Patents Examined by Don J Williams
  • Patent number: 11739986
    Abstract: A solar tracker system comprising a plurality of on sun trackers and a plurality of off sun tracker. Each tracker is selectively adjusted to achieve a desired power output of the solar power plant system in an example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: NEXTRACKER LLC
    Inventors: Yu Dong Ma, Yang Liu, Francesco Borrelli, Allan Daly, Ricardo Delgado-Nanez, Alexander W. Au
  • Patent number: 11740123
    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: February 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Kuo-Lih Chang, Mickey Malone, Horace C. Ho
  • Patent number: 11726386
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides for materials (e.g., films, mixtures, and colloidally suspended in solution) including two types of particles (e.g., nanoparticles) that exhibit harmonic surface plasmon resonances (SPR), where these are referred to as harmonically paired set of particles. The present disclosure provides for harmonically paired set of particles, where the particles are separated by a dielectric layer. The dielectric layer has a thickness such that direct electron transfer does not occur between the harmonically paired set of particles. The harmonically paired set of particles can be included in harmonically paired set of particle system or devices which can be a component in measurement systems or devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: Vanderbilt University
    Inventors: Janet E. Macdonald, Richard F. Haglund, Jr., Nathan James Spear, Kent A. Hallman, Summer L. Arrowood, Roderick B. Davidson, II, Emil A. Hernandez-Pagan
  • Patent number: 11713997
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods and devices for indoor-outdoor detection. One example computer-implemented method for indoor-outdoor detection by an electronic device includes receiving, from an ambient light sensor in the electronic device, light intensity data. The electronic device determines an indoor-outdoor feature indicator based on the light intensity data. The electronic device determines whether the electronic device is in an indoor environment or an outdoor environment based on the indoor-outdoor feature indicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yurong Xu, Jun Yang
  • Patent number: 11703700
    Abstract: A laser irradiation apparatus includes a stage on which a substrate is provided, a laser irradiation unit which irradiates a laser to the substrate on the stage, an image acquiring unit which acquires an image of a predetermined region of the substrate, and a control unit electrically connected to the laser irradiation unit and the image acquiring unit, where the control unit calculates a brightness value corresponding to an average value of grayscale values of the image provided from the image acquiring unit, compares a calculated brightness value with a reference brightness value, and outputs data on performance of the laser based on a result of comparing the calculated brightness value with the reference brightness value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Wook Yeon Jung
  • Patent number: 11705466
    Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a comparator, a counter and a control circuit. The comparator is configured to generate a comparator output signal in response to a pixel output signal and a reference signal. The counter is coupled to the comparator, and configured to be enabled or disabled in response to the comparator output signal. The control circuit is coupled to the comparator, and configured to enable or disable the comparator by a first enable signal. The first enable signal is generated in response to at least the comparator output signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Kuo-Yu Chou, Shang-Fu Yeh
  • Patent number: 11703887
    Abstract: A system includes a tracker configured to collect solar irradiance and attached to a rotational mechanism for changing a plane of the tracker and a controller. The controller is programmed to store a plurality of positional and solar tracking information and detect a first amount of DHI and a first amount of DNI at a first specific point in time. If the first amount of SHI exceeds the first amount of DNI, the controller is programmed to calculate a first angle for the tracker to maximize an amount of irradiance received by the tracker. Otherwise, the controller is programmed to calculate the first angle for the tracker based on a position of the sun associated with the first specific point in time and the plurality of positional and solar tracking information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: FTC Solar, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Joseph Morse, Nagendra Srinivas Cherukupalli, Tamilarasan Mouniandy
  • Patent number: 11704929
    Abstract: An optical structure is provided. The optical structure includes an optical element and a plurality of protrusions. The optical element has a planarized top surface. The plurality of protrusions are disposed on the planarized top surface, wherein each of the plurality of protrusions independently has a size in the subwavelength dimensions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: VISERA TECHNOLOGIES COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Chin-Chuan Hsieh, Yueh-Ching Cheng, Shih-Yu Ho
  • Patent number: 11690954
    Abstract: An optical sensor for a delivery device having a piston that displaces a substance, such as a fluid, from a reservoir. The optical sensor has a light source and a detector array for imaging encoding features disposed along a plunger rod coupled to the piston. By virtue of the pattern of encoding features, an absolute position of the plunger rod relative to a fiducial position may be determined uniquely. Thus, the volume of fluid remaining in the reservoir, the rate of fluid delivery, and proper loading of the reservoir may be accurately ascertained. Additionally, the encoding may serve to uniquely identify a version of the reservoir which may be supplied in various versions corresponding, for example, to differing concentrations of a therapeutic agent to be dispensed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: DEKA PRODUCTS LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
    Inventors: Marc A. Mandro, Larry B. Gray
  • Patent number: 11690542
    Abstract: Disclosed is a non-invasive biometric sensor including a light source, an organic photodetector, and a detector. The light source is configured to irradiate light in a desired (and/or alternatively predetermined) wavelength range to a body part. The organic photodetector is configured to sense the light in the desired (and/or alternatively predetermined) wavelength range in response to the light in the desired (and/or alternatively predetermined) range being transmitted through the body part. The detector is configured to determine biomedical information of the body part based on an amount of the light sensed by the organic photodetector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chui Joon Heo, Kyung Bae Park, Takkyun Ro, Kwang Hee Lee, Dongseon Lee, Yong Wan Jin, Moon Gyu Han
  • Patent number: 11686614
    Abstract: A photodetecting device is provided. The photodetecting device includes a first photodetecting component including a substrate having a first absorption region configured to absorb photons having a first peak wavelength and to generate first photo-carriers, and a second photodetecting component including a second absorption region configured to absorb photons having a second peak wavelength different from the first peak wavelength and to generate second photo-carriers. The first photodetecting component further includes two first readout circuits and two first control circuits for the first photo-carriers and electrically coupled to the first absorption region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: ARTILUX, INC.
    Inventors: Yen-Cheng Lu, Yun-Chung Na, Shu-Lu Chen, Chien-Yu Chen, Szu-Lin Cheng, Chung-Chih Lin, Yu-Hsuan Liu
  • Patent number: 11686659
    Abstract: A photonic aerosol particle sensor includes a microfluidic sensor chamber in which is disposed a plurality of photonic waveguide resonators each having a photonic waveguide on an underlying substrate, along a separate waveguide resonator path with a lateral width different than that of other photonic waveguide resonators. All waveguides in the plurality have a common vertical thickness of a common waveguide material having a refractive index that is larger than that of the underlying substrate material. An optical input connection couples light into the waveguide resonators. An aerosol particle input fluidically connected to the microfluidic chamber fluidically conveys aerosol particles to the chamber, and an aerosol particle output fluidically connected to the microfluidic chamber fluidically conveys aerosol particles out of the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Robin Singh, Anuradha M. Agarwal, Danhao Ma, Peter X. Su, Brian W. Anthony
  • Patent number: 11683612
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a solid state imaging device and an electronic device from which a holding unit for holding information in a pixel can be eliminated. When a charge distribution unit distributes a pixel signal SIG to a first ADC, a pixel signal representing only reflection light is divided for allocation. When the charge distribution unit distributes a pixel signal SIG to a second ADC, a pixel signal representing background light and reflection light (partial) is divided for allocation. When the charge distribution unit distributes a pixel signal SIG to a third ADC, a pixel signal representing background light and reflection light (the rest) is divided for allocation. During a period in which no signal is acquired, a discharge transistor functions as an overflow portion for releasing electrical charge. The present disclosure can be applied to, for example, a solid state imaging device used for an imaging device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: SONY GROUP CORPORATION
    Inventor: Masaki Sakakibara
  • Patent number: 11664642
    Abstract: A vertical cavity surface emitting laser includes a gain layer configured to generate light; a distributed Bragg reflector below the gains layer; and a meta structure reflector above the gain layer and comprising a plurality of nano structures having a sub wavelength dimension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Byunghoon Na, Seunghoon Han
  • Patent number: 11660855
    Abstract: In some examples, an access point that leads into a safety zone of a roll unwinder or winder is monitored by a monitoring sensor system. The monitoring sensor system includes two scanners having respective measuring beams that pass over an angular region situated in the same plane extending in an opening. The access point is monitored in a pattern of multiple protection fields having various sizes and/or shapes. Multiple ones of the protection fields are encompassed by a next-larger and/or next-wider protection field, entirely or at least viewed in the width and toward the top. The scan images of the two scanners are checked for a breach of the relevant protection fields in differing, adjoining, or overlapping partial regions of the plane. Information about the permissibility of a determined protection field breach is derived by evaluation of breach patterns of breached protection fields obtained in the two partial regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: KOENIG & BAUER AG
    Inventors: Harald Gretsch, Jürgen Krimmel, Manfred Maierhöfer, Günter Schulz, Senad Ugljesa
  • Patent number: 11656121
    Abstract: An electronic chip supports an optical device and electric connection zones. An insulating coating coats the electronic chip, covers the electric connection zones and exposes the optical device. An optical plugging element is at least partly fastened onto a first face of the insulating coating and is optically coupled to the optical device. Vias pass through the insulating coating from its first face to a second face opposite to the first face. Inner walls of the vias support electrically conductive paths connected to the electric connection zones of the electronic chip by electrically conductive tracks arranged on the first face of the insulating coating. The electrically conductive paths of the vias further have ends protruding onto the second face of the insulating coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics (Grenoble 2) SAS
    Inventors: Romain Coffy, Younes Boutaleb
  • Patent number: 11657130
    Abstract: A light emitter includes: a substrate; a driving section provided on the substrate; a light source that is provided on the substrate and is driven by the driving section; a cover section through which light emitted from the light source is transmitted and that is disposed in an optical axial direction of the light source; and a support section that is provided on a part of the substrate excluding a part between the driving section and the light source and supports the cover section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Business Innovation Corp.
    Inventors: Satoshi Inada, Kenichi Ono, Takeshi Minamiru, Michiaki Murata, Takafumi Higuchi
  • Patent number: 11650153
    Abstract: Plasmonic optical fibers, plasmonic optical sensors and methods of manufacturing the same. A fiber core conveys an optical signal therewithin and provides a plasmonic sensing area exposed to a fluid. The plasmonic sensing area is formed only on a section of an external surface of the fiber core. The plasmonic sensing area provides an interface within the section of the external surface for the conveyed signal to at least partially exit the fiber core and cause a modified optical signal to be conveyed in the fiber core. An optical signal generator may provide the optical signal to the plasmonic optical fiber, an optical signal receiver may discriminate the conveyed optical signal from the modified optical signal and a processor module may analyze the modified optical signal and identifies physical characteristics of the fluid present at the sensing area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Inventor: Alireza Hassani
  • Patent number: 11639871
    Abstract: An optical energy detector and a method for detecting a broad range of optical energy are disclosed. The detector comprising a superconducting nanowire filament on a substrate, an electrical current pulse source, a laser pulse source, a first pickup probe, and a second pickup probe for measuring the voltage across the filament. The filament is maintained below a supercomputing critical temperature. The filament is biased with an electrical current pulses slight below the critical current of the filament which creates nonequilibrium state. The filament is excited by the laser pulses, and as a result, a voltage appears after a delay time. The voltage is measured for determining the amount of the optical energy. A reference curve of the voltage and the corresponding delay time can be used for calibrating any light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: KING FAHD UNIVERSITY OF PETROLEUM AND MINERALS
    Inventor: Khalil Harrabi
  • Patent number: 11632603
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a solid-state image pickup apparatus, a correction method, and an electronic apparatus, enabled to suppress an apparent uncomfortable feeling of an image output from a solid-state image pickup apparatus in which pixels of different OCL shapes are mounted mixedly. A solid-state image pickup apparatus according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes a pixel array in which a first pixel in which an OCL (On Chip Lens) of a standard size is formed and a second pixel in which an OCL of a size different from the standard size is formed are present mixedly, and a correction section that corrects a pixel value of the first pixel that is positioned in the vicinity of the second pixel among the first pixels on the pixel array. The present disclosure can be applied to, for example, a CMOS image sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: SONY SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takeru Tsuzuki, Katsumi Nishikori