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Light analyzer device and method for detecting objects utilizing the light analyzer device

Light analyzer device and method for detecting objects utilizing the light analyzer device description/claims

This application relates to a light analyzer device and a method for detecting objects utilizing the light analyzer device.

An infrared imaging device has been developed that generates an image on a display monitor corresponding to a scene during low light level conditions. A user of the infrared imaging device, however, may not be able to readily identify desired objects in the image. This is a significant drawback to a user attempting to utilize the infrared imaging device to view desired objects in the scene. The inventors herein have also recognized that the user may also want to be alerted that a specific type of object is being imaged without needing to focus their attention on a visual display.

Accordingly, the inventors herein have recognized a need for a light analyzer device and a method that minimizes and/or eliminates the above mentioned deficiencies.

A light analyzer device in accordance with an exemplary embodiment is provided the light analyzer device includes a light filter configured to receive light and to allow light within a predetermined wavelength range therein to pass through the light filter. The light analyzer device further includes a focal plane array configured to receive the light that has passed through the light filter and to generate a first digital image based on the light that has passed through the light filter. The light analyzer device further includes a microprocessor operably coupled to the focal plane array. The microprocessor is configured to receive the first digital image, and to determine whether the first digital image corresponds to a stored digital image. The light analyzer device further includes a light emitting device operably coupled to the microprocessor. The microprocessor is further configured to induce the light emitting device to output a visual indicator indicating that the first digital image corresponds to the stored digital image, when the microprocessor determines the first digital image corresponds to the stored digital image.

A method for detecting objects utilizing a light analyzer device in accordance with another exemplary embodiment is provided. The light analyzer device has a light filter, a focal plane array disposed proximate the light filter, a microprocessor operably coupled to the focal plane array, and a light emitting device operably coupled to the microprocessor. The method includes receiving light at the light filter and filtering the light such that only light within a predetermined wavelength range passes through the light filter. The method further includes receiving the light that has passed through the light filler at the focal plane array. The method further includes generating a first digital image based on the light received at the focal plane array and sending the first digital image to the microprocessor, utilizing the focal plane array. The method further includes determining whether the first digital image corresponds to a stored digital image, utilizing the microprocessor. The method further includes outputting a visual indicator from the light emitting device indicating that the first digital image corresponds to the stored digital image, when the microprocessor determines the first digital image corresponds to the stored digital image.

A light analyzer device in accordance with another exemplary embodiment is provided. The light analyzer device includes a light filter configured to receive light and to allow light within a predetermined wavelength range therein to pass through the light filter. The light analyzer device further includes a focal plane array configured to receive the light that has passed through the light filter and to generate a first digital image based on the light that has passed through the light filter. The light analyzer device further includes a microprocessor operably coupled to the focal plane array. The microprocessor is configured to receive the first digital image, and to determine whether the first digital image corresponds to a stored digital image. The light analyzer device further includes an electrical speaker operably coupled to the microprocessor. The microprocessor is further configured to induce the electrical speaker to output a sound indicating that the first digital image corresponds to the stored digital image, when the microprocessor determines the first digital image corresponds to the stored digital image.

A light analyzer device in accordance with another exemplary embodiment is provided. The light analyzer device includes a light filter configured to receive light and to allow light within a predetermined wavelength range therein to pass through the light filter. The light analyzer device further includes a focal plane array configured to receive the light that has passed through the light filter and to generate a first digital image based on the light that has passed through the light filter. The light analyzer device further includes a microprocessor operably coupled to the focal plane array. The microprocessor is configured to receive the first digital image, and to determine whether the first digital image corresponds to a stored digital image. The light analyzer device further includes a vibratable device operably coupled to the microprocessor. The microprocessor is further configured to induce the vibratable device to vibrate indicating that the first digital image corresponds to the stored digital image, when the microprocessor determines the first digital image corresponds to the stored digital image.

FIG. 1 is a schematic of a light analyzer device in accordance with an exemplary embodiment; and

FIGS. 2-3 are flowcharts of a method for detecting objects utilizing the light analyzer device of FIG. 1.

Referring to FIG. 1, a light analyzer device 10 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment is shown. The light analyzer device 10 includes a focusing optical lens 12, a light filter 14, a focal plane array 16, a microprocessor 18, a memory device 20, a voltage source 22, a light emitting device 26, an electrical speaker 27, a vibratable device 29, a projection optical lens 28, and a beam splitter 30.

The focusing optical lens 12 is provided to receive light from an environment scene 31 and to focus the light on the light filter 14. The light filter 14 receives the light from the focusing optical lens 12 and only allows light within a predetermined wavelength range to pass through the light filter 14. For example, in one exemplary embodiment, the predetermined wavelength range is the infrared wavelength range. Of course, the predetermined wavelength range could be outside of the infrared wavelength range.

The focal plane array 16 is disposed proximate the light lifter 14. In one exemplary embodiment, the focal plane array 16 is disposed approximately one focal length behind the focusing lens 12, so that light from a scene is focused onto the focal plane array 16. The light filter 14 is disposed between the focusing lens 12 and the focal plane array 16 so that light that reaches the focal plane array 16 first passes through the light filter 14. During operation, the focal plane array 16 receives the light from the light filter 14 and generates a digital image based on the light. The focal plane array 16 is further transmits the digital image to the microprocessor 18.

The microprocessor 18 is provided to receive the digital image from the focal place array 16 and to determine whether the received digital image corresponds to one of a plurality of digital images stored in the memory device 20. For example, a stored digital image 21 in the memory device 20 can comprise one of image of a pedestrian proximate a roadway, an image of the person riding a bicycle, an image of a child, and an image of a dog. As illustrated, the microprocessor 18 is operably coupled to the focal plane array 16, the memory device 20, the power source 22, and the light emitting device 26. During operation, when the microprocessor 18 receives the digital image from the focal plane array 16, the microprocessor 18 retrieves one or more stored digital images from the memory device 20. Thereafter, the microprocessor 18 compares the digital image from the focal plane array 16 to each of the retrieved store digital images to determine whether any portion of the received digital image from the focal plane array has a relatively high degree of correlation to one of the retrieved stored digital images. If the degree of correlation between any portion of the digital image received from the focal plane array 16 and a stored digital image is greater than a threshold correlation value, the digital image received from the focal plane array 16 corresponds to the stored digital image. In this event, the microprocessor 18 performs the following tasks: (i) generates a visual indicator indicating that a predefined object has been detected in the digital image received from the focal plane array 16, (ii) generates a signal to induce the electrical speaker 27 to emit a sound indicating the predefined object has been detected in the digital image received from the focal plane array 16, and (iii) generates another signal to induce the vibratable device 29 to vibrate indicating the predefined object has been detected in the digital image received from the focal plane array 16. Further, the microprocessor 18 generates signals to induce the light emitting device 26 to display the digital image received from the focal plane array 16.

• Provisional Patent
• Utility Patent

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