Patents Examined by Don Williams
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Patent number: 9865633Abstract: A solid-state imaging device in which the potential of a signal line, which is obtained before a pixel has an operating period, is fixed to an intermediate potential between a first power-supply potential and a second power-supply potential.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2015Date of Patent: January 9, 2018Assignee: Sony CorporationInventors: Keiji Mabuchi, Toshifumi Wakano, Ken Koseki
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Patent number: 9859318Abstract: An image sensor pixel includes a photodiode region formed in a semiconductor layer, a pinning layer and a depletion adjustment layer. The photodiode region receives visible and infrared light from a light incident side of the image sensor pixel. The pinning layer is disposed between a front surface of the semiconductor layer and the photodiode region, while the depletion adjustment layer is disposed between the pinning layer and the photodiode region. The depletion adjustment layer is configured to adjust a depletion region of the photodiode region to reduce charge carriers induced in the photodiode region by the received infrared light.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2014Date of Patent: January 2, 2018Assignee: OmniVision Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Guannho George Tsau
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Patent number: 9841319Abstract: A light detecting device is provided, comprising a substrate having a patterned metal layer formed thereon; a dielectric layer formed on the substrate, first pixel element formed on the dielectric layer, and a second pixel element. The dielectric layer at least has a first trench, and the first trench is positioned below the level of the first pixel element. The second pixel element comprises a buried portion formed correspondingly to the first trench, and an upper portion formed on the buried portion. The upper portion of the second pixel element is positioned at the same level of the first pixel element.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2013Date of Patent: December 12, 2017Assignee: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORP.Inventor: Tse-Yi Lu
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Patent number: 9835491Abstract: An imager for imaging a plurality of images of a single scene over a plurality of disparate electromagnetic wavelength sets includes front-end optics for outputting a polychromatic, collimated image beam of the scene; a beam displacer configured for splitting the collimated image beam into spatially displaced, mutually parallel beams, and an imaging-sensor array configured for registration of the spatially displaced wavelength sets at disparate locations along the imaging-sensor array. In alternative versions, the beam displacer displaces constituent light beams based on at least one of wavelength and polarization. In various implementations, a back-end focusing element focuses each constituent beam onto a predetermined location along the imaging-sensor array. The imaging-sensor array is optimally configured for simultaneous sampling of the plural images focused thereupon by the back-end focusing elements.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2013Date of Patent: December 5, 2017Assignee: Solid State Scientific CorporationInventor: Jonathan Martin Mooney
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Patent number: 9810554Abstract: A position measuring instrument including a code carrier having first and second code tracks, each including an identical series of code elements, wherein each of the series of code elements has two subregions with complementary properties. A scanning unit having detectors for scanning code elements, wherein each of the code elements defines one corresponding code word, wherein each of the code words defines an absolute position in the measuring direction, and wherein the detectors form a corresponding scanning signal from each of the two subregions of the series of code elements. An evaluation unit generating one item of code information for each of the series of code elements from each corresponding scanning signal, and forming the corresponding code words from the one item of code information, wherein each of the code words is composed of N and K items of code information from successive code elements of the first and second code tracks, respectively, with N and K being greater than 1.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2013Date of Patent: November 7, 2017Assignee: DR. JOHANNES HEIDENHAIN GMBHInventors: Johann Oberhauser, Heinz Tovar
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Patent number: 9791594Abstract: The invention relates to a light grid having divergent light beams so that cross-beams can also be evaluated beside parallel beams, wherein not only a light beam interruption, but also the intensity of the light incidence on a light reception unit is evaluated. To provide an improved light grid with which in particular smaller objects can be detected and possibly also located, it is proposed that the light transmission units have a transmission optics in whose focus an extended light source is arranged. Furthermore, each beam contains an effective beam, with an effective beam being defined in that a part shading of this effective beam effects a measurable intensity change in the associated light receiver corresponding to the shading. Finally, the effective beams define at least one detection zone in the monitored plane, with an illumination by at least one effective beam being present in the total detection zone.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2014Date of Patent: October 17, 2017Assignee: SICK AGInventor: Johannes Eble
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Patent number: 9786702Abstract: An image sensor with an array of image sensor pixels is provided. Each image pixel may include a photodiode and associated pixel circuits formed in the front surface of a semiconductor substrate. Buried light shielding structures may be formed on the back surface of the substrate to prevent pixel circuitry that is formed in the substrate between two adjacent photodiodes from being exposed to incoming light. The buried light shielding structures may be lined with absorptive antireflective coating material to prevent light from being reflected off the surface of the buried light shielding structures. Forming buried light shielding structures with absorptive antireflective coating material can help reduce optical pixel crosstalk and enhance signal to noise ratio.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2013Date of Patent: October 10, 2017Assignee: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLCInventor: Victor Lenchenkov
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Patent number: 9759660Abstract: A sensor assembly, a method, and a measuring system for capturing the distribution of at least one variable of an object are disclosed. The sensor assembly has at least one sensor element comprising at least one first sensor sub-element and at least one second sensor sub-element. The at least one first sensor sub-element is transparent for at least one wavelength region of light, the at least one second sensor sub-element is sensitive to at least one variable. Furthermore a method and measuring system and an illumination system for illuminating the sensor assembly and the object is provided.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2011Date of Patent: September 12, 2017Assignee: PreSens—Precision Sensing GmbHInventor: Achim Stangelmayer
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Patent number: 9746381Abstract: An exemplary laser instrumentation bracket includes a support structure providing a recess configured to receive a collar of a laser housing. The laser housing has a main body extending axially through an aperture of the support structure when the recess receives the collar.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2012Date of Patent: August 29, 2017Assignee: United Technologies CorporationInventors: Witt C. Guinn, John J. Korzendorfer, David J. Sander, Kelly A. Vanston
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Patent number: 9739944Abstract: A pluggable transceiver is provided that may receive an electrical signal from a host device, convert the optical signal into an optical signal, and transmit the converted optical signal to one or more external cables. In one aspect, a pluggable transceiver may include a first transceiver connector for connecting to a host device, an optical module for converting an electrical signal to an optical signal and vice versa, and a second transceiver connector for transmitting the optical signal to external cables or devices.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2012Date of Patent: August 22, 2017Assignee: Google Inc.Inventor: David Fermor
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Patent number: 9692988Abstract: The subject matter disclosed herein involves systems, methods, apparatuses or devices related to infrared imaging or infrared imaging projection.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2013Date of Patent: June 27, 2017Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.Inventors: Mark A. Reichow, Christopher Raynard Runco, Thomas E. Brentnall, Thomas Frasier LaDuke
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Patent number: 9692958Abstract: Focus assist systems and methods for imaging devices are provided. The focus assist systems and methods display focus level data to a user. There are a variety of methods of displaying focus level data to a user, including, but not limited to, graphs, highlights, symbols, and varied levels of brightness or color.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2014Date of Patent: June 27, 2017Assignee: RED.COM, INC.Inventor: Thomas Graeme Nattress
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Patent number: 9690168Abstract: According to some aspects, a method for assisting the adjusting of a focus of an image includes providing a graphical representation of a detected image. The method can also include receiving an indication of a user selection of a region of the image and providing a magnified graphical representation of the selected image region. The method may further include providing a graphical indication of a degree of focus for at least a portion of the selected image region. The graphical indication in some instances is visually correlated with the magnified graphical representation of the selected image region. The size, shape, and/or color of the graphical indication in some instances can be correlated with the degree of focus for at least a portion of the selected image region.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2012Date of Patent: June 27, 2017Assignee: RED.COM, INC.Inventors: James H. Jannard, Peter Jarred Land, Deanan DaSilva, Thomas Graeme Nattress
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Patent number: 9691999Abstract: In the photoelectric conversion device having a pair of electrodes and a light receiving layer sandwiched between the pair of electrodes and including at least a photoelectric conversion layer, at least a part of the light receiving layer includes a fullerene or a fullerene derivative deposited using a vapor deposition material of a plurality of particles or a compact formed of the particles consisting primarily of the fullerene or fullerene derivative with an average particle size expressed as D50% of 50 to 300 ?m.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2014Date of Patent: June 27, 2017Assignee: FUJIFILM CorporationInventor: Mitsumasa Hamano
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Patent number: 9677929Abstract: An aperture adjusting apparatus is provided. The aperture adjusting apparatus includes: a variable part of which an aperture size varies; an optical sensor configured to sense light incident to the variable device part and light output from the variable device part; an aperture calculator configured to calculate a size of an aperture formed in the variable part from light intensity sensed by the optical sensor; and a driving controller configured to control driving of the variable device part by receiving a calculation result fed back from the aperture calculator.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 2014Date of Patent: June 13, 2017Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.Inventors: Eun-sung Lee, Seung-wan Lee, Jong-hyeon Chang, Kyu-dong Jung, Min-seog Choi
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Patent number: 9681077Abstract: A device for transferring charges photogenerated in a portion of a semiconductor layer delimited by at least two parallel trenches, each trench including, lengthwise, at least a first and a second conductive regions insulated from each other and from the semiconductor layer, including the repeating of a first step of biasing of the first conductive regions to a first voltage to form a volume accumulation of holes in the area of this portion located between the first regions, while the second conductive regions are biased to a second voltage greater than the first voltage, and of a second step of biasing of the first regions to the second voltage and of the second regions to the first voltage.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2012Date of Patent: June 13, 2017Assignees: STMicroelectronics SA, STMicroelectronics (Grenoble 2) SASInventors: Cedric Tubert, Francois Roy, Pascal Mellot
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Patent number: 9651419Abstract: An apparatus adapted for confocal imaging of a non-flat specimen comprising a coherent light source for producing a light beam, imaging optics adapted to focus the light beam into at least one spot on a surface of a specimen, and a detector adapted to receive and detect light reflected from the specimen surface. The imaging optics comprise at least one optical component located so that the light reflected from the specimen surface passes therethrough on its way to the detector. The optical component is movable so as to move the at least one spot, within a range of movement, to a number of distinct locations in a plane perpendicular to the apparatus' optical axis, within the detector's integration time.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2013Date of Patent: May 16, 2017Assignee: ALIGN TECHNOLOGY, INC.Inventors: Noam Babayoff, Yossef Atiya, Tzvi Philipp
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Patent number: 9638482Abstract: The present disclosure provides a digital detector apparatus for use with a sensor unit is provided wherein the sensor unit includes an emitter device and a receiver device, the receiver device having a capacitance. The digital detector apparatus comprises at least a first input port, first output port, and a second output port; and an A/D converter circuit wherein an input of the A/D converter circuit is coupled to the first input port for receiving an output of the receiver device; wherein the first output port of the digital detector apparatus is coupled for charging and discharging the capacitance of the receiver device; the second output port of the digital detector apparatus is coupled for driving the emitter device; and the A/D converter circuit derives a sensor output value from the output of the receiver device during a number of charging and discharging cycles. A digital smoke detector and a method of generating an output signal in a digital detector are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2013Date of Patent: May 2, 2017Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATEDInventor: Ingolf E. Frank
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Patent number: 9638911Abstract: An autofocus mechanism includes a light source emitting light through an objective lens at a work piece; a first detector detecting a portion of light reflected by the work piece and generating a first signal; a second detector detecting a portion of the reflected light and generating a second signal; a first amplifier amplifying the first signal and generating a first amplified signal; a second amplifier amplifying the second signal and generating a second amplified signal; an amplification rate definer defining an amplification rate of each of the first amplifier and the second amplifier based on the first amplified signal and the second amplified signal, respectively; and a calculator identifying a focal position of the objective lens based on the first amplified signal and the second amplified signal.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2014Date of Patent: May 2, 2017Assignee: MITUTOYO CORPORATIONInventor: Shohei Udo
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Patent number: 9634156Abstract: A silicon photomultiplier device is provided. The device comprises a plurality of photosensitive cells each having a photo-detector, a quench resistive load and a first stage capacitive load. The device is arranged in a three electrode connection configuration comprising first and second electrodes arranged to operably provide a biasing of the device and a third electrode operably used to readout a signal from the device. A second stage capacitive load is operably coupled to two or more photosensitive cells.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2012Date of Patent: April 25, 2017Assignee: Sensl Technologies Ltd.Inventors: Nikolai Pavlov, Carl Jackson, Kevin O'Neill