US 8265353

US patent 8265353, titled "Method of reconstructing an image acquired using several imagery modes," was issued on September 11, 2012, from an application filed on September 30, 2004. The inventors are Stéphane Bonnet and Pierre Grangeat. The current assignee is Longhorn Automotive Group LLC.

Abstract:
The patent describes a method for forming an image of a mobile object, such as a living being, by using two different imaging techniques, typically radiation attenuation and radiation emission. The data from these techniques are synchronized to provide images of the object's state. Displacement fields are estimated for the object's movement between different phases for both techniques. The final images obtained by the emission technique are enhanced by incorporating the more precise displacement field derived from the other imaging technique.

Plain-language overview of independent claims:

Claim 1: A method of forming an image of a mobile object, comprising:
This claim outlines a method for creating an image of a moving object. It involves:

• Obtaining multiple first images of the object using a first imaging technique, concurrently with first measurements of the object's movements from a first independent sensor system.
• Linking these first images to specific "first movement states" of the object, determined by the first measurements.
• Obtaining multiple second images using a second, different imaging technique, along with second measurements of the object's movements from a second independent sensor system.
• Linking these second images to "second movement states" using the second measurements.
• Finally, constructing the image of the mobile object by combining the first images, their associated first movement measurements and states, and the second images, their associated second movement measurements and states. The key is that the two imaging techniques are distinct.

Claim 12: An apparatus to form an image of a mobile object, comprising:
This claim describes an apparatus (a device) for creating an image of a moving object. It includes:

• Means (components or systems) for acquiring multiple first images using a first imaging technique.
• Means for simultaneously acquiring multiple first measurements of the object's movements, which are independent of the first imaging technique.
• Means for correlating the first images with first movement states, determined by the first measurements.
• Means for acquiring multiple second images using a second, different imaging technique.
• Means for simultaneously acquiring multiple second measurements of the object's movements, independent of the second imaging technique.
• Means for correlating the second images with second movement states, determined by the second measurements.
• Means for forming the final image of the mobile object by combining the first images, their associated first measurements and states, and the second images, their associated second measurements and states. Again, the two imaging techniques must be different.

USPTO and CAFC Dockets:
As of April 26, 2026, US patent 8265353 is owned by Longhorn Automotive Group LLC. It has been involved in significant litigation. Several district court cases have been filed in the Texas Eastern District Court by Longhorn Automotive Group LLC against various automotive companies including Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. (Case No. 2:24-cv-00397-JRG), Hyundai Motor Company (Case No. 2:24-cv-00554-JRG), Mazda Motor Corporation (Case No. 2:24-cv-00686-JRG), Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (Case No. 2:24-cv-00685-JRG), and Volvo Car Corporation (Case No. 2:24-cv-00603-JRG). There is also a lead case against Volkswagen AG (Case No. 2:24-cv-00933-JRG).

Furthermore, an Inter Partes Review (IPR) proceeding, IPR2025-01064, was filed before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc., challenging the patent. The legal status on Google Patents currently lists it as "Expired - Lifetime, expires 2025-07-25". However, there are subsequent legal events indicating petitions related to maintenance fees in late 2024 and early 2025, which suggest a reinstatement, with an effective date of 2025-01-21 for a patent reinstated due to the acceptance of a late maintenance fee. This creates some ambiguity regarding its current active status. The PTAB case IPR2025-01064 is listed with a "Settlement" status. Unified Patents has also previously sought and found prior art for this patent. No specific CAFC 2026 dockets were found for US8265353 as of the current date that were not already reflected in the PTAB information.