Recent Patents in Signal Processing (February 2015) – Infrared Imaging and Signal Processing

For our February 2015 issue, we cover recent patents granted in the area of infrared imaging and analysis. The section below covers patents granted recently in the fields of vehicle speed detection, analyzing electroluminescence samples, terahertz imaging systems, IR imaging devices and  vehicle mounted communication systems.

A system and method is presented in Patent no. 8,935,082, which detects and uses a point of contact between a vehicle's tire and the pavement as a reference point to improve the accuracy of vehicle speed detection in a motorized vehicle speed detection system. In one embodiment, a plurality of infrared images of a moving vehicle are received. Each of the images is separated in time by known intervals. The images are captured using an infrared camera which can be a single-band or multi-band camera which operates in an infrared wavelength band selected to enhance a contrast between the vehicle's tires and the road surface. For each image, a point of contact is determined where a same tire contacts the road surface. These points and the time interval separations are used to calculate the vehicle's speed. An alert signal is initiated to a traffic enforcement authority if the speed exceeds the road's speed limit.

In Patent no. 8,934,089 and apparatus is provided for analyzing an electroluminescence sample, which comprises: a pulse generator for applying a pulse driving signal to the electroluminescence sample; an electroluminescence (EL) detector for receiving electroluminescence which is emitted from the electroluminescence sample according to the application of the pulse driving signal, thereby acquiring a light-receiving signal; a temperature controller for varying the temperature of the electroluminescence sample; and an electroluminescence transient spectroscopy (ELTS) analysis unit for analyzing a change in a time division section of the light-receiving signal delayed depending on a change of the temperature of the electroluminescence sample, and acquiring information on a defect-type charge trap which exists in the electroluminescence sample.

The disclosure no. 8,934,021 describes antenna elements, terahertz detector arrays formed by antenna elements, and dual-mode terahertz imaging systems that operate using terahertz detector array(s). The antenna element includes a horn receiver configured to collect radiation and capture the radiation using an antenna positioned in or proximate to a throat of the horn receiver. The antenna element also includes antenna posts electrically coupled to the antenna and extending through irises in a conducting ground plane and conductive traces electrically coupling the antenna posts to an antenna load. In addition, the antenna element includes a bolometer mounted on a first substrate, where the bolometer is electrically isolated from the antenna load and in thermal contact with the antenna load. The antenna could include a bow tie antenna having first and second arms on a first surface of a second substrate, where the ground plane is on a second surface of the second substrate.

The invention no. 8,933,403 relates to a method and device for measuring at least two properties of an object, for some embodiments, said device comprising a measuring device for measuring at least one physical property of an object and an infrared imaging device for measuring at least one thermal property of an object, and wherein said first measuring device and said infrared imaging device are arranged to be synchronized to perform simultaneous measurements of the object.

In the invention no. 8,446,267 a communication system, including an apparatus, method and program, is provided for communicating a message from a vehicle to a location. The communication system detects a distance to an object that is located at the location and a speed of the vehicle. A target distance is then calculated on the basis of the detected distance to the object and the detected speed of the vehicle. A determination is made as to whether the object is configured for communication with the vehicle. According to the determination, a message is communicated to the object from the vehicle.

If you have an interesting patent to share when we next feature patents related to infrared imaging, or if you are especially interested in a signal processing research field that you would want to be highlighted in this section, please send email to Csaba Benedek (benedek.csaba AT sztaki DOT mta DOT hu).

References

Number: 8,935,082
Title:  Vehicle speed determination via infrared imaging  
Inventors:  E.N. Dalal and W. Wu
Issued:  January 13,2015
Assignee:  Xerox Corporation (Norwalk, CT)

Number: 8,934,089
Title:  Electroluminescence sample analysis apparatus
Inventors:  H.Y. Cho, D.W. Lee, D.W. Kwak and H.Y. Choi
Issued:  January 13, 2015
Assignee: Dongguk University Industry-Academic Cooperation Foundation (Seoul, KR)

Number: 8,934,021
Title:  Dual-mode terahertz imaging systems
Inventors:  Eden; Dayton D.
Issued:  January 13, 2015

Number: 8,933,403
Title:  Method and device for measurement with an IR imaging device
Inventors:  E. Vanneau
Issued:   January 13, 2015
Assignee: FLIR Systems AB

Number: 8,446,267
Title:  Vehicle-mounted transducer  
Inventors: S. Schraga
Issued: May 21, 2013