Patents by Inventor James Gordon Charters Smith
James Gordon Charters Smith has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 11020771Abstract: An apparatus for sorting gemstones from a batch of gemstones comprises one or more measurement locations, a conveyor comprising a plurality of discrete compartments for containing the gemstones, a delivery device configured to deliver individual gemstones from the batch of gemstones to individual compartments of the conveyor and a controller configured to synchronise a speed of the conveyor with an operation of the one or more measurement locations such that the measurements of the gemstones can be correlated with a location of the gemstones in their associated compartments. A method of sorting gemstones from a batch of gemstones is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2017Date of Patent: June 1, 2021Assignee: De Beers UK LtdInventor: James Gordon Charters Smith
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Publication number: 20190337021Abstract: An apparatus for sorting gemstones from a batch of gemstones comprises one or more measurement locations, a conveyor comprising a plurality of discrete compartments for containing the gemstones, a delivery device configured to deliver individual gemstones from the batch of gemstones to individual compartments of the conveyor and a controller configured to synchronise a speed of the conveyor with an operation of the one or more measurement locations such that the measurements of the gemstones can be correlated with a location of the gemstones in their associated compartments. A method of sorting gemstones from a batch of gemstones is also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2017Publication date: November 7, 2019Inventor: James Gordon Charters SMITH
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Patent number: 10345245Abstract: A method of and an apparatus for providing an indicator for a diamond as to whether it is natural by testing for the presence or absence of one or more specific markers in the luminescence properties of the diamond, These markers are characterized by luminescence decay time and luminescence wavelength.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2018Date of Patent: July 9, 2019Assignee: De Beers UK LtdInventors: James Gordon Charters Smith, Colin McGuinness, David Fisher
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Patent number: 10215706Abstract: A system is described for obtaining images of a gemstone, and performing quantitative analysis on the images to obtain measures of properties of the gemstone. The system comprises a support structure for supporting the gemstone at an observation position. An illumination structure is arranged to illuminate the gemstone. The illumination structure comprises a plurality of radially dispersed directional light sources directed towards the observation position, the support structure and illumination system being rotatable relative to one another around a rotation axis so that the gemstone can be illuminated by one or more of the directional light sources at each of a plurality of rotational positions, the axis of rotation being normal to a selected facet of the gemstone. An imaging device is directed towards the gemstone for obtaining images of the gemstone at each of the rotational positions, the imaging device having an imaging axis parallel to or coincident with the axis of rotation.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2015Date of Patent: February 26, 2019Assignee: De Beers UK Ltd.Inventor: James Gordon Charters Smith
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Publication number: 20190003980Abstract: A method of and an apparatus for providing an indicator for a diamond as to whether it is natural by testing for the presence or absence of one or more specific markers in the luminescence properties of the diamond, These markers are characterised by luminescence decay time and luminescence wavelength.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 21, 2018Publication date: January 3, 2019Inventors: James Gordon Charters SMITH, Colin McGUINNESS, David FISHER
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Patent number: 10082469Abstract: A method of and an apparatus for providing an indicator for a diamond as to whether it is natural by testing for the presence or absence of one or more specific markers in the luminescence properties of the diamond. These markers are characterized by luminescence decay time and luminescence wavelength.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2016Date of Patent: September 25, 2018Assignee: DE BEERS UK LTDInventors: James Gordon Charters Smith, Colin McGuinness, David Fisher
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Publication number: 20180195970Abstract: A method of and an apparatus for providing an indicator for a diamond as to whether it is natural by testing for the presence or absence of one or more specific markers in the luminescence properties of the diamond. These markers are characterised by luminescence decay time and luminescence wavelength.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 28, 2016Publication date: July 12, 2018Inventors: James Gordon Charters SMITH, Colin McGUINNESS, David FISHER
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Patent number: 9625393Abstract: An apparatus for viewing images of a gemstone is described. The apparatus comprises a support structure for supporting the gemstone at an observation position. An illumination structure comprises a plurality of directional light sources directed towards the observation position so as to illuminate the gemstone. The support structure and illumination structure are relatively rotatable relative to one another about a rotation axis. An imaging device is arranged to obtain images of the gemstone at the observation position at a variety of relative rotational positions between the illumination structure and support structure: the imaging device has an imaging axis passing through the observation position. The support structure is arranged so that the gemstone can be placed at the observation position in such a way that the normal to a selected facet of the gemstone is within a range of tilt angles from the rotation axis.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2015Date of Patent: April 18, 2017Assignee: De Beers UK Ltd.Inventors: James Gordon Charters Smith, Michael Peter Gaukroger, Peter Stanley Rose
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Patent number: 9618443Abstract: There is described an apparatus and method for inspecting and optionally sorting gemstones. The apparatus includes a nozzle or array of nozzles operatively connected to a vacuum pump such that a gemstone located generally underneath one of the nozzles will be supported against that nozzle by air pressure when a vacuum is applied above the nozzle. A drive system moves the nozzles along a path past a gemstone pick-up location so that a gemstone can be picked up by each nozzle as that nozzle passes the pick-up location. One or more measurement devices are located on or near the predetermined path and configured to measure at least one property of the gemstone. One or more ejection locations are provided on the path at which the vacuum applied to each nozzle is reversible to eject the gemstone from that nozzle. The apparatus may also include a plurality of dispensing bins into which the gemstones are dispensed. The bin into which each gemstone is dispensed is chosen in dependence on the measured property.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2013Date of Patent: April 11, 2017Assignee: De Beers UK Ltd.Inventors: James Gordon Charters Smith, Timothy Howard Leaton
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Patent number: 9322785Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating a 3D model of and/or detecting inclusions in a polished gemstone such as diamond is described. The gemstone (103) is rotated in a series of discrete increments. At each rotational position of the gemstone, the gemstone (103) is illuminated with collimated light (111,112) and a silhouette image recorded. At each rotational position, the gemstone (103) is also (before further rotation) illuminated with diffuse light (109), and a diffuse image recorded. The images are analyzed to obtain a 3D model of the surface of the gemstone. Features may then be identified in the diffuse images and tracked between subsequent diffuse images. The tracked features may be located relative to the 3D model of the gemstone, taking into account reflection and refraction of light rays by the gemstone. Some or all of the located features may then be identified as inclusions.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2010Date of Patent: April 26, 2016Assignee: De Beers UK Ltd.Inventors: James Gordon Charters Smith, Graham Ralph Powell
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Publication number: 20160103078Abstract: A system is described for obtaining images of a gemstone, and performing quantitative analysis on the images to obtain measures of properties of the gemstone. The system comprises a support structure for supporting the gemstone at an observation position. An illumination structure is arranged to illuminate the gemstone. The illumination structure comprises a plurality of radially dispersed directional light sources directed towards the observation position, the support structure and illumination system being rotatable relative to one another around a rotation axis so that the gemstone can be illuminated by one or more of the directional light sources at each of a plurality of rotational positions, the axis of rotation being normal to a selected facet of the gemstone. An imaging device is directed towards the gemstone for obtaining images of the gemstone at each of the rotational positions, the imaging device having an imaging axis parallel to or coincident with the axis of rotation.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2015Publication date: April 14, 2016Inventor: James Gordon Charters SMITH
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Publication number: 20160041106Abstract: An apparatus for viewing images of a gemstone is described. The apparatus comprises a support structure for supporting the gemstone at an observation position. An illumination structure comprises a plurality of directional light sources directed towards the observation position so as to illuminate the gemstone. The support structure and illumination structure are relatively rotatable relative to one another about a rotation axis. An imaging device is arranged to obtain images of the gemstone at the observation position at a variety of relative rotational positions between the illumination structure and support structure: the imaging device has an imaging axis passing through the observation position. The support structure is arranged so that the gemstone can be placed at the observation position in such a way that the normal to a selected facet of the gemstone is within a range of tilt angles from the rotation axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 16, 2015Publication date: February 11, 2016Inventors: James Gordon Charters SMITH, Michael Peter GAUKROGER, Peter Stanley ROSE
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Patent number: 9250193Abstract: A system is described for obtaining images of a gemstone, and performing quantitative analysis on the images to obtain measures of properties of the gemstone. The system comprises a support structure for supporting the gemstone at an observation position. An illumination structure is arranged to illuminate the gemstone. The illumination structure comprises a plurality of radially dispersed directional light sources directed towards the observation position, the support structure and illumination system being rotatable relative to one another around a rotation axis so that the gemstone can be illuminated by one or more of the directional light sources at each of a plurality of rotational positions, the axis of rotation being normal to a selected facet of the gemstone. An imaging device is directed towards the gemstone for obtaining images of the gemstone at each of the rotational positions, the imaging device having an imaging axis parallel to or coincident with the axis of rotation.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 2011Date of Patent: February 2, 2016Assignee: De Beers UK Ltd.Inventor: James Gordon Charters Smith
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Patent number: 9188542Abstract: An apparatus for viewing images of a gemstone is described. The apparatus comprises a support structure for supporting the gemstone at an observation position. An illumination structure comprises a plurality of directional light sources directed towards the observation position so as to illuminate the gemstone. The support structure and illumination structure are relatively rotatable relative to one another about a rotation axis. An imaging device is arranged to obtain images of the gemstone at the observation position at a variety of relative rotational positions between the illumination structure and support structure: the imaging device has an imaging axis passing through the observation position. The support structure is arranged so that the gemstone can be placed at the observation position in such a way that the normal to a selected facet of the gemstone is within a range of tilt angles from the rotation axis.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2009Date of Patent: November 17, 2015Assignee: De Beers UK Ltd.Inventors: James Gordon Charters Smith, Michael Peter Gaukroger, Peter Stanley Rose
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Publication number: 20150112643Abstract: The invention provides a method of automating the classification of a diamond gemstone. An infra-red absorption spectrum of the gemstone is provided. Features corresponding to absorption by water and intrinsic absorption by a diamond lattice are subtracted from the absorption spectrum. The spectrum is analysed to identify predetermined absorption features corresponding to lattice defects in the diamond. The gemstone is classified according to the intensities of the predetermined absorption features. The results of the classification are saved in a database.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 12, 2013Publication date: April 23, 2015Inventors: Rizwan Khan, Nicholas Matthew Davies, David Fisher, James Gordon Charters Smith
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Publication number: 20150015877Abstract: There is described an apparatus and method for inspecting and optionally sorting gemstones. The apparatus includes a nozzle or array of nozzles operatively connected to a vacuum pump such that a gemstone located generally underneath one of the nozzles will be supported against that nozzle by air pressure when a vacuum is applied above the nozzle. A drive system moves the nozzles along a path past a gemstone pick-up location so that a gemstone can be picked up by each nozzle as that nozzle passes the pick-up location. One or more measurement devices are located on or near the predetermined path and configured to measure at least one property of the gemstone. One or more ejection locations are provided on the path at which the vacuum applied to each nozzle is reversible to eject the gemstone from that nozzle. The apparatus may also include a plurality of dispensing bins into which the gemstones are dispensed. The bin into which each gemstone is dispensed is chosen in dependence on the measured property.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2013Publication date: January 15, 2015Applicant: DE BEERS CENTENARY AGInventors: James Gordon Charters Smith, Timothy Howard Leaton
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Publication number: 20130016210Abstract: A system is described for obtaining images of a gemstone, and performing quantitative analysis on the images to obtain measures of properties of the gemstone. The system comprises a support structure for supporting the gemstone at an observation position. An illumination structure is arranged to illuminate the gemstone. The illumination structure comprises a plurality of radially dispersed directional light sources directed towards the observation position, the support structure and illumination system being rotatable relative to one another around a rotation axis so that the gemstone can be illuminated by one or more of the directional light sources at each of a plurality of rotational positions, the axis of rotation being normal to a selected facet of the gemstone. An imaging device is directed towards the gemstone for obtaining images of the gemstone at each of the rotational positions, the imaging device having an imaging axis parallel to or coincident with the axis of rotation.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 26, 2011Publication date: January 17, 2013Applicant: DE BEERS CENTENARY AGInventor: James Gordon Charters Smith
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Publication number: 20120274751Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating a 3D model of and/or detecting inclusions in a polished gemstone such as diamond is described. The gemstone (103) is rotated in a series of discrete increments. At each rotational position of the gemstone, the gemstone (103) is illuminated with collimated light (111,112) and a silhouette image recorded. At each rotational position, the gemstone (103) is also (before further rotation) illuminated with diffuse light (109), and a diffuse image recorded. The images are analysed to obtain a 3D model of the surface of the gemstone. Features may then be identified in the diffuse images and tracked between subsequent diffuse images. The tracked features may be located relative to the 3D model of the gemstone, taking into account reflection and refraction of light rays by the gemstone. Some or all of the located features may then be identified as inclusions.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 2, 2010Publication date: November 1, 2012Applicant: DE BEERS CENTENARY AGInventors: James Gordon Charters Smith, Graham Ralph Powell
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Publication number: 20110228063Abstract: An apparatus for viewing images of a gemstone is described. The apparatus comprises a support structure for supporting the gemstone at an observation position. An illumination structure comprises a plurality of directional light sources directed towards the observation position so as to illuminate the gemstone. The support structure and illumination structure are relatively rotatable relative to one another about a rotation axis. An imaging device is arranged to obtain images of the gemstone at the observation position at a variety of relative rotational positions between the illumination structure and support structure: the imaging device has an imaging axis passing through the observation position. The support structure is arranged so that the gemstone can be placed at the observation position in such a way that the normal to a selected facet of the gemstone is within a range of tilt angles from the rotation axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 16, 2009Publication date: September 22, 2011Applicant: De Beers Centenary AGInventors: James Gordon Charters Smith, Michael Peter Gaukroger, Peter Stanley Rose
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Patent number: D682905Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2012Date of Patent: May 21, 2013Assignee: De Beers Centenary AGInventors: Jonathan G Kendall, Peter Stanley Rose, Maxwell R Willis, James Gordon Charters Smith, Siobhan Margaret D'Gama, Christopher Daws, Sarah Louise Foster, Paul Priestman, David Hamilton