Steven I Small

US Patent:

6573929, Jun 3, 2003

Filed:

Nov 22, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/444084

Inventors:

Michael T. Glier - Jamestown RI
Mark D. Laird - Milford MA
Michael T. Tinnemeier - Providence RI
Steven I. Small - Medfield MA
Randall T. Sybel - Randolph VT

Assignee:

Nestor, Inc. - Providence RI

International Classification:

H04N 718

US Classification:

348149, 340933, 340937, 701117

Abstract:

A traffic light violation prediction and recording system, including at least one violation prediction video camera and a violation prediction unit. The violation prediction unit generates violation probability scores for vehicles approaching a traffic intersection based on attributes of those vehicles, such as position, current speed and acceleration. The violation probability scores are passed to a violation recording unit, which allocates violation recording resources, such as a violation video camera, to capture activities of one or more vehicles associated with relatively high violation probabilities. The violation recording unit determines a violation recording resource allocation schedule. If sufficient resources cannot be allocated to record all possible violations within a given time period, the violation recording unit may ignore a potential violation having a relatively low priority. In one embodiment, the violation recording resources include a number of video cameras, as well as one or more violation recorders capable of producing digital data files for storing video recordings of the violation as it occurred.

US Patent:

6647361, Nov 11, 2003

Filed:

Nov 22, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/444156

Inventors:

Mark D. Laird - Milford MA
Steven I. Small - Medfield MA
Michael T. Tinnemeier - Providence RI

Assignee:

Nestor, Inc. - Providence RI

International Classification:

G06G 748

US Classification:

703 8, 348149, 701119

Abstract:

A system and method for detecting and filtering non-violation events in a traffic light violation prediction and recording system, including at least one violation prediction image capturing device, such as a video camera, and a violation prediction unit. The prediction unit generates a prediction reflecting a probability that the vehicle will violate a red light phase of the traffic signal. A non-violation event filter determines whether the vehicle approaching the traffic signal is actually performing a non-violation action. Non-violation events may include a variety of actions performed by the vehicle, and are fully configurable to meet the needs and policies of various specific intersections and jurisdictions. When the non-violation event filter determines that the vehicle is performing a non-violation action, resources that may have been allocated to recording the non-violating vehicle may be released, and a determination may be made that additional resources need not be allocated to such recording.

US Patent:

6754663, Jun 22, 2004

Filed:

Nov 22, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/447032

Inventors:

Steven I. Small - Medfield MA
Randall T. Sybel - Randolph VT
Greg D. Johnson - Bellingham MA
Lalitha R. Coimbatore - Attleboro MA

Assignee:

Nestor, Inc. - Providence RI

International Classification:

G06F 700

US Classification:

707102, 7071041

Abstract:

A system for generating a traffic violation citation, which operates using at least one image data file including digitized video data. The image data file includes multiple images of an intersection during a red light violation. The image data file is, for example, derived from the output of one or more video cameras positioned to record respective views of an intersection being monitored for red light violations. The disclosed system provides a user with an interface including at least one image display window. The image display window is used to display portions of the image data file. Where the image data file includes multiple video clips, such clips may be displayed simultaneously in respective ones of multiple display windows. The system further includes a selection interface that permits a user to select at least one image from the image data file, for example a current image being displayed in an image display window. The system generates a citation associated with the traffic violation, including a copy of the selected image.

US Patent:

6760061, Jul 6, 2004

Filed:

Apr 13, 1998

Appl. No.:

09/059151

Inventors:

Michael T. Glier - Jamestown RI
Douglas L. Reilly - Naragansett RI
Michael T. Tinnemeier - Providence RI
Steven I. Small - Medfield MA
Steven S. Hsieh - Canton MA
Randall T. Sybel - Randolph VT
Mark D. Laird - Milford MA

Assignee:

Nestor Traffic Systems, Inc. - Providence RI

International Classification:

H04N 718

US Classification:

348149, 348148, 348161, 348155, 382104, 382203, 382307, 340903, 340907, 340435

Abstract:

A traffic sensor system for detecting and tracking vehicles is describede. A video camera is employed to obtain a video image of a section of a roadway. Motion is detected through changes in luminance and edges in frames of the video image. Predetermined sets of pixels (âtilesâ) in the frames are designated to be in either an âactiveâ state or an âinactiveâ state. A tile becomes active when the luminance or edge values of the pixels of the tile differ from the respective luminance or edge values of a corresponding tile in a reference frame in accordance with predetermined criteria. The tile becomes inactive when the luminance or edge values of the pixels of the tile do not differ from the corresponding reference frame tile in accordance with the is predetermined criteria. Shape and motion of groups of active tiles (âquantaâ) are analyzed with software and a neural network to detect and track vehicles.

US Patent:

6950789, Sep 27, 2005

Filed:

Sep 12, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/661739

Inventors:

Mark D. Laird - Milford MA, US
Steven I. Small - Medfield MA, US
Michael T. Tinnemeier - Providence RI, US

Assignee:

Nestor, Inc. - East Providence RI

International Classification:

G06F009/455

US Classification:

703 8

Abstract:

A system and method for detecting and filtering non-violation events in a traffic light violation prediction and recording system, including at least one violation prediction image capturing device, such as a video camera, and a violation prediction unit. The prediction unit generates a prediction reflecting a probability that the vehicle will violate a red light phase of the traffic signal. A non-violation event filter determines whether the vehicle approaching the traffic signal is actually performing a non-violation action. Non-violation events may include a variety of actions performed by the vehicle, and are fully configurable to meet the needs and policies of various specific intersections and jurisdictions. When the non-violation event filter determines that the vehicle is performing a non-violation action, it causes some number of resources that may have been allocated to recording the non-violating vehicle, and/or prevents further resources from being allocated to such recording.

US Patent:

8067245, Nov 29, 2011

Filed:

Jul 24, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/492372

Inventors:

William John van Ryper - Menomonie WI, US
Tyler Cote - Chelmsford MA, US
Steven I. Small - Medfield MA, US
Amy P. Sheng - Somerville MA, US
Ivan Hee Yiu Ma - San Mateo CA, US
Ronald Jones - Newtown NH, US

Assignee:

Medica Corporation - Bedford MA

International Classification:

G01N 1/00

US Classification:

436174, 436180, 422 63, 422 64, 422 65, 422 66, 422 67, 422563, 359391

Abstract:

An apparatus and method of automated blood cell analysis uses technologies from other systems to create a new, robust, improved type of automated microscope, which uses electronic motors and a closed loop control system to minimize ambient factors, such as jarring and temperature changes. Pre-stained blood smear slides are first coated with a thin film of oil and are loaded into a carousel from which they can individually be analyzed. The slides are moved under a low magnification microscope; an optimal area of examination is determined; a focal plane map is calculated for that area, and the positions of white blood cell candidates are computed. The slide is then moved under a high power microscope where a refined focal plane map is computed and the individual white blood cell candidates are imaged. The cells are preclassified and the images are made available for analysis by the technician. Additionally, samples of red blood cells, equivalent to what the technician would do manually, are imaged and presented to the technician for evaluation.

US Patent:

20020054210, May 9, 2002

Filed:

May 10, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/852487

Inventors:

Michael Glier - Jamestown RI, US
Douglas Reilly - Narragansett RI, US
Michael Tinnemeier - Providence RI, US
Steven Small - Medfield MA, US
Steven Hsieh - Canton MA, US
Randall Sybel - Randolph VT, US
Mark Laird - Milford MA, US

Assignee:

Nestor Traffic Systems, Inc.

International Classification:

H04N007/18

US Classification:

348/149000

Abstract:

A traffic sensor system for detecting and tracking vehicles is described. The disclosed system may be employed as a traffic light violation prediction system for a traffic signal, and as a collision avoidance system. A video camera is employed to obtain a video image of a section of a roadway. Motion is detected through changes in luminance and edges in frames of the video image. Predetermined sets of pixels (“tiles”) in the frames are designated to be in either an “active” state or an “inactive” state. A tile becomes active when the luminance or edge values of the pixels of the tile differ from the respective luminance or edge values of a corresponding tile in a reference frame in accordance with predetermined criteria. The tile becomes inactive when the luminance or edge values of the pixels of the tile do not differ from the corresponding reference frame tile in accordance with the predetermined criteria. Shape and motion of groups of active tiles (“quanta”) are analyzed with software and a neural network to detect and track vehicles.

US Patent:

49597710, Sep 25, 1990

Filed:

Sep 14, 1989

Appl. No.:

7/407693

Inventors:

Joseph L. Ardini - Needham MA
Steven Small - Waltham MA

Assignee:

Prime Computer, Inc. - Natick MA

International Classification:

G06F 1200

US Classification:

364200

Abstract:

The invention comprises a write buffer system which provides residence time information that increases the merge potential and enhances the write collapse feature of a "smart" buffer. The write buffer has multiple buffer locations for storing data received from a central processor, a data merger for merging data designated by the central processor for subsequent storage in contiguous memory locations, and a write controller for selectively writing the data from the plurality of write buffer locations to the memory. The system further includes time stamp registers in communication with the write controller for storing and updating a time signal representative of the write buffer location having most recently received data. The controller is responsive in part to the time signal, and inhibits the writing to memory of the data in the write buffer location having most recently received data since this is the location most likely to be eligible for a data merge. This feature decreases the number of interruptions to the CPU for data transfer operations.