Patents Examined by Georgia Y. Epps
  • Patent number: 12272702
    Abstract: An image sensor including first and second pixel groups, each of which includes first to ninth pixels arranged to form a 3×3 array is disclosed. The image sensor further includes first to ninth transfer transistors disposed in each of the pixel groups to correspond to the first to ninth pixels, respectively, each of the first to ninth transfer transistors including a transfer gate and a floating diffusion region, a selection transistor disposed in at least one of the fourth to sixth pixels in each of the pixel group, and source follower transistors respectively disposed in at least two pixels of the first to third and seventh to ninth pixels in each of the pixel groups. Source follower gates of the source follower transistors may be connected to the floating diffusion region of each of the first to ninth transfer transistors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2025
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yujung Choi, Junho Seok, Munhwan Kim, Wonchul Choi
  • Patent number: 12270911
    Abstract: The present technology relates to a light receiving element and a ranging system to reduce power consumption. A light receiving element includes a pixel which includes an SPAD, a first transistor configured to set a cathode voltage of the SPAD at a first negative voltage, a voltage conversion circuit configured to convert the cathode voltage of the SPAD upon incidence of a photon and output the converted cathode voltage, and an output unit configured to output a detection signal indicating the incidence of the photon on the SPAD on the basis of the converted cathode voltage. The present technology is applicable to a ranging system that detects a range in a depth direction to a subject, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2024
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2025
    Assignee: SONY SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Tatsuki Nishino
  • Patent number: 12272984
    Abstract: A fast/slow charging self-adaption method is disclosed, including: detecting a light index of an environment where a terminal is located according to a preset cycle; comparing the light index with a preset light index threshold; and selecting a fast charging mode or a slow charging mode according to a result of comparison. A fast/slow charging self-adaption apparatus is further disclosed, including: a detection module, configured for detecting a light index of an environment where a terminal is located according to a preset cycle; a comparison module, configured for comparing the light index with a preset light index threshold; and a processing module, configured for selecting a fast charging mode or a slow charging mode according to a result of comparison between the light index and the preset light index threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2025
    Assignee: ZTE CORPORATION
    Inventor: Haijun Zeng
  • Patent number: 12265012
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for determining the position of a plurality of objects that are simultaneously trapped by a single laser beam, characterized in that the device comprises:—a laser source for emitting a laser beam, an actuation system for a three-dimensional deflecting of the laser beam between several trapping points,—a microscope objective for focusing the laser beam coming from the actuation system on the trapping points,—a sample chamber including the objects to be trapped on the trapping points,—a light source for lighten the sample chamber, and—a camera for determining the position of each of the trapped objects, said camera being located between the laser source and the actuation system, so that the light emitted by the light source passes successively through the sample chamber, the microscope objective, the actuation system and the camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2025
    Assignees: Sorbonne Université, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique
    Inventors: Sinan Haliyo, Stéphane Régnier, Edison Gerena
  • Patent number: 12265201
    Abstract: A light-emitting device array includes a first light-emitting device, a second light-emitting device, and a third light-emitting device. A first beam shaping structure of the first light-emitting device is configured to convert light emitted by a first light-emitting structure of first light-emitting device into first structured light. A second beam shaping structure of the second light-emitting device is configured to convert light emitted by a second light-emitting structure of second light-emitting device into second structured light. Speckle patterns and spatial distributions of the first structured light and the second structured light on a projection plane are the same. A third beam shaping structure of the third light-emitting device is configured to convert light emitted by a third light-emitting structure of third light-emitting device into third structured light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2025
    Assignee: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jun-Da Chen, Yu-Heng Hong, Wen-Cheng Hsu, Tzu-Hsiang Lan, Hao-Chung Kuo
  • Patent number: 12259273
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a sensor having pixels, each pixel having photodiodes having each a terminal coupled to a first node associated with the photodiode; and an amplifier having a first part and, for each photodiode, a second part associated with the photodiode. The first part includes an output of the amplifier and a first MOS transistor of a differential pair. Each second part includes a second MOS transistor of the differential pair having its gate coupled to the first node associated with the photodiode the second part is associated with; a first switch coupling a source of the second transistor to the first part of the amplifier; and a second switch coupling a drain of the second transistor to the first part of the amplifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2025
    Assignees: STMICROELECTRONICS (RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT) LIMITED, STMicroelectronics (Grenoble 2) SAS
    Inventors: Jeffrey M. Raynor, Nicolas Moeneclaey
  • Patent number: 12259472
    Abstract: This application discloses a LiDAR and a mobile device, where LiDAR includes a lens and a photonic chip, an optical axis of the lens extends along a first preset direction; the photonic chip and the lens are spaced apart along the first preset direction, the photonic chip includes a cladding layer and multiple receiving waveguide core layers, all the receiving waveguide core layers are located at an end of the cladding layer that is closer to the lens and are spaced apart along a second preset direction, each receiving waveguide core layer has a first end surface and a second end surface opposite to each other, the first end surface is closer to the lens than the second end surface; and there is a distance between a first end surface of at least one receiving waveguide core layer and a focal plane of the lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2025
    Assignee: SUTENG INNOVATION TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Lin Zhu, Jing Wang
  • Patent number: 12253666
    Abstract: An electrical optical isolation circuit and device characterized by a light source, a light-sensitive sensor, and a variable shield between the light source and the light-sensitive sensor, the variable shield being adjustable after assembly of the electrical circuit, and the variable shield adjustment providing attenuation of the electrical circuit output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2025
    Inventor: Jon B. Cusack
  • Patent number: 12250488
    Abstract: A merged frame-based and event-based image sensor pixel is provided, comprising a reverse-biased photodiode; a frame-based signal readout circuit connected to a cathode of the photodiode; and an event-based signal readout circuit connected to an anode of the photodiode. Light received in the photodiode causes the production of electrons and holes. The recombination current of the holes is continuously measured for producing the event-based signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2025
    Assignee: Prophesee
    Inventors: Thomas Finateu, Christian Bouvier
  • Patent number: 12247873
    Abstract: A method of counting photons using a plurality of single photon avalanche diodes (SPADs), including initiating a detection phase, enabling each single photon avalanche diode (SPAD) of the plurality of SPADs for a period of time within the detection phase, accumulating a SPAD event from each SPAD of the plurality of SPADs, wherein each SPAD event corresponds to a detection of a single photon, determining a counter code at an end of the detection phase, where the counter code corresponds to accumulated SPAD events, and enabling one or more SPADs of the plurality of SPADs within an exposure phase based on the counter code, where the counter code is greater than an expected number of the SPAD events during the exposure phase, and where the expected number of SPAD events during the exposure phase is based on the counter code that is determined at the end of the detection phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2024
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2025
    Assignee: OMNIVISION TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Rui Wang, Tiejun Dai, Lindsay Alexander Grant, Keiji Mabuchi
  • Patent number: 12247764
    Abstract: A solar tracking system includes a database to store data associated with a solar field comprising physical location parameters of each of a set of solar panels. The physical location parameters can include a relative row-to-row height and spacing of the solar panels. The system also includes a parameter aggregation tool to aggregate the physical location parameters to generate aggregate time-based output power data associated with the solar field based on geolocation data associated with the solar field. The system also includes a solar tracking tool to generate a solar tracking control scheme for the solar field based on the aggregate time-based output power data, the geolocation data associated with the solar field, and a row-to-row backtracking constraint. The set of solar panels of the solar field can implement solar tracking based on the solar tracking scheme.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2025
    Assignee: INVENTUS HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventors: Mario D. Ibanez, Kristen T. Bradford, Sriharsha Veeramachaneni
  • Patent number: 12247876
    Abstract: A sensing device 1 includes a light detection sensor that includes a lower electrode, an organic layer provided above the lower electrode, and an upper electrode provided above the organic layer, a sealing structure that includes at least a first inorganic layer provided above the light detection sensor and a first resin layer provided above the first inorganic layer, and an optical filter that is provided above the light detection sensor and blocks a part of light incident on the light detection sensor using at least one of the first inorganic layer or the first resin layer as a layer thickness adjustment layer. An end portion of the first inorganic layer is positioned outward of an end portion of the organic layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2024
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2025
    Assignee: Japan Display Inc.
    Inventor: Motochika Yukawa
  • Patent number: 12247871
    Abstract: A superconducting single-photon detection system includes: a plurality of optical transmission paths through each of which a photon emitted from a light source is transmitted; a plurality of superconducting single-photon detectors (hereinafter referred to as “SSPDs”) that are independent of each other and in one-to-one correspondence with the optical transmission paths; and a superconducting logic circuit that multiplexes first pulse signals output from the SSPDs. A photon entry time at which the photon enters each of the SSPDs through a corresponding one of the optical transmission paths is different for each of the optical transmission paths, and a difference in the photon entry time between the optical transmission paths is greater than a pulse width of a corresponding one of second pulse signals output from the superconducting logic circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2025
    Assignee: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Shigehito Miki, Hirotaka Terai
  • Patent number: 12247875
    Abstract: Methods are disclosed for performing projective measurements combining continuous-variable quadrature and discrete photon-number-basis detections on bosonic quantum modes. Some embodiments use single-photon detectors to perform photon subtraction on a bosonic mode propagating along a waveguide prior to field measurements with homodyne detection. Methods of implementation and specific applications for quantum computation, Gaussian boson sampling, and full quantum state tomography are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2025
    Assignee: QC82 Inc.
    Inventors: Miller Thomas Eaton, Hussain Asim Zaidi
  • Patent number: 12235407
    Abstract: A technique allows outputting light reception results of a sensor to an external device with a reduced volume of data while maintaining the features of the results. An input/output device receives light reception results of the sensor and outputs the results to the external device. The sensor includes light receivers to receive light emitted from light emitters. The input/output device has a smaller maximum volume of data transmittable per unit time in communicating with the external device than in communicating with the sensor. The input/output device includes an obtainer that obtains the light reception results, an analyzer that analyzes the light reception results and detects a boundary between a portion of the sensor that has received light and a portion of the sensor that has received no light, and an output unit that outputs data indicating a position of the boundary detected by the analyzer to the external device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2025
    Assignee: OMRON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Minoru Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 12235154
    Abstract: An illustrative optical measurement system includes a light source configured to emit a light pulse directed at a target. The optical measurement system further includes a control circuit configured to drive the light source with a current pulse comprising a non-linear rise, and a decline from a maximum output to zero having a duration within a threshold percentage of a total pulse duration of the current pulse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2025
    Assignee: HI LLC
    Inventor: Alex Borisevich
  • Patent number: 12235156
    Abstract: An optical sensing device is provided. The optical sensing device includes an optical sensing element and a detection circuit. The optical sensing element senses an incident photon and generates a sensing signal. The detection circuit detects a pulse width of the sensing signal, and generates a reset signal when the pulse width is larger than a threshold value. Thereby, the optical sensing device is reset according to the reset signal and a dynamic range of the optical sensing device under strong ambient light will be further improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2025
    Assignee: SEER MICROELECTRONICS, INC.
    Inventor: Ming-Ching Kuo
  • Patent number: 12228401
    Abstract: A survey system is provided which includes a surveying instrument capable of performing distance and angle measurements of a target attached to a pole, a controller as a glove-shaped wearable device to be worn on a hand of a worker, and configured to transmit commands to the surveying instrument from an input unit for inputting commands, and an eyewear device capable of performing display superimposed on a landscape. Measurement points are displayed by being synchronized with and superimposed on a landscape of a survey site on the eyewear device, and by inputting a command by a worker from the glove-shaped controller that the worker wears into the surveying instrument while the worker grips the pole, distance and angle measurements of the target are made. Unnecessary turning of gaze and hand movements are omitted, and a survey work can be efficiently performed by the worker alone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2025
    Assignee: TOPCON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Takeshi Kikuchi
  • Patent number: 12230473
    Abstract: A method of depositing material over a sample in a deposition region of the sample with a charged particle beam column, the method comprising: positioning a sample within a vacuum chamber such that the deposition region is under a field of view of the charged particle beam column; cooling the deposition region by contacting the sample with a cyro-nanomanipulator tool in an area adjacent to the deposition region; injecting a deposition precursor gas into the vacuum chamber at a location adjacent to the deposition region; generating a charged particle beam with a charged particle beam column and focusing the charged particle beam on the sample; and scanning the focused electron beam across the localized region of the sample to activate molecules of the deposition gas that have adhered to the sample surface in the deposition region and deposit material on the sample within the deposition region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2025
    Assignee: Applied Materials Israel Ltd.
    Inventor: Yehuda Zur
  • Patent number: 12222241
    Abstract: The disclosure provides a method and apparatus for extracting an avalanche signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2025
    Assignee: QUDOOR TECHNOLOGIES INC.
    Inventors: Liuping Chen, Yongsheng Fan, Liting Tong, Xiangsheng She, Nan Li, Qibing Wang, Xiangkui Wan