With Beam Deflector Or Focussing Means Patents (Class 250/353)
  • Patent number: 11971488
    Abstract: A LIDAR system has a laser emission unit configured to generate a plurality of laser beams. The system has a scanning unit configured to receive the plurality of laser beams. The common scanning unit projects the plurality of laser beams toward a field of view of the LIDAR system. The system has at least one processor. The processor is programmed to cause the scanning unit to scan the field of view of the LIDAR system by directing the plurality of beams along a first plurality of scan lines traversing the FOV. The processor is also programmed to displace the plurality of laser beams from a first set of locations associated with the first plurality of scan lines to a second set of locations associated with a second plurality of scan lines. Further, the processor is programmed to direct the plurality of laser beams along the second plurality of scan lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: INNOVIZ TECHNOLOGIES LTD.
    Inventors: Ronen Eshel, Nir Goren
  • Patent number: 11961379
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the teachings herein include a measurement chamber for a smoke detection unit of a smoke detector. The measurement chamber may include: at least a passage for smoke to be detected; and a measurement chamber cover with angular light trap structures on an inside of the measurement chamber. The angular light trap structures are shaped to follow the compact-design principle of a Fresnel stepped lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: SIEMENS SCHWEIZ AG
    Inventor: Ulrich Kuhn-Matysiak
  • Patent number: 11944031
    Abstract: This invention relates to a precision agriculture produce harvesting system and produce harvesting apparatus configured for integration with the system, an essential feature of which is a harvesting device subsystem (100) that includes a harvesting device, for instance pruning shears (102) and a harvesting separation stroke detector (108) housed within a control module housing (110) mounted to the shears (102). A person operating the pruning shears (102) produces discernible separation strokes when the handles (104) of the shears (102) are squeezed together to produce a shearing action. The stroke detector (108) detects the separation strokes of the shears (102). By the addition of the control module (108) to the pruning shears (102), the shears are essentially converted into a data logging device by means of which important aspects of a produce harvesting process can be digitised and supplied to a harvest data digital data processing system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: Agri Technovation (Pty) Ltd
    Inventor: Albert Hendrik Bijker
  • Patent number: 11880045
    Abstract: A motion generator including a frame, a mount movable with respect to the frame, and an emitting device having a beam outlet configured to emit an electromagnetic beam therefrom, and where the emitting device is coupled to and movable together with the mount relative to the frame. The motion generator is also operable in a first mode in which the beam outlet travels in a spiral pattern that alternatingly increases and decreases in radius, where for any given point in the spiral pattern the beam outlet produces a beam speed, a beam direction, an instantaneous beam radius, and a beam radius rate of change, and where the beam speed, the beam direction, and the beam radius rate of change may be adjusted independently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Inventor: Paul Kratzke
  • Patent number: 11874593
    Abstract: A vehicular camera assembly includes a lens barrel accommodating at least an outer lens element and an inner lens element. An imager printed circuit board (imager PCB) includes an imager disposed at a side. The lens barrel is disposed at the housing such that the imager is aligned with the inner lens element and the outer lens element, with the inner lens element disposed closer to the imager than the outer lens element. A vacuum exists in a space between the outer lens element and the inner lens element to thermally insulate an outer surface of the outer lens element from an inner surface of the inner lens element. Light passing through the outer lens element, the vacuum, and the inner lens element is imaged by the imager.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: Magna Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Zhongyao Liu, Jonathan D. Conger, Steven V. Byrne, Jeffrey A. White, Kevin T. Smith
  • Patent number: 11870968
    Abstract: System, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to estimating depth using a machine learning (ML) model. In one embodiment, a method includes acquiring image data according to criteria from a detector that uses a lens to resolve multiple angles of light per section of the detector. The method also includes mapping a kernel to the image data according to a view associated with the section and a size of the kernel. The method also includes processing the image data using the ML model to produce the depth according to the size of the kernel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Sean P. Rodrigues
  • Patent number: 11862653
    Abstract: An imaging sensor package includes: an imaging sensor; and an architected substrate coupled to a bottom surface of the imaging sensor. The architected substrate has local stiffness variations along an in-plane direction of the architected substrate, and the imaging sensor and the architected substrate are curved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: HRL LABORATORIES, LLC
    Inventors: Mark O'Masta, Jacob Hundley, Eric Clough, Christopher Roper, Geoffrey McKnight
  • Patent number: 11839357
    Abstract: A filter assembly is configured to optically couple a camera head to an endoscope. The filter assembly includes a first end adapted to be removably coupled to the camera head and a second end opposite and spaced apart from the first end, the second end adapted to be removably coupled to the endoscope. The filter assembly includes an optic housing disposed between the first end and the second end, the optic housing includes an optical path length maximizer and a first window. The first window has a first surface that is angled with respect to a plane that is perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the optic housing so as to minimize a narcissus reflection within the optic housing and an optical filter to reject laser irradiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: KARL STORZ Imaging, Inc.
    Inventors: William H. Meyer, Christopher Zimmer
  • Patent number: 11774355
    Abstract: A methane alert station for detecting methane gas in an environment. The methane alert station comprises a casing, at least one window opening formed in the casing, a infrared transmitting window disposed in the at least one window opening, an infrared light source disposed adjacent to the infrared transmitting window, a hyperbolic mirror disposed in the casing coaxially with a central axis, a Winston cone disposed coaxially with the central axis and spaced from the hyperbolic mirror along the central axis, and a filter-detector arranged coaxially with the central axis and so that the Winston cone is disposed between the hyperbolic mirror and the filter-detector. The infrared light source is configured to emit an outgoing infrared light from the casing. The filter-detector is configured to measure a methane gas concentration in the environment by measuring an absorption of infrared radiation of the methane gas at specific wavelength bandwidths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: United States of America as represented by the Administrator of NASA
    Inventors: Shahid Aslam, Gerard Quilligan, Nicolas Gorius, Conor Nixon
  • Patent number: 11774730
    Abstract: An imaging lens for use with an operational waveband over any subset of 7.5-13.5 ?m may include a first optical element of a first high-index material and a second optical element of a second high-index material, that may have a refractive index greater than 2.2 in the operational waveband, an absorption per mm of less than 75% in the operational waveband, and an absorption per mm of greater than 75% in a visible waveband of 400-650 nm. Optically powered surfaces of the imaging lens may include a sag across their respective clear apertures that are less than 10% of a largest clear aperture of the imaging lens. Respective maximum peak to peak thicknesses of the first and second optical elements may be similar in size, for example within 15 percent of each other. Ratios of maximum peak to peak thickness to clear aperture and, separately, to sag are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: FLIR SYSTEMS TRADING BELGIUM BVBA
    Inventor: Jeremy Huddleston
  • Patent number: 11754450
    Abstract: A temperature measurement system for measuring a temperature of a measured surface includes: 1) a first temperature sensor; and 2) a reference surface including a second temperature sensor integrated therein. The first temperature sensor includes a field of view simultaneously covering both at least a portion of the measured surface and at least a portion of the reference surface, thus is configured for simultaneously taking a first measurement of both the portion of the measured surface and the portion of the reference surface. The first measurement of the reference surface taken by the first temperature sensor is compared to a second measurement taken by the second temperature sensor for use in calibrating the first temperature sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: Accure Acne, Inc.
    Inventors: Henrik Hofvander, Michael John Estes
  • Patent number: 11740080
    Abstract: A method of determining geo-reference data for a portion of a measurement area includes providing a monitoring assembly comprising a ground station, providing an imaging assembly comprising an imaging device with a lens operably coupled to an aerial device, hovering the aerial device over a measurement area, capturing at least one image of the measurement area within the imaging device, transmitting the at least one image to the ground station using a data transmitting assembly, and scaling the at least one image to determine the geo-reference data for the portion of the measurement area by calculating a size of a field-of-view (FOV) of the lens based on a distance between the imaging device and the measurement area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: The United States of America, as Represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Gary A. Lunt
  • Patent number: 11727778
    Abstract: A thermographic detector device for a fire alarm control system is described herein. In some examples, one or more embodiments include a thermography camera configured to capture a thermal image within a field of view of the thermographic detector device, a memory and a processor to execute instructions stored in the memory to detect a fault associated with the thermographic detector device, wherein the fault includes at least one of a field of view fault, an operating parameter fault, and an internal fault, generate a fault signal upon detecting the fault, and provide a notification of the fault using the fault signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Johnny Julien De Blonde, Marco Di Nubila, Matthew John Naylor, Scott Lang, Uroj Usmani
  • Patent number: 11714103
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for obtaining extremely high sensitivity chemical composition maps with spatial resolution down to a few nanometers. In some embodiments these chemical composition maps are created using a combination of three techniques: (1) Illuminating the sample with IR radiation than is tuned to an absorption band in the sample; and (2) Optimizing a mechanical coupling efficiency that is tuned to a specific target material; (3) Optimizing a resonant detection that is tuned to a specific target material. With the combination of these steps it is possible to obtain (1) Chemical composition maps based on unique IR absorption; (2) spatial resolution that is enhanced by extremely short-range tip-sample interactions; and (3) resonant amplification tuned to a specific target material. In other embodiments it is possible to take advantage of any two of these steps and still achieve a substantial improvement in spatial resolution and/or sensitivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: Bruker Nano, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig Prater, Kevin Kjoller
  • Patent number: 11686673
    Abstract: The device is formed in a casing including a support, a spacer body, and a mirror element fixed together. A light-emitting element and a light-receiving element are arranged on a bearing surface of the support and face a reflecting surface of the mirror element. The light-emitting element is configured to generate infrared radiation, and the light-receiving element is configured to receive light radiation reflected by the reflecting surface. The spacer body has an emission opening housing the light-emitting element and a reception opening housing the light-receiving element; the reception opening comprises a radiation-limitation portion configured to enable entry of reflected light radiation having an angle, with respect to a normal to the bearing surface, of less than a preset value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS S.r.l.
    Inventors: Maria Eloisa Castagna, Salvatore Cascino, Viviana Cerantonio, Antonello Santangelo
  • Patent number: 11650412
    Abstract: An active mode image sensor for optical non-uniformity correction (NUC) of an active mode sensor uses a Micro-Electro-Mechanical System (MEMS) Micro-Mirror Array (MMA) having tilt, tip and piston mirror actuation to form and scan a laser spot that simultaneously performs the NUC and illuminates the scene so that the laser illumination is inversely proportional to the response of the imager at the scan position. The MEMS MMA also supports forming and scanning multiple laser spots to simultaneously interrogate the scene at the same or different wavelengths. The piston function can also be used to provide wavefront correction. The MEMS MMA may be configured to generate a plurality of fixed laser spots to perform an instantaneous NUC.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Gerald P. Uyeno, Sean D. Keller, Benn H. Gleason
  • Patent number: 11622503
    Abstract: A riding lawn mower has an internal combustion engine and a muffler with a first housing. The internal combustion engine is connected to the muffler to supply exhaust gases originating from the internal combustion engine to the first housing of the muffler for noise damping of the exhaust gases. A second housing is provided that thermally insulates the first housing of the muffler. The second housing at least partially encloses the first housing of the muffler. The second housing has an exterior side with an emissivity of greater than 0.8.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: Andreas Stihl AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Werner Ludwig, Christian Rohrmoser
  • Patent number: 11624587
    Abstract: The vehicle delimits an interior space from an exterior space. The sighting device includes: a support defining an interior volume, an optronic head adapted to rotate about an axis, an optical path comprising: a collecting optical unit for collecting a portion of the surroundings of exterior space, adapted to rotate about the axis; and an optical transport system including a plurality of optical components, portion of the components being, in the interior space and the other portion being in the interior volume; a drive means driving the optronic head and the collecting optical unit so that the ratio between the angle of rotation of the head and the angle of rotation of the collecting optical unit is substantially equal to 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: THALES
    Inventor: Paul Thibout
  • Patent number: 11624658
    Abstract: A near-infrared sensor cover includes a cover body having transmissiveness to near-infrared rays. The cover body includes a base and a heater unit. The heater unit is arranged rearward of the base in a transmission direction of the near-infrared rays and includes a wire-like heating element. The heating element is configured to generate heat when energized. The base includes a rear portion that includes a rear surface of the base in the transmission direction. In the rear portion of the base, at least part of a section that is different from a section in which the heater unit is provided is formed by a reflection suppression structure including asperities. The asperities include a reflection suppression surface that is inclined relative to the transmission direction and reduces reflection of the near-infrared rays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignees: TOYODA GOSEI CO., LTD., IMUZAK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Koji Okumura, Koji Fukagawa, Kazumi Sawamura
  • Patent number: 11576591
    Abstract: A gas sensor kit includes a gas sensor that measures a gas concentration of an exhalation gas of a subject and a gas supply unit that supplies a therapeutic gas, supplied through a tube, to the subject. In the gas sensor, the gas sensor has a convex portion that is supported when connected with the gas supply unit, and the gas supply unit has at least one locking claw that supports the convex portion when connected with the gas sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: NIHON KOHDEN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Fumihiko Takatori, Masayuki Inoue, Kenichiro Kabumoto
  • Patent number: 11562634
    Abstract: A passive infrared motion detector discriminates between the motion of humans and pets in a premises. The motion detector includes an infrared sensor and a mirror for focusing infrared radiation from distinct fields of view. In one embodiment, a mask prevents infrared radiation from reaching the infrared sensor, and cut away regions on the surface of the mask allow selective passage of infrared radiation to the infrared sensor. In an alternative embodiment, the cylindrical mirror elements includes reflective and unreflective regions, which allow selective passage of infrared radiation to the infrared sensor. The cut away regions and the reflective regions are elongated to correspond to the shape of standing humans. As a result, the infrared radiation from animals only partially reaches the infrared sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: Tyco Fire & Security GmbH
    Inventors: Boris Zhevelev, Yehuda Shviki, Zach Avidar, Vitaly Roytenburd
  • Patent number: 11536567
    Abstract: A surveying instrument comprises a light projecting optical system for projecting a distance measuring light to a predetermined measuring point, a light receiving optical system for receiving a reflected distance measuring light and an infrared light from the measuring point, and an arithmetic control module for controlling a distance measurement and a temperature measurement based on light receiving results of the reflected distance measuring light and the infrared light, and the arithmetic control module measures a distance to the measuring point based on light receiving results of the reflected distance measuring light received by a photodetector of the light receiving optical system, and measures a temperature of the measuring point based on light receiving results of the infrared light received by a temperature sensor of the light receiving optical system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: TOPCON Corporation
    Inventors: Taichi Yuasa, Ken-ichiro Yoshino
  • Patent number: 11509802
    Abstract: A cellular trail camera system is disclosed and may include a housing; a mounting bracket for mounting the camera; a visible sensor; an infrared sensor; and a plurality of Fresnel lenses each operable to be individually mounted to or with the infrared sensor and to focus infrared light to the infrared sensor from a different direction. One of the Fresnel lenses may be mounted to or with the housing during operation. The housing may include a wireless transceiver, which may communicate via a cellular network. The camera may communicate with a wireless communication device via the wireless transceiver. The camera may communicate images and/or video to the wireless device. The infrared sensor may include a plurality of elements. The camera may be powered by a solar cell that is mounted on the camera or remote from the camera. The visible sensor may be activated when the infrared sensor detects a heat-generating object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: Tactacam LLC
    Inventors: Benjamin Stern, Garrison Peel, Jeff Peel
  • Patent number: 11480412
    Abstract: A system and a method for tracking a target and for compensating for atmospheric turbulence is described. In an embodiment, the system includes at least two light sources each emitting a light beam to the target; at least two collimators that collimate the light beam of the associated light source; and a reference device to reflect a portion of the light beam exiting from all the collimators. The system also includes: at least two targeting modules to lead the light beam from the light source to reach a predetermined zone of the target; at least two detection modules to receive and detect the portion of the beam reflected by the reference device; a module for determining angle of deviation; a module for determining phase deviation; and an adjustment module for adjusting each of the light sources in order to compensate for atmospheric turbulence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: COMPAGNIE INDUSTRIELLE DES LASERS CILAS
    Inventors: Régis Grasser, Marie Naiim-Habib
  • Patent number: 11467036
    Abstract: A cold-tunnel system is disclosed for recovery of thermal emissivity of extended targets. The cold-tunnel system is comprised of an infrared camera having a thermal imaging lens; an aperture plate having a hole aligned with the thermal imaging lens; four cold-wall panels assembled in a box pattern as a cold-tunnel assembly to form a cold tunnel; an air-blowing desiccator affixed to each cold-wall panel; an external liquid chiller to chill a reservoir of working fluid; a target under test; and an extended source blackbody reference disposed directly behind the target under test.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AS REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY OF THE ARMY
    Inventors: Jason G. Zeibel, William Paul Blase, John K. Delaney
  • Patent number: 11448536
    Abstract: Near-Infrared (NIR) filter photometry is used to calculate component concentrations in multiphase flows. The disclosed methodology adapts the Beer-Lambert law for nonhomogeneous immiscible mixtures (such as oil and water) by modeling the fluid layer as a nonhomogeneous distribution of its components and deriving a mathematical relationship between measured absorbances, component path lengths, and non-homogeneity factors. The methodology is integrated into a multi-channel filter photometer to measure phase concentrations in oil-and-gas pipelines. The system is proven more accurate than current state of the art based on data from simulations, multiphase flow laboratories and field trials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: WEATHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventors: Vijay Ramakrishnan, John Lievois
  • Patent number: 11408979
    Abstract: Electro-optical sighting systems and methods are provided. One example includes a optical transmitter configured to emit an infrared beam along an optical path toward a target, a beam director positioned in the optical path and having a plurality of optical elements configured to direct the infrared beam and to collect reflected infrared radiation from reflection of the beam from the target, a focal plane array detector configured to receive reflected infrared radiation from the beam director, an optical phased array (OPA) positioned in the optical path between the optical transmitter and the beam director, and a controller operatively coupled to the OPA and configured to direct the OPA to defocus the infrared beam to broaden a field of view of the optical transmitter for active illumination, and focus the infrared beam to narrow the field of view of the optical transmitter for range determination and/or target designation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: RAYTHEON COMPANY
    Inventor: Philip T. Shimon
  • Patent number: 11391634
    Abstract: A temperature measurement system for measuring a temperature of a measured surface includes: 1) a first temperature sensor; and 2) a reference surface including a second temperature sensor integrated therein. The first temperature sensor includes a field of view simultaneously covering both at least a portion of the measured surface and at least a portion of the reference surface, thus is configured for simultaneously taking a first measurement of both the portion of the measured surface and the portion of the reference surface. The first measurement of the reference surface taken by the first temperature sensor is compared to a second measurement taken by the second temperature sensor for use in calibrating the first temperature sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: Accure Acne, Inc.
    Inventors: Henrik Hofvander, Michael John Estes
  • Patent number: 11385347
    Abstract: The system and method represents a high-resolution, three-dimensional, multi-static precipitation RADAR approach that employs agile microsatellites, in formation and remotely coupled, via a new high-precision, ultra-low power, remote timing synchronization technology. This system and method uses multi-static RADAR interferometric methods implemented via a microsatellite formation to synthesize an effectively large (e.g., 15 m) aperture to provide about 1 km horizontal resolution and about 125 m vertical resolution in the Ku-band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin R. Maschhoff, Martin F. Ryba
  • Patent number: 11385458
    Abstract: An optical device comprises a printed circuit board comprising a rigid main portion and comprising at least one flexible portion arranged at the periphery of the rigid main portion, the rigid main portion including an electronic image-capture circuit; a lens holder comprising at least one optical lens, the lens holder comprising a wall forming a cavity extending along the optical axis of the device from its top end to its bottom end, the bottom end being mounted on the rigid main portion of the printed circuit board so as to align, along the optical axis of the device, the electronic image-capture circuit and the optical lens; at least one heating element arranged on the flexible portion of the printed circuit board, the flexible portion of the printed circuit board being arranged by bearing directly against the wall of the lens holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: Aptiv Technologies Limited
    Inventors: Arkadiusz Rafalowski, Witold Poreda
  • Patent number: 11288882
    Abstract: A deposit detection device according to an embodiment includes a detection module, a determination module, and an identification module. The detection module detects a deposit region corresponding to a deposit adhering to an imaging device, based on brightness information of an image captured by the imaging device. The determination module determines whether variation in brightness information in a predetermined region of the image is within a predetermined range, in a period after a vehicle is stopped in a state in which the deposit region is detected by the detection module. The identification module identifies brightness information serving as a determination criterion of the deposit region when the determination module determines that the variation in brightness information is within a predetermined range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: DENSO TEN Limited
    Inventors: Nobunori Asayama, Nobuhisa Ikeda, Takashi Kono, Yasushi Tani, Daisuke Yamamoto, Tomokazu Oki, Teruhiko Kamibayashi
  • Patent number: 11233954
    Abstract: A stereoscopic system that employs stereo infrared imaging to improve resolution and field of view (FOV) is disclosed. In embodiments, the stereoscopic system includes first and second infrared cameras that are configured to detect scenery in the same FOV. The stereoscopic system further includes at least one display and at least one controller configured to render imagery from the first infrared camera and imagery from the second infrared camera via a display (or multiple displays) to generate stereoscopic infrared imagery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel J. Henry
  • Patent number: 11215566
    Abstract: A system and method for internally inspecting a tubular composite part so as to identify and measure adhesive flow therewithin are provided, along with an endpoint adapter assembly of a near infrared (NIR) spectrometer. The system includes an end point adapter that fits within and maintains a consistent cross-sectional position within the tubular composite part. The system also includes a plurality of optical fibers extending radially outward from the end point adapter. The end point adapter moves longitudinally through the tubular composite part and receives light with the plurality of optical fibers following interaction of the light with the tubular composite part. The system further includes a NIR imaging spectrometer configured to disperse the light being collected by the plurality of optical fibers across an NIR spectrum and a NIR camera configured to generate images of the tubular composite part based on dispersed light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Paul H. Shelley, Jr., Christopher Wayne Fay
  • Patent number: 11187590
    Abstract: Microbolometer detectors and arrays fabricated using printed electronics and photonics techniques, including ink-based printing, are disclosed. A microbolometer detector can include a substrate, a platform suspended above the substrate, and a thermistor printed on the platform and made of a thermistor material including an electrically conducting polymer, for example a poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) polymeric composition. The microbolometer detector can also include an electrode structure electrically connected to the thermistor, and an ohmic contact layer interposed between the thermistor and the electrode structure. The electrode structure can be made of an electrode material including silver, while the ohmic contact layer can be made of an ohmic contact material including a PEDOT-carbon nanotube polymeric composition. A microbolometer array can include a plurality of microbolometer detectors arranged in a linear or two-dimensional matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: INSTITUT NATIONAL D'OPTIQUE
    Inventor: Hassane Oulachgar
  • Patent number: 11050953
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an infrared imager suitable for detecting an infrared flux in a first and a second spectral band, the imager comprising an enclosure and comprising: a separator separating an incident infrared flux into two fluxes, a single detector suitable for detecting a flux in the two spectral bands, the detector being cooled to a temperature lower than the temperature of the enclosure, a switching optic movable between a first position in which the first flux is sent to the detector and a second position in which the second flux is sent to the detector, and a reflector having a bottom positioned in order that the image of the bottom in the first spectral band by the switching optic in the second position is situated on detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: THALES
    Inventor: Ludovic Perruchot
  • Patent number: 11042005
    Abstract: An actuator including two or more detection targets disposed on a surface and another surface of a lens barrel, respectively, an oscillating unit including a first oscillation circuit unit including two or more oscillation circuits disposed to face the surface and a second oscillation circuit unit including two or more oscillation circuits disposed to face the other surface to output oscillation signals, and a determining unit to calculate a position of the lens barrel from the oscillation signals output from the oscillating unit. A frequency range of an oscillation signal output from any one of the two or more oscillation circuits of the first oscillation circuit unit is different from that of an oscillation signal output from any one of the two or more oscillation circuits of the second oscillation circuit unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Je Hyeon Yu, Sung Man Pang, Youn Joong Lee, Ja Hwi Cho, Jin Kim
  • Patent number: 11035528
    Abstract: A light emitting device comprises a coherent source generating coherent light, a diffusing element, and a light guide part. The diffusing element includes first and second surfaces opposite to each other, and disperses the coherent light from the coherent source to generate incoherent light. The light guide part is provided on the side of the first surface of the diffusing element; it guides the coherent light emitting from the coherent source to be incident on the first surface to form a first light path, guides a part of incoherent light emitting from the first surface to emit through the first light path, guides the remaining incoherent light to emit through a second light path, and separates the first and second light paths. The luminous flux of the incoherent light emitting through the first light path is less than that of the incoherent light emitting through the second light path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: APPOTRONICS CORPORATION LIMITED
    Inventors: Fei Hu, Yi Li, Yi Yang, Liangliang Cao
  • Patent number: 10973410
    Abstract: Wearable devices capable of measuring a core body temperature and other vital signs of a user in a range of situations are described herein. The wearable device is arranged to be retained within the ear canal of the ear, in order to prevent the wearable device from inadvertently removing itself from the ear. Providing an infrared thermopile at the innermost end of the ear insert ensures that the infrared thermopile is provided as close as possible to the tympanic membrane which will be used to provide an indication of the core body temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: Inova Design Solutions Ltd
    Inventor: Leon Marsh
  • Patent number: 10935368
    Abstract: Time-of-flight measurements calculate the absolute caliper of a moving film independent of the film's index of refraction. A reflective fiber coupled terahertz gauge is mounted co-axially with a temperature stabilized Z-sensor positioned within a scanner head. The terahertz gauge monitors four reflections: (1) the reflection from a sensor window, (2, 3) the reflections from the top and bottom surfaces of the sheet product being measured, and (4) the reflection from a reflector that is placed behind the sheet. The Z-sensor monitors the distance between the reflector and the sensor window. The terahertz reflection delays together with the Z distance measurements allow extraction of the caliper. Since the time delay due to the sheet is a function of thickness and index of refraction, the basis weight of the sheet can be determined by using a calibration of the sensor relating basis weight of the product to time delay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: Honeywell Limited
    Inventor: Sebastien Tixier
  • Patent number: 10873688
    Abstract: The fact that a beam-deflecting device can be produced cost-effectively and without any losses of optical quality of the multi-aperture imaging device is used when a carrier substrate is provided for the same, wherein the carrier substrate is common to the plurality of optical channels and is installed with a setting angle, i.e. oblique with respect to the image sensor in the multi-aperture imaging device such that a deflection angle of deflecting the optical path of each optical channel is based, on the one hand, on the setting angle and, on the other hand, on an individual inclination angle with respect to the carrier substrate of a reflecting facet of a surface of the beam-deflecting device facing the image sensor, the reflecting facet being allocated to the optical channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.
    Inventors: Frank Wippermann, Andreas Brueckner, Andreas Braeuer, Alexander Oberdoerster
  • Patent number: 10753806
    Abstract: The instant disclosure provides a non-contact temperature measuring device including a base, a temperature measuring module, a light module and a reflecting module. The temperature measuring module is disposed on the base. The temperature measuring module has a measuring area. The light module is disposed on the base and is configured to generate a projecting light. The reflecting module is disposed on the base and has a reflecting surface. The projecting light is projected onto the reflecting surface and is reflected by the reflecting surface, thereby forming at least two reflecting light beams adjacent to the measuring area. The at least two reflecting light beams surround a marking area which is able to overlap with the measuring area, and the range of the marking area changes according to the distance between the object to be measured and the non-contact temperature measuring device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: RADIANT INNOVATION INC.
    Inventors: Tseng-Lung Lin, An-Chin Lai
  • Patent number: 10712154
    Abstract: A laser level comprising a first laser module and a second laser module, each comprising a laser diode and an optical unit, a holder arranging the first laser module and the second laser module in a fixed relative position, and a housing, in which the holder is suspended with a gimbal or ball joint. Each optical unit comprises a collimating lens arranged along the beam path following the laser diode, and configured for collimating a beam emitted by the laser diode; a pair of partially transmitting mirrors, each arranged along the beam path following the collimating lens, and configured for laterally reflecting less than half of the collimated beam in terms of the beam cross-section, and in terms of the beam intensity; and a cylindrical lens arranged along the beam path following the pair of partially transmitting mirrors, and configured for shaping the collimated beam into a fan beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: LEICA GEOSYSTEMS AG
    Inventors: Kai Fei, Guanghua Ma, Thomas Bösch
  • Patent number: 10617112
    Abstract: A sonic bird deterrent apparatus for preventing birds from damaging structures and trees includes a housing having a front side separated from a rear side, a right side separated from a left side, and a top side separated from a bottom side forming an inside. A pair of rails is coupled to the housing to slidingly engage a track of a mounting bracket that is attached to a house exterior or a tree. A motion sensor is coupled through the top side of the housing and has a 180° view. A speaker, a volume control, a high frequency sound chip, a CPU, and a battery are coupled to the housing to produce a high frequency sound when the motion sensor detects movement. A power switch coupled to the housing and is in operational communication with the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Inventor: Robert Mellusi
  • Patent number: 10566476
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the present disclosure provide an optical sensor. The optical sensor includes a semiconductive substrate; a light sensing region on the semiconductive substrate; a waveguide region configured to guide light from a wave insert portion through a waveguide portion and to a sample holding portion; and an interconnect region below the waveguide region, and the interconnect region being disposed above the light sensing region. The waveguide portion includes a first dielectric layer comprising a first refractive index and at least one second dielectric layer comprising a second refractive index, wherein the second refractive index is smaller than the first refractive index.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: PERSONAL GENOMICS, INC.
    Inventors: Teng-Chien Yu, Sheng-Fu Lin, Ming-Sheng Yang
  • Patent number: 10493560
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an optical device having a convex lens, a concave lens and a mirror member is provided. The convex lens is arranged on an axis and has a convex surface at one side in a direction of the axis. The convex lens reflects a first wavelength light and transmits a second wavelength light. The concave lens is arranged on the axis and at the other side in a direction of the axis and having a concave surface. The mirror member has a reflective surface opposing the convex surface and is arranged apart from an outer circumference of the convex lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Tsubasa Kusaka
  • Patent number: 10438464
    Abstract: Systems and methods for determining and verifying a presence of an object or an intruder within a secured area are provided. Such systems and methods tan include a microprocessor unit sampling data from a smart microwave sensor module to detect the presence of the object or the intruder, using the data to calculate a velocity of the object or intruder, using the data to calculate a distance between the smart microwave sensor module and the object or the intruder, determining whether the velocity is within a predefined range, and using the distance to determine whether the object or the intruder is within a designated protection territory. Such systems and methods also may include recording trigger positions of the object or the intruder when the velocity is within the predefined range and the distance indicates the object or the intruder is within the designated protection territory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: ADEMCO INC.
    Inventors: Tianfeng Zhao, Xiaomin Xia, Guang Liu
  • Patent number: 10310381
    Abstract: An illumination system for EUV projection lithography has a beam shaping optical unit for generating an EUV collective output beam from an EUV raw beam of a synchrotron-radiation-based light source. An output coupling optical unit serves for generating a plurality of EUV individual output beams from the EUV collective output beam. In each case a beam guiding optical unit serves for guiding the respective EUV individual output beam toward an object field in which a lithography mask is arrangable. The result is an illumination system with which EUV light of a synchrotron-radiation-based light source is guided to the greatest possible extent without losses and at the same time flexibly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss SMT GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Patra, Ralf Mueller
  • Patent number: 10157305
    Abstract: Methods, systems, computer-readable media, and apparatuses for cover-glass optical isolation for optical touch and fingerprint sensing are presented. One disclosed display assembly includes a cover glass layer; a low refractive index (LRI) layer coupled to a surface of the cover glass layer; a display layer coupled to the LRI layer; a prism structure; and a camera comprising an image sensor optically coupled to the prism structure to capture an image of a fingerprint based on light reflected from a fingertip and propagated within the cover glass layer and directed towards the camera using the prism structure, wherein the cover glass layer defines an overhang region that extends beyond the LRI layer and the display layer, and wherein the prism structure is coupled to the surface of the cover glass layer on the overhang region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: John Wyrwas, Khurshid Alam, Evgeni Gousev
  • Patent number: 10113711
    Abstract: A mirror assembly is provided for producing beam bundles from the beam of a light source, wherein the beam bundles includes a first beam bundle having a first main beam direction, a second beam bundle having a second main beam direction, and preferably further beam bundles having further main beam directions. The assembly includes a first mirror segment having a first focal point, which converts a first partial region of the beam of the light source into the first beam bundle, a second mirror segment having a second focal point, which converts a second partial region of the beam of the light source into the second beam bundle, and preferably further mirror segments having further focal points, which convert further partial regions of the beam of the light source into further beam bundles. The back side of the mirror segments have a curvature which is concentric to the light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: NOVA MEASURING INSTRUMENTS LTD.
    Inventor: Stefan Franz
  • Patent number: RE49950
    Abstract: There is provided a system and method for detecting a distance to an object. The method comprises providing a lighting system having at least one pulse width modulated visible-light source for illumination of a field of view; emitting an illumination signal for illuminating the field of view for a duration of time y using the visible-light source at a time t; integrating a reflection energy for a first time period from a time t?x to a time t+x; determining a first integration value for the first time period; integrating the reflection energy for a second time period from a time t+y?x to a time t+y+x; determining a second integration value for the second time period; calculating a difference value between the first integration value and the second integration value; determining a propagation delay value proportional to the difference value; determining the distance to the object from the propagation delay value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: LeddarTech Inc.
    Inventor: Yvan Mimeault