Patents Examined by Seung C. Sohn
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Patent number: 10930811Abstract: An optoelectronic apparatus is provided having a carrier device that has at least one optoelectronic transmitter and/or at least one optoelectronic receiver at an upper side; having a lens element that is provided above the carrier device and that has at least one lens section for the at least one optoelectronic transmitter and/or for the at least one optoelectronic receiver; and having a holding device that at least partly surrounds the carrier device and the lens element. The lens element has a mechanical coding section that projects out of the holding device and that enables at least one coding element for identifying the optoelectronic apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2017Date of Patent: February 23, 2021Assignee: VISHAY SEMICONDUCTOR GMBHInventors: Daniel Burger, Sascha Kuhn, Peter Mühleck
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Patent number: 10928492Abstract: A single-photon avalanche diode (SPAD) detector includes a pixel array comprising multiple pixels and a memory operably connected to the pixel array. Each pixel includes a SPAD. Various techniques for accumulating signals received from the same SPAD over multiple scans and storing the accumulated signals in the memory are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2020Date of Patent: February 23, 2021Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Shingo Mandai, Cristiano L. Niclass
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Patent number: 10914900Abstract: A photonic integrated circuit (PIC) imager includes a substrate, and a number of PIC imager units disposed in an arbitrary configuration on the substrate. Each PIC imager unit includes a PIC coupled to an optical connector, and a number of lenslets configured as a linear lenslet array and optically coupled to an edge of the PIC. Pairs of lenslets of the linear lenslet array are optically coupled to respective waveguides embedded in the PIC.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2019Date of Patent: February 9, 2021Assignee: Lockheed Martin CorporationInventors: Richard L. Kendrick, Chad E. Ogden, Guy Chriqui, Alan L. Duncan
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Patent number: 10908283Abstract: A sensor and a portable terminal comprising the same, according to an embodiment, comprise: a substrate; a light-emitting unit and a light-receiving unit, which are arranged on the substrate at a distance from each other; a cover unit arranged on the light-emitting unit and the light-receiving unit so as to face the substrate; a first optical guide lens unit arranged between the cover unit and the light-emitting unit so as to refract light, which has been emitted from the light-emitting unit and to transfer the same to the outside of the cover unit; and a second optical guide lens unit arranged between the cover unit and the light-receiving unit so as to transfer light from the outside of the cover unit to the light-receiving unit. In connection with a proximity/illuminance sensor, the sensing range related to a spaced object is expanded, thereby improving the sensing performance.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2016Date of Patent: February 2, 2021Assignee: LG INNOTEK CO., LTD.Inventors: Yeo Chan Yoon, Ji Hyouk Chung
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Patent number: 10901174Abstract: A camera includes: an image capturing unit that outputs a signal by capturing a subject image via an optical system having a focus adjustment optical system; a detection unit that detects an in-focus position at which the subject image is in focus on the image capturing unit by the optical system based on the signal outputted from the image capturing unit; a control unit that controls a position of the focus adjustment optical system so as to focus continuously upon a specified subject based on the in-focus position detected by the detection unit; and an acquisition unit that acquires information related to at least one of a distance to the specified subject, a size of the specified subject, and the optical system; wherein the control unit controls the position of the focus adjustment optical system based on the information acquired by the acquisition unit.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2017Date of Patent: January 26, 2021Assignee: NIKON CORPORATIONInventor: Masaru Habe
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Patent number: 10890838Abstract: The described embodiments are directed to a system and methods of calibrating a fluorescence microscope and/or light detection device using a calibrating apparatus. The apparatus may comprise a main body housing, a sensor head, and a microcontroller assembly disposed within the housing. The housing may include an adapter to mechanically couple the housing to a microscope. The sensor head may comprise (i) an optical power sensor to produce a power signal representative of an optical power magnitude of light applied to the optical power sensor, (ii) an optical wavelength sensor configured to produce wavelength information associated with the light applied to the optical wavelength sensor, and (iii) a light source configured to direct light toward a detection device associated with the microscope. The microcontroller assembly may be configured to generate an optical power magnitude value based on the power signal and adjusted according to the wavelength information.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2019Date of Patent: January 12, 2021Assignee: University of MassachusettsInventors: David Grunwald, Maximiliaan Huisman, Carlas Smith
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Patent number: 10886095Abstract: An image intensifier is provided in which a thin film (090) is arranged between an output surface of the electron multiplier (040) and the phosphorous screen. The thin film is a semi-conductor or insulator with a crystalline structure comprising a band gap equal or larger than 1 eV, wherein the crystalline structure has a carrier diffusion length equal or larger than 50% of the thickness of the thin film. In addition, the thin film has an anode directed surface which has a negative electron affinity. By way of provisioning a thin film of the above type in the image intensifier, an improvement in mean transfer function of the overall image intensifier is obtained.Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 2017Date of Patent: January 5, 2021Assignee: PHOTONIS NETHERLANDS B.V.Inventor: Gert Otto Nützel
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Patent number: 10878847Abstract: An optical information processing device writes and reads information on an information recording medium having recording layers. The optical information processing device includes: first and second light sources; a light condensing element that condenses light from the first and second light sources on the medium; a first photodetector that receives light reflected by the medium after being emitted from the first light source and generates a first focusing error signal; a second photodetector that receives light reflected by the medium after being emitted from the second light source and generates a second focusing error signal; and a focusing control circuit that controls the light condensing element by using the first focusing error signal in such a manner that the light from the second light source is condensed on each of the recording layers. The second focusing error signal is used to add a correction to the focusing control circuit.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2019Date of Patent: December 29, 2020Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kazuo Momoo, Yuichi Takahashi
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Patent number: 10879431Abstract: A wavelength converting layer is disclosed that includes a plurality of phosphor grains 50-500 nm in size and encapsulated in cerium free YAG shells and a binder material binding the plurality of phosphor grains, the wavelength converting layer having a thickness of 5-20 microns attached to the light emitting surface.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2018Date of Patent: December 29, 2020Assignee: Lumileds LLCInventors: Danielle Russell Chamberlin, Erik Maria Roeling, Daniel Bernardo Roitman, Kentaro Shimizu
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Patent number: 10871385Abstract: The present disclosure is related to an optical encoder which is configured to provide precise coding reference data by feature recognition technology. To apply the present disclosure, it is not necessary to provide particular dense patterns on a working surface. The precise coding reference data can be generated by detecting surface features of the working surface.Type: GrantFiled: January 2, 2019Date of Patent: December 22, 2020Assignee: PIXART IMAGING INC.Inventors: Boon-How Kok, Keen-Hun Leong, Ching-Geak Chan, Chiang-Hee Lim, Chu-Leik Ho, Hsin-Chia Chen, Yen-Min Chang
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Patent number: 10868988Abstract: An image sensor includes a first sensor pixel and a second sensor pixel that vertically overlap each other. The first sensor pixel includes a first signal generation circuit, and a first photoelectric converter that is connected to the first signal generation circuit and configured to generate first information from light having a first wavelength. The second sensor pixel includes a second signal generation circuit, and a second photoelectric converter that is connected to the second signal generation circuit and configured to generate second information from light having a second wavelength. A first horizontal surface area of the first photoelectric converter is different from a second horizontal surface area of the second photoelectric converter. An image sensor module includes the image sensor, a light source configured to emit light to a target object, and a dual band pass filter configured to selectively pass light reflected from the target object.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 2019Date of Patent: December 15, 2020Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Tae-Yon Lee, Gwi-Deok Ryan Lee, Masaru Ishii, Dong-Mo Im
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Patent number: 10866190Abstract: A plasmonic grating sensor having periodic arrays of vertically aligned plasmonic nanopillars, nanowires, or both with an interparticle pitch ranging from ?/8-2?, where ? is the incident wavelength of light divided by the effective index of refraction of the sample; a coupled-plasmonic array sensor having vertically aligned periodic arrays of plasmonically coupled nanopillars, nanowires, or both with interparticle gaps sufficient to induce overlap between the plasmonic evanescent fields from neighboring nanoparticles, typically requiring edge-to-edge separations of less than 20 nm; and a plasmo-photonic array sensor having a double-resonant, periodic array of vertically aligned subarrays of 1 to 25 plasmonically coupled nanopillars, nanowires, or both where the subarrays are periodically spaced at a pitch on the order of a wavelength of light.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 2018Date of Patent: December 15, 2020Assignee: The Government of the United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the NavyInventors: Joshua D. Caldwell, Orest J. Glembocki, Sharka M. Prokes, Ronald W. Rendell
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Patent number: 10859411Abstract: Fiber optic sensors for distributed monitoring of physical parameters along a fiber optic cable are disclosed. A sensor comprises a fiber optic cable mounted to a flexible member disposed in a sensor housing body. The flexible member is coupled to the body and to a bladder in the body. The bladder is exposed to an immediate external environment to the sensor through a port in the body so that changes in pressure or liquid level in the environment cause changes to the size of the bladder, which in turn change the shape of the flexible body to impart mechanical strain on the cable. The cable may be inscribed by fiber Bragg gratings. Changes in spectra may be analyzed to measure the physical parameters. Simultaneous measurement of temperature, liquid and gas pressure, vibration, mechanical strain, liquid level, liquid flow rate, and deformation in a distributed fashion generates a 3-D environmental map.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2018Date of Patent: December 8, 2020Assignee: ADVANCED OPTO-MECHANICAL SYSTEMS AND TECHNOLOGIES INC.Inventors: Hamid Alemohammad, Richard Liang, Amir Azhari
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Patent number: 10852182Abstract: An ambient light detector, a detector array and a method are disclosed. In an embodiment an ambient light sensor includes a first plurality of sensor elements, each sensor element configured to provide a signal in response to a level of illumination and a second plurality of reference elements, each reference element configured to provide a reference signal and each including a blocking element configured to shield the respective reference element from being illuminated, wherein the first plurality is larger than the second plurality and the first plurality of sensor elements and the second plurality of reference elements are arranged in an array, and wherein a sensor element and a reference element are laterally arranged on or in a common layer substrate sharing at least one common first contact.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2018Date of Patent: December 1, 2020Assignee: OSRAM OPTO SEMICONDUCTORS GMBHInventors: Hoa Vu, Andrey Lysov
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Patent number: 10852462Abstract: An optical device comprises a first grating and a second grating formed on or attached to a dielectric layer, and configured to simultaneously couple an optical field interacting therewith into two distinct Fano-Feshbach resonances.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2017Date of Patent: December 1, 2020Assignee: Ramot at Tel-Aviv University Ltd.Inventor: Alon Bahabad
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Patent number: 10845238Abstract: A bridge circuit arrangement, method of providing said bridge circuit arrangement, and uses thereof are described. The bridge circuit arrangement comprises a first photodevice configured on a first arm, a second photodevice configured on a second arm, a first resistor configured on a third arm, and a second resistor configured on a fourth arm of the bridge. The first and second photodevice provide current flow.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2018Date of Patent: November 24, 2020Assignee: K Sciences GP, LLCInventor: Valentin Korman
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Patent number: 10847581Abstract: A solid-state imaging apparatus includes a pixel array part having a plurality of pixels are two-dimensionally arranged, in which each pixel has a first photoelectric conversion region formed above a semiconductor layer, a second photoelectric conversion region formed in the semiconductor layer, a first filter configured to transmit a light in a predetermined wavelength region corresponding to a color component, and a second filter having different transmission characteristics from the first filter, one photoelectric conversion region out of the first photoelectric conversion region and the second photoelectric conversion region photoelectrically converts a light in a visible light region, the other photoelectric conversion region photoelectrically converts a light in an infrared region, the first filter is formed above the first photoelectric conversion region, and the second filter has transmission characteristics of making wavelengths of light in an infrared region absorbed in the other photoelectric conveType: GrantFiled: May 2, 2017Date of Patent: November 24, 2020Assignee: Sony CorporationInventors: Tetsuji Yamaguchi, Atsushi Toda, Itaru Oshiyama
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Patent number: 10845217Abstract: Sensor for determining a rotation angle (?) about a rotation axis. The sensor includes a rotary element mounted in a base element so as to be rotatable about the rotation axis. The rotary element is made from a first material having a first refractive index n1 and is constructed from several layers. At least one light generating device is fixedly arranged relative to the base element. At least one light detection device is fixedly arranged relative to the base element and configured to detect a light signal. At least one refractive structure is arranged in each layer and has a second refractive index n2, wherein n2?n1. The at least one beam path extends at least in a first rotation angle range through the at least one refractive structure in order to be able to assign a specific rotation angle (?) to the light signal detected by the at least one light detection device at least in the first rotation angle range.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2016Date of Patent: November 24, 2020Assignee: TECHNISCHE UNIVERSITAET WIENInventors: Alexander Dabsch, Franz Keplinger, Andreas Kainz
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Patent number: 10847502Abstract: Some embodiments are directed to an optoelectronic device for converting an electrical signal into electromagnetic radiation or vice-versa, including an active zone sandwiched between first and second electrodes, the optoelectronic device having a stack of layers with a lateral edge and first and second opposite faces, the layers of the stack forming at least the active zone and the first and second electrodes, the stack being intended to receive or emit the electromagnetic radiation through the lateral edge perpendicularly to the direction of stacking of the layers.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2017Date of Patent: November 24, 2020Assignees: CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE, INSTITUT POLYTECHNIQUE DE GRENOBLEInventors: David Munoz Rojas, Maria del Carmen Jimenez Arevalo, Daniel Bellet, Stéphane Brochen
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Patent number: 10840857Abstract: A transimpedance amplifier (TIA) device. The device includes a photodiode coupled to a differential TIA with a first and second TIA, which is followed by a Level Shifting/Differential Amplifier (LS/DA). The photodiode is coupled between a first and a second input terminal of the first and second TIAs, respectively. The LS/DA can be coupled to a first and second output terminal of the first and second TIAs, respectively. The TIA device includes a semiconductor substrate comprising a plurality of CMOS cells, which can be configured using 28 nm process technology to the first and second TIAs. Each of the CMOS cells can include a deep n-type well region. The second TIA can be configured using a plurality CMOS cells such that the second input terminal is operable at any positive voltage level with respect to an applied voltage to a deep n-well for each of the plurality of second CMOS cells.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2019Date of Patent: November 17, 2020Assignee: INPHI CORPORATIONInventors: Rahul Shringarpure, Tom Peter Edward Broekaert, Gaurav Mahajan