Patents Assigned to Visualant, Inc.
  • Patent number: 9869636
    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: May 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: Visualant, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Ian Mander, Allan David Beach, Michael Vivian Denton, Thomas A. Furness, III, Alan Charles Tompkins
  • Patent number: 9664610
    Abstract: Systems for analyzing fluids (e.g., gases) include a chamber structure with a reflective inner surface, emitters, a primary detector positioned to principally detect electromagnetic energy reflected numerous times through the gas(es) and a calibration detector positioned to detect electromagnetic energy not reflected numerous times through the gas(es). Calibration may be automatically performed. The primary detector relies principally on Raleigh scattering. An optional primary detector may be positioned to principally detect Raman scattered electromagnetic energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: Visualant, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Ian Mander, Thomas A. Furness, III, Michael Vivian Denton, Allan David Beach
  • Patent number: 9316581
    Abstract: Sampling device geometry reduces specular reflectance, using lenses to focus electromagnetic energy to predominately return scattered rather than reflected electromagnetic energy to detector(s), reducing effect of non-matte surfaces and/or window. Sampling device includes inherent automatic optical calibration, and optionally thermal calibration. Calibration detectors are optically isolated with respective emitters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: Visualant, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Ian Mander, Thomas A. Furness, III, Brian T. Schowengerdt, Michael Vivian Denton, Allan David Beach, Alan Charles Tompkins
  • 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: 8988666
    Abstract: Spectral information may be employed in process control and/or quality control of goods and articles. Spectral information may be employed in process control and/or quality control of media, for example financial instruments, identity documents, legal documents, medical documents, financial transaction cards, and/or other media, fluids for example lubricants, fuels, coolants, or other materials that flow, and in machinery, for example vehicles, motors, generators, compressors, presses, drills and/or supply systems. Spectral information may be employed in identifying biological tissue and/or facilitating diagnosis based on biological tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: VISUALANT, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas A. Furness, III, Brian T. Schowengerdt, Ross D. Melville, Nicholas E. Walker, Bradley E. Sparks
  • Patent number: 8888207
    Abstract: A system employs combinations of marking media, each with respective distinguishing spectral characteristics to encode human comprehensible information in, and read human comprehensible information from, machine-readable indicia or symbols. Machine-readable indicia may be a single dot encoding information only in the combinations. Machine-readable symbols may be linear or two dimensional, spatially encoding information in the combinations, as well as spatially. A symbology may map at least the combinations to human-readable symbols or characters. A printer may form indicia or symbols with combinations of marking media. A reader may read indicia or symbols and decode information from at least the combinations of marking media. Different combinations may be visually homogenous, for example gray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Visualant, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas A. Furness, III, Brian T. Schowengerdt
  • Publication number: 20140333920
    Abstract: Systems for analyzing fluids (e.g., gases) include a chamber structure with a reflective inner surface, emitters, a primary detector positioned to principally detect electromagnetic energy reflected numerous times through the gas(es) and a calibration detector positioned to detect electromagnetic energy not reflected numerous times through the gas(es). Calibration may be automatically performed. The primary detector relies principally on Raleigh scattering. An optional primary detector may be positioned to principally detect Raman scattered electromagnetic energy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Applicant: Visualant, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Ian Mander, Thomas A. Furness, III, Brian T. Schowengerdt, Michael Vivian Denton, Allan David Beach, Alan Charles Tompkins
  • Publication number: 20140218718
    Abstract: Sampling device geometry reduces specular reflectance, using lenses to focus electromagnetic energy to predominately return scattered rather than reflected electromagnetic energy to detector(s), reducing effect of non-matte surfaces and/or window. Sampling device includes inherent automatic optical calibration, and optionally thermal calibration. Calibration detectors are optically isolated with respective emitters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: VISUALANT, INC.
    Inventors: Richard Ian Mander, Thomas A. Furness, III, Brian T. Schowengerdt, Michael Vivian Denton, Allan David Beach, Alan Charles Tompkins
  • Publication number: 20140203184
    Abstract: An apparatus employs a plurality of transducers distributed along a cable to sample a medium. Some of the transducers may be operated according to various sequences which specific wavelengths and/or magnitudes of emission of electromagnetic energy. Some of the transducers sample, detect or measure responses of the fluid medium to the emissions. Various other transducers may sample or measure temperature, depth or pressure, and flow characteristics of the fluid medium, and optionally flow characteristics above a surface or above a surface of the fluid medium. Such may allow identification and/or characterization of characteristics of the fluid medium and/or substances (e.g., contaminants for instance petroleum, phytoplankton, red tide microorganisms, nutrients, dissolved oxygen or other gasses). The apparatus may communicate with remote facilities, allowing monitoring, remote control, and/or analysis with or with information from other platforms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2014
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: Visualant, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Kevin Purdy, Matthew Creedican, Brian T. Schowengerdt, Thomas A. Furness, III
  • Publication number: 20140063239
    Abstract: A spectral analysis surveillance system includes sources or emitters which emit various wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation or energy into a space under surveillance, and a sensor which produce signals indicative of electromagnetic energy returned by people and other objects in the space. The electromagnetic radiation may fall in the visible portion of the electromagnetic spectrum yet the energy is emitted to appear as either white light or a single color. Returned energy is analyzed against reference samples. The spectral analysis surveillance system may be part of an integrated surveillance system including other components, for example metal detectors, baggage X-ray scanners, full body imagers, etc., and may provide surveillance of private or public locations, for instance airports.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2013
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: Visualant, Inc.
    Inventor: Visualant, Inc.
  • Patent number: 8583394
    Abstract: Objects such as manufactured goods or articles, works of art, media such as identity documents, legal documents, financial instruments, transaction cards, other documents, and/or biological tissue are sampled via sequential illumination in various bands of the electromagnetic spectrum, a test response to the illumination is analyzed with respect to reference responses of reference objects. The sequence may be varied. The sequence may define an activation order, a drive level and/or temperature for operating one or more sources. Illumination may be in visible, infrared, ultraviolet, or other portions of the electromagnetic spectrum. Elements of the evaluation system may be remote from one another, for example coupled by a network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Visualant, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian T. Schowengerdt, Thomas A. Furness, III, Nicholas E. Walker
  • Publication number: 20130215168
    Abstract: A system employs combinations of marking media, each with respective distinguishing spectral characteristics to encode human comprehensible information in, and read human comprehensible information from, machine-readable indicia or symbols. Machine-readable indicia may be a single dot encoding information only in the combinations. Machine-readable symbols may be linear or two dimensional, spatially encoding information in the combinations, as well as spatially. A symbology may map at least the combinations to human-readable symbols or characters. A printer may form indicia or symbols with combinations of marking media. A reader may read indicia or symbols and decode information from at least the combinations of marking media. Different combinations may be visually homogenous, for example gray.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2013
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Applicant: Visualant, Inc.
    Inventor: Visualant, Inc.
  • Publication number: 20130208260
    Abstract: Spectral information may be employed in process control and/or quality control of goods and articles. Spectral information may be employed in process control and/or quality control of media, for example financial instruments, identity documents, legal documents, medical documents, financial transaction cards, and/or other media, fluids for example lubricants, fuels, coolants, or other materials that flow, and in machinery, for example vehicles, motors, generators, compressors, presses, drills and/or supply systems. Spectral information may be employed in identifying biological tissue and/or facilitating diagnosis based on biological tissue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2013
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Applicant: VISUALANT, INC.
    Inventor: VISUALANT, INC.
  • Patent number: 8368878
    Abstract: Spectral information may be employed in process control and/or quality control of goods and articles. Spectral information may be employed in process control and/or quality control of media, for example financial instruments, identity documents, legal documents, medical documents, financial transaction cards, and/or other media, fluids for example lubricants, fuels, coolants, or other materials that flow, and in machinery, for example vehicles, motors, generators, compressors, presses, drills and/or supply systems. Spectral information may be employed in identifying biological tissue and/or facilitating diagnosis based on biological tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Visualant, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas A. Furness, III, Brian T. Schowengerdt, Ross D. Melville, Nicholas E. Walker, Bradley E. Sparks
  • Publication number: 20130024151
    Abstract: Objects such as manufactured goods or articles, works of art, media such as identity documents, legal documents, financial instruments, transaction cards, other documents, and/or biological tissue are sampled via sequential illumination in various bands of the electromagnetic spectrum, a test response to the illumination is analyzed with respect to reference responses of reference objects. The sequence may be varied. The sequence may define an activation order, a drive level and/or temperature for operating one or more sources. Illumination may be in visible, infrared, ultraviolet, or other portions of the electromagnetic spectrum. Elements of the evaluation system may be remote from one another, for example coupled by a network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2012
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Applicant: Visualant, Inc
    Inventors: Brian T. Schowengerdt, Thomas A. Furness, III, Nicholas E. Walker
  • Patent number: 8285510
    Abstract: Objects such as manufactured goods or articles, works of art, media such as identity documents, legal documents, financial instruments, transaction cards, other documents, and/or biological tissue are sampled via sequential illumination in various bands of the electromagnetic spectrum, a test response to the illumination is analyzed with respect to reference responses of reference objects. The sequence may be varied. The sequence may define an activation order, a drive level and/or temperature for operating one or more sources. Illumination may be in visible, infrared, ultraviolet, or other portions of the electromagnetic spectrum. Elements of the evaluation system may be remote from one another, for example coupled by a network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Visualant, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian T. Schowengerdt, Thomas A. Furness, III, Nicholas E. Walker
  • Patent number: 8081304
    Abstract: Spectral information may be employed in process control and/or quality control of goods and articles. Spectral information may be employed in process control and/or quality control of media, for example financial instruments, identity documents, legal documents, medical documents, financial transaction cards, and/or other media, fluids for example lubricants, fuels, coolants, or other materials that flow, and in machinery, for example vehicles, motors, generators, compressors, presses, drills and/or supply systems. Spectral information may be employed in identifying biological tissue and/or facilitating diagnosis based on biological tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Visualant, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas A. Furness, III, Brian T. Schowengerdt, Ross D. Melville, Nicholas E. Walker, Bradley E. Sparks
  • Patent number: 8076630
    Abstract: A system for evaluating subject objects includes at least one physical source operable to emit electromagnetic energy and driver electronics drivingly coupled to at least one physical source. The driver electronics is configured to drive at least one physical source as a number of logical sources, using an electromagnetic forcing function. The number of logical sources is greater than the number of physical sources. In addition, the system includes a sensor configured to receive an electromagnetic response from at least a portion of an evaluation object illuminated by one or more physical sources operated as logical sources, and convert the electromagnetic response to a test response signal indicative of the electromagnetic response of the evaluation object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Visualant, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian T. Schowengerdt, Thomas A. Furness, III, Ross D. Melville, Konrad E. Schroder, Robert A. Burstein, Winyu Chinthammit
  • Publication number: 20110243571
    Abstract: Objects such as manufactured goods or articles, works of art, media such as identity documents, legal documents, financial instruments, transaction cards, other documents, and/or biological tissue are sampled via sequential illumination in various bands of the electromagnetic spectrum, a test response to the illumination is analyzed with respect to reference responses of reference objects. The sequence may be varied. The sequence may define an activation order, a drive level and/or temperature for operating one or more sources. Illumination may be in visible, infrared, ultraviolet, or other portions of the electromagnetic spectrum. Elements of the evaluation system may be remote from one another, for example coupled by a network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2011
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Applicant: VISUALANT, INC.
    Inventors: Brian T. Schowengerdt, Thomas A. Furness, III, Nicholas E. Walker
  • Patent number: 7996173
    Abstract: Objects such as manufactured goods or articles, works of art, media such as identity documents, legal documents, financial instruments, transaction cards, other documents, and/or biological tissue are sampled via sequential illumination in various bands of the electromagnetic spectrum, a test response to the illumination is analyzed with respect to reference responses of reference objects. The sequence may be varied. The sequence may define an activation order, a drive level and/or temperature for operating one or more sources. Illumination may be in visible, infrared, ultraviolet, or other portions of the electromagnetic spectrum. Elements of the evaluation system may be remote from one another, for example coupled by a network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Visualant, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian T. Schowengerdt, Thomas A. Furness, III, Nicholas E. Walker