Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel optical sensors and novel methods for sensing optical radiation. The novel optical sensors and the novel optical sensing methods are used, for example, for controlling the operation of automatic faucets and flushers. The novel sensors and flow controllers (including control electronics and valves) require only small amounts of electrical power for sensing users of bathroom facilities, and thus enable battery operation for many years. A passive optical sensor includes a light detector sensitive to ambient (room) light for controlling the operation of automatic faucets or automatic bathroom flushers.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 5, 2010
Date of Patent:
October 2, 2012
Inventors:
Natan E. Parsons, Fatih Guler, Kay Herbert, Xiaoxiong Mo, Haiou Wu, Yue Zhang
Abstract: A bathroom flusher includes a body having an inlet in communication with a supply line and an outlet in communication with a flush conduit, a valve assembly in the body positioned to close water flow between the inlet and the outlet upon sealing action of a moving member at a valve seat thereby controlling flow from the inlet to the outlet, and an actuator for actuating operation of the moving member. The bathroom flusher includes one of several novel sensors and is controlled by one of several novel controllers, as described. The controller may execute a novel control algorithm.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 30, 2009
Date of Patent:
October 25, 2011
Inventors:
Natan E. Parsons, Fatih Guler, Kay Herbert, Xiaoxiong Mo, Gregory P. Greene
Abstract: A system and method for examining or imaging brain functions of a subject includes a light source and a light detector located on the exterior surface of the subject's head. The light source introduces transcranially optical radiation into the brain of a subject, and the light detector detects radiation that has migrated in a brain region from the light source to the detector. The system also provides brain stimulation and evaluates the detected radiation to determine a brain cognitive function of the subject. One embodiment of the system can detect a brain disorder. Another embodiment of the system can detect “deceit.” In addition to the optical module, the system may include other optional modules such as an EEG module, an MEG module, a thermography module, a respiratory module, a skin conductivity module, and a blood pressure module.
Abstract: A power supply for a device which has a load, comprising a first resonant generator and a second resonant generator, coupled in parallel, each generator having a phase output. The power supply further comprises a control circuit coupled to the first and second generators controlling the first and second phase outputs, wherein the first phase output and the second phase output are summed to provide a variable power supply to the load.
Abstract: An illumination system includes a master power supply providing power to several illumination modules. The master power supply is constructed and arranged to generate high-frequency and low-voltage electrical power provided to a primary wire forming a current loop. Each illumination module includes an electromagnetic coupling element and several light sources. The electromagnetic coupling element includes a magnetic core arranged to receive the current loop in a removable arrangement, and a secondary wire wound around the magnetic core to enable inductive coupling. The secondary wire is connected to provide current to the light sources that may be arranged in the illumination module as a DC load or an AC load.
Abstract: An optical system includes one or several passive optical detectors sensitive to ambient (room) light for controlling, for example, the operation of automatic faucets or automatic bathroom flushers. The passive optical sensors provide signals to flow controllers, including control electronics and flow valves and require only very small amounts of electrical power for sensing users of bathroom facilities, and thus enable battery operation for many years. To control the operation of automatic faucets or automatic bathroom flushers based on ambient light, the controller executes novel algorithms.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 2, 2006
Date of Patent:
April 12, 2011
Inventors:
Natan E. Parsons, Fatih Guler, Yue Zhang, Xiaoxiong Mo, Kay Herbert, Haiou Wu
Abstract: An optical system for examination of biological tissue includes a light source, a light detector, optics and electronics. The light source generates a light beam to be transmitted to the biological tissue spaced apart from the source. The light detector is located away (i.e., in a non-contact position) from the examined biological tissue and is constructed to detect light that has migrated in the examined biological tissue. The electronics controls the light source and the light detector, and a system separates the reflected photons (e.g., directly reflected or scattered from the surface or superficial photons, i.e., “noise” photons) from the photons that have migrated in the examined biological tissue. This system prevents detection of the “noise” photons by the light detector or, after detection, eliminates the “noise” photons in the detected optical data used for tissue examination.
Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel optical sensors and novel methods for sensing optical radiation. The novel optical sensors and the novel optical sensing methods are used, for example, for controlling the operation of automatic faucets and flushers. The novel sensors and flow controllers (including control electronics and valves) require only small amounts of electrical power for sensing users of bathroom facilities, and thus enable battery operation for many years. A passive optical sensor includes a light detector sensitive to ambient (room) light for controlling the operation of automatic faucets or automatic bathroom flushers.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
July 5, 2008
Date of Patent:
June 8, 2010
Inventors:
Natan E. Parsons, Fatih Guler, Kay Herbert, Xiaoxiong Mo, Haiou Wu, Yue Zhang
Abstract: An electronic faucet (10) mounted on a countertop (12) includes a housing, at least one fluid inlet line (24a, 24b) extending into the housing, a fluid outlet (46) from the housing, a solenoid (142, 143) for operating a valve controlling the fluid flow between at least one inlet line and the outlet, and a control circuit (206) for controlling the opening and closing of the valve.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
July 3, 2006
Date of Patent:
April 6, 2010
Assignee:
Arichell Technologies Inc.
Inventors:
Natan E. Parsons, Fatih Guler, Kay Herbert, Xiaoxiong Mo, Gregory P. Greene
Abstract: An Analog/mixed signal automatic test system includes a software architecture that creates a virtual composite instruments through novel software dynamic allocation of low level resources. These virtual composite instruments provide backwards and forwards compatibility to a variety of automatic test equipment, known or available on the market. The virtual composite instruments are free from the normal constraints imposed by hardware implementations. Creation of the virtual composite instruments allows a single piece of automatic test equipment system to emulate many implementations of automatic test equipment, providing higher utilization, and therefore a lower cost test solution for device manufacturers. The test instruments are preferably object controls and are preferably instantiated and controlled by the test system server. This allows multiple users to control the tester simultaneously across, for example, the Internet.
Abstract: An optical examination technique employs an optical system for in vivo non-invasive examination of breast tissue of a subject. The optical system includes an optical module, a controller and a processor. The optical module includes an array of optical input ports and optical detection ports located in a selected geometrical pattern to provide a multiplicity of photon migration paths inside the biological tissue. Each optical input port is constructed to introduce into the examined tissue visible or infrared light emitted from a light source. Each optical detection port is constructed to provide light from the tissue to a light detector. The controller is constructed and arranged to activate one or several light sources and light detectors so that the light detector detects light that has migrated over at least one of the photon migration paths.