Patents Examined by David J Makiya
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Patent number: 9429468Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment, an apparatus includes a sensor integrated circuit (IC) that is adapted for ambient light sensing (ALS) and/or proximity detection. The sensor integrated circuit (IC) includes an integrated analog-to-digital converter (ADC) that is adapted to convert at least one signal related to ambient light sensing (ALS) and/or proximity detection to at least one digital signal, and an integrated light emitting diode (LED) driver that is adapted to drive at least one LED. The sensor IC also includes an integrated power management unit (PMU) that is adapted to reduce power dissipation of the sensor IC by running at a low duty cycle the integrated LED driver and the integrated ADC.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2014Date of Patent: August 30, 2016Assignee: Silicon Laboratories Inc.Inventors: Timothy T. Rueger, William Hong, David Andreas
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Patent number: 9429473Abstract: Highly advantageous spectrometer systems and associated methods are disclosed which utilize phase modulation in conjunction with first and second harmonic detection to reduce or eliminate negative impacts from interference patterns.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2014Date of Patent: August 30, 2016Inventor: Joseph R. Demers
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Patent number: 9429530Abstract: The present application discloses methods and systems for scanning an object. The scanning system provides a first detector region having a thickness of at least 2 mm and a second detector region having a thickness of at least 5 mm. The second detector region is arranged to receive radiation that has passed through the first detector region. The method includes irradiating the object with radiation having having a peak energy of at least 1 MeV, and detecting the first profile radiation after it has interacted with or passed through the object in order to provide information relating to the object.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2013Date of Patent: August 30, 2016Assignee: Rapiscan Systems, Inc.Inventor: Edward James Morton
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Patent number: 9429519Abstract: A fluorescent light detection device includes: an excitation light source; an excitation light fiber; a fluorescent light fiber; a detector configured to receive the fluorescent light emitted from the fluorescent light fiber; a retention member configured to retain the fibers so that an emitting end face of the excitation light fiber and an incident end face of the fluorescent light fiber are located at close proximity; an excitation light selection filter provided in contact with the emitting end face; and a fluorescent light selection filter provided in contact with the incident end face. The excitation light emitted from the emitting end face irradiates a test object via the excitation light selection filter and the fluorescent light produced by the test object is incident on the incident end face via the fluorescent light selection filter.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2014Date of Patent: August 30, 2016Assignee: Nippon Sheet Glass Company, LimitedInventors: Yuji Hiranuma, Ikuto Oyama
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Patent number: 9427197Abstract: A method for obtaining a panoramic image similar to a panoramic radiography obtained from a patient through X-ray emission by processing an acquired 3D digital volume in voxel, each voxel having values of X-ray absorption is characterized by selecting a curved surface in 3D volume and identifying a plurality of first points on the curved surface and connecting each point of the identified first points with a corresponding pixel of the panoramic image to be obtained in order to map the first points of the curved surface on corresponding pixels of the panoramic image. Each identified point of the first points are associated with a respective set of lines passing through the identified point, each line having a different angle of incidence. The lines are contained in a solid angle having identified point as a vertex. An absorption value is calculated in the 3D volume along each of the lines.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2014Date of Patent: August 30, 2016Assignee: QR S.r.l.Inventor: Giacomo Zoccatelli
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Patent number: 9420975Abstract: An imaging facility having an X-ray source, an X-ray detector, and a rotation facility operable to rotate the X-ray source and the X-ray detector around a center of rotation. The imaging facility also has a first translation facility operable to move the X-ray source in a direction that has a component that is tangential to a circle of rotation around the center of rotation.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2011Date of Patent: August 23, 2016Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Marcus Gutfleisch, Thomas Knöfel, Gerhard Lechsel, Alexander Passin, Thomas Tücking
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Patent number: 9418824Abstract: A method of mass spectrometry is disclosed comprising initially calibrating or recalibrating a mass spectrometer at a time T0 and at the same time measuring a time of flight or mass to charge ratio M0 of one or more lockmass ions. The mass spectrometer is then operated at a subsequent time T1 and the time of flight or mass to charge ratio M1 of the one or more lockmass ions is measured at subsequent time T1. The time of flight or mass to charge ratio of ions is then adjusted by or based upon the difference between the time of flight or mass to charge ratio M1 of the one or more lockmass ions as measured at time T1 and the time of flight or mass to charge ratio M0 of the one or more lockmass ions as measured at time T0.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2014Date of Patent: August 16, 2016Assignee: Micromass UK LimitedInventor: Jason Lee Wildgoose
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Patent number: 9417124Abstract: Utilizing a quench time to deionize an ultraviolet (UV) sensor tube are described herein. One method includes monitoring firing events within a UV sensor tube, where a particular firing event initiates arming the UV sensor tube, initiating a quench time to deionize the UV sensor tube, where the quench time includes, disarming the UV sensor tube to prevent a firing event.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2015Date of Patent: August 16, 2016Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Brian Zabel, Chad Carty, Barrett E. Cole
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Patent number: 9412553Abstract: An x-ray transmission device includes two surfaces in frictional contact within a low fluid pressure environment provided by a housing substantially opaque to x-rays. Materials of the two surfaces are selected such that the frictional contact generates relative charging between the surfaces. The housing includes a window substantially transparent to x-rays, and an electron target, for example a metal, is on an interior surface of the window. The electron target faces the surface that is relatively negatively charged, such that electrons accelerated from that surface, or accelerated due to the negative charge of that surface strike the electron target to generate x-rays, which may be transmitted through the window.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2013Date of Patent: August 9, 2016Assignee: Tribogenics, Inc.Inventor: Carlos G. Camara
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Patent number: 9413989Abstract: A dual band imager includes a lens to receive short wavelength and medium or long wavelength radiation from a scene to be imaged, a beam splitter positioned to receive the radiation from the lens, a medium or long wavelength to short wavelength image converter positioned to receive long wavelength radiation reflected via the beam splitter and to transmit the image information via short wavelength radiation, and a detector to receive the short wavelength radiation containing the image information through the beam splitter or from the scene and from the image converter.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2013Date of Patent: August 9, 2016Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Barrett E. Cole, Bernard S. Fritz
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Patent number: 9411057Abstract: An X-ray imaging system can include an X-ray source that projects a beam of X-ray radiation and an X-ray detector positioned to receive the beam of X-ray radiation at a location. The X-ray detector can include: (i) a monolithic substrate having a first side and a second side opposite the first side, (ii) a scintillation layer arranged upon the first side and including a first region and a second region, the first region having a first X-ray sensitivity and the second region having a second X-ray sensitivity different than the first X-ray sensitivity, and (iii) a photosensor array arranged upon the second side. The X-ray source and X-ray detector can be configured to adjust the location at which the X-ray detector receives the beam of X-ray radiation such that the location is primarily within the first region or the second region.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2011Date of Patent: August 9, 2016Assignee: Medtronic Navigation, Inc.Inventors: Patrick A. Helm, Shuanghe Shi
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Patent number: 9402591Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling movement of a plurality of fixed detectors arranged in a computed tomography (CT) system that includes a rotating X-ray source. The method including obtaining a view angle of the X-ray source, determining a tilt angle for a detector of the plurality of detectors that is within a scan field-of-view of the X-ray source at the obtained view angle so that an outer face of the detector directly faces the X-ray source, and causing the detector to be moved to the determined tilt angle.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2013Date of Patent: August 2, 2016Assignee: Toshiba Medical Systems CorporationInventors: Yu Zou, Yuexing Zhang, Xiaolan Wang, Zhengyan Wang
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Patent number: 9405021Abstract: The present invention relates to an X-ray parameter measuring arrangement comprising a detector for measuring said parameter configured to be positioned in a position adjacent to an x-ray source arranged to generate a ray formation having a primary ray portion for radiating an object. The position is chosen in such a way that the interference with a reproduced image is reduced or eliminated.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2013Date of Patent: August 2, 2016Assignee: Unfors Raysafe ABInventor: Tomas Unfors
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Patent number: 9404796Abstract: An optical sensor arrangement includes two sensors arranged one behind the other. The operational spectral ranges of the sensors match, and the first sensor forms an attenuation filter for the second sensor, which is arranged behind the first sensor.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2013Date of Patent: August 2, 2016Assignee: Airbus Defence and Space GmbHInventors: Jochen Barth, Thomas Roth, Christian Czeslik
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Patent number: 9404801Abstract: In one embodiment, a heterodyne detection system for detecting light includes a first input aperture configured to receive first light from a scene input, a second input aperture configured to receive second light from a local oscillator input, a broadband local oscillator configured to provide the second light to the second input aperture, a dispersive element configured to disperse the first light and the second light, and a final condensing lens coupled to an infrared detector. The final condensing lens is configured to concentrate incident light from a primary condensing lens onto the infrared detector, and the infrared detector is a square-law detector capable of sensing the frequency difference between the first light and the second light. More systems and methods for detecting light are described according to other embodiments.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2014Date of Patent: August 2, 2016Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLCInventors: Charles G. Stevens, Joseph W. Tringe, Christopher T. Cunningham
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Patent number: 9407836Abstract: An X-ray camera includes a camera housing, an image pickup element which is sensitive at least for X-rays, and an X-ray objective. The X-ray objective lens has a capillary structure and the image pickup element is constructed as a two-dimensional pixilated semiconductor sensor for simultaneous spatial, energy and time resolution.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2009Date of Patent: August 2, 2016Assignees: PNSensor GmbH, IFG-Institute for Scientific Instruments GmbHInventors: Norbert Langhoff, Aniouar Bjeoumikhov, Heike Soltau, Robert Hartmann
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Patent number: 9400334Abstract: A scintillator can include a photosensor surface and a side surface adjacent to the photosensor surface. The photosensor surface can be adapted to provide scintillating light to a photosensor. In an embodiment, the scintillator can have grooves along the side surface, wherein the grooves have lengths extending in a direction toward the photosensor surface. In another embodiment, the scintillator can include a reflector and a clear adhesive between the scintillator and reflector. In a particular embodiment, the reflector is substantially white and has a gloss value of at least 50. The scintillator can be in the form of a scintillator element of an array or in the form of a single scintillator. The scintillator can be coupled to a photosensor within a radiation detection apparatus. For an array, a process of forming the array can include forming grooves along one or more side surfaces during a fabrication process.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2013Date of Patent: July 26, 2016Assignee: SAINT-GOBAIN CERAMICS & PLASTICS, INC.Inventor: Louis Perna
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Patent number: 9400332Abstract: An imaging method includes obtaining a first image data for a subset of a target region, the subset of the target region having a first metallic object, obtaining a second image data for the target region, and using the first and second image data to determine a composite image. A imaging system includes a first detector configured to provide a first projection data using a first radiation having high energy, and a second detector configured to provide a second projection data using a second radiation having low energy, wherein the first detector has a first length, the second detector has a second length, and the first length is less than 75% of the second length.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2013Date of Patent: July 26, 2016Assignees: VARIAN MEDICAL SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL AG, VARIAN MEDICAL SYSTEMS, INC.Inventors: Josh Star-Lack, Michael Green, Heinrich Riem, Timothy Guertin
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Patent number: 9398676Abstract: A system for quantifying x-ray backscatter system performance may include a support, a plurality of rods mounted on the support, the rods of the plurality of rods arranged in parallel to each other, having generally curved outer surfaces, and being arranged in groups of varying widths, each group of the groups having at least two of the rods of a same width, and a user interface configured to be connected to receive a backscatter signal from an x-ray backscatter detector associated with an x-ray tube, and generate a display representing photon counts of x-ray backscatter for each rod of the plurality of rods from x-rays transmitted by the x-ray tube.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2014Date of Patent: July 19, 2016Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANYInventors: Matthew T. Grimshaw, Talion Edwards, Gary E. Georgeson, Daniel J. Wright, James E. Engel, Morteza Safai, Yuan-Jye Wu, Taisia Tsukruk Lou, Rodney S. Wright
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Patent number: 9395346Abstract: An egg identification system for determining viability of an avian egg is provided. Such a system includes an emitter assembly configured to emit electromagnetic radiation toward an egg. A detector assembly is axially aligned with the emitter assembly to detect electromagnetic radiation transmitted through the egg. The detector assembly is spaced-apart from the egg during operation thereof such that the detector assembly does not contact the egg. The detected electromagnetic radiation is used to generate an output signal. The output signal is processed to determine whether there exists a periodic variation or an aperiodic perturbation in an intensity of the electromagnetic radiation transmitted through the egg corresponding to action of a heart or embryo movement, wherein the existence of the periodic variation or aperiodic perturbation indicates that the egg is viable. An associated method is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 2014Date of Patent: July 19, 2016Assignee: Zoetis Services LLCInventors: Joel James Walukas, Ramin Karimpour