James Lee England

US Patent:

7403268, Jul 22, 2008

Filed:

Feb 9, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/351235

Inventors:

James N. England - Chapel Hill NC, US
Aron T. Helser - Chapel Hill NC, US
Benjamin C. Elgin - Hillsborough NC, US
Richard L. Holloway - Chapel Hill NC, US

Assignee:

Deltasphere, Inc. - Chapel Hill NC

International Classification:

G01C 3/08

US Classification:

356 401

Abstract:

A method, computer program product, and apparatus for obtaining the geometric correspondence between at least two 3D range data sets obtained using a 3D rangefinder device. First and second 3D range data sets are provided. The first 3D range data set is displayed as a 2D displayed image. The second 3D range data set is displayed as one of a second 2D displayed image and a 3D displayed image. Corresponding features within the first 2D displayed image and within the second displayed image are respectively specified. A 3D transformation between the first 3D range data set and the second 3D range data set is computed based on the geometry of the specified corresponding features. As such, that the geometric correspondence between the two 3D range data sets may be determined.

US Patent:

7477359, Jan 13, 2009

Filed:

Feb 9, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/351246

Inventors:

James N. England - Chapel Hill NC, US
Aron T. Helser - Chapel Hill NC, US
Benjamin C. Elgin - Hillsborough NC, US
Richard L. Holloway - Chapel Hill NC, US

Assignee:

DeltaSphere, Inc. - Chapel Hill NC

International Classification:

G01C 3/08

US Classification:

356 401, 356 41, 356 501

Abstract:

A method, computer program product, and apparatus for making and displaying measurements based upon multiple 3D range data sets obtained using a 3D rangefinder device. At least a first and a second 3D range data sets are provided. A 3D transformation is computed therebetween. The first 3D range data set is represented as a first displayed image and the second 3D range data set is represented as a second displayed image. At least two features are identified within the first and second displayed images respectively. A measurement is computed based on at least the first feature and the second feature utilizing the 3D transformation between the first and second 3D range data sets. The computed measurement may be displayed within at least one of the first displayed image and the second displayed image.

US Patent:

7477360, Jan 13, 2009

Filed:

Feb 9, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/351248

Inventors:

James N. England - Chapel Hill NC, US
Aron T. Helser - Chapel Hill NC, US
Benjamin C. Elgin - Hillsborough NC, US
Richard L. Holloway - Chapel Hill NC, US

Assignee:

DeltaSphere, Inc. - Chapel Hill NC

International Classification:

G01C 3/08

US Classification:

356 401

Abstract:

Method, computer program product, and apparatus for displaying a 2D image data set combined with a 3D range data set. A 3D range data set and at least one 2D image data set which differs from the 3D range data set in resolution, origin, or both, are provided. The 3D range data set is represented as a first displayed image while each 2D image data set is represented as at least a second displayed image. Corresponding features are identified within each displayed image. 3D transformation is computed between the 3D range data set and at least one 2D image data set using the specified corresponding features to establish geometric correspondence. At least one 2D image data set is represented as a third displayed image, wherein a 3D coordinate can be computed for any specified pixel of each 2D image data set using the 3D transformation and 3D range data set.

US Patent:

7777761, Aug 17, 2010

Filed:

Feb 9, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/351234

Inventors:

James N. England - Chapel Hill NC, US
Aron T. Helser - Chapel Hill NC, US
Benjamin C. Elgin - Hillsborough NC, US
Richard L. Holloway - Chapel Hill NC, US

Assignee:

DeltaSphere, Inc. - Durham NC

International Classification:

G06T 7/00

US Classification:

345619, 382291, 382294

Abstract:

A method, computer program product, and apparatus for specifying, making, and displaying measurements within a 3D range data set obtained using a 3D rangefinder device. A 3D range data set is provided and represented as a first 2D displayed image and a second displayed image. The second displayed image is selected from the group consisting of a second 2D displayed image and a 3D displayed image. At least one feature is identified in the first 2D displayed image and the second displayed image, such that a measurement can be computed based on the identified features. The computed measurement is displayed in at least one of the first 2D displayed image and the second displayed image.

US Patent:

7974461, Jul 5, 2011

Filed:

Feb 9, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/351245

Inventors:

James N. England - Chapel Hill NC, US
Aron T. Helser - Chapel Hill NC, US
Benjamin C. Elgin - Hillsborough NC, US
Richard L. Holloway - Chapel Hill NC, US

Assignee:

DeltaSphere, Inc. - Durham NC

International Classification:

G06K 9/00

US Classification:

382154, 382190, 715851, 356601

Abstract:

A method, computer program product, and apparatus for displaying a calculated geometric entity within at least one 3D range data set obtained using a 3D rangefinder device. At least a first 3D range data set is provided. Each 3D range data set is displayed as at least one displayed image. A calculated geometric entity selected from the group consisting of a vector, a surface, and a volume, is specified. The calculated geometric entity may be displayed merged within at least one displayed image.

US Patent:

20070064976, Mar 22, 2007

Filed:

Sep 19, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/523292

Inventors:

James England - Chapel Hill NC, US

International Classification:

G06K 9/00

US Classification:

382106000, 382154000

Abstract:

Methods, systems, and computer program products for acquiring three-dimensional range information are disclosed. According to one aspect, acquiring three-dimensional range information of a scene includes obtaining multiple pixel-shifted images of a scene, where at least one of the images being shifted by a non-integer pixel value with respect to another of the images, Obtaining each of the pixel-shifted images includes generating electromagnetic radiation that is reflected from target objects in the scene about which range information is desired. The reflected electromagnetic radiation is collected using a sensor array of at least two dimensions, where an array of pixels is captured simultaneously. A data value is determined for each captured pixel based on analysis of the collected electromagnetic radiation, by combining the data values from the pixel-shifted images to create a super-resolution image of the scene, and by analyzing the data values of the super-resolution image to determine a three-dimensional location for each pixel of the super-resolution image.

US Patent:

20110255749, Oct 20, 2011

Filed:

Jul 1, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/175622

Inventors:

James N. England - Chapel Hill NC, US
Aron T. Helser - Chapel Hill NC, US
Benjamin C. Elgin - Hillsborough NC, US
Richard L. Holloway - Chapel Hill NC, US

International Classification:

G06K 9/00

US Classification:

382106

Abstract:

A method, computer program product, and apparatus for displaying a calculated geometric entity within at least one 3D range data set obtained using a 3D rangefinder device. At least a first 3D range data set is provided. Each 3D range data set is displayed as at least one displayed image. A calculated geometric entity that represents a non-physical entity is specified. The calculated geometric entity is displayed merged within at least one displayed image, where the calculated geometric entity represents something other than the physical objects represented by the first 3D range data set.