Patents Examined by Shun Lee
  • Patent number: 9086492
    Abstract: A scintillation detector including one or more photomultiplier tubes, a scintillation block optically attached to the photomultiplier tubes, and a DC-coupled bleeder circuit combining outputs of dynodes of the photomultipliers to provide a DC-coupled dynode output together with a DC-coupled anode output of the photomultiplier tubes. The DC-coupled bleeder circuit includes a RF transformer. A positive high voltage supply also can be used together with a DC-coupled bleeder circuit for the anode outputs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Nan Zhang, Matthias J. Schmand, Niraj K. Doshi, Michael D. Loope
  • Patent number: 9088742
    Abstract: An X-ray detector is disclosed. According to one aspect, the X-ray detector includes a plurality of light sensing pixels each including a photodiode for generating an electrical detection signal corresponding to incident light and a switching device for transmitting the detection signal. The X-ray detector additionally includes a gate driver for supplying a gate pulse to the switching device via a plurality of gate lines. The gate pulse may be configured to turn on the switching device. The X-ray detector also includes a read out integrated circuit for reading out the detection signal from the plurality of light sensing pixels. During a scrubbing period, in which gate scanning is performed at least once to initialize the photodiodes of the plurality of light sensing pixels, a plurality of gate pulses are supplied to each gate line during each gate scan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hisashi Kimura
  • Patent number: 9075238
    Abstract: A fluorescence microscope includes: a light source that emits excitation light for exciting a sample; an optical detector that detects fluorescence emitted from the sample excited by the excitation light; a first wavelength selection filter arranged in an optical path leading from the light source to the sample to reflect at least an S-polarized component of the excitation light and transmit the fluorescence; and a second wavelength selection filter arranged in an optical path between the optical detector and the first wavelength selection filter to reflect at least the S-polarized component of the excitation light and transmit the fluorescence. In the fluorescence microscope, light entering and transmitted through the first wavelength selection filter as P-polarized light enters the second wavelength selection filter as S-polarized light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Daisuke Nishiwaki
  • Patent number: 9054010
    Abstract: An X-ray detector including a plurality of chips on a printed circuit board, each of the plurality of chips including a plurality of pixel pads on a center portion of the printed circuit board and a plurality of pin pads surrounding the plurality of pixel pads, a plurality of pixel electrodes on and corresponding to the plurality of chips, a redistribution layer electrically connecting the plurality of pixel electrodes and the plurality of pixel pads, a plurality of first electrode pads on a surface opposite to a surface of the plurality of chips including the plurality of pin pads, a wire electrically connecting the plurality of first electrode pads and the plurality of pin pads, a photoconductor on the plurality of pixel electrodes, and a common electrode on the photoconductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sang-wook Kim, Chang-jung Kim, Jae-chul Park, Sun-il Kim
  • Patent number: 9029793
    Abstract: An imaging device (6) for scan-imaging radiation includes an imaging cell array (3) comprising an array of detector cells generating charge in response to incident radiation (1) and an array of pixel circuits each pixel circuit associated with a respective detector cell. The pixel circuit includes circuitry for accumulating plural radiation hit on an associated detector cell and transfer circuitry shifting upon command the accumulated value of all pixels by one step in one dimension (e.g., row by row). The imaged object (2) moves at a speed VOPT (7) with respect to the radiation source and the imaging detector (or source and detector move at ?VOPT with respect to the object) on which the accumulated values are shifted are with VTDI (8). VTDI may equal VOPT in value and direction. Thus, a value is accumulated in a moving information package using multiple pixels (10) and referring directly to a location on the moving object. The accumulated values are read out along one edge of the pixel array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Konstantinos Evangelos Spartiotis, Stefan Jurthe, Markku Tapio Eräluoto
  • Patent number: 9012852
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for determining the absence or presence of contraband in an object with a fast neutron source for irradiating the object; a detector for measuring ?-rays emitted by the irradiated object from energy state relaxation as a result of neutron capture, typically after the object has been irradiated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute
    Inventor: Gregory Pekarsky
  • Patent number: 9006669
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a radiation detector includes a photodetector including a fluorescent film configured to convert radiation into light, and a photoelectric conversion element configured to convert light into an electrical signal, a circuit board configured to electrically drives the photodetector, and electronically processes an output signal from the photodetector, and a connection board configured to electrically connect the photodetector and circuit board, and including a flexible circuit board, and an IC mounting board connected to the flexible circuit board, less flexible than the flexible circuit board, and including an IC semiconductor element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Hitoshi Chiyoma, Hiroshi Iwata
  • Patent number: 8975591
    Abstract: A solid-state imaging device according to an embodiment includes a plurality of signal output units. Each of the plurality of signal output units includes an input terminal electrode group including terminal electrodes for inputting a reset signal, a hold signal, a horizontal start signal, and a horizontal clock signal and an output terminal electrode for providing an output signal. The solid-state imaging device further includes common lines that are provided across the plurality of signal output units. A terminal electrode for the reset signal and a terminal electrode for the hold signal are connected to the corresponding common lines through the corresponding switches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Hamamatsu Photonics K.K.
    Inventors: Kazuki Fujita, Ryuji Kyushima, Harumichi Mori
  • Patent number: 8884236
    Abstract: An apparatus and methods for detecting radiation. A plurality of substantially parallel active collimation vanes are sensitive to the incident radiation for generating at least a first detection signal, and a rear detector detects incident radiation that passes between the substantially parallel active collimation vanes and generates a second detection signal. A processor receives and processes both the first and second detection signals. The active collimator vanes may be enclosed within a light-tight enclosure, and a first photodetector may be provided for detecting scintillation arising at the active collimation vanes, while a second photodetector may be provided for detecting scintillation arising at the rear detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: American Science and Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter J. Rothschild
  • Patent number: 8884240
    Abstract: An integrated silicon solid state photomultiplier (SSPM) device includes a pixel unit including an array of more than 2×2 p-n photodiodes on a common substrate, a signal division network electrically connected to each photodiode, where the signal division network includes four output connections, a signal output measurement unit, a processing unit configured to identify the photodiode generating a signal or a center of mass of photodiodes generating a signal, and a global receiving unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Radiation Monitoring Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Kanai S. Shah, James Christian, Christopher Stapels, Purushottam Dokhale, Mickel McClish
  • Patent number: 8884239
    Abstract: A detector arrangement providing imaging information at the edge of the scintillator is provided. The detector arrangement provides complete information and improved spatial resolution. SiPMs can be used in place of PMTs in order to provide the geometrical coverage of the scintillator and improved spatial resolution. With such detector arrangements, the spatial resolution can be under 2 mm. Furthermore, the overall thickness of the detector can be substantially reduced and depth of interaction resolution is also improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Herfried Wieczorek, Andreas Goedicke, Thomas Frach
  • Patent number: 8884241
    Abstract: A capacitive sensor device for measuring radiation. The device includes two sensor regions and top plate structure. The sensor regions are of a material that generates electron-hole pairs when radiation strikes the material. A separation region is located between the two sensor regions. The capacitance between a sensor region and top plate is dependent upon radiation striking the sensor region. A blocking structure selectively and differentially blocks radiation having a parameter value in a range from the sensor region so as to differentially impact electron-hole pair generation of one sensor region with respect to electron-hole pair generation of the other sensor region at selected angles of incidence of the radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark D. Hall, Mehul D. Shroff
  • Patent number: 8866091
    Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and method of acquiring images created by penetration of a radioactive ray. The apparatus includes a scintillator to generate a light signal in response to an irradiated radioactive ray, and to change an advancing direction of the generate light signal, a light receiving unit to receive the light signal whose advancing direction is changed, and a signal processing unit to convert the received light signal into an electrical signal, and acquire an image corresponding to the penetrated irradiated radioactive ray based on the converted electrical signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sung Su Kim, Young Hun Sung, Jong Ha Lee, Dong-Goo Kang
  • Patent number: 8829450
    Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and method of acquiring images created by penetration of a radioactive ray. The apparatus includes a scintillator to generate a light signal in response to an irradiated radioactive ray, and to change an advancing direction of the generate light signal, a light receiving unit to receive the light signal whose advancing direction is changed, and a signal processing unit to convert the received light signal into an electrical signal, and acquire an image corresponding to the penetrated irradiated radioactive ray based on the converted electrical signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sung Su Kim, Young Hun Sung, Jong Ha Lee, Dong-Goo Kang
  • Patent number: 8822954
    Abstract: A phosphor (photo-luminescent) material based authentication system in which a blend (mixture) of at least two, preferably three or more, phosphor materials are used as a photo-luminescent security marking which is applied to or incorporated within an article/document to be authenticated. Preferably, the phosphor materials are each excitable by “eye safe” excitation radiation comprising visible light of wavelength 380 nm to 780 nm. Moreover, when excited the security marking preferably also emits visible light thereby minimizing any risk of damage to an operator's eye in the event of accidental exposure to the excitation radiation and/or light generated by the photo-luminescent marking. The authenticity of the article/document can be authenticated by verification of the composition of the phosphor by exciting the marking and comparing one or more selected parameters of light emitted by the security marking with corresponding parameters of the characteristic emission spectrum of the authentic phosphor blend.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Intematix Corporation
    Inventors: Yi-Qun Li, Haitao Yang
  • Patent number: 8809795
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes a transmitting path to transmit the output electric signal, and a read-out circuit performing a sampling and holding operation for holding the electric signal read out through the transmitting path, and performing a reset operation to reset the transmitting path, and includes a control unit for controlling an outputting drive circuit and a read-out circuit so as to perform the sampling and holding operation row by row after a start of the output operation, to perform the reset operation after the sampling and holding operation, and to terminate the output operation after the reset operation. This can reduce the frame time without reducing the S/N ratio of the image signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Katsuro Takenaka, Tadao Endo, Toshio Kameshima, Tomoyuki Yagi, Keigo Yokoyama
  • Patent number: 8796624
    Abstract: An automatic dispenser for dispensing a product stored therein includes an active IR sensor system for detecting a user. The IR system includes emitters and receivers which are mounted so that each IR emitter's active emitting portion protrudes outwardly from an outer surface of the housing and each IR receiver's active receiving portion is recessed behind that outer surface, such that the outward protrusion of the active receiving portion from the outer surface of the housing is less than the outward protrusion of the active emitting portion. The outer surface of the housing in question is preferably at the bottom of the housing next to the discharge outlet. This arrangement allows a reliable and accurate IR reception field to be obtained with a shape more suited to expected user positioning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: SCA Hygiene Products AB
    Inventors: Kin Lun Mok, King Lun Mok, Hong Ng
  • Patent number: 8729480
    Abstract: A tomography scanner has intentionally designed, well defined gaps between detector rings with image reconstruction obtained with the use of conventional tomography data processing. The scanner is particularly advantageous as a small animal PET scanner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Trident Imaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Jurgen Seidel, Michael V. Green, Juan José´ Vaquero
  • Patent number: 8729474
    Abstract: Systems and methods are directed to contacts for an infrared detector. For example, an infrared imaging device includes a substrate having a first metal layer and an infrared detector array coupled to the substrate via a plurality of contacts. Each contact includes for an embodiment a second metal layer formed on the first metal layer; a third metal layer formed on the second metal layer, wherein the third metal layer at least partially fills an inner portion of the contact; and a first passivation layer formed on the third metal layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: FLIR Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric A. Kurth, Patrick Franklin
  • Patent number: 8674307
    Abstract: A device for detecting infrared radiation comprising an array of bolometers for detecting radiation; and in order to read each bolometer, a signal shaping circuitry comprising: a circuitry capable of biasing the bolometer at a predetermined voltage in order to make current flow therethrough; a circuitry capable of generating a common-mode current; and a circuitry capable of integrating the difference between the current that flows through the bolometer and the common-mode current. According to the invention, the device comprises a circuitry capable of injecting current into each bolometer in order to shift its resistance by a predetermined quantity that depends on its offset, current injection being performed prior to readout biasing of the bolometer and the shift being performed according to the direction in which the bolometer's resistance varies as a function of temperature. In addition, correction circuitry is capable of shifting the resistances of bolometers towards a common value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Ulis
    Inventors: Benoît Dupont, Michel Vilain