Controlled By Article, Person, Or Animal Patents (Class 250/221)
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Patent number: 10076290Abstract: An X-ray imaging apparatus and control method for the same relate to a mobile X-ray imaging apparatus that allows a user to recognize whether the X-ray imaging apparatus is in an appropriate imaging distance from an object. The X-ray imaging apparatus includes an X-ray source, an input unit that receives distance information between the X-ray source and an X-ray detector, a reference light emitter that irradiates a light from the X-ray source in a direction where the X-ray detector is placed, at least one auxiliary light emitter that irradiates a light that overlaps with a light from the reference light emitter; and a controller that determines an auxiliary light emitter corresponding to the distance information among the at least one auxiliary light emitter, and controls the reference light emitter and the determined auxiliary light emitter so that the reference light emitter and the determined auxiliary light emitter irradiate a light.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2016Date of Patent: September 18, 2018Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.Inventors: Seung Hwan Lee, Sang Kyun Kang, Se Hui Kim, Ku-Il Jang
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Patent number: 10072921Abstract: A spectroscopic beam profile metrology system simultaneously detects measurement signals over a large wavelength range and a large range of angles of incidence (AOI). In one aspect, a multiple wavelength illumination beam is reshaped to a narrow line shaped beam of light before projection onto a specimen by a high numerical aperture objective. After interaction with the specimen, the collected light is passes through a wavelength dispersive element that projects the range of AOIs along one direction and wavelength components along another direction of a two-dimensional detector. Thus, the measurement signals detected at each pixel of the detector each represent a scatterometry signal for a particular AOI and a particular wavelength. In another aspect, a hyperspectral detector is employed to simultaneously detect measurement signals over a large wavelength range, range of AOIs, and range of azimuth angles.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2015Date of Patent: September 11, 2018Assignee: KLA-Tencor CorporationInventors: Jiyou Fu, Noam Sapiens, Kevin A. Peterlinz, Stilian Ivanov Pandev
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Patent number: 10075240Abstract: It discloses a precise locating method of utilizing indoor visible light communication system, which belongs to the field of visible light communication; arranging any number of light emitting diode (LED) lamps indoors, setting the signal transmission power of each LED lamp to be the same and fixing the absolute location of each LED lamp, the terminal required for locating is equipped with several receiving devices, whose relative positions are known, then a position coordinate of the terminal can be obtained by determining the geometric center position of this set of receiving devices through calculating the measured light signal power of the receiving devices on the terminal.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2014Date of Patent: September 11, 2018Assignee: SOUTHEAST UNIVERSITYInventors: Wei Xu, Jia Wang, Hua Zhang
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Patent number: 10071676Abstract: A vision system for a vehicle includes a camera having a field of view in a forward direction of travel of the vehicle. Image data captured by the camera is processed by an image processor of a control to determine location of objects present within a scene external the vehicle within the field of view of the camera. The image processor processes captured image data to detect lane markers on a road being driven by the vehicle and located within the field of view of the camera. The control receives vehicle data via a communication bus of the vehicle. The vehicle data includes at least (i) data indicative of speed of the vehicle and (ii) data indicative of trajectory of the vehicle. Responsive to processing by the image processor of captured image data, the control may control, at least in part, a pedestrian detection system of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2016Date of Patent: September 11, 2018Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.Inventor: Kenneth Schofield
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Patent number: 10061439Abstract: Touch panel input device including: display panel having display surface; display controller causing display of button image on the display surface, the button image used for receiving touch operation performed by user; touch position detector detecting touch position of the display surface by detecting X and Y coordinates on X-Y rectangular coordinate system; area specifier specifying first area and second area of the display surface, the first area being area at which the button image is to be displayed, the second area being remaining area of display surface; and detection instructor referring to result of the specification by the area specifier and instructing the touch position detector (i) to perform touch position detection with respect to an area corresponding to the first area and (ii) to put in off state touch position detection with respect to an area corresponding to at least a part of the second area.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2015Date of Patent: August 28, 2018Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.Inventors: Tomoo Yamanaka, Tomoaki Yamada, Katsuaki Wakui
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Patent number: 10055648Abstract: Techniques are provided for detection, classification and tracking of surface contacts based on multispectral image data from sensors on maritime assets. An example system may include an anomaly detection circuit configured to detect an object based on anomalies in the variance of pixels of water surface image data. The system may also include an object motion tracking circuit configured to analyze motion of the object relative to water surface waves. The analysis may compensate for motion of the asset and sensors. The system may further include an object classification circuit configured to classify the object as an object of interest, based on the analyzed motion of the object, and as a threat, further based on size estimation, edge detection, surface texture analysis, and volume analysis. The range from the asset to the object may be estimated based on the relation of the object to a detected or estimated horizon line.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2016Date of Patent: August 21, 2018Assignee: BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc.Inventors: Will R. Grigsby, Eric Louchard, David J. Schorr, Mitchell J. Nord, Joseph McGaughey, Somit S. Mathur
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Patent number: 10048060Abstract: Systems and methods are provided herein for calculating an area of interaction within a perimeter of a detection area. A system may comprise a plurality of emitters, a plurality of sensors, a memory configured to store computer-executable instructions and a processor configured to access the memory and execute the instructions. The instructions may cause the processor to generate a set of emissions with the plurality of emitters, obtain sensor information of the plurality of sensors, determine a set of sensors of the plurality of sensors that failed to detect an emission of the set of emissions, and calculate an area of interaction within the perimeter of the detection area based at least in part on the determined set of sensors.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2016Date of Patent: August 14, 2018Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Jeremiah David Brazeau
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Patent number: 10048806Abstract: An optical touch system including an optical touch apparatus and an optical touch stylus is provided. The optical touch apparatus includes a curved operation surface and a plurality of optical sensors. The curved operation surface has a vertex. The optical touch stylus performs a touch operation on the curved operation surface, and has a tip portion for generating a light signal. The optical sensors are arranged on a side of the curved operation surface based on a reference line. The optical sensors are configured to receive the light signal to sense the touch operation of the optical touch stylus performed on the curved operation surface. A surface sag exists between each of the optical sensors and the vertex. A difference between a tip length of the optical touch stylus and a distance of two selected surface sags is not smaller than a region parameter of the optical touch system.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2015Date of Patent: August 14, 2018Assignee: Wistron CorporationInventors: Yen-Ting Lin, Chia-Chang Hou, Po-Liang Huang
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Patent number: 10041281Abstract: In an aspect, a door control system is provided for a vehicle door and includes a pushrod and a locking device. The pushrod has a first end connected to one of the vehicle body and the vehicle door. At least a portion of the locking device is mounted to the other of the vehicle body and the vehicle door. The locking device includes a leadscrew, a leadscrew nut mounted on the leadscrew, a housing including a guide path, and a brake. The pushrod has a second end connected to the leadscrew nut. The leadscrew nut is constrained against rotation but is slideable along the guide path by movement of the pushrod, which causes rotation of the leadscrew. The brake is positionable in a braking position in which the brake prevents rotation of the leadscrew, and a release position in which the brake permits rotation of the leadscrew.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2018Date of Patent: August 7, 2018Assignee: Warren Industries Ltd.Inventors: Traian Miu, Mitchell English, Pasit Banjongpanith, Douglas Broadhead
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Patent number: 10039492Abstract: In one aspect of the present disclosure, a method involves obtaining, by a body-mountable device, sensor data, where the body-mountable device includes a data storage. The method further involves making a determination that each condition in a condition set has been satisfied. In addition, the method involves responsive to making the determination that each condition in the condition set has been satisfied, storing the obtained sensor data in the data storage.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2014Date of Patent: August 7, 2018Assignee: Verily Life Sciences, LLCInventors: Daniel James Yeager, Brian Otis
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Patent number: 10042476Abstract: A channel scan architecture for detecting touch events on a touch sensor panel is disclosed. The channel scan architecture can combine drive logic, sense channels and channel scan logic on a single monolithic chip. The channel scan logic can be configured to implement a sequence of scanning processes in a panel subsystem without intervention from a panel processor. The channel scan architecture can provide scan sequence control to enable the panel processor to control the sequence in which individual scans are implemented in the panel subsystem. Type of scans that can be implemented in the panel subsystem can include a spectral analysis scan, touch scan, phantom touch scan, ambient light level scan, proximity scan and temperature scan.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2016Date of Patent: August 7, 2018Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Thomas James Wilson, Christoph H. Krah, Minh-Dieu Thi Vu
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Patent number: 10033943Abstract: Activity surface detection, display, and enhancement implementations are described. In an example implementation, a method determines, using a processor of a computing device, a traceable image and presenting the traceable image in an interface on a display of the computing device; captures, using a video capture device coupled to the computing device, a video stream of a physical activity surface proximate to the computing device; and displays, on the display of the computing device, the captured video stream overlaid with the traceable image in the interface.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2015Date of Patent: July 24, 2018Assignee: Tangible Play, Inc.Inventors: Pramod Kumar Sharma, Jerome Scholler, Conrad Verkler
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Patent number: 10028031Abstract: A mobile entertainment system, comprising: a video system in combination with a media source, the video system and media source are attached to a housing secured within an automobile; the media source includes a storage medium upon which audio and video media content is stored for display upon the video system as desired by a user; an access point configured for wireless retrieval of audio and video media content for display upon the video monitor; a remote library of audio and video media content in wireless communication with the media source via the access point, the remote library including storage space for uploading of media content from a personal collection of audio and video media content from a user for subsequent transmission to the media source.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2013Date of Patent: July 17, 2018Assignee: VOXX INTERNATIONAL CORPORATIONInventors: James R. Tranchina, Christopher J. Vitito
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Patent number: 10027898Abstract: A system, and a method is described for use with electronic devices such as a TV display, a laptop, a PC, a media center platform, a Set Top Box or a DVD player, a light bulb, said system and method combining advantageously several separate control means into one single device. The combined control means shares at least one common property such as, as for example, the use of an IR signal to convey information signal. In particular, the invention is related to the combination of a TOF illumination system of a TOF camera and the method for operating it, with the control means for driving electronic devices located in the scene such as, as for example, an IR emitter for driving 3D IR synchronized viewing glasses.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2013Date of Patent: July 17, 2018Assignee: SoftKinetic Sensors NVInventors: Ward Van Der Tempel, Julien Thollot
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Patent number: 10023142Abstract: A vehicle equipped with an operator presence detector comprises an optional first detector located and configured to detect an object positioned over a threshold to the operator compartment; a second detector located and configured to detect an operator's left lower extremity when the left lower extremity is located in the operator compartment; and a third detector located and configured to detect an operator's right lower extremity when the right lower extremity is located in the operator compartment. The second detector and the third detector are positioned such that (i) an operator cannot use the left lower extremity to trigger both the second detector and the third detector and (ii) an operator cannot use the right lower extremity to trigger both the second detector and the third detector.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2016Date of Patent: July 17, 2018Assignee: HYSTER-YALE GROUP, INC.Inventors: Kevin J. McGoldrick, William Eugene James, Robert Stephen Adcox, Christopher J. Goodwin, Matthew Wavrek, Ken Schreiber
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Patent number: 10028111Abstract: A smart postal mailbox device is disclosed that incorporates a camera and an imaging processing capability. When the device is in place inside a postal mailbox and is activated by a content element being placed in, or removed from, the mailbox, the camera obtains an image of the interior of the mailbox, which it then analyzes by first using pre-processing to correct for geometric distortion. The image is then decomposed using vision related algorithms into a discreet information dataset. This discrete data set is compared to previous data sets using a neural decision tree. If appropriate, the device transmits a message informing a remote user of the current state of the mailbox.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2016Date of Patent: July 17, 2018Assignee: Tarik AnsariInventor: Tarik Ansari
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Patent number: 10022761Abstract: The invention relates to a forming device (10) for plastically deforming a component (54), in particular a sheet component, with a top part (12) of the forming device (10) and with a bottom part (14) of the forming device (10), between which the component (54) is fixable and deformable by a relative movement (20) between the bottom part (14) and the top part (12), with a machine rack (22) accommodating the top part (12) and the bottom part (14), which bounds a working area (28) of the forming device (10), in which the component (54) is deformable, at least in certain areas, and with a sensor device (40) for non-contact monitoring the working area (28) at least in certain areas by means of radiation (42) capable of being emitted by the sensor device (40).Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2015Date of Patent: July 17, 2018Assignee: SCHECHTL MASCHINENBAU GmbHInventor: Matthias Schmelmer
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Patent number: 10019112Abstract: An electronic device may have a touch panel. The touch panel may detect touch events using one or more cameras. The touch panel may include a planar exterior surface, such as a cover glass, that extends over an active region of a display and an inactive peripheral region. The cameras may be located underneath the inactive peripheral region. The cameras may include a light turning element to allow the cameras to detect touch events, without being raised above the exterior surface of the active region of the display (e.g., without having a raised profile). The touch panel may detect touch events using dynamic zooming techniques. As an example, the touch panel may divide the active region into sections, search for touch events in each section, zoom into sections in which touch events are found, and further search the sections in which touch events were found.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2012Date of Patent: July 10, 2018Assignee: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLCInventors: Dmitry Bakin, Kenneth Edward Salsman
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Patent number: 10008096Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to a light curtain protection system having a passive optical module arranged to receive, from an active optical module, a light signal such that a reflector reflects, through a polarization control module, the light signal to be received by a receiver in the active optical module. In an illustrative example, the polarization control module includes a half-wave plate aligned with the reflector to impart a first predetermined polarization to the reflected light signal such that the reflected light signal corresponds to a second predetermined polarization when received by the receiver. The polarization control module includes optical elements, such as, for example, a linear polarizer, to receive the reflected light such that the optical elements polarizes the received reflected light signal to correspond to a predetermined polarization. In some examples, the light curtain protection system may advantageously require operating power only for the active optical module.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2017Date of Patent: June 26, 2018Assignee: Banner Engineering Corp.Inventors: Matthew Gelineau, Curtis Rosenow
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Patent number: 9996757Abstract: Apparatuses, systems and methods are provided for detecting various actions of a vehicle operator. More particularly, apparatuses, systems and methods are provided for detecting various actions of a vehicle operator based on digital image data.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2016Date of Patent: June 12, 2018Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANYInventors: Aaron Scott Chan, Kenneth J. Sanchez
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Patent number: 9997044Abstract: A method, computer program, and system for monitoring a person in a structure having a first room and a second room. The system includes motion sensors and accelerometers to determine states and activities within the states, respectively. No visual images of any type are used to monitor the person. The person does not need to wear any type of equipment or component or necklace or bracelet or special clothing with any type of equipment or component in order to be monitored by the system.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2017Date of Patent: June 12, 2018Assignee: Lech Smart Home Systems LLCInventors: Robert Mytelka, Jim Heins, Stuart Zakon, Joe Goldman
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Patent number: 9989641Abstract: The invention relates to a method of detecting an object in which pulses of transmitted light are repeatedly transmitted into a transmission zone by means of a light source; reception light received from the detection zone is detected by means of a detection apparatus which has a plurality of detectors; and an evaluation zone is defined which comprises a plurality of detectors and within which reception light is incident onto the detectors. The method is characterized in that a plurality of part regions are fixed within the evaluation zone; the part regions are at least partly successively evaluated while using a plurality of consecutive pulses of transmitted light; and the evaluations of the part regions are combined to determine the presence of an object in the detection zone.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2016Date of Patent: June 5, 2018Assignee: SICK AGInventors: Kai Waslowski, Ulrich Zwölfer
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Patent number: 9983626Abstract: An all-in-one smart tablet PC and the assembly method thereof are disclosed. The all-in-one smart tablet PC includes: a screen, a glass, an infrared touch module, a rear shell and a plurality of screen supports; each of the screen supports is provided with a groove, with the glass inserted into the groove and matching the groove; each of the screen supports is further provided with a slot, with the infrared touch module positioned into the slot and matching the slot; a supporting tab is provided on a side of the screen support, and a screen frame is formed by the supporting tabs of the screen supports joined together end to end; the screen is installed within the screen frame and the rear shell is installed onto the back of the screen.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 2014Date of Patent: May 29, 2018Assignee: Guangzhou Shirui Electronics Co, Ltd.Inventors: Jianhui Cao, Fangguang Deng, Zongtao Zhang, Minxiang Hou, Yingjie Wu
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Patent number: 9981394Abstract: A human-robot cooperation (HRC) workstation has a programmable industrial robot (4) and a manual working area (14) for a worker (5) in a region surrounding the industrial robot (4). In the HRC workstation (1), the working areas of the industrial robot (4) and the worker (5) overlap. Contact between the worker (5) and the industrial robot (4) is possible. The workstation (1) is divided into a plurality of different zones (17, 18, 19, 20) having differently high levels of risk of hazard from the industrial robot (4) for the worker (5). The industrial robot (4) is suitable for human-robot cooperation.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2014Date of Patent: May 29, 2018Assignee: KUKA SYSTEMS GMBHInventors: Robert Haman, Richard Zunke, Willi Klumpp, Michael Zürn, Ralf Kühnemann, Otmar Honsberg, Matthias Reichenbach, Simon Klumpp, Andreas Domke, Konrad Wirth, Christian Eberdt, Kurt Strauss, Alexander Gürtler, Reinhard Neureiter, Thomas Rau, Julian Stockschläder
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Patent number: 9977242Abstract: An example head-worn device includes a camera, a display device, weld detection circuitry, and pixel data processing circuitry. The camera generates first pixel data from a field of view of the head-worn device. The display device displays second pixel data to a wearer of the head-worn device based on the first pixel data captured by the camera. The weld detection circuitry determines whether a welding arc is present and generates a control signal indicating a result of the determination. The pixel data processing circuitry processes the first pixel data captured by the camera to generate the second pixel data for display on the display device, where a mode of operation of said pixel data processing circuitry is selected from a plurality of modes based on said control signal.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2017Date of Patent: May 22, 2018Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: Nishank Patel, Praveen Dandu
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Patent number: 9977148Abstract: A method for synchronizing a light grid comprising a transmitting unit having a plurality of transmitters and a receiving unit having a plurality of receivers. A transmitter control unit activates the transmitters one after another in a cycle, and a receiver control unit evaluates the receivers. Each transmitter is associated with a receiver, and an activated transmitter transmits a transmission beam to its associated receiver. At least two transmission beams in the cycle are synchronization transmission beams which are emitted at a time offset from one another. The receiver control unit measures the time offset, and the synchronization transmission beams are uniquely associated with the totality of the transmission beams in the cycle on the basis of the time offset.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2015Date of Patent: May 22, 2018Assignee: PILZ AUSLANDSBETEILIGUNGEN GMBHInventors: Friedjof Tellkamp, Massimo Maffioli, Christoph Werner, Gerhard Braun
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Patent number: 9968018Abstract: The invention relates to adjusting at least one of installed building service sensors (10) of a building service system. A sensor coverage area of at least one sensor (10) is adjusted based on information on a position of the installed sensor (10) relative to at least one other sensor (10). For example, to determine the position of the sensor (10) relative to said at least one other sensor (10), each sensor (10) establishes a wireless communication between said sensor (10) and at least one other sensor (10) via a wireless communication means (34) of the sensor (10). For example, information on the positions of the installed sensors (10) is used to assign to each sensor (10) at least one of installed building service supply devices (12) of the system.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2011Date of Patent: May 8, 2018Assignee: PHILIPS LIGHTING HOLDING B.V.Inventors: Lorenzo Feri, Ashish Vijay Pandharipande, Ying Wang, Tim Corneel Wilhelmus Schenk
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Patent number: 9958330Abstract: A sensor to detect information on a subject by using an electromagnetic wave includes a transmitting unit having a generating element and a first antenna, a polarization converting unit, and a receiving unit having a second antenna and a detecting device. The generating element generates an electromagnetic wave, and the first antenna emits the electromagnetic wave generated by the generating element as first polarization. The polarization converting unit converts the first polarization into second polarization by changing a polarization direction of the first polarization. The second antenna receives the second polarization, and the detecting device detects the electromagnetic wave received by the second antenna. The transmitting unit and the receiving unit are disposed on the same substrate.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2015Date of Patent: May 1, 2018Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yasushi Koyama, Toshihiko Ouchi
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Patent number: 9958670Abstract: A scanning system that includes an illumination module that is configured to scan, at a first direction, an elongated radiation spot over an object; and a collection module that is configured to (a) collect a collected radiation beam from the object, and (b) optically manipulate the collected radiation beam to provide a counter-scan beam is directed towards a set of detection units and has a focal point that is positioned at a same location regardless of the propagation of the elongated radiation spot along the first direction.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2016Date of Patent: May 1, 2018Assignee: Applied Materials Israel Ltd.Inventors: Ron Naftail, Boris Golberg, Rami Elichai
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Patent number: 9955325Abstract: A system may include a sensor system and a control system configured for communication with the sensor system. The sensor system may include an ultrasonic sensor system. The control system may be capable of determining, based at least in part on signals from the ultrasonic sensor system, whether a personal medical device is within a predetermined distance from the mobile device. The control system may be capable of adjusting one or more mobile device settings in response to a determination that the personal medical device is within the predetermined distance of the mobile device.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 2016Date of Patent: April 24, 2018Assignee: QUALCOMM IncorporatedInventors: George Chrisikos, Richard Wietfeldt
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Patent number: 9954609Abstract: A method is provided for detecting intrusion into optical fibers of a Passive Optical Network (PON) of the type which includes a multiplexing system at the head end for separating a data signal output at the head end to the plurality of fibers for supply to user end terminals and a data transmission system at each of the user end terminals for entering onto the fiber data as an optical signal. The method includes providing a monitor system having a transmitter at the head end and a monitor signal analysis system for analyzing changes in the optical monitor signal after transmission along the fiber for detecting an intrusion event. A monitor signal analysis system is provided at one or more user end terminals for detection and conversion of data from the analysis into a digital signal which is then transmitted from the user end terminals back to the head end using the data transmission system through the PON system or separately from the PON system.Type: GrantFiled: December 31, 2013Date of Patent: April 24, 2018Assignee: Network Integrity Systems Inc.Inventors: Cary R. Murphy, Daniel Goertzen, Mark K Bridges
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Patent number: 9939552Abstract: The present invention relates to light curtains, in particular safety light curtains, for monitoring a protective field. Furthermore, the present invention relates to optical units which are part of such a light curtain according to the present invention, an optical unit comprises a plurality of radiation emitting and/or radiation receiving elements for transmitting and/or receiving radiation beams forming said light curtain, and an elongated support element forming an outer housing of said optical unit said support element having two opposing peripheral regions which are formed to allow an abutting assembly with another identical optical unit. Said radiation emitting and/or radiation receiving elements are arranged within said support element to form a row, and wherein at least one peripheral one of said radiation emitting and/or radiation receiving elements is located directly adjacent to an outer wall of at least one of said peripheral regions of the support element.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 2016Date of Patent: April 10, 2018Assignee: Rockwell Automation Safety AGInventors: Carl Meinherz, Manford Norbert Stein, Clau Lombriser, Martin Hardegger
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Patent number: 9938638Abstract: A method for producing a semiconductor epitaxial wafer, including steps of: fabricating an epitaxial wafer by epitaxially growing a semiconductor layer on a silicon-based substrate; observing the outer edge portion of the fabricated epitaxial wafer; and removing portions in which a crack, epitaxial layer peeling, and a reaction mark observed in the step of observing are present. As a result, a method for producing a semiconductor epitaxial wafer in which a completely crack-free semiconductor epitaxial wafer can be obtained, is provided.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2015Date of Patent: April 10, 2018Assignee: SHIN-ETSU HANDOTAI CO., LTD.Inventors: Kazunori Hagimoto, Masaru Shinomiya, Keitaro Tsuchiya, Hirokazu Goto, Ken Sato, Hiroshi Shikauchi, Shoichi Kobayashi, Hirotaka Kurimoto
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Patent number: 9916037Abstract: A computing device includes a housing and a display assembly having a screen. The housing at least partially circumvents the screen so that the screen is viewable and a set of touch sensors are provided with the display assembly. A processor is provided within the housing to detect a gesture via the set of touch sensors, and to interpret the gesture as one of a plurality of user inputs. The processor further detects a presence of extraneous objects on a surface the screen of the display assembly, and adjusts one or more settings of the computing device in response to detecting the presence of extraneous objects. For example, the processor may adjust the one or more settings by reconfiguring a set of actions to be performed in response to the plurality of user inputs.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2014Date of Patent: March 13, 2018Assignee: Rakuten Kobo, Inc.Inventors: James Wu, Ramesh Mantha, Trevor Hunter, Robert Beghian
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Patent number: 9913425Abstract: In one example embodiment, a seed sensor is disclosed adapted to fit a conventional mounting location in existing seed tubes that provides improved performance by providing a wide light source (more LEDS), a wide photodetector and a current profiling scheme for the LEDs that provides more light at the opposite ends of the LED array. A result of such an arrangement is to improve seed resolution and to reduce seed spatial variability within the seed tube.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2013Date of Patent: March 13, 2018Assignee: TSI, IncorporatedInventors: Ronald W. Steffen, Dahu Qi, Gregry C. Miller
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Patent number: 9910186Abstract: A light curtain system is configured to perform dynamic partial muting of the light curtain's beams to accommodate products of different heights. When a product enters the light curtain's protective field during muting mode, the system identifies the highest interrupted light beam, which is indicative of the product's height. The system then sets the muting height for the light curtain based on this highest interrupted beam. Beams higher than the set muting height are un-muted, while beams up to the set muting height remain muted. Both regions are actively monitored during the partial muting mode to confirm the expected non-interrupted, respectively interrupted conditions. When the product clears the light curtain, the muting height is reset, and a new muting height is set in a similar fashion when the next part enters the light curtain's protective field.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2015Date of Patent: March 6, 2018Assignee: Rockwell Automation Safety AGInventors: Manfred Stein, Eric Matthew Lutz
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Patent number: 9904411Abstract: A computing device includes a housing and a display assembly having a screen. The housing at least partially circumvents the screen so that the screen is viewable and a set of touch sensors are provided with the display assembly. A processor is provided within the housing to detect a plurality of interactions with the set of touch sensors. The processor further determines, based on the plurality of interactions, a presence of extraneous objects on a surface of the screen of the display assembly. More specifically, the processor may determine that the screen is wet if three or more interactions are detected, concurrently, via the set of touch sensors and/or a contact duration associated with each of the plurality of interactions exceeds a threshold duration.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2014Date of Patent: February 27, 2018Assignee: RAKUTEN KOBO INC.Inventors: James Wu, Robert Beghian, George Talusan, Paul McDougall
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Patent number: 9904051Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for laser eye tracking are described. Laser eye tracking involves scanning laser light over the eye and detecting diffuse reflections of the laser light with one or more photodetector(s). While conventional camera-based eye tracking techniques rely on detecting and identifying specific reflections (i.e., Purkinje images such as the “glint”), the laser eye tracking techniques described herein detect and identify a reduction in reflection intensity due to transmission of laser light through the pupil and/or increased diffusivity of reflections from the cornea relative to reflections from the sclera. This effect is referred to herein as the “corneal shadow” effect. Laser eye tracking uses considerably less power than conventional camera-based eye tracking techniques.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2016Date of Patent: February 27, 2018Assignee: THALMIC LABS INC.Inventors: Idris S. Aleem, Mélodie Vidal, Jake Chapeskie
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Patent number: 9891270Abstract: A high power laser diode test system is disclosed which includes a housing body defining at least one device test module compartment therein, a power supply, the system controller, and thermal control system positioned within the device test module compartment, a device test module having at least one carrier device receiver formed therein detachably coupled to the housing body, and at least one carrier device configured to support at least one laser diode device coupled thereto detachably positioned within the carrier device port formed on the device test module.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2016Date of Patent: February 13, 2018Assignee: Newport CorporationInventors: John Curry, Christopher Cole Chandler, Wade P Watts, Nicholas Donnie Harriott
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Patent number: 9880279Abstract: A method and device for object detection are disclosed. In one aspect, a method comprises transmitting a plurality of signals into a region; measuring a noise level during a noise measurement time interval corresponding to each respective one of the plurality of transmitted signals; generating a threshold signal dependent on the noise level; and comparing a first plurality of signals received by a sensor, each of the received signals corresponding to a respective one of the plurality of the transmitted signals, with the respective threshold signal. In another aspect, a device comprising components adapted to carry out the steps of object detection is disclosed. In one example, a thresholding circuit is adapted to generate a threshold signal have a level corresponding to substantially a peak-to-peak level of the measured noise level.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2014Date of Patent: January 30, 2018Assignee: BANNER ENGINEERING CORPORATIONInventor: John Alyn Stecker
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Patent number: 9874945Abstract: A low-profile, small-footprint gel-based pointing device is described herein. The gel-based pointing device described herein includes a gel-based body, a tactile surface affixed to a first side of the gel-based body, and a base surface affixed to a second side of the gel-based body that is opposite the first side. The tactile surface is configured to receive an input from a user and the base surface couples the gel-based body to a sensor surface. In at least one embodiment, the gel-based pointing device described herein further includes a sensor for receiving the gel-based pointing device and a detector for detecting changes in at least one of resistance, capacity, pressure, or lateral or vertical position of the gel-based pointing device.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2014Date of Patent: January 23, 2018Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventor: Masaaki Fukumoto
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Patent number: 9874433Abstract: A sensor is disclosed that provides measurements in multiple degrees of freedom without significantly increasing size, complexity, or cost. The sensor can include a light component in support of a first light source operable to direct a first beam of light, and a second light source operable to direct a second beam of light. The sensor can also include an imaging device that can directly receive the first beam of light and the second beam of light and convert these into electric signals. The imaging device and the light component can be movable relative to one another. The sensor can further include a light location module and/or a position module configured to receive the electric signals and determine locations of the first beam of light, the second beam of light on the imaging device and a relative position of the imaging device and the light component.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2017Date of Patent: January 23, 2018Assignee: Rememdia LCInventor: Fraser M. Smith
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Patent number: 9874473Abstract: To allow a simple cascading without any optical crosstalk at the connection points, an optoelectronic sensor is provided having at least one electronic card which has light transmitter elements and/or light reception elements and having at least two optical modules which can be fastened to the electronic card, wherein each optical module comprises a tube array, which has a plurality of tubes, an open end and a closed end, wherein the open end of the optical module comprises an open first connection element of a connection to the tube array and comprises wall connection elements and wherein the closed end of the optical module comprises a closed second connection element of the connection which has an outer wall which is formed with shape matching to the wall connection elements of the open end of the optical module such that, on a plugging together of an open end of an optical module and of a closed end of a further optical module, the two connection elements of the connection form a connection tube which isType: GrantFiled: May 13, 2016Date of Patent: January 23, 2018Assignee: SICK AGInventors: Johannes Eble, Helmut Haringer
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Patent number: 9870681Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to a modular plug-in accessory including a connector for making pluggable electrical connection to a cascading electrical output port for providing cascading connection from an elongate light curtain, the accessory comprising an omni-directional light indicator to illuminate a light signal indicative of a status of the light curtain, wherein the accessory is configured to releasably make or break operative connection to the end cap containing the output port while the end cap is sealably connected to an end of the light curtain. In an illustrative example, the accessory may plug in directly to the terminal end of a light curtain. The receiving light curtain may be connected at the distal end of a string of light curtains. In some examples, the accessory may provide high visibility status indication information about any of the light curtain segments in the string of light curtains.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 2017Date of Patent: January 16, 2018Assignee: Banner Engineering Corp.Inventors: Matthew Michael Gelineau, Calvin James Sargent, Matthew John Schmitt, Charles Lee Osborn, Michael Shawn Bechtold
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Patent number: 9867737Abstract: An auto-darkening filter of a welding shield has a brightness-sensing unit, an optical shutter and a processor. The brightness-sensing unit generates a first signal or a second signal. In a high-sensitivity mode, the processor controls the optical shutter to operate in a dark state or a bright state depending on intensity of the first signal being higher or lower than a threshold value. In a low-sensitivity mode, the processor controls the optical shutter to operate in the bright state when intensity of the second signal is lower than the threshold value, and automatically change to the high-sensitivity mode from the low-sensitivity mode when intensity of the second signal is higher than the threshold value.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2015Date of Patent: January 16, 2018Inventors: John David Fergason, Anthony Wang Lee
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Patent number: 9864119Abstract: An infrared filter includes a substrate having a front and surface. The infrared filter includes screened ink and an optically clear medium, or dye impregnated medium. The screened ink has a front surface nearest the substrate and a back surface. The screened ink has a first index of refraction. The optically clear medium abuts at least a portion of the back surface of the screened ink. The optically clear medium has a second index of refraction that differs from the first index of refraction of the screened ink by less than a predetermined amount. The dye impregnated medium has a spectral transmission over an infrared wavelength of greater than 70% and a spectral transmission over a visible light wavelength of less than 5%, while at same time maintaining MTF performance of a vision system imaging through the filter. Methods of manufacture are also described.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2015Date of Patent: January 9, 2018Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventor: Karlton David Powell
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Patent number: 9863807Abstract: A non-removable fixed protective cover, of protective covers of a machine tool, is fitted with a light-projecting unit and a light-receiving unit, while a removable fixed protective cover and a movable protective cover are each fitted with a reflector. The light-projecting unit, light-receiving unit, and reflector are disposed so that light emitted from the light-projecting unit reaches the light-receiving unit only when the removable fixed protective cover is mounted in a proper position and the movable protective cover is fully closed.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2015Date of Patent: January 9, 2018Assignee: FANUC CORPORATIONInventor: Takashi Masakawa
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Patent number: 9851434Abstract: A computer-implemented method and a navigation system are described for guiding a visually impaired user to avoid obstructions and impediments while walking. The user may wear a plurality of subassemblies of the system. The tilt and rotation of the user's head may be monitored using one of the subassemblies worn on the user's head. Based at least in part on the tilt and rotation of the user's head, vertical and horizontal firing angles used by a distance measuring unit in each of the subassemblies may be calculated to transmit and receive laser signals to perform measurements. The user is then provided with navigation instructions and alarms based on whether an obstruction or an impediment is detected that is closer than a predetermined distance to the user while the user is walking based on the measurements.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 2014Date of Patent: December 26, 2017Inventor: Louis Caporizzo
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Patent number: 9848175Abstract: A projection method of an electronic device, includes detecting the presence of an object within a preset distance range from a projection unit of the electronic device, generating a projection adjusting instruction if an object is detected within the preset distance range from the projection unit, and adjusting a projection display of the projection unit in response to the projection adjusting instruction.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2015Date of Patent: December 19, 2017Assignee: LENOVO (BEIJING) CO., LTD.Inventor: Yanjiang Hu
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Patent number: 9847267Abstract: An electronic component housing package and the like capable of reducing time of infrared heating operation are provided. An electronic component housing package includes an insulating substrate including a plurality of insulating layers stacked on top of each other, an upper surface of the insulating substrate being provided with an electronic component mounting section. The plurality of insulating layers each containing a first metal oxide as a major constituent. The insulating substrate further includes a first metal layer in frame-like form disposed on an upper surface of an uppermost one of the plurality of insulating layers. The first metal layer contains a second metal oxide which is higher in infrared absorptivity than the first metal oxide.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2014Date of Patent: December 19, 2017Assignee: Kyocera CorporationInventor: Noritaka Niino