Patents Examined by Que T. Le
  • Patent number: 10018786
    Abstract: There is provided a semi-circular resonator using a whispering gallery mode (WGM) and an optical sensor using the same. Accordingly, an active region that is a waveguide of an active layer in which laser oscillation is caused by gains of advancing beams is deeply etched in a semi-circular or semi-ring shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: ELECTRONICS AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Kwang Ryong Oh, Hong-Seung Kim
  • Patent number: 10017102
    Abstract: Various embodiments may relate to a lighting device, including at least one primary light source for generating primary light, a phosphor volume spaced apart from the at least one primary light source and serving for at least partly converting the primary light into secondary light having a different wavelength, at least one light sensor for detecting light generated by the at least one primary light source, and an evaluation unit for determining a case of damage of the phosphor volume on the basis of sensor data of at least one light sensor. The lighting device includes at least one additional light source for irradiating the phosphor volume, and is designed to operate the at least one additional light source, the at least one light sensor and the evaluation unit with the primary light source switched off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: OSRAM GMBH
    Inventors: Jan-Erik Künecke, Georg Forster
  • Patent number: 10018554
    Abstract: A disposable photometric measurement tip comprising a polymer tip, the polymer tip having a capillary filling channel, the capillary filing channel having an opening at a distal end of the polymer tip, a wave guide channel acting as an optical input coupling and a wave guide channel acting as an optical output coupling, each of the wave guide channels having an opening at a proximal end of the polymer tip wherein the capillary filling channel, the wave guide channel acting as an optical input coupling and the wave guide channel acting as an optical output coupling are connected to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF SINGAPORE
    Inventor: Dieter Wilhelm Trau
  • Patent number: 10012520
    Abstract: In accordance with certain embodiments, multiple light-emitting elements of a light-emitting device are tested via imaging and image analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: COOLEDGE LIGHTING INC.
    Inventors: Henry Ip, Michael A. Tischler, Chi Wai Ho
  • Patent number: 10012534
    Abstract: A photodetection circuit includes an avalanche photodiode and a mode switching circuit that may be configured to selectively switch an operating mode of the photodetection circuit between linear mode and Geiger mode. The photodetection circuit may further include a quenching circuit configured to quench and reset the avalanche photodiode in response to an avalanche event when the photodetection circuit is operated in Geiger mode. The photodetection circuit may additionally include an integration circuit configured to integrate photocurrent output by the photodiode and generate integrated charge units when the photodetection circuit is operated in linear mode. The photodetection circuit may also include a counter configured to count pulses output by the avalanche photodiode when the photodetection circuit is operated in Geiger mode and to count integrated charge units generated by the integration circuit when the photodetection circuit is operated in linear mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: The Johns Hopkins University
    Inventors: Andreas G. Andreou, Joseph H. Lin, Philippe O. Pouliquen, Charbel G. Rizk
  • Patent number: 10008535
    Abstract: An image sensor includes a substrate including a plurality of photoelectric conversion parts and a pixel isolation trench extending from a surface of the substrate between the photoelectric conversion parts, a first fixed charge film directly on the surface of the substrate, a second fixed charge film directly on the first fixed charge film and an inner wall of the pixel isolation trench, and an insulating layer directly on the second fixed charge film, the insulating layer configured to fill the pixel isolation trench.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seokha Lee, Kyungah Jeon, Yunki Lee
  • Patent number: 10007108
    Abstract: A method for determining an orientation of a photosensor of a controller with respect to a projector is described. The method includes generating, by a beam generator of the projector, a beam. The method further includes modifying a direction of travel of the beam using a micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) mirror that moves in a pattern, detecting the beam, calculating a time at which the beam is detected, and determining based on the pattern and the time an orientation of the beam to determine the orientation of the photosensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc.
    Inventor: Dominic Mallinson
  • Patent number: 10002894
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes a plurality of pixels, a signal holding unit, first and second control electrodes. Each of the plurality of pixels includes a photoelectric conversion unit, and an amplification element to amplify signals based on signal charges generated by the photoelectric conversion unit, in which the plurality of pixels output signals for performing a phase contrast detection type of focal point detection. The signal holding unit is in an electrical pathway between an output node of the photoelectric conversion unit and an input node of the amplification element, in which signals for performing the phase contrast detection type of focal point detection are held. The first control electrode is configured to transfer a signal of the photoelectric conversion unit to the signal holding unit. The second control electrode is configured to transfer a signal for performing the phase difference detection type of focal point detection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yuichiro Yamashita, Masahiro Kobayashi, Itsutaku Sano, Takeshi Kojima
  • Patent number: 10001408
    Abstract: A method and a device for measuring absorbed energy-momentum symmetry in which radiant energy W·sr?1·m?2·nm?1 is compared directly against its absorbed impinging momentum kg·m·s?1 in a manner that will provide an experimental basis for asymmetrical anomalies that may or may not exist within a measurable range of the electromagnetic spectrum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Inventor: Steve W Fleck
  • Patent number: 9995449
    Abstract: A sheet metal stamped light collecting reflector assembly including a generally parabolic reflector at one end of a deformable strap which at its free end is adhesively secured to the peripheral edge of a photovoltaic solar array useful to charge a storage battery connected to power a light upon the sensing an ambient light below a predetermined level for collecting sufficient light emitted by a selected grid powered light source and reflecting same to supplement said ambient light to said predetermined light level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Inventor: Jeremy Ellis
  • Patent number: 9995928
    Abstract: A circuit may include a first circuit configured to generate a voltage signal for generating an optical pulse, the voltage signal being generated based on a phase control signal, and an array of single photon avalanche diode (SPAD) cells configured to detect a phase of the optical pulse. The circuit may include a phase control circuit configured to generate the phase control signal based upon a target phase value and the detected phase of the optical pulse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignees: STMICROELECTRONICS (GRENOBLE 2) SAS, STMICROELECTRONICS (RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT) LIMITED
    Inventors: Pascal Mellot, Donald Baxter
  • Patent number: 9998693
    Abstract: An image sensor including: a plurality of pixels each including a photodiode coupled to first and second capacitive elements by first and second transistors; a control circuit provided to acquire, for each pixel, a first and second value V_S and V_M representative of illumination levels of the photodiode during the first second periods, the first period being divided into a plurality of first sub-periods and the second period being divided into a plurality of second sub-periods, the first and second sub-periods sub-periods being interlaced; and a sum circuit capable of calculating, for each pixel, a value V_MS=C_S*V_S+C_M*V_M, C_S et C_M being first and second coefficients such that values C_S*V_S and C_M*V_M are substantially equal when the illumination of the photodiode is continuous.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics (Grenoble 2) SAS
    Inventor: Gregory Roffet
  • Patent number: 9999130
    Abstract: The application provides a printed circuit board and an optical module so as to alleviate poor contact between the electro-conductive contact sheet group and the clamping piece due to the solder resist. The printed circuit board includes a substrate, and electro-conductive wirings and electro-conductive contact sheet group both laid on the surface of the substrate, where the substrate is overlaid with solder resist, and the solder resist has no contact with the electro-conductive contact sheet group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignees: HISENSE BROADBAND MULTIMEDIA TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD., HISENSE USA CORPORATION, HISENSE INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Wei Zhao, Wei Cui, Lin Yu
  • Patent number: 9997644
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for maximizing the output of a dynamically biased avalanche photodiode (APD). The output of the APD is amplified. A feedback loop comprising a phase shifter measures the RF power of the amplified output and adjusts the phase of the AC signal which is used to dynamically bias the APD until the output power is maximized. The AC signal is also split into out of phase signals, thereby substantially canceling out the bias current injected into the APD output, leaving only the desired amplified optical output signal. The monitoring and tuning of the AC dynamic bias can eliminate phase drift over time, as well as other non-ideal effects that can occur, such as those due to temperature changes or device aging effects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: DYNAMIC PHOTONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Payman Zarkesh-Ha, Majeed M. Hayat, Robert Efroymson
  • Patent number: 9997554
    Abstract: One or more embodiments disclosed herein are directed to a chip scale package camera module that includes a glass interposer between a lens and an image sensor. In some embodiments, the glass interposer is made from one or more layers of optical quality glass and includes an infrared filter coating. The glass interposer also includes electrically conductive paths to connect the image sensor, mounted on one side of the glass interposer, with other components such as capacitors, which may be mounted on a different side of the glass interposer, and the rest of the camera system. The conductive layers include traces and vias that are formed in the glass interposer in areas away from the path of light in the camera module, such that the traces and vias do not block the light between the lens and the image sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS PTE LTD
    Inventors: Jean-Michel Grebet, Wee Chin Judy Lim
  • Patent number: 9992857
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an extreme ultraviolet (EUV) light source. The EUV light source includes a droplet array with a plurality of nozzles arranged along a straight scanning direction, the plurality of nozzle sequentially and intermittently ejecting droplets downward to a radiating position; a laser source configured to generate at least two laser beams and scan the at least two laser beams along the straight scanning direction, the at least two laser beams alternately bombarding droplets arriving at the radiating position to form EUV light; and a condenser with a condenser mirror having a reflective ellipsoidal surface, configured to collect the EUV light and converge collected EUV light at a center of focus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING INTERNATIONAL (SHANGHAI) CORPORATION
    Inventors: Qiang Wu, Liwan Yue
  • Patent number: 9983321
    Abstract: The invention discloses a safety inspection detector and a goods safety inspection system. The safety inspection detector at least comprises a circuit board, a first housing, a second housing, a detection module and a connecting interface. The detection module and the connecting interface are mounted on the circuit board. The first housing is pressed and connected to a first surface of the circuit board, and the second housing is pressed and connected to a second surface of the circuit board. The first housing and the second housing can hermetically wrap the detection module and electronic devices on the circuit board, but bypass the connecting interface to realize leading-out and connection with related interconnected cables by utilizing the connecting interface. The housings can be used for sealing and protecting sensitive electronic devices in the detector, thus being moisture proof and preventing interference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignees: NUCTECH COMPANY LIMITED, TSINGHUA UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Qingjun Zhang, Yuanjing Li, Zhiqiang Chen, Ziran Zhao, Yinong Liu, Yaohong Liu, Xiang Zou, Huishao He, Shuwei Li, Jianping Chang, Wenjian Zhang
  • Patent number: 9983692
    Abstract: A method for determining an orientation of a photosensor of a controller with respect to a projector is described. The method includes generating, by a beam generator of the projector, a beam. The method further includes modifying a direction of travel of the beam using a micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) mirror that moves in a pattern, detecting the beam, calculating a time at which the beam is detected, and determining based on the pattern and the time an orientation of the beam to determine the orientation of the photosensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc.
    Inventor: Dominic Mallinson
  • Patent number: 9983094
    Abstract: According to examples, a temperature or strain distribution sensor may include a photodiode to acquire a beat frequency between a first laser beam and a second laser beam. A modulator may modulate the first laser beam that is to be injected into a device under test (DUT). A coherent receiver may acquire a backscattered signal from the DUT, and use the second laser beam as a local oscillator to determine a Brillouin trace with respect to the DUT. The Brillouin trace may be used to determine a Brillouin frequency shift and a Brillouin power for the DUT to implement an absolute referencing of a Rayleigh reference trace. The coherent receiver may determine, relative to the Rayleigh reference trace, a further Brillouin frequency shift and a Rayleigh frequency shift to determine a temperature or a strain associated with the DUT.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: VIAVI SOLUTIONS INC.
    Inventor: Vincent Lecoeuche
  • Patent number: 9983029
    Abstract: Examples of the disclosure enclose an optical target on an encoder and sensors inside a single integrated module, wherein the encoder and the sensors are coupled to the same rigid body to maintain optical alignment between the sensors and the optical target on the encoder. Further, the module itself may be hermetically sealed to protect the optical path (e.g., from a light source to the optical target to the sensors) from contamination due to outside dirt, debris, or light sources internal/external to the device that might further interfere with alignment and/or proper sensing. Because the integrated module results in smaller variations in the alignment between the optical target and the sensors, the dynamic range of the sensors may be reduced, resulting in less power consumption and, potentially, longer battery life for the device. The use of an integrated module can also enable relaxed manufacturing requirements for the optical sensor and/or the optical target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Anant Rai, Prashanth Holenarsipur, Alex M. Lee