Patents Examined by David C. Meyer
  • Patent number: 6946641
    Abstract: A metal side tube (2), a glass faceplate (3), and a stem plate ( ) constitute a hermetically sealed vessel (5) for a photomultiplier tube. An edge portion (20) is provided at on open end (A) of the side tube (2). The edge portion (2) is embedded in the faceplate (3) in such a manner as to strike on the faceplate (3). Accordingly, high hermeticity at a joint between the side tube (2) and the faceplate (3) is ensured. The edge portion (20) extends upright in an axial direction of the side tube (2), so that the edge portion (20) can be embedded as close to a side face (3c) of the faceplate (3) as possible. This structure increases an effective sensitive area of the faceplate (3) to nearly 100%, and decreases dead area as close to 0 as possible. As described above, the photomultiplier tube (1) according to the present invention has enlarged effective sensitive area of the side tube (3) and enhanced hermeticity of the joint between the faceplate (3) and the side tube (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: Hamamatsu Photonics K.K.
    Inventors: Hideki Shimoi, Hiroyuki Kyushima, Akira Atsumi
  • Patent number: 6841768
    Abstract: The present invention relates to three dimensional conical horn antenna coupled image detectors and the manufacturing method thereof. More specifically, the present invention relates to the method of manufacturing an image detector by coupling three dimensional conical horn antenna with the image detector which are constructed using the Micro Electro Mechanical System (MEMS) Technology that improves the sensitivity of the image detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2005
    Assignee: Korea Institute of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Sung Moon, Kun Tae Kim
  • Patent number: 6809306
    Abstract: A scanning unit for moving an object to be moved along at least one axis, which comprises a first actuator for moving the object along a first axis, the first actuator having a pair of end portions, and the object being attached to one of the end portions, the first actuator being held at a position in the vicinity of the center in dimension or the center of gravity thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2004
    Assignees: Olympus Optical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshio Ando, Akitoshi Toda
  • Patent number: 6806452
    Abstract: An interior rearview mirror system suitable for use in a vehicle includes a interior rearview mirror assembly adapted for attachment to an interior portion of the vehicle. The interior rearview mirror assembly includes a housing and a reflective element included within the housing. The mirror system further includes a video device (which includes an imaging sensor) and a control. The imaging sensor is positioned at the interior rearview mirror assembly and has a field of view forward and through the windshield. The imaging sensor is operable to at least sense precipitation at an interior and/or exterior surface of the windshield. The control receives a signal from the imaging sensor and is operable to control at least one of a headlamp of the vehicle, a windshield wiper of the vehicle, a defogging system of the vehicle and a movable window of the vehicle in response to the signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Assignee: Donnelly Corporation
    Inventors: Brent J. Bos, Kenneth Schofield, Mark L. Larson, Niall R. Lynam
  • Patent number: 6803562
    Abstract: A photonic package includes a housing having a semiconductor light source disposed within the housing. The semiconductor light source has a first output and a second output. A reflective surface is disposed inside the housing to reflect the second output from the semiconductor light source. A photodetector is also disposed within the housing and is adapted to indirectly receive the second output of the semiconductor light source reflected off the reflective surface. As a result, interior surface of a housing of an optical transponder may be utilized to provide reflected light to a photodetector to monitor the semiconductor light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: Network Elements, Inc.
    Inventors: David R. Ohm, Richard A. Booman
  • Patent number: 6770863
    Abstract: An apparatus for sensing three-dimensional relative movement includes a movable motion sensor including a first and a second two-dimensional array of photo detectors. At least one lens directs far-field images onto the first and the second arrays of photo detectors. The sensor is configured to generate digital representations of the far-field images and to generate three-dimensional relative movement data based on the digital representations of the far-field images. The movement data is indicative of motion of the sensor in three dimensions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas M. Walley
  • Patent number: 6765189
    Abstract: A switched multichannel fiber optic power monitoring apparatus, includes a plurality of photodetectors, each connected to a tap of a different optical line for converting an optical signal therefrom to an electrical signal, a single switch having inputs connected to outputs of each of the photodetectors for receiving the output electrical signal from each photodetector and for switching the output electrical signals in a multiplexed manner to an output thereof as a multiplexed electrical signal, an amplifier amplifying the multiplexed electrical signal, an analog to digital converter which converts the amplified electrical signal to a digital signal, and a microprocessor which provides an output measurement signal in response to the digital signal, the microprocessor being connected to the switch to control the length of time that the switch is open for each optical line, and connected with the amplifier to control amplification thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: Santec U.S.A. Corporation
    Inventors: Saroj Kumar Sahu, Richard A. Cordasco
  • Patent number: 6765193
    Abstract: Optical touch switches are implemented based on the use of light total internal reflection and light scattering concepts. The optical touch switch basically consists of a light source, a light guide, a photodetector, and an electronic controller. The fingertip touching on the touching surface of the optical touch switch leads to the change in electrical current produced by the photodetector. As a result, the electronic control box senses this change of electrical current and allows the electrical load to stay at the desired state. Key advantages include ease of implementation, prevention of the light beam incident directly on the user's eyes, and ability to accept both strong and weak mechanical forces from users.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: National Science and Technology Development Agency
    Inventor: Sarun Sumriddetchkajorn
  • Patent number: 6759649
    Abstract: The invention relates to an optoelectronic detection device, in particular a laser scanner, comprising at least one transmitter unit for the transmission of electromagnetic radiation, preferably pulsed electromagnetic radiation, at least one receiver unit associated with the transmitter unit and at least one radiation deflection device with which radiation transmitted by the transmitter unit can be guided into a monitored zone and radiation reflected from the monitored zone can be guided onto the receiver unit, with the front of the radiation propagating in the direction of the deflection device being of elongated shape and the deflection device being formed and being movable relative to the elongated radiation front such that the radiation front reflected into the monitored zone adopts different orientations in space in dependence on the position of the moved deflection device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Assignee: Sick AG
    Inventor: Johann Hipp
  • Patent number: 6759647
    Abstract: In a projection encoder based on a triple-grating concept, a light-transmitting grating group 3 for detecting A- and B-phase signals, a photodiode group 4 for detecting A- and B-phase signals, and a photodiode group 5 for detecting a home position are formed on a movable grating plate 6 of a projection linear encoder 1; and a reflecting grating group 7 for detecting A- and B-phase signals, and a reflecting grating group 8 for detecting the home position are formed on a reflecting grating plate 9.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Assignee: Harmonic Drive Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Yoshinori Ito, Kazuhiro Hane
  • Patent number: 6756585
    Abstract: For manufacturing a housing for sensor elements, a pliable material is introduced into the environment of the sensor element (2) by an injection molding process. In a first process step, the sensor element is injection-encapsulated by a soft plastic component (1), and in a second process step a hard plastic component (5) is applied thereon, which forms the outer housing for the sensor element (2). The sensor element (2) is provided with at least two connection leads (11), which are at least partially encapsulated by the soft plastic component (1). A sensor manufactured according to the process, especially a temperature sensor, is provided with a measuring resistor as a sensor element (2) on a substrate with an electrically conducting surface and the resistance layer situated thereon. The measuring resistor is encased by the soft plastic component (1), which in turn is encapsulated in a hard plastic component serving as a housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignee: Heraeus Electro-Nite International N.V.
    Inventor: Gerhard Damaschke
  • Patent number: 6753542
    Abstract: According to the present invention, there is disclosed a defect detection apparatus comprising an illuminating unit which irradiates an inspection object with illuminating light, and an image pickup unit which picks up an image of diffracted light from the inspection object to perform defect inspection of the inspection object from image data picked up by the image pickup unit, the apparatus further comprising a diffraction angle calculation unit to obtain the diffraction angle of the illuminating light with respect to the inspection object, which is optimum for picking up the image of the diffracted light, based on design information of the inspection object, and an illuminating setting unit which sets the angle of incidence of the illuminating unit to the diffraction angle calculated by the diffraction angle calculation unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2004
    Assignee: Olympus Optical Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshinari Ota
  • Patent number: 6753519
    Abstract: An optoelectronic arrangement for the detection of relative movements or relative positions of two objects, which comprises at least three light emitting means as optoelectronic elements, with the light emitting means being arranged on a closed, imaginary first surface which is plane or convex in each site in such a manner that their respective emission means face towards a first inner space which is defined by the first surface. Further, a force and/or moment sensor provided with this arrangement with a first board and a second board, with the first board and the second board being elastically connected with each other and movable relative to one another. Finally, a personal computer keyboard which is provided with such a force and/or moment sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2004
    Assignee: 3DConnexion GmbH
    Inventor: Bernd Gombert
  • Patent number: 6750465
    Abstract: An apparatus for evaluating distinguishing authenticity features comprising diffraction elements on a document which is illuminated by an illumination source. The distinguishing authenticity element which is to be examined, diffracts the beam of the illuminating source and projects it onto an evaluating unit in the device. In order to be independent of the nature and location of the diffraction pattern, the diffraction pattern derived from the document to be examined is projected onto a screen and the image of the pattern recorded and evaluated by a camera (matrix or cells).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Assignee: Bundesdruckerei GmbH
    Inventors: Arnim Franz-Burgholz, Roland Gutmann, Harald Hoeppner, Thomas Löer, Detlef Märtens, Günther Dausmann, Zishao Yang, Robert Massen, Thomas Franz, Thomas Leitner, Jörg Eberhardt
  • Patent number: 6740862
    Abstract: An optical transducer includes a base member, a light source carried on a face of the base member, a light detector carried on the face of the base member laterally spaced from the light source, an optical shield extending from the face of the base member between the light source and light detector, and a displaceable member overlying, and spaced from, the light source, light detector and optical shield, and effective to reflect light from the light source to the light detector. The optical shield includes a transparent plate extending from the face of the base member between the light source and light detector, and carrying a thin layer of a light-blocking material to shield the light detector from direct exposure to the light source. The light source, light detector, and optical shield are all embedded in a transparent plastic potting material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: Phone-Or Ltd.
    Inventors: Alexander Paritsky, Alexander Kots
  • Patent number: 6737666
    Abstract: A cleaning end point detecting apparatus detects an end point of a cleaning process in which contamination attached to an inner wall of a reaction chamber is removed by introducing a cleaning gas into the chamber to produce a cluster cloud and detached particles. An irradiating unit irradiates a laser beam onto the cluster cloud and the detached particles within the reaction chamber to produce a scattered laser beam. A monitoring unit monitors the scattered laser beam as a two-dimensional image information. A judging unit judges the end point of the cleaning process on the basis of the two-dimensional image information. Preferably, the judging unit judges, as the end point of the cleaning process, a time instant when neither the detached particles nor the cluster cloud are detected on the basis of the two-dimensional image information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignees: NEC Electronics Corporation, Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Natsuko Ito, Tsuyoshi Moriya, Fumihiko Uesugi, Yoshinori Kato, Masaru Aomori, Shuji Moriya, Mitsuhiro Tachibana
  • Patent number: 6734416
    Abstract: Ultra-low leakage current backside-illuminated semiconductor photodiode arrays are fabricated using a method of formation of a transparent, conducting bias electrode layer that avoids high-temperature processing of the substrate after the wafer has been gettered. As a consequence, the component of the reverse-bias leakage current associated with strain, crystallographic defects or impurities introduced during elevated temperature processing subsequent to gettering can be kept extremely low. An optically transparent, conductive bias electrode layer, serving as both an optical window and an ohmic backside equipotential contact surface for the photodiodes, is fabricated by etching through the polysilicon gettering layer and a portion of the thickness of heavily-doped crystalline silicon layer formed within, and near the back of, the substrate during the gettering process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Digirad Corporation
    Inventors: Lars S. Carlson, Shulai Zhao, John Sheridan, Alan Mollet
  • Patent number: 6734450
    Abstract: A three-dimensional image capturing device comprises a light source for irradiating a distance measuring light beam to a subject. The light source has a plurality of light source rings, each of which is formed of a plurality of LEDs. The LEDs are annularly disposed along an outer periphery of a lens barrel. The ratio of the intensities of light beams irradiated by the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth light source rings is 1:2:4:8:16. The intensity of the distance measuring light beam irradiated by the light source rings is modulated by selecting the light source rings to be turned ON, so that the intensity of the distance measuring light beam changes in accordance with the time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: PENTAX Corporation
    Inventors: Shinichi Kakiuchi, Shuzo Seo, Nobuhiro Tani, Kiyoshi Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 6734412
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a position detection device having a function of an electronic shutter. The position detection device is devised to perform the following: a light sending means sends out emitted light, which comes from a light emitting means, to a target object; a two-dimensional light receiving means receives reflected light coming from the target object, and converts the reflected light into an electric charge; and an arithmetic processing means determines a position of the target object on the basis of a light receiving signal from the two-dimensional light receiving means. In addition, the two-dimensional light receiving means has a function of an electronic shutter for discharging an accumulated electric charge in order to adjust the quantity of received light. Moreover, the arithmetic processing means can drive the light emitting means within a period of time during which the electronic shutter is stopped and the two-dimensional light receiving means is accumulating an electric charge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha TOPCON
    Inventors: Kaoru Kumagai, Fumio Ohtomo
  • Patent number: 6734417
    Abstract: A displacement measurement system and a sheet feed system incorporating the same are described. The displacement measurement system includes a support arm, a roller, and an optical encoder. The support arm has a first end and a second end and is configured to turn about a pivot axis on a pivot located closer to the first end than the second end so that displacement of the first end causes a greater corresponding displacement of the second end. The roller is mounted at the first end of the support arm and is configured to rotate about a roller axis substantially parallel to the pivot axis. The optical encoder has at least one component mounted at the second end of the support arm and is configured to generate signals responsive to movement of the second end of the support arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: David S. Vejtasa