Robert W Kester

US Patent:

20110285995, Nov 24, 2011

Filed:

Nov 4, 2009

Appl. No.:

13/127401

Inventors:

Tomasz S. Tkaczyk - Houston TX, US
Robert T. Kester - Pearland TX, US
Liang Gao - Houston TX, US

Assignee:

WILLIAM MARSH RICE UNIVERSITY - Houston TX

International Classification:

G01J 3/28

US Classification:

356326

Abstract:

Devices and methods for hyperspectral and multispectral imaging are discussed. In particular, Image Mapping Spectrometer systems, methods of use, and methods of manufacture are presented. Generally, an image mapping spectrometer comprises an image mapping field unit, a spectral separation unit, and a selective imager. Image mapping spectrometers may be used in spectral imaging of optical samples. In some embodiments, the image mapping field unit of an image mapping spectrometer may be manufactured with surface shaped diamond tools.

US Patent:

20130321806, Dec 5, 2013

Filed:

Nov 30, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/992101

Inventors:

Robert T. Kester - Pearland TX, US
Tomasz S. Tkaczyk - Houston TX, US

Assignee:

WILLIAM MARSH RICE UNIVERSITY - Houston TX

International Classification:

G01J 3/447

US Classification:

356327

Abstract:

A method for imaging a sample, the method includes, during a single acquisition event, receiving a first polarization-encoded EM field for a first point and a second polarization-encoded EM field for a second point. The method further includes re-directing the first polarization-encoded EM field along a first pre-determined direction to a first location on a dispersing re-imager and the second polarization-encoded EM field along a second pre-determined direction to a second location on the dispersing re-imager. The method further includes spectrally dispersing the first polarization-encoded EM field to obtain a first spectrum, re-imaging the first spectrum onto a first location on a detector, spectrally dispersing the second polarization-encoded EM field to obtain a second spectrum, re-imaging the second spectrum onto a second location on the detector, and detecting the first re-imaged spectrum and the second re-imaged spectrum.

US Patent:

20220326147, Oct 13, 2022

Filed:

Jun 22, 2022

Appl. No.:

17/808273

Inventors:

- Houston TX, US
Ohad Israel BALILA - Friendswood TX, US
Robert Timothy KESTER - Friendswood TX, US

International Classification:

G01N 21/3504
H04N 5/33
G01J 5/0806
G01N 21/31

Abstract:

An infrared (IR) imaging system for determining a concentration of a target species in an object is disclosed. The imaging system can include an optical system including a focal plane array (FPA) unit behind an optical window. The optical system can have components defining at least two optical channels thereof, said at least two optical channels being spatially and spectrally different from one another. Each of the at least two optical channels can be positioned to transfer IR radiation incident on the optical system towards the optical FPA. The system can include a processing unit containing a processor that can be configured to acquire multispectral optical data representing said target species from the IR radiation received at the optical FPA. One or more of the optical channels may be used in detecting objects on or near the optical window, to avoid false detections of said target species.

US Patent:

20220196548, Jun 23, 2022

Filed:

Mar 10, 2022

Appl. No.:

17/654320

Inventors:

- Houston TX, US
Ohad Israel BALILA - Friendswood TX, US
Robert Timothy KESTER - Friendswood TX, US

International Classification:

G01N 21/3504
H04N 5/33
G01J 5/0806
G01N 21/31

Abstract:

An infrared (IR) imaging system for determining a concentration of a target species in an object is disclosed. The imaging system can include an optical system including a focal plane array (FPA) unit behind an optical window. The optical system can have components defining at least two optical channels thereof, said at least two optical channels being spatially and spectrally different from one another. Each of the at least two optical channels can be positioned to transfer IR radiation incident on the optical system towards the optical FPA. The system can include a processing unit containing a processor that can be configured to acquire multispectral optical data representing said target species from the IR radiation received at the optical FPA. One or more of the optical channels may be used in detecting objects on or near the optical window, to avoid false detections of said target species.

US Patent:

20210344852, Nov 4, 2021

Filed:

Apr 27, 2021

Appl. No.:

17/241478

Inventors:

- Houston TX, US
Robert Timothy KESTER - Friendswood TX, US
Suresh VENKATARAYALU - Waxhaw NC, US
Patrick Charles O'DRISCOLL - Houston TX, US
Steve Patrick GAUTIERI - Gladstone MO, US
Venus J. DANTAS - Arlington Heights IL, US
Carlos A. CLAVERIA - Buffalo Grove IL, US
Ronald J. MARTIN - Nicholson GA, US
Michael Jon FREEMAN - Cambridge, CA
Ryan Patrick MALLERY - Houston TX, US

International Classification:

H04N 5/33
G01J 5/02

Abstract:

In one embodiment, an infrared (IR) imaging system for determining a concentration of a target species in an object is disclosed. The imaging system can include an optical system including an optical focal plane array (FPA) unit. The optical system can have components defining at least two optical channels thereof, said at least two optical channels being spatially and spectrally different from one another. Each of the at least two optical channels can be positioned to transfer IR radiation incident on the optical system towards the optical FPA. The system can include a processing unit containing a processor that can be configured to acquire multispectral optical data representing said target species from the IR radiation received at the optical FPA. Said optical system and said processing unit can be contained together in a data acquisition and processing module configured to be worn or carried by a person.

US Patent:

20210250525, Aug 12, 2021

Filed:

Apr 29, 2021

Appl. No.:

17/302306

Inventors:

- Houston TX, US
Robert Timothy Kester - Friendswood TX, US

International Classification:

H04N 5/33
G01J 3/02
G01J 3/28
G01J 5/00
H04N 5/225
G01N 21/3504
G02B 5/20
G06K 9/00
G06K 9/20
G01J 5/08
G01J 5/04
G01J 5/02

Abstract:

In one embodiment, an infrared (IR) imaging system for determining a concentration of a target species in an object is disclosed. The imaging system can include an optical system including an optical focal plane array (FPA) unit. The optical system can have components defining at least two optical channels thereof, said at least two optical channels being spatially and spectrally different from one another. Each of the at least two optical channels can be positioned to transfer IR radiation incident on the optical system towards the optical FPA. The system can include a processing unit containing a processor that can be configured to acquire multispectral optical data representing said target species from the IR radiation received at the optical FPA. Said optical system and said processing unit can be contained together in a data acquisition and processing module configured to be worn or carried by a person.

US Patent:

20210116362, Apr 22, 2021

Filed:

Oct 22, 2020

Appl. No.:

16/949255

Inventors:

- Houston TX, US
Ohad Israel BALILA - Friendswood TX, US
Robert Timothy KESTER - Friendswood TX, US

International Classification:

G01N 21/3504
H04N 5/33
G01J 5/08
G01N 21/31

Abstract:

An infrared (IR) imaging system for determining a concentration of a target species in an object is disclosed. The imaging system can include an optical system including a focal plane array (FPA) unit behind an optical window. The optical system can have components defining at least two optical channels thereof, said at least two optical channels being spatially and spectrally different from one another. Each of the at least two optical channels can be positioned to transfer IR radiation incident on the optical system towards the optical FPA. The system can include a processing unit containing a processor that can be configured to acquire multispectral optical data representing said target species from the IR radiation received at the optical FPA. One or more of the optical channels may be used in detecting objects on or near the optical window, to avoid false detections of said target species.

US Patent:

20210072150, Mar 11, 2021

Filed:

Oct 22, 2020

Appl. No.:

16/949254

Inventors:

- Houston TX, US
Ohad Israel BALILA - Friendswood TX, US
Robert Timothy KESTER - Friendswood TX, US

International Classification:

G01N 21/3504
H04N 5/33
G01J 5/08
G01N 21/31

Abstract:

An infrared (IR) imaging system for determining a concentration of a target species in an object is disclosed. The imaging system can include an optical system including a focal plane array (FPA) unit behind an optical window. The optical system can have components defining at least two optical channels thereof, said at least two optical channels being spatially and spectrally different from one another. Each of the at least two optical channels can be positioned to transfer IR radiation incident on the optical system towards the optical FPA. The system can include a processing unit containing a processor that can be configured to acquire multispectral optical data representing said target species from the IR radiation received at the optical FPA. One or more of the optical channels may be used in detecting objects on or near the optical window, to avoid false detections of said target species.