Patents Examined by Kevin Pyo
  • Patent number: 9816856
    Abstract: An optical connector assembly may include a first housing having a first opening therein, a second housing having a second opening therein, a first optical window carried by the first housing within the first opening, a second optical window carried by the second housing within the second opening, at least one Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Laser (VCSEL) carried within the first housing behind the first optical window, and at least one photodetector carried within the second housing behind the second optical window. A first magnetic member may be carried by the first housing, and a second magnetic member may be carried by the second housing and configured to cooperate with the first magnetic member to bias the first and second housings together so that the at least one VCSEL and the at least one photodetector are in optical alignment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: HARRIS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Donna M. Kocak, Peter A. Wasilousky, William R. Palmer, Timothy F. McLellan, Mark E. Blue, Lee Martin Burberry
  • Patent number: 9813626
    Abstract: An image sensor includes: a plurality of light-receiving elements that receive light from a subject and are arranged in a 2-dimensional form; a detection unit that detects a movement amount of a projected image of the subject projected to the plurality of light-receiving elements arranged in the 2-dimensional form; and a light-receiving element control unit that adaptively controls a timing at which pixel data is read from the plurality of light-receiving elements arranged in the 2-dimensional form for each line according to the movement amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation
    Inventor: Mitsuharu Ohki
  • Patent number: 9812479
    Abstract: There is provided a solid-state imaging device including a substrate having a surface over which a plurality of photodiodes are formed, and a protection film that is transparent, has a water-proofing property, and includes a side wall part vertical to the surface of the substrate and a ceiling part covering a region surrounded by the side wall part, the side wall part and the ceiling part surrounding a region where the plurality of photodiodes are arranged over the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Shinji Miyazawa, Yutaka Ooka
  • Patent number: 9812591
    Abstract: A self-balancing optical position sensitive detector includes a pair of spaced apart, parallel, longitudinally extending doped regions on a first surface on a front side of a substrate 16 of opposite doping type with contact pads on the front side at respective ends of a first doped region of the pair. A voltage source applies a potential difference between the contact pads of the first doped region. On the front side, a contact pad of the second doped region of the pair provides an analog output signal representative of a longitudinal position of a center of gravity of an incident light pattern along the doped regions without external circuitry processing the output signal to obtain a readout of the longitudinal position. A resistive line may directly overly, abut and be in contact with at least a portion of the first doped region. A conductive line may directly overly, abut and be in contact with at least a portion of the second doped region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: THE RESEARCH FOUNDATION FOR THE STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK
    Inventors: James Castracane, Natalya Tokranova, Leigh Lydecker
  • Patent number: 9813653
    Abstract: A solid state imaging device includes: a pixel array unit that has a plurality of pixels 2-dimensionally arranged in a matrix and a plurality of signal lines arranged along a column direction; A/D conversion units that are provided corresponding to the respective signal lines and convert an analog signal output from a pixel through the signal line into a digital signal; and a switching unit that switches or converts the analog signal output through each signal line into a digital signal using any of an A/D conversion unit provided corresponding to the signal line through which the analog signal is transmitted, and an A/D conversion unit provided corresponding to a signal line other than the signal line through which the analog signal is transmitted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Takashi Kawaguchi
  • Patent number: 9797752
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide an optical encoder for an electronic device. The optical encoder comprises an elongated shaft and a plurality of markings axially disposed around a circumference of the elongated shaft. The optical encoder also includes an optical sensor. In embodiments, the optical sensor includes an emitter and an array of photodiodes. The emitter and the array of photodiodes may be radially aligned with respect to the elongated shaft or axially aligned with respect to the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Ruh, Prashanth S. Holenarsipur, Serhan O. Isikman, Anant Rai
  • Patent number: 9792943
    Abstract: An optical encoder disk comprising an opaque disk, an outer track adjacent a peripheral edge of the disk, an inner index track defined by a first pattern of radial light-blocking elements subtending an arc within an annular band interposed between the outbound track and an axis of the disk, and an opaque support pattern of non-radial elements located within the annular band outside of the arc in which the index track is located formed of substantially non-radial elements. The inner index track further includes pattern apertures formed through the disk between the light-blocking elements so that light emitted on one face of the disk passes through the pattern apertures and falls upon photodetectors located adjacent an opposite face of the disk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: U.S. Digital Corp.
    Inventor: Kurt Liebezeit
  • Patent number: 9791686
    Abstract: In a microscope for high resolution scanning microscopy of a sample, said microscope comprising—an illumination device for illuminating the sample, —an imaging device for scanning at least one point spot or line spot across the sample and for imaging the point spot or line spot into a diffraction-limited, stationary single image with magnification into a detection plane, —a detector device for detecting the single image in the detection plane for different scanning positions with a spatial resolution, which, taking into consideration the magnification, is at least twice as high as a full width at half maximum of the diffraction-limited single image, —an evaluation device for evaluating a diffraction pattern of the single image for the scanning positions from data of the detector device and for generating an image of the sample, said image having a resolution that is increased beyond the diffraction limit, provision is made for—the detector device to have a detector array, which has pixels and is larger than t
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Microscopy GMBH
    Inventors: Ralf Wolleschensky, Ingo Kleppe, Ralf Netz, Christoph Nieten
  • Patent number: 9784821
    Abstract: A laser sensor module array for vehicle identification, speed monitoring and traffic safety applications. Each of the laser sensor modules comprise a laser signal transmitting and receiving port with the array comprising a basic row of N laser sensor modules, wherein N is greater than 1 and wherein each of the N laser sensor modules in the basic row is displaced at an acute angle with respect to adjacent ones of the laser sensor modules. An additional row of N laser sensor modules may adjoin the basic row of N laser sensor modules in a parallel or acute angular relationship to corresponding ones in the basic row.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignees: LASER TECHNOLOGY, INC., KAMA-TECH (HK) LIMITED
    Inventors: Jiyoon Chung, Jeremy Dunne
  • Patent number: 9780240
    Abstract: The invention relates to quantum dot and photodetector technology, and more particularly, to quantum dot infrared photodetectors (QDIPs) and focal plane array. The invention further relates to devices and methods for the enhancement of the photocurrent of quantum dot infrared photodetectors in focal plane arrays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: University of Massachussets
    Inventors: Xuejun Lu, Guiru Gu, Puminun Vasinajindakaw
  • Patent number: 9778401
    Abstract: An optical element in which light with a large principal ray input angle is gradually input from a center to a peripheral portion, a thickness gradually increases from the center to the peripheral portion, and 1<RD?1.085 is satisfied, when an increase ratio of a thickness to the center at an outermost peripheral portion to which light of which the principal ray input angle is maximum is input is set to RD.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Akito Kuriyama, Isamu Konishiike, Kazumasa Yagi, Keisuke Ootsu, Tatsuya Nakatsuji, Takumi Tsuji, Hitoshi Nakanishi, Masaki Ando
  • Patent number: 9778104
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for providing an optical sensor that can be used for wind sensing and an optical scope. The optical sensor can include a photodiode, an electrical switch, a trans-impedance amplifier (TIA), and a capacitive trans-impedance amplifier (CTIA), enabling the optical sensor to perform both wind-sensing and range-finding functions. Some embodiments may include some or all of these components in an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), depending on desired functionality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Cubic Corporation
    Inventors: Tony Maryfield, Mahyar Dadkhah
  • Patent number: 9774347
    Abstract: An image sensor includes a pixel array, a controller, and a plurality of analog-to-digital converters. The pixel array includes a plurality of pixels coupled to column lines, respectively, and the plurality of pixels are configured to sense incident lights to generate analog signals through the column lines. The controller generate a conversion control signal that is configurable based on changes of at least one operational condition. The plurality of analog-to-digital converters are coupled to the column lines, respectively. The plurality of analog-to-digital converters perform a delta-sigma modulation and a digital filtering to convert the analog signals to digital signals. The plurality of analog-to-digital converters adjust a conversion gain internally in response to the conversion control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignees: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD., INDUSTRY-ACADEMIC COOPERATION FOUNDATION, YONSEI UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Youngcheol Chae, Jae-Hong Kim, Seungwoo Song, Woojin Jo, Hyunseok Hwang
  • Patent number: 9768866
    Abstract: An optical wavelength and optical power measurement device is provided. The optical wavelength and optical power measurement device includes: an input unit in which an optical connector that emits communication light of an infrared ray wavelength region is connected; a filter unit that separates the communication light of an infrared ray wavelength region and light of a visible ray wavelength region; a sensing unit that communicates with a path of the communication light of an infrared ray wavelength region of the filter unit and in which a signal of the communication light of an infrared ray wavelength region is input; and an inspection unit that communicates with a path of the light of the visible ray wavelength region of the filter unit and that inspects a surface of the optical connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: ELECTRONICS AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: hyoungjun Park, Kwon-Seob Lim, Hyun Seo Kang, Jaisang Koh, Keo-Sik Kim, Young Sun Kim, Jeong Eun Kim, Ji Hyoung Ryu, Eun Kyoung Jeon
  • Patent number: 9762821
    Abstract: A unit pixel of an image sensor includes a charge generation unit, a signal generation unit, and a ground control transistor. The charge generation unit generates photo-charges in response to incident light and provides the photo-charges to a floating diffusion area in response to a transmission control signal. The signal generation unit generates an analog signal having a magnitude corresponding to an electrical potential of the floating diffusion area based on a reset control signal and a row selection signal. The ground control transistor is coupled between the floating diffusion area and a ground voltage, and is turned on in response to a ground control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kyung-Ho Lee, Hee-Sang Kwon
  • Patent number: 9759602
    Abstract: A method of detecting an optical signal, comprising the steps of: providing an avalanche photodiode (APD) comprising a multiplication region capable of amplifying an electric current, said multiplication region, in operation, having a first ionization rate for electrons and a second ionization rate for holes, wherein said first ionization rate is different in magnitude from said second ionization rate, and exposure to the optical signal causes an impulse response; exposing the APD to a modulating optical signal; providing an external circuit that induces an APD bias to the multiplication region; providing an external circuit for amplifying and processing an electric signal from the avalanche photodiode; and modulating the APD bias in a manner that is correlated with the optical signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: Voxtel, Inc
    Inventor: George Williams
  • Patent number: 9754985
    Abstract: An imaging system can include of a plurality of pairs of lenslets and a respective plurality of two-dimensional arrays of photonic waveguides arranged in a respective plurality of photonic integrated circuits. Each waveguide can collect light in an airy-disk-size bin to cover a full field of view of the lenslet. Light from each pair of respective waveguides from each pair of lenslets can be demultiplexed into wavelength bins and combined with appropriate phase shifts to enable a measurement of the complex visibility. The complex visibilities from all of the measurements then can be processed to form an image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: LOCKHEED MARTIN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Alan L. Duncan, Richard L. Kendrick, David M. Stubbs
  • Patent number: 9740033
    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provide a test apparatus of a direct-light-type backlight module. The test apparatus comprises: a light-emitting-element fixing unit, configured for fixing a light emitting element; an optical-element fixing unit, configured for fixing an optical element into an optical path of the light emitted from the light emitting element; and a test head (85), configured for testing the light emitted from the light emitting element and passing through the optical element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignees: BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO., LTD., BEIJING BOE VISION-ELECTRONIC TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Mingjun Li, Yunlong Tian, Changjia Fu
  • Patent number: 9739659
    Abstract: An optical sensor arrangement (10) comprises a photodiode (11) for providing a sensor current (IPD) and an analog-to-digital converter arrangement (12) which is coupled to the photodiode (11) and determines a digital value of the sensor current (IPD) in a charge balancing operation in a first phase (A) and in another conversion operation in a second phase (B).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: AMS AG
    Inventors: Gonggui Xu, Andreas Fitzi
  • Patent number: 9743026
    Abstract: A semiconductor photodetector has at least one unit pixel having a photoelectric conversion part, a charge storage part, and a detection circuit. The photoelectric conversion part includes a charge multiplication region in which incident light is converted into a charge, and the charge is multiplied by avalanche multiplication. The charge storage part is connected to the photoelectric conversion part and stores a signal charge from the photoelectric conversion part. The detection circuit is connected to the charge storage part, converts the signal charge stored in the charge storage part into a voltage, passes the voltage through an amplifier to amplify the voltage, and outputs the amplified voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Manabu Usuda, Yutaka Hirose, Yoshihisa Kato, Nobukazu Teranishi