Patents Examined by Erin R Garber
  • Patent number: 11971298
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a sensing circuit, including a photo-sensing component, a first transistor, and a temperature-sensing component. The photo-sensing component is configured to receive a light and transmit a first current according to an intensity of the light. A gate terminal of the first transistor is configured to receive a first control circuit. The photo-sensing component and the first transistor are coupled in series between first and second nodes. The temperature-sensing component is coupled between the first and second nodes and is configured to generate a second current according to a temperature. The temperature-sensing component includes a channel structure, a first gate, a second gate, and a light-shielding structure. The channel structure is configured to transmit the second current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: AUO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ming-Yao Chen, Chang-Hung Li, Shin-Shueh Chen, Jui-Chi Lo
  • Patent number: 11962919
    Abstract: For example, analog pixel circuitry may include a first input to input an analog pixel signal of the pixel; Sample and Hold (SH) circuitry to provide an analog sample of the pixel based on the analog pixel signal; one or more second inputs to input analog samples of one or more binning pixels, respectively; a plurality of capacitors having capacitor outputs connected to a common output terminal, wherein a capacitor input of a first capacitor is connected to an input terminal to input the analog sample of the pixel from the SH circuitry, wherein capacitor inputs of one or more second capacitors are connected to the one or more second inputs, respectively; and an amplifier configured to provide an amplified analog signal by amplifying an analog signal from the common output terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: TOWER SEMICONDUCTOR LTD.
    Inventors: Alexander Faingersh, Vered Antebi, Raz Reshef
  • Patent number: 11950879
    Abstract: An optical measurement system includes a first light source configured to emit a first light pulse toward a target, a second light source configured to emit a second light pulse toward the target, a first detector, a second detector, and a processing unit. The processing unit is configured to determine a plurality of temporal distributions of photons included in the first light pulse and the second light pulse and detected by the first detector and the second detector after the photons are scattered by the target. The processing unit is further configured to determine, based on the plurality of temporal distributions, a distance between the first light source and the second detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: HI LLC
    Inventors: Ryan Field, Katherine Perdue, Hamid Dehghani
  • Patent number: 11940533
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a proximity sensor. The proximity sensor includes: a light emitter (for example, a vertical cavity surface emitting LASER (VCSEL)) configured to irradiate light to a target to be inspected; a first light receiver having a first crosstalk characteristic, configured to detect an external reflected light from a target to be inspected within a first detection region (for example, 0˜5 cm approximately); and a second light receiver having a second crosstalk characteristic different from the first crosstalk characteristic, configured to detect an external reflected light from a target to be inspected within a second detection region (for example, 3˜60 cm approximately) relatively further than the first detection region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: Rohm Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshitsugu Uedaira
  • Patent number: 11921237
    Abstract: An example circuit includes a light detector and a biasing capacitor having (i) a first terminal that applies to the light detector an output voltage that can either bias or debias the light detector and (ii) a second terminal for controlling the output voltage. The circuit includes a first transistor connected to the second terminal of the biasing capacitor and configured to drive the output voltage to a first voltage level above a biasing threshold of the light detector and thereby biasing the light detector. The circuit includes a second transistor connected to the second terminal of the biasing capacitor and configured to drive the output voltage to a second voltage level below the biasing threshold of the light detector and thereby debiasing the light detector. The second voltage is a non-zero voltage that corresponds to a charge level of the biasing capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Waymo LLC
    Inventors: Pierre-yves Droz, Vadim Gutnik
  • Patent number: 11921956
    Abstract: An apparatus, e.g. a proximity sensor module (10), for optical distance sensing includes a target surface (25) having a non-uniform design including a high-reflectivity region and a low-reflectivity region for light of a particular wavelength. The position of the target surface (25) is displaceable within the apparatus. The apparatus includes a light source (12) operable to emit light at the particular wavelength toward the target surface (25), and a photodetector (14) operable to sense at least some of the light emitted by the light source and subsequently reflected by the target surface (25). A processor is operable to correlate an output from the photodetector (14) with a distance to the target surface (25). A wall (22) may separate the light source (12) and photodetector (14) from one another, which can help reduce internal optical crosstalk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: ams Sensors Singapore Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Laurent Nevou, Jens Geiger
  • Patent number: 11913876
    Abstract: An optical water-quality detection apparatus includes a detection device, a biofilm-inhibition light source, a detection light source and a sensor. The detection device includes a detection chamber. The biofilm-inhibition light source is disposed outside the detection chamber and configured to emit biofilm-inhibition light. The detection light source is disposed outside the detection chamber and configured to emit detection light. The sensor is configured to sense the detection light penetrating the detection chamber. A beam of the detection light and a beam of the inhibition light overlaps as penetrating the detection chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Chia-Jung Chang, Jui-Hung Tsai, Ying-Hao Wang, Chih-Hao Hsu
  • Patent number: 11901386
    Abstract: An image sensor includes a first region and a second region surrounding the first region. A substrate includes a first surface and a second surface that is opposite to the first surface. A photoelectric conversion element is disposed on the substrate. A passivation layer is disposed on the first surface of the substrate. A microlens is disposed on the passivation layer in the first region and is not disposed on the passivation layer in the second region. A pattern structure is disposed on an upper surface of the passivation layer in the second region. The pattern structure includes a metal and has at least one lateral side wall having a sloped profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kyeong Jae Byeon, Byung Jun Park, Jin Pyo Kim
  • Patent number: 11876108
    Abstract: A semiconductor package may include a line array of single-photon avalanche diodes (SPADs). The line array of single-photon avalanche diodes may be split between multiple silicon dice. Each silicon die may be overlapped by at least one lens to focus light away from gaps between the dice and towards the single-photon avalanche diodes. There may be one single-photon avalanche diode for each silicon die or multiple single-photon avalanche diodes for each silicon die. When there are multiple single-photon avalanche diodes for each silicon die, lenses may be formed over only the edge single-photon avalanche diodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLC
    Inventor: Brian Patrick McGarvey
  • Patent number: 11876105
    Abstract: A laser light collecting assembly for a wireless power receiver. The assembly includes a compound parabolic concentrator (CPC) mirror and an optical to electrical converter. The CPC mirror has curved internal walls that define an inlet aperture and connect the inlet aperture to an outlet aperture. The inlet aperture may be larger than the outlet aperture. The internal walls may focus a majority of the laser light entering the inlet aperture to the outlet aperture. The optical to electrical converter may be positioned adjacent to the outlet aperture and configured to receive the laser light exiting the outlet aperture so as to convert optical power in the laser light to electrical power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: PHION TECHNOLOGIES LLC
    Inventors: Jonathan Nydell, Alan Wang
  • Patent number: 11867636
    Abstract: A measurement device to measure a physical quantity of a measurement target having a sheet-like shape is provided, including: a first integrating sphere which is separated by a gap from a first surface of the measurement target, has a first opening facing the first surface, and is not provided with a light detector to detect an intensity of light; a second integrating sphere which is separated by a gap from a second surface of the measurement target, where the second surface is positioned opposite to the first surface, and has a second opening facing the first opening with the measurement target sandwiched therebetween; a light source to emit light into the first integrating sphere; a light detecting unit to detect an intensity of light inside the second integrating sphere; and a calculating unit to calculate the physical quantity of the measurement target based on the intensity of the detected light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Yokogawa Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuki Setsuda, Hitoshi Hara, Yasushi Ichizawa
  • Patent number: 11869990
    Abstract: A display panel and a display device are provided. In the display panel, an upconversion material layer is configured to convert interactive light from a first wave band into a second wave band. A light-sensing transistor of a light-sensing circuit is configured to convert a light intensity signal of the interactive light into an electrical signal after the wave band of the interactive light is converted. A position-detecting circuit is configured to identify a position where the interactive light is irradiated according to the electrical signal. Therefore, the display panel can interact with light having relatively long wavelengths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Shenzhen China Star Optoelectronics Semiconductor Display Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Wei Cui, Miao Jiang, Jiangbo Yao, Lixuan Chen, Xin Zhang
  • Patent number: 11867868
    Abstract: The plurality of emitters and the plurality of detectors form a light curtain that is patterned about the beam, and are positioned to surround the beam. The plurality of emitters each have a centerline and each have a divergence angle centered on the centerline. The placement and orientation of the plurality of emitters about the acceptance centerline of the beam receiver are configured to align the centerlines of the plurality of emitters substantially parallel to the incoming beam. The detection of one or more of the plurality of emitters by one or more of the plurality of detectors depends on the divergence angles of each of the plurality of emitters and the tilt of the beam receiver relative to the beam centerline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: LaserMotive, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Sayles, Thomas W. Bashford, David J. Bashford, Thomas J. Nugent, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11860110
    Abstract: To provide an article inspection apparatus capable of sensitively and stably detecting a change in a spectrum when an unspecified foreign substance is contained and determining a defective product. A transport unit that transports a tablet for inspection to an article inspection position, a light irradiation unit that irradiates the tablet transported to the article inspection position with light, a light detection unit that detects light transmitted through the tablet, and an article inspection unit that inspects a quality of the tablet based on spectral characteristics of the light detected by the light detection unit are provided, and the article inspection unit standardizes a measured value of a spectrum of the light detected by the light detection unit for each wavelength and determines whether the tablet is a normal product or a defective product based on a standardized value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: ANRITSU CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shigeo Arai, Eiji Taniguchi, Takashi Suzuki
  • Patent number: 11852894
    Abstract: A laser processing apparatus includes a laser light output section, a laser light scanning section, a distance measurement light emitting section which emits distance measurement light, a pair of light receiving elements which receives the distance measurement light emitted from the distance measurement light emitting section and reflected by the workpiece, optical axes of the pair of light receiving elements being arranged inside the housing so as to sandwich an optical axis of the distance measurement light emitting section, a distance measuring section which measures a distance to the surface of the workpiece, and a light receiving lens which is arranged such that each of the optical axes of the pair of light receiving elements passes through the light receiving lens, and condenses the distance measurement light that has been reflected by the workpiece on respective light receiving surfaces of the pair of light receiving elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: KEYENCE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazuma Nehashi, Hideki Yamakawa, Kosuke Matano
  • Patent number: 11846728
    Abstract: A LIDAR system includes a plurality of lasers that generate an optical beam having a FOV. A plurality of detectors are positioned where a FOV of at least one of the plurality of optical beams generated by the plurality of lasers overlaps a FOV of at least two of the plurality of detectors. The lens system collimates and projects the optical beams generated by the plurality of lasers. An actuator is coupled to at least one of the plurality of lasers and the lens system to cause relative motion between the plurality of lasers and the lens system in a direction that is orthogonal to an optical axis of the lens system so as to cause relative motion between the FOVs of the optical beams generated by the plurality of lasers and the FOVs of the detectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: OPSYS Tech Ltd.
    Inventors: Mark J. Donovan, Larry Fabiny
  • Patent number: 11815597
    Abstract: To shorten a waiting time for a belongings inspection, the present invention provides an inspection system 10 including an acquisition unit 11 that acquires personal unique information unique to each of inspection target persons, and a determination unit 12 that determines a content of a belongings inspection based on a signal of a reflection wave of an electromagnetic wave having a wavelength of equal to or more than 30 micrometers and equal to or less than one meter for the each inspection target person, based on the personal unique information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: NEC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shingo Yamanouchi, Shinichi Morimoto, Kazumine Ogura, Tatsuya Sumiya, Masaru Eto, Toshiyuki Nomura, Masayuki Ariyoshi
  • Patent number: 11808685
    Abstract: A device for generating light pulses for characterization, standardization and/or calibration of photodetectors, preferably within a flow cytometer or microscope is disclosed. The device includes emission light sources which are driven with predetermined waveform to emit light pulses. A feedback mechanism based on the provision of separate, series-connected control light sources whose emission is detected by a feedback detector is included. The device may include one or more emission groups of circularly arranged, multi-color emission light sources. To provide different intensity levels, the emission light sources or emission groups can be coupled into a light guide with different efficiencies. Uses of the device and systems or kits including the device is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: APE Angewandte Physik & Elektronik GmbH
    Inventors: Konrad von Volkmann, Jan Popien, Frank Reuter
  • Patent number: 11808627
    Abstract: A photoconductive switch for generating or detecting terahertz radiation (TR) is provided. The photoconductive switch may comprise at least a first and a second pair of electrodes (EV, EH, EGR) on a surface (SS) of a photoconductive substrate, wherein the electrodes of the first pair are separated by a first gap comprising at least a plurality of first rectilinear sections (GV) extending along a first direction (x) and the electrodes of the second pairs are separated by a second gap comprising at least a plurality of second sections (GH) extending along a second direction (y), different from the first direction. The photoconductive switch may further comprise a patterned opaque layer (PML) selectively masking portions of the gaps between the electrodes. Methods and devices for generating and detecting terahertz radiation comprising such photoconductive switches are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignees: CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE, SORBONNE UNIVERSITE, ECOLE NORMALE SUPERIEURE DE PARIS, UNIVERSITÉ PARIS CITÉ
    Inventors: Kenneth Maussang, Sukhdeep Dhillon, Jerome Tignon
  • Patent number: 11808938
    Abstract: An optical measurement apparatus includes a thermal insulation housing, a first light-transmissive plate, a second light-transmissive plate, a heat-conductive layer, a cooling source and a photosensor. The thermal insulation housing, the first light-transmissive plate and the second light-transmissive plate define a chamber. The heat-conductive layer is disposed in the chamber, the cooling source is coupled to the heat-conductive layer, and the photosensor is disposed outside the chamber and on one side of the second light-transmissive plate facing away from the first light-transmissive plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: YOUNG OPTICS INC.
    Inventors: Wei-Ting Chiu, Chu-Tsung Chan, Sandeep Kumar Paral, Chia-Chang Lee