Patents Examined by Constantine Hannaher
  • Patent number: 8729484
    Abstract: There is provided a radiographic imaging device including: an imaging panel at which sensor portions, that detect radiation or light converted from radiation, are formed at a detection region, and that captures a radiographic image expressed by radiation or light converted from radiation; a light illuminating section at which light-emitting portions, that can individually illuminate light for erasing residual images, are provided per sectional region obtained by dividing the detection region into the sectional regions; a storage section that stores imaging actual results information that expresses past actual results of imaging carried out by the imaging panel; and a control section that, in accordance with at least one of actual results of imaging and imaging conditions, controls absence/presence of illumination of, light amount of, and illumination time period of light from the respective light-emitting portions of the light illuminating section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Naoyuki Nishino, Haruyasu Nakatsugawa, Naoto Iwakiri, Yasunori Ohta, Fumito Nariyuki, Kazuhiro Noda
  • Patent number: 8729473
    Abstract: In conventional membrane infrared (IR) sensors, little to no attention has been paid toward transmissivity of IR near metal traces. Here, because the substrate of an integrated circuit carrying the sensor is used as a visible light filter, reflection of IR radiation back into the substrate can affect the operation and reliability of the IR sensor. As a result, an arrangement is provided that reduces the area occupied by metal lines by reducing the pitch and compacting the routing so as to reduce the effects from the reflection of IR radiation by metal traces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Walter Meinel, Kalin Lazarov
  • Patent number: 8729488
    Abstract: A method for investigating a volume of material at an investigation location for radioactive material includes: detecting signals from a first detector caused by the interaction of one or more types of emission from the radioactive material with the first detector; detecting signals from a second detector caused by the interaction of cosmic rays and/or one or more types of particle generated by cosmic rays with the second detector; processing the signals from the first detector to provide information on the amount of radioactive material associated with the volume of material; processing the signals from the second detector to provide information on the amount of cosmic rays and/or one or more types of particle generated by cosmic rays incident on the investigation location; and correcting the information on the amount of radioactive material associated with the volume of material using the amount of cosmic rays and/or one or more types of particle generated by cosmic rays incident on the investigation locati
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: VT Nuclear Services Limited
    Inventor: Mark Wilson
  • Patent number: 8723132
    Abstract: The invention relates to a radiation detector that is particularly suited for energy resolved single X-ray photon detection in a CT scanner. In a preferred embodiment, the detector has an array of scintillator elements in which incident X-ray photons are converted into bursts of optical photons. Pixels associated to the scintillator elements determine the numbers of optical photons they receive within predetermined acquisition intervals. These numbers can then be digitally processed to detect single X-ray photons and to determine their energy. The pixels may particularly be realized by avalanche photodiodes with associated digital electronic circuits for data processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Christian Baeumer, Thomas Frach, Christoph Herrmann, Gordian Prescher, Torsten Solf, Roger Steadman Booker, Guenter Zeitler
  • Patent number: 8723128
    Abstract: In the nuclear medicine imaging apparatus according to the one embodiment, the ADC converts the output data of each of the photodetectors to digital data. The counting information collecting unit collects counting results from the digital data, and the counting information storage unit stores the counting result in association with the digital data. The coincidence counting information generating unit generates coincidence counting information. The image reconstructing unit reconstructs a PET image, based on the coincidence counting information. The time correction data stores a correction time for each of the photodetectors. The system controlling unit controls to correct the detection time of the gamma rays in the digital data associated with each piece of the counting information by use of the correction time, and to generate new coincidence counting information. The system controlling unit controls to reconstruct a new nuclear medicine image, based on the new coincidence counting information generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventor: Takuzo Takayama
  • Patent number: 8710444
    Abstract: A nanogap device for field enhancement is described, which includes: a film made of an electrically conductive material; and a nanogap formed on the film and having a gap-width between a Thomas-Fermi screening length and a skin depth, the Thomas-Fermi screening length and the skin depth being determined by an electromagnetic wave and the electrically conductive material, and system for nanoparticle detection using the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: SNU R&DB Foundation
    Inventors: Dai Sik Kim, Hyeong Ryeol Park, Min Ah Seo
  • Patent number: 8704174
    Abstract: In situ monitoring of a degradation level of refined oil during use is provided. An excitation light irradiation unit varies intensity of excitation light to irradiate the excitation light onto the refined oil with a resulting fluorescence. A fluorescence intensity detection unit detects the intensity of fluorescence generated by the irradiation of the excitation light, and a time lag characteristic calculation unit calculates a time lag characteristic of a fluorescence intensity variation with respect to the intensity variation of the excitation light. A degradation index value acquisition unit provides to a predetermined correlation between a degradation index value indicating a degradation level of the refined oil and the time lag characteristic is used to acquire a degradation index value from a time lag characteristic calculated in the time lag characteristic calculation unit to determine the current degradation status of the oil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Horiba, Ltd.
    Inventors: Juichiro Ukon, Toshiyuki Tsujimoto
  • Patent number: 8704180
    Abstract: An infrared radiation detection device comprising: a substrate; a matrix of at least one line of elements for detecting the radiation, each comprising a resistive imaging bolometer, the matrix being formed above the substrate; a bolometer reading circuit, a temperature measuring device for measuring the temperature in at least one point of the substrate; and a compensation circuit and data processing device for correcting the signal formed from each bolometer as a function of the temperature measured in at least one point of the substrate. The compensation circuit and data processing device capable of correcting the signal formed from the imaging bolometer by using a predetermined physical model of the temperature behavior of the signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Ulis
    Inventors: Benoît Dupont, Aurélie Touvignon, Michel Vilain, Antoine Dupret
  • Patent number: 8692207
    Abstract: A scintillator-photosensor sandwich is generated by gluing a first support frame onto an adhesive layer (covered with a protective film on the side facing the adhesive layer, the first frame having a size that (in terms of area) surrounds the scintillator-photosensor sandwich to be produced. The first support frame is placed onto a flat base that supports a first function layer (either a scintillator layer or a photosensor layer). The adhesive layer supported on the first support frame and the first function layer are laminarly assembled. The protective film is removed from the adhesive layer and a second function layer (the other of the scintillator layer or the photosensor layer not used as the first function layer) is assembled with the first function layer with the interposed adhesive layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Manfred Fuchs, Klaus Lowack, Adelbert Preissler
  • Patent number: 8686366
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for remotely detecting, locating, and identifying chemicals and chemical compounds through optically opaque materials. Electromagnetic radiation in the Terahertz range emitted from an antenna array is modulated to excite target molecules. The apparatus then stops the excitation energy and the molecules emit an electromagnetic signature detectable by the device at standoff distances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Inventor: Richard Graziano
  • Patent number: 8686372
    Abstract: Spatial acquisition of measurement data over a cross section of a high-energy, high-intensity radiation beam bundle without impairment of measuring accuracy due to saturation or degradation of detectors occurs by imaging an entire cross section of the beam bundle on a shading element, the cross section being separated successively into partial beam bundles having reduced cross sections and reduced intensity through movement of at least one opening, whereby measurement values of the partial beam bundles passing the opening are associated temporally and spatially with positions of the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: USHIO Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Thomas Missalla, Max Christian Schuermann, Denis Bolshukhin, Boris Tkachenko
  • Patent number: 8674305
    Abstract: An opto-electronic module includes a detecting channel comprising a detecting member for detecting light and an emission channel comprising an emission member for emitting light generally detectable by said detecting member. Therein, a radiation distribution characteristic for an emission of light from said emission channel is non rotationally symmetric; and/or a sensitivity distribution characteristic for a detection in said detecting channel of light incident on said detection channel is non rotationally symmetric; and/or a central or main emission direction for an emission of light from said emission channel and a central or main detection direction for a detection of light incident on said detection channel are aligned not parallel to each other; and/or at least a first one of the channels comprises one or more passive optical components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Heptagon Micro Optics Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Markus Rossi, Ville Kettunen
  • Patent number: 8669531
    Abstract: A radiographic imaging device includes a plurality of pixels, each having a generation section that generates charges according to irradiated radiation, an accumulation section that accumulates charges generated by the generation section, and a switching element that reads out the charges accumulated in the accumulation section, and that outputs electrical signals corresponding to the charges. The device also includes an amplification section that amplifies the electrical signals output from the switching elements and a setting section that sets an amplification factor of the amplification section corresponding to the charges accumulated during an accumulation period, during which charges are accumulated, based on the electrical signals output from radiation detection pixels during the accumulation period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshihiro Okada
  • Patent number: 8664606
    Abstract: An infrared radiation detector includes: a cryostat having a cold finger ensuring heat exchange with a cold source and a window transparent to infrared radiation to be detected; a mechanically fixed cold plane in heat exchange with the cold finger; a detector unit comprising at least a detector circuit sensitive to the infrared wavelength range to be detected, and in direct or indirect heat exchange with the cold plane; and a mechanically fixed cold shield in heat exchange with the cold plane and limiting stray radiation. The cold shield is rotationally symmetrical. An inside wall of the cold shield has a succession of reliefs distributed in at least one helical pattern. A definition axis of the helical pattern coincides with the axis of revolution of the cold shield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Societe Francaise de Detecteurs Infrarouges—Sofradir
    Inventor: Bertrand Orlach
  • Patent number: 8648310
    Abstract: An indirect x-ray imager including one or more semi-transparent layers that reduce lateral spreading of light produced by the scintillator layer. The semi-transparent layers may be one or more layers above and/or below the scintillator, which the light generated by the scintillator goes through prior to being received by an array of photosensors. The semi-transparent layers may have a light transparency that is proportional to the pixel pitch of the photosensor, and/or proportional to a thickness of the layers. The semi-transparent layers have a light transparency that allows a high percent of the light to be received across the thickness of the layer, but restrains most of the light from being received across a lateral distance of more than one pixel pitch. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Varian Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Ivan P. Mollov
  • Patent number: 8642971
    Abstract: The invention relates to a neutron dosimeter comprising a neutron moderator (12), a first radiation detector (14), which is situated in the neutron moderator (12) and is surrounded by a first metal body (28) containing material that can be activated by neutrons, a second radiation detector (16), which is situated in the neutron moderator (12) close to the first radiation detector (14) and is surrounded by a second metal body (30) that substantially cannot be activated by neutrons. The first metal body (28) and the second metal body (30) are designed in such a way that they substantially have the same degree of absorption of photons. The dosimeter also comprises an evaluation circuit, which is connected to the radiation detectors and is equipped to suppress electrical impulses generated by ionising radiation using a pulse intensity that lies below a predefined pulse intensity threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Bundesrepublik Deutschland, Vertreten Durch das Bundesministerium F. Wirtschaft und Technologie, Dieses Vertreten D.D. Prasidenten der Physikalisch-Technischen
    Inventors: Marlies Luszik-Bhadra, Eike Hohmann
  • Patent number: 8637807
    Abstract: An apparatus can measure characteristics of a formation surrounding a borehole. The apparatus includes a tool body having a neutron measurement section. The neutron measurement section includes a neutron source and a neutron detector arrangement spaced in an axial direction from the neutron source The apparatus also includes a density measurement section having a gamma ray source and a gamma ray detector arrangement spaced in an axial direction from the gamma ray source. The neutron measurement section and the density measurement section are positioned in the tool body so that the sections overlap in the axial direction and are azimuthally spaced apart in the tool body. The tool body also includes shielding to block a direct signal path from the neutron source to the gamma ray detector arrangement and to block a direct signal path from the gamma ray source to the neutron detector arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Evans, Christian Stoller
  • Patent number: 8633446
    Abstract: An X-ray detector and a method of detecting an X-ray image. The method includes: during an offset adjustment, sequentially outputting first gate signals to a plurality of gate lines for turning on the switching devices; during an offset read out, sequentially outputting second gate signals to the plurality of gate lines for turning on the switching devices after a first window time; and during the offset read out, reading electrical signals output by the switching device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kwan-Wook Jung
  • Patent number: 8624189
    Abstract: [Object] To provide a gas monitoring device etc. with which gas monitoring can be preformed at high sensitivity by using an InP-based photodiode in which a dark current is reduced without a cooling mechanism and the sensitivity is extended to a wavelength of 1.8 ?m or more. [Solution] An absorption layer 3 has a multiquantum well structure composed of group III-V semiconductors, a pn-junction 15 is formed by selectively diffusion of an impurity element in the absorption layer, and the concentration of the impurity element in the absorption layer is 5×1016/cm3 or less. The gas monitoring device detects a gas component and the like contained in a gas by receiving light having at least one wavelength of 3 ?m or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Inada, Youichi Nagai
  • Patent number: 8618495
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for pulse pile-up rejection are disclosed. The apparatus comprises a delay value application constituent configured to receive a threshold-crossing time value, and provide an adjustable value according to a delay value and the threshold-crossing time value; and a comparison constituent configured to receive a peak-occurrence time value and the adjustable value, compare the peak-occurrence time value with the adjustable value, indicate pulse acceptance if the peak-occurrence time value is less than or equal to the adjustable value, and indicate pulse rejection if the peak-occurrence time value is greater than the adjustable value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Brookhaven Science Associates, LLC
    Inventor: Gianluigi De Geronimo