Patents Examined by John Lee
  • Patent number: 9191588
    Abstract: A high dynamic range pixel (2) includes a photosensor device (4) for detecting incident light, said photosensor having a photosensor output (14) for a photosensor signal Vp that represents a time integral of the detected light intensity over an integration period. A transistor disconnect switch (8) has a first switch input (15) that is connected to the photosensor output (14), a second switch input (17) that is connected to receive a time-dependent reference signal Vref, and a switch output (16) for a switch output signal Vs that is switchably connected to the first switch input. The disconnect switch (8) is constructed and arranged to disconnect the switch output (16) from the first switch input (15) at a capture moment that depends on the relative values of input signals at the first and second switch inputs (15,18).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: ISIS INNOVATION LIMITED
    Inventor: Steve Collins
  • Patent number: 9188481
    Abstract: A number of apparatuses are provided, for sensing and/or emitting energy along one or more desired apparatus line of sights (LOS) with respect to the respective apparatus. In an embodiment, an apparatus includes an assembly that is rotatably mounted on a base with respect to a switching axis. The assembly has two or more sensing/emitting units, each having a respective sensing/emitting unit line of sight (ULOS). Each sensing/emitting unit has an operative state, wherein the respective unit ULOS is pointed along a LOS of the apparatus for sensing and/or emitting energy along the LOS, and a corresponding inoperative state, where the respective unit ULOS is pointed along a direction different from this LOS. A switching mechanism enables switching between the sensing/emitting units to selectively bring a desired sensing/emitting unit exclusively into its respective operative state while concurrently bringing a remainder of the sensing/emitting units each to a respective non-operative state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: ELTA SYSTEMS LTD.
    Inventor: David Baumatz
  • Patent number: 9191597
    Abstract: A device for controlling an image sensor including at least one photosensitive cell including a photodiode capable of discharging into a sense node via a first MOS transistor, the sense node being connected to the gate of a second MOS transistor having its source connected to a processing system. The device includes a bias circuit capable of increasing the voltage of the source during the discharge of the photodiode into the sense node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.A.
    Inventors: Frédéric Barbier, Yvon Cazaux
  • Patent number: 9184813
    Abstract: A method for reducing interference at a terminal of a wireless cellular network is described. The terminal experiences interference from a plurality of interfering nodes in the wireless cellular network. The method includes selecting the precoders of the interfering nodes such that the sum of distances between the interference projector matrices for the terminal is minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: NTT DOCOMO, INC.
    Inventors: Samer Bazzi, Guido Dietl, Wolfgang Utschick
  • Patent number: 9182289
    Abstract: An apparatus for estimating a wavefront parameter includes a light source, a lenslet array, a detector for detecting light generated by the light source and passed through the lenslet array, a wavefront corrective element disposed between the lenslet array and the light source; and a data analyzer configured to estimate at least one wavefront parameter at a plane located on the light source side of the corrective element. The lenslet array and the sensor array are arranged to form a wavefront sensor, and the wavefront corrective element is configured to correct an aberration of the wavefront.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignees: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha, The Arizona Board of Regents on Behalf of the University of Arizona
    Inventors: Harrison Barrett, Luca Caucci, Lars Furenlid, Akinori Ohkubo
  • Patent number: 9171988
    Abstract: A photoconductive switch is formed of a substrate that has a central portion of SiC or other photoconductive material and an outer portion of cvd-diamond or other suitable material surrounding the central portion. Conducting electrodes are formed on opposed sides of the substrate, with the electrodes extending beyond the central portion and the edges of the electrodes lying over the outer portion. Thus any high electric fields produced at the edges of the electrodes lie outside of and do not affect the central portion, which is the active switching element. Light is transmitted through the outer portion to the central portion to actuate the switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventor: George J Caporaso
  • Patent number: 9171219
    Abstract: Systems and methods configured to implement sliced source imaging to produce a plurality of overlapping in-focus images on the same location of a single imaging detector without using beamsplitters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: RAYTHEON COMPANY
    Inventor: Andrew Kowalevicz
  • Patent number: 9166679
    Abstract: An optical amplification apparatus includes an optical amplification medium configured to receive a first light signal from an end of the optical amplification medium and a second light signal from the other end of the optical amplification medium in opposite directions, the first and second light signals being branched from a light signal, an excitation light source configured to supply excitation light to the optical amplification medium through a multiplexer, a monitor configured to monitor the first and second light signals input to the optical amplification medium, respectively and to output monitoring signals respectively, and a controller configured to control the excitation light source in accordance with the monitoring signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventor: Norifumi Shukunami
  • Patent number: 9151604
    Abstract: A non-saturating receiver design and clamping structure for high power laser rangefinders of especial utility with respect to pumped, monoblock lasers. The receiver comprises a photodiode and a transimpedance amplifier having at least first and second stages. The first stage comprises a field effect transistor and the second stage comprises a non-saturating, non-inverting amplification stage including a differential pair of bipolar transistors having a feedback path coupling the second stage to the input of the first stage. A clamping structure for the receiver comprises a resistor coupling a cathode of the photodiode to a first voltage input and a clamping diode also coupling the cathode to a second lower voltage input. A capacitor having a capacitance Cs couples the cathode of the photodiode to a reference voltage line, wherein the capacitance Cs is greater than the capacitance of the photodiode CD.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignees: Laser Technology, Inc., Kama-Tech (HK) Limited
    Inventor: Jeremy G. Dunne
  • Patent number: 9134142
    Abstract: A rotary encoder with free floating flexible sensor carrier provides a sensor carrier that eliminates the traditional need for bearings and a housing in a rotary encoder, as well as allowing for significant cost savings in material and installation costs, improving acceleration and reducing startup and running torque. A bushing is rotationally fixed to a shaft the rotation of which is desired to be measured. An encoder disc is axially connected to the bushing. A sensor is held in an alignment above the encoder disc by a sensor carrier. The sensor may be connected directly to the sensor carrier or to a circuit board which is connected to the sensor carrier. A shaft alignment portion of the sensor carrier encircles the shaft and a plurality of stabilizing arms hold the sensor carrier in place, thus maintaining the sensor in proper alignment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Inventors: Charles R. Kirk, James J Burcham
  • Patent number: 9120464
    Abstract: A sensor system is described for detecting wetting of a window includes a photodetector having multiple light-sensitive elements and a light source for emitting light to a detection region of the window in such a way that a portion of the light is reflected at the window, and another portion of the light passes through the window. The light source and the light-sensitive element are situated in such a way that a portion of the light from the light source which passes through the window is reflected at the wetting and strikes a portion of the light-sensitive elements. The light source includes a lighting element which is set up to irradiate into a transparent body. The transparent body has a surface which has defined unevennesses for the diffuse radiation of the irradiated light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Andreas Pack, Axel Schwarz, Bruno Hodapp, Norbert Hog, Henry Blitzke
  • Patent number: 9121955
    Abstract: A single photon counting detector system has a layer of photosensitive material and an N×M array of photo-detector diodes. Each photo-detector diode has a bias potential interface and a diode output interface. The bias potential interface is connected to bias potential. An N×M array of high gain, low noise readout unit cells is provided, one readout unit cell for each photo-detector diode. Each readout unit cell has an input interface connected to the diode output interface, a high-gain voltage amplifier with an integration capacitor at least two parallel lines of digital counters, each having a comparator with an individually selectable threshold and a gateable section to determine the counting intervals of the digital counters. A multiplexer allows access to the readout cell unit either on a per pixel basis or for several pixels in parallel to read out the digital counter to a data processor transferring the data off chip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: Paul Scherrer Institut
    Inventors: Bernd Schmitt, Anna Bergamaschi, Aldo Mozzanica, Roberto Dinapoli
  • Patent number: 9110007
    Abstract: An optical sensor system is disclosed including a source module, a first detection module, and a second detection module. The source module includes a source housing unit having a source window member. The source module may emit a detection signal through the source window member. The first detection module and the second detection module are spaced apart from the source module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Henryk Birecki, Krzysztof Nauka, Seongsik Chang
  • Patent number: 9109947
    Abstract: An apparatus and system for use in determining location of a celestial body are presented. The apparatus comprises: a polarizer comprising an array of polarized light filter cells and a light sensor array. The array of polarized light filter cells comprises at least a first polarization direction and a second polarization direction different from said first polarization direction. And the polarizer thereby produces polarized light of at least first and second different polarizations. The light sensor array is configured to receive the polarized light from the polarizer and produce data indicative of a pattern of at least one of light polarization intensity and direction. The pattern is indicative of at least one of azimuth and elevation of the celestial body to be located.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: VOROTEC LTD.
    Inventor: Shlomo Vorovitchik
  • Patent number: 9103719
    Abstract: Described herein are technologies pertaining to computing the solar irradiance distribution on a surface of a receiver in a concentrating solar power system or glint/glare emitted from a reflective entity. At least one camera captures images of the Sun and the entity of interest, wherein the images have pluralities of pixels having respective pluralities of intensity values. Based upon the intensity values of the pixels in the respective images, the solar irradiance distribution on the surface of the entity or glint/glare corresponding to the entity is computed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Clifford Kuofei Ho, Siri Sahib Singh Khalsa
  • Patent number: 9097851
    Abstract: An autofocus system and method designed to account for instabilities in the system, e.g. due to instabilities of system components (e.g. vibrating mirrors, optics, etc) and/or environmental effects such as refractive index changes of air due to temperature, atmospheric pressure, or humidity gradients, is provided. An autofocus beam is split into a reference beam component (the split off reference channel) and a measurement beam component, by a beam splitting optic located a predetermined distance from (and in predetermined orientation relative to) the substrate, to create a first space between the beam splitting optic and the substrate. A reflector is provided that is spaced from the beam splitting optic by the predetermined distance, to create a second space between the reflector and the beam splitting optic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Eric Peter Goodwin, Daniel Gene Smith, Michael Sogard
  • Patent number: 9094629
    Abstract: An image pickup apparatus includes a pixel generating a signal by photoelectric conversion, a comparator comparing the signal based on the pixel with a reference signal varied with time, a counter performing counting until the comparator outputs a signal indicating that a relationship in magnitude between the signal based on the pixel and the reference signal is reversed, and a control unit. The comparator includes a first amplifier receiving the reference signal at a first input portion and the signal based on the pixel at a second input portion to compare the signal based on the pixel with the reference signal. The control unit sets a bandwidth of the comparator to a first bandwidth when the reference signal varies at a first rate of change and to a second bandwidth when the reference signal varies at a second rate of change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Koji Ishibashi
  • Patent number: 9068921
    Abstract: An analyzer is disclosed herein. The analyzer encompasses a substrate having a surface with a plurality of distinct V-grooves formed therein. An input flow channel is configured to intersect and fluidly communicate with each of the plurality of distinct V-grooves at respective input points, and an output flow channel is configured to intersect and fluidly communicate with each of the plurality of distinct V-grooves at respective output points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Wei Wu, Qiangfei Xia, Shih-Yuan Wang, Jingjing Li
  • Patent number: 9057367
    Abstract: A cooling device is provided. The cooling device may include a pump chamber, an inlet flow passage that is used for allowing a fluid to flow into the pump chamber, an outlet flow passage that allows the fluid to flow out from the pump chamber, a pump that includes a fluid resistance element that opens or closes the inlet flow passage between the inlet flow passage and the pump chamber, a circulation flow passage that is used for circulating the fluid from the outlet flow passage to the inlet flow passage, and a first volume adjusting chamber that adjusts pressure of the fluid flowing into the pump chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Takeshi Seto, Atsuya Hirabayashi
  • Patent number: 9046963
    Abstract: A reflective minor includes a reflective film, a light-transmitting base and a light-transmitting adhesive layer. The reflective film includes a first connection surface and a plurality of reflection structures opposite to the first connection surface. Each reflection structure protrudes away from the first connection surface. The light-transmitting base includes a light penetration surface and a second connection surface opposite to the light penetration surface. The light-transmitting adhesive layer is disposed between the reflective film and the light-transmitting base and connected to the first connection surface and the second connection surface. An optical touch device is also provided in the present invention. Thus, the reflective minor as well as the optical touch device are easy to be manufactured and accordingly have a lower production cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: PIXART IMAGING INC.
    Inventors: Hui-Hsuan Chen, Hung-Ching Lai