Gregory K Roberts

US Patent:

6493110, Dec 10, 2002

Filed:

Apr 5, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/543736

Inventors:

Gregory B. Roberts - Mountain View CA 94040

International Classification:

G06F 1300

US Classification:

358 12, 358 15, 400103, 23546201

Abstract:

A method and system for rendering accurate bar code images in a distributed network wherein a plurality of different types of rendering devices, such as printers, having different resolution characteristics are connected for rendering such images. The resolution of a connected rendering device is detected and the bar code image to be rendered by such device is scaled to effect proper alignment of the resolution units of the bar code and the rendering device whereby the need for interpolation is effectively obviated. The bar code is scaled by a whole integer multiplier of the minimum bar code size based upon at least one dimension of the print area of the bar code display and the resolution characteristic of the rendering device. The bar code image is aligned or mapped and is centered in the display area with equal units of the excess print area on either side of the image. By avoiding the need to interpolate print data by the rendering device, the bar code rendering system defeats inaccuracies in detection and decoding and provides a more reliable data recovery system.

US Patent:

6651933, Nov 25, 2003

Filed:

May 1, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/137768

Inventors:

German von Thal - Aliso Viejo CA
Gregory Allen Roberts - Costa Mesa CA

Assignee:

The Boeing Company - Chicago IL

International Classification:

B64C 100

US Classification:

244136, 244135 A

Abstract:

An aircraft refueling boom load alleviation system uses received light to detect boom displacement and generates a control signal to correct the displacement. Both a set of flight surfaces and a plurality of light imageable targeting sights are disposed on a refueling tube. At least one digital camera converts the light imageable shape of each of the targeting sights to individual pixel images. The pixel images converted by the digital camera are input to a computer system. The computer system recognizes either a displacement of pixel images or a quantity change of pixels between pixel images as a displacement of the refueling tube. The computer system calculates the displacement of any of the pixel images. A signal is generated to control the refueling tube flight surfaces to correct the displacement.

US Patent:

6752357, Jun 22, 2004

Filed:

May 10, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/143599

Inventors:

German von Thal - Aliso Viejo CA
Gregory Allen Roberts - Costa Mesa CA

Assignee:

The Boeing Company - Chicago IL

International Classification:

B64D 3900

US Classification:

244135A, 244161

Abstract:

An aircraft distance measuring system analyzes images from at least one camera using a known refueling boom length and boom nozzle location to identify a distance between the boom nozzle and a receiving aircraft refueling receptacle. Existing sensors identify boom extended length and angle. The refueling boom and camera connection points on the refueling aircraft provide reference points. Each camera takes a plurality of images of the boom nozzle and the refueling receptacle which are converted to pixel images. A plurality of different aircraft are stored as wire-models in a computer. The computer compares the receiving aircraft image to the wire-model images and a receiving aircraft type having a known refueling receptacle position is selected. The computer continuously uses the camera images and analyzes for position, range and aspect to continuously calculate (i. e. , update) the distance between the boom nozzle and the receiving aircraft refueling receptacle.

US Patent:

6837462, Jan 4, 2005

Filed:

Sep 24, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/669753

Inventors:

German von Thal - Aliso Viejo CA, US
Gregory Allen Roberts - Costa Mesa CA, US

Assignee:

The Boeing Company - Chicago IL

International Classification:

B64C 100

US Classification:

244135A, 244136

Abstract:

An aircraft refueling boom load alleviation system uses received light to detect boom displacement and generates a control signal to correct the displacement. Both a set of flight surfaces and a plurality of light imageable targeting sights are disposed on a refueling tube. At least one digital camera converts the light imageable shape of each of the targeting sights to individual pixel images. The pixel images converted by the digital camera are input to a computer system. The computer system recognizes either a displacement of pixel images or a quantity change of pixels between pixel images as a displacement of the refueling tube. The computer system calculates the displacement of any of the pixel images. A signal is generated to control the refueling tube flight surfaces to correct the displacement.

US Patent:

6882442, Apr 19, 2005

Filed:

Dec 9, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/314267

Inventors:

Gregory B. Roberts - Mountain View CA, US

International Classification:

G06F015/00

US Classification:

358 12, 358 118, 400102, 235462

Abstract:

A method and system for rendering accurate bar code images in a distributed network wherein a plurality of different types of rendering devices, such as printers, having different resolution characteristics are connected for rendering such images. The resolution of a connected rendering device is detected and the bar code image to be rendered by such device is scaled to effect proper alignment of the resolution units of the bar code and the rendering device whereby the need for interpolation is effectively obviated. The bar code is scaled by a whole integer multiplier of the minimum bar code size based upon at least one dimension of the print area of the bar code display and the resolution characteristic of the rendering device. The bar code image is aligned or mapped and is centered in the display area with equal units of the excess print area on either side of the image. By avoiding the need to interpolate print data by the rendering device, the bar code rendering system defeats inaccuracies in detection and decoding and provides a more reliable data recovery system.

US Patent:

7171028, Jan 30, 2007

Filed:

Nov 22, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/301950

Inventors:

German von Thal - Santa Maria CA, US
Gregory A. Roberts - Costa Mesa CA, US

Assignee:

The Boeing Company - Chicago IL

International Classification:

G06K 9/00

US Classification:

382107, 348154, 356 27, 73488

Abstract:

Apparatus and methods for covertly determining the rate of motion between a pixel-based imaging device and a target being viewed by the pixel-based imaging device. The method involves using the pixel-based imaging device to acquire a first and a second digital image of the target. The second digital image is acquired a time interval after the first digital image. The time interval and pixel counts for the pixel set within the first and the second digital image representing a particular portion of the target are then used to determine a rate of relative motion between the pixel-based imaging device and the target. Advantageously, the rate of relative motion is determined covertly such that the locations of the pixel-based imaging device and the target are not disclosed or broadcast to third parties.

US Patent:

7209161, Apr 24, 2007

Filed:

Jul 15, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/195837

Inventors:

German Von Thal - Santa Maria CA, US
Gregory A. Roberts - Costa Mesa CA, US

Assignee:

The Boeing Company - Chicago IL

International Classification:

H04N 13/00

US Classification:

348 42, 348 47, 348 46, 348 95, 348 94, 348190, 348187, 348222

Abstract:

An apparatus and method for detecting and correcting for physical misalignments of a pair of digital cameras creating a composite, three dimensional (3D) image of a target. The method involves using the distances from each of a pair of digital cameras to a target and determining correction offset values for one or the other of the images produced in the digital cameras to achieve pixel-to-pixel coincidence of the two images. The correction offset values are calculated and performed in real time and eliminate the need to physically remove a common platform on which the cameras are mounted from a mobile platform or other support structure, and to transport same to a laboratory environment for the needed calibration. Advantageously, the correction values are generated electronically and applied in real time as any misalignment between the cameras is sensed.

US Patent:

7315656, Jan 1, 2008

Filed:

May 22, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/444636

Inventors:

German Von Thal - Laguna Niguel CA, US
Gregory A. Roberts - Costa Mesa CA, US

Assignee:

The Boeing Company - Chicago IL

International Classification:

G06K 9/40

US Classification:

382254, 382263

Abstract:

Methods and apparatus for digitally enhancing images are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method includes performing a wavelet transformation process on an acquired image to provide a low pass spatial frequency. A dynamic range and a mixing value are then determined from the low pass spatial frequency, and the mixing value is applied to provide a transformed output image. The transformed output image is then reformatted to provide a mixed output image, and the mixed output image is subtracted from the acquired image to provide an enhanced image. In an alternate embodiment, a method includes analyzing an acquired image to provide a high sensitive low light image and a low sensitive high light image, and then summing the high sensitive low light image and the low sensitive high light image to create an enhanced image.