Patents by Inventor Steven H. Peterson
Steven H. Peterson 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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Publication number: 20230102501Abstract: The specification discloses a dental curing light including 1) a light engine, 2) a coaxially aligned, camera-based viewing system, and 3) a control system providing a variety of safety features and simplified, operator-friendly operation. The camera’s field of view (FOV) is coaxial with the centerline of the curing beam of the light engine. The curing light includes a multi-planar dichroic mirror (MDM) providing viewing and light beam direction aligned with the target. The MDM provide multiple images to the camera from different angles. The camera provides real-time measurement of light intensity reflected back from the targeted surface. Using the multiple image portions reflected by the multi-planar dichroic mirror, the control system computes the distance between the curing light and the target. The reflected intensity and the calculated distance enable the control system to compute a light engine irradiance to achieve a desired irradiance at the targeted surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 8, 2022Publication date: March 30, 2023Inventors: Steven H. Peterson, Mark A. Cargill
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Patent number: 11589971Abstract: The specification discloses a dental curing light including 1) a light engine, 2) a coaxially aligned, camera-based viewing system, and 3) a control system providing a variety of safety features and simplified, operator-friendly operation. The camera's field of view (FOV) is coaxial with the centerline of the curing beam of the light engine. The curing light includes a multi-planar dichroic mirror (MDM) providing viewing and light beam direction aligned with the target. The MDM provide multiple images to the camera from different angles. The camera provides real-time measurement of light intensity reflected back from the targeted surface. Using the multiple image portions reflected by the multi-planar dichroic mirror, the control system computes the distance between the curing light and the target. The reflected intensity and the calculated distance enable the control system to compute a light engine irradiance to achieve a desired irradiance at the targeted surface.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2018Date of Patent: February 28, 2023Assignee: Garrison Dental Solutions, L.L.C.Inventors: Steven H. Peterson, Mark A. Cargill
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Publication number: 20210401559Abstract: An optical sensor for an instrument to form a closed-loop curing instrument that is configured to manage the quantity of delivered energy to a curable material, including a composite restoration for a tooth. The closed-loop curing instrument is configured to analyze a signal indicative of the light reflecting from the curable material, and to adjust light output based on the analysis.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2021Publication date: December 30, 2021Inventor: Steven H. Peterson
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Patent number: 11116616Abstract: An optical sensor for an instrument to form a closed-loop curing instrument that is configured to manage the quantity of delivered energy to a curable material, including a composite restoration for a tooth. The closed-loop curing instrument is configured to analyze a signal indicative of the light reflecting from the curable material, and to adjust light output based on the analysis.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2018Date of Patent: September 14, 2021Assignee: Garrison Dental Solutions, L.L.C.Inventor: Steven H. Peterson
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Publication number: 20200146797Abstract: The specification discloses a dental curing light including 1) a light engine, 2) a coaxially aligned, camera-based viewing system, and 3) a control system providing a variety of safety features and simplified, operator-friendly operation. The camera's field of view (FOV) is coaxial with the centerline of the curing beam of the light engine. The curing light includes a multi-planar dichroic mirror (MDM) providing viewing and light beam direction aligned with the target. The MDM provide multiple images to the camera from different angles. The camera provides real-time measurement of light intensity reflected back from the targeted surface. Using the multiple image portions reflected by the multi-planar dichroic mirror, the control system computes the distance between the curing light and the target. The reflected intensity and the calculated distance enable the control system to compute a light engine irradiance to achieve a desired irradiance at the targeted surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 14, 2018Publication date: May 14, 2020Inventors: Steven H. Peterson, Mark A. Cargill
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Publication number: 20190201176Abstract: A curing light assembly includes a housing, a base for supporting the housing in a storage position, a light source supported by the housing, and a controller configured to operate the light source. The light assembly further includes a light sensor in communication with the controller, which light sensor is operable to detect light emitted from the light source when the housing is supported in the storage position, and with the controller configured to calibrate the light source based on light detected by the light sensor from the light source when the housing is supported in the storage position.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 9, 2017Publication date: July 4, 2019Inventor: Steven H. Peterson
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Publication number: 20190183620Abstract: A light curing instrument for curing a target (with a material that is curable in response to application of light energy) includes a light source capable of outputting the light energy along an illumination path to cure the material and a sensor. The light source is controllable to vary the light energy being output, and the sensor, such as a photodiode, is configured to sense a light characteristic of light reflected back from the target. The sensor senses light reflected back along a sensing path and generates a feedback sensor signal. The instrument further includes a substrate for supporting the light source and the sensor, which is configured to support the light source and the sensor so that the illumination path and the sensing path are co-axial.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 13, 2018Publication date: June 20, 2019Inventor: Steven H. Peterson
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Publication number: 20190142560Abstract: An optical sensor for an instrument to form a closed-loop curing instrument that is configured to manage the quantity of delivered energy to a curable material, including a composite restoration for a tooth. The closed-loop curing instrument is configured to analyze a signal indicative of the light reflecting from the curable material, and to adjust light output based on the analysis.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2018Publication date: May 16, 2019Inventor: Steven H. Peterson
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Patent number: 10159548Abstract: An optical sensor for an instrument to form a closed-loop curing instrument that is configured to manage the quantity of delivered energy to a curable material, including a composite restoration for a tooth. The closed-loop curing instrument is configured to analyze a signal indicative of the light reflecting from the curable material, and to adjust light output based on the analysis.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2015Date of Patent: December 25, 2018Assignee: Garrison Dental Solutions, L.L.C.Inventor: Steven H. Peterson
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Publication number: 20180116775Abstract: A curing instrument with closed-loop control that is configured to manage the quantity of delivered energy to a curable material, including a composite restoration for a tooth. The closed-loop curing instrument is configured to analyze a signal indicative of the temperature at the curable material, and optionally the light reflecting from the curable material, and to adjust light output based on the analysis.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 30, 2017Publication date: May 3, 2018Inventor: Steven H. Peterson
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Publication number: 20160074144Abstract: An optical sensor for an instrument to form a closed-loop curing instrument that is configured to manage the quantity of delivered energy to a curable material, including a composite restoration for a tooth. The closed-loop curing instrument is configured to analyze a signal indicative of the light reflecting from the curable material, and to adjust light output based on the analysis.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 17, 2015Publication date: March 17, 2016Inventor: Steven H. Peterson
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Patent number: 8139220Abstract: Disclosed herein is a point-of-purchase (POP) spectrophotometer for open-viewing of a color sample. The POP spectrophotometer includes a housing assembly containing an illumination optical system and an imaging optical system in desired orientation. Also provided is at least one of a second illumination optical system, a sheen detection system, and a camera system. The housing assembly includes a chassis in secure arrangement with a plurality of supports that define a target plane having a target location and that space the chassis therefrom. The chassis is configured to position the illumination, imaging, sheen detection, and/or camera systems in desired orientations relative to the target location and each other. The POP spectrophotometer can include an alignment device and/or targeting optics for facilitating user-identification of the target location, and means can be provided to enhance insensitivity to ambient light and/or depth variation of the color sample.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2008Date of Patent: March 20, 2012Assignee: X-Rite, Inc.Inventors: Steven H. Peterson, Peter G. Vander Jagt, David A. Salyer
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Publication number: 20100067009Abstract: Disclosed herein is a point-of-purchase (POP) spectrophotometer for open-viewing of a color sample. The POP spectrophotometer includes a housing assembly containing an illumination optical system and an imaging optical system in desired orientation. Also provided is at least one of a second illumination optical system, a sheen detection system, and a camera system. The housing assembly includes a chassis in secure arrangement with a plurality of supports that define a target plane having a target location and that space the chassis therefrom. The chassis is configured to position the illumination, imaging, sheen detection, and/or camera systems in desired orientations relative to the target location and each other. The POP spectrophotometer can include an alignment device and/or targeting optics for facilitating user-identification of the target location, and means can be provided to enhance insensitivity to ambient light and/or depth variation of the color sample.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 16, 2008Publication date: March 18, 2010Applicant: X-RITE, INC.Inventors: Steven H. Peterson, Peter G. Vander Jagt, David A. Salyer
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Patent number: 7262853Abstract: An LED-based color measurement instrument including an illumination system and a sensing system. The illumination system includes modulated LEDs and a temperature control system for regulating the temperature of the LEDs, thereby improving the consistency of their performance. The sensing system includes a photodiode, a transimpedance amplifier, and an integrator in the first stage to cancel the effect of ambient light on the output of the first stage. The sensing system also includes a lens system for imaging a target area of the target sample onto the photo sensor in a manner so that the product of the target area times the solid angle captured by the lens system is generally uniform over a selected range of distances, thereby reducing the positional sensitivity of the instrument with respect to the target sample.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2003Date of Patent: August 28, 2007Assignee: X-Rite, Inc.Inventors: Steven H. Peterson, Mark A. Cargill
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Patent number: 7145657Abstract: An LED-based color measurement instrument including an illumination system and a sensing system. The illumination system includes modulated LEDs and a temperature control system for regulating the temperature of the LEDs, thereby improving the consistency of their performance. The sensing system includes a photodiode, a transimpedance amplifier, and an integrator in the first stage to cancel the effect of ambient light on the output of the first stage. The sensing system also includes a lens system for imaging a target area of the target sample onto the photo sensor in a manner so that the product of the target area times the solid angle captured by the lens system is generally uniform over a selected range of distances, thereby reducing the positional sensitivity of the instrument with respect to the target sample.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2006Date of Patent: December 5, 2006Assignee: X-Rite, IncorporatedInventors: Steven H. Peterson, Robert A. Lamfers
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Patent number: 6888633Abstract: An instrument and method for measuring light or color using modulated illumination. The system includes an LED illuminator modulated at a specific frequency for illuminating the sample, and a sensor capable of differentiating between the modulated light from the sample and unmodulated ambient light. The instrument is therefore capable of “seeing” only light from the sample, while ignoring ambient light. In a second embodiment, the system includes multiple illuminators of different colors each modulated at a unique frequency so that the sample can be measured at multiple at each of the different frequencies.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2002Date of Patent: May 3, 2005Assignee: X-Rite, IncorporatedInventors: Peter G. Vander Jagt, Steven H. Peterson
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Publication number: 20030048449Abstract: An instrument and method for measuring light or color using modulated illumination. The system includes an LED illuminator modulated at a specific frequency for illuminating the sample, and a sensor capable of differentiating between the modulated light from the sample and unmodulated ambient light. The instrument is therefore capable of “seeing” only light from the sample, while ignoring ambient light. In a second embodiment, the system includes multiple illuminators of different colors each modulated at a unique frequency so that the sample can be measured at multiple at each of the different frequencies.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 16, 2002Publication date: March 13, 2003Inventors: Peter G. Vander Jagt, Steven H. Peterson
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Patent number: D747809Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2014Date of Patent: January 19, 2016Assignee: Garrison Dental Solutions, LLCInventors: Robert W. Anderson, Thomas D. Garrison, Derek Gorter, Steven H. Peterson
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Patent number: D760344Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2014Date of Patent: June 28, 2016Assignee: TARGET TELEMETRICS, LLCInventors: Steven H. Peterson, Mark A. Cargill, Kenneth A. Round
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Patent number: D770050Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 2016Date of Patent: October 25, 2016Assignee: Garrison Dental Solutions, LLCInventors: Robert W. Anderson, Thomas D. Garrison, Derek Gorter, Steven H. Peterson