Patents Examined by Yara Green
  • Patent number: 8716665
    Abstract: Various embodiments of a compact optical proximity sensor with a ball grid array and windowed or apertured substrate are disclosed. In one embodiment, the optical proximity sensor comprises a printed circuit board (“PCB”) substrate comprising an aperture and a lower surface having electrical contacts disposed thereon, an infrared light emitter and an infrared light detector mounted on an upper surface of the substrate, an integrated circuit located at least partially within the aperture, a molding compound being disposed between portions of the integrated circuit and substrate, an ambient light detector mounted on an upper surface of the integrated circuit, first and second molded infrared light pass components disposed over and covering the infrared light emitter and the infrared light detector, respectively, and a molded infrared light cut component disposed between and over portions of the first and second infrared light pass components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Avago Technologies General IP (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Yufeng Yao, Chi Boon Ong, Wee Sin Tan
  • Patent number: 8704179
    Abstract: The present invention provides thermal detectors having an optical cavity that is optimized to couple light into a sensor. Light that is on resonance is coupled with the sensor with as high as 100% efficiency, while light off resonance is substantially reflected away. Light that strikes the sensor from the sides (i.e. not on the optical cavity axis) only interacts minimally with sensor because of the reduced absorption characteristics of the sensor. Narrowband sensors in accordance with the present invention can gain as much as 100% of the signal from one direction and spectral band, while receiving only a fraction of the normal radiation noise, which originates from all spectral bands and directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Regents of the University of Minnesota
    Inventor: Joseph J. Talghader
  • Patent number: 8698083
    Abstract: A method and device for evaluating a solar cell each of which makes it possible to easily evaluate a defect of a solar cell especially in such a manner that an internal cause defect and an external cause defect are distinguished from each other. The device includes: electric current passing means for passing, in a forward direction, an electric current through a solar cell element constituting the solar cell; light emission detecting means for detecting, out of light emitted from the solar cell element due to the electric current passed by the electric current passing means, light in a first range of wavelengths from 800 nm to 1300 nm and light in a second range of wavelengths from 1400 nm to 1800 nm; and judging means for distinguishing between an internal cause defect and an external cause defect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: National University Corporation Nara Institute of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Takashi Fuyuki, Ayumi Tani
  • Patent number: 8698087
    Abstract: Provided are time-of-flight positron emission tomography devices comprising a detector array having at least two segments configured to accommodate a body part and to acquire tracer emission signals from a target within an imaging situs with a timing resolution of less than about 600 ps and a processor that receives the acquired signals from the detector array and converts the signals into a three dimensional image reconstruction of the target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: The Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania
    Inventors: Suleman Surti, Joel S. Karp
  • Patent number: 8658990
    Abstract: Radiation dosimeters containing thin KCl:Eu2+ storage phosphors for quantifying and/or verifying the dose of radiation applied during radiation therapy. Methods for measuring the amount of radiation applied from a source of radiation and methods for treating a patient having a cancerous tumor are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Washington University
    Inventor: Hui Li
  • Patent number: 8653469
    Abstract: A probe for detecting K-alpha photon emissions. A housing has an aperture at an end. A detector crystal is situated within the housing adjacent to the housing aperture. An energy conversion device is situated within the housing between the detector crystal and the aperture. The energy conversion device is made from a predetermined material configured to convert energy directed through the housing aperture from a source of primary photon emission radiation to a corresponding secondary K-alpha emission within a predetermined emission energy acceptance window. A power supply is coupled to the detector crystal and is configured to establish a polarized electrical field between the anode and the cathode of the detector crystal. The detector crystal receives the K-alpha emission and generates an electrical signal representative of the amount of target emissions received through the housing aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Devicor Medical Products, Inc.
    Inventor: John D. Call
  • Patent number: 8653464
    Abstract: The invention relates to an imaging method for simultaneously determining in vivo distributions of bioluminescent and/or fluorescent markers and radioactive markers at identical projection angles, the distribution of the bioluminescent and/or fluorescent markers being determined by separate detection of photons having a first average energy, which are emitted by the bioluminescent and/or fluorescent markers, by means of at least one first detector and the distribution of the radioactive markers being determined by simultaneous separate detection of photons having a second average energy, which are emitted by the radioactive markers, by means of at least one second detector. Furthermore, it also relates to an apparatus for carrying out the imaging method, containing at least one micro lens array optical tomographic imaging system as first detector, at least one single photon emission computer tomography (SPECT) detector as second detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum Stiftung des Oeffentlichen Rechts
    Inventor: Joerg Peter
  • Patent number: 8629407
    Abstract: A method of forming a standard mask for an inspection system is provided, the method comprising providing a substrate within a chamber, and providing a tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS) precursor within the chamber. The method further includes reacting the TEOS precursor with an electron beam to form silicon oxide particles of controlled size at one or more controlled locations on the substrate, the silicon oxide particles disposed as simulated contamination defects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chien-Hung Lai, Biow-Hiem Ong, Chia-Shih Lin, Jong-Yuh Chang, Chih-Chiang Tu
  • Patent number: 8614423
    Abstract: A radiation detector includes a semiconductor substrate having opposing front and rear surfaces, a cathode electrode located on the front surface of the semiconductor substrate configured so as to receive radiation, and a plurality of anode electrodes formed on the rear surface of said semiconductor substrate. A work function of the cathode electrode material contacting the front surface of the semiconductor substrate is lower than a work function of the anode electrode material contacting the rear surface of the semiconductor substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: Redlen Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Henry Chen, Salah Awadalla, Pinghe Lu, Pramodha Marthandam
  • Patent number: 8610064
    Abstract: A thermal detector has a substrate, a thermal detector element having a light-absorbing film, and a support member. The support member has a mounting part mounting the thermal detector element, a first arm part having one end that is linked to one end of the mounting part and another end that is supported on the substrate, and a second arm part having one end that is linked to the other end of the mounting part and another end that is supported on the other end of the substrate. A plurality of wirings electrically connected with the thermal detector element are provided on the first arm part, and the length of the second arm part is shorter than the length of the first arm part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Takafumi Noda
  • Patent number: 8604438
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for identifying and sorting sensing signals with respect to crystal locations of a scintillation detector, comprising steps of: (a) providing a crystal map detected by a crystal array, the crystal map having a plurality of peak points, each being represented by a coordinate location; (b) finding a basis point with respect to a specific area enclosing an amount of the peak points within the crystal map; (c) determining the peak point within the specific area having the shortest distance to the basis point, the peak point corresponding to a crystal element of the crystal array; (d) changing the location of the specific area; and (e) repeating steps (b) to (d) for a plurality of times to find all the crystal elements with respect to the peak points respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Institute of Nuclear Energy Research Atomic Energy Council, Executive Yuan
    Inventors: Fan-Pin Tseng, Meei-Ling Jan
  • Patent number: 8581212
    Abstract: The monitoring of UV radiation has received increased attention recently due to the hazards of accelerated skin ageing and even cancer following excessive exposure. Personalized monitoring gives a more accurate reading than crude weather forecasts of the ‘UV index’. This invention answers both these needs in a personal UV monitor that is incorporated into an existing display. Minimal processing changes are made to an existing display in order to achieve this added functionality, which is therefore achieved at little additional cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Chimei Innolux Corporation
    Inventors: Nigel David Young, Peter Fairley
  • Patent number: 8563930
    Abstract: A system and method for producing modulated electrical signals. The system uses a variable resistor having a photoconductive wide bandgap semiconductor material construction whose conduction response to changes in amplitude of incident radiation is substantially linear throughout a non-saturation region to enable operation in non-avalanche mode. The system also includes a modulated radiation source, such as a modulated laser, for producing amplitude-modulated radiation with which to direct upon the variable resistor and modulate its conduction response. A voltage source and an output port, are both operably connected to the variable resistor so that an electrical signal may be produced at the output port by way of the variable resistor, either generated by activation of the variable resistor or propagating through the variable resistor. In this manner, the electrical signal is modulated by the variable resistor so as to have a waveform substantially similar to the amplitude-modulated radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventors: John Richardson Harris, George J. Caporaso, Stephen E. Sampayan
  • Patent number: 8552377
    Abstract: This invention provides a design to process a large range of detection beam current at low noise with a single detector. With such a design, the detection system can generate up to 1010 gain and maximum signal output at more than mini Ampere (mA) level. A condenser lens is configured to increase bandwidth of the detector that scan speed can be enhanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Hermes Microvision, Inc.
    Inventors: Yi-Xiang Wang, Joe Wang, Weiming Ren
  • Patent number: 8552375
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed to provide a reference signal via a switched capacitor filter for image detector arrays in accordance with one or more embodiments. For an example embodiment, a method of providing a sampled and filtered reference signal to an image detector array includes receiving a reference signal; sampling the reference signal with a first capacitor to store a sampled reference signal based on the reference signal; coupling a second capacitor to the first capacitor to share charge stored on the first and second capacitors to generate the sampled and filtered reference signal to store on the second capacitor; and decoupling the second capacitor from the first capacitor, wherein the sampled and filtered reference signal is stored on the second capacitor to provide for one or more image detectors within the image detector array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Flir Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Naseem Y. Aziz, Robert F. Cannata
  • Patent number: 8536533
    Abstract: Reflective means comprising substrates, selectively reflects electromagnetic radiation whose frequency lies between 3×109 Hz and 1013 Hz, and includes, for example, a layer of high resistivity silicon, on which the radiation is arranged to be incident, and means for selectively generating charge carriers in the layer to reflect the radiation, for example, by illuminating a face of the substrate with electromagnetic radiation whose wavelength lies between 5 ?m and 100 mn in order to generate the charge carriers. The reflective means may form part of an imaging device in which a scene to be imaged is illuminated by radiation which passes through the reflective means in a coaxial arrangement, the reflected radiation being received by the reflective element while the reflective region is scanned over its entire surface, to produce a stream of radiation reflected from the scene which can be detected and used to drive a display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: E2V Technologies (UK) Limited
    Inventors: Mervyn Keith Hobden, Robert Anthony Sareen
  • Patent number: 8530863
    Abstract: Systems and methods for document and product authentication using a variety of absorption and emission signatures are disclosed. Emission signatures in the form of florescent or phosphorescent coatings, inks and substrates are used for authentication and protection of items such as documents, currency, and secondary packaging for tobacco, luxury goods and pharmaceuticals. Spectrally overlapping absorption and emission materials are combined to provide a unique spectral fingerprint detectable by a scanner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Spectra Systems Corporation
    Inventor: Nabil M. Lawandy
  • Patent number: 8530813
    Abstract: Static electricity generated in each data line 3 at the time of manufacturing a TFT active matrix substrate 10 is discharged to a common line 110 through a bidirectional diode 30A. Since the bidirectional diode 30A is configured to have a first allowable level higher than a second allowable level of a protection circuit 112, a leak current that are generated in each data line 3 when being driven is discharged to common lines 111A, 111B through the protection circuit 112.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshihiro Okada
  • Patent number: 8525120
    Abstract: A light emitting film is transferred to a light emitting plate serving as a transfer destination member, by a transfer method. The light emitting plate contains a first scintillator material for detecting ? ray. The light emitting film includes a protective layer, a light tight layer and a light emitting layer. The light emitting layer contains an adhesive material, and a second scintillator material added thereto for detecting ? ray. The light emitting film may be directly formed on a surface of a transparent member, a light receiving surface of a photomultiplier tube or the like by a transfer method. The light tight layer and the light emitting layer are arranged between the protective layer and the transfer destination member, and thus the light tight layer and the light emitting layer are protected physically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Hitachi Aloka Medical, Ltd.
    Inventor: Akinori Iwamoto
  • Patent number: 8519344
    Abstract: A radiation imaging apparatus has a pixel region arranged on a substrate. Arranged in a matrix pattern in the pixel region are pixels, each pixel including a conversion element which converts radiation to electrical charges, and a switching element which is connected to the conversion element therein. The radiation imaging apparatus has, in a region outside the pixel region of the substrate, an intersection at which a signal line connected to the switching element and a bias line connected to the conversion element intersects. At the intersection, a semiconductor layer is arranged between the signal line and the bias line, and a carrier blocking portion is arranged between the semiconductor layer and the signal line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takamasa Ishii, Chiori Mochizuki, Minoru Watanabe