Patents Examined by Isiaka Akanbi
  • Patent number: 9435665
    Abstract: A tamper detection system for a utility meter includes an emitter configured to emit light and a detector configured to receive light. The tamper detection system also includes a light modifying feature coupled to an interior surface of a meter cover. An end portion of the light modifying feature is configured to be positioned proximate to the emitter and the detector while the meter cover is in a closed position relative to the utility meter. The light modifying feature is also configured to alter a direction of travel of the emitted light and to direct the emitted light toward the detector while the meter cover is in the closed position relative to the utility meter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: Aclara Meters LLC
    Inventor: Brian Matthew Aiken
  • Patent number: 9435750
    Abstract: A borescope includes a plurality of bending parts, a plurality of lens barrels, a plurality of joint parts, an objective lens device, a plurality of reflectors, a plurality of relay lenses, and a camera mount. The plurality of lens barrels are connected via the plurality of bending parts with predetermined bend angles, respectively. Rotation angles of the plurality of bending parts are changeable via the plurality of joint parts relative to the plurality of lens barrels. The objective lens device has an objective lens and is detachably provided at a front end side of the plurality of lens barrels. The plurality of reflectors are respectively disposed in the plurality of bending parts. The plurality of relay lenses are respectively disposed in the plurality of lens barrels. The camera mount is provided at a rear end side of the plurality of lens barrels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kenji Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 9429416
    Abstract: An accessory for an articulated head of a tridimensional coordinate measuring machine, machine tool or programmable manipulator. The invention includes a light source that is applicable adjacent to the measure probe in order to light selectively the measure point. The accessory can include an image capture device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: TESA SA
    Inventors: Milan Kocic, Houssem Ben Salem, Emilio Casanova
  • Patent number: 9429526
    Abstract: A blade inspection apparatus inspects a plurality of blades periodically disposed on a periphery of a rotating shaft of a rotor of an engine and rotated on the rotating shaft. The blade inspection apparatus has a borescope having an insertion portion in which an observation optical system is provided, fixtures attached to one of a plurality of external access ports provided on the engine and fixing the borescope, and dedicated for each of the external access ports, and an identification information output portion for outputting identification information for identifying the external access port to which the fixtures are attached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yutaka Konomura, Eiichi Kobayashi, Fumio Hori
  • Patent number: 9423397
    Abstract: The invention provides methods and devices for generating optical pulses in one or more waveguides using a spatially scanning light source. A detection system, methods of use thereof and kits for detecting a biologically active analyte molecule are also provided. The system includes a scanning light source, a substrate comprising a plurality of waveguides and a plurality of optical sensing sites in optical communication with one or more waveguide of the substrate, a detector that is coupled to and in optical communication with the substrate, and means for spatially translating a light beam emitted from said scanning light source such that the light beam is coupled to and in optical communication with the waveguides of the substrate at some point along its scanning path. The use of a scanning light source allows the coupling of light into the waveguides of the substrate in a simple and cost-effective manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: iNDx Lifecare, Inc.
    Inventor: Reuven Duer
  • Patent number: 9423340
    Abstract: The present invention provides a means of measuring the concentration of ozone dissolved in water or another solvent. Small, discrete samples are sparged with air or another unreactive gas for a short period of time to measure a profile of ozone vs time in the sparge gas. The total amount of ozone in the original sample is obtained by integrating under the ozone vs time profile. A correction may be made for ozone remaining in the sample after a finite sparge time by integrating under the profile tail using a decay constant obtained from the measured ozone vs time profile. The method differs from previous methods based on sparging of the sample in that a Henry's Law equilibrium or constant ratio of ozone present in the gas and liquid phases is not assumed and the flow rates of sample and sparge gas are not continuous.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: 2B Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: John W. Birks, Bova Xiong, Christopher M. Ford, Peter C. Andersen, Craig J. Williford
  • Patent number: 9423360
    Abstract: The following relates to assessing the quality of an optical component. The optical component comprises an arrangement of a first and a second optically transmissive component grating having a component relative orientation angle, and the quality is assessed in terms of a deviation of the component relative orientation angle from a desired relative orientation angle. A master component comprises a substantially matching arrangement of a first and a second optically transmissive master grating having the desired relative orientation angle. The components are supported with the first and second component gratings in the vicinity of the first and second master gratings, and first and second fringe patterns formed by the first gratings and second gratings respectively are used to output a quality assessment, which is based on the fringe spacing of the second fringe pattern when the fringe spacing of the first fringe pattern is substantially maximal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Pasi Kostamo, Ari J. Tervonen
  • Patent number: 9410795
    Abstract: An inner diameter measuring device, comprising an image pickup unit (2) provided at a base end of a frame unit (6) and for picking up an image of a forward end side, a centering unit (4) provided at a forward end of the frame unit, a laser beam diffusing unit (5) provided on the centering unit and at a forward end side of the centering unit via a light transmitting window, a laser beam emitting unit (3) provided on a base end side of the centering unit, and a cone mirror (51) provided on the laser beam diffusing unit and having a conical reflection surface at a forward end, wherein a center line of the cone mirror coincides with an optical axis of the image pickup unit, and the centering unit is adapted to adjust a posture of the image pickup unit so that a laser beam (17) projected from the laser beam emitting unit enters a vertex of the cone mirror.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: IHI Corporation
    Inventors: Michiko Baba, Kouzou Hasegawa, Kiyofumi Fujimura, Toshihiro Hayashi, Norimasa Taga
  • Patent number: 9410897
    Abstract: The present invention provides a film edge detecting method and a film edge detecting device. The film edge detecting method is used for detecting a film edge of a film layer formed on a substrate, the film layer comprises a patterned film layer, the method includes: forming at least one scale pattern in the patterned film layer, a film edge of the patterned film layer corresponding to an edge of the scale pattern; obtaining a patterned film edge indication value of the edge of the scale pattern; and obtaining a second distance, which is a distance between the film edge of the non-patterned film layer and a corresponding edge of the substrate, based on the non-patterned film edge indication value and a preset reference value of the corresponding edge of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignees: BOE Technology Group Co., Ltd., Beijing BOE Display Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shoukun Wang, Huibin Guo, Yuchun Feng, Liangliang Li, Xiaoxiang Zhang, Zongjie Guo
  • Patent number: 9383194
    Abstract: In an image forming apparatus, an error detection mark is formed by using an image forming unit on the surface of a carrier along a detection line passing through an exposure position in a carrier moving direction. The error detection mark includes a first mark and a second mark spaced from each other by a fixed distance in the carrier moving direction. The error detection mark is measured by the sensor. A measurement error of the sensor for a registration mark is determined based on the measured values for the first mark and second mark. A registration mark is formed by using the image forming unit on the surface of the carrier on the detection line. The registration mark is measured using the sensor. Offset of an image-forming position is corrected based on the determined measurement error and a measured value for the registration mark.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Osamu Takahashi, Noritaka Iwama
  • Patent number: 9383661
    Abstract: Disclosed are apparatus and methods for determining optimal focus for a photolithography system. A plurality of optical signals are acquired from a particular target located in a plurality of fields on a semiconductor wafer, and the fields were formed using different process parameters, including different focus values. A feature is extracted from the optical signals related to changes in focus. A symmetric curve is fitted to the extracted feature of the optical signals as a function of focus. An extreme point in the symmetric curve is determined and reported as an optimal focus for use in the photolithography system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: KLA-Tencor Corporation
    Inventor: Stilian Ivanov Pandev
  • Patent number: 9377481
    Abstract: Methods, detectors and systems detect particles and/or measure particle properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Administrator of National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Paul S Greenberg, David G Fischer
  • Patent number: 9377353
    Abstract: Systems and methods may provide for receiving an electrical measurement signal from a first photodetector coupled to a first waveguide and determining a total intensity level of reflected light in the first waveguide based on the electrical measurement signal. Additionally, a perspiration level of skin in contact with the first waveguide may be determined based on the total intensity level of the reflected light in the first waveguide. In one example, an electrical control signal is received from a second photodetector coupled to a second waveguide that is physically isolated from the skin, wherein the total intensity level of the reflected light in the first waveguide is determined further based on the electrical control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Kyu Hyun Kim, David N. Hutchison
  • Patent number: 9372158
    Abstract: A laser profiler includes: a laser diode mounted within a substantially cylindrical housing; a conical mirror positioned upstream from the laser diode within the cylindrical housing; and a transparent shroud positioned to surround the conical mirror. A beam produced by the laser diode is directed to the conical mirror and is reflected therefrom at 360° through the transparent shroud to produce a ring of light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: Jennison Corporation
    Inventors: Mark P. Johnsen, Theodore J. Cooper
  • Patent number: 9372073
    Abstract: The invention relates to an inner diameter measuring device, having a non-contact measuring unit (3) and a contact measuring unit (4) arranged along the same center line, wherein the non-contact measuring unit comprises an image pickup unit (6) arranged on the center line, a laser beam emitting unit (7), and a laser beam diffusing unit (9) having a cone mirror, wherein a laser beam projected from the laser beam emitting unit to the cone mirror is reflected over a total circumference by the cone mirror, the image pickup unit takes an optical ring which is formed by projecting the reflected laser beam to an inner surface of a hollow portion, at least one of an inner diameter or a shape of the inner surface is measured based on an image picked up, and wherein the contact measuring unit comprises a contact measuring head (42) and a circulation unit (41) for circulating the contact measuring head around the center line, wherein the contact measuring head has a contact measuring unit having a contact at a forward e
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: IHI Corporation
    Inventors: Michiko Baba, Kouzou Hasegawa, Norimasa Taga, Tooru Fujii
  • Patent number: 9372346
    Abstract: An angular detection arrangement for a head mountable display (HMD) comprising a light source or reflective marking and an optical detector, one of the light source or reflective marking and the optical detector being disposed at the HMD and the other being disposed at a fixed point, the light source or reflective marking comprising a directional light source or reflective marking and a substantially non-directional light source or reflective marking such that the separation between the directional and non-directional light sources or reflective markings as detected at the optical detector is dependent upon the relative orientation of the HMD and the fixed point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: Sony Computer Entertainment Europe Limited
    Inventors: Ian Henry Bickerstaff, Sharwin Winesh Raghoebardayal
  • Patent number: 9366884
    Abstract: A system for holding and aligning spectacles such that mapping measurements of the optical properties of a lens can be performed with the lens held such that its optical axis is parallel to the incident measurement beam. This may be implemented using three points which define a plane with which a surface of the lens can be aligned. The frame gripper is constructed such that the lens to be measured is free to rotate in space around any axis until clamped by the three alignment pin support arrangement, with the exception of rotation around the optical axis of the lens. This freedom of rotation allows the lens to be positioned on the alignment pin support automatically without the need for operator intervention. The spectacle frame is clamped using a spring loaded caliper device, configured to sequentially align the mechanical center of each lens with the measuring beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: VISIONIX LTD.
    Inventors: Ran Yam, Nir Amiel
  • Patent number: 9366621
    Abstract: A method of monitoring combustion properties in an interior of a furnace is described. A beam of light is projected through a pitch optic including a pitch collimating lens residing outside the boiler interior. The pitch collimating lens projects the beam through a penetration into the boiler interior. The beam of light projected by the pitch collimating lens is reflected from at least one in-furnace retro-reflector, and received with a catch optic substantially identical to the pitch optic residing outside the boiler interior. The pitch optic and the catch optic may be embodied in the same pitch/catch optic. The pitch collimating lens may also be steered toward another of the at least one in-furnace retro-reflectors. Combustion properties may be calculated for each retro-reflector based on retro-reflector zones within the furnace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: Zolo Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jim Howell, Bernard Patrick Masterson, Rod Harris, David Giltner, Atilio Jobson, Michael John Estes, Andrew D. Sappey
  • Patent number: 9358637
    Abstract: The spot shape of a laser beam is detected by moving a table holding a detection substrate having a luminescent substance in an X direction and a Y direction with a laser beam focused by a lens applied to an area of the detection substrate where the luminescent substance is located. The intensity of light emitted from the luminescent substance is detected during the movement of the table, and a light intensity map is prepared indicating the light intensities detected in the light intensity detecting step at all of the X and Y coordinates of the luminescent substance. Spot shape images of the laser beam are formed according to a plurality of light intensity maps obtained by positioning the focusing lens at a plurality of detection positions changed in a Z direction perpendicular to a holding surface of the table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: Disco Corporation
    Inventor: Keiji Nomaru
  • Patent number: 9327488
    Abstract: A carrier and a substrate are aligned even if an imager cannot be simultaneously focused on alignment marks formed on both the carrier and the substrate. Center of gravity positions G1m of an alignment pattern element AP1 on a substrate and G2m of an alignment pattern element AP2 on a transparent blanket are calculated by image processing from an image IM imaged via the blanket by a CCD camera. The position of the center of gravity Gm2 is specified by a process associated with edge extraction from the image imaged with the alignment pattern element AP2 on the blanket being in focus. High spatial frequency components are removed and low frequency components are extracted for the alignment pattern element AP1 on the substrate imaged out of focus to have a blurred outline, and the position of the center of gravity G1m is specified from an extraction result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: SCREEN Holdings Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazutaka Taniguchi, Masafumi Kawagoe, Mikio Masuichi, Tomoyuki Komura