Infrared And Ultraviolet Patents (Class 356/51)
  • Patent number: 11960033
    Abstract: Described herein is a time-of-flight ranging system and methods for its operation. The system includes an array of single photon avalanche diode (SPAD) pixels and control circuitry. The control circuitry simultaneously accumulates integrated SPAD event data from one cluster of SPAD pixels while integrating SPAD event data from another cluster during different target illuminations. The system also includes first and second VCSEL clusters, each responsible for a different target illumination. By processing and managing the data in this manner, the system can effectively reduce the time used to gather and analyze the event data, leading to faster and more accurate distance measurements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics (Grenoble 2) SAS
    Inventor: Pascal Mellot
  • Patent number: 11917322
    Abstract: An optical module including a light source and an optical sensor is provided. The optical sensor includes a pixel matrix and an opaque layer. The pixel matrix includes a plurality of unblocked pixels, a plurality of first pixels and a plurality of second pixels. The opaque layer covers upon a first region, which is a part of each first pixel, and upon a second region, which is a part of each second pixel, but does not cover upon the unblocked pixels, wherein the first region and the second region are symmetrically arranged in a first direction, and uncovered regions of the first pixels and the second pixels are arranged to be larger at a pixel edge than at a pixel center.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: PIXART IMAGING INC.
    Inventors: Jung-Tai Lin, En-Feng Hsu
  • Patent number: 11911802
    Abstract: Methods and devices for sorting cottonseeds. Methods include the use of an optical sorter to sort cottonseed by color. Additionally, methods include sorting cottonseed using a gravity table to collect high-density seed (“accepts”) and mid-density seed (“middlings”), followed by sorting the mid-density, and optionally, the high-density seed using an optical sorter to collect dark cottonseed, thereby providing high-quality cottonseed for packaging. Devices and systems comprising one or more gravity tables and one or more optical sorters are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: BASF Agricultural Solutions Seed US LLC
    Inventors: Sebastian Ulrich Schmidt, Jeff Ratliff, Benno Franz Ulfik, Fatma Alexia Van Winssen, Tonya Crossland, Hartmut Huebner
  • Patent number: 11874170
    Abstract: In an illustrative configuration, a method for monitoring air quality is disclosed. The method includes accepting analyte gas into a cell and reflecting light rays into the analyte gas repeatedly across the cell into at least one sensor. The light scattered by particulate matter in the analyte gas and amount of spectra-absorption due to presence of a gaseous chemical is then measured. Based on the determined amount of spectra-absorption and the measured scattered light the gaseous chemical is then measured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: PROJECT CANARY, PBC
    Inventors: Anna Ailene Scott, Yan Azdoud, Christopher Daniel Kelley
  • Patent number: 11850992
    Abstract: Provided is a lighting device capable of forming an optimal light distribution pattern in a situation in which vehicle travel is being automatically controlled. Provided is a lighting device (100) in which a region having the highest luminous intensity on a virtual projection plane (VP) when the virtual projection plane (VP) is divided into three equal parts from lowest to highest luminous intensity is isolated in the left and right directions by a V line, and at least a portion of the region having the highest luminous intensity is located in a first central portion (M1) of the virtual projection plane (VP).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Naoki Tatara, Toshihiro Okamura, Takeshi Masuda
  • Patent number: 11835842
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for improved HHG of ultrashort pulse laser beams. A HHG assembly includes a gas distribution block and a waveguide cartridge having a HHG hollow core waveguide. The waveguide cartridge is attached to the gas distribution block and may be removed and replaced, while the gas distribution block remains affixed within the apparatus. The gas distribution block is configured to maintain a pressure profile within the hollow core fiber. The system also includes two operating beam sensors and two actuatable mirrors. The operating beam sensors are fixed with respect to the HHG assembly. The system is aligned before operation by adjusting the actuatable mirrors to optimize a sample beam through the waveguide and recording the position of the beam on the operating beam sensors. In operation, the mirrors are actuated to maintain the same positions of the input beam on the operating beam sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: Regents of the Univ of Colorado, a body corporate
    Inventors: Seth Lucien Cousin, Michael Tanksalvala, Henry C Kapteyn
  • Patent number: 11817466
    Abstract: A highly functional photoelectric conversion element is provided. The photoelectric conversion element includes: a first photoelectric converter that detects light in a first wavelength range and photoelectrically converts the light; a second photoelectric converter that detects light in a second wavelength range and photoelectrically converts the light to obtain distance information of a subject; and an optical filter that is disposed between the first photoelectric converter and the second photoelectric converter, and allows the light in the second wavelength range to pass therethrough more easily than the light in the first wavelength range. The first photoelectric converter includes a stacked structure and an electric charge accumulation electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation
    Inventors: Hideaki Togashi, Tetsuji Yamaguchi, Nobuhiro Kawai, Koji Sekiguchi, Masahiro Joei, Kenichi Murata, Shintarou Hirata, Yuta Hasegawa, Yoshito Nagashima
  • Patent number: 11774357
    Abstract: A terahertz wave attenuated total reflection spectroscopic method, includes: a first step of disposing a measurement target of which a volume is changed during a measurement period on a reflection surface; and a second step of acquiring data including a plurality of detection results respectively corresponding to a plurality of times separated from each other during the measurement period by allowing a terahertz wave to be incident on the reflection surface from a side opposite to the measurement target and by detecting the terahertz wave reflected on the reflection surface, during the measurement period. In the second step, a state in which a substantially constant pressure is applied to the measurement target disposed on the reflection surface is maintained during the measurement period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: HAMAMATSU PHOTONICS K.K.
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Takahashi, Kouichiro Akiyama, Hiroshi Satozono
  • Patent number: 11768110
    Abstract: In an illustrative configuration, a method for monitoring air quality is disclosed. The method includes accepting analyte gas into a cell and reflecting light rays into the analyte gas repeatedly across the cell into at least one sensor. The light scattered by particulate matter in the analyte gas and amount of spectra-absorption due to presence of a gaseous chemical is then measured. Based on the determined amount of spectra-absorption and the measured scattered light the gaseous chemical is then measured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: Project Canary, PBC
    Inventors: Anna Ailene Scott, Yan Azdoud, Christopher Daniel Kelley
  • Patent number: 11756282
    Abstract: A system including circuitry configured to process image data of a meal to obtain information on the contents of the meal; generate, based on the obtained information, a query with guidance to change image capture settings: and guide a user to pick up at least a part of the meal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: SONY GROUP CORPORATION
    Inventors: Alexander Gatto, Piergiorgio Sartor, Ralf Müller, Mori Hironori, Oliver Erdler
  • Patent number: 11723343
    Abstract: A system for determining the gender and/or fertility status of avian eggs including a sampling apparatus and an electromagnetic radiation transmitter and detector. In certain embodiments, the transmitter operates in the terahertz range. The sampling apparatus can be coupled to an avian egg. The sampling apparatus includes a vacuum source, a gas collection device, and a membrane that can be positioned in the passageway coupling the vacuum source to the gas collection device. The membrane is capable of capturing volatile organic compounds. The sampling apparatus applies a vacuum from the vacuum source to the gas proximate to the avian egg and directs the gas captured from the vicinity of the egg toward the membrane. Subsequently, the membrane is positioned within the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the transmitter, generating a spectrum which can be analyzed to determine whether the egg is fertile or infertile, and if fertile, whether the egg is male or female.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: NOVATRANS GROUP S.A.
    Inventors: Paul Knepper, Matthew O'Hayer, Jonathan Hoopes, Eran Gabbai
  • Patent number: 11635498
    Abstract: A time-of-flight ranging system includes an array of single photon avalanche diode (SPAD) pixels, and control circuitry that causes the array of SPAD pixels to integrate SPAD event data received from each SPAD pixel of a first cluster of SPAD pixels during a first illumination of a target, the first cluster of SPAD pixels being a subset of the array of SPAD pixels, and integrate SPAD event data received from each SPAD pixel of a second cluster of SPAD pixels during a second illumination of the target, the second cluster of SPAD pixels being a subset of the array of SPAD pixels. At a start of integration of the SPAD event data received from each SPAD pixel of the second cluster of SPAD pixels, the integrated SPAD event data that was received from each SPAD of the first cluster of SPAD pixels is accumulated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics (Grenoble 2) SAS
    Inventor: Pascal Mellot
  • Patent number: 11619392
    Abstract: Monitoring device (3, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3) for household appliances, preferably for cooking appliances, comprising: —a housing (33), —at least one camera objective (1, 1.1, 1.2), —at least one fixation unit (2, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3), wherein the fixation unit (2, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3) is adapted for the fastening, preferably for the releasable fastening, the monitoring device (3, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3) on at least one predetermined surface area (34) of at least one predetermined model of a household appliance, and wherein the fixation unit (2, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3) is arranged relative to the camera objective (1, 1.1, 1.2) in order to arrange the camera objective (1, 1.1, 1.2), in a mounted state of the monitoring device (3, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3) on the household appliance, in at least one position of a predetermined distance (d) and/or in a predetermined orientation (?) relative to a predetermined monitoring region (32) of the household appliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: Electrolux Appliances Aktiebolag
    Inventors: Dietmar Hildner, Branko Ivanovic
  • Patent number: 11585758
    Abstract: A microspectroscopic device includes: a wavelength-tunable first light source configured to emit pump-light in a mid-infrared wavelength range; a second light source configured to emit probe-light in a visible range; a light source controller configured to change a wavelength of the infrared light source; a first optical system configured to combine the pump-light and the probe-light to acquired combined light and concentrate the combined light on a minute part of a sample; a second optical system configured to block at least the probe-light from transmitted light or reflected light of the sample; a detector configured to detect light incident thereon from the second optical system; a first spectrum acquisition means configured to acquire a spectrum of the incident light during the probe-light emission to the sample as a Raman spectrum or a fluorescence spectrum of the sample; and a second spectrum acquisition means configured to acquire an infrared absorption spectrum of the sample, based on a change in the
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: Shimadzu Corporation
    Inventor: Tatsuya Ikehara
  • Patent number: 11555810
    Abstract: A device may receive a classification model generated based on a set of spectroscopic measurements performed by a first spectrometer. The device may store the classification model in a data structure. The device may receive a spectroscopic measurement of an unknown sample from a second spectrometer. The device may obtain the classification model from the data structure. The device may classify the unknown sample into a Kosher or non-Kosher group or a Halal or non-Halal group based on the spectroscopic measurement and the classification model. The device may provide information identifying the unknown sample based on the classifying of the unknown sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: VIAVI Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Nada A. O'Brien, Changmeng Hsiung
  • Patent number: 11547240
    Abstract: In a method for operating a cooking appliance, a cooking compartment is irradiated by light of different wavelength ranges. Light reflected in the cooking compartment is measured and measurement results of the light measurement are spectroscopically evaluated. Depending on a result of the spectroscopic evaluation, operation of the cooking appliance is adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: BSH Hausgeräte GmbH
    Inventors: Hans-Martin Eiter, Stefan Schürf
  • Patent number: 11494888
    Abstract: Provided is an oil leakage detection apparatus by which oil leakage detection is performed even for colorless oil with high detection accuracy and without complicating the apparatus. The oil leakage detection apparatus of the invention includes a distance measurement unit configured to measure a distance to the oil-input machine, an ultraviolet light source configured to irradiate the oil-input machine with ultraviolet light, a color imaging unit configured to capture an image of the oil-input machine irradiated with ultraviolet light, an image processing unit configured to diagnose oil leakage of the oil-input machine based on the distance measured by the distance measurement unit and the captured image of the color imaging unit, and a display unit configured to display a processed image processed by the image processing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Li Lu, Akira Nishimizu, Toshiaki Rokunohe, Akira Yamagishi
  • Patent number: 11486761
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for microscopic analysis of a sample using spatial light manipulation to increase signal to noise ratio are described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: Photothermal Spectroscopy Corp.
    Inventors: Derek Decker, Craig Prater
  • Patent number: 11448603
    Abstract: A defect detection and imaging system is presented for performing microscopy and/or spectroscopy on a device under test. The defect detection system comprises a controller for toggling the state of a light source, which may allow for fast simultaneous high-speed inspection and high-resolution review imaging of the device under test by the same system and simultaneously deliver inspection, computer generated reconstructions or tomography, and defect review on sub second time-scales. The defect detection system further comprises a converter for converting X-ray images of the device under test into photoelectron contrast images to achieve nanometer scale measurement resolution in non-destructive and real-time fashion, to complement or replace destructive TEM. These photoelectron contrast images may be received by a detector to output an electronic format map or 3D/4D image that indicates one or more features of the device under test.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Inventors: Trevor A. Norman, Robert Mamazza, Francisco Xavier Machuca
  • Patent number: 11379680
    Abstract: The invention relates to a computer-implemented method for detecting barcodes in a digital image represented as a two-dimensional digital image array comprising: applying a filter to the image array, computing a discrete Radon transformation of the filtered image array, wherein the discrete Radon Transformation is computed for a plurality of discrete lines across the filtered image array, wherein for each given discrete line with a given slope the discrete Radon transformation is computed for a number of different displacements of the given discrete line, wherein said number of displacements is less than two times a dimension of the image array, detecting in the output of the discrete Radon transformation of the filtered image array the vertex points of a pattern, and converting the detected vertex points back to discrete lines in the image array for constraining the location of a barcode present in the digital image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: WOOPTIX S.L.
    Inventors: Óscar Gómez Cárdenes, José Manuel Rodríguez Ramos
  • Patent number: 11348220
    Abstract: A system for detecting damage to a glass surface particularly vehicle glazing panels such as vehicle windscreens. The system uses a sensor unit disposed proximate the surface and a processor in communication with the sensor unit. The processor is configured to analyse data received from the sensor unit in order to determine the integrity of the surface and a communication unit is configured to output a signal in response to the processor determining that the surface has been damaged. For vehicle glass the system is preferably integrated into the vehicle management and control systems such that the system is active when the vehicle is active or moving. The management and or control system may monitor for instances or situations when changes, such as above threshold changes, occur in order to produce an output warning signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: BELRON INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
    Inventors: Kelly Francis, Christopher Davies
  • Patent number: 11333552
    Abstract: A protective sheath having a closed end and an open end is sized to receive a hand held spectrometer. The spectrometer can be placed in the sheath to calibrate the spectrometer and to measure samples. In a calibration orientation, an optical head of the spectrometer can be oriented toward the closed end of the sheath where a calibration material is located. In a measurement orientation, the optical head of the spectrometer can be oriented toward the open end of the sheath in order to measure a sample. To change the orientation, the spectrometer can be removed from the sheath container and placed in the sheath container with the calibration orientation or the measurement orientation. Accessory container covers can be provided and placed on the open end of the sheath with samples placed therein in order to provide improved measurements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: VERIFOOD, LTD.
    Inventors: Damian Goldring, Dror Sharon, Guy Brodetzki, Sagee Rosen, Omer Keilaf, Uri Kinrot, Ittai Nir, Nitzan Waisberg, Ofer Rachman, Assaf Carmi
  • Patent number: 11336074
    Abstract: A sensor system includes an optical aperture, a light source configured to generate a light pulse along a first optical path, a reflective surface configured to reflect the light pulse from the first optical path to a second optical path for passing through the optical aperture, a beam steering device positioned in the optical aperture and configured to steer the light pulse along different directions to one or more objects in an angle of view of the sensor system, a detector configured to receive a reflected light pulse and convert the reflected light pulse into an electrical signal, the reflected light pulse being reflected back from the one or more objects and passed through the beam steer device, and a spatial filtering device positioned between the beam steering device and the detector to block undesirable light in both the light pulse and the reflected light pulse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: SZ DJI TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Xiaoping Hong, Huai Huang, Jiebin Xie
  • Patent number: 11300406
    Abstract: A multiple-stage method of determining surface properties, with the steps: determining at least one topographical property of at least one region of a surface to be investigated, determining an optical property of at least this region of the surface to be investigated and emitting at least one value which is characteristic of this optical property. When the value which is characteristic of this optical property is determined, the topographical property of the region is taken into consideration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Inventor: Christopher Groh
  • Patent number: 11274968
    Abstract: The invention relates to an optical emission spectrometer with a spark chamber (10) which comprises a spark stand opening (14) and an oblong electrode (11) being arranged inside thereof for generating a spark and a beam of light originating therefrom. Furthermore, a coupling unit (20) is provided which comprises at least one window being arranged on a window holder and a channel. The spark chamber (10) and the coupling unit (20) are arranged with respect to each other such that the beam of light falls through the window (30) into the channel (21). In addition, the spark chamber (10) and the coupling unit (20) comprise means for purging with an inert gas. The spark chamber (10) is directly connected with a window holder (31) and via the window holder (31) with the coupling unit (20), wherein between spark chamber (10) and window holder (31) a sealing element (33) is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: Elementar Analysensysteme GmbH
    Inventors: Hans Dominick, Michael Molderings
  • Patent number: 11262185
    Abstract: A method comprises: splitting laser light into sample light, reference light, and monitor light; routing the reference light into a reference arm of an OCT interferometer; routing the monitor light into a monitor device, which generates at least one optical monitor signal representing at least one time-dependent property of the monitor light; generating at least one electric monitor signal from the at least one optical monitor signal; illuminating in a point-shaped manner a sample with sample light, wherein the illumination point is guided on the surface of the sample along a predetermined trajectory; superimposing the light scattered by the sample with the reference light emerging from the reference arm to generate an electric OCT signal; wherein the at least one electric monitor signal and the electric OCT signal are AD-converted in alternating sequence, in each case equidistantly in time, to form a single digital data stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: OPTORES GMBH
    Inventors: Robert Huber, Wolfgang Draxinger, Tom Pfeiffer
  • Patent number: 11249015
    Abstract: A chemical measurement device for determining the concentration of given chemical in a given fluid has at least one LED light source and at least one light detector. The given chemical has a light absorption curve with a peak, and the at least one LED light source and at least one light detector are configured to collaborate to produce two light signals having peak wavelengths between about 5 nm and 35 nm apart. The two light signal peak wavelengths are in the ultraviolet region with wavelengths beyond the light absorption curve peak. The light signal peak wavelengths, however, also are before the light absorption curve is negligible. The device also has a concentration calculator operatively coupled with the at least one light detector. The concentration calculator is configured to compare the two light signals to produce a concentration signal representing the concentration of the given chemical in the given fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: Crystal IS, Inc.
    Inventors: Masato Toita, James Davis
  • Patent number: 11249024
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes an optical measuring system having at least one light source that radiates excitation light into a medium to be measured. The excitation light is converted into fluorescent light by the medium. The optical measuring system also includes a first photodiode that receives a decay curve of the fluorescent light and converts it into a first signal and at least one optical component that receives the fluorescent light and converts it into a second signal. A data processing unit determines an oil-in-water content based on the first signal and the second signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: Endress+Hauser Conducta GmbH+Co. KG
    Inventors: Ralf Bernhard, Manfred Jagiella
  • Patent number: 11249027
    Abstract: A SiC epitaxial wafer, including: a SiC substrate; and an epitaxial layer stacked on a first surface of the SiC substrate, wherein an area occupied by bar-shaped stacking faults on the first surface of the SiC substrate is identified, and the area occupied by bar-shaped stacking faults on the first surface of the SiC substrate is equal to or less than ¼ of the first surface area of the SiC substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: SHOWA DENKO K.K.
    Inventors: Yoshitaka Nishihara, Koji Kamei
  • Patent number: 11237099
    Abstract: The present invention discloses an optical detection cell for detecting inorganic analytes in an aquatic environment. The optical detection cell comprises a microfluidic channel defining an optical detection path. First and second transparent windows are bonded at opposite locations on the microfluidic channel. The optical detection cell is provided with a UV-LED, and light detector respectively positioned proximally to the first and second transparent windows. The UV-LED configured to be driven by a constant electrical current having a value between 2.5 mA and 50.0 mA.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: AQUAMONITRIX LIMITED
    Inventors: Eoin Murray, Patrick Roche, Kevin Harrington, Matthieu Briet
  • Patent number: 11236988
    Abstract: To provide a laser distance measuring apparatus which determines whether the moving body stops autonomously, without depending on the external environment information transmitted from the external apparatuses, and can lower the average power of the laser beam. A laser distance measuring apparatus compares light receiving signals detected at two time points at the same irradiation angle, determines whether the moving body stops, and when it is determined that the moving body stops, makes an average power per unit area and unit time of the laser beam emitted lower than that of when it is determined that the moving body does not stop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshitaka Tsuboi, Masahiro Kawai, Shohei Tsukamoto
  • Patent number: 11222422
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer readable media for hyperspectral imaging are provided. An example hyperspectral imaging sensor system to identify item composition includes an imager to capture hyperspectral imaging data of one or more items with respect to a target. The example includes a sensor to be positioned with respect to the target to trigger capture of the image data by the imager based on a characteristic of the target. The example includes a processor to prepare the captured imaging data for analysis to at least: identify the one or more items; determine composition of the one or more items; calculate an energy intake associated with the one or more items; and classify the target based on the energy intake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: Northwestern University
    Inventors: Nabil I. Alshurafa, Aggelos K. Katsaggelos, Oliver Strider Cossairt
  • Patent number: 11206980
    Abstract: A complete personal nutrition, health, wellness and fitness monitor is disclosed that captures, monitors, and tracks many relevant health and wellness factors. Image of all consumed items is captured with a three dimensional reference object, matched to reference images in a database in terms of shape, color, size and texture, identified, and the volume of the respective items is determined. In addition, molecular optical fingerprinting of consumable products provides information about actual food composition, including vitamins and contaminants that affect food safety. Using energy and nutrition information of items in another database, full nutritional content and energy is evaluated for all of the items in the image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Inventors: Vlad Novotny, Michelle Novotny
  • Patent number: 11137290
    Abstract: An accessory for an infrared spectrophotometer is provided in which both an infrared spectrum and a Raman spectrum at the same measurement position of a sample can be easily acquired. By incorporating an infrared optical system and an excitation light source into the accessory for an infrared spectrophotometer, infrared light from an infrared light source of the infrared spectrophotometer and excitation light from the excitation light source provided for the accessory are guided to the same measurement position P in the sample S. A total reflection spectrum is acquired by detecting the totally reflected light from the sample S irradiated with the infrared light by an infrared detector of the infrared spectrophotometer. Raman scattered light from the sample S irradiated with the excitation light is detected by a Raman detector provided in the accessory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: Shimadzu Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroshi Ota
  • Patent number: 11099129
    Abstract: A system includes a first laser beam including a pulsed laser emanating from the instrument propagates in the air, wherein the first lase beam is tuned to the wavelength at which a target chemical absorbs, its pulses bringing molecules to an excited state, a second laser beam used to probe target chemicals by transient absorption spectroscopy, wherein the second laser beam is pulsed or continuous, and a detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: Brown University
    Inventors: Peter M. Weber, Fedor Rudakov
  • Patent number: 11092544
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for determining a finished medicinal product, having the following steps: providing a finished medicinal product to be determined in closed primary packaging; measuring an NIR measurement spectrum for the finished medicinal product to be determined through the closed primary packaging; comparing the NIR measurement spectrum with an NIR reference spectrum, which is associated with a medicinal product or an active ingredient of a medicinal product; and determining that the finished medicinal product to be determined contains the medicinal product or the medicinal product active ingredient when the NIR measurement spectrum and the NIR reference spectrum correspond within a margin for error. The invention further relates to a device for determining a finished medicinal product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: Ayna Analytics GmbH
    Inventors: Jörg Schwarz, David Mainka
  • Patent number: 11092739
    Abstract: A method of characterizing a multimode optical fiber results in a measure of estimated modal bandwidth (EMB) that is independent of the bandwidth of the light used in the characterization. The method includes propagating pulses of light along the multimode optical fiber at prescribed radial positions relative to an optical axis of the multimode optical fiber and detecting output pulses from the multimode optical fiber corresponding to the pulses of light propagated along the multimode optical fiber at the prescribed radial positions relative to the optical axis of the multimode optical fiber. An estimated modal bandwidth of the multimode optical fiber is calculated in a manner that accounts for chromatic dispersion of the multimode optical fiber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: CommScope Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Earl R. Parsons, Randall L. Patterson, Peter Berggren Kidd
  • Patent number: 11077467
    Abstract: An LIBS-type object sorting device includes a three-dimensional-shape measurement means that acquires a space-coordinate group of a top face of an object to be sorted in top view on a conveyor, an LIBS analyzing means that performs chemical composition analysis on the object to be sorted while irradiating the object to be sorted with laser light, and a conveying-path switching means that switches a conveying path of the object to be sorted, in this order. The device includes a computing means that determines an analyzing section on which the LIBS analysis is to be performed, and a control means that causes a beam position to move and causes, when detecting that the analyzing section has reached from a movement amount of the conveyor, based on the movement amount, a beam-focus position to move along the analyzing section while irradiating the laser light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology
    Inventors: Shigeki Koyanaka, Kenichirou Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 11061388
    Abstract: A scanner for image reconstruction of a structure of a target object uses a neural network trained to classify each segment of a sequence of segments of a modified wave into one or multiple classes. The sequence of segments corresponds to the sequence of layers of the target object, such that a segment of modified wave corresponds to a layer having the same index in the sequence of layers as an index of the segment in the sequence of segments. The scanner executes the neural network for each wave modified by penetration through the layers of the target object to produce the classes of segments of the modified waves. Next, the scanner selects the classes of segments of different modified waves corresponding to the same layer to produce an image of the layer of the target object with pixel values being functions of labels of the selected classes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Research Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Pu Wang, Toshiaki Koike-Akino, Philip Orlik, Arindam Bose
  • Patent number: 11035788
    Abstract: A method for sourcing plants includes performing nondestructive near-infrared (NIR) scans on selected plants, determining a predicted value of a characteristic for the selected plants based on evaluation of spectral data from the NIR scans against a characteristic model, and utilizing the predicted values for purchasing, processing, and/or financial forecasting. A method of sorting and processing plants includes determining a predicted value of a characteristic in gathered plants and determining a process to recover a primary product and/or a byproduct of the plants based on the predicted value. A method for forecasting includes determining a composite value of a characteristic in plants from a prior time period, correlating source data of plants to be gathered in the later time period with a predicted value of the characteristic in those plants, and determining a predicted composite value of the characteristic in the plants to be gathered in the later time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: Tropicana Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremy Crouse, Zhanfeng Xu, Geovanne Ijpkemeule, Johnny Casasnovas
  • Patent number: 11002600
    Abstract: A protection device for an Optical Emission Spectrometer (OES) and a method of protecting a detector to which purge gas is supplied, in an OES, are disclosed. The protection device comprises a timer, which measures a parameter, such as a humidity value, indicative of a shut down time period following cessation of application of purge gas to the detector. The protection device comprises a processor, which determines a start-up time period, based on the parameter, during which purge gas is supplied to the detector prior to cooling of the detector. The processor may selectively trigger commencing or maintaining application of purge gas to the detector or cooling of the detector in dependence on the parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: Thermo Fisher Scientific (Bremen) GmbH
    Inventors: Eike Jasper, Ruan Hattingh, Sebastian Geisler
  • Patent number: 10989517
    Abstract: A system for use in inspection of a sample is described, the system comprises: an illumination unit configured to provide coherent illumination comprising a plurality of at least two wavelengths and direct said coherent illumination onto an inspection region of a sample; and a collection unit comprising at least one detector array and configured for collecting light returning from said inspection region and generate data indicative of speckle patterns in said plurality of at least two wavelengths at a predetermined sampling rate, wherein said illumination unit is configured for directing light components of said at least two wavelengths toward corresponding two or more segments of said inspection region, and wherein said data indicative of speckle patterns corresponding with said two or more segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: CONTINUSE BIOMETRICS LTD.
    Inventors: Zeev Zalevsky, Javier Garcia
  • Patent number: 10969405
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for performing chemical spectroscopy on samples from the scale of nanometers to millimeters or more with a multifunctional platform combining analytical and imaging techniques including atomic force microscopy, infrared spectroscopy, confocal microscopy, Raman spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. For infrared spectroscopy, a sample is illuminated with infrared light and the resulting sample distortion is read out with either a focused UV/visible light beam and/or AFM tip. Using the AFM tip or the UV/visible light beam it is possible to measure the IR absorption characteristics of a sample with spatial resolution ranging from around 1 ?m or less to the nanometer scale. The combination of both techniques provides a rapid and large area survey scan with the UV/visible light and a high resolution measurement with the AFM tip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Photothermal Spectroscopy Corp.
    Inventors: Roshan Shetty, Kevin Kjoller, Craig Prater
  • Patent number: 10935489
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an analysis apparatus adapted to analyze a measurement target component contained in a sample by irradiating a measurement cell into which the sample is introduced with pulse-oscillated light, whereby suppressing reduction in wavelength resolution without shortening the pulse width. The analysis apparatus includes multiple light sources adapted to produce pulse oscillations, a light detector adapted to detect light emitted from the light source and transmitted through the measurement cell, and a signal separation part adapted to separate, from a light intensity signal obtained by the light detector, signals corresponding to a part of pulses from the light sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: HORIBA, LTD.
    Inventors: Kyoji Shibuya, Kensuke Fukushiro, Toshio Ohta, Katsumi Nishimura
  • Patent number: 10928295
    Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to a particulate matter (PM) sensor assembly receiving a PM count value from an optical pulse counting sensor and selectively calibrating the sensor characteristics in response to recent published high-accuracy air-quality information within a local region that contains the sensor assembly. In an illustrative example, the air-quality information may be generated by various PM monitoring stations and published in data streams or collections, for example. The sensor assembly may select, for example, a specific regional PM mass density reference value from the received air-quality information associated with location information of the sensor assembly. Based on the published air-quality information, the sensor assembly may select a calibration curve from, for example, a set of predetermined calibration curves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Adam Dewey McBrady, Stephan Bork, Teresa Marta
  • Patent number: 10928292
    Abstract: The present invention provides a dust sensor comprising: a sensor module for receiving light scattered by dust particles and outputting an electric signal; a communication module for communicating with an external device; a memory for storing region information in association with particle density data; and a control unit for calculating a volume of the dust particles based on the signal output from the sensor module, obtaining the region information for a location where the dust sensor is installed via the communication module, retrieving the particle density data corresponding the obtained region information from the memory, calculating dust concentration using the retrieved particle density data and the calculated volume, and outputting the calculated dust concentration. The memory may store the region information in association with air quality reference data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: HITACHI-LG DATA STORAGE KOREA, INC.
    Inventor: Jaeyong Ryu
  • Patent number: 10928249
    Abstract: A spectroscopic measurement device emits light to a measurement target and measures the measurement light output from the measurement target in accordance with the light emission. A spectroscopic measurement device includes: a first housing having a light shielding property and configured to house a light source that emits light and having a first opening through which the light emitted from the light source passes; a second housing having a light shielding property and having a second opening through which the measurement light passes and configured to house a spectrometer that receives the measurement light that has passed through the second opening; and an attachment configured to detachably hold the first housing and the second housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: HAMAMATSU PHOTONICS K.K.
    Inventor: Makoto Kono
  • Patent number: 10900895
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a far-field optical super-resolution microscopy method, and particularly relates to an optical super-resolution microscopy method for micro-structures on the surface of a sample. The present invention measures the vibration modes of different micro-samples via a laser interference vibrometer, and utilizes different eigen-vibration frequencies of the micro-structures on the surface of the sample to render, under the cooperation of a sub-nanometer two-dimensional displacement scanning translation stage, a high-resolution spatial position, an excitation frequency vibration spectrum and an image pattern, thus realizing super-resolution microscopy imaging. Since the present invention utilizes the different vibration frequencies of the micro-structures on the surface of the sample to perform marking, and adopts a laser to excite and detect the vibration of the micro-structures, the method has the characteristics of causing no mark, no damage and no contamination to the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: SOUTH CHINA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Feng Li, Honglian Guo
  • Patent number: 10904454
    Abstract: In aspects of automated polarizer filter positioning, a device includes a polarizer integrated with the device and auto-positioned to filter lighting of a camera scene. The device includes a camera device to capture a digital image of the camera scene using the polarizer at a rotation angle of the polarizer. The device implements an imaging manager to determine an orientation of the device relative to a position of the sun. The imaging manager can also determine the lighting of the camera scene as viewable with the camera device, and position the polarizer at the rotation angle based on the orientation of the device and the lighting of the camera scene to filter the lighting. The imaging manager can then initiate the camera device to capture the digital image of the camera scene with an imager of the camera device at the rotation angle of the polarizer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: Motorola Mobility LLC
    Inventors: Cole Preston Sheldon, David Thomas Platner, John Christopher Pincenti
  • Patent number: 10901247
    Abstract: The present invention provides a repetition frequency-tunable optical frequency comb generated by basis of optical feedback. The optical frequency comb comprises a single-frequency laser resonant cavity, a wavelength division multiplexer, a single-mode semiconductor pump light source, an optical circulator, a first optical fiber coupler, a second optical fiber coupler, a photoelectric detector, a highly-stable signal source, an error signal processing system, a laser frequency modulation device and a tunable laser-delay module. The present invention performs delay-time processing to the single-frequency laser by the tunable laser-delay module, and achieves an optical feedback by the optical circulator for injecting to the resonant cavity, generating a series of tunable laser longitudinal modes with equal frequency space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: South China University of Technology
    Inventors: Shanhui Xu, Qilai Zhao, Zhongmin Yang, Zhouming Feng, Changsheng Yang