Patents Examined by Charles F. Wieland
  • Patent number: 4698514
    Abstract: A method and an arrangement is disclosed for the detection by photoelectric means of markings made on a printed, decorated material web. The markings comprise two groups of stroke markings, the markings of a first group being arranged to be sensed by a first photocell element, which, on sensing the first group markings causes the output of a second photocell element, which senses the stroke markings of a second group of making to be fed into a memory unit for continuous comparison with a stored value. In response to the comparison, a control signal is generated to control the performance of various operations on the web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1984
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1987
    Assignee: Tetra Pak International AB
    Inventors: Anders E. Hilmersson, Istvan M. Ulvros
  • Patent number: 4689481
    Abstract: A focus error detector for an optical head utilizes a transmission type diffraction grating and an optical system for converging a beam issuing from a light source onto an object and converting light reflected from the object to a collimated beam to cause the collimated beam to become incident to the diffraction grating at a proper angle of incidence. A photodetector having a plurality of light-sensitive sections, is positioned relative to the grating such that it receives rays diffracted substantially from the grating in the direction of reflection of the diffraction grating. Photodetector data are used to calculate focus correction signals which are supplied to servo-mechanisms providing physical adjustments to the optical system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1985
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1987
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Yuzo Ono
  • Patent number: 4689480
    Abstract: An arrangement for 3-D optical measurement systems employing scanned light beams or planes. A lens used to image projected light that is reflected from a measured surface, is moved onto a light-sensitive detector. The lens movement is coordinated with the movement of the projected light beam or plane to assure that the image on the detector remains in sharp focus at all times. The sharp focus is maintained by moving the detector in coordination with the movement of the projected light beam or plane, or by changing the effective optical path lengths to the detector in coordination with the movement of the projected light beam or plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1985
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1987
    Assignee: Robotic Vision Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Howard Stern
  • Patent number: 4687917
    Abstract: A focus detecting device for detecting the focus adjusted state of an imaging optical system with respect to an object body comprises first and second photoelectric element arrays each including a plurality of photoelectric elements arranged in one direction, a focus detecting optical system for forming first and second optical images of the body on or near the first and second arrays by first and second light beams passed through different first and second areas, respectively, of the exit pupil of the imaging optical system, the first array producing a series of first output signals having a distribution pattern associated with the illumination intensity distribution pattern of the first image, the second array producing a series of second output signals having a distribution pattern associated with the illumination intensity distribution pattern of the second image, focus detection means for producing a focus detection signal representative of the focus adjusted state of the imaging optical system, on the b
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1984
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1987
    Assignee: Nippon Kogaku K. K.
    Inventors: Yosuke Kusaka, Ken Utagawa
  • Patent number: 4686362
    Abstract: The encoder comprises a rotor formed from a disc and a window-containing ring surrounding the disc periphery and able to undergo adjustment movements with respect to the disc. The encoder also comprises reading units formed from a light emitting diode, a window-containing screen and a phototransistor. The screens of these units can also undergo adjustment movements in order to obtain suitable phase differences between the signals emitted by the phototransistors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1987
    Inventor: Michele Merlo
  • Patent number: 4677288
    Abstract: An optical turret shaped for minimum aerodynamic and aero-optic impact at supersonic speeds. The turret optics includes a common optical element for scanning the optical tracking beam and the projected laser beam to provide for automatic alignment of both beams. Separate windows associated with the tracking beam and the laser output beam is provided for increased efficiency, the window material in each window being compatibel with the optical wavelengths passing therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1985
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1987
    Assignee: Northrop Corporation
    Inventor: Eugene A. Smith
  • Patent number: 4675520
    Abstract: A method and device for optically counting small particles, like grains of seed and fertilizer and other materials employed in agriculture. The particles to be counted travel past a test field, interrupting as they do so a beam of light between a light emitter and a light detector. To make it possible to detect even several particles in the test field at the same time and to make the counting generally more precise, individual points where the path of a beam of light is interrupted by particles passing through the grid are detected in sequential scanning cycles by beams of light that create an optical grid and are retained in the form of information describing one or more particles, information describing the particles and obtained in different scanning cycles are compared, and counting signals that correspond to the number of individual particles passing through are derived from the variations in the interrupting points determined during the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1985
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1987
    Assignee: Amazonenwerke H., Dreyer GmbH & Co. K.G.
    Inventors: Jan Harrsen, Franz Grosse-Scharmann, Bernd Gattermann
  • Patent number: 4672221
    Abstract: A photoelectric conversion element comprises a substrate, a plurality of separate electrodes arranged in a row on the substrate, signal lead-out parts extending from the separate electrodes alternately to the left and the right in a direction perpendicular to the arranging direction of the separate electrodes, a photoelectric conversion layer covering the row of the separate electrodes, a transparent electrode formed on the photoelectric conversion layer, and a light shielding conductive layer formed on the transparent electrode. The light shielding conductive layer is shaped to shield the light beam projected toward the overlapping portion between at least those portions of the signal lead-out parts which abut against the separate electrodes and the photoelectric converison layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1986
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1987
    Assignee: Tokyo Shibaura Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tamio Saito, Kouhei Suzuki
  • Patent number: 4669105
    Abstract: Apparatus for the generation of an image of a blood vessel comprises an x-ray source to irradiate the vessel. X-ray image collection means receive the x-ray image of the vessel and conversion means convert the x-ray image into a visible image of the vessel. A collimator selects an elongate field of illimunation representative of a section of the blood vessel. A light detecting array receives the field of illumination and has a plurality of discreet detectors spaced along the axis of the elongated field. Each detector has a length at least equal to the width f the elongate field produces a signal upon impingement by the elongate field. The array is scanned sequentially to output the signals in series. The signals are then displayed as one line of a video display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1984
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1987
    Inventors: Aaron Fenster, Barry B. Hobbs, Ian A. Cunningham
  • Patent number: 4652750
    Abstract: A bar code scanner having a housing in which a laser diode and optics forming the beam which scans the code and a photodetector are assembled as a unitary structure upon a printed circuit board so that the entire structure can be located in the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1987
    Assignee: Optel Systems Inc
    Inventors: Jay M. Eastman, John A. Boles
  • Patent number: 4653081
    Abstract: According to the method of the invention, samples undergoing analysis for sorting are irradiated one by one in order to excite X-ray fluorescence. In order to take into account the background radiation, the quality whereof varies according to the frequency of the excited radiation, the radiation peak intensity I.sub.1 is measured, as well as the respective intensity I.sub.2 is measured at the same point of the radiation spectrum but in an essentially wider frequency range than the radiation peak. On the basis of the measured intensities I.sub.1 and I.sub.2 are defined the intensities of the X-ray fluorescence F and the background radiation T, and the ratio of these two is used as the selective criterion when sorting the analyzed samples.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1984
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1987
    Assignee: Outokumpu Oy
    Inventors: Heikki J. Sipila, Kai J. Laamanen
  • Patent number: 4649555
    Abstract: In an X-ray computerized tomographic apparatus for utilizing a Scanographic scanning operation prior to a CT scanning operation, it is desirable to designate a plurality of CT scanning portions of the patient by using a horizontal line on a display screen where intervals between successive lines are freely adjustable in accordance with the portions of the patient's body which will receive the CT scanning. To this end, there is provided a converting means for converting the X-ray data from a detector array into actual position data for the patient who will be scanned in the CT mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1982
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1987
    Assignee: Tokyo Shibaura Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takayuki Matsubayashi
  • Patent number: 4641328
    Abstract: Computed tomography apparatus in which data is acquired during one or more full rotational cycles and suitably stored by scanning a beating heart or similar objects and in which a complete image corresponding to a cross section of the beating heart is produced on a CRT screen and is correlated with a specific portion of the heart cycle reconstructed from the limited data taken during a time interval which is a small fraction of the duration of the heart cycle. Advantageously, the apparatus presents the cross section image of the beating heart and reference data correlated with certain parameters of the cross-section display on the same CRT screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1983
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1987
    Assignee: Tokyo Shibaura Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masakuni Fujise
  • Patent number: 4628356
    Abstract: A digital X-ray scanner device for instantaneously producing an electronic image on a monitor of a object scanned by X-rays. A solid straight electronic linear array is used to detect X-ray shadows and produce an electronic signal which is processed for display. Image enhancement techniques can be utilized including displaying particular windows of the scan data and elimination of background noise and the use of color enhancement. The device can be adapted for retrofitting panoramic dental X-ray scanning machines and other uses such as veterinary scanning and scanning other portions of the human body as well as inanimate objects. Archival storage of the information allows ready access for future use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1984
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1986
    Assignee: Imagex, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald W. Spillman, Thomas W. Shilling
  • Patent number: 4628524
    Abstract: The invention relates to an X-ray tomograph in which the X-ray tube can perform movements which are independent of each other in two directions at right angles to each other. The X-ray tube in a first support can be moved in the transverse direction which is connected to a second support extending in the longitudinal direction which in its main direction is journalled so as to be movable in a stand connected to the floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1985
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1986
    Assignee: U.S. Philips Corporation
    Inventor: Jurgen Hepke
  • Patent number: 4626908
    Abstract: Disclosed is an image input device arranged in such a way that a fluorescent X-ray image is imaged by a TV camera, and an image signal thereof is input into a CPU. The image input device is connected to an output of the TV camera, and comprises a difference circuit for determining the difference between two picture signals obtained at a prescribed time interval, an object extracting circuit for extracting an object image in accordance with the results of the difference, a position judging circuit for judging whether or not the object image thus extracted is located within a picture screen, and a camera position controller for controlling the position of the TV camera in accordance with the results of judgement made by the position judging circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1983
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1986
    Assignee: Tokyo Shibaura Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yuichiro Tani
  • Patent number: 4625324
    Abstract: An all metal and ceramic high vacuum rotary anode x-ray tube adapted for mounting on a gantry of a rotational type CT scanner. The evacuated region where x-rays are generated is maintained at about 10.sup.-7 Torr. Vacuum sealing about the rotating shaft of the anode is provided by a magnetic fluid. No bearings are utilized within the evacuated region. Large, long wearing ball bearings that transmit rotation through the vacuum seal are provided about the shaft outside of the high vacuum region where conventional lubricants may be applied. Circulating coolant is applied internally through the anode assuring continual operation of the tube without the need for frequent cool-down waits. A preferred embodiment discloses a modified path in the rotor for the coolant designed to disturb the conventional laminar type of flow which is heat transfer inefficient to one characterized by high turbulence resulting in approximately an order of magnitude improvement in the coefficient of heat transfer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1984
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1986
    Assignee: Technicare Corporation
    Inventors: Edward A. Blaskis, Roland W. Carlson
  • Patent number: 4622688
    Abstract: An anode of an X-ray tube, particularly for X-ray analysis, comprises at least two successive layers (7, 8 or 11, 10 or 13, 12) of anode material. A first layer (7, 11, 12) thereof consists mainly of an element having a comparatively low atomic number, such as scandium or chromium, while a second layer (8, 10, 13) consists mainly of an element having a comparatively high atomic number, such as molybdenum, tungsten or uranium. For the selection of a desired radiation spectrum, the tube voltage is selectively adjusted such that either or both layers are activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1984
    Date of Patent: November 11, 1986
    Assignee: U.S. Philips Corporation
    Inventors: Willem H. Diemer, John N. Kikkert, Hubertus F. M. Wagemans
  • Patent number: 4622687
    Abstract: Rotating anode x-ray generating apparatus including a mechanism which utilizes the rotational motion of the anode (20) to increase the effective rate of coolant with respect to the anode heat exchange surface (43).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1983
    Date of Patent: November 11, 1986
    Assignee: Arthur H. Iversen
    Inventors: Stephen Whitaker, Arthur H. Iversen
  • Patent number: 4618970
    Abstract: A scanning electron beam computed tomography scanner is disclosed herein and includes means defining a vacuum chamber, means for producing an electron beam at a first location in the chamber and for directing the beam to a second location therein along a particular desired path. A target of a type which produces X-rays as a result of the impingement thereon by the electron beam is positioned at a third location and means at the second location are provided to cause the beam to impinge on the target in a scanning fashion for producing X-rays. The scanner also includes a system for maintaining the electron beam on the desired path between the first and second locations. To this end, the system includes first means acting on the beam between these locations so as to detect for deviations, if any, between the actual path taken by the beam and the desired path and means responsive to these deviations, again if any, for adjusting the position of the electron beam in order to eliminate the deviations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1984
    Date of Patent: October 21, 1986
    Assignee: Imatron, Inc.
    Inventors: Roy E. Rand, John W. J. Mitchell, John L. Couch