Sandia Corporation

The University of New Mexico

Christopher W Wilson

David K Novick

Michael K Giles

Dennis M Zallen

Denise D Padilla

Jeffrey J Carlson

Patrick A Davidson, Jr

Thomas M Trujillo

Methods for segmenting the reflected light of an illumination source having a characteristic wavelength from background illumination (i.e. clutter) in structured lighting systems can comprise pulsing the light source used to illuminate a scene, pulsing the light source synchronously with the opening of a shutter in an imaging device, estimating the contribution of background clutter by interpolation of images of the scene collected at multiple spectral bands not including the characteristic wavelength and subtracting the estimated background contribution from an image of the scene comprising the wavelength of the light source and, placing a polarizing filter between the imaging device and the scene, where the illumination source can be polarized in the same orientation as the polarizing filter. Apparatus for segmenting the light of an illumination source from background illumination can comprise an illuminator, an image receiver for receiving images of multiple spectral bands, a processor for calculations and interpolations, and a polarizing filter.

Reduction of background clutter in structured lighting systems

An automatic fire extinguisher and alarm apparatus, particularly suitable for use with waste receptacles, which discharges fire extinguisher fluid when exposed to a fire and sounds an audible alarm. Fire extinguisher fluid is quickly discharged from a reservoir onto the fire when heat from the fire melts a fusible alloy plug. A second reservoir contains a partially gaseous alarm agent, and is connected through a valve to a vibrating diaphragm gas horn. The valve stem is connected to a diaphragm separating the two reservoirs. When pressure is lost in the first reservoir upon discharge of the fire extinguisher fluid, the pressure of the alarm agent in the second reservoir moves the diaphragm and valve stem and opens the valve, allowing alarm agent to be discharged through the gas horn, raising an audible alarm.

Automatic fire extinguisher with acoustic alarm

Growing community of inventors

Albuquerque, NM, United States of America

Christopher W Wilson