Patents Examined by Don J Williams
  • Patent number: 10703073
    Abstract: A vehicle composite pane with an integrated light sensor is disclosed. The vehicle composite pane includes an outer pane and an inner pane that are bonded to one another via a thermoplastic intermediate layer. A plurality of photodiodes situated on a circuit board are arranged between the outer pane and the inner pane. The photodiodes are surface-mounted device (SMD) components. The photodiodes are arranged on the circuit board as groups of parallel connected photodiodes. All groups of the parallel connected photodiodes are connected to a common electrical input and each group is connected to a separate electrical output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: SAINT-GOBAIN GLASS FRANCE
    Inventors: Christian Effertz, Klaus Schmalbuch, Dirk Wohlfeil, Detlev Duerkop, Guido Schwinges, Michael Zeiss
  • Patent number: 10697829
    Abstract: Compact Single Photon Avalanche Diode (SPAD) array structures are described. An on board common trigger circuit is used for two or more SPAD structures. The common trigger includes a compact counter and flash memory constructed adjacent two or more SPAD structures. Triggering of a SPAD latches the value of the counter and the value is stored in the memory along with the ID of the triggering SPAD. The counter continues counting, and if another SPAD subsequently triggers, the counter is again latched and the value is stored in the memory along with the ID of the subsequently triggering SPAD. The memory can be read and the triggering circuit reset. Methods for designing compact SPAD structures, a compact active quenching circuit and a compact 16 bit counter are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: The Commonwealth of Australia
    Inventor: Dennis Victor Delic
  • Patent number: 10694594
    Abstract: A system for controlling lighting includes a control module coupled to a driver, a light source coupled to the driver, a first sensor configured to cooperate with the control module to detect occupancy and control the power delivered to the light source according to a signal provided by the first sensor, and a second sensor configured to cooperate with the control module to detect ambient light and control the power delivered according to a signal provided by the second sensor. A GUI executing on a controller device wirelessly coupled to the control module communicates with the control module to configure the operation thereof, executes on a touch-sensitive display configured to facilitate user interaction with the controller, and creates one or more control groups. The GUI is also operable to control the driver to control the state of the light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: ORION ENERGY SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Neal R. Verfuerth, Daniel J. Czaja, Jr., Michael J. Potts, Ryan M. Franzen, Eric A. Smasal
  • Patent number: 10694605
    Abstract: One embodiment of the invention relates to a system for operating a plurality of streetlights in response to motion from a vehicle. The system includes a sensor associated with at least one of the streetlights and configured to detect the presence of a moving vehicle and to provide a signal representative of the moving vehicle. The system further includes a radio frequency transceiver associated with each of the streetlights. The system yet further includes processing electronics configured to receive the signal representative of the moving vehicle from the sensor and to cause the radio frequency transceiver to transmit a command to one or more of the plurality of the streetlights to change lighting states along a pathway for the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: ORION ENERGY SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventor: Neal R. Verfuerth
  • Patent number: 10692913
    Abstract: In an image pickup element or a photoelectric conversion element, at least an anode 21, a carrier blocking layer 22, an organic photoelectric conversion layer 23, and a cathode 25 are laminated in order, and the carrier blocking layer 22 includes a material having the following structural formula (1), and part of an organic semiconductor material constituting the organic photoelectric conversion layer 23.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masaki Murata, Yasuharu Ujiie, Shintarou Hirata, Yuya Kumagai
  • Patent number: 10684456
    Abstract: A microscope includes: a light source, an objective, a varifocal optical system that is arranged on an illumination light path between the objective and the light source, a reflection optical system that deflects an illumination light axis of the illumination light toward an optical axis of the objective, and a rotator that rotates the objective and the reflection optical system around a rotation axis that is orthogonal to the optical axis of the objective.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yuya Miyazono, Tatsuo Nakata, Kenichi Kusaka
  • Patent number: 10677614
    Abstract: Provided is an encoder that can sense an abnormality in the attitude of a detector with respect to a scale. An encoder includes a scale and a detector, the scale being provided on one measurement target part with marks arranged on the scale, and the detector being provided on another measurement target part and configured to detect an amount of relative movement with the scale. The scale includes a sensing unit that senses the attitude of the detector with respect to the scale, and thus even in a case where an abnormality in the attitude of the detector with respect to the scale cannot be sensed on the basis of a change in a signal read by a reading unit, the abnormality can nevertheless be sensed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: MITUTOYO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hiroatsu Mori
  • Patent number: 10672826
    Abstract: An imaging system includes a focal plane array comprising a first row of photodetectors, a second row of photodetectors adjacent to the first row of photodetectors, and a segmented isolation grid including portions disposed between photodetectors in the first row of photodetectors and photodetectors in the second row of photodetectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: RAYTHEON COMPANY
    Inventors: Sean P. Kilcoyne, John L. Vampola, George Paloczi
  • Patent number: 10651214
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes an imaging unit configured to acquire a first image and a second image which is generated by performing accumulation of signal charges a plurality of times in one image capturing period, and a control unit configured to control accumulation of signal charges which is performed by the imaging unit. The control unit determines a number of times of accumulation of signal charges for generating the second image according to an accumulation time of signal charges for generating the first image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Ryo Yamasaki
  • Patent number: 10641652
    Abstract: In a case made of resin and provided with a condensing lens through which light is transmitted, a circuit board on which a photoelectric element to be disposed at the focus position of the condensing lens is accommodated. The circuit board has a through hole through which the light having been transmitted through the condensing lens passes. Furthermore, the photoelectric element is mounted on the back face of the circuit board on the opposite side of the condensing lens and receives the light having passed through the through hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: PANASONIC INDUSTRIAL DEVICES SUNX CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroki Ichikawa, Takayuki Ochiai
  • Patent number: 10641653
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a single photon avalanche diode pixel that includes a single photon avalanche diode and an output transistor configured to provide an analog output current from the single photon avalanche diode. The single photon avalanche diode pixel is configured to operate in a first mode to output a digital single photon detection event. The single photon avalanche diode pixel is further configured to operate in a second mode to output the analog output current indicating a level of illumination of the pixel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS (RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT) LIMITED
    Inventors: Graeme Storm, John Kevin Moore
  • Patent number: 10641816
    Abstract: A current conduction element includes an electrical conductor and an insulation of the electrical conductor. The insulation includes a light waveguiding unit. Furthermore, a system and method for insulation monitoring are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Karsten Hähre, Raoul Heyne, Michael Kiefer
  • Patent number: 10636832
    Abstract: A light sensor comprises a nanostructure connectable to a source electrode and a drain electrode, and light sensitive moiety covalently attached to a surface of the nanostructure. The light sensitive moiety comprises a light sensitive molecule having an absorbance spectrum in a visible range. The light sensitive molecule is selected such that upon irradiation of the light sensor by light having a central wavelength within the absorbance spectrum, the sensitive molecule transfers or extracts an electron to or from the surface of the nanostructure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: Ramot at Tel-Aviv University Ltd.
    Inventors: Fernando Patolsky, Sharon Lefler, Moria Kwiat, Ella Davidi, Omri Heifler
  • Patent number: 10634521
    Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include a two-dimensional scale with a simple arrangement capable of omitting setting of an origin mark in the Y-axis direction. In a linear scale, a reference origin mark array and a tilting origin mark array that is a tilting marker array are provided in an origin mark region. Since the reference origin mark array is parallel to X-coordinates, an X-direction origin signal is correctly generated. On the other hand, for the Y direction in which no origin mark is provided, the distance between a reference origin mark and a tilting origin mark is detected. A Y-direction absolute position is decided in accordance with the distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: DMG MORI CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Masayuki Niiya
  • Patent number: 10631389
    Abstract: A wireless battery-powered daylight sensor for measuring a total light intensity in a space is operable to transmit wireless signals using a variable transmission rate that is dependent upon the total light intensity in the space. The sensor comprises a photosensitive circuit, a wireless transmitter for transmitting the wireless signals, a controller coupled to the photosensitive circuit and the wireless transmitter, and a battery for powering the photosensitive circuit, the wireless transmitter, and the controller. The photosensitive circuit is operable to generate a light intensity control signal in response to the total light intensity in the space. The controller transmits the wireless signals in response to the light intensity control signal using the variable transmission rate that is dependent upon the total light intensity in the space. The variable transmission rate may be dependent upon an amount of change of the total light intensity in the space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: James P. Steiner, Greg Edward Sloan, Nathan A. Boring
  • Patent number: 10620018
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments provide for a method for continuous measurement of displacements profile of building structures and a sensor for implementation of this method for repeated, automatic displacements profile measurements of the medium by means of optical fiber elements. This is of particular relevance in engineering structures, engineering structure elements, geotechnical structures. The apparatus is characterized in that the measurement involves a measuring sensor, which is constructed of a core with coupled optical fiber sensing elements for determining the core strains and an optical fiber sensing element for determining temperature, placed freely in an axial channel of the core, making possible to perform measurements in such a way, which that allows for compensation of the influence of sensor temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: SHM SYSTEM SPÓLKA Z ORGANICZONA ODPOWIEDZIALNOSCIA Sp. KOMANDYTOWA
    Inventors: Lukasz Bednarski, Rafal Sienko
  • Patent number: 10612971
    Abstract: Plasmonic avalanche photodetection employs an optical antenna and an avalanche photodiode (APD) coupled to the optical antenna. Hot carriers generated by light incident on the optical antenna are received in an avalanche multiplication region of the APD where avalanche multiplication of the hot carriers is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP
    Inventors: Zhihong Huang, Di Liang, Charles M Santori
  • Patent number: 10608026
    Abstract: An image sensor for securing an area of a photodiode includes a pixel area and a transistor area adjacent to the pixel area. The pixel area may include a photodiode and a floating diffusion area. The transistor area may include transistors extending along an edge of the pixel area. The transistors in the transistor area may include a reset transistor, one or more source follower transistors, and one or more selection transistors, and the reset transistor and one source follower transistor adjacent to the reset transistor may share a common drain area. The source follower transistors and the selection transistors may each share a common source area or a common drain area between two adjacent transistors thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jonghyun Go, Jae-Kyu Lee
  • Patent number: 10605632
    Abstract: A dual-threaded bushing and spacer assembly capable of accepting standard adhesive staking and thereby enabling compliance with NASA space flight fastener staking requirements. The assembly comprises a bushing having a head with top and bottom surfaces, inner threads, and outer threads, and a spacer having top and bottom surfaces and arranged to accept the bushing. This is achieved by providing a counterbored countersink in the spacer which provides a countersunk surface within the spacer. The countersunk surface provides a contact surface for the bushing head's bottom surface when the bushing is installed in the spacer. The spacer is further arranged such that the countersunk surface is such that, when the bushing is installed, the bushing's top surface is below the spacer's top surface. When so arranged, adhesive staking can be placed between the bushing's top surface and the spacer's vertical counterbored surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: Teledyne Scientific & Imaging, LLC
    Inventors: Lisa L. Fischer, Sam R. Hoffman
  • Patent number: 10605652
    Abstract: An illumination device comprises one or more emitter modules having improved thermal and electrical characteristics. According to one embodiment, each emitter module comprises a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) configured for producing illumination for the illumination device, one or more photodetectors configured for detecting the illumination produced by the plurality of LEDs, a substrate upon which the plurality of LEDs and the one or more photodetectors are mounted, wherein the substrate is configured to provide a relatively high thermal impedance in the lateral direction, and a relatively low thermal impedance in the vertical direction, and a primary optics structure coupled to the substrate for encapsulating the plurality of LEDs and the one or more photodetectors within the primary optics structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: Lutron Ketra, LLC
    Inventors: Kuo-Lih Chang, Mickey Malone, Horace C. Ho