Patents Examined by Albert Gagliardi
  • Patent number: 6762419
    Abstract: An illumination and viewing system and method for detecting leaks by observing material caused to fluoresce by being illuminated by a beam of ultraviolet light. The beam is concentrated by a parabolic reflector coated to maximize ultraviolet reflection, and then passed through a filter which reflects visible wavelengths while allowing transmission of ultraviolet and IR wavelengths. The fluorescing light is viewed through eyeglasses which block wavelengths just below the wavelengths of the emitted fluorescing light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2004
    Assignee: Corrosion Consultants, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth J. Kranz
  • Patent number: 6759660
    Abstract: A composite active-matrix substrate includes: a plurality of active-matrix substrates which are disposed adjacent to one another; a base substrate which is disposed to oppose a bottom surface of the active-matrix substrates; a sealant which is disposed in the form of a frame between the active-matrix substrate and the base substrate; a first filler which fills a spacing surrounded by the active-matrix substrate, the base substrate, and the sealant; and a second filler which fills a gap between edges of the active-matrix substrates. The sealant prevents the first filler from seeping out. In this way, seeping of an adhesive filler can be prevented in the arrangement where a plurality of active-matrix substrates are fixed on the base substrate using the adhesive filler. An electromagnetic wave capturing device according to the present invention uses such a composite active-matrix substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Assignees: Shimadzu Corporation, Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Izumi, Osamu Teranuma
  • Patent number: 6756593
    Abstract: A flame sensor comprises a filter which blocks light in an infrared ray region, a filter which blocks stray light, a narrow band filter which passes only light of a band corresponding to a line spectrum of carbonic acid gas resonance radiation generated by a flame, and a broad band filter which passes light of a band which is broader than the band corresponding to the line spectrum, and a plurality of light reception elements which convert lights passing through the narrow and broad band filters to electric signals, the flame sensor judging flame when a difference between intensities of the electric signals is equal to or more than a predetermined value and a ratio between the intensities of the electric signals is within a predetermined range, by assuming that transmission band widths of the narrow and broad band filters are equal, is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignee: Kokusai Gijutsu Kaihatsu Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shunsaku Nakauchi, Masanori Hirasawa
  • Patent number: 6753528
    Abstract: A surface of the component in MEMS is illuminated by an illumination beam and the reflected beam is collected and detected by a position sensitive detector or photo detector array. As the surface is tilted about a pivot or about X and Y axes, the change in position of the collected beam is detected for characterizing the mechanical and optical properties of MEMS.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2004
    Assignee: KLA-Tencor Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Mehrdad Nikoonahad, Guoheng Zhao
  • Patent number: 6753526
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing radiation detectors, in which these detectors each comprise a set of microdetectors, for example microbolometers, situated under a window that is transparent to said radiation. According to the invention, said detectors are manufactured collectively on a substrate (1), and said method comprises notably the following steps: the construction of several layers, of which, for each of said detectors, at least one layer (4) is transparent to said radiation and serves as a window, and the partial elimination of said layers principally under said transparent layer(4), such that said microdetectors (2) are placed, for each of said detectors, in one or more cavities, which are then placed under vacuum or under low pressure. The invention also relates to various radiation detectors, of which the walls form hermetically sealed cavities each containing one or more microdetectors (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2004
    Assignee: Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique
    Inventor: Michel Vilain
  • Patent number: 6740871
    Abstract: A self-calibrating scanning system and method are used in the analysis of biomolecules on a microarray. The self-calibrating scanning system comprises an excitation light source, an optical portion, a detection portion and a calibration portion that includes a calibration apparatus and compensation portion. The calibration apparatus comprises a light source having a highly reproducible or calibrated light based on a preselected or reference light level. The calibration apparatus emits the calibrated light that is measured by the detection portion of the scanning equipment. If the detection components are stable, the components will measure a constant output value for the calibrated light over time. As a detection component changes with time, the output value will change for the same calibrated light. The method comprises the steps of initially calibrating the detection portion of the scanning system and subsequently calibrating the detection portion to compensate for sensitivity changes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth L. Staton, Andreas N. Dorsel
  • Patent number: 6740890
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the measurement of the time dependence of light emitted by a material after it is excited by a light or electric pulse. An embodiment of this invention utilizes a CCD camera and a mask with slits for time resolved spectroscopy of fluorescent materials illuminated with a light pulse. By converting a slit in space to a gate in time, the whole decay curve of the fluorescence may be obtained with a single material-exciting light pulse. The systems and methods of the present invention are particularly suitable for DNA and protein study.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Inventor: Chen-Yu Tai
  • Patent number: 6740879
    Abstract: An apparatus (10) includes a display (14), and includes a focal plane array (12) which can detect infrared radiation from a scene. The focal plane array outputs successive images of the scene, which are comparatively analyzed to identify movement of persons or objects within the scene. Pixels corresponding to detected movement are highlighted in an image presented on the display. A device (117) can be provided to generate an audible sound in response to detection of movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Calvin L. Tenhet, Jr., Clint W. Halsted, Hector M. Reyes, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6740898
    Abstract: Two image signals representing radiation image information are acquired from opposite surfaces of a stimulable phosphor sheet, on which the radiation image information has been stored. Operation processing is performed on the two image signals in accordance with predetermined operation processing parameters, and an operation-processed image signal representing the radiation image information is obtained. A ratio between read-out sensitivities with respect to the opposite surface sides of the sheet and/or the predetermined operation processing parameters with respect to at least either one surface side of the sheet are controlled in accordance with read-out conditions employed at the time of the image signal acquisition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Company, Limited
    Inventor: Hiroaki Yasuda
  • Patent number: 6737639
    Abstract: A method and system for maintaining uniformity in a FLIR display. During a one-time initialization procedure, a plurality of dynamic ranges are defined by covering a specific range of bucket fill levels when in a certain gain. To cover all dynamic ranges possible, a plurality of pairs of responsivity equalization (RE) calibrations (each pair producing a RE set of pixel gain corrections) are also accomplished in the same one time initialization period. A plurality of corresponding level equalization (LE) calibrations (each using the appropriate calibrated RE set and producing a LE set of pixel level corrections) for each anticipated dynamic range are made at every power-up initialization. Each of the calibrations is done with respect to a thermal reference source to produce a uniform scene at the desired bucket fill level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventor: Lee J. Huniu
  • Patent number: 6737653
    Abstract: An array substrate for use in an X-ray sensing device includes a silicon insulator on a thin film transistor. The silicon insulator is silicon nitride or silicon oxide that has a strong adhesive strength to the active layer of the thin film transistor. Thereafter, an organic material, as a planarizing layer, is formed on the silicon insulator, so that the leakage current, which has a bad influence on the operation of the thin film transistor, can be prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: LG. Philips LCD Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kyo-Seop Choo, June-Ho Park, Myung Ho You
  • Patent number: 6734420
    Abstract: Devices, systems, methods, and compositions of matter can track and/or identify a library of elements, particularly for use with fluids, particulates, cells, and the like. Signals from one or more semiconductor nanocrystals may be combined to define spectral codes. Separation of signal wavelengths within dedicated wavelength ranges or windows facilitates differentiation of spectral codes, while calibration signals within the spectral codes can avoid ambiguity. Modeling based on prior testing can help derive libraries of acceptable codes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Quantum Dot Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen A. Empedocles, Joseph A. Treadway, Andrew R. Watson
  • Patent number: 6730909
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for compensating a radiation sensor for temperature variations of the sensor. In one example, the radiation sensor is a thermal sensor having at least one property that varies as a function of temperature. The thermal sensor outputs signals based on thermal radiation of interest from a particular radiating body in its view. These signals may contain significant undesirable components due in part to changes in temperature of the sensor itself. Methods and apparatus of the invention compensate the sensor for temperature variations of the sensor that are not due to the radiation of interest, so as to significantly reduce undesirable components in the instantaneous signals output by the sensor. In one example, this is accomplished without thermally stabilizing the sensor itself (i.e., dynamic temperature compensation).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: BAE Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Neal R. Butler
  • Patent number: 6723994
    Abstract: A semiconductor energy detector having a region for detection and charge accumulation/transfer where a two-dimensional pixel array is formed on a surface of a semiconductor substrate on which energy rays become incident, is characterized in that the region for detection and charge accumulation/transfer comprises a plurality of transfer electrodes formed in each pixel, and an excess charge removing means arranged in correspondence with one of the transfer electrodes in each pixel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Hamamatsu Photonics K.K.
    Inventor: Hiroshi Akahori
  • Patent number: 6723993
    Abstract: A nuclear camera system includes a detector (12) for receiving radiation from a subject (14) in an exam region (16). The detector (12) includes a scintillation crystal (20) that converts radiation events into flashes of light. An array of sensors (22) is arranged to receive the light flashes from the scintillation crystal (20). Each of the photomultiplier sensors (22) generates a respective sensor output value in response to each received light flash. A processor (26) determines when each of the radiation events is detected. At least one of an initial position and an energy of each of the detected radiation events is determined in accordance with respective distances (d1 . . . d19) from a position of the detected event to the sensors (22). An image representation is generated from the initial positions and energies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics, N.V.
    Inventors: Steven E. Cooke, John F. Vesel, Frank P. DiFilippo
  • Patent number: 6723991
    Abstract: An invention is described, which uses terahertz radiation for chemical sensing and gas analysis. Relatively narrow-band THz radiation is generated by impinging an optical pulse train from a short-pulse laser source on a THz emitter. Coherent detection of the resulting THz radiation is accomplished by using a similar optical pulse train to activate the THz sensor. The invention is shown to detect and indicate various concentrations of water vapor in air. Optimal phase biasing conditions give maximum sensitivity to variations in concentration of the species under investigation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Imra America, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregg D. Sucha, Donald J. Harter, Almantas Galvanauskas
  • Patent number: 6720562
    Abstract: An apparatus for accelerated weathering testing specimens including discharge lamps as a concentrated light source for accelerating the deterioration of color, composition and/or structure of test specimens. Improved control calibration structures and methods of operation are also included. The test module to monitor the weathering test process from an improved location, detecting irradiance in the manner in which the specimens are exposed to such irradiance. The test modules are mounted in a pocket formed within the door for the test chamber such that the sensitive electronics of the modules are not exposed to the harsh environment within the test chamber, resulting in an exceptionally stable signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Atlas Material Testing Technology, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Rajen Rathod, Richard D. Donato
  • Patent number: 6717148
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for measuring a coating from paper or board. The measurement is carried out by one detector at different times or by two detectors simultaneously. IR radiation directed at the coating and radiation emerging from the coating are chopped synchronously in blocks. A wavelength band sensitive and insensitive to the absorption are bandpass filtered and measured in both the MIR and NIR region. The absorption strength is measured in a digital signal processing block by comparing the radiation sensitive to absorption to the radiation insensitive to absorption, and the amount of each coating component is determined in the digital signal processing block on the basis of the absorption strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: Metso Automation Oy
    Inventors: Markku Känsäkoski, Markku Mäntylä, Jussi Tenhunen
  • Patent number: 6710356
    Abstract: A phosphor panel with a protective coating divided in at least two layers, a layer A, being closest to said phosphor layer and a layer B farther away from said phosphor layer wherein the layer A is a layer of parylene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: AGFA-Gevaert
    Inventors: Paul Leblans, Rudi Van den Bergh, Ludo Joly, Luc Struye
  • Patent number: 6707042
    Abstract: In an apparatus for reading codes of a thermoluminescence detector, a housing including an optical unit is disposed on a base together with a disc-like magazine, which is rotatably supported adjacent the housing and provided with an annular array of recesses receiving the thermoluminescence detectors to be examined. The housing has a side opening through which the magazine extends into the housing, in which a light source is disposed for the homogeneous illumination of the thermoluminescence detectors from one side thereof, A CCD camera is disposed in the housing at the other side of the magazine for recording the illuminescence generated by the detectors when exposed to the light from the light source for determining the radiation exposure of thermoluminescence detectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: Forschungszentrum Karlscruhe GmbH
    Inventors: Hans-Norbert Brand, Markus Figel