Mary Cameron Hulgan

US Patent:

7203339, Apr 10, 2007

Filed:

Jun 26, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/608119

Inventors:

Andrew J. Nevis - Panama City FL, US
James F. Bryan - Lynn Haven FL, US
Brett W. Cordes - Panama City Beach FL, US
James S. Taylor - Panama City Beach FL, US
Mary C. Hulgan - Lynn Haven FL, US

Assignee:

The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy - Washington DC

International Classification:

G06K 9/00

US Classification:

382103, 382255, 382274

Abstract:

A method is provided for enhancing two-dimensional contrast and range images rendered from three-dimensional STIL data. A series of sequential steps are provided for each of the rendered contrast image data and rendered range image data. Briefly, the rendered contrast image data is scaled based on a mean intensity value of all pixels of data therein, stretched to a predetermined dynamic range, modified to compensate for jitter and CCD array effects associated with the STIL camera system, normalized using an exponential decay function that describes contrast intensity roll-off associated therewith, and has a histogram clip routine applied thereto. The rendered range image data is modified to compensate for jitter effects associated with the STIL camera system, has background portions of the resulting data modified to compensate for CCD array effects and range intensity roll-off associated with the STIL camera system, has a “salt and pepper” noise reduction routine applied thereto, and has a histogram clip routine applied thereto.

US Patent:

7215826, May 8, 2007

Filed:

Apr 28, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/429330

Inventors:

Andrew J. Nevis - Panama City FL, US
James F. Bryan - Lynn Haven FL, US
Brett W. Cordes - Panama City Beach FL, US
James S. Taylor - Panama City Beach FL, US
Mary C. Hulgan - Lynn Haven FL, US

Assignee:

The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy - Washington DC

International Classification:

G06K 9/40

US Classification:

382275, 382260, 382288

Abstract:

A rendering method converts three-dimensional streak tube imaging lidar (STIL) data to two-dimensional contrast and range maps thereof. A temporal portion of the STIL data is processed for each pixel of the three-dimensional image. Each temporal portion includes a Gaussian-like portion and non-Gaussian-like portions. Processing for each pixel includes: (i) removing noise from the temporal portion using the non-Gaussian-like portions wherein a filtered form of the Gaussian-like portion is formed, (ii) determining a non-integer center of mass of the filtered form of the Gaussian-like portion with the non-integer center of mass being indicative of a range value, and (iii) applying a mathematical interpolation function to determine amplitude of the filtered form of the Gaussian-like portion at the range value defined by the non-integer center of mass. The amplitude so-determined is indicative of a contrast value. The process is repeated for all pixels to thereby produce range and contrast maps.

US Patent:

7272242, Sep 18, 2007

Filed:

Apr 26, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/834155

Inventors:

Andrew J. Nevis - Panama City FL, US
James F. Bryan - Lynn Haven FL, US
Brett W. Cordes - Panama City Beach FL, US
James S. Taylor - Panama City Beach FL, US
Mary C. Hulgan - Lynn Haven FL, US

Assignee:

United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy - Washington DC

International Classification:

G06K 9/00

US Classification:

382103, 382299, 348 25, 345177

Abstract:

A method of object detection in an image uses a background anomaly approach that searches for anomalies of a particular size and shape that are distinguishable from the image's local background. Included is a geometric classifier used to distinguish regularly-shaped objects from irregularly-shaped objects.

US Patent:

7164788, Jan 16, 2007

Filed:

Jun 26, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/609900

Inventors:

Andrew J. Nevis - Panama City FL, US
James F. Bryan - Lynn Haven FL, US
Brett W. Cordes - Panama City Beach FL, US
James S. Taylor - Panama City Beach FL, US
Mary C. Hulgan - Lynn Haven FL, US

Assignee:

The United States of America as represented by the secretary of the Navy - Washington DC

International Classification:

G06K 9/00
G06K 9/40
G06K 9/36

US Classification:

382154, 382254, 382274, 382285, 345419, 356 12, 348 42, 359462

Abstract:

A method is provided for enhancing two-dimensional range images rendered from three-dimensional STIL data. Briefly, the rendered range image data is modified to compensate for jitter effects associated with the STIL camera system, has background portions of the resulting data modified to compensate for CCD array effects and range intensity roll-off associated with the STIL camera system, has a “salt and pepper” noise reduction routine applied thereto, and has a histogram clip routine applied thereto.

US Patent:

7164787, Jan 16, 2007

Filed:

Jun 26, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/609899

Inventors:

Andrew J. Nevis - Panama City FL, US
James F. Bryan - Lynn Haven FL, US
Brett W. Cordes - Panama City Beach FL, US
James S. Taylor - Panama City Beach FL, US
Mary C. Hulgan - Lynn Haven FL, US

Assignee:

The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy - Washington DC

International Classification:

G06K 9/00
G06K 9/40
G06K 9/36

US Classification:

382154, 382254, 382274, 382285, 345419, 356 12, 348 42, 359462

Abstract:

A method is provided for enhancing two-dimensional contrast images rendered from three-dimensional STIL data. Briefly, the rendered contrast image data is scaled based on a mean intensity value of all pixels of data therein, stretched to a predetermined dynamic range, modified to compensate for jitter and CCD array effects associated with the STIL camera system, normalized using an exponential decay function that describes contrast intensity roll-off associated therewith, and has a histogram clip routine applied thereto.