System for detecting the presence of an object to be protected in a low-light environment
US11138842B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 16, 2020 |
| Grant date | Oct 5, 2021 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 16, 2040 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF21Y2115/10
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A system for detecting patterns on objects having reflective or high visibility colored material thereon. The system includes a lighting unit that includes a main housing having a front opening and a cavity, a first visual lighting assembly positioned within the cavity of the main housing that emits light in the visible spectrum, and a second ultraviolet lighting assembly positioned a fixed distance from the first visual lighting assembly within the cavity of the main housing that emits light in the ultraviolet spectrum, a camera having a field of view within which the system is configured to detect patterns of reflective or high visibility colored material on one or more objects, a warning device to alert the operator when a marked object enters the camera's field of view. A controller/processor is programmed to detect when a pattern of reflective or high visibility colored material enters the camera's field of view. A variety of patterns can be used, and the controller can be programmed to associated each pattern with a specific object.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.