Patents Examined by Jennifer D Bennett
  • 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
  • Patent number: 10914047
    Abstract: A system for detecting an intrusion of at least one of a monitoring fiber and a detector comprises a sensor having a closure monitor and an intrusion monitor, the closure monitor including a signal generator and at least one detector attached to the monitoring fiber. The signal generator transmits signal light such that the monitoring fiber receives the transmitted signal light and reflects a portion of the signal light via the at least one detector to the closure monitor and transmits a non-reflected portion of the signal light. The intrusion monitor receives the transmitted non-reflected portion of the signal light, and monitors the non-reflected portion of the signal light to detect transient changes in the non-reflected portion of the signal light indicative of at least one of a vibration, a motion and a handling of at least one of the monitoring fiber and the at least one detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: NETWORK INTEGRITY SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Cary R. Murphy, Mark K. Bridges, Joseph Giovannini
  • Patent number: 10917602
    Abstract: An imaging device comprising a pixel substrate including pixel element circuitry, a logic substrate including read circuitry configured to receive an output signal voltage from the pixel element circuitry, and electrically-conductive material arranged between the pixel substrate and the logic substrate, wherein the electrically-conductive material is configured to transfer at least one reference voltage from the logic substrate to the pixel substrate, wherein the electrically-conductive material comprises a Cu—Cu bonding portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Yasunori Tsukuda, Kenichi Takamiya
  • Patent number: 10907996
    Abstract: A measurement apparatus includes: a light source that emits light; a scale that has a plurality of tracks whose patterns are different from each other, the tracks passing at least a part of lights emitted by the light source; a light receiving part that has a plurality of light receiving elements that each output an optical signal corresponding to strength of light received through the tracks; and a signal generation part that generates a serial signal in which a plurality of the optical signals are time-division multiplexed and sends the generated serial signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: MITUTOYO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hirokazu Kobayashi, Akio Kawai
  • Patent number: 10823757
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for non-destructive inspection using microwave microscopy are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method for inspecting an electrically-conductive mesh in a composite component using microwave microscopy comprises generating radio-frequency electromagnetic radiation using a microwave microscopy probe disposed adjacent the composite component so that the radio-frequency electromagnetic radiation interacts with the electrically-conductive mesh in the composite component, and, detecting a characteristic associated with the microwave microscopy probe. The detected characteristic is indicative of a condition of the electrically-conductive mesh.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: BOMBARDIER INC.
    Inventors: Leandro Rufail, Jean-Jacques Laurin, Fidele Moupfouma
  • Patent number: 10809413
    Abstract: A sensor assembly for passive detections of downhole well features. Embodiments include a casing collar locator assembly that utilizes fiber optics in combination with a magneto-responsive sensor to detect casing collars and provide real-time location information in a well. The sensor may be configured to work with a poled monolithic structure that is dimensionally responsive to voltage in a way that substantially eliminates noise during detections. Additionally, the sensor may be intentionally imbalanced, utilizing multiple fibers of different lengths and multiple wavelength monitoring so as to provide enhanced directional information as well as allow operators to decipher and address circumstances of polarization fade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Dominic Brady, Arthur H. Hartog
  • Patent number: 10805123
    Abstract: A method of detecting crosstalk for a digital isolator having first and second channels including two die with channels including a transmit side, receive side, with ?1 die including a capacitive barrier for each channel. A first clock signal at a first frequency in a first pulse pattern and a second clock signal at a second frequency in a second pulse pattern are configured, wherein the pulse patterns have a phase difference. The transmit side of the channels each encode their received clock pulse pattern, then modulate with a carrier frequency to provide a fc1 and a fc2 signal, respectively. The receive side of the channels demodulate received signals during a rising or falling edge of their clock signal to generate a delayed received version of the first and second clock pulse pattern. Missing pulses are identified by comparing the delayed received clock pulse patterns to their clock pulse patterns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Atul Singh, Kumar Anurag Shrivastava
  • Patent number: 10794684
    Abstract: A touch probe for sensing the position of a surface, having a housing and a moving assembly supported within the housing and including a flexible reflective element, a spacer element, and a semitransparent element, wherein a reflective surface of the flexible reflective element and a surface of the semitransparent element are separated by the spacer element, and a stylus connected to the flexible reflective element. Movement of the stylus responsive to a force causes the flexible reflective element to flex and change distances between points on the reflective surface and on the surface of the semitransparent element. Coherent light incident upon the semitransparent element and directed towards the reflective surface creates interference fringes dependent upon separation distances between the reflective surface and the surface of the semitransparent element. A detector senses changes in the interference fringes patterns in response to flexing of the flexible element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: QUALITY VISION INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventor: Guglielmo Raho
  • Patent number: 10761261
    Abstract: A clamping device (300) for a light guide (112) is provided. The clamping device (300) includes a carrier structure having a first securing element (301) for securing the light guide (112) in a first position (401), and a second securing element (302) at a distance from the first securing element (301) for securing the light guide (112) in a second position (402), wherein the first and second positions (401, 402) have a first distance (403) in a longitudinal extension of the light guide (112). Further, an intermediate carrier (500) having a first surface (503) on which the first and second securing elements (301, 302) are attached in respective securing positions (501, 502), and an opposing second surface (504), which can be applied to a measurement object, is provided. Hereby, a second distance (505) of the securing positions (501, 502) of the securing elements (301, 302) on the intermediate carrier (500) is greater than the first distance (403) in a longitudinal direction of the light guide (112).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: fos4X GmbH
    Inventors: Mathias Müller, Fabian Zelenka
  • Patent number: 10754142
    Abstract: Systems are provided including night vision goggles and up-conversion circuits for converting short wave infrared (SWIR) light into near infrared (NIR) light or other visible light in low-light environments. An array of electrically coupled photodiodes, amplifiers, and NIR light emitters generate and amplify a current in response to SWIR, powering the light emitters to generate NIR light. The NIR can then be directed into a photomultiplier tube to amplify the light and allow an operator to see in low-light environments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Benjamin R. Conley
  • Patent number: 10746592
    Abstract: According to the present invention, a method for manufacturing a rear surface incident type light receiving device including a substrate, a light receiving unit formed on a surface of the substrate and an electrode formed on the light receiving unit and electrically connected to the light receiving unit includes a first step of performing, after formation of a part of the electrode, a characteristic inspection of the rear surface incident type light receiving device by applying a probe to a part of the electrode and a second step of reducing an area of the electrode in a plan view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Yasuo Nakajima
  • Patent number: 10726578
    Abstract: A vehicular imaging system includes an imaging device having a single imaging sensor capturing image data within a field of view. A control within the vehicle includes an image processor and receives image data captured by the single imaging sensor and receives vehicle data via a communication bus of the vehicle. Responsive at least in part to image processing of captured image data, the control detects converging road features along the road the vehicle is travelling and determines a point of intersection where the converging road features would converge. Responsive at least in part to image processing of captured image data, the control automatically corrects for misalignment of the imaging device mounted at the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Yuesheng Lu, Michael J. Higgins-Luthman, Antony V. Jeyaraj, Manoj R. Phirke
  • Patent number: 10718658
    Abstract: An optical fiber sensor includes: a transmitting unit configured to output two lights into an optical fiber, wavelengths of the two lights being different from each other at a specific time, and at least one of the wavelengths of the two lights varying with time; and a measuring unit configured to receive back-scattered light output from the optical fiber and detect a temporal variation of an optical phase at an arbitrary interval in a longitudinal direction of the optical fiber by measuring measure an interference state of the two lights.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: FURUKAWA ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Masateru Tadakuma
  • Patent number: 10718922
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes subassemblies and optoelectronic modules in which an optics system, or a spacer laterally surrounding a cover glass, includes a flange which facilitates mechanical attachment of the optics system to the spacer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: ams Sensors Singapore Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Ahn Tae Yong, Sai Mun Chan, Kyu Won Hwang
  • Patent number: 10714532
    Abstract: An imaging device is provided. The imaging device may include a substrate having a first photoelectric conversion unit and a second photoelectric conversion unit at a light-incident side of the substrate. The second photoelectric conversion unit may include a photoelectric conversion layer, a first electrode, a second electrode above the photoelectric conversion layer, a third electrode, and an insulating material between the third electrode and the photoelectric conversion layer, wherein a portion of the insulating material is between the first electrode and the third electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Hideaki Togashi, Fumihiko Koga, Tetsuji Yamaguchi, Shintarou Hirata, Taiichiro Watanabe, Yoshihiro Ando, Toyotaka Kataoka, Satoshi Keino, Yukio Kaneda
  • Patent number: 10715090
    Abstract: A bias circuit includes a replica circuit for an amplifier circuit using a cascode type inverter, and a generation circuit that generates a bias voltage that causes a drain voltage of an input stage transistor of the amplifier circuit to be a saturation drain voltage, based on an output voltage of the replica circuit, and supplies the generated bias voltage to a cascode element of the amplifier circuit and a cascode element of the replica circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventors: Yasufumi Sakai, Yoshiyasu Doi
  • Patent number: 10705248
    Abstract: A sensor control device and a sensor system are provided through which it is possible to automatically detect whether mutual interference occurs for a plurality of sensor units, and it is possible to automatically set periodic light projection timings for preventing mutual interference. A sensor control device includes a light projection control part configured to instruct a light projection operation for each of a plurality of sensor units and a light projection timing setting part configured to set periodic light projection timings when each of the sensor units is periodically operated based on results of light projection control for each of the sensor units and detection results of each of the sensor units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: OMRON Corporation
    Inventors: Takuya Matsushima, Koyo Ozaki, Yusuke Iida