Patents Examined by Constantine Hannaher
  • Patent number: 8350224
    Abstract: A scintillator arrangement for detecting X-ray radiation includes a plurality of pixels separated from one another by reflectors and made of a scintillator ceramic, doped in particular by cerium, for converting the X-ray radiation into visible light. In at least one embodiment, the reflectors are designed for absorbing light with a wavelength range which corresponds to a selected emission band of the scintillator ceramic. Thus, the concentration of cerium in the scintillator ceramic can be reduced and this leads to an increased light yield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Jürgen Leppert
  • Patent number: 8344324
    Abstract: An apparatus for acquiring information on a time waveform of a terahertz wave is comprised of a terahertz wave-generating unit, a waveform information-detecting unit, and a delay unit for changing the time after the terahertz wave is generated in the generating unit until it is detected as waveform information of the terahertz wave in the detecting unit, wherein the delay unit is configured so as to change a propagating distance of the terahertz wave generated by the generating unit, and associates waveform information of the terahertz wave, which is detected in the detecting unit, and the propagating distance every terahertz wave generated by the generating unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shintaro Kasai, Toshihiko Ouchi, Takeaki Itsuji
  • Patent number: 8330109
    Abstract: A method of determining contamination on a material having suspected contamination includes irradiating the material having suspected contamination with infrared energy over a spectrum of wavelengths; detecting the infrared energy reflected from the material having suspected contamination over the spectrum of wavelengths; performing multivariate analysis on the spectrum of the reflected infrared energy; comparing results of the multivariate analysis with a predetermined calibration of infrared energy spectra comprising the spectrum of wavelengths collected from at least one reference material; and determining presence or absence of contamination on the material having suspected contamination based on the predetermined calibration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Gregory James Werner, Paul H. Shelley
  • Patent number: 8330114
    Abstract: Systems that increase the position resolution and granularity of double sided segmented semiconductor detectors are provided. These systems increase the imaging resolution capability of such detectors, either used as Compton cameras, or as position sensitive radiation detectors in imagers such as SPECT, PET, coded apertures, multi-pinhole imagers, or other spatial or temporal modulated imagers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventors: Lucian Mihailescu, Kai M. Vetter, Daniel H. Chivers
  • Patent number: 8330123
    Abstract: A system and method is provided for improved fluorescence decay time measurement. A digital heterodyning technique is disclosed in which a photon detector is sampled at a rate slightly faster than a digitally pulsed excitation signal. A resulting cross correlation frequency is low enough to be read by inexpensive electronics such as by a field programmable gate array. Phase information in the signal provides correlation with corresponding photon detections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: I.S.S. (USA), Inc.
    Inventors: Enrico Gratton, Enrico D'Amico
  • Patent number: 8324589
    Abstract: Digital images or the charge from pixels in light sensitive semiconductor based imagers may be used to detect gamma rays and energetic particles emitted by radioactive materials. Methods may be used to identify pixel-scale artifacts introduced into digital images and video images by high energy gamma rays. Statistical tests and other comparisons on the artifacts in the images or pixels may be used to prevent false-positive detection of gamma rays. The sensitivity of the system may be used to detect radiological material at distances in excess of 50 meters. Advanced processing techniques allow for gradient searches to more accurately determine the source's location, while other acts may be used to identify the specific isotope. Coordination of different imagers and network alerts permit the system to separate non-radioactive objects from radioactive objects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Advanced Fuel Research, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric P. Rubenstein
  • Patent number: 8314391
    Abstract: A terahertz time-domain spectrometer scanning sensor system includes a transmitter and a receiver that are secured to a mobile scanner head. Optical pump light, in the form of short pulses launched from a stationary laser located remotely from the scanner head, is delivered to the transmitter and receiver through a controlled fiber optic cable arrangement so that variations in temporal pulse relays that are associated fiber optic transmission are minimized. In this fashion, the movement of the fiber optic cable is maneuvered along a defined path so as to control the bends in the cable and thus minimize variations in temporal delays that can otherwise arise as the pulses of light are transmitted through the fiber. Pulses of laser light launched from the laser into the optical fiber will exit the cable with consistent (i) time of arrival, (ii) phase duration, and (iii) polarization state and energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Honeywell ASCa Inc.
    Inventors: Frank Martin Haran, Ross MacHattie, Ron E Beselt, David Jez
  • Patent number: 8314406
    Abstract: Optical imaging systems and methods use early photons in order to generate processed fluorescent light images of fluorescent material on or within a tissue. The early photons are generated in accordance with a pulsed light source and an early-photon light receiver. The processed fluorescent light images tend to have improved resolution and imaging accuracy compared with fluorescent light images generated with photons beyond the early photons portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: The General Hospital Corporation
    Inventors: Vasilis Ntziachristos, Mark J. Niedre
  • Patent number: 8301063
    Abstract: A toner cartridge includes a toner receptacle that houses toner, a plurality of stirring members housed in the toner receptacle, a plurality of gears meshing with each other on outside of the toner receptacle, and a phase display section. The stirring members are arranged next to each other in the toner receptacle and rotate to stir the toner. Each of the stirring members has a scraper that scrapes off the toner adhering to an inner surface of the toner receptacle. The gears rotate to rotate the stirring members in an interlocked manner with each other. The phase display section shows a meshing position of the gears so that the gears mesh with each other at a position where a phase difference along a rotating direction of the stirring members occurs between the scrapers of the stirring members that are next to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yoshiaki Tanaka
  • Patent number: 8294111
    Abstract: A dosimeter and an associated method for detecting radiation are provided. A dosimeter includes a complementary pair of transistors, such as a first transistor that is doped in accordance with a first conductivity type, such as an n-doped metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET) and a second transistor that is doped in accordance with a second conductivity type, different than the first conductivity type, such as a p-doped MOSFET. The first and second transistors may be configured to generate respective outputs that shift in opposite directions in response to radiation. The dosimeter may also include a circuit element configured to determine a measure of the radiation based upon a difference between the respective outputs of the first and second transistors. The circuit element may include an amplifier configured to amplify the difference between the respective outputs of the first and second transistors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: William G. Bartholet, Dorina L. Hester
  • Patent number: 8294099
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for assembling a large microbolometer infrared imaging array from sub-arrays, including the step of forming a sub-array assembly of independent imaging arrays on the silicon wafer as the imaging sensor is being processed, whereby seams or gaps in a resulting image are avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc.
    Inventor: Richard J. Blackwell, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8274054
    Abstract: Methods and systems for determining a sequence of energy interactions in a detector. A plurality of discrete energy interactions is received in a plurality of detector voxels. A plurality of possible sequences of interaction is formed based on the received plurality of discrete energy interactions. For each of the plurality of possible sequences of interaction, an a posteriori probability is computed, where the a posteriori probability is based on a likelihood that the possible sequence of interaction is consistent with the received plurality of discrete energy interactions. Additionally or alternatively, the a posteriori probability may be based on an a priori probability. One of the formed plurality of possible sequences of interaction is selected based on the computed a posteriori probability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the Leland Standford Junior University
    Inventors: Guillem Pratx, Craig S. Levin
  • Patent number: 8274053
    Abstract: A method of detecting a gap between a valve seat insert and a port in a cylinder head may include heating the valve seat insert and the cylinder head and generating a thermal image of the valve seat insert and the cylinder head at an interface between the valve seat insert and corresponding port in the cylinder head housing the valve seat insert. The thermal image may be evaluated to determine the magnitude of a gap between the valve seat insert and the cylinder head based on a temperature at the interface between the valve seat insert and the cylinder head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Lee B. Moonen, John S. Agapiou, Daniel L. Simon
  • Patent number: 8258483
    Abstract: Disclosed below are representative embodiments of methods, apparatus, and systems for detecting particles, such as radiation or charged particles. One exemplary embodiment disclosed herein is particle detector comprising an optical fiber with a first end and second end opposite the first end. The optical fiber of this embodiment further comprises a doped region at the first end and a non-doped region adjacent to the doped region. The doped region of the optical fiber is configured to scintillate upon interaction with a target particle, thereby generating one or more photons that propagate through the optical fiber and to the second end. Embodiments of the disclosed technology can be used in a variety of applications, including associated particle imaging and cold neutron scattering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: UT-Battelle, LLC
    Inventors: Lynn A. Boatner, John T. Mihalczo
  • Patent number: 8258477
    Abstract: An inspection apparatus for inspecting a subject (sample) (for example, performing identification or imaging of the subject) using an expansion coefficient with a relatively small amount of data. The inspection apparatus includes a transforming unit that performs a wavelet transform on a terahertz time waveform obtained using a terahertz wave detected by a detecting unit. In addition, the inspection apparatus includes a selecting unit that selects, from a first expansion coefficient in the wavelet transform, a second expansion coefficient stored in advance and included in the first expansion coefficient. Furthermore, the inspection apparatus includes a comparing unit for comparing a first value of the second expansion coefficient with a second value of the second expansion coefficient selected by the selecting unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Michinori Shioda
  • Patent number: 8258478
    Abstract: An apparatus for enabling and disabling a lookdown zone mask in an intrusion detector unit. The unit may include a passive infrared motion detector, a lens assembly, and a mask or cover which selectively enables and disables a lookdown zone associated with the detector. The lens assembly provides a lens proximate the detector. The lens provides the lookdown zone. When the mask substantially covers the lens, the lookdown zone is disabled because the path of radiant energy to the detector is blocked and prevents the detector from detecting any motion in the lookdown zone. When the mask does not cover the lens, the lookdown zone is enabled because the lens permits the path of radiant energy to the detector through the lens and allows the detector to detect any motion in the lookdown zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Roert E. Walters, William S. DiPoala
  • Patent number: 8260171
    Abstract: An electrophotographic image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording material, the electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes a drum cartridge including an electrophotographic photosensitive member drum; a developing cartridge including a developing roller for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum using a developer; a supporting member movable between an inside position and a retracted position in the state that supporting member supports the drum cartridge and the developing cartridge, wherein the inside position is inside the main assembly of the apparatus, and the retracted position is retracted from the main assembly of the apparatus; wherein the supporting member supports the drum cartridge and the developing cartridge independently demountably therefrom, wherein mounting and demounting directions of the drum cartridge relative to the supporting member and mounting and demounting directions of the developing cartridge are di
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kenji Matsuda
  • Patent number: 8242464
    Abstract: A radiation detection device with at least one self indicating radiation sensor and at least one machine readable sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Inventor: Gordhanbhai N. Patel
  • Patent number: 8242454
    Abstract: A scintillation array and methods of making and using are provided. The array may be a flexible array that can be arranged into two or more flexible configurations. The array may be positioned around a portion of an object so that the array pixels are equidistant from the center or surface of the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Ceramics & Plastics, Inc.
    Inventor: Louis Perna
  • Patent number: 8242450
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for remotely detecting, locating, and identifying chemicals and chemical compounds through optically opaque materials. Electromagnetic radiation in the Terahertz range emitted from an antenna array is modulated to excite target molecules. The apparatus then stops the excitation energy and the molecules emit an electromagnetic signature detectable by the device at standoff distances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Inventor: Richard Graziano