Patents Examined by Constantine Hannaher
  • Patent number: 9163996
    Abstract: A readout circuit for an uncooled infrared focal plane array includes: a first biasing circuit for generating a detection output signal; a second biasing circuit for generating a first reference output signal; a first integration circuit; and an analog-to-digital circuit including: a ramp signal generating circuit for generating a ramp signal according to a second reference microbolometer of a third biasing circuit. In the readout circuit, subtracting and amplifying the detection output signal and the first reference output signal are provided by the integrator at an analog domain, while ratio counting is provided by an analog-to-digital converter during analog-to-digital conversion. Furthermore, a column level integrated readout channel utilizes only one reference microbolometer, and the chip level ramp signal generator also utilizes only one reference microbolometer. Therefore, a chip area is further saved, and noise sources are decreased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: University of Electronic Science and Technology China
    Inventors: Jian Lv, Longcheng Que, Yun Zhou, Linhai Wei, Yadong Jiang
  • Patent number: 9159518
    Abstract: The invention concerns a radiation entry window (10) for a radiation detector (2), in particular for a semiconductor drift detector (2), with a flat window element (11), which is at least partially permeable for the radiation to be detected by the radiation detector (2), as well as with a window frame (12), which laterally frames the window element (11), wherein the window frame (12) consists of a semiconductor material and is considerably thicker than the window element (11). (FIG.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignees: PNSensor GMBH, Max-Planck-Gesellschaft Zur Foerderung Der Wissenschaften E.V.
    Inventors: Heike Soltau, Bianca Schweinfest, Gerhard Lutz, Ladislav Andricek, Lothar Strueder
  • Patent number: 9146324
    Abstract: A scintillator, which can prevent a data error due to light diffusion or spreading by improving light collimation, a method of fabricating the same and an X-ray detector including the scintillator are disclosed. The scintillator includes a substrate and a scintillator layer formed on the substrate and having columnar crystals and non-columnar crystals, wherein each of the columnar crystals has an aspect ratio of 80:1 or greater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kyung Soo Lee, Jang Won Moon
  • Patent number: 9134434
    Abstract: An x-ray detector for a medical imaging device includes an anti-scatter grid, a measuring layer including a regular arrangement of measuring cells, and an evaluation unit. The anti-scatter grid covers the measuring layer and is aligned toward a specific focal point. The evaluation unit is configured to determine a focal position of an x-ray source relative to the focal point based on a local intensity difference of x-rays striking the measuring layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: Seimens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Daniel Niederlöhner, Bodo Reitz, Stefan Wirth
  • Patent number: 9134431
    Abstract: A radiation detector 100 has a plurality of single-photon-counting imaging cells, including an imaging cell 1 configured to generate a detection signal in accordance with the intensity of radiation, a digitization circuit 5 configured to digitize the detection signal, a data read structure 11 configured to count the digitized detection signal and to keep the result as a data bit, and a send-out register 13 configured to control the input of a predetermined data bit output from the data read structure 11 by a data shift in accordance with a first clock Pck, to keep the input data bit as a result of the control, and to send out the kept data bit by a data shift in accordance with a second clock Sck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: RIGAKU CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takuto Sakumura, Yuji Tsuji, Pawel Grybos, Piotr Maj, Robert Szczygiel
  • Patent number: 9134440
    Abstract: A radiation detector includes a first detection unit including a first radiation entrance region into which incoming radiation enters and in which first photoelectric conversion elements are arranged. The radiation detector also includes a second detection unit including a second radiation entrance region. The first detection unit detects an occurrence position of a first interaction and a track of recoil electron by using the first photoelectric conversion elements. The second detection unit detects an occurrence position of a second interaction resulting from the scattered radiation. A position of a radiation source is measured by the occurrence positions of the first and second interactions and the track of the recoil electron.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Tomoya Sanuki, Atsushi Nakayama
  • Patent number: 9130082
    Abstract: Provided is a terahertz wave generating/detecting apparatus and a method for manufacturing the same. The terahertz wave generating/detecting apparatus includes; a substrate having an active region and a transmitting region; a lower metal layer extending in a first direction on the active region and the transmitting region of the substrate; a graphene layer disposed on the lower metal layer on the active region; and upper metal layers extending in the first direction on the graphene layer of the active region and the substrate in the transmission region, wherein a terahertz wave is generated or amplified by a surface plasmon polariton that is induced on a boundary surface between the graphene layer and the lower metal layer by beated laser light applied to the graphene layer and the metal layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: ELECTRONICS AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Kyung Hyun Park, Sang-Pil Han, Jeong Woo Park, Han-Cheol Ryu, Kiwon Moon, Namje Kim, Hyunsung Ko
  • Patent number: 9128368
    Abstract: If a control unit of a radiation image capturing apparatus acquires dark image data before photographing and at the same time detects initiation of irradiation of radiation based on image data read out by carrying out a readout process of the image data, the control unit applies off-voltage to all the scanning lines and shifts to an electric charge accumulation mode, and after the irradiation is over, sequentially applies on-voltage to each of the scanning lines, causes the scanning lines to carry out readout process of main image data from each of radiation detection elements, and subsequently acquires offset data in a condition where radiation is not irradiated to correct the main image data read out by the photographing or main image data read out by a photographing carried out after the former photographing based on offset lag part calculated from the offset data and the dark image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventor: Hideaki Tajima
  • Patent number: 9116246
    Abstract: A thermal neutron detector and method employ Gd-containing nanoscintillators. Thermal neutron radiation is detected by observing scintillation events from the nanoscintillators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: STC.UNM
    Inventors: Marek A. Osinski, Brian A. Akins, John B. Plumley, Antonio C. Rivera, Gennady A. Smolyakov, Jose M. Vargas, Nathan J. Withers
  • Patent number: 9086327
    Abstract: An apparatus and method of calibrating a sensor. A voltage is applied to a first carbon nanotube layer to obtain a first temperature of the first carbon nanotube layer. A thermally conductive layer is used to provide a substantially uniform temperature related to the first temperature of the first carbon nanotube layer by smoothing a spatial variation of the first temperature. A second carbon nanotube layer receives the substantially uniform temperature and emits a first blackbody radiation spectrum to calibrate the sensor. The apparatus may be used to emit a second black body radiation spectrum by altering the applied voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: RAYTHEON COMPANY
    Inventors: James R. Chow, Bruce Hirano, David M. La Komski
  • Patent number: 9086324
    Abstract: A photomultiplier detector cell for tomography includes a detector unit and a readOUT unit. The detector unit is configured to generate a digitized detect signal in response to receives light having a certain range of wavelength. The readOUT unit is configured to generate an output signal corresponding to the detect signal generated by the detector unit and to transmit the output signal to an external circuit. The readOUT unit is configured to transmit the output signal to the external circuit right after the detect signal is received.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignees: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD., INDUSTRY-UNIVERSITY COOPERATION FOUNDATION SOGANG UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Young Kim, Jae-chul Park, Dae-kun Yoon, Chae-hun Lee, Jin-wook Burm, Kyung-hoon Kim, Jun-an Lee
  • Patent number: 9081108
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes a radiological material detector having a convertor material that emits one or more photons in response to a capture of a neutron emitted by a radiological material; a photon detector arranged around the convertor material and that produces an electrical signal in response to a receipt of a photon; and a processor connected to the photon detector, the processor configured to determine the presence of a radiological material in response to a predetermined signature of the electrical signal produced at the photon detector. One or more detectors described herein can be integrated into a detection system that is suited for use in port monitoring, treaty compliance, and radiological material management activities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: Los Alamos National Security, LLC
    Inventors: Marian Jandel, Gencho Yordanov Rusev, Terry Nicholas Taddeucci
  • Patent number: 9068114
    Abstract: [Problems to be Solved] A neutron scintillator excellent in detection efficiency for neutrons, an S/N ratio, and n/? discrimination ability, and a eutectic preferred for the neutron scintillator are provided. [Means to Solve the Problems] A metal fluoride eutectic, in which a lithium fluoride crystal phase and a crystal phase represented by the chemical formula Ca1-xSrxF2 (where x denotes a number greater than 0, but not larger than 1), such as SrF2 or Ca0.5Sr0.5F2, are present in a phase-separated state; a neutron scintillator comprising the eutectic; and a neutron imaging device comprising a combination of the neutron scintillator and a position-sensitive photomultiplier tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignees: TOKUYAMA CORPORATION, TOHOKU UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Kentaro Fukuda, Noriaki Kawaguchi, Akira Yoshikawa, Takayuki Yanagida, Yui Yokota, Yutaka Fujimoto
  • Patent number: 9057787
    Abstract: A method for colorimetric radiation dosimetry includes subjecting an aggregate including a polymeric matrix having uniformly dispersed nanoparticles therein to radiation. The aggregate is soaked in a solution selected to dissolve decomposed pieces of the polymeric matrix to release into the solution nanoparticles from the decomposed pieces. Color of the solution is compared to a reference to determine a dose of radiation based on number of liberated nanoparticles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Qing Cao, Kangguo Cheng, Zhengwen Li, Fei Liu, Zhen Zhang
  • Patent number: 9057790
    Abstract: A scintillator device includes an optically clear substrate, a scintillator plastic layer overlying the optically clear substrate, and an optically clear polymer layer between the optically clear substrate and the scintillator plastic layer. The optically clear polymer layer can mechanically and optically couple the scintillator plastic layer to the optically clear substrate. Further, the clear polymer layer can be configured to substantially reduce the formation of cracks in the scintillator plastic layer due to thermal expansion, thermal contraction, or a combination thereof, of the scintillator device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Ceramics & Plastics, Inc.
    Inventors: Louis Perna, Michael L. Bush, Lance J. Wilson
  • Patent number: 9057791
    Abstract: A quantum-counting radiation detector in which signals of individual pixels and signals of combined pixels are evaluated in parallel processing branches and count results are combined in an appropriate manner, thereby reducing the influence of unwanted interference effects for the respective application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Thilo Hannemann, Silke Janssen, Steffen Kappler, Edgar Kraft, Daniel Niederlöhner, Mario Reinwand
  • Patent number: 9046616
    Abstract: A detector of a high-energy photon, the detector including a photodetector and a detection medium that is intended to absorb a high-energy photon while generating ionization electrons and photons along a luminous phenomenon, the electrons and photons being detected by the photodetector. The detection medium is formed of molecules, having a heavy atom with an atomic number greater than or equal to 72, such that the detection medium is liquid under the operating conditions of the detector. The detector also includes a device for diverting the ionization electrons that are generated by the absorbed photon and moreover includes a collector that collects charges in order to determine the time for diverting the electrons to the charge-collector on the basis of a triggering time that corresponds to the detection of the luminous phenomenon by the photodetector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: COMMISSARIAT A L'ENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVES
    Inventors: Dominique Franck Marie Yvon, Jean Philippe Renault
  • Patent number: 9046613
    Abstract: A radiation detector for neutrons and gamma-rays includes a conversion screen comprising a mixture of a neutron absorbing material, e.g., containing 6Li, and a phosphorescent material, e.g., ZnS(Ag) and a wavelength-shifting light-guide arranged to receive photons emitted from the phosphorescent material and generate wavelength-shifted photons therefrom. The wavelength-shifting light-guide is doped so as to form a gamma-ray scintillator material operable to generate scintillation photons in response to a gamma-ray detection event therein. A photodetector is optically coupled to the wavelength-shifting light-guide and arranged to detect the wavelength-shifted photons and the scintillation photons. Signals from the photodetector are processed to distinguish neutron detection events from gamma-ray detection events.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: Symetrica Limited
    Inventors: David Ramsden, Calvin Giles
  • Patent number: 9040925
    Abstract: A spatially-aware radiation probe system/method allowing for detection and correction of radiation readings based on the position and/or movement of a radiation detector is disclosed. The system incorporates a radiation detector combined with a spatially-aware sensor to permit detection of spatial context parameters associated with the radiation detector and/or object being probed. This spatial context information is then used by analysis software to modify the detected radiation values and/or instruct the radiation probe operator as to appropriate measurement activity to ensure accurate radiation measurements. The spatially-aware sensor may include but is not limited to: distance sensors to determine the distance between the radiation detector and the object being monitored; accelerometers integrated within the radiation detector to detect movement of the radiation detector; and/or axial orientation sensors to determine the axial orientation of the radiation detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: CANBERRA INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Olivier Gaëtan Giarmana, Archibald Dupont, Frederic Pierre Henri Meyer, Damien du Bouëtiez de Kerorguen
  • Patent number: 9029790
    Abstract: In imaging on the basis of list mode data of a list of radioactive count data detected by a nuclear medicine imaging apparatus for measuring radiation in a pulse mode, the processing from the measurement to imaging of radiation is accelerated substantially to the real time level by selecting the number of count data to be used for online imaging computations on the basis of the counting rate of radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: National Institute of Radiological Sciences
    Inventors: Taiga Yamaya, Eiji Yoshida