Patents Examined by Kevin Pyo
  • Patent number: 10008522
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a multi-spectrum photosensitive device and manufacturing method thereof. The multi-spectrum photosensitive device comprises at least one opaque base layer; each base layer having at least two sides, at least two of the sides are provided with photosensitive pixel groups, each photosensitive pixel group is used for sensing light of either spectrum irradiated from the obverse direction of the located side. Alternatively, the multi-spectrum photosensitive device comprises at least one transparent base layer; each base layer having at least two sides, at least two of the sides are provided with photosensitive pixel groups, each photosensitive pixel group is used for sensing light of interested spectrum irritated from the obverse direction or reverse direction of the located side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: Boly Media Communications (Shenzen) Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Xiaoping Hu
  • Patent number: 10009565
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus 10 includes an imaging panel 11 formed by arranging imaging element units 20 included in one pixel or a plurality of pixels, in a two-dimensional matrix form. Each of the imaging element units 20 includes an imaging element 30 which converts an incident electromagnetic wave to a current, and a current/voltage conversion circuit 40A which converts the current from the imaging element to a voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Takahiro Sonoda, Atsushi Suzuki
  • Patent number: 9999479
    Abstract: An apparatus for detecting deformation of an elongate body may comprise a light source configured to sequentially provide light of multiple frequencies, an optical receiver configured to receive light from the light source, and a filter disposed between the light source and the optical detector. The filter may comprise multiple segments, each of the segments configured to filter light at one of the frequencies so as to alter the amount of light incident on said optical receiver. A total amount of light detected by the optical receiver may change during the sequence so as to be indicative of deformation of the elongate body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: ST JUDE MEDICAL INTERNATIONAL HOLDING S.À F
    Inventor: Gleb V. Klimovitch
  • Patent number: 9995622
    Abstract: A method of detecting an optical signal, comprising the steps of: providing an avalanche photodiode (APD) comprising a multiplication region capable of amplifying an electric current, said multiplication region, in operation, having a first ionization rate for electrons and a second ionization rate for holes, wherein said first ionization rate is different in magnitude from said second ionization rate, and exposure to the optical signal causes an impulse response; exposing the APD to a modulating optical signal; providing an external circuit that induces an APD bias to the multiplication region; providing an external circuit for amplifying and processing an electric signal from the avalanche photodiode; and modulating the APD bias in a manner that is correlated with the optical signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Voxtel, Inc.
    Inventor: George Williams
  • Patent number: 9995895
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a photonic circuit device for optical gain measurement, including: a substrate with a photonic circuit; an active gain section; at least two light couplers arranged such that at least a part of the active gain section is between the light couplers; and a partial reflector arranged to reflect light propagating along the same direction back to a center of the gain section, and wherein the device does not include any other reflector opposite to the partial reflector with respect to the active gain section and configured to reflect light back to the center of the gain section. The present invention is further directed to related gain measurement methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventor: Jens Hofrichter
  • Patent number: 9989408
    Abstract: A photodetector includes a semiconductor substrate; a light receiving part for signal detection and an infrared light receiving part which are formed in the semiconductor substrate and are covered at least by first color filters having a common color; and second color filters which overlap with the first color filters on the infrared light receiving part and are configured to block light in a wavelength range transmitting through the first color filters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: Rohm Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshitsugu Uedaira, Takahiro Kitahara
  • Patent number: 9985622
    Abstract: A comparator includes: a first amplifying unit that includes a differential pair configured with a pair of transistors which are first and second transistors, and amplifies a difference of signals input to each of the gate electrodes of the first and second transistors, to output; a second amplifying unit that amplifies the signal output from the first amplifying unit; a third transistor that connects the first transistor to a power source voltage; a fourth transistor that connects the second transistor to the power source voltage; a fifth transistor that connects a connection point of gate electrodes of the third transistor and the fourth transistor to a drain of the third transistor; and a sixth transistor that connects a connection point of gate electrodes of the third transistor and the fourth transistor to a drain of the fourth transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Hideki Tanaka, Shizunori Matsumoto, Haruhisa Naganokawa, Yuuichi Kaji
  • Patent number: 9983052
    Abstract: An optical imaging system includes a coherent light generator, imaging optics and a detection system. The coherent light generator is configured to generate squeezed light. The imaging optics is arranged to direct the squeezed light from the coherent light generator onto a target object and to receive squeezed light reflected by the target object. The detection system includes a local oscillator configured to generate un-squeezed light at a same frequency and phase as the squeezed light, a combiner arranged to combine the received squeezed light from the imaging optics and the un-squeezed light from the local oscillator to provide combined light, and a detector arranged to receive and detect the combined light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: ROCKWELL COLLINS, INC.
    Inventor: Robert G. Brown
  • Patent number: 9986188
    Abstract: A unit pixel of an image sensor includes a photoelectric conversion unit, a mode control unit, a first signal generation unit and a second signal generation unit. The photoelectric conversion unit generates photo-charges in response to incident light and provides the photo-charges to a first node. The mode control unit prevents the photo-charges from being discharged from the first node in a first operation mode, and generates a sensing current by discharging the photo-charges and generates a sensing voltage proportional to the sensing current in a second operation mode. The first signal generation unit generates an analog signal based on an amount of the photo-charges accumulated in the first node in the first operation mode. The second signal generation unit generates an on signal and an off signal based on a change of the sensing voltage in the second operation mode. The unit pixel provides various sensing outputs effectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tae-Chan Kim, Moo-Young Kim
  • Patent number: 9985064
    Abstract: A solid-state imaging device includes: a semiconductor substrate provided with an effective pixel region including a light receiving section that photoelectrically converts incident light; an interconnection layer that is provided at a plane side opposite to the light receiving plane of the semiconductor substrate; a first groove portion that is provided between adjacent light receiving sections and is formed at a predetermined depth from the light receiving plane side of the semiconductor substrate; and an insulating material that is embedded in at least a part of the first groove portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Atsushi Kawashima, Katsunori Hiramatsu, Yasufumi Miyoshi
  • Patent number: 9985066
    Abstract: There is provided a solid state imaging device including a plurality of imaging pixels arranged two-dimensionally in a matrix configuration and phase difference detecting pixels arranged scatteredly among the imaging pixels, the solid state imaging device including: a first microlens formed for each of the imaging pixels; a planarization film having a lower refractive index than the first microlens and formed on the first microlens; and a second microlens formed only on the planarization film of the phase difference detecting pixel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Shinichiro Noudo, Yoichi Ootsuka
  • Patent number: 9976898
    Abstract: An optical sensing module capable of providing a multi-directional optical sensing function teaches that the optical sensing module can be fixed on a circuit board via a bridging medium. The optical sensing module includes a supporter, a photosensitive component and a connecting component. The supporter includes a base and several lateral portions. The lateral portions are bent from edges of the base to form an accommodating space. The photosensitive component is disposed inside the accommodating space to receive an optical signal passing into an opening of the accommodating space. The connecting component is disposed on the supporter and includes a conductive terminal. The supporter is connected with the bridging material via the conductive terminal to stand on the circuit board by one of a plurality of sensing directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: PixArt Imaging Inc.
    Inventors: Chi-Chih Shen, Jen-Yu Chen, Yen-Hsin Chen, Kuo-Hsiung Li, Jui-Cheng Chuang
  • Patent number: 9977192
    Abstract: An optical receiver including a photodetector and a waveguide is provided. The photodetector includes a plurality of photosensitive regions arranged in an array. The waveguide is disposed on the photodetector and includes a plurality of gratings, a plurality of optical channels, and a plurality of light-deflection elements. The gratings are respectively adapted to collect light beams incident on the waveguide at different angles. The optical channels are adapted to propagate the light beams collected by the gratings. The light-deflection elements are disposed on transmission paths of the light beams propagating in the optical channels and are located above the photosensitive regions. The light-deflection elements are adapted to propagate the light beams propagating in the optical channels to the photosensitive regions. An optical transceiver is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Chia-Hsin Chao, Yen-Hsiang Fang, Chun-Hsing Lee, Kai-Ning Ku
  • Patent number: 9978788
    Abstract: A method for forming a photosensitive module is provided. The method includes providing a sensing device. The sensing device includes a conducting pad located on a substrate. A first opening penetrates the substrate and exposes the conducting pad. A redistribution layer is in the first opening to electrically connect to the conducting pad. A cover plate is located on the substrate and covers the conducting pad. The method also includes removing the cover plate of the sensing device. The method further includes bonding the sensing device to a circuit board after the removal of the cover plate. The redistribution layer in the first opening is exposed and faces the circuit board. In addition, the method includes mounting an optical component corresponding to the sensing device on the circuit board. A photosensitive module formed by the method is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: XINTEC INC.
    Inventors: Yen-Shih Ho, Tsang-Yu Liu, Chi-Chang Liao
  • Patent number: 9972964
    Abstract: An optical device may include a laser emitter to generate a first laser beam and a second laser beam with orthogonal polarization states. The optical device may include first and second photodetectors to generate respective first currents based on optical powers of the first and second laser beams. The optical device may include a polarization-based beam splitter to combine the first and second laser beams. The optical device may include a wavelength filter to filter the first and second laser beams based on respective wavelengths of the first and second laser beams. The optical device may include a third photodetector and a fourth photodetector to generate respective second currents based on optical powers of the first and second laser beams after filtration. The wavelengths of the first and second laser beams may be controlled based on the first currents and the second currents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Lumentum Operations LLC
    Inventors: Wei Xiong, Michael C. Larson, Zhaoming Li
  • Patent number: 9972656
    Abstract: An image sensor, in particular a CMOS image sensor, for electronic cameras includes a plurality of light-sensitive pixels arranged in rows and columns for generating exposure-dependent pixel signals. A plurality of column lines, at least one precharge circuit for charging or discharging the column lines and at least one column readout circuit for reading out the pixel signals of the respective column are associated with a respective column. The image sensor has at least one switching device which is adapted to couple, in a first switch state, one of the column lines of a respective column to the precharge circuit and another one of the column lines of the respective column to the column readout circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Arnold & Richter Cine Technik GmbH & Co. Betriebs KG
    Inventor: Michael Cieslinski
  • Patent number: 9971148
    Abstract: A beam steering device includes a housing and a transceiver that emits and receives light beams through at least one opening in the housing. A rotator includes a cylindrical body rotatably mounted within the housing axially between the transceiver and the at least one opening. A wedge-shaped prism is secured within the body and includes a first surface extending perpendicular to the axis and a second surface extending transverse to the axis. An encoder member and a drive member are provided on an outer surface of the body. Sensors are mounted to the housing to sense the encoder member and provide an encoder signal indicative of a rotational position of the prism about the axis. At least one drive element is mounted to the housing and applies force to the drive member to rotate the body and prism about the axis for steering light beams propagating through the prism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Daniel N. Carothers, Stephen J. Fedigan
  • Patent number: 9970811
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes methods and systems for passive detection of wide-spectral-band laser emissions. One method includes receiving optical energy from an emission source at a surface of an object, transmitting the received optical energy through the surface using a detection patch coupled to the surface, the detection patch incorporating an exterior terminating end of each of one or more of a plurality of optical fibers embedded in a casting, transmitting the optical energy to a light sensor using a light pipe coupled to interior terminating ends of the one or more optical fibers, and analyzing, by operation of a computer, the optical energy received at the light sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Torrey Pines Logic, Inc.
    Inventor: Leo Volfson
  • Patent number: 9964699
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods related to use of hollow core photonic crystal fibers. A system includes a tube and a collimating lens configured in a first end of the tube, wherein a single mode fiber is coupled to a first end of the collimating lens. A second lens is supported by a structure at a second end of the tube, the second lens receiving a first signal from a second end of the collimating lens and outputting a second signal that is coupled into a first end of a hollow core photonic crystal fiber. A first gas tube is configured to introduce gas through the structure into a chamber and a sealant seals at least one of the collimating lens and the structure within the tube. An output signal is received at a detector that catches the entire beam to suppress multiple-mode beating noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administraion
    Inventors: Jeffrey R. Chen, Kenji Numata, Stewart T. Wu
  • Patent number: 9964632
    Abstract: A light detection and ranging (LIDAR) system can emit light toward an environment and detect responsively reflected light to determine a distance to one or more points in the environment. The reflected light can be detected by a plurality of plurality of photodiodes that are reverse-biased using a high voltage. Signals from the plurality of reverse-biased photodiodes can be amplified by respective transistors and applied to an analog-to-digital converter (ADC). The signal from a particular photodiode can be applied to the ADC by biasing a respective transistor corresponding to the particular photodiode while not biasing transistors corresponding to other photodiodes. The gain of each photodiode/transistor pair can be controlled by adjusting the bias voltage applied to each photodiode using a digital-to-analog converter. The gain of each photodiode/transistor pair can be controlled based on the detected temperature of each photodiode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: Waymo LLC
    Inventors: Pierre-yves Droz, Samuel William Lenius