by a digital detector. In a final embodiment, the device has a thermal adjustment device for adjusting the temperature of the thermochromic liquid crystal layer to an optimal temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Radiabeam Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gerald Andonian, Salime M. Boucher, Pedro E. Frigola, Alex Y. Murokh, Timur Shaftan, Gil Travish