Patents Assigned to Sensors Unlimited, Inc.
  • Publication number: 20170142297
    Abstract: A method of correcting pixel non-uniformity for varying temperature includes determining an FPA temperature and calculating a non-uniformity correction map on a pixel by pixel basis for the FPA, wherein the non-uniformity correction for each pixel is a function of the FPA temperature and empirically derived coefficients. The method also includes applying the non-uniformity correction map at the FPA temperature to condition output of the FPA to produce temperature dependent non-uniformity corrected image data. An imaging system includes a focal plane array (FPA). A temperature sensor is operatively connected to measure FPA temperature. A module is operatively connected to the FPA and temperature sensor to calculate and apply a non-uniformity correction map as described above. There need be no temperature control device for the FPA. The FPA can include a buffered current mirror pixel architecture, and can include an InGaAs material for infrared imaging.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2015
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Applicant: Sensors Unlimited, Inc.
    Inventor: Jonathan Nazemi
  • Patent number: 9560260
    Abstract: A system for determining lens position includes a first sensor component disposed on a stationary housing of a camera. A second sensor component is disposed on a rotating lens component of the camera. A processor is operatively connected to the first and second sensory components to identify the position of the rotating lens component of the camera based on a difference between a first angle defined by the first sensor component and Earth's gravitational field and a second angle defined by the second sensor component and Earth's gravitational field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Sensors Unlimited, Inc.
    Inventor: John T. Foster
  • Patent number: 9497402
    Abstract: A circuit having a buffered direct injection (BDI) module is provided for image lag mitigation. The BDI module includes an optical detector coupled to a buffer. The buffer has a pixel amplifier which includes no more than two transistors. The BDI module includes a first current mirror coupled to the BDI module. The first current mirror generates a modulating current based on the output of the optical detector. The BDI module further includes a second current mirror coupled to the first current mirror. The second current mirror is configured to generate either an amplified or attenuated photocurrent operable to optimize an imaging time and scene brightness of the optical detector. The BDI module further includes a reset circuit, coupled to the second current mirror, and being configured to reset an integration capacitor which integrates an image signal based on the output of the optical detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Sensors Unlimited, Inc.
    Inventors: Minlong Lin, Joshua Lund
  • Patent number: 9496299
    Abstract: An imager is provided that includes an integrated circuit. The integrated circuit includes at least one metal layer, a signal line extending in a first direction, and a pixel cell. The pixel cell includes imaging pixels and a metal interconnect. The imaging pixels include first, second, third, and fourth imaging pixels, arranged in two rows and two columns, each imaging pixel having a metal-insulator-metal (MiM) capacitor disposed on the at least one metal layer, the first and second imaging pixels being traversed by the signal line to receive signals from the signal line. The metal interconnect extends in a second direction different than the first direction and is coupled to the signal line and the third imaging pixel to transmit the signals to the third imaging pixel. The third imaging pixel is adjacent to the first imaging pixel and is disposed in a different column or row than the second imaging pixel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Sensors Unlimited, Inc.
    Inventor: Joshua Lund
  • Publication number: 20160322671
    Abstract: A battery pack includes a housing connected to a plurality of battery compartments. Each battery compartment configured to accept a battery therein. Each battery compartment has a first electrical contact positioned on a first end of the housing and a second electrical contact positioned on a second end, opposite the first end, of the housing. The electrical contacts are configured for electrical connection to respective ends of a respective battery. An outlet is coupled to the housing for supplying power from the electrical contacts. A printed circuit board is in communication with the electrical contacts configured to connect batteries to supply a predetermined voltage to the outlet when a positive end of each respective battery within the battery compartments is in electrical communication with the respective first electrical contact. The printed circuit board can be configured to dictate series or parallel connection of the electrical contacts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2015
    Publication date: November 3, 2016
    Applicant: Sensors Unlimited, Inc.
    Inventor: John A. Wieners
  • Patent number: 9485439
    Abstract: A camera comprises an image plane for capturing shortwave infrared wavelengths. The image plane captures only a portion of a shortwave infrared wavelength band, and excludes other wavelengths. A method of designing a camera is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: Sensors Unlimited, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas Stewart Malchow, Peter Dixon, Robert Rozploch
  • Patent number: 9467628
    Abstract: An image processing system has a sensor array with a plurality of pixels. A distinct circuit is associated with each pixel in the sensor array. The circuits are designed such that across the plurality of circuits, there are a plurality of distinct sensitivities to irradiance from a scene to be captured which are spatially pseudo-randomly ordered relative to each other. The image processing system also comprises an image reconstruction algorithm. A method is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: Sensors Unlimited, Inc.
    Inventors: Penghe Geng, Hongcheng Wang, Alan Matthew Finn
  • Patent number: 9466637
    Abstract: A low noise infrared photodetector has an epitaxial heterostructure that includes a photodiode and a transistor. The photodiode includes a high sensitivity narrow bandgap photodetector layer of first conductivity type, and a collection well of second conductivity type in contact with the photodetector layer. The transistor includes the collection well, a transfer well of second conductivity type that is spaced from the collection well and the photodetector layer, and a region of first conductivity type between the collection and transfer wells. The collection well and the transfer well are of different depths, and are formed by a single diffusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: Sensors Unlimited, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Dixon, Navneet Masaun
  • Publication number: 20160269715
    Abstract: A device for capturing an image includes a first camera having a first lens optically coupled to a first image sensor of a first format. A second camera having a second lens is optically coupled to a second image sensor of a second format larger than the first format. A controller is operatively connected to the first and second cameras for selecting a sub-array of an optical image of the second image sensor to match an optical image captured by the first image sensor based on needed parallax correction between the first and second cameras.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2015
    Publication date: September 15, 2016
    Applicant: Sensors Unlimited, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Evans, Marc Hansen, Joshua Lund, Dmitry Zhilinsky, Michael Delamere
  • Patent number: 9445013
    Abstract: A system for determining lens position includes a first sensor component disposed on a stationary housing of a camera. A second sensor component is disposed on a rotating lens component of the camera. A processor is operatively connected to the first and second sensory components to identify the position of the rotating lens component of the camera based on an angle between the first and second sensor components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: Sensors Unlimited, Inc.
    Inventor: John T. Foster
  • Publication number: 20160261812
    Abstract: A multi-tiered approach to combating reverse engineering of electronics is disclosed herein. The encapsulant utilized with the optical sensor may be selected based on being substantially being opaque to X-ray inspection. In this way, visible public inspection to gain competitive intelligence may be reduced and operation of the electronics may remain unaffected. Additionally, a thin filament of wire embedded just below the surface of the encapsulant could be used as an electronic tripwire in response to being severed and/or dissolved by the reverse engineering strong solvents and acids.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2015
    Publication date: September 8, 2016
    Applicant: Sensors Unlimited, Inc.
    Inventors: John T. Foster, John Tagle, Dmitry Zhilinsky, Michael A. Liland, Laszlo Kovacs, Leonardo C. Gonzales
  • Patent number: 9389488
    Abstract: An optical assembly includes a lens mount. The lens mount includes a lens mount body with a threaded lens aperture extending axially therethrough. A ring extends from the lens mount body. The ring defines a lens locking aperture therethrough that is spaced axially apart from the lens aperture and is aligned with the lens aperture. The lens aperture and lens locking aperture are both threaded. A lens element is threaded into the lens aperture and lens locking aperture. A lock operatively connects the lens mount body to the ring for locking the lens element by flexure of the ring relative to the lens aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: Sensors Unlimited, Inc.
    Inventor: Laszlo Kovacs
  • Patent number: 9318865
    Abstract: An illuminator comprising a short-wave infrared (SWIR) laser, a fiber optic, and a lens optic. The fiber optic is coupled to the SWIR laser for mixing the modes of a beam emitted by the SWIR laser. The lens optic is coupled to the fiber optic for shaping the beam into a top-hat beam profile. A method for creating SWIR illumination includes emitting a laser beam with multiple modes from a SWIR laser, transmitting the laser beam through a multi-mode fiber optic, and transmitting the laser beam through a lens optic. Transmitting the laser beam through the multi-mode fiber optic can including mixing modes of the laser beam thereby reducing speckle and constructive and destructive interference in the laser beam. Transmitting the laser beam through the lens optic can include generating a top-hat beam profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: Sensors Unlimited, Inc.
    Inventor: Marc Hansen
  • Patent number: 9285656
    Abstract: A system for determining lens position including a first capacitor plate disposed on a stationary housing of a camera. A second capacitor plate is disposed on a rotating lens component of the camera. A processor is operatively connected to the first and second capacitor plates to identify the position of the lens of the camera based on capacitance between the first and second capacitor plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: Sensors Unlimited, Inc.
    Inventors: John T. Foster, Michael Delamere, John P. Barby
  • Patent number: 9191586
    Abstract: A buffered direct injection pixel is disclosed that includes a photodiode for receiving an input signal, a direct injection transistor associated with the photodiode, and a Sackinger current mirror coupled with the direct injection transistor, providing reduced size, low noise and low power, as compared to prior art buffered direct injection pixels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: Sensors Unlimited, Inc.
    Inventor: Lin Minlong
  • Publication number: 20150281612
    Abstract: A pixel cell includes a first integration capacitor, a second integration capacitor, a photo detector and a transistor. The first integration capacitor includes a first lead operatively coupled to the photo detector. The second integration capacitor includes a first lead. The transistor is operatively coupled between the leads of the first and second integration capacitors for enabling current flow between the photo detector and the second integration capacitor only once a threshold voltage is met on the first integration capacitor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2014
    Publication date: October 1, 2015
    Applicant: Sensors Unlimited, Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua Lund, Patrick Kuschak, Minlong Lin, Robert Brubaker
  • Publication number: 20150156426
    Abstract: A camera comprises an image plane for capturing shortwave infrared wavelengths. The image plane captures only a portion of a shortwave infrared wavelength band, and excludes other wavelengths. A method of designing a camera is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2014
    Publication date: June 4, 2015
    Applicant: Sensors Unlimited, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas Stewart Malchow, Peter Dixon, Robert Rozploch
  • Patent number: 9000344
    Abstract: A focal plane array (FPA) including a photodiode array (PDA) and a read out integrated circuit (ROIC). The PDA can include a plurality of conductive through-vias extending through the PDA and electrically isolated from the PDA. The plurality of conductive through-vias can be electrically coupled to circuitry on the ROIC circuit side. The plurality of conductive through-vias can include I/O interconnects such as BGA or other flip-chip bump interconnects that replace conventional wire bond connections, thereby reducing area requirements for bond pads on the ROIC and providing full area coverage of the ROIC circuitry by the PDA bulk material. Embodiments may therefore eliminate wire bonds using bonding to a plurality of metal traces for routing of these interconnects. In an embodiment, an optically transparent lid can include a plurality traces electrically coupled to the plurality of conductive through-vias.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Sensors Unlimited, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter E. Dixon
  • Patent number: 8987667
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to systems and methods for image lag mitigation for a buffered direct injection readout circuit with current mirror. A photo detector device is coupled to a buffered direct injection (BDI) circuit, in which an operational amplifier and other elements communicate the output signal from the detector to subsequent stages. The BDI output is transmitted to a first current mirror, which can be implemented as a Säckinger current mirror. The first current mirror is coupled to a second current mirror, one of whose outputs is a fixed bias current. Image lag can be controlled by the fixed bias current, rather than the photocurrent produced directly by the optical detector. In aspects, the negative feedback provided by the first current mirror can increase the modulation of the second current mirror. This gain factor can reduce image lag to a significantly lower point than the lag experienced by known BDI-current-modulated readout circuitry without Säckinger current mirror.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Sensors Unlimited, Inc.
    Inventor: Minlong Lin
  • Patent number: 8963274
    Abstract: A low noise infrared photo detector with a vertically integrated field effect transistor (FET) structure is formed without thermal diffusion. The FET structure includes a high sensitivity photo detector layer, a charge well layer, a transfer well layer, a charge transfer gate, and a drain electrode. In an embodiment, the photo detector layer and charge well are InGaAs and the other layers are InP layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Sensors Unlimited, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter Dixon