Patents Examined by Sunghee Y Gray
  • Patent number: 10041879
    Abstract: A method can include emitting, from a light source, directional light through fuel contained in a fuel tank, and determining a refraction angle of the directional light after the directional light passes through an interface with the fuel. The method can further include determining, by a processing device, an index of refraction of the fuel based on the determined refraction angle, and determining, by the processing device, a density of the fuel based on the determined index of refraction of the fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: Simmonds Prevision Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Radoslaw Zakrzewski, Mark Sherwood Miller, Michael A. Lynch
  • Patent number: 10036686
    Abstract: A method and a system for ultimately fast frequency-scanning Brillouin optical time domain analysis are provided herein. The method may include: simultaneously launching two pairs each having a pulsed pump wave and a counter-propagating constant wave (CW) probe wave, into an optical fiber, wherein the pulsed pumps have orthogonal States of Polarization (SOPs), and wherein the two CW probe waves have a same SOP; scanning common pump-probe frequency difference, over a frequency range that encompasses a respective Brillouin Gain Spectrum (BGS) and current and expected spectral shifts of the BGS along the optical fiber; deriving, a local Brillouin Frequency Shift (BFS), in a distributed manner along the optical fiber, which is defined as the pump-probe frequency difference which maximizes the Brillouin gain on the BGS; and determining strain and/or temperature in a distributed manner along the optical fiber, based on the respective local BFS.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: Ramot at Tel-Aviv University Ltd.
    Inventors: Moshe Tur, Ido Sovran, Avi Motil
  • Patent number: 10031028
    Abstract: An optical wavelength detecting device, the device including: a polarizer configured to transform an incident light into a polarized light; a detecting element configured to receive the polarized light and form a temperature difference or a potential difference between two points of the detecting element, wherein the detecting element comprises a carbon nanotube structure including a plurality of carbon nanotubes oriented along the same direction, and angles between a polarizing direction of the polarized light and an oriented direction of the plurality of carbon nanotubes is adjustable; a measuring device electrically connected to the detecting element and configured to measure the temperature difference or the potential difference; a data processor electrically connected to the measuring device and configured to obtain the optical wavelength by calculating and analyzing the temperature difference or the potential difference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignees: Tsinghua University, HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ling Zhang, Yang Wu, Kai-Li Jiang, Chang-Hong Liu, Jia-Ping Wang, Shou-Shan Fan
  • Patent number: 10025039
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes systems and methods for testing bundles of fiber optic fibers, such as fiber optic trunk cables, for correct polarity of connections at each end of the bundle of fibers while preventing the fiber optic fibers from contacting any other components during testing. The systems include a processor, a plurality of signal generators interfaced with a plurality of signal generator ports, a sensor interfaced with a sensor input port, a first selector switch, and a display, the processor operable to stimulate the plurality of signal generators one at a time in a first sequence to produce a signal, the first sequence based on a position of the first selector switch, the processor further operable to cause the display to display an output of the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: Kevin M. Ehringer Inc.
    Inventors: Troy D. Cummings, Tung Pham, Kevin M. Ehringer, Billie Cottongim
  • Patent number: 10024799
    Abstract: The invention provides a method for chemical signature resolved detection of a concealed object within a system. The method includes irradiating the system at a plurality of positions with aplurality of electromagnetic radiation of specific wavelength; capturing a certain component of the scattered electromagnetic radiation from the object at a plurality of locations along various 3D planes around the system; obtaining a plurality of profiles from the captured component of the scattered electromagnetic radiation; filtering the profiles to obtain a chemical signature specific to the object; and resolving the chemical signatures to detect the concealed object, wherein, the step of detection includes determination of the shape, size and location of the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: INDIAN INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE
    Inventors: Siva Umapathy, Sanchita Sil, Gagan Dhal, Freek Ariese
  • Patent number: 10012564
    Abstract: An MPO switch device that includes a first input/output port and a second input/output port, a MPO port, a plurality of switches disposed between the first input/output port and the second input/output port, and a switch control for controlling the position of each of the switches to direct light through a desired return path. The plurality of switches are arranged and connected together by non-blocking connections that allow simultaneous testing of all common 1 GB, 10 GB, and 40 GB transmit and receive fiber pair paths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Inventor: Ryan M. Irving
  • Patent number: 9999212
    Abstract: A discrete and safe automated insect monitoring system includes a housing, an interior chamber within the housing, and a light source arranged within the housing to illuminate at least a portion of a floor surface of the interior chamber. A multi-pixel optical sensor is arranged within the housing so that a field of view of the sensor comprehends a substantial portion of the floor surface. A processing circuit arranged within the housing receives optical data from the multi-pixel optical sensor, analyzes the optical data to detect the intrusion of an insect or other object into the interior chamber by comparing most recently received optical data to previously received optical data, and generates an indication in response to detecting the intrusion of an insect or other object. Detection and/or classification results can be wirelessly forwarded to another device, to alert appropriate personnel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: Delta Five, LLC
    Inventors: Jason André Janét, William Stockton Howell, Stephen Paul Land, Robert W. Winston, Lisa Ann Lyons
  • Patent number: 9999211
    Abstract: A discrete and safe automated insect monitoring system includes a housing, an interior chamber within the housing, and a light source arranged within the housing to illuminate at least a portion of a floor surface of the interior chamber. A multi-pixel optical sensor is arranged within the housing so that a field of view of the sensor comprehends a substantial portion of the floor surface. A processing circuit arranged within the housing receives optical data from the multi-pixel optical sensor, analyzes the optical data to detect the intrusion of an insect or other object into the interior chamber by comparing most recently received optical data to previously received optical data, and generates an indication in response to detecting the intrusion of an insect or other object. Detection and/or classification results can be wirelessly forwarded to another device, to alert appropriate personnel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: Delta Five, LLC
    Inventors: Jason André Janét, William Stockton Howell, Stephen Paul Land, Robert W Winston, III, Lisa Ann Lyons
  • Patent number: 9989670
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for optical and electrical sensing different phases of a multiphase fluid. The apparatus includes a cylindrical member formed with an optically transparent material including a first end with a shaped tip and a second end operable to receive an optical conductor. The apparatus also includes first and second electrodes disposed on the cylindrical member operable to receive first and second electrical conductors, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Stefan Iulian Moise, Olivier Amsellem, Pierre Vigneaux, Caroline Stephan Rivas
  • Patent number: 9989458
    Abstract: According to some embodiments a method of measuring the refractive index profile of a consolidated glass body having a cylindrical surface comprises the steps of: (a) forming an image of a slit behind the glass body; (b) optionally pre-scanning the cylindrical surface of the test glass body or a reference glass body and analyzing the data within a fixed window to determine the likely location of the zero-order, un-diffracted beam while ignoring other diffracted beams; (c) optionally adjusting the optical power to improve the intensity of the data within the fixed window in order to improve the analysis; (d) predicting the trajectory of the zero-order beam through the preform based on the sampling location xi (incidence position) of the light impinging on the cylindrical surface and the location at which the zero-order beam impinges on the detector; (e) measuring the cylindrical surface of a glass body while using the estimated location of the zero-order beam and adjusted optical power to set the center of a f
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Ian David Cook, Norman Henry Fontaine, Qi Wu, Jacques Gollier
  • Patent number: 9976946
    Abstract: A sample cell apparatus for use in spectroscopic determination of an analyte in a body fluid sample includes a first plate member made from an optically clear material and a second plate member made from an optically clear material and opposing the first plate member. A channel extending into a surface of the first plate member and an opposing surface of the second plate member houses a floating seal. The floating seal surrounds a fluid chamber that retains a sample of body fluid for optical measurement. The fluid chamber may be opened for flushing by separating the first plate member from the second plate member. During measurements the fluid chamber is closed to define a repeatable optical path-length therethrough by urging the first plate member against the second plate member without compressing the floating seal between the first plate member and the second plate member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: Instrumentation Laboratory Company
    Inventors: Brian Joseph Bosy, Josef Kerimo
  • Patent number: 9976931
    Abstract: An optical imaging arrangement includes an optical projection system and a support structure system. The optical projection system includes a group of optical elements configured to transfer, in an exposure process using exposure light along an exposure light path, an image of a pattern of a mask onto a substrate. The support structure system includes an optical element support structure and a metrology support structure. The optical element support structure supports the group of optical elements, while the metrology support structure supports a group of metrology devices associated with the group of optical elements and configured to capture status information representative of at least one of a position and an orientation of each of the optical elements in at least one degree of freedom up to all six degrees of freedom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss SMT GmbH
    Inventors: Yim-Bun Patrick Kwan, Erik Ruinemans
  • Patent number: 9970749
    Abstract: Provided are: a sheet of colloidal crystals immobilized in resin exhibiting intense structural color, enabled to be observed easily from a squarely facing direction against a surface; and use thereof. The sheet of the present invention, assuming a direction perpendicular to part of a surface of a target area including partially the sheet surface is set as a specified axis, satisfies: (1) The target area includes plural inclined back-reflecting crystal-domains crystal domains having colloid particles immobilized in resin and including crystal lattice planes capable of Bragg-back reflecting at least some of components in a visible wavelength range of incident light having greater than 0 incident angle with the specified axis; and (2) By defining an azimuth angle around the specified axis, the inclined back-reflecting crystal-domains are so oriented that intensity of reflected light caused by Bragg back reflection varies depending on the azimuth angle of the incident light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignees: FUJI KAGAKU CORPORATION, NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR MATERIALS SCIENCE
    Inventors: Satoshi Kawanaka, Fumio Uchida, Tsutomu Sawada, Seiichi Furumi, Hiroshi Fudoji
  • Patent number: 9964485
    Abstract: A diffuse reflectance spectroscopy system for determining an optical property of a specimen and a method for operating the same are provided. The system includes: a light emitting unit comprising a light emitting terminal, the light emitting unit configured to emit steady light; an optical medium arranged at one end of the device, the optical medium being controllable to switch between multiple optical states and configured to deliver the steady light to the specimen through the optical medium in different optical states, wherein the optical medium comprises a first surface in contact with the light emitting terminal of the light emitting unit and a second surface for contact with the specimen; and a detecting module comprising one or more receiving terminals for receiving light scattered from the specimen for determining the optical property of the specimen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: NATIONAL CHENG KUNG UNIVERSITY
    Inventor: Sheng-Hao Tseng
  • Patent number: 9964493
    Abstract: A method of using a paint sensor to observe stress distributions of a stressed substrate includes the steps of applying a composition including a paintable medium and a mechanoluminescence material to a substrate, allowing the composition to form a solid film on the substrate, allowing the substrate to be stressed following the formation of the solid film, and measuring the stress the substrate has undergone by determining the mechanoluminescence of the solid film. A composition for visualizing stress or crack distributions includes a paintable medium and a mechanoluminescence material dispersed therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: The University of Akron
    Inventor: GunJin Yun
  • Patent number: 9958264
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a system and/or method may include assessing surface cleanliness. In some embodiments, the system may include a dispensing device. The dispensing device may dispense, during use, a liquid on a surface forming a drop. In some embodiments, the system may include a stage. The stage may support, during use, a digital imaging device above the drop positioned on the surface. In some embodiments, the system may include a light emitter. The light emitter may emit, during use, a beam of light substantially parallel to the surface at the drop. In some embodiments, the system may include an adjustable support coupled to the stage. The adjustable support may adjust, during use, an angle of the stage relative to the surface. In some embodiments, the system is configured to determine a contact angle of the drop relative to the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Sam Houston State University
    Inventor: Darren L. Williams
  • Patent number: 9952142
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device (1) for the light spectroscopic analysis of a small amount of a liquid sample, comprising a receiving point (3) for receiving small amounts of the liquid sample, and light conductors (5, 6) which guide light of a light source to the sample and guide signal light from the sample in the direction of a detector, and is characterised in that an illumination source (7) is arranged below the receiving point (3), and a region (8) below the receiving point (3) which is permeable for the light of the illumination source (7), is provided such that the illumination light illuminates the receiving point (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Implen GmbH
    Inventor: Thomas Sahiri
  • Patent number: 9952099
    Abstract: A spectroscopic analysis device for analysis of a sample comprises an input for receiving light from the sample and a photonic integrated circuit. This photonic optical filter comprises one or more tunable bandpass filters arranged to filter the received light. Furthermore, the device comprises a controller that is arranged—to control the one or more tunable bandpass filters, to receive filter results obtained from the one or more tunable bandpass filters, and to provide spectroscopic analysis results based on the received filter results.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Klaas Cornelis Jan Wijbrans, Gerhardus Wilhelmus Lucassen, Bernardus Hendrikus Wilhelmus Hendriks
  • Patent number: 9939261
    Abstract: A calibration pattern having a plurality of pattern regions for calibrating an imaging optical unit for metrological applications. At least one image of the calibration pattern is recorded using the imaging optical unit. The image is evaluated to quantify individual properties of the imaging optical unit. Depending on the quantified individual properties, correction values for a calculated correction of aberrations of the imaging optical unit are determined. The calibration pattern is provided on an electronic display having a plurality of display pixels arranged in the form of a matrix. In addition, a calibration body with at least one line having a defined dimension, is recorded using the imaging optical unit. A magnification factor of the imaging optical unit is determined on the basis of the at least one line. At least one further individual property of the imaging optical unit is quantified on the basis of the calibration pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: CARL ZEISS INDUSTIELLE MESSTECHNIK GMBH
    Inventors: Thomas Engel, Nils Haverkamp, Dominik Seitz, Daniel Plohmann
  • Patent number: 9927371
    Abstract: A line scan wafer inspection system includes a confocal slit aperture filter to remove sidelobes and enhance resolution in the scanning direction. A position detector associated with the slit aperture filter monitors and corrects illumination line image positions relative to the slit aperture to keep image position variations within tolerable limits. Each detector measures a line position and then uses the line position signal to adjust optical, mechanical, and electronic components in the collection path in a feedback loop. The feedback loop may be employed in a runtime calibration process or during inspection to enhance stability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: KLA-Tencor Corporation
    Inventors: Mark S. Wang, Chris Kirk, Andrey Kharisov