Patents Assigned to Digital Direct IR, Inc.
  • Patent number: 11105685
    Abstract: Passive detector structures for imaging systems are provided which implement unpowered, passive front-end detector structures with direct-to-digital measurement data output for detecting incident photonic radiation in various portions (e.g., thermal (IR), near IR, UV and visible light) of the electromagnetic spectrum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: DIGITAL DIRECT IR, INC.
    Inventors: Peter N. Kaufman, Howard E. Carpenter
  • Patent number: 11035735
    Abstract: Spherical detector array devices are provided, which are implemented using passive detector structures for thermal imaging applications. Passive detector structures are configured with unpowered, passive front-end detector structures with direct-to-digital measurement data output for detecting incident photonic radiation in the thermal IR portion of the electromagnetic spectrum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: DIGITAL DIRECT IR, INC.
    Inventors: Peter N. Kaufman, Howard E. Carpenter
  • Patent number: 10948349
    Abstract: Multi-spectrum imaging systems and methods are provided for imaging in multiple spectrums, e.g., thermal IR (infrared) at wavelengths of 4 microns and 11 microns, near-IR, and visible light, all on a same optical centerline. For example, an imaging system includes a first imager and a second imager. The first imager includes an array of thermal IR detectors, wherein the first imager is configured to receive incident photonic radiation and generate a thermal IR image, wherein each thermal IR detector comprises a photon absorber member that is configured to absorb thermal IR photonic radiation from the incident photonic radiation, and reflect remaining photonic radiation in the incident photonic radiation along an optical path of the imaging system. The second imager is disposed in said optical path of the imaging system, wherein the second imager is configured to receive the remaining photonic radiation reflected from the first imager and generate a second image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: DIGITAL DIRECT IR, INC.
    Inventor: Peter N. Kaufman
  • Patent number: 10791916
    Abstract: Infrared imaging devices are provided which are configured to implement side-scan infrared imaging for, e.g., medical applications. For example, an imaging device includes a ring-shaped detector element comprising a circular array of infrared detectors configured to detect thermal infrared radiation, and a focusing element configured to focus incident infrared radiation towards the circular array of infrared detectors. The imaging device can be an ingestible imaging device (e.g., swallowable camera) or the imaging device can be implemented as part of an endoscope device, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: Digital Direct IR, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter N. Kaufman
  • Patent number: 10247614
    Abstract: Passive detector structures for imaging systems are provided which implement unpowered, passive front-end detector structures with direct-to-digital measurement data output for detecting incident photonic radiation in various portions (e.g., thermal (IR), near IR, UV and visible light) of the electromagnetic spectrum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: Digital Direct IR, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter N. Kaufman, Howard E. Carpenter
  • Patent number: 10175114
    Abstract: Spherical detector array devices are provided, which are implemented using passive detector structures for thermal imaging applications. Passive detector structures are configured with unpowered, passive front-end detector structures with direct-to-digital measurement data output for detecting incident photonic radiation in the thermal IR portion of the electromagnetic spectrum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: DIGITAL DIRECT IR, INC.
    Inventors: Peter N. Kaufman, Howard E. Carpenter
  • Patent number: 10171758
    Abstract: Multi-spectrum imaging systems and methods are provided to imaging in multiple spectrums, e.g., thermal IR (infrared) at 4 ?m and 10 ?m wavelengths, near-IR, and visible light, all on a same optical centerline. For example, an imaging system includes a first imager and a second imager. The first imager includes an array of thermal IR detectors, wherein the first imager is configured to receive incident photonic radiation and generate a thermal IR image, wherein each thermal IR detector comprises a photon absorber member that is configured to absorb thermal IR photonic radiation from the incident photonic radiation, and reflect remaining photonic radiation in the incident photonic radiation along an optical path of the imaging system. The second imager is disposed in said optical path of the imaging system, wherein the second imager is configured to receive the remaining photonic radiation reflected from the first imager and generate a second image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: Digital Direct IR, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter N. Kaufman
  • Patent number: 9739667
    Abstract: Passive detector structures for imaging systems are provided, which are based on a coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) framework. With such framework, a CTE-based passive detector structure includes a detector member that is configured to expand or contract in response to thermal heating resulting from photon exposure. The expanding/contracting CTE detector structure is configured to exert mechanical forces on resistor and/or capacitor circuit elements, which are part of an oscillator circuit, to vary the resistance and capacitance of such circuit elements and change a frequency or period of oscillation of an output signal of the oscillator circuit. The change in the frequency or period of oscillation of the output signal of the oscillator circuit is utilized to determine an amount of photon exposure of the CTE-based detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: DIGITAL DIRECT IR, INC.
    Inventor: Peter N. Kaufman
  • Patent number: 9655501
    Abstract: Infrared imaging devices are provided which are configured to implement side-scan infrared imaging for, e.g., medical applications. For example, an imaging device includes a ring-shaped detector element comprising a circular array of infrared detectors configured to detect thermal infrared radiation, and a focusing element configured to focus incident infrared radiation towards the circular array of infrared detectors. The imaging device can be an ingestible imaging device (e.g., swallowable camera) or the imaging device can be implemented as part of an endoscope device, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: Digital Direct IR, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter N. Kaufman