Patents Examined by Albert Gagliardi
  • Patent number: 6812468
    Abstract: The simultaneous multi-frequency excitation with two or more discrete frequencies of an electrically modulatable hot light source enables the parallel evaluation corresponding to the different drive frequencies. As a result thereof, the measuring time in the measurement of multi-layer systems is significantly shortened. As a result of a suitable selection of the discrete frequency parts of the drive frequencies, these can be adapted to the measurement problem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Joachim Baumann, Thomas Mangold
  • Patent number: 6809320
    Abstract: A solid-state infrared imager comprises a matrix array of infrared sensing pixels which are formed as an imaging area on a semiconductor substrate and each of which contains a pn-junction thermoelectric converter element to sense incident infrared radiation, row selection lines each connected to the pixels of a corresponding row, signal lines each connected to the pixels of a corresponding column, a row selection circuit which selects and drives one of the row selection lines, and a signal readout circuit which reads out signal currents output to the signal lines from the pixels corresponding to the row selection line driven by the row selection circuit. Particularly, the signal readout circuit includes a signal line potential stabilizer which stabilizes the potential of the signal line to a constant level, and a current-voltage converter which converts the signal current flowing in a signal line to a signal voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2004
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Yoshinori Iida, Keitaro Shigenaka, Naoya Mashio
  • Patent number: 6806487
    Abstract: The invention concerns a network system for radiographing radiation images. The network system includes a plurality of radiation-image reading apparatus to read the radiation images stored in radiation-image storing sheets, so as to generate image data sets each of which corresponds to each of the radiation images, and a plurality of controllers to register discrimination information sets each of which corresponds to each of the radiation-image storing sheets. Each of the controllers can display a radiation image for confirmation, when it receives an image data set corresponding to the radiation image. A radiation-image reading apparatus reads a discrimination information set recorded on a radiation-image storing sheet loaded into the radiation-image reading apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Assignee: Konica Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuaki Tamakoshi, Masayuki Nakagawa, Hisashi Yonekawa, Yuhei Okamoto
  • Patent number: 6803580
    Abstract: A nuclear imaging system comprising: first and second radiation detectors, each comprising an imaging surface facing each other and each having an extent; an radiation source, situated outside a space defined by a largest parallelepiped formed on two sides by said first and second detectors, which irradiates the second detector; and an axis about which the first and second detectors and the radiation source rotate together; wherein the field of view of the radiation source, defined by lines connecting the external source and the edges of the second detector, encompass the axis of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: Elgems Ltd.
    Inventor: Naor Wainer
  • Patent number: 6803577
    Abstract: A method for quantitative imaging of gas emissions utilizing optical techniques combining gas correlation techniques with thermal background radiation or gas self-emission radiation is presented. A simultaneous recording of images with and without filtering through a gas-filled cell is utilized for the identification of a selected gas. A new calibration method provides the display of the integrated gas concentration spatially resolved in the generated final image. The procedure includes methods for a correct subtraction of the zero level, consisting of self-radiation from the dual-image camera device including the as correlation cell and electronic offset, and for the calculation of the specific absorption as a function of the difference temperature between the background and the gas emission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: Gas Optics Sweden AB
    Inventors: Hans Edner, Jonas Sandsten, Sune Svanberg
  • Patent number: 6800860
    Abstract: Methods and instrumentation for performing charge coupled device (CCD)-based confocal spectroscopy with a laser spot array are provided. The methods and instruments of the invention are useful in any spectroscopic application, including, but not limited to, microscopy and microvolume laser scanning cytometry (MLSC).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2004
    Assignee: SurroMed, Inc.
    Inventors: Louis J. Dietz, Ian Walton, Scott Norton
  • Patent number: 6797957
    Abstract: An infrared detection element having a single-crystalline base layer 3 with a thickness of 50 nm to 10 &mgr;m having a principal surface, a first electrode layer 4 formed on the principal surface of the single-crystalline base layer 3, a ferroelectric layer 5 which is formed on the first electrode layer 4 and is composed of a single-crystalline layer or a unidirectionally oriented layer. Distortion of the single-crystalline layer or a unidirectionally oriented layer in a surface parallel to the principal surface of the single-crystalline base layer 3 is elastically constrained by the single-crystalline base layer 3. The infrared detection element further has a second electrode layer 6 formed on the ferroelectric layer 5. An amount of charge varies with changes in temperature caused by irradiation of infrared light to the ferroelectric layer 5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Takashi Kawakubo, Kazuhide Abe, Kenya Sano
  • Patent number: 6794672
    Abstract: A system for the registration of radiation images has a radiation pick-up device and a control device controlling the operation thereof. The radiation pick-up device has a charge layer that generates electrical charges dependent on the incident radiation and an allocated electrode layer that is chargeable with high-voltage for triggering an electron-multiplying avalanche effect in the charge layer by virtue of a potential produced across the charge layer by the high-voltage. A read-out device reads out the generated charges in the charge layer by means of an electron beam. The potential via the charge layer can be modulated for varying the gain of the charge layer caused by the avalanche effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Hartmut Sklebitz
  • Patent number: 6791086
    Abstract: A robust, compact spectrometer apparatus for determining respective concentrations or partial pressures of multiple gases in a gas sample with single as well as multiple and even overlapping, absorption or emission spectra that span a wide spectral range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: Respironics, Inc.
    Inventor: James T Russell
  • Patent number: 6784434
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a radiation detector including at least one Thin Film Transistor (TFT) includes forming a low resistance data line strap unitary with a light block element on the TFT.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: William Andrew Hennessy, Douglas Albagli, Ji Ung Lee, Ching-Yeu Wei
  • Patent number: 6784448
    Abstract: A method for reading a radiation image from a stimulable phosphor sheet composed of a substrate and a stimulable phosphor layer containing a latent radiation image by means of a radiation image-reading means having stimulating light-applying unit and a stimulated emission-collecting unit having a lens and a stimulated emission-receiving plane, which is performed by the steps of applying a stimulating light onto the phosphor layer under the condition that the phosphor sheet moves along its sheet plane in relation to the stimulated emission-collecting unit; collecting a stimulated emission emitting from the area onto which the stimulating light is applied on the emission-receiving plane through the lens; and photoelectrically converting the collected emission into electric signals in the stimulated emission-collecting unit, is improved by moving the stimulable phosphor sheet in relation to the emission-collecting unit under the condition that the stimulating light-applied area of the stimulable phosphor layer i
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Keiko Neriishi, Yuichi Hosoi
  • Patent number: 6784436
    Abstract: A radiation detector arrangement for imaging of an object comprises multiple line detector units, each being arranged for one-dimensional imaging of the respective ray bundle. The detector units are arranged parallel in a two-dimensional array. The detector units are sited in rows and stacks, the rows being parallel with the detector unit and the stacks being orthogonal thereto, where the one-dimensional detector units in each row are together capable of detecting the object in one dimension. A device is provided for moving the detector units relative the object parallel with the stacks at least a distance corresponding to the distance between two adjacent detector units in the stacks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: Xcounter AB
    Inventor: Tom Francke
  • Patent number: 6781129
    Abstract: A dual eye motion detector assembly comprising a main infrared sensor head and a secondary infrared sensor head mounted on a mounting box. The main motion sensor head is pivotally mounted to the mounting box and contains a standard infrared motion sensor with an approximate 90 to 180 degree viewing zone. The secondary motion sensor head is also pivotally and independently mounted to the mounting box and contains its own standard infrared motion sensor with an approximately 90 to 180 degree viewing zone. The two motion sensors in the main and secondary motion sensors heads are connected to a circuit panel located the main sensor head. Control switches are mounted on the sides of the main infrared sensor head to control sensitivity and timing. Outside electrical current is delivered to the circuit panel and divided into local circuits to control the operation of at least one lamp so that when an infrared-emitting object passes into the viewing zone of either sensor head, the lamp is automatically activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Inventor: Monte A. Leen
  • Patent number: 6781143
    Abstract: A biochemical analysis data producing method includes the steps of exposing stimulable phosphor layer regions formed in a stimulable phosphor sheet and spaced from each other using standard light, irradiating the stimulable phosphor layer regions with a stimulating ray, detecting stimulated emission to produce correction data for the individual stimulable phosphor layer regions, superposing the stimulable phosphor sheet on a biochemical analysis unit including spot-like regions formed in the same pattern as that of the stimulable phosphor layer regions and selectively containing a radioactive labeling substance, exposing the stimulable phosphor layer regions to the radioactive labeling substance, scanning the stimulable phosphor layer regions with a stimulating ray, detecting stimulated emission to produce biochemical analysis data, and correcting the biochemical analysis data using the correction data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hitoshi Shimizu, Nobuhiko Ogura
  • Patent number: 6770869
    Abstract: A method for calibrating automatic infrared sensing devices having control modules, an IR detector, and an IR emitter by using a select infrared emitter/detector pair to calibrate a plurality of control modules wherein an appropriate infrared emitter input value to the select infrared emitter is obtained to provide a given output from the select infrared detector in response to infrared radiation reflected from a known test object, and the appropriate infrared emitter input value is then determined and stored permanently in one or more control modules as a calibration standard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: The Chicago Faucet Company
    Inventors: Wade C. Patterson, Thomas J. Watson
  • Patent number: 6770880
    Abstract: An infrared imaging apparatus is used for carrying out shading correction of picture data obtained as a result of an image-taking process using a camera head including an optical system, a plurality of detector elements and a container for accommodating the detector elements. The apparatus includes a first correction unit for creating corrected-sensitivity picture data by correction of shading components caused by the optical system to produce uniform scene components included in the picture data obtained as a result of an image-taking process of a uniform scene; a storage unit for storing a housing response profile for correcting a housing-shading component caused by infrared rays radiated by the optical system and the container for each of the detector elements; and a second correction unit for creating corrected-housing-shading picture data by correction of housing-shading components based on the corrected-sensitivity picture data and the housing response profile for each of the detector elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Osamu Nakamura, Hiroki Shimomae, Masaki Kamata
  • Patent number: 6770884
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the position of a gamma ray interaction are disclosed. A medium that emits light in response to an interaction between a gamma ray and the medium is provided. A plurality of photodetectors is used to detect the light and determine a first three-dimensional position of the interaction. A field is produced in the medium that dire ionization electrons resulting from the interaction to a collector. A portion of a shutter system that corresponds to the interaction is opened. The shutter selectively blocks and permits the passage of the ionization electrons to the collector. A second three-dimensional position of the interaction is determined by localizing a two-dimensional position of the interaction in the collector and determining a third dimension based on a time of arrival of the ionization electrons relative to when the light is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: Triumf
    Inventor: Douglas Bryman
  • Patent number: 6770900
    Abstract: A discharge mechanism has a lid closing roller for closing a lid of a cassette and automatically delivering the cassette to a predetermined position upon rotation thereof, a motor for rotating the lid closing roller, and an electromagnetic clutch for transmitting rotational power from the motor to the lid closing roller and disconnecting the lid closing roller from the rotary actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tatsuya Minagawa
  • Patent number: 6765214
    Abstract: A radiation dosimeter providing an indication of the dose of radiation to which the radiation sensor has been exposed. The dosimeter contains features enabling the monitoring and evaluating of radiological risks so that a user can concentrate on the task at hand. The dosimeter provides an audible alarm indication that a predetermined time period has elapsed, an audible alarm indication reminding the user to check the dosimeter indication periodically, an audible alarm indicating that a predetermined accumulated dose has been prematurely reached, and an audible alarm indication prior or to reaching the ¾ scale point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventors: William J. Kosslow, Gregory S. Bandzuch
  • Patent number: 6762429
    Abstract: The image and information processor includes an image information processing unit having a function for inputting patient information and radiation image capture information related to the patient information, a function for receiving a first radiation image having been read by a radiation image reading device and a function for performing image processing on the first radiation image, an image display device for the displaying at least one of the first radiation image and second radiation image having been subjected to the image processing and an external storage device for temporarily storing at least one of the first radiation image and the second radiation image in relation to the patient information; wherein the image information processing unit is constructed such that a serial radiography based on a plurality of radiographic conditions of the image capture information relating to one patient inputted by the input function can be reserved as a single inspection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2004
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masashi Aonuma