Patents Examined by Mindy Vu
  • Patent number: 8779350
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to borehole logging methods and apparatuses for estimating at least one parameter of interest of a volume of interest of an earth formation using nuclear radiation. The method may include obtaining an energy spectrum; using at least one processor to remove at least one energy spectrum component using a method selected from a spectral decomposition and spectral windows method; and estimating the concentration of at least one radionuclide using the energy spectrum after the removal. The estimation of the at least one radionuclide concentration may include using the other of the method selected form the removal. The apparatus may include at least one processor configured to perform the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventor: Albert Alexseevich Fedorin
  • Patent number: 8772726
    Abstract: A detector tile (116) of an imaging detector array (112) includes a scintillator array (202), a photosensor array (204), which includes a plurality of photosensitive pixels, optically coupled to the scintillator array (202), and a current-to-frequency (I/F) converter (302). The I/F converter (302) includes an integrator (304) that integrates charge output by a photosensitive pixel during an integration period and generates a signal indicative thereof and a comparator (310) that generates a pulse when the generated signal satisfies predetermined criteria during the integration period. A reset device (316) resets the integrator (304) in response to the comparator (310) generating a pulse. Circuitry (320, 324) samples the generated signal at a beginning of the integration period and/or at an end of the integration period and generates quantized digital data indicative thereof. Logic (322) estimates the charge at the input of the integrator (304) based on the generated digital data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Christoph Herrmann, Michael Overdick
  • Patent number: 8766190
    Abstract: Disclosed are a pixel, a pixel array, an image sensor including the same, and a method for operating the image sensor. Charges are eliminated from a first photoelectric conversion region of a photoelectric conversion section, and accumulated into the first photoelectric conversion region. Information about quantity of the charges of the first photoelectric conversion region is output, and charges are removed from a second photoelectric conversion region of the photoelectric conversion section. Accumulation of charges into the second photoelectric conversion region is started, and then information about quantity of the charges accumulated in the second photoelectric conversion region is output. Lights having wavelength bands different from each other are independently detected according to disclosed invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: LG Innotek Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Seung Hoon Sa
  • Patent number: 8766192
    Abstract: A method for inspecting a substrate having intrinsic heterogeneous patterns for the presence of cracks comprises the steps of providing an optical device and front-side lighting on a first side of the substrate and providing near-infrared lighting on a second side of the substrate opposite to the first side. The near-infrared lighting is operable to penetrate the substrate so as to be detectable by the optical device through the substrate. One or more images are obtained by illuminating the substrate with the front-side lighting and/or the near-infrared lighting from the second side. The one or more images are thereafter processed to distinguish between the heterogeneous patterns on the substrate and any cracks present on the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: ASM Assembly Automation Ltd
    Inventors: Ran Shi Wang, Jiangwen Deng, Chung Yan Lau
  • Patent number: 8766197
    Abstract: Disclosed is a radiation detection element which can inexpensively be manufactured. The detection element including, as a main component, a base resin not containing any fluorescent substance at all is used for radiation measurement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: National Institute of Radiological Sciences
    Inventor: Hidehito Nakamura
  • Patent number: 8759777
    Abstract: An infrared light detecting device and the infrared detecting method thereof. The device comprises a shield, a first photo detector and a second photo detector. The shield for blocking light is located above the first photo detector and the second photo detector. An opening is disposed on the shield above the first photo detector. In addition, there is a gap arranged between the first photo detector and the second photo detector. The first photo detector can detect the light passing through the opening to generate a photo sensing signal and couple an infrared light signal in the photo sensing signal to the second photo detector in order to output the infrared light signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Capella Microsystems (Taiwan), Inc.
    Inventors: Koon-Wing Tsang, Cheng-Chieh Huang, Sheng-Wen Huang, Jinn-Ann Kuo
  • Patent number: 8754376
    Abstract: A representative method for determining a zero baseline value of a channel from a detector device of a nuclear medicine imagining system to allow for correction caused by noise or interference on the detector device includes calculating a first value of a baseline based on a first sample of analog electrical signals from analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) coupled to the detector device; comparing a predetermined value with the first value of the baseline; determining whether there is a small change between the predetermined value and the first value of the baseline; and responsive to determining that the small change exists, adjusting the baseline of the ADCs by a fraction of the small change based on the comparison between the predetermined value and the first value of the baseline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.
    Inventor: Roger E. Arseneau
  • Patent number: 8754374
    Abstract: A system to completely measure multiple densities in varying levels in tanks or vessels. The present invention provides an individual sensor at each measuring level in the tank, each sensor provided with electronic data to provide continuous density data at leach level. Each sensor is individually placed in the sensor array. If a sensor malfunctions, the individual sensor can be replaced without interrupting the data transmissions or requiring a shutdown of the system to remove the single row array of sensors which are placed together as in the prior art. Each sensor also includes a cooling pipe to cool components with recirculating water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Ronan Engineering Company
    Inventor: John A. Hewitson
  • Patent number: 8742357
    Abstract: A semiconductor radiation sensor (100), comprising a substrate (102), a carrier material (104) mounted to the substrate (102), and a semiconductor detector (106) mounted to the carrier material (104). A radiation sensitive portion of the semiconductor detector (106) is oriented towards the carrier material (104) and generally away from the substrate (102), and the carrier material is adapted to transmit radiation to the radiation sensitive portion of the semiconductor detector (106). A dosimeter comprising the radiation sensor (100) and a method of manufacturing the radiation sensor (100) are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: University of Wollongong
    Inventor: Anatoly Rozenfeld
  • Patent number: 8735837
    Abstract: A gamma radiation detecting apparatus includes a gamma radiation collimator, a scintillation crystal, a charge coupled device, and an electronic device. The collimator receives and collimates gamma radiation. The scintillation crystal receives the gamma radiation from the gamma radiation collimator and converts the gamma radiation into visible light. The charge coupled device receives the visible light from the scintillation crystal and converts the visible light into an electrical charge. The electronic device converts the electrical charge into a digital image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Inventors: John D. Idoine, Kelly E. Statham
  • Patent number: 8735836
    Abstract: Using standard or “off the shelf” cable to interconnect between the PET block detector and the detector circuit may save substantial costs given the number of PMTs in a PET system. Given space constraints, simple maintenance with reduced risk of disturbing cabling is desired, making ongoing use of standard cabling without adding further cabling desired. To implement digital gain control, a further communication is provided between the PET detector block and the detector circuit. Since the standard cable may not have additional wires for such communications and to reduce timing degradation, the PMT signals are combined, such as generating position and energy signals at the PET detector block. The four PMT signals are reduced to three signals without reduction in function, allowing a fourth twisted pair of wires in a CAT5 cable to be used for digital gain control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.
    Inventors: James Frank Caruba, Niraj K Doshi, John W Young, Nan Zhang
  • Patent number: 8729489
    Abstract: A radiation detecting device is provided, according to which it is possible use only one radiation detecting device to measure radiation and measure gamma ray and neutron at once and discriminately in a restricted space. The radiation detecting device includes a radiation detecting unit to measure gamma ray and neutron discriminately at once, and a signal processing circuit which applies voltage to the neutron detecting unit and indicates measured gamma ray and neutron discriminately.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignees: Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute, Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Se-Hwan Park, Sung-Ho Eom, Hee-Sung Shin, Han Soo Kim, Ho-Dong Kim
  • Patent number: 8723131
    Abstract: A radiation imaging system includes a portable electronic cassette having a first cable that includes at least one of a signal line and a power line and is provided with a first connector for connecting to another connector, the electronic cassette being configured to acquire an image based on radiation transmitted through an object; a controller having a second cable that includes at least one of a signal line and a power line and is provided with a second connector for connecting to the first connector, the controller being configured to control an imaging operation of the electronic cassette via these cables; and a patient platform having an electronic cassette-housing unit in which the electronic cassette can be installed and a connector holding unit in which the second connector can be fixedly fitted. Here, the first connector has a lock/unlock operation unit configured to detachably connect to the second connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kensuke Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 8723121
    Abstract: An identification system and method comprising a beacon unit using a highly collimated source of electromagnetic radiation, which emits towards a thermal imaging unit highly directional radiation. In this manner, improved visual identification of the beacon unit and the carrier associated therewith through the imaging unit can be achieved over both short and long distances. In particular, detection of the beacon unit is aided by emitting highly collimated radiation with high power density at great distances. When detected by the sensor array, an image of the emitted radiation is indeed displayed as a bright spot of light on the display, thus eliciting the attention of a viewer observing a scene through the imaging unit. Blooming of an array of sensing elements provided in the imaging unit may further be fostered by delivering a great amount of power to the imaging unit, thus improving detection of the beacon unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: The Flewelling Ford Family Trust
    Inventors: Timothy D. F. Ford, Casey Stack
  • Patent number: 8704186
    Abstract: A microphonics noise cancellation system and method for improving the energy resolution for mechanically cooled high-purity Germanium (HPGe) detector systems. A classical adaptive noise canceling digital processing system using an adaptive predictor is used in an MCA to attenuate the microphonics noise source making the system more deployable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventors: Karl Einar Nelson, Morgan T. Burks
  • Patent number: 8686364
    Abstract: Methods and systems for real time, in situ monitoring of fluids, and particularly the determination of both the energy content and contaminants in a gas or oil transmission facility, are provided. The system may include two separate scanning sources to scan two different, but overlapping, NIR ranges, or may involve two separate scans from a single scanning spectroscopy source. The first scan ranges from approximately 1550 nm up through 1800 nm and a second scan concurrently scans at a high resolution across a band from approximately 1560-1610 nm, the wavelength of interest for hydrogen sulfide (though similar scans are contemplated in alternative wavelength ranges for alternative contaminants). The second scan may provide very narrow (0.005 nm) step resolution over just the wavelength of interest for the contaminant and may scan at a substantially higher power level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: JP3 Measurement, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph Paul Little, III, Matthew R. Thomas
  • Patent number: 8680471
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes a control unit and a detector that includes multiple pixels and that performs an image capturing operation to output image data corresponding to radiation or light that is emitted. The image capturing operation includes a first image capturing operation in a first scanning area corresponding to part of the multiple pixels to output image data in the first scanning area and a second image capturing operation in a second scanning area larger than the first scanning area to output image data in the second scanning area. The control unit causes the detector to perform an accumulation operation in the second image capturing operation in a time determined so that an image artifact caused by the scanning area is lower than a predetermined allowable value on the basis of information about the amount of integration of accumulation times in the first image capturing operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshio Kameshima, Tadao Endo, Tomoyuki Yagi, Katsuro Takenaka, Keigo Yokoyama, Sho Sato, Toshikazu Tamura
  • Patent number: 8680472
    Abstract: A radiation detecting apparatus capable of obtaining good images including decreased noise includes a plurality of pixels, each having a photoelectric conversion element for converting incident radiation into an electric signal and a first switch element, connected to the photoelectric conversion element, and a second switch element, not connected to the conversion element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Chiori Mochizuki, Minoru Watanabe, Takamasa Ishii
  • Patent number: 8674310
    Abstract: Provided is a light emitting ceramic such as a wavelength conversion ceramic or a radiation-to-light conversion ceramic, which emits light when radiation or light enters the ceramic, and which has a short light emission decay time. The light emitting ceramic is obtained by applying a heat treatment in a reducing atmosphere to a ceramic containing, as its main constituent, a pyrochlore compound represented by ABOw where A includes at least one of La, Y, Gd, Yb, and Lu, and 0 to 5 mol % of Bi; B is at least one of Sn, Zr, and Hf; and w is a positive number for maintaining electroneutrality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoshi Kuretake, Takeshi Hayashi
  • Patent number: 8674308
    Abstract: A dewar assembly is presented for use in an optical IR detection system defining a light collecting region. The dewar assembly comprises a warm shield unit configured as an enclosure for optically enclosing the light collection region and having an optical window through which incident light enters the dewar. The warm shield defines a reflective inner surface configured such that light portions of the incident light propagating through said optical window onto said inner surface are reflected by the inner surface towards regions outside said light collecting region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Semi Conductor Devices-Elbit Systems-Rafael Partnership
    Inventor: Michael Singer