Infrared And Ultraviolet Patents (Class 356/51)
  • Patent number: 10094773
    Abstract: A gas detection apparatus mountable to an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) comprises a transceiver module, a reflector module and an electronics module. The transceiver module comprises a laser emitter and a laser receiver; the laser emitter is tunable to emit a laser spectroscopy beam that can detect at least one target gas, and the laser receiver is configured to convert the laser spectroscopy beam into absorption spectroscopy measurement data. The reflector module comprises a reflective surface capable of reflecting the laser spectroscopy beam emitted by the laser emitter to the laser receiver. The transceiver and reflector modules are mountable on parts of the UAV such that the transceiver and reflector modules are spaced apart and the laser emitter and laser receiver have an unimpeded line of sight with the reflecting surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: ISIS GEOMATICS INC.
    Inventors: Stephen Myshak, Owen Brown
  • Patent number: 10097773
    Abstract: An imaging device including a condenser lens and an image sensor is provided. The image sensor is configured to sense light penetrating the condenser lens and includes a pixel matrix, an opaque layer, a plurality of microlenses and an infrared filter layer. The pixel matrix includes a plurality of infrared pixels, a plurality of first pixels and a plurality of second pixels. The opaque layer covers upon a first region of the first pixels and a second region of the second pixels, wherein the first region and the second region are mirror-symmetrically arranged in a first direction. The plurality of microlenses is arranged upon the pixel matrix. The infrared filter layer covers upon the infrared pixels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: PIXART IMAGING INC.
    Inventors: Jung-Tai Lin, En-Feng Hsu
  • Patent number: 10054424
    Abstract: Measuring device for measuring test objects includes a transmitter-receiver unit and a corresponding mirror arrangement. Mirror arrangement has a first mirror forming a first focal point and a second focal point in an x-y plane, and first mirror is, at least sectionally, elliptically curved for deflecting radiation between the focal points. Mirror arrangement includes a second mirror arranged in region of first focal point, second mirror is used for deflecting radiation between a z-direction extending transversely to the x-y plane and between the x-y plane. Test object to be measured is arranged in region of second focal point by a test object holder. Radiation reflected on test object is evaluated by a control unit. Measuring device allows measuring of test object in simple and flexible way, in particular measurement over the entire circumference of test objects in form of plastic pipes having circular cross sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: INOEX GmbH
    Inventor: Dominik Stich
  • Patent number: 10027908
    Abstract: An image sensor unit (3) includes a microlens array (31) and a sensor (32). The sensor includes a plurality of sensor regions (323) that respectively include pixels (322) having different sensitivities arranged in a matrix arrangement. The pixels (322) at corresponding positions of the plurality of sensor regions (323) have identical sensitivities. Each of the microlenses (311) of the microlens array (31) is arranged to direct the light to a corresponding one of the plurality of sensor regions (323) of the sensor (32).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: THOMSON Licensing
    Inventors: Mozhdeh Seifi, Neus Sabater, Valter Drazic
  • Patent number: 9983399
    Abstract: Provided are systems, methods, and other embodiments associated with depth-resolved spatial-domain low-coherence quantitative phase microscopy for high-throughput analysis of 3D nanoscale architectural alterations in unstained tissue and cells. A spatial-domain low-coherence quantitative phase microscopy apparatus includes a drOPD mapping module, a transmission phase imaging module, and a bright-field and transmission phase imaging module. The drOPD mapping module includes a reflection-mode low-coherence spectral interferometry for drOPD mapping of unstained tissue. The transmission phase imaging module includes transmission quantitative phase imaging of unstained and stained tissue and produce an image registration reference. The bright-field and transmission phase imaging module includes bright-field imaging of H&E-stained tissue for nuclei identification and pathology correlation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: University of Pittsburgh—Of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education
    Inventors: Yang Liu, Hoa Vinh Pham, Shikhar Fnu
  • Patent number: 9970885
    Abstract: An inspection apparatus and an inspection method capable of performing an inspection more accurately are provided. An inspection apparatus according to the present invention includes a light source 10 that illuminates a sample 30 in which a pattern is formed, a detector 11 that detects light reflected from the sample 30 illuminated by the light source, and a processing device 50 that performs an inspection based on a correlation between a brightness value of a sample image obtained by the detector and a size in a surface shape or a size in a width direction of the pattern of the sample 30. The processing device 50 performs the inspection based on a summation value obtained by adding up brightness values of sample images with weights, the sample images being obtained under a plurality of shooting conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Lasertec Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroto Nozawa, Kuniaki Takeda, Kenshi Ishiwatari, Takamasa Tsubouchi, Ryoichiro Satoh
  • Patent number: 9945657
    Abstract: An optical-coherence-tomography apparatus includes a light-source unit configured to emit light while changing a wavelength of the light; an optical interferometric system configured to split the light from the light-source unit into illuminating light to be applied to an object and reference light, and to generate interfering light from the illuminating light reflected by the object and the reference light; a photodetection unit configured to receive the interfering light, and an information-acquiring unit configured to acquire information on the object from the interfering light received by the photodetection unit. The light-source unit performs wavelength sweep by displacing a movable portion with an electrostatic force generated with the application of a voltage. The optical-coherence-tomography apparatus further includes a pull-in-detection unit configured to detect whether or not a pull-in effect is occurring on the movable portion of the light-source unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yuichiro Hori
  • Patent number: 9921107
    Abstract: A spectrometer system comprising a housing configured as a handheld device with a screen; a source of narrow band illumination; a sensor that detects Raman scattering signals; a source of wide band illumination; an optical element that detect Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) signals; a memory device comprising a library of information with Raman scattering reference information and FTIR reference information; and a processor configured to execute software instructions, wherein the software instructions are configured to: direct the narrow band illumination to the sample; detect the Raman scattering signals; direct the wide band illumination to the sample; detect the FTIR signals; determine a composition of the sample from a similarity between the Raman scattering spectral information and the Raman scattering reference information, and from a similarity between the FTIR spectral information and the FTIR reference information; and display the composition of the sample on the screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Thermo Scientific Portable Analytical Instruments Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Derek Hargreaves, Timothy M. Pastore, Gregory H. Vander Rhodes, Brendon D. Tower
  • Patent number: 9915621
    Abstract: An extreme ultraviolet (EUV) substrate inspection system and method of manufacturing thereof, includes: an EUV source directing EUV illumination through an aperture; a light detector detecting mask illumination with reduced off axis rays reflected off from a substrate; and a computing device processing image data detected by the light detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Majeed A. Foad, Christopher Dennis Bencher, Christopher G. Talbot, John Christopher Moran
  • Patent number: 9903950
    Abstract: A device may include a laser configured to rotate about an azimuth axis of the device and an elevation axis of the device. The device may also include a plurality of cameras configured to rotate about the azimuth axis and fixed with respect to the elevation axis. The cameras may be configured to have a collective field-of-view that includes a collective elevation field-of-view and a collective azimuth field-of-view. The device may also include a control system configured to direct the laser to rotate about the azimuth axis and the elevation axis such that the laser is configured to scan a setting. The control system may also be configured to direct the cameras to each begin capturing an image of the setting at substantially the same time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: Leica Geosystems AG
    Inventors: Gregory Walsh, Roman Parys, Alexander Velizhev, Bernhard Metzler
  • Patent number: 9872433
    Abstract: The systems and methods described herein adjust harvest characteristics by selecting one or more harvest characteristics according to the location of a harvester within a field. For example, the selection includes determining the location of the harvester within the field, associating the location with a corresponding zone of a plurality of zones in the field where each of the plurality of zones corresponds to a respective crop planted within the field (for instance a hybrid type), and assigning one or more harvest characteristics to a harvest operation according to at least the corresponding zone and the respective crop within the corresponding zone. Harvest operations are conducted with the assigned one or more harvest characteristics. The systems and methods described repeat selecting the one or more harvest characteristics as the harvester changes location within the field according to further examples.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: Raven Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: John Earl Acheson, Alex John Weidenbach
  • Patent number: 9810808
    Abstract: An oscillation device includes a waveguide structure including a first conductor layer, a second conductor layer, and a semiconductor layer disposed between the first conductor layer and the second conductor layer and having a gain of an electromagnetic wave, an antenna unit configured to radiate the electromagnetic wave, a first connecting portion configured to connect the waveguide structure and the antenna unit, and a second connecting portion configured to connect the waveguide structure and the antenna unit. A first connecting position of the first connecting portion and the waveguide structure and a second connecting position of the second connecting portion and the waveguide structure are different from each other in a resonance direction in which the electromagnetic wave that resonates the waveguide structure resonates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yoshinori Tateishi
  • Patent number: 9797768
    Abstract: The invention relates to a light sensing device for sensing ambient light intensity, comprising at least one ambient light sensor and an occlusion detector for detecting an object occluding the ambient light sensor. The invention is further related to a corresponding method for sensing ambient light intensity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Henning Maass, Guido Josef Müsch
  • Patent number: 9778233
    Abstract: Provided are a method of and an apparatus for formulating a multicomponent drug capable of surely making a multicomponent drug meeting criteria for productization with high accuracy into a product. The method and apparatus obtain a chromatogram from an extract or a base of a multicomponent drug, evaluate whether the base meets the criteria for productization based on the obtained chromatogram with high accuracy, and subject the base determined in the high-accuracy evaluating as an accepted one meeting the criteria to dosage form processing, to produce a formulated drug having a given dosage form. The high quality evaluation is realized by performing peak assignment of a target fingerprint obtained from a chromatogram to a reference fingerprint with high accuracy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Tsumura & Co.
    Inventors: Yoshikazu Mori, Keiichi Noda, Bunsho Makino
  • Patent number: 9733125
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide Raman spectroscopy methods and devices that exploit high quality factor (Q) resonators to enhance Raman signal by several orders of magnitude over the signal typically expected for Raman methods. Embodiments typically include one or more resonators, typically microtoroid microresonators. Embodiments also take advantage of Rayleigh scattering using these microresonators. Embodiments may be particularly useful for non-labeled nanoparticle sensing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignees: The Penn State Research Foundation, Washington University
    Inventors: Zhiwen Liu, Lan Yang, Perry Edwards, Corey Janisch, Bo Peng, Sahin Ozdemir
  • Patent number: 9726600
    Abstract: A detector device for optically detecting a gas in a zone of space under observation, the device comprising a camera and means for continuously detecting at least one gas in the observed zone by analyzing absorbance in a plurality of different spectral bands. The device further comprises a matrix of micromirrors that are individually steerable between at least two positions, in a first of which they reflect the radiant flux coming from the observed zone to the camera for detecting gas in said spectral bands, and in a second of which they reflect the radiant flux coming from the observed zone to a Fourier transform infrared spectroscope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: BERTIN TECHNOLOGIES
    Inventors: Franck Fervel, Philippe Bernascolle
  • Patent number: 9720285
    Abstract: An alignment method for a liquid crystal display panel performs, at the side of a first substrate, an exposing alignment procedure upwardly and downwardly along the long edge of a pixel, the exposing width is an integral multiple of the width of the pixel; and performs, at the side of a second substrate, the exposing alignment procedure leftwardly and rightwardly along the short edge of the pixel, the exposing width is an integral multiple of half of the length of the pixel. By adjusting the exposing width in optical alignment, the alignment method can change the shape of dark line pattern, thereby increasing light transmission rate. Compared to the existing optical alignment approaches, the alignment method can increase the light transmission rate at least up to 16.5%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Shenzhen China Star Optoelectronics Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Li Zhao
  • Patent number: 9696132
    Abstract: A system for swept source optical coherence tomography, the system including a light source emitting multiplexed wavelength-swept radiation over a total wavelength range, the light source including N wavelength-swept vertical cavity lasers (VCL) emitting N tunable VCL outputs having N wavelength trajectories, a combiner for combining the N tunable VCL optical outputs into a common optical path to create the multiplexed wavelength-swept radiation, a splitter for splitting the multiplexed wavelength-swept radiation to a sample and a reference path, an optical detector for detecting an interference signal created by an optical interference between a reflection from the sample and light traversing the reference path, and a signal processing system which uses the interference signal to construct an image of the sample, wherein at least one of the N wavelength trajectories differs from another of the N wavelength trajectories with respect to at least one parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignees: Praevium Research, Inc., Thorlabs, Inc.
    Inventors: Vijaysekhar Jayaraman, Christopher Burgner, Demis John, Benjamin Michael Potsaid, Alex Ezra Cable
  • Patent number: 9652984
    Abstract: Method for conveying driving conditions includes determining when a vehicle is within a set distance from an activatable sensor using a proximity sensor coupled thereto. Only when the proximity sensor determines that the vehicle is within the set distance from the activatable sensor, the activatable sensor is activated (from a deactivated state) to measure or detect a property or condition of the travel surface or the environment around the travel surface that affects interaction between tires of the vehicle and the travel surface using a measuring or detecting component, and communicate the sensor-generated information directly from the activatable sensor to the vehicle or occupant thereof. Energy is provided to the activatable sensor from an energy harvesting system associated with the activatable sensor to enable it to measure or detect the property or condition of the travel surface or the environment around the travel surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: Intelligent Technologies International, Inc.
    Inventor: David S Breed
  • Patent number: 9557270
    Abstract: An optical sensor can include first and second optical emitters configured to emit light into a fluid sample via an optical pathway. Light from the emitters can cause fluorescence from the sample and/or scatter off of the sample. Scattered and fluoresced light can be received by an optical detector in the sensor via the optical pathway, and used to determine at least one characteristic of the fluid sample. A second optical detector can provide reference measurements of the amount of light emitted to the sample. The second optical emitter and second optical detector can be included in an optical emitter assembly removably disposed in the optical pathway of the optical sensor such that the second optical emitter emits light into the optical pathway toward a fluid sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Eugene Tokhtuev, Anatoly Skirda, William M. Christensen
  • Patent number: 9530290
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include a fuel dispensing apparatus for delivering fuel from a fuel source, and related components, systems, and methods. As fuel is delivered from the fuel source, fuel quality is monitored using one or more fuel quality sensor devices, which detect one or more corresponding fuel quality characteristics. In response to the detected fuel quality characteristics, a visual indication of fuel quality is provided at a visual indication device. The visual indication includes a unique combination of a color component and a frequency component, thereby allowing a user of the fuel dispensing apparatus to quickly determine fuel quality status as the fuel is delivered from the fuel source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: Fuel Guard Systems Corporation
    Inventor: Ray Hutchinson
  • Patent number: 9531023
    Abstract: An exhaust state control device for a fuel cell for a mobile unit includes an exhaust gas temperature sensor (17) that measures the temperature of exhaust gas in a discharge passage that discharges the exhaust gas from the main body of the fuel cell, and an ambient temperature sensor (19A) that measures the temperature of ambient air to which exhaust gas is to be discharged. If, based on the difference between the exhaust gas temperature and the ambient temperature, it is determined that white smoke is generated, it is determined whether a condition to reduce white smoke is satisfied. When a first condition is satisfied, a process to reduce white smoke is activated. When a second condition, which requires further reduction of white smoke than under the first condition, is satisfied, a process to suppress the generation of white smoke is activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiromi Tanaka, Keigo Suematsu, Takahide Izutani
  • Patent number: 9513167
    Abstract: A spectrometer configurable for field analyses of chemical properties of a material is provided. The spectrometer includes: at least one sensor adapted for providing Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) surveillance and at least another sensor for providing Raman spectroscopy surveillance. The spectrometer can be provided with a user accessible instruction set for modifying a sampling configuration of the spectrometer. A method of determining the most likely composition of a sample by at least two technologies using the spectrometer is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Thermo Scientific Portable Analytical Instruments Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Derek Hargreaves, Timothy M. Pastore, Gregory H. Vander Rhodes, Brendon D. Tower
  • Patent number: 9506874
    Abstract: An approach for IR-based metrology for detecting stress and/or defects around TSVs of semiconductor devices is provided. Specifically, in a typical embodiment, a beam of IR light will be emitted from an IR light source through the material around the TSV. Once the beam of IR light has passed through the material around the TSV, the beam will be analyzed using one or more algorithms to determine information about TSV stress and/or defects such as imbedded cracking, etc. In one embodiment, the beam of IR light may be split into a first portion and a second portion. The first portion will be passed through the material around the TSV while the second portion is routed around the TSV. After the first portion has passed through the material around the TSV, the two portions may then be recombined, and the resulting beam may be analyzed as indicated above.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES INC.
    Inventor: Ming Lei
  • Patent number: 9506867
    Abstract: In some embodiments, aspects of the disclosure relate to methods of evaluating cell culture materials, for example, nutrient materials, or other materials that can be used in cell culture media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: Biogen MA Inc.
    Inventors: Justin Moretto, Kelly Wiltberger
  • Patent number: 9459215
    Abstract: A system for optically inspection one or more samples includes a sample stage, a laser system configured for illuminating a portion of the surface of the one or more samples disposed on the sample stage, and a detector configured to receive at least a portion of illumination reflected from the surface of the sample. The laser system includes an NLO crystal annealed within a selected temperature range. In addition, the NLO crystal is passivated with at least one of hydrogen, deuterium, a hydrogen-containing compound or a deuterium-containing compound to a selected passivation level. Further, the laser system includes a light source configured to generate light of a selected wavelength. The light source is configured to transmit light through the NLO crystal. The laser system includes a crystal housing unit configured to house the NLO crystal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: KLA-Tencor Corporation
    Inventors: Yung-Ho Chuang, Vladimir Dribinski
  • Patent number: 9415693
    Abstract: The invention is an incrementally actuated eddy current braking system. The system comprises first and second primary members, which further comprise arrays of permanent magnets arranged in alternating polarity. The respective magnets of the arrays face one another. A means for incremental displacement is drivingly connected to at least one of the primary members enabling the movement of said members relative to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Velocity Magnetics, Inc.
    Inventors: Domenic P. Marzano, Michael Gustason
  • Patent number: 9366574
    Abstract: A system designed to suppress thermal radiation background and to allow IR single-photon sensitive spectromicroscopy of small samples by using both absorption, reflection, and emission/luminescence measurements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventor: Sergey Pereverzev
  • Patent number: 9341516
    Abstract: A system for performing optical spectroscopy measurements includes a light source for generating an input optical beam and an interferometer. The interferometer includes a beam splitter that splits the input optical beam into first and second light beams; a first light path that directs the first light beam through a sample containing an analyte to a first output port; and a second light path that directs the second light beam to the first output port. At least one of the first and second light paths adjusts a relative phase of a corresponding one of the first and second light beams, so that the first and second light beams are out of phase at the first output port, substantially canceling background light and outputting sample light corresponding to a portion of the first light signal absorbed by the sample in the sample cell. A detection system detects the output sample light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Miao Zhu, Adam Kleczewski, Robert C. Taber
  • Patent number: 9329124
    Abstract: A scattered light measurement apparatus includes an optical measurement apparatus, and a scattered light measurement probe configured to irradiate an object with light from the optical measurement apparatus, configured to receive light from the object, and configured to output the received light to the optical measurement apparatus. The optical measurement apparatus includes: a light source configured to emit light including at least light of a measurement target wavelength; first and second optical detectors configured to detect the light received by the scattered light measurement probe; a branching unit configured to guide the light from the light source to the scattered light measurement probe and guide the light from the scattered light measurement probe to the first and second optical detectors; and a control unit configured to evaluate scattering characteristics of a surface layer of the object based on the light detected by the first and second optical detectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Ryosuke Ito
  • Patent number: 9305366
    Abstract: A system for analyzing pressure and/or temperature indicating material has an input for receiving a monochrome color density image captured from a pressure and/or temperature indicating material, the image being captured alongside a calibration target against a contrast sheet. A processing module is configured to receive the captured image of the indicating material and the calibration target and to generate a pseudo colored spectrum map by converting the monochrome color density image into a corresponding multi color map where the different colors on the map correspond to different color densities on the monochrome color density image. The processing module is configured to compare the captured colored calibration target against a stored reference image and to adjust the output pseudo colored spectrum map to account for environmental factors that are present during the capture of the monochrome color density image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Inventor: Jeffrey Stark
  • Patent number: 9291877
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for the function to control the lighting direction onto an object surface, focus the light, and maintain the lighting uniformity. A ring light system takes advantage of a contoured reflector to match with the uniform, non-focused ring light source, and converting the non-focused ring light source into a focused uniform ring light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: OG Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Tzyy-Shuh Chang, Hsun-Hau Huang, Changhung Lin
  • Patent number: 9186065
    Abstract: Methods of diagnosing bone disease such as osteoporosis are provided. The methods comprise detecting changes in the physical or chemical structure of a keratinized tissue as correlates of disease. The methods include detecting changes in the hardness, modulus, or level of sulfur bonding, particularly the level of disulfide bonding, in a keratinized tissue sample such as nail, hair, or skin. Changes in these variables serve as diagnostic markers of bone diseases that are associated with changes in bone elasticity and bone density.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: Crescent Diagnostics Limited
    Inventor: Mark Robert Towler
  • Patent number: 9170206
    Abstract: An inspection apparatus for a sheet includes: white LED illuminators which irradiate a sheet of paper with light containing visible light: IR-LED illuminators which irradiate the sheet of paper with light containing infrared rays: two visible color cameras; one IR monochrome camera: an IR filter which eliminates the visible light in the light emitted from the white LED illuminators and the IR-LED illuminators and reflected off the sheet of paper, and makes only the infrared rays incident on the IR monochrome camera; and a control device which determines appropriateness of a pattern portion on the sheet of paper on the basis of the visible light made incident on the visible color cameras, and determines appropriateness of pattern portions on the sheet of paper on the basis of the infrared rays made incident on the IR monochrome camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: KOMORI CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kentaro Ohama
  • Patent number: 9170412
    Abstract: There is disclosed an apparatus for magnifying and capturing images of one or more samples, as well as an apparatus for changing objective lenses. Methods of using the apparatuses, and other embodiments, are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: Idea Machines Development Design & Production Ltd.
    Inventors: Shlomo Turgeman, Oded Anner, Eitan Shefer, Royi Levav
  • Patent number: 9163931
    Abstract: An apparatus for measuring a thickness or wear amount and a temperature of the ceramic member by using a terahertz wave includes a terahertz wave generating unit configured to output a terahertz wave, a terahertz wave analysis unit configured to analyze a terahertz wave and an optical system configured to guide the terahertz wave output from the terahertz wave generating unit to the ceramic member and guide reflected waves of the terahertz wave reflected from the ceramic member to the terahertz wave analysis unit. The terahertz wave analysis unit obtains an optical path difference between a first reflection wave reflected from a front surface of the ceramic member and a second reflection wave reflected from a rear surface of the ceramic member and measures a thickness of the ceramic member based on the optical path difference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Tatsuo Matsudo, Chishio Koshimizu
  • Patent number: 9164032
    Abstract: A system and method for using near-infrared or short-wave infrared (SWIR) light sources for identification of counterfeit drugs may perform spectroscopy using a super-continuum laser to provide detection in a non-contact and non-destructive manner at stand-off or remote distances with minimal sample preparation. Also, near-infrared or SWIR light may penetrate through plastic containers and packaging, permitting on-line inspection and rapid scanning. The near-infrared or SWIR spectroscopy may also be used to detect illicit drugs and their chemical composition. Moreover, the spectroscopic techniques may also be applied to quality assessment and control in pharmaceutical manufacturing, thus permitting the implementation of smart manufacturing with feedback control. Fiber super-continuum lasers may emit light in the near-infrared or SWIR between approximately 1.4-1.8 microns, 2-2.5 microns, 1.4-2.4 microns, 1-1.8 microns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: OMNI MEDSCI, INC.
    Inventor: Mohammed N. Islam
  • Patent number: 9157857
    Abstract: According to the present invention, an electromagnetic wave measurement device includes: an electromagnetic wave detector, a frequency component acquisition unit, and a thickness indication quantity deriving unit. An object to be measured is disposed on a substrate and includes at least two layers, and the electromagnetic wave detector detects a substrate-surface-reflected electromagnetic wave which has been made incident to the object, has been reflected by the substrate, and has passed through the object. The frequency component acquisition unit acquires an amplitude of a frequency component of the substrate-surface-reflected electromagnetic wave. The thickness indication quantity deriving unit derives a thickness indication quantity based on the amplitude of the frequency component of the substrate-surface-reflected electromagnetic wave and a relationship between the thickness indication quantity and the amplitude of the frequency component of the substrate-surface-reflected electromagnetic wave.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: ADVANTEST CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shigeru Ono, Kazunori Shiota, Masaichi Hashimoto, Akiyoshi Irisawa
  • Patent number: 9140675
    Abstract: According to the present invention, a test system 1 that tests a mobile body such as a vehicle, a vessel, and a plane, or an instrument used in the mobile body as an object, and is operable by switching among different operational modes, can accumulate an operating period of a component much more accurately than conventional system, and includes an accumulated operating-time calculating unit 46 for accumulating the operating time of the component, and the accumulated operating-time calculating unit 46 accumulates the operating time of the component only in the predetermined operational mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: HORIBA, Ltd.
    Inventors: Koji Watanabe, Hiroshi Nakamura, Kaoru Okada, Masayuki Hayata, Toru Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 9135219
    Abstract: In a method and a device for controlling a driver assistance system of a vehicle, a process is carried out which includes the steps of emitting light of at least one wavelength onto a road surface under the vehicle, detecting the light reflected by the road surface, acquiring at least one piece of information on the nature of the road surface using the detected reflected light, transmitting the information on the nature of the road surface to the driver assistance system, and modifying at least one parameter of the driver assistance system such that the driver assistance system reacts depending on the nature of the road surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: WABCO GmbH
    Inventors: Hartmut Binder, Karsten Breuer, Thomas Dieckmann, Bijan Gerami-Manesch, Daniel Hanslik, Guido Hoffmann, Heiko Kopper, Dirk Sandkuhler
  • Patent number: 9110290
    Abstract: The invention relates to an optical resonator made of low-outgassing materials, comprised of at least one chamber, a non-linear crystal arranged in the chamber, and an array of mirrors arranged in the chamber and comprised of a plurality of mirrors for deflecting a light beam. To specify such a resonator which is low-outgassing and which ensures fine adjustment of the optical elements at the same time, the present invention proposes that the non-linear crystal and at least one mirror of the array of mirrors is arranged on one movable carrier each, wherein the said carrier is fabricated from a low-outgassing material and seals the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: Toptica Photonics AG
    Inventors: Rainer Heidemann, Matthias Scholz
  • Patent number: 9068819
    Abstract: A measuring apparatus to identify a material and thickness of each of a plurality of layers included in a layered body, based on a measurement result obtained by measuring a time domain waveform of an electromagnetic wave pulse from the layered body, includes a database configured to store data of a plurality of material candidates and a plurality of thickness candidates, an input unit configured to input a search range of the data stored in the database, and a processing unit configured to reproduce a time domain waveform of an electromagnetic wave pulse from the layered body by employing data of a plurality of material candidates and a plurality of thickness candidates within the search range, and to compare this reproduced time domain waveform and the time domain waveform of the measurement result, thereby identifying the material and thickness of each of the plurality of layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Oichi Kubota
  • Patent number: 9041920
    Abstract: A portable, tabletop fluid sampling device simplifies spectral analysis to produce an accurate but inexpensive chromatic fingerprint for fluid samples. In one embodiment, the sampling device uses an array of variable wavelength LED emitters and photodiode detectors to measure Rayleigh scattering of electromagnetic energy from the fluid sample contained in a cuvette. Either the fluid itself, or particles suspended in the fluid can then be identified by performing spectral pattern matching to compare results of a spectral scan against a library of known spectra. A wide range of applications include substance identification, security screening, authentication, quality control, and medical diagnostics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Visualant, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Ian Mander, Allan David Beach, Michael Vivian Denton, Tom A Furness, III, Alan Charles Tompkins
  • Patent number: 9041919
    Abstract: An approach for IR-based metrology for detecting stress and/or defects around TSVs of semiconductor devices is provided. Specifically, in a typical embodiment, a beam of IR light will be emitted from an IR light source through the material around the TSV. Once the beam of IR light has passed through the material around the TSV, the beam will be analyzed using one or more algorithms to determine information about TSV stress and/or defects such as imbedded cracking, etc. In one embodiment, the beam of IR light may be split into a first portion and a second portion. The first portion will be passed through the material around the TSV while the second portion is routed around the TSV. After the first portion has passed through the material around the TSV, the two portions may then be recombined, and the resulting beam may be analyzed as indicated above.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: GlobalFoundries Inc.
    Inventor: Ming Lei
  • Publication number: 20150138534
    Abstract: A multiband imaging system comprising: an optical module configured for acquiring simultaneously images from a common field-of-view (FOV) scene in a short wavelength spectral band and in a long wavelength spectral band, the optical module comprising a polarizer configured for applying polarization filtering to electromagnetic radiation of the long wavelength spectral band; and a processing module configured to analyze data indicative of received irradiance distribution between the short and long wavelength spectral bands.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2014
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventor: Gil TIDHAR
  • Publication number: 20150138535
    Abstract: An egg identification system for determining viability of an avian egg is provided. Such a system includes an emitter assembly configured to emit electromagnetic radiation toward an egg. A detector assembly is axially aligned with the emitter assembly to detect electromagnetic radiation transmitted through the egg. The detector assembly is spaced-apart from the egg during operation thereof such that the detector assembly does not contact the egg. The detected electromagnetic radiation is processed using transmission spectroscopy analysis to determine whether the egg is viable. An associated method is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2014
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventors: Joel James Walukas, Ramin Karimpour
  • Publication number: 20150138533
    Abstract: An optical absorption spectrometry system includes first and second light sources, a dichroic beam combiner and a wavelength selective module. The first light source emits first light having first wavelengths within a first wavelength range, and the second light source emits second light having second wavelengths within a second wavelength range different from the first wavelength range. The dichroic beam combiner includes a predetermined first reflectance/transmission transition region, the dichroic beam combiner being configured to transmit a first portion of the first light and to reflect a second portion of the second light to provide combined light. The wavelength selective module is configured to disperse the combined light received at an entrance aperture, to select a sample wavelength range of the dispersed light as sample light, and to output the sample light having the selected sample wavelength range from an exit aperture for illuminating a sample.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2013
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Applicant: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Bolles, Michael Ron Hammer
  • Publication number: 20150138536
    Abstract: Aspects of a tandem dispersive range monochromator and data knitting for the monochromator are described herein. In one embodiment, the monochromator includes a tandem diffraction grating, a grating drive motor that rotates the tandem diffraction grating to provide, by diffraction of broadband light, first dispersed wavelengths of light and second dispersed wavelengths of light, a detector that detects a first reflection from the first dispersed wavelengths of light and a second reflection from the second dispersed wavelengths of light, and processing circuitry that knits together data values from the first reflection and data values from the second reflection to provide a spectrum of combined data values. By using a tandem diffraction grating having different dispersive surfaces, measurements of relatively high precision and quality may be taken throughout a wider spectral range, and the measurements may be knitted together to provide a spectrum of combined data values.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2015
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventors: Jerome J. Workman, Tushar Saraf, Thomas Andrew Bennett
  • Publication number: 20150131083
    Abstract: An objective optical system for ATR measurement is provided with a housing, in the interior, an ATR crystal that is transparent in visible light and has a semispherical surface through which light enters; an infrared optical member for irradiating a sample with infrared light at an angle that is equal to or greater than the critical angle; a visible light irradiation optical member which is disposed in the interior of the casing and which irradiates the sample with visible light from an angle less than the critical angle; and an observation optical member which is disposed on a position that is offset from the reflection angle relative to the angle at which the visible light enters the sample and which guides the scattering light from the sample to an observation device. As a consequence, it is possible to clearly observe the position of a sample subjected to ATR measurement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2012
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Applicant: S.T.Japan Inc.
    Inventors: Takao Nakagawa, Koji Masutani, Tetsuya Sugimoto
  • Patent number: 9024258
    Abstract: An analysis method includes spectroscopically separating light from a light source via a subject into plural wavelength ranges, imaging the subject with respect to each wavelength range, and thereby, acquiring plural spectroscopic images, dividing a subject image into plural areas in each of the spectroscopic images, analyzing a spectrum of the spectroscopically-separated lights of each area with respect to the plural spectroscopic images, and thereby, analyzing a spectral characteristic, and analyzing a component of the subject based on the spectral characteristic in at least one area of the plural areas, and has a pixel selection step of eliminating the area having the same spectral characteristic as the spectral characteristic with respect to the light from the light source from objects of the analysis of the component before the analyzing of the component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Tsugio Gomi