Patents Examined by Clayton E. LaBalle
  • Patent number: 11674917
    Abstract: An apparatus for determining a presence, a concentration or a change in concentration of a target material in an environment is disclosed. The apparatus comprises first and second sensors configured to respond to the target material. The apparatus further comprises a fluid inlet in fluid communication with the environment, and a valve assembly having a first and second configuration. In the first configuration, the fluid inlet is in fluid communication with only the first sensor. In the second configuration, the fluid inlet is in fluid communication with the first sensor and the second sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Daniel Tobjork, Pascal Cachelin
  • Patent number: 11675299
    Abstract: A heating unit includes a heater, an endless belt, a holder, a heat conductive sheet, and a connector including a connecting terminal connected to a supply terminal. The connector is configured to hold a first end of the heater in the longitudinal direction and a first end of the holder in the longitudinal direction. The holder includes a first surface supporting the heat conductive member, and a second surface supporting the first end of the heater. The second surface is located at a position nearer to the heater than the first surface in a direction orthogonal to the substrate. A height of a step formed between the first surface and the second surface is greater than a thickness of the heat conductive member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yuichi Ikeno
  • Patent number: 11668997
    Abstract: An underwater system is disclosed for use with a digital image capturing device (DICD) in underwater environments. The underwater system includes a center band having first and second support bands; a first housing fixedly connected to the first support band and including an optically clear material; a second housing fixedly connected to the second support band and including an optically clear material; a cradle connected to the first support band and configured to receive the DICD; and a latching mechanism positioned between the cradle and the first support band. The second support band is pivotally connected to the first support band such that the underwater system is repositionable between an open position and a closed position, and the latching mechanism is repositionable between a locked position, in which the latching mechanism securely engages the DICD, and an unlocked position, in which the latching mechanism is disengaged from the DICD.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: GoPro, Inc.
    Inventors: Heman Au, Daniel J. Coster, Matthew David Thomas, Jesse Patterson
  • Patent number: 11668999
    Abstract: An optical imaging apparatus includes a plurality of optical lenses. The optical lenses are arranged along an optical axis to capture an image in an image capture direction and project the image on an imaging plane. The plurality of optical lenses are divided into at least one fixed lens set and at least one movable lens set. The fixed lens set is fixedly disposed, and the movable lens set is configured to move relative to the fixed lens set, so as to adjust focal lengths of the optical lenses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: GUANGZHOU LUXVISIONS INNOVATION TECHNOLOGY LIMITED
    Inventors: Hai-Jo Huang, Chiang-Yuan Chuang, Cheng-Te Tseng, Shang-Chieh Chien
  • Patent number: 11668770
    Abstract: A position sensor system includes a magnetic source for generating a magnetic field, and a position sensor device movable relative to the magnetic source, or vice versa. The position sensor device comprises at least three magnetic sensor elements for measuring at least three magnetic field values of the magnetic field, and a processing circuit configured for determining at least two magnetic field gradients or magnetic field differences based on the at least three magnetic field values, and for deriving from the at least two magnetic field gradients or differences a first value indicative of a position of the position sensor device, and for deriving from the at least two magnetic field gradients or differences a second value indicative of integrity of the position sensor system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: MELEXIS TECHNOLOGIES SA
    Inventors: Gael Close, Samuel Huber Lindenberger
  • Patent number: 11662675
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member, an apparatus body including a transfer member movable between a first position and a second position, an opening/closing member. The apparatus body includes a movement mechanism configured to move the transfer member in accordance with a movement of the opening/closing member. The movement mechanism includes a first movable member and a second movable member. The first movable member is configured to move a first end portion of the transfer member from the first position to the second position. The second movable member is configured to move a second end portion of the transfer member from the first position to the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Shuntaro Tezuka
  • Patent number: 11659819
    Abstract: A sensor positioning system, includes an actuation server for communicating with components of the sensor positioning system. The sensor positioning system additionally includes a first actuation system and a second actuation system, wherein each actuation system includes a pulley system for maneuvering an underwater sensor system. The sensor positioning system includes a dual point attachment bracket that connects through a first line to the first actuation system and connecting through a second line to the second actuation system. The underwater sensor system is affixed to the first pulley system, the second pulley system, and the dual attachment bracket through the first line and the second line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: X Development LLC
    Inventors: Matthew Messana, Kyle James Cormany, Christopher Thornton, Barnaby John James, Neil Davé, Shane Washburn
  • Patent number: 11656534
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes an image sensor, an angle controller configured to change an angle between a plane orthogonal to an optical axis of an imaging optical system and an imaging plane of the image sensor, an illuminator; and an illumination controller configured to change an optical axis direction of the illuminator based on the angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Aihiko Numata
  • Patent number: 11650191
    Abstract: An in-situ measurement apparatus automatically draws aqueous samples on an intermittent or ad-hoc basis and measures specific metal specie concentration. The apparatus can perform both raw measurement of specific metal specie, as well as processing to convert other species of the same metal to the specific metal specie or to destroy or remove unwanted masking agents (e.g. organics). In one application, “dirty” water from a scrubber is measured for Se(IV) presence (using a renewable voltametric system), both with and without the masking agents present; in addition, selective processing converts other selenium species to Se(IV), permitting assessment of total selenium and measurement of Se(VI) presence. Automated reactions can then be taken to remove detected toxic substances from waste water without excess reliance on treatment chemicals, and so as to ensure that only water complaint with regulatory standards is released into the environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: AMS Trace Metals, Inc.
    Inventors: Harmesh K. Saini, Vladimir Dozortsev
  • Patent number: 11650486
    Abstract: Apparatus for use with an electronic communication device having a camera to take a selfie picture or video comprising a hand mirror comprising a housing and a mirror surface engaged with the housing. The apparatus further comprises a fastener adapted to engage directly to the mirror surface and the electronic communication device to position the camera in front of the mirror surface. The apparatus further comprises a light source. The apparatus further comprises a control circuit. The apparatus further comprises an input device connected with the control circuit. The input device comprising a first button to activate the camera and a second button to activate the light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Inventor: Erik A. Kaiser
  • Patent number: 11650488
    Abstract: A gaze-attracting device is provided having a body which is removably engageable to a camera or smartphone. The body of the device is configured with a recess which will hold food or a toy therein, to attract the gaze of an animal being photograhed such as a dog or cat. Additional gaze attracting for longer gaze time periods is provided by the inclusion of facial indicia of a small animal, such as eyes, ears and a nose, on a front facing surface of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Inventor: Jason Hernandez
  • Patent number: 11650526
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a plurality of sheet storage receptacles configured to store a sheet. The image forming apparatus also includes a fixing device having a heating belt and a pressure roller configured to heat and fix toner on the sheet conveyed from one of the plurality of sheet storage receptacles. The image forming apparatus also includes a processor and a memory configured to store temperature information associated with each sheet storage receptacle and related to temperature control of the fixing device, acquire type information of a sheet to be printed, in response to a predetermined condition, specify the sheet storage receptacle storing the sheet to be printed, and perform a first heating control that controls a temperature of the fixing device based on the stored temperature information associated with the specified sheet storage receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: TOSHIBA TEC KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Sasuke Endo
  • Patent number: 11650392
    Abstract: An imaging camera driving module includes a lens unit, a driving mechanism, a sensing mechanism and an image surface. At least a part of the driving mechanism is coupled to the lens unit to drive the lens unit to move in a direction parallel to the optical axis. The sensing mechanism includes sensing magnets fixed to the lens unit and sensing elements not facing the driving mechanism. The sensing elements are disposed on an image side of the imaging lens assembly of the lens unit and corresponding to the sensing magnets. The sensing elements are configured to detect a relative position of the sensing magnets. The image surface is disposed on the image side of the imaging lens assembly, and the optical axis passes through the image surface. The sensing mechanism is configured to detect a tilt of the optical axis with respect to the central axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: LARGAN DIGITAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Heng Yi Su, Ming-Ta Chou, Te-Sheng Tseng
  • Patent number: 11650485
    Abstract: An attachment of a smartphone for a film camera disclosed herein includes: a camera attachment (31) to be attached to a camera back lid portion; and a smartphone attachment (32) coupled to the camera attachment (31) to hold a smartphone. The camera attachment (31) includes a projection screen (312) on which an image that is photographed is projected through a camera lens. The smartphone attachment (32) includes a correction lens (322) to focus on the image projected on the projection screen and allow a smartphone camera to photograph the image by close photographing. The attachment of a smartphone for a film camera aligns the camera lens, the projection screen, and the correction lens along an optical axis (5) of image capturing of the camera and focuses on an imaging medium of the smartphone to allow the image photographed by the film camera to be digitized and stored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: FIREWORKS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yoshihiro Komori
  • Patent number: 11650260
    Abstract: A method of evaluating a power storage device includes at least [a] to [f] below. [a] A power storage device is prepared. [b] A charge level of the power storage device is adjusted to produce a first potential difference between a positive electrode and a negative electrode. [c] The positive electrode or the negative electrode is selected as a reference electrode. [d] After the charge level is adjusted, an operation to insert a conductive rod-shaped member into a stack portion along a direction of stack of the positive electrode and the negative electrode is performed while a second potential difference between the reference electrode and the rod-shaped member is measured. [e] The rod-shaped member is stopped. [f] The power storage device is evaluated based on a state of the power storage device after the rod-shaped member is stopped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kensaku Miyazawa, Shinichi Hamasaki, Yuya Ishihara, Tetsuya Kaneko
  • Patent number: 11644771
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a first sensor configured to detect a temperature; an image forming unit configured to form an image; a sheet container configured to contain sheets; a conveyance roller configured to convey a sheet from the sheet container; a transfer unit configured to transfer the image on the sheet conveyed by the conveyance roller; a fixing unit configured to fix the image on the sheet by heating the image on the sheet; a second sensor configured to detect a temperature of the fixing unit; a sheet container heater configured to heat the sheet in the sheet container, wherein the sheet container heater is provided at a position where a distance from the first sensor to the sheet container heater is closer than a distance from the fixing unit to the sheet container heater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masanori Nimura
  • Patent number: 11644770
    Abstract: An intermediate transfer body includes a base layer and a surface layer disposed on the base layer, in which surface layer includes a sea-island structure that includes a sea phase and an island phase, in which the sea phase includes a resin, the island phase including an organopolysiloxane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Business Innovation Corp.
    Inventors: Hiroaki Tanaka, Shigeru Fukuda, Kenta Yamakoshi, Yosuke Kubo, Masayuki Seko
  • Patent number: 11642873
    Abstract: An interlayer film for laminated glass of the present invention is an interlayer film for laminated glass, comprising one or two or more resin layers, and comprising a first resin layer comprising a resin and a light diffusion particle, in which any resin layer in the interlayer film for laminated glass comprises a colorant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: SEKISUI CHEMICAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshikazu Masuyama, Yuusuke Oota, Kazuhiko Nakayama, Kazuhiro Tomura
  • Patent number: 11640072
    Abstract: An optical unit with shake-correction function is provided and includes: a movable body, a rotational support structure, a gimbal mechanism, and a fixed body. The rotational support structure, which rotatably supports the movable body including a camera module around an optical axis, is rotatably supported by the gimbal mechanism around a first axis and a second axis. The rotational support structure includes a first annular groove provided on the movable body, a plate roller including a second annular groove facing the first annular groove in the direction of Z axis, and multiple spherical objects inserted into the first annular groove and the second annular groove. The gimbal mechanism rotatably supports the plate roller around a first axis. The movable body includes a first-side stopper part facing one of plate roller extension portions with a gap from one side in the circumferential direction around the Z axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: NIDEC SANKYO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shogo Kasahara, Shinji Hatano
  • Patent number: 11635370
    Abstract: An IR imaging device includes an optical element receiving infrared radiation from a scene, a filter blocking IR radiation outside of a particular range of wavelengths, an array of sensor pixels to capture an image of the scene based on infrared radiation received through the optical element and filter, the array of sensor pixels comprising a first array of sensor pixels to image gas in within a first spectral bandwidth, and a second array of sensor pixel to sense IR radiation in a second spectral bandwidth where gas is not detected, a read-out integrated circuit (ROIC) and logic circuitry to generate a first image sensed by the first array and a second image sensed by the second array, and gas detection logic to detect the presence of gas in the first image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: FLIR Systems AB
    Inventors: Hakan E. Nygren, Jonas Sandsten, Per Lilja, Marta Barenthin-Syberg, Henning Hagman, Eric A. Kurth, Brian B. Simolon, Naseem Y. Aziz, Ulf Wallgren