Patents Examined by David Porta
  • High-accuracy mid-IR laser-based gas sensor
    Patent number: 10107751
    Abstract: A gas sensor system is provided, comprising: a gas cell operable so as to receive a sample gas; a vacuum system fluidically coupled to the gas cell operable to maintain the sample gas within the gas cell at a sub-ambient pressure; a pressure sensor operable to sense a pressure of the sample gas; a thermally insulated enclosure having the gas cell therein; a heat source or heat exchanger operable to influence an interior temperature of the thermally insulated enclosure; a light source within the thermally insulated enclosure operable to provide a mid-infrared (mid-IR) light into and through the gas cell; a photodetector within the thermally insulated enclosure operable to receive the attenuated mid-IR; and a control system electronically coupled to the vacuum system and to the pressure sensor operable to maintain the sample gas within the gas cell at the predetermined pressure to within one torr (1 Torr).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: Thermo Fisher Scientific (Bremen) GmbH
    Inventors: James J. Scherer, Joshua B. Paul, Hans-Juerg Jost
  • High-efficiency microstructured semiconductor neutron detectors and process to fabricate high-efficiency microstructured semiconductor neutron detectors
    Patent number: 10107924
    Abstract: A semiconductor neutron detector and a semiconductor process is provided to manufacture a semiconductor neutron detector. First, a substrate with flat surface having a dielectric layer is formed thereon is provided. Thereafter, a masking pattern is applied and etched into the dielectric layer to expose semiconductor features on opposite sides of the substrate. The semiconductor substrate is submerged into an etchant composed of a semiconductor etching solution to etch deep cavities into the substrate in the exposed regions. Afterwards, dopant impurities are introduced and are driven into the semiconductor, under high temperature, into opposite sides of the etched features to produce one or more rectifying junctions. Afterwards, LiF and/or B particles are forced into the cavities through high velocity methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Inventors: Steven L. Bellinger, Ryan G. Fronk, Douglas S. McGregor
  • Pixel based dead time correction
    Patent number: 10101474
    Abstract: A positron emission tomography (PET) apparatus and method employs a plurality of radiation detectors (20) disposed around an imaging region (16) and configured to detect 511 keV radiation events emanating from the imaging region. A calibration phantom is disposed in the imaging region. One or more processors are configured to: acquire and store listmode data of the phantom; measure a random rate for each line of response (LOR) from the listmode data using a coincident 511 keV events detector (34) with a time offset (54); determine a singles rate for each detector pixel from the random event rate, for example via a histogram plotting singles rate for each detector pixel; compute a live time factor of each LOR; compute a dead time correction factor as the reciprocal of the live time factor; and correct images according to the dead time correction factor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Thomas Leroy Laurence, Sharon Xiarong Wang
  • Luminous systems
    Patent number: 10101003
    Abstract: A luminous system comprising one or more illumination sources, a multilayer structure, and one or more diffuse reflection layers being optically decoupled from the multilayer structure, wherein the emission and the reflection of the luminous system produce a first observed visible color when the one or more illumination sources are powered and a second observed visible color when the one or more illumination sources are non-powered is disclosed. Also disclosed are methods of creating the inventive luminous system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: BAMBU VAULT LLC
    Inventors: M. Glenn Horner, Edward D. Kingsley, Satish Agrawal, Louis Cincotta
  • Optical filter
    Patent number: 10101573
    Abstract: This patent application discloses the use of specialized optical filters or similarly functional devices to improve the utility of Night Vision Devices (NVD) by placing these specialized filters in the internal optics train of the eyepiece such that the undesirable illumination of the user's face is reduced while at the same time maintaining the peripheral vision of the user and concomitantly reducing the dark adaptation time of the user when transitioning from the NVD to the unaided eye.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: SPECTRUM TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL LTD.
    Inventor: Kirk Kreutzig
  • Apparatus and method for measuring the concentration of trace gases by SCAR spectroscopy
    Patent number: 10101208
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a ring-down spectrometry apparatus in absorption saturation condition, for measuring the concentration of a gas through a measurement of the spectrum of a molecular transition of said gas. The apparatus includes a laser source, an adjuster for varying the wavelength of said radiation emitted by said laser, and a resonant cavity. A photodetector is adapted to detect an electromagnetic radiation beam and is adapted to generate a decay signal. An electronic circuit receives the signal from the photodetector and is adapted to convert it to a processor. A processor is adapted to receive said decay signal from the photodetector and perform interpolation to obtain a concentration of said gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: CONSIGLIO NAZIONALE DELLE RICERCHE
    Inventors: Giovanni Giusfredi, Iacopo Galli, Pablo Cancio Pastor, Davide Mazzotti, Paolo De Natale
  • High power terahertz photoconductive antenna array
    Patent number: 10094978
    Abstract: Systems and method are provided for producing portable, high power, broadband terahertz emitters based on arrayed terahertz photoconductive antennas. After such an arrayed structure is made, the phase of terahertz signals that are produced by each photoconductive antenna can be adjusted, and the terahertz signals can be added such that the signals are added constructively. Terahertz emitters based on terahertz photoconductive antenna arrays are advantageously small in size and scalable, allowing for terahertz power to be increased by adding more photoconductive antenna arrays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Dong Ho Wu, Benjamin Graber
  • Characterization of wrinkles and periodic variations in material using infrared thermography
    Patent number: 10094794
    Abstract: Methods for identifying and quantifying wrinkles in a composite structure by processing infrared image data. The intensity and first and second time derivatives thereof at a particular time can be displayed as thermography line profiles on a graph in which the horizontal axis represents the pixel number across the field of view of an infrared camera. The spatial derivatives of the foregoing thermography line profiles can also be calculated and displayed as a graph. The maximum amplitude (i.e., height) of an out-of-plane wrinkle can be determined using a correlation/calibration curve that is constructed by correlating infrared image data with optical measurement data. In addition, the wavelength and maximum amplitude of an in-plane wrinkle can be measured directly from the thermography line profiles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Jeffrey G. Thompson, Gary E. Georgeson, Hong Hue Tat, Tyler M. Holmes
  • Radiation detector
    Patent number: 10094937
    Abstract: In a radiation detector, an output extraction portion includes a first resistor chain, a first light detection portion of each of a plurality of radiation detection units being connected to the first resistor chain, and a second resistor chain, a second light detection portion of each of the plurality of radiation detection units being connected to the second resistor chain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: HAMAMATSU PHOTONICS K.K.
    Inventor: Hiroshi Uchida
  • Device for extracting depth information
    Patent number: 10094926
    Abstract: A device for extracting depth information, according to one embodiment of the present invention, comprises: a light output unit for outputting infrared (IR) light; a light adjustment unit for adjusting an angle of the light outputted from the light output unit such that the light scans a first region including an object, and then adjusting the angle of the light such that the light scans a second region, which is a portion of the first region; a light input unit in which the light outputted from the light output unit and reflected from the object is inputted; and a control unit for extracting depth information of the second region by using the flight time taken up until the light outputted from the light output unit is inputted into the light input unit after being scanned to and reflected from the second region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: LG INNOTEK CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sung Ki Jung, Gi Seok Lee, Kyung Ha Han
  • User state selection based on the shape of the exhale stream
    Patent number: 10092232
    Abstract: The three-dimensional (3D) shape of the exhale stream from a user's nostrils is often correlated with the user's state (e.g., an emotional state and/or a certain health condition). Thus, identifying the shape of a user's exhale stream can help determine the user's state. In one embodiment, a system that selects a state of a user includes at least one inward-facing head-mounted thermal camera that takes thermal measurements of at least three regions below the nostrils (THS). THS are indicative of shape of the exhale stream (SHAPE). The system also includes a computer that generates feature values based on THS, which are indicative of the SHAPE, and utilizes a model to select the state of the user, from among potential states of the user, based on the feature values. Optionally, the system includes a user interface that present the user's selected state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: Facense Ltd.
    Inventors: Arie Tzvieli, Gil Thieberger, Ari M Frank
  • X-ray analytical instrument with improved control of detector cooling and bias supply
    Patent number: 10094936
    Abstract: Disclosed is a circuit for controlling the temperature and the bias voltage of a detector used by an X-ray analytical instrument. The circuit uses a single common reference voltage for the temperature measurement and for all the ADCs and DACs in the circuit, resulting in reduced drift and improved reproducibility of detector temperature and bias voltage. ADCs with a larger number of bits are used to produce precision values of the temperature, the bias voltage, and their respective setpoints. The setpoints are digitally varied until the precision setpoint values correspond to desired values of temperature and bias setpoints.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: OLYMPUS SCIENTIFIC SOLUTIONS AMERICAS INC.
    Inventor: Marc Battyani
  • Image sensor with near-infrared and visible light pixels
    Patent number: 10090347
    Abstract: An image sensor may include an array of imaging pixels and an array of color filter elements that covers the array of imaging pixels. The array of imaging pixels may include visible light pixels that are covered by visible light color filter elements and near-infrared light pixels that are covered by near-infrared light color filter elements. The imaging pixels may be arranged in a pattern having a repeating 2×2 unit cell of pixel groups. Each pixel group may include a visible light pixel sub-group and a near-infrared light pixel sub-group. Signals from each pixel group may be processed to determine a representative value for each pixel group that includes both visible light and near-infrared light information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLC
    Inventors: Marko Mlinar, Tomas Geurts
  • Selecting triggers of an allergic reaction based on nasal temperatures
    Patent number: 10085685
    Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods for selecting a trigger of an allergic reaction. In one embodiment, a system includes an inward-facing head-mounted thermal camera (CAM) and a computer. CAM takes thermal measurements of a region on the nose (THN) of the user. Optionally, CAM weighs below 10 g and is located less than 15 cm from the user's face. The computer detects extents of the allergic reaction based on THN, receives indications of potential triggers of the allergic reaction to which the user was exposed, and selects the trigger, from among the potential triggers, based on the extents and the indications. Optionally, during most of the time the user was affected by the trigger, an effect of the trigger, as manifested via changes to THN, was higher than effects of most of the potential triggers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: Facense Ltd.
    Inventors: Arie Tzvieli, Gil Thieberger, Ari M Frank
  • Lighting system and methods for reducing noise at light sensing device
    Patent number: 10091852
    Abstract: A method may comprise: supplying light energy from a light emitting device principally along a first axis; sensing the light energy with a light sensing device oriented along a second axis, wherein the second axis is oriented substantially orthogonally to the first axis; and adjusting the light energy in response to the sensed light energy. In this way, an amount of retro-reflected light incident at the light sensing device may be reduced, measurement error of the light sensing device may be reduced, and control precision and reliability of the lighting system for curing a work piece can be increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: Phoseon Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Garth Eliason, Doug Childers, Gary McKenzie
  • Inspection apparatus and method
    Patent number: 10088762
    Abstract: A lithographic apparatus is a machine that applies a desired pattern onto a substrate, usually onto a target portion of the substrate. A lithographic apparatus can be used, for example, in the manufacture of integrated circuits (ICs). The lithographic apparatus has an inspection apparatus with an EUV radiation source. The radiation source emits a radiation beam that includes coherent radiation of a specific wavelength. The beam propagates to illumination optical system, which focuses the radiation beam into a focused beam of illuminating radiation. The illumination optical system illuminates a three-dimensional product structure on the substrate, which scatters the illuminating radiation. On the surface of a detector, the radiation scattered by the product structure forms a diffraction pattern that is used to reconstruct data describing the three-dimensional product structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: ASML Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Stefan Michiel Witte, Kjeld Sijbrand Eduard Eikema
  • Radiation measuring apparatus and radiation measuring method
    Patent number: 10088579
    Abstract: A radiation measuring apparatus (20) includes a scatterer detector (10A), an absorber detector (10B) and a processing unit (12). Pixel electrodes (2) of the scatterer detector (10A) and the absorber detector (10B) are arranged such that a distance between centers of two neighbor pixel electrodes (2) is smaller than a mean free path of a recoil electron generated in the Compton scattering of an electromagnetic radiation. The processing unit (12) specifies and incidence direction of the electromagnetic radiation based on a recoiling direction to which the recoil electron recoils. In this way, an electron tracking-type Compton camera is realized which confines the incidence direction of the electromagnetic radiation by using the recoiling direction of the recoil electron in a Compton camera using a semiconductor detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignees: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD., JAPAN AEROSPACE EXPLORATION AGENCY, HAMAMATSU PHOTONICS K.K.
    Inventors: Daisuke Matsuura, Yoshikatsu Kuroda, Kei Gemba, Tadayuki Takahashi, Shin Watanabe, Shin'ichiro Takeda, Hiroo Yamamoto, Kazumasa Kosugi, Kazuhisa Yamamura
  • Light sheet microscopy using meso-optical elements
    Patent number: 10088657
    Abstract: The present application relates to devices and methods for generating light sheets and thin light beams with high Rayleigh lengths by using at least two interconnected meso-optical elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Inventors: Hans-Ulrich Dodt, Saiedeh Saghafi
  • Xray detector with illumination layer on converter element
    Patent number: 10088578
    Abstract: A counting x-ray detector includes, in a stack arrangement, a converter element for conversion of x-ray radiation into electrical charges and an electrode. The electrode is connected to the converter element electrically-conductively in a planar manner. The electrode is embodied at least partly transparently. The electrode includes the following layers: an electrically-conductive contact layer, an electrically-conductive first intermediate layer, an electrically-conductive high-voltage layer, and an illumination layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: SIEMENS HEALTHCARE GMBH
    Inventors: Thorsten Ergler, Miguel Labayen De Inza
  • Detection of radiation with software methods
    Patent number: 10082586
    Abstract: A system for detecting radiation using computing devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: Pioneer Square Labs, Inc.
    Inventor: Ryan Kosai