Patents Examined by Kevin K Pyo
  • Patent number: 11881047
    Abstract: An optical sensor capable of obtaining a plurality of types of information by a plurality of wavelengths in a short time is provided. The optical sensor includes a light receiving unit that includes a first and second pinhole layer that includes a plurality of pinholes, a first and second transmission layer, and a plurality of microlenses belonging to a first and second group, the microlenses being disposed at positions respectively overlapping the plurality of pixels on the second transmission layer. Either of the plurality of microlenses belonging to the first or second group is a first wavelength selection unit that transmits light of a first wavelength. At least one of the other of the plurality of microlenses belonging to the first and second group, the first transmission layer, and the second transmission layer is a second wavelength selection unit that transmits light of a second wavelength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: Japan Display Inc.
    Inventors: Kazuki Matsunaga, Shigesumi Araki, Yasushi Tomioka
  • Patent number: 11879756
    Abstract: A position detection module and a position detection system thereof are provided. The position detection module includes a first output port, a second output port, a third output port and a fourth output port. The first output port outputs a first detection signal, the second output port outputs a first position signal, the third output port outputs a second detection signal, and the fourth output port outputs a second position signal. Thus, the design of two sets of detection signals and position signals enables the position detection module to be fault-tolerant for meeting the requirements of safe dual-channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: Techman Robot Inc.
    Inventors: Chun-Wen Lai, Chih-Jan Kao, Yen-Chou Lu
  • Patent number: 11867867
    Abstract: This invention relates to an insect detection device comprising a sensing device. The sensing device comprises an optical source configured to emit an optical beam; a first lens group configured to collimate the optical beam to form a beam width of a first predetermined range and a beam height of a second predetermined range; a second lens group configured to collect the optical beam from the first lens group and arranged apart from the first lens group defining a sensing zone; an optical detector configured to receive the beam from the second lens group and translate the beam to electrical signals; and a processing unit configured to switch on the optical source and receive the electrical signals from the optical detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignees: ORINNO TECHNOLOGY PTE. LTD., NATIONAL ENVIRONMENT AGENCY
    Inventors: Yu Du, Lu Deng
  • Patent number: 11867886
    Abstract: A photographing optical lens assembly includes, in order from an object side to an image side, a first lens element, a second lens element, a third lens element, a fourth lens element and a fifth lens element. The first lens element with positive refractive power has a convex object-side surface. The second lens element with negative refractive power has a convex object-side surface and a concave image-side surface. The third lens element has refractive power. The fourth lens element has refractive power, and an object-side surface and an image-side surface thereof are aspheric. The fifth lens element with negative refractive power has a concave image-side surface, wherein an object-side surface and the image-side surface thereof are aspheric, and at least one of the object-side surface and the image-side surface thereof has at least one inflection point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: LARGAN PRECISION CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Lin-Yao Liao, Hsin-Hsuan Huang
  • Patent number: 11867607
    Abstract: An electro-optical device for taking flow measurements includes a measurement tank through which a flow of fluid to be characterized flows, at least first and second guns for emitting light having separate spectra, a triggering gun allowing diffraction to be measured at small angles and a receiving gun allowing a measurement of attenuation and at least one fluorescence to be taken. The first emitting gun includes a light source defining a main optical axis perpendicular to the fluid flow, and the second emitting gun includes a second light source defining a secondary optical axis substantially orthogonal to the main optical axis and fluid flow. The first and second emitting guns are placed on one side of the measurement tank, the receiving gun is placed on the other side of the measurement tank along the main optical axis and the triggering gun is placed on the other side of the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: HORIBA ABX SAS
    Inventors: Philippe Genevaux, Nelly Rongeat
  • Patent number: 11857688
    Abstract: Provided is a decontamination apparatus including a base, and a source that emits UVC light at a suitable intensity to at least partially decontaminate a target object and render the target object pathogen reduced. An adjustable support is coupled to the base and includes an adjustment mechanism that can be manipulated to adjust a position of the source relative to the base. A controller is operatively connected to the source to control emission of the UVC light and establish at least one of a suitable duration of a decontamination process and a suitable intensity of UVC light to render the target object pathogen reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Diversey, Inc.
    Inventor: Roderick M. Dayton
  • Patent number: 11841230
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure are directed to acquiring aligned geographic coordinates of a vertical position. In one aspect, a vertical navigation system includes a light source to generate a source beam; a beam splitter to generate a first and a second source references derived from the source beam; a hollow retroreflector to produce a first and a second vertical references derived from the first and the second source references; an attitude sensor to capture a plurality of reference stars and to measure a first set of angles for the first vertical reference and a second set of angles for the second vertical reference, the first set of angles and the second set of angles are relative to the plurality of reference stars; and a processor to produce the aligned geographical coordinates using the first set of angles, the second set of angles, a gravity vector measurement and a time signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: Optical Physics Company
    Inventor: Richard A. Hutchin
  • Patent number: 11843884
    Abstract: An imaging system includes a pixel array with pixel circuits, each including a photodiode, a floating diffusion, a source follower transistor, and a row select transistor. The imaging system further includes rolling clamp (RC) drivers, each coupled to a gate terminal of a row select transistor of one of the pixel circuits and each including first and second PMOS transistors coupled between a clamp voltage and the gate terminal of the row select transistor of the one of the pixel circuits, and first, second, and third NMOS transistors coupled between the clamp voltage and the gate terminal of the row select transistor of the one of the pixel circuits. The PMOS transistors and the NMOS transistors are coupled in parallel. The PMOS transistors are configured to provide an upper clamp voltage range, and the NMOS transistors are configured to provide a lower clamp voltage range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: OmniVision Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Lei Zou, Sindre Mikkelsen
  • Patent number: 11841477
    Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to pairing a receiver with an emitter based on a presence of an amplitude of a spectral profile at at least one predetermined frequency. In an illustrative example, a receiver may receive, from the emitter, an emitted optical signal modulated by the at least one predetermined frequency. A receiver may, for example, generate a digital signal corresponding to the optical signal received. A controller may, for example, generate the spectral profile from the digital signal. The controller may, for example, apply a predetermined threshold to the spectral profile. The controller may, for example, generate an output signal based on the presence of the amplitude of the spectral profile above the first predetermined threshold at the at least one predetermined frequency. Various embodiments may advantageously discriminate a corresponding emitter to establish an optical source-to-detector-link, for example, in the presence of other emitters and/or optically noisy environments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: Banner Engineering Corp.
    Inventors: David S. Anderson, Jeff Bromen, Ashley Wise
  • Patent number: 11833607
    Abstract: A laser alignment system is used to align an output fiber with a fiber laser, for example, when coupling a feeding fiber to a process fiber using a beam coupler or switch. The alignment system includes a laser alignment apparatus that is coupled at a first end to the output fiber and at a second end to a beam dump/power meter. The alignment apparatus defines a light passage and a light capture chamber along the light passage. When light is not aligned into the core of the output fiber, at least a portion of the light passing out of the output fiber will be captured by the light capture chamber and detected by a photodetector in optical communication with the light capture chamber. By monitoring the readings of the photodetector, the output fiber may be properly aligned with the laser light from the fiber laser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: IPG PHOTONICS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yuri Grapov
  • Patent number: 11835383
    Abstract: There is provided an optical system comprising a light conduit. The light conduit comprises a first light pipe, a second light pipe, and a first bridge to mechanically couple the first light pipe to the second light pipe. The first light pipe has a first inlet to receive a first input light signal and a first outlet to emit at least a portion of the first input light signal to form a first output light signal. Moreover, the second light pipe has a second inlet to receive a second input light signal and a second outlet to emit at least a portion of the second input light signal to form a second output light signal. Furthermore, the first bridge has a first end mechanically coupled to the first light pipe and a second end mechanically coupled to the second light pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: GOOGLE LLC
    Inventors: Victor Emile Isbrucker, Daniel J. Effinger, Joshua Moore
  • Patent number: 11832796
    Abstract: An imaging module includes an imager having an optical member on a light receiving surface, an electronic component having a front surface facing the same direction as the one to which an incidence surface of the optical member faces, a resin portion that has a first surface flush with the incidence surface of the optical member and the front surface of the electronic component, and a second surface that is a surface on a side opposite to the first surface while having the imager and the electronic component being embedded therein such that the incidence surface and the front surface are exposed to the first surface, an external connection terminal provided on the second surface, and a through wiring that extends through the resin portion to connect at least one of the imager and the electronic component with the external connection terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Takuro Suyama
  • Patent number: 11828629
    Abstract: There is provided an optical encoder including an encoding medium, a substrate, a light source and a light sensor. The encoding medium includes an index track and a position track. The light source is arranged at a first surface of the substrate to emit light toward the index track and the position track. The light sensor is arranged at a second surface of the substrate, and has a first light sensing region and a second light sensing region for receiving reflective light respectively from the index track and the position track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: PIXART IMAGING (PENANG) SDN. BHD.
    Inventor: Sai-Mun Lee
  • Patent number: 11821764
    Abstract: A position detecting member includes a base portion including a light-receiving surface having a black color tone and a back surface located on an opposite side to the light-receiving surface. A surface layer portion including at least the base portion is made of ceramic. An average value of root mean square slopes (R?q) on the light-receiving surface in a roughness curve is larger than an average value of root mean square slope (R?q) on the back surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: KYOCERA Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroshi Hamashima
  • Patent number: 11822034
    Abstract: Provided are a method for calibrating sensors in a vending machine and a vending machine. input values of first input terminals and input values of second input terminals of sensors are determined through level 1 calibration and level 2 calibration, respectively, which may greatly increase the number of adjustable grades of the luminous intensity of an optical generator of each sensor, and may further greatly improve the success rate of calibration on the sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Inventors: Chunguang Zhang, Zhiming Li, Xiaohua Huang, Tianxin Jiang, Chuntao Wang
  • Patent number: 11823486
    Abstract: A method of temperature compensation in an optical-fingerprint detection system includes acquiring a first reading associated with one or more pixels of an array. The first reading is a baseline reading. The method further includes acquiring a second reading associated with the one or more pixels of the array. The second reading includes the baseline plus a signal. Producing a temperature compensated signal reading by subtracting the first reading from the second reading. The array is an optical-fingerprint array, and each pixel of the array is coupled to a readout circuit via a pixel switch. The method includes row-based and frame-based schemes and a blind pixel scheme. Readout circuit improvements including multiplexed analog front-end (AFE), charge magnifier with column charge offset compensation and a low-noise gate driver circuit are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Christoph H. Krah, Mohammad Yeke Yazdandoost
  • Patent number: 11815469
    Abstract: An apparatus for inspecting containers includes a rotation device which is adapted to rotate the container about the axis of symmetry; a camera sensitive to said predetermined electromagnetic radiation and with the container located in the field of view thereof; a processing unit to control the rotation device to move the container at a first angular speed constant for a first time period; acquiring at least a first and a second series of images of a portion of the container in a rotation thereof through 360°; to identify defective areas having at least one characteristic different from the characteristics of adjacent areas, generating first and second maps of the defective areas; to compare the position of the defective areas of the maps; to establish that first impurities are present in the container or in the liquid contained in the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: Stevanato Group S.P.A.
    Inventor: Luca Vallati
  • Patent number: 11815649
    Abstract: A liquid object detector (160) includes a liquid object dispensing part (500), a sensor (161, 162, 163) configured to detect a liquid object dispensed by the liquid object dispensing part, and a sensor moving part (130, 165) configured to move the sensor in a direction crossing a dispensing direction of the liquid object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: SHISEIDO COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Motoki Takata, Motoji Aoki, Yohei Kobayashi, Yusuke Okamoto, Takenori Okamura, Kazunari Anai
  • Patent number: 11808624
    Abstract: In an embodiment a method for measuring ambient light includes successively synchronizing optical signal acquisition phases with extinction phases of a disruptive light source, wherein the disruptive light source periodically provides illumination phases and the extinction phases, accumulating, in each acquisition phase, photo-generated charges by at least one photosensitive pixel comprising a pinned photodiode, transferring the accumulated photo-generated charges to an integration node and integrating, for each pixel, the transferred charges on the integration node during a series of the successive acquisition phases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics (Grenoble 2) SAS
    Inventor: Nicolas Moeneclaey
  • Patent number: 11803024
    Abstract: A device includes a light source to emit light and a light detector to receive the light emitted by the light source. The device may include a high voltage optical transformer and may be configured such that the light detector is laterally spaced away from the light source. In some architectures, the light source and the light detector may be arranged in a common plane. A photonic integrated circuit may be used to couple light emitted from the light source to the light detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: Meta Platforms Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jonathan Robert Peterson, John Goward, Maik Andre Scheller, Andrew John Ouderkirk, Christopher Yuan Ting Liao, Giuseppe Calafiore, Alexander Koshelev