Patents Examined by Timothy Moran
  • Patent number: 6777682
    Abstract: An infrared detector includes a semiconductor substrate having a hollow, a single crystal silicon thin film opposite the hollow at a distance from the semiconductor substrate, thermoelectric converters embedded in the single crystal silicon thin film and converting heat energy generated by infrared light irradiating the single crystal silicon thin film into an electric signal, a first connecting layer embedded in the single crystal silicon thin film and electrically connecting the thermoelectric converters to each other and a second connecting layer for transmitting the electric signal output by the thermoelectric converters to a wire in the semiconductor substrate. In the infrared detector, at least one of the first and second connecting layers is a silicon compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tomohiro Ishikawa, Hirofumi Yagi
  • Patent number: 6768123
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for examining documents, in particular documents of value, identification or security documents, having at least two detector units (1, 2, 3) for detecting light (16) emanating from a document (10) to be examined. To increase reliability when examining luminescence, reflection and/or transmission properties of documents, a scattering element (5) is provided on which the light (16) emanating from the document (10) is scattered, the scattering element (5) and detector units (1, 2, 3) being disposed such that the scattered light can be detected by the detector units (1, 2, 3). The scattering element (5) causes spatial mixture and homogenization of the light (16) emanating from the document (10) so as to greatly reduce any parallactic errors that occur in particular with detector units (1, 2, 3) disposed side by side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2004
    Assignee: Giesecke & Devrient GmbH
    Inventor: Thomas Giering
  • Patent number: 6768103
    Abstract: A method for dynamically calibrating automatic infrared sensing devices in commercial use having an IR detector. Randomly reflected emitted IR radiation is detected by the IR detector which sends as IR detector output to a control module. The control module measures whether the detector output is too high or too low compared to a standard range of output values stored in the control module. An IR emitter value is then determined to maintain IR detector output within the standard range of values. This IR emitter input value is stored in the control module as a calibration standard until the calibration cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2004
    Assignee: The Chicago Faucet Company
    Inventor: Thomas J. Watson
  • Patent number: 6765213
    Abstract: A semiconductor coincidence detector device including at least a first and a second detector crystal array, each having a first and second surface, an array of pixellated anodes formed on each of the first surfaces, an array of segmented cathodes formed on each of the second surfaces, essentially each of the pixellated anodes being connected to an anode electronic channel for generating a first electrical signal corresponding to the energy of a photon impinging in the semiconductor, and essentially each of the segmented cathodes being connected to a cathode electronic channel for generating an electrical coincidence trigger signal on detection of a photon impinging in the semiconductor, the first electrical signal being read only from anodes located opposite the cathode segment generating the trigger signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: Imarad Imaging Systems Ltd.
    Inventors: Arie Shahar, Uri El-Hanany, Alex Tsigelman, Shimon Klier, Eldan Halberthal
  • Patent number: 6765226
    Abstract: A radiation image readout apparatus for reading out, by use of a line sensor formed of a plurality of photoelectric converting elements arranged in a straight line, a radiation image stored on a stimulable phosphor sheet etc., wherein the occurrence of a Moiré effect in the final image is controlled by preventing feedback distortion, is provided. A focusing optical system formed of a first lens array for causing a stimulated emission to become a parallel luminous flux and a second lens array for focusing the parallel luminous flux onto a dichroic mirror and line sensor for transmitting the parallel flux is provided. The refraction ratio of the second lens array and the positional relation of the second Selfoc lens array and the dichroic mirror are adjusted so that the MTF is 50% or less of the Nyquist frequency determined by the width of the direction X of the photoelectric converting elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Satoshi Arakawa
  • Patent number: 6762403
    Abstract: A tubular holder for an actinometric monitoring element for monitoring the irradiance of ultraviolet light within a liquid to be treated for microorganism control. The holder extends into the interior of a vessel or a pipeline that carries a fluid to be treated by exposure to ultraviolet light. A transparent end cap is carried at the end of the holder that is within the vessel or pipeline. Positioned within the holder is an actinometric monitoring element that can be either a transparent container for an actinometric solution or a photocell, each for sensing the irradiance of ultraviolet light emitted by light sources positioned within the vessel or pipeline. The holder is removably received in a sleeve that extends through the wall of the vessel or pipeline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2004
    Inventor: Christopher R. Schulz
  • Patent number: 6762409
    Abstract: A method and a device are disclosed for determining the thickness and growth rate of an ice layer on structural component parts, particularly of aircraft, wherein the thickness and growth rate of an ice layer are determined and displayed in a simple, economical and dependable manner. To this end, a method is disclosed by which the radiation incident on a surface covered by an ice layer or disturbing layer is separated spectrally by a holographic grating connected with a line receiver into enough wavelength regions that a correction of the ice absorption is achieved by comparing the measured radiation with a stored reflection curve of an uncoated surface and by combining the comparison values and determining the peak area in the wavelength region of the ice absorption, and wherein from the thickness of the ice layer and disturbing layer and the ice thickness values obtained in the measurement intervals the growth rate of the ice layer is determined and displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2004
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Jena GmbH
    Inventors: Manfred Fritsch, Felix Kerstan, Nico Correns
  • Patent number: 6753531
    Abstract: A surface of a substrate made of Al in a scintillator panel 1 is sandblasted, whereas one surface thereof is formed with an MgF2 film as a low refractive index material. The surface of MgF2 film is formed with a scintillator having a columnar structure for converting incident radiation into visible light. Together with the substrate, the scintillator is covered with a polyparaxylylene film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2004
    Assignee: Hamamatsu Photonics K.K.
    Inventors: Takuya Homme, Toshio Takabayashi
  • Patent number: 6750457
    Abstract: An apparatus and method in which illumination light and collected emitted light share a pathway and subsequently are physically separated. The optical configuration is designed such that at the point of separation, the illumination light is at has a smaller cross sectional area than the collected light. Collected light is directed away from the pathway of the illumination light and to detection optics. This configuration is adaptable to illumination and light collection across a broad wavelength spectrum. This configuration is adaptable to scanning in a limited depth of field to allow high throughput optical analysis of samples.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Assignee: Becton Dickinson and Company
    Inventors: David M. Heffelfinger, Aram P. Schiffman, Bala S. Manian
  • Patent number: 6750453
    Abstract: A source directs broadband modulated light into a region the free atmosphere in which target gas may be present. A gas correlation radiometer responds to light transmitted through the region. Separate radiometer channels respond to a single beam of light after transmission through the region. A beam splitter separates the beam into two beams, one directed into each of the channels. The two channels separately and simultaneously respond to a respective one of the light beams for separately and simultaneously generating signals that together indicate whether the target gas is in the free atmosphere. A method provides an optimal bandpass of an IR filter that filters the light before transmission to the radiometers. Another method uses a null factor in computing an output that determines the concentration of the target gas in the free atmosphere. Long distance detection embodiments may be borne by vehicles such as trucks or aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Assignee: Ophir Corporation
    Inventors: Loren D. Nelson, Martin J. O'Brien
  • Patent number: 6747275
    Abstract: A motion sensing system is disclosed having a housing or mounting, a sensor, a shield and a cover. A spacer and a printed circuit board may also be included. The cylindrical shaped sensor is placed within the cup shaped shield with the spacer disposed between the sensor and the printed circuit board. The shield and the printed circuit board are then fastened together. Next, the bottom or nose of the mounting shield is placed into the dish shaped cover and the combination is fastened to the housing with the cover extending into an opening in the bottom wall of the housing. The system allows a downward looking motion sensing capability in addition to the typical forward sensing capability which may also be installed in the housing. The housing may then be connected to a security lighting fixture. An even simpler version is a motion sensing system having a simple mounting for a two transducer PIR sensor where one of the transducers is covered and a Fresnel lens is absent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: Desa IP, LLC
    Inventors: William C. Raper, Kim I. McCavit, Yiu Ming Tsui
  • Patent number: 6747276
    Abstract: An interference filter transmission wavelength scanning photometer operable to determine the concentration of an interesting component in a sample without interference from coexisting components by measuring the light absorption of the interesting component. An angle of inclination of an interference filter varies periodically and is centered at the maximum absorption wavelength of the interesting component. The wavelength of a transmitted light is modulated due to the periodical variation of the angle of inclination. Variation in the intensity of the light transmitted through a sample is extracted by an infrared sensor as an electric signal. The time between rise and fall zero cross points of an AC component of the electric signal is determined by a microprocessor. A ratio is calculated from a full period and a half period of the AC component. The concentration of the interesting component is determined from a variation in the calculation of the ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Inventor: Atsuo Watanabe
  • Patent number: 6744052
    Abstract: A method and device for producing an X-ray pixel detector, for X-ray photons, the detector presenting high efficiency combined with high resolution for obtaining a high image quality detector while at the same time minimizing the X-ray dose used. The application is particularly important whenever the X-ray photon absorption distance is much longer than the required pixel size. The arrangement presents a structure based on light-guiding of secondarily produced photons within a scintillating pixel detector in conjuction with, a CCD or a CMOS pixel detector. The structure presents a matrix (8) having deep pores (10) fabricated by high-aspect ratio silicon etching techniques producing very thin walls and with a pore spacing less or equal to the size of a pixel (2) of the image detector used. The pore matrix is subsequently filled by melting a scintillating material into the pores such that, in each pore, a single scintillating block is formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Inventors: Sture Petersson, Jan Linnros, Christer Fröjdh
  • Patent number: 6740881
    Abstract: An anisotropic imaging method and apparatus for determining the location of a radiation event. The method includes the steps of obtaining a sensor reading in response to a radiation event and applying an anisotropic transfer function to the sensor reading. The anistropic transfer function adjusts the sensor reading by using a different transfer curve depending upon whether a spatial coordinate of the detected radiation event in the X-axis direction or a spatial coordinate in the Y-axis direction is being calculated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: Siemens Medical Solutions USA
    Inventor: Ronald E. Malmin
  • Patent number: 6737648
    Abstract: An infrared (IR) sensitive pixel and an IR imager including the same. According to one embodiment, the pixel includes a substrate assembly having a cavity defined by at least one sidewall and a cantilevered beam connected to the substrate assembly and disposed in the cavity. The cantilevered beam includes a first spring portion and a first capacitor plate portion, wherein the first spring portion includes at least two materials having different coefficients of thermal expansion. The pixel further includes a second capacitor plate portion, such that incident IR radiation causes the first spring portion of the cantilevered beam to move laterally relative to the sidewall, thereby creating a variable capacitance between the first capacitor plate portion of the cantilevered beam and the second capacitor plate portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Carnegie Mellon University
    Inventors: Gary K. Fedder, Hasnain Lakdawala
  • Patent number: 6737645
    Abstract: A method for determining whether effective coverage of the interior of a bottle with a sprayed sanitizer in a bottle fill-and-cap operation is attained by using a fluorescing solution, preferably comprising riboflavin and sucrose dissolved in water, that is sprayed on the interior of the bottle by the same spray system by which the sanitizer is sprayed. After application of the fluorescing solution, UV light is applied to the bottle interior to activate the fluorescing solution and thus make evident the spray pattern. Spray pattern adjustments can be made as needed, in order to be certain that the entirety of the inside surface of the bottle is coated. Once the spray pattern is thus set, the equipment is qualified to be used for production, with the sanitizer being sprayed according to the same spray pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Tropicana Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Tammy Foster, Christine Jansen, James D. Schuman
  • Patent number: 6737651
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of infrared-optically determining the concentration of at least one analyte in a liquid sample, wherein the infrared absorption of the analyte(s) is measured and compared with a standard, which is characterized in that the liquid sample is sampled with an infrared radiation of high light density, wherein the infrared radiation has a sharp intensity peak at at least one wave length, as well as an arrangement for the infrared-optical transmission determination of the concentration of at least one analyte in a liquid sample, with a sample cuvette flowed through by the sample liquid, the sample cuvette being arranged in the radiation path between a radiation source for providing the infrared radiation and a detector for measuring the infrared absorption induced by the analyte in the sample cuvette.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Innovationsagentur Gesellschaft m.b.H.
    Inventor: Bernhard Lendl
  • Patent number: 6734433
    Abstract: The present invention concerns an ionization chamber cylindrical in shape comprising an anode (35) formed by a central rod in current-carrying material and a cathode (38) in current-carrying material around the said anode, both connected to two elements of a mechanical base of the said chamber in which two cylindrical end shields (36, 37) in non-magnetic and insulating material are centred on the anode (35) and arranged at right angles to this at both ends, the cathode (38) being made up of a spooled wire on the outer rim of these two end shields (36, 37).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique
    Inventors: Gilles Meunier, Christian Le Serrec, Franck Bachelet
  • Patent number: 6730912
    Abstract: A method and infrared thermal imaging apparatus detects normal and angled cracks on or beneath a sample surface using infrared thermal imaging where the crack plane is perpendicular or angled to an imaged surface of the sample. A constant heating source is used for heating a section of the sample to produce a lateral heat transfer through the sample. An infrared camera is positioned near one side of the sample for receiving thermal image data resulting from the lateral heat transfer through the sample. A data acquisition and processing computer is used for acquiring and differentiation processing thermal image data from the infrared camera for generating two-dimensional first derivative and second derivative images to detect the normal and angled cracks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: The University of Chicago
    Inventors: Jiangang G. Sun, Scott M. Erdman
  • Patent number: 6730919
    Abstract: A radiation image conversion panel comprising a phosphor sheet having a support and a stimulable phosphor layer provided on the support and a protective film covering the stimulable phosphor layer, wherein a transmittance of the protective film for stimulating light is not larger than 97% and a haze ration of the protective film is within the range of 5% to 60%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Konica Corporation
    Inventors: Takehiko Shoji, Satoshi Honda