Patents Examined by Jennifer D Bennett
  • 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: 11908166
    Abstract: A vehicular imaging system includes a camera disposed behind a windshield of a vehicle and viewing through a portion of the windshield. Image data captured by the camera is provided to a control. The control receives, via a communication bus of the vehicle, at least one selected from the group consisting of (i) vehicle pitch information relating to pitch of the vehicle, (ii) vehicle yaw information relating to yaw of the vehicle and (iii) vehicle steering information relating to steering of the vehicle. The system automatically corrects for misalignment of the camera. Image data captured by the camera is processed at the control for a lane departure warning system of the vehicle and for at least one selected from the group consisting of (i) an automatic headlamp control system of the vehicle, (ii) a collision avoidance system of the vehicle and (iii) an adaptive front lighting system of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Yuesheng Lu, Michael J. Higgins-Luthman, Antony V. Jeyaraj, Manoj R. Phirke
  • Patent number: 11908959
    Abstract: A light sensor having a voltage reversing mechanism is provided. A photoelectric component converts a first light signal into a first photocurrent. A capacitor is charged to a first voltage by the first photocurrent. A counter counts a first coarse count value according to the first voltage. The photoelectric component converts a second light signal into a second photocurrent. The capacitor is charged from a reversed first voltage to a second voltage by the second photocurrent. The counter counts a second coarse count value according to the second voltage. The counter counts a fine count value according to the second coarse count value. One of the first light signal and the second light signal is emitted by both of an ambient light source and a light-emitting component and then reflected by a tested object, and the other one of them is emitted by only the ambient light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: ANPEC ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jia-Hua Hong, Chih-Yuan Chen
  • 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: 11892570
    Abstract: An optical assembly includes a light-emitting device, a partition structure and a cover. The partition structure defines a first space for accommodating the light-emitting device. The cover is disposed over the partition structure. The cover has a first surface facing the partition structure and a second surface opposite to the first surface. A light emitted by the light-emitting device forms a first irradiance pattern projected on the second surface of the cover, and the first irradiance pattern includes a first dark zone traversing the first irradiance pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: ADVANCED SEMICONDUCTOR ENGINEERING, INC.
    Inventor: Hsin-Ying Ho
  • Patent number: 11885828
    Abstract: There is provided an optical encoder including a phase shifter circuit and a multiple hysteresis comparators. The phase shifter circuit receives four input signals, and outputs multiple phase shifted signals based on the four input signals. Each of the multiple hysteresis comparators uses a changeable operation hysteresis level to compare a couple of phase shifted signals among the multiple phase shifted signals, wherein the changeable operation hysteresis level is determined corresponding to a signal frequency of the four input signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: PIXART IMAGING INC.
    Inventors: Chung-Min Thor, Kuan-Choong Shim
  • Patent number: 11885673
    Abstract: A pixel circuit is provided for use in an image sensor. The pixel circuit includes a photosensitive element configured to generate a current signal in response to brightness of light impinging on the photosensitive element, and a converter configured to receive the current signal from the photosensitive element and generate a voltage signal based on the received current signal. The pixel circuit also includes a capacitor electrically coupled to the converter in series and configured to receive the voltage signal from the converter, and an amplifier electrically coupled, at an input, to the capacitor in series and configured to generate, at an output, an amplified signal based on an output signal from the capacitor, wherein there is no feedback between the output and the input of the amplifier. Further, the pixel circuit includes a reset device configured to reset the amplifier in response to a trigger signal being generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Prophesee
    Inventors: Daniel Matolin, Denis Bourke, Christian Bouvier
  • Patent number: 11888080
    Abstract: A detection device is provided. The detection device includes a sensor base; a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements that are provided in a detection area of the sensor base and are configured to receive light incident thereon and output signals corresponding to the received light; a plurality of switching elements provided in the respective photoelectric conversion elements; a plurality of gate lines that are coupled to the switching elements and extend in a first direction; a first light source configured to emit first light having a first maximum emission wavelength; and a second light source configured to emit second light having a second maximum emission wavelength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Japan Display Inc.
    Inventors: Hirofumi Kato, Takanori Tsunashima, Makoto Uchida, Takashi Nakamura, Akio Takimoto, Takao Someya, Tomoyuki Yokota
  • Patent number: 11881366
    Abstract: A switch is disclosed. In some examples, a switch includes a generally cylindrical housing; one or more sets of contact points enclosed by the housing; an indicator module, such as a multi-color LED illuminator, also enclosed by the housing; and a pushbutton actuator disposed to operate the contact points. The housing includes a display section spanning substantially the entire circumference of the housing such that the indication made by the indicator module is visible from all radial directions. When the pushbutton actuator is pressed, some of the contact points open to cut off power from hazards, while others are reconfigured to change the state of the indicator module to indicate the changed status of the switch. Multiple switches can be interfaced with each other, such as by serial connection, to facilitate multi-switch safety environment. Modular cables can be used to conveniently establish the interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: BANNER ENGINEERING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael Scott Carlson, Darrell Raymond Pikkaraine
  • Patent number: 11879980
    Abstract: Improved systems and methods are provided to implement anomaly detection. The method includes a FMCW LIDAR system that steers the laser beam of the LIDAR system via the wavelength tuning of a FMCW. The direction of the laser beam can be diffracted and controlled by the optical grating antennas which may diffract the laser beam as a function of wavelength. The method may also provide a LIDAR sensor with exhibits a controlled and wide-angle fill or output without the use of conventional mechanical mechanisms for scanning. The LIDAR system provides a cost-effective method to reduce scan dimensionality without sacrificing performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: Paul D. Schmalenberg
  • Patent number: 11874582
    Abstract: A monolithically integrated optical analog-to-digital conversion system based on a lithium niobate-silicon wafer, and a method for manufacturing the same, wherein a novel wafer (lithium niobate-silicon wafer) is used to implement the monolithically integrated optical analog-to-digital conversion system having multiple photonic devices, including an electro-optical modulator array, a tunable delay line array, an electronic circuit, and the like. As a result, multiple devices are manufactured on one chip, and the performance advantages and the stability of the system are guaranteed. Moreover, the present invention provides a CMOS-compatible method for manufacturing the system, so that the monolithically integrated optical analog-to-digital conversion system based on the lithium niobate-silicon wafer can be implemented on platforms of most chip manufacturers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: Shanghai Jiao Tong University
    Inventors: Weiwen Zou, Shaofu Xu, Jing Wang
  • 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: 11867557
    Abstract: Automatic ambient light cancellation for an optical front end. The present disclosure includes a coarse loop and fine loop in a feedback circuit configured to cancel out currents generated by detection of ambient light. An optical front end comprises a single-ended photo-diode connected to a transimpedance amplifier (TIA) followed by a buffer stage to generate differential output. A feedback loop controls a current digital to analog converter (iDAC) which is used to cancel out undesired current (e.g., from ambient light). This results in the TIA from saturating and maintain good signal quality with greater sensitivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: ANALOG DEVICES INTERNATIONAL UNLIMITED COMPANY
    Inventors: Jinhua Ni, Hui Shen
  • 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: 11852525
    Abstract: An ambient light sensor is provided that includes a sensor input having a delta-sigma analogue to digital converter. The delta-sigma analogue to digital converter includes a switched capacitor, a common mode voltage source, a reference voltage source, and a switch network. In a first clock phase, the switch network connects the switched capacitor to charge it to either a sum or difference voltage. In a second clock phase, the switch network connects the switched capacitor to transfer charge into a summing junction. A controller controls the switch network in response to a comparator output to connect the switched capacitor to either the common mode voltage or the reference voltage while in the first clock phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignees: PAX WATER TECHNOLOGIES INC., AMS INTERNATIONAL AG
    Inventors: Ravi Kumar Adusumalli, Rahul Thottathil, Gowri Krishna Kanth Avalur, Sudhakar Singamala
  • Patent number: 11852523
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a light senor having directional sensitivity. The light sensor includes multiple light sensitive elements disposed below the same aperture. Each of the light sensitive elements has a respective field of view through the aperture that differs from the field of view of the other light sensitive elements. Signals from the light sensor can facilitate determining the direction of incoming light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: AMS AG
    Inventor: Werner Rauch