Patents Examined by Jennifer D Bennett
  • Patent number: 11004885
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a solid-state image capture element and an electronic device which are enabled to eliminate asymmetry of a light reception amount in accordance with an incident angle of light incident on a pixel. A solid-state image capture element includes: a pixel including a light-receiving portion that receives light incident from a rear-surface side of a semiconductor substrate; and a wiring layer laminated on a front-surface of the semiconductor substrate. The pixel includes a symmetrical wiring that is formed symmetrically with respect to a center of the pixel in a plane view of the pixel. The symmetrical wiring is arranged in a layer closest to the light-receiving portion, of a plurality of layers of wiring formed in the wiring layer. For example, the present technology can be applied to a rear-surface irradiation type solid-state image capture element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroaki Seko
  • Patent number: 11002562
    Abstract: An encoder includes a magnet, an optical coded disc, a magnetic sensing assembly, an optical sensing assembly and a signal processing unit. The optical coded disc has a first incremental pattern track and a second incremental pattern track. The magnet and the optical coded disc are structurally coaxial and rotatable. The magnet sensing assembly senses the magnet rotation to obtain an absolute position signal. The optical sensing assembly senses the optical coded disc rotation to obtain a first incremental position signal and a second incremental position signal. The signal processing unit receives and integrates those signals to obtain a high precision absolute position information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: DELTA ELECTRONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Horng-Jou Wang, Jeng-Ping Lin
  • Patent number: 10996105
    Abstract: One object of the present disclosure is to show an optical filter capable of realizing both an excellent visible light transmittance and an excellent near-infrared ray-shielding performance even if an incident angle becomes large. The optical filter of the present disclosure has a base material (i) including a light absorbing layer, and transmits visible light, wherein the light absorbing layer has a maximum absorption in a wavelength range of 750 nm to 1,150 nm, and in a wavelength range of 850 nm to 1,050 nm, an average OD value measured in a direction perpendicular to the optical filter is 2.0 or more, and an average OD value measured at an angle of 60° with respect to the direction perpendicular to the optical filter is 2.0 or more.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: JSR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Katsuya Nagaya, Toshihiro Otsuki, Daisuke Shigeoka, Takashi Tsubouchi
  • Patent number: 10989569
    Abstract: A bearingless angular measurement device includes an angle scale, a scanning unit, and an evaluation electronics. The scanning unit and the angle scale are located at a scanning distance relative to each other and are rotatable about an axis, so that the scanning unit is capable of generating angle-dependent output signals, which may be further processed in the evaluation electronics. The scanning distance is able to be determined on the basis of the output signals. In addition, the angular measurement device includes a compensation coupling that is attachable to a machine component and is elastically deformable in the direction of the axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: DR. JOHANNES HEIDENHAIN GmbH
    Inventors: Josef Thaler, Erich Strasser
  • Patent number: 10989587
    Abstract: A distributed fibre sensing system and a vibration detection and positioning method therefor are disclosed. The system comprises: a signal generating module, a light source module, an optical frequency comb generating module, a frequency sweeping and pulse generating module, an optical circulator, a sensing fibre, an interference module, a photoelectric conversion module and a detection and position module. The method comprises: obtaining a plurality of Rayleigh backscattering signals of the sensing fibre; performing a fading elimination processing on the Rayleigh backscattering signals, thereby obtaining a plurality of averaged Rayleigh backscattering signals of non-interference fading and polarization fading; performing a phase processing on the averaged Rayleigh backscattering signals, thereby obtaining phase variance curves; and determining a vibration point according to variances in the phase variance curves, and finally obtaining a position and a vibration waveform of the vibration point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignees: SHANGHAI JIAOTONG UNIVERSITY, NEUBREX CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Zuyuan He, Qingwen Liu, Dian Chen, Xinyu Fan
  • Patent number: 10991737
    Abstract: A solid-state imaging device includes blue photoelectric conversion elements, green photoelectric conversion elements, red photoelectric conversion elements, infrared photoelectric conversion elements, and an infrared cut filter (IRCF) is layered on the blue photoelectric conversion elements, the green photoelectric conversion elements, and the red photoelectric conversion elements with a uniform film thickness. Color filters that respectively transmit the blue light, the green light, and the red light are layered on the IRCF so as to correspond with the blue photoelectric conversion elements, the green photoelectric conversion elements, and the red photoelectric conversion elements. A visible-light shielding filter is layered on the infrared photoelectric conversion elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Masaki Ono, Masatoshi Kodama, Naoyuki Tokida, Akiko Fujiuchi, Keisuke Nakamura
  • Patent number: 10983340
    Abstract: An object tracker comprises: a source of light; at least one illumination waveguide optically coupled to said source continuing at least one grating lamina for diffracting said light towards an external object; at least one detector waveguide containing a grating lamina for in-coupling and deflecting a first polarization of light reflected from said object into a first waveguide direction and deflecting a second polarization of light reflected from said object into a second waveguide direction; at least one detector optically coupled to said detector waveguide operative to receive light propagating in said first waveguide direction; and at least one detector optically coupled to said detector waveguide operative to receive light propagating in said second waveguide direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: DigiLens Inc.
    Inventors: Milan Momcilo Popovich, Jonathan David Waldern, Alastair John Grant
  • Patent number: 10982979
    Abstract: A label sensing mechanism for a printer mechanism is provided. The label sensing mechanism may comprise a first optical sensor and a second optical sensor disposed opposite one another, each of the first optical sensor and the second optical sensor may comprise an emitter and a detector. The first optical sensor and the second optical sensor may be positioned on either side of a paper path along which label liner bearing labels to be printed travels. The first optical sensor and the second optical sensor may be operable together or separately in order to detect label position, preprinted marks on the label liner, and preprinted marks on the labels. A method for sensing labels using such a label sensing mechanism and a printer having such a label sensing mechanism are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: TransAct Technologies Incorporated
    Inventors: David Weeks, James Del Signore
  • Patent number: 10983305
    Abstract: Methods, systems and devices for automatically focusing a microscope on a specimen and collecting a focused image of the specimen are provided. Aspects of the methods include detecting the presence of a substrate in a microscope, determining whether the substrate is in a correct orientation for imaging, focusing the microscope on a specimen that is placed on the substrate, and collecting one or more images of the specimen. Systems and devices for carrying out the subject methods are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: Abbott Laboratories
    Inventors: Trevor David Shields, Robert John Fahey, Damian J. Verdnik, Svitlana Y. Berezhna, Mahmoud Janbakhsh, Koshy T. Chacko
  • Patent number: 10976336
    Abstract: An apparatus for measuring fluid speed by using the refraction of light is disclosed. The apparatus includes: a channel in which a passage is formed to allow the flow of a fluid; a first and a second light source that are located in any one region of an upper part and a lower part of the channel; a sensor installed in an opposite region of the region where the first and second light sources are located with respect to the channel, to receive the light emitted from the first and second light sources; a speed calculation unit that calculates the speed of the fluid by using a time point at which the intensity of the light received at the sensor changes; and an adjustment unit that is connected to the channel and configured to adjust the flow speed of the fluid based on the calculated speed of the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: ABSOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Seok Chung, Eun Doo Lee, Jung Hyo Yoon, Se Woon Han, Jae Ho Kim, Young Kyu Cho, David Lim, Yong Hun Jung, Dong June Ahn
  • Patent number: 10976560
    Abstract: There is provided an illumination system of a navigation device including a light beam shaping optics, and a first light source and a second light source having different characteristics. The light beam shaping optics is used to shape light beams emitted by the first light source and the second light source to illuminate a work surface with substantially identical incident angles and/or beam sizes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: PIXART IMAGING INC.
    Inventor: Sai-Mun Lee
  • Patent number: 10969271
    Abstract: An illuminance calibrating device includes a reference light source and an illuminance detection device. The reference light source, which generates light with a specific wavelength and a source illuminance, adjusts the source illuminance to be a first illuminance according to a control signal. The illuminance detection device includes a shading plate, an illuminance detector, and a controller. The shading plate is configured to lower the first illuminance to a first shading illuminance. The illuminance detector detects the first shading illuminance to generate a detection signal. The controller generates the control signal and calculates a ratio of the first illuminance to the first shading illuminance according to the detection signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: QUANTA COMPUTER INC.
    Inventor: Hsin-Liang Lin
  • Patent number: 10943935
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for charge transfer in image sensors are disclosed. One example of an image sensor pixel may include a first charge storage node and a second charge storage node. A transfer circuit may be coupled between the first and second charge storage nodes, and the transfer circuit may have a first region proximate the first charge storage node and configured to have a first potential. The transfer circuit may also have a second region proximate the second charge storage node configured to have a second, higher potential. An input node may be configured to control the first and second potentials based on a transfer signal provided to the input node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Xiangli Li, Xiaofeng Fan, Chung Chun Wan
  • Patent number: 10935870
    Abstract: Digital camera comprising an upright Wide camera configured to provide a Wide image with a Wide image resolution and a folded Tele camera configured to provide a Tele image with a Tele image resolution higher than the Wide image resolution, the Wide and Tele cameras having respective Wide and Tele fields of view FOVW and FOVT and respective Wide and Tele image sensors, the digital camera further comprising a rotating OPFE operative to provide a folded optical path between an object or scene and the Tele image sensor, wherein rotation of the OPFE moves FOVT relative to FOVW. In some embodiments, a rectangular FOVT is orthogonal to a rectangular FOVW. When included in a host device having a user interface that displays FOVT within FOVW, the user interface may be used to position FOVT relative to FOVW, scan FOVT across FOVW and acquire, store and display separate Wide and Tele images, composite Wide plus Tele images and stitched Tele images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: Corephotonics Ltd.
    Inventors: Gal Shabtay, Ephraim Goldenberg, Eran Kali, Noy Cohen, Gil Avraham, Ruthy Katz
  • Patent number: 10921163
    Abstract: An optical positioning measurement device includes a light source module operable to emit light, an encoder module and a sensor module. The sensor module is configured to output electric signals relating to luminous flux of light received thereby via the encoder module. The encoder module having a first incremental code portion, a second incremental code portion and an absolute code portion. The first incremental code portion includes multiple first incremental code patterns that are equally distributed. The second incremental code portion includes multiple second incremental code patterns that are equally distributed. The second incremental code patterns are arranged more loosely than the first incremental code patterns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: HIWIN MIKROSYSTEM CORP.
    Inventors: Heng-Sheng Hsiao, Yin-Yuan Chen, Tsan-Lin Chen
  • Patent number: 10921501
    Abstract: An optical member includes a reflection-scattering unit that reflects and scatters light having a wavelength band which corresponds to at least a portion of a visible wavelength range, and transmits light having a wavelength band which corresponds to at least a portion of an infrared region, wherein rectilinear transmittance for the light having the wavelength band which corresponds to at least the portion of the infrared region is equal to or greater than 75%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: AGC Inc.
    Inventor: Koji Miyasaka
  • Patent number: 10917589
    Abstract: Examples of a pixel cell are disclosed. In one example, a pixel cell may include a first semiconductor layer including a photodiode and one or more transistor devices configured to convert charges generated by the photodiode into an analog signal. The pixel cell may also include a second semiconductor layer including one or more transistor devices configured to convert the analog signal to one or more digital signals. The first semiconductor layer and the second semiconductor layer may form a stack structure. In another example, a pixel cell may include a photodiode and a capacitor. The pixel cell may be operated, in a first mode of measurement, to measure the charges stored at the capacitor when the capacitor is electrically coupled with the photodiode, and in a second mode of measurement, to measure the charges stored at the capacitor when the capacitor is electrically isolated from the photodiode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: Facebook Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Xinqiao Liu
  • Patent number: 10914627
    Abstract: A photodiode current comparison circuit has a first current source coupled to a circuit node configurable to operate in a first mode, a second current source coupled to the circuit node configurable to operate in a second mode opposite the first mode, and a third current source switchable to route a current to the circuit node in response to a data signal using a transistor coupled between the circuit node and the third current source. A photodiode is coupled to the circuit node. In a first configuration, an anode of the photodiode is coupled to the circuit node and a cathode of the photodiode is coupled to a power supply terminal. In a second configuration, a cathode of the photodiode is coupled to the circuit node and an anode of the photodiode is coupled to a power supply terminal. An amplifier provides an error signal of the photodiode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: Semtech Corporation
    Inventors: Jonah Edward Nuttgens, James Stephen Mason
  • Patent number: 10914614
    Abstract: Provided is an encoder apparatus including: a scale provided to a rotation shaft of a drive apparatus and having a predetermined pattern; a detector that detects the predetermined pattern; a rotation information calculator that calculates rotation information on the rotation shaft by using detection results of the detector; an eccentricity information calculator; and a corrector that corrects the rotation information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Taiyo Takahashi, Akihiro Watanabe
  • Patent number: 10914615
    Abstract: A scanning reticle for an optical position measuring device includes a substrate having an upper surface, operating in transmission, and having different functional regions. The upper surface includes at least one region having a grating made up of gaps and ribs, the ribs being formed in the substrate. The upper surface includes an antireflection layer, which is discontinuous in the region of the gaps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: DR. JOHANNES HEIDENHAIN GmbH
    Inventors: Stefan Funk, Andreas Hofmann, Peter Speckbacher