Robert E Tripp

US Patent:

46583190, Apr 14, 1987

Filed:

Oct 18, 1984

Appl. No.:

6/662495

Inventors:

Robert R. Tripp - Orange CA
Charles H. Watts - Huntington Beach CA

Assignee:

Odetics, Inc. - Anaheim CA

International Classification:

H04N 5782

US Classification:

360 111

Abstract:

A time lapse video recorder includes auto monitoring circuitry for ensuring that proper recordings are being made. During the time between intermittent recording of fields by the time lapse recorder, the recorder is switched to a read mode of operation and the previously recorded field is monitored. If the monitored signal is of improper amplitude or frequency, an error detector activates an alarm. The invention may also be used with non-time lapse recorders to enable the quality of a recording to be checked without requiring rewinding of tape.

US Patent:

20160132714, May 12, 2016

Filed:

Oct 29, 2015

Appl. No.:

14/927137

Inventors:

- Oakland CA, US
Robert D. Tripp - Berkeley CA, US
Scott L. Stephens - Walnut Creek CA, US
Nina M. Kelly - Berkeley CA, US
Marek K. Jakubowski - Berkeley CA, US
Mike Lampton - Berkeley CA, US

Assignee:

THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA - Oakland CA

International Classification:

G06K 9/00
G06K 9/62
G06K 9/40
G06T 7/00
H04N 5/33

Abstract:

A fire detector is disclosed that successively images a particular area from geosynchronous Earth orbit satellite to attain very good signal-to-noise ratios against Poisson fluctuations within one second. Differences between such images allow for the automatic detection of small fires greater than 12 square meters. Imaging typically takes place in transparent bands of the infrared spectrum, thereby rendering smoke from the fire and light clouds somewhat transparent. Several algorithms are disclosed that can help reduce false fire alarms, and their efficiencies are shown. Early fire detection and response would be of great value in the United States and other nations, as wild land fires destroy property and lives and contribute around five percent of the US global carbon dioxide contribution. Such apparatus would incorporate modern imaging detectors, software, and algorithms able to detect heat from early and small fires, and yield detection times on a scale of minutes.