Patents by Inventor Gary A. Lebens
Gary A. Lebens has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 9907137Abstract: An illumination source for a camera includes one or more LEDs, and an electrical circuit that selectively applies power from the DC voltage source to the LEDs, wherein the illumination source is suitable for handheld portable operation. In some embodiments, the electrical circuit further includes a control circuit for driving the LEDs with electrical pulses at a frequency high enough that light produced has an appearance to a human user of being continuous rather than pulsed, the control circuit changing a pulse characteristic to adjust a proportion of light output having the first characteristic color spectrum output to that having the second characteristic color spectrum output. Some embodiments provide an illumination source including a housing including one or more LEDs and a control circuit that selectively applies power from a source of electric power to the LEDs, thus controlling a light output color spectrum of the LEDs.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2015Date of Patent: February 27, 2018Assignee: Lemaire Illumination Technologies, LLCInventors: Gary A. Lebens, Charles T. Bourn, Charles A. Lemaire
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Patent number: 9119266Abstract: An illumination source for a camera includes one or more LEDs, and an electrical circuit that selectively applies power from the DC voltage source to the LEDs, wherein the illumination source is suitable for handheld portable operation. In some embodiments, the electrical circuit further includes a control circuit for driving the LEDs with electrical pulses at a frequency high enough that light produced has an appearance to a human user of being continuous rather than pulsed, the control circuit changing a pulse characteristic to adjust a proportion of light output having the first characteristic color spectrum output to that having the second characteristic color spectrum output. Some embodiments provide an illumination source including a housing including one or more LEDs and a control circuit that selectively applies power from a source of electric power to the LEDs, thus controlling a light output color spectrum of the LEDs.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2014Date of Patent: August 25, 2015Assignee: LED Tech Development, LLCInventors: Gary A. Lebens, Charles T. Bourn, Charles A. Lemaire
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Patent number: 8829808Abstract: An illumination source for a camera includes one or more LEDs, and an electrical circuit that selectively applies power from the DC voltage source to the LEDs, wherein the illumination source is suitable for handheld portable operation. In some embodiments, the electrical circuit further includes a control circuit for driving the LEDs with electrical pulses at a frequency high enough that light produced has an appearance to a human user of being continuous rather than pulsed, the control circuit changing a pulse characteristic to adjust a proportion of light output having the first characteristic color spectrum output to that having the second characteristic color spectrum output. Some embodiments provide an illumination source including a housing including one or more LEDs and a control circuit that selectively applies power from a source of electric power to the LEDs, thus controlling a light output color spectrum of the LEDs.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 2013Date of Patent: September 9, 2014Assignee: LED Tech Development, LLCInventors: Gary A. Lebens, Charles T. Bourn, Charles A. Lemaire
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Patent number: 8643305Abstract: An illumination source for a camera includes one or more LEDs, and an electrical circuit that selectively applies power from the DC voltage source to the LEDs, wherein the illumination source is suitable for handheld portable operation. In some embodiments, the electrical circuit further includes a control circuit for driving the LEDs with electrical pulses at a frequency high enough that light produced has an appearance to a human user of being continuous rather than pulsed, the control circuit changing a pulse characteristic to adjust a proportion of light output having the first characteristic color spectrum output to that having the second characteristic color spectrum output. Some embodiments provide an illumination source including a housing including one or more LEDs; and a control circuit that selectively applies power from a source of electric power to the LEDs, thus controlling a light output color spectrum of the LEDs.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2013Date of Patent: February 4, 2014Assignee: Lemaire Illumination Technologies, LLCInventors: Gary A. Lebens, Charles T. Bourn, Charles A. Lemaire
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Publication number: 20130141635Abstract: An illumination source for a camera includes one or more LEDs, and an electrical circuit that selectively applies power from the DC voltage source to the LEDs, wherein the illumination source is suitable for handheld portable operation. In some embodiments, the electrical circuit further includes a control circuit for driving the LEDs with electrical pulses at a frequency high enough that light produced has an appearance to a human user of being continuous rather than pulsed, the control circuit changing a pulse characteristic to adjust a proportion of light output having the first characteristic color spectrum output to that having the second characteristic color spectrum output. Some embodiments provide an illumination source including a housing including one or more LEDs; and a control circuit that selectively applies power from a source of electric power to the LEDs, thus controlling a light output color spectrum of the LEDs.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 8, 2013Publication date: June 6, 2013Applicant: LED Tech Development LLCInventors: Gary A. Lebens, Charles T. Bourn, Charles A. Lemaire
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Patent number: 8362712Abstract: An illumination source for a camera includes one or more LEDs, and an electrical circuit that selectively applies power from the DC voltage source to the LEDs, wherein the illumination source is suitable for handheld portable operation. In some embodiments, the electrical circuit further includes a control circuit for driving the LEDs with electrical pulses at a frequency high enough that light produced has an appearance to a human user of being continuous rather than pulsed, the control circuit changing a pulse characteristic to adjust a proportion of light output having the first characteristic color spectrum output to that having the second characteristic color spectrum output. Some embodiments provide an illumination source including a housing including one or more LEDs; and a control circuit that selectively applies power from a source of electric power to the LEDs, thus controlling a light output color spectrum of the LEDs.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2011Date of Patent: January 29, 2013Assignee: LED Tech Development, LLCInventors: Gary A. Lebens, Charles T. Bourn, Charles A. Lemaire
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Patent number: 8159146Abstract: An illumination source for a camera includes one or more LEDs, and an electrical circuit that selectively applies power from the DC voltage source to the LEDs, wherein the illumination source is suitable for handheld portable operation. In some embodiments, the electrical circuit further includes a control circuit for driving the LEDs with electrical pulses at a frequency high enough that light produced has an appearance to a human user of being continuous rather than pulsed, the control circuit changing a pulse characteristic to adjust a proportion of light output having the first characteristic color spectrum output to that having the second characteristic color spectrum output. Some embodiments provide an illumination source including a housing including one or more LEDs; and a control circuit that selectively applies power from a source of electric power to the LEDs, thus controlling a light output color spectrum of the LEDs.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2010Date of Patent: April 17, 2012Assignee: Lemaire Illumination Technologies, LLCInventors: Gary A. Lebens, Charles T. Bourn, Charles A. Lemaire
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Patent number: 7740371Abstract: An illumination source for a camera includes one or more LEDs, and an electrical circuit that selectively applies power from the DC voltage source to the LEDs, wherein the illumination source is suitable for handheld portable operation. In some embodiments, the electrical circuit further includes a control circuit for driving the LEDs with electrical pulses at a frequency high enough that light produced has an appearance to a human user of being continuous rather than pulsed, the control circuit changing a pulse characteristic to adjust a proportion of light output having the first characteristic color spectrum output to that having the second characteristic color spectrum output. Some embodiments provide an illumination source including a housing including one or more LEDs; and a control circuit that selectively applies power from a source of electric power to the LEDs, thus controlling a light output color spectrum of the LEDs.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2008Date of Patent: June 22, 2010Inventors: Gary A. Lebens, Charles T. Bourn, Charles A. Lemaire
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Patent number: 7557920Abstract: A machine-vision system that provides changing and/or automatic adjustment of illumination angle, dispersion, intensity, and/or color of illumination. One such system includes a light source emitting polarized light, a machine-vision imager, an image processor operative to generate a quality parameter based on the image, and one or more of the means described above for selectively directing the light in a predetermined pattern based on its polarization and on the quality parameter of the image. Some embodiments include an imager, a controllable light source, first and second optical elements, that selectively direct light in first and second patterns, and a controller controlling the light characteristics using the first and second light patterns. One method includes setting one or more illumination parameters, illuminating the object based on the illumination parameters, obtaining an image, generating a quality parameter based on a region of interest, and iterating using different illumination parameters.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 2006Date of Patent: July 7, 2009Inventor: Gary A. Lebens
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Patent number: 7393119Abstract: An illumination source includes a plurality of LEDs, and an electrical circuit that selectively applies power from the DC voltage source to the LED units, wherein the illumination source is suitable for handheld portable operation. In some embodiments, the electrical circuit further includes a control circuit for driving the LEDs with electrical pulses at a frequency high enough that light produced has an appearance to a human user of being continuous rather than pulsed, the control circuit changing a pulse characteristic to adjust a proportion of light output having the first characteristic color spectrum output to that having the second characteristic color spectrum output. Some embodiments provide an illumination source including a housing including one or more LEDs; and a control circuit that selectively applies power from a source of electric power to the LEDs, thus controlling a light output color spectrum of the LEDs.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2007Date of Patent: July 1, 2008Inventors: Gary A. Lebens, Charles T. Bourn, Charles A. Lemaire
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Publication number: 20070206183Abstract: A machine-vision system that provides changing and/or automatic adjustment of illumination angle, dispersion, intensity, and/or color of illumination. One such system includes a light source emitting polarized light, a machine-vision imager, an image processor operative to generate a quality parameter based on the image, and one or more of the means described above for selectively directing the light in a predetermined pattern based on its polarization and on the quality parameter of the image. Some embodiments include an imager, a controllable light source, first and second optical elements, that selectively direct light in first and second patterns, and a controller controlling the light characteristics using the first and second light patterns. One method includes setting one or more illumination parameters, illuminating the object based on the illumination parameters, obtaining an image, generating a quality parameter based on a region of interest, and iterating using different illumination parameters.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 25, 2006Publication date: September 6, 2007Applicant: PPT VISION, INC.Inventor: Gary Lebens
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Publication number: 20070133199Abstract: An illumination source includes a plurality of LEDs, and an electrical circuit that selectively applies power from the DC voltage source to the LED units, wherein the illumination source is suitable for handheld portable operation. In some embodiments, the electrical circuit further includes a control circuit for driving the LEDs with electrical pulses at a frequency high enough that light produced has an appearance to a human user of being continuous rather than pulsed, the control circuit changing a pulse characteristic to adjust a proportion of light output having the first characteristic color spectrum output to that having the second characteristic color spectrum output. Some embodiments provide an illumination source including a housing including one or more LEDs; and a control circuit that selectively applies power from a source of electric power to the LEDs, thus controlling a light output color spectrum of the LEDs.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 12, 2007Publication date: June 14, 2007Inventors: Gary Lebens, Charles Bourn, Charles Lemaire
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Patent number: 7186000Abstract: Improved method and apparatus for hand-held portable LED illumination. The illumination source includes a plurality of LEDs, and an electrical circuit that selectively applies power from the DC voltage source to the LED units, wherein the illumination source is suitable for handheld portable operation. In some embodiments, the electrical circuit further includes a control circuit for changing a proportion of light output having the first characteristic color spectrum output to that having the second characteristic color spectrum output, and that drives the LEDs with electrical pulses at a frequency high enough that light produced has an appearance to a human user of being continuous rather than pulsed. Still another aspect provides an illumination source including a housing including one or more LEDs; and a control circuit that selectively applies power from a source of electric power to the LEDs, thus controlling a light output color spectrum of the LEDs.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2004Date of Patent: March 6, 2007Inventors: Gary A. Lebens, Charles T. Bourn, Charles A. Lemaire
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Patent number: 7142301Abstract: A machine-vision system that provides quick changing and/or automatic adjustment of illumination angle, dispersion, intensity, and/or color of illumination. One such system includes a light source emitting polarized light, a machine-vision imager, an image processor operative to generate a quality parameter based on an image, and one or more of the means described above for selectively directing the light in a predetermined pattern based on its polarization and based on the quality parameter of the image. Some embodiments include an imager, a controllable light source, first and second optical elements that selectively direct light in first and second patterns, and a controller controlling the light characteristics using the first and/or second light patterns.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2004Date of Patent: November 28, 2006Assignee: PPT VisionInventor: Gary A. Lebens
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Publication number: 20050040773Abstract: Improved method and apparatus for hand-held portable LED illumination. The illumination source includes a plurality of LEDs, and an electrical circuit that selectively applies power from the DC voltage source to the LED units, wherein the illumination source is suitable for handheld portable operation. In some embodiments, the electrical circuit further includes a control circuit for changing a proportion of light output having the first characteristic color spectrum output to that having the second characteristic color spectrum output, and that drives the LEDs with electrical pulses at a frequency high enough that light produced has an appearance to a human user of being continuous rather than pulsed. Still another aspect provides an illumination source including a housing including one or more LEDs; and a control circuit that selectively applies power from a source of electric power to the LEDs, thus controlling a light output color spectrum of the LEDs.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 20, 2004Publication date: February 24, 2005Inventors: Gary Lebens, Charles Bourn, Charies Lemaire
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Publication number: 20050007593Abstract: In a machine-vision system for inspecting a part, a method and apparatus to provide high-speed changing and/or automatic adjustment of illumination angle, dispersion, intensity, and/or color of illumination. One such system includes a light source emitting polarized light, a machine-vision imager that obtains an image, a processor coupled to receive the image, and operative to generate a quality parameter based on the image, and one or more of the various means as described above for selectively directing the light in a predetermined pattern based on its polarization and based on the quality parameter of the image.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 30, 2004Publication date: January 13, 2005Inventor: Gary Lebens
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Patent number: 6808287Abstract: Improved method and apparatus for hand-held portable illumination. A flashlight and corresponding method are described. The flashlight includes a housing, a plurality of LEDs, and an electrical circuit that selectively applies power from the DC voltage source to the LED units, wherein the flashlight is suitable for handheld portable operation by a user. In one embodiment, the first electrical circuit further includes a control circuit for maintaining a predetermined light output level of the LED units as a charge on a battery varies. In another embodiment, the control circuit maintains an average predetermined light output level of the LED units as the charge on the battery cell varies by changing a pulse width or frequency as the charge on the battery cell varies to maintain a given average light output.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2002Date of Patent: October 26, 2004Assignee: PPT Vision, Inc.Inventors: Gary A. Lebens, Charles T. Bourn, Charles A. Lemaire
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Patent number: 6788411Abstract: In a machine-vision system for inspecting a part or either object, the invention provides a method and apparatus providing illumination with high-speed changing and/or automatic adjustment of not only the illumination's angle, but also the dispersion, intensity, and/or color. Optionally, a light source emits polarized light, a machine-vision imager obtains an image, and a processor receives the image and generates a quality parameter based on the image. One or more of the various means described selectively direct the light in a predetermined pattern based on its polarization and based on the quality parameter of the image. A machine-vision method includes setting one or more illumination parameters, illuminating the object based on the one or more illumination parameters, obtaining an image of the illuminated object, generating a quality parameter based on an image quality of a predetermined region of interest in the image, and iterating using a different illumination parameter.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2000Date of Patent: September 7, 2004Assignee: PPT Vision, Inc.Inventor: Gary A. Lebens
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Publication number: 20030095406Abstract: Improved method and apparatus for hand-held portable illumination. A flashlight and corresponding method are described. The flashlight includes a housing, a plurality of LEDs, and an electrical circuit that selectively applies power from the DC voltage source to the LED units, wherein the flashlight is suitable for handheld portable operation by a user. In one embodiment, the first electrical circuit further includes a control circuit for maintaining a predetermined light output level of the LED units as a charge on a battery varies. In another embodiment, the control circuit maintains an average predetermined light output level of the LED units as the charge on the battery cell varies by changing a pulse width or frequency as the charge on the battery cell varies to maintain a given average light output.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 18, 2002Publication date: May 22, 2003Applicant: PPT Vision, Inc.Inventors: Gary A. Lebens, Charles T. Bourn, Charles A. Lemaire
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Patent number: 6554452Abstract: An illumination method and apparatus for machine-vision systems, including a ring-light source (e.g., LEDs arranged in one or more circular rows), and a reflective-ring focusing element. The illumination source exhibits multi-directional ring-illumination properties which are useful for illumination of small components (which are being inspected or measured) without unwanted shadows. One embodiment provides a darkfield illumination system. One embodiment of the present invention uses a strobed (or pulsed) power supply to drive the LEDs. Yet another embodiment of the present invention uses a xenon strobe ring-light source and a backplane slit in place of the row of LEDs 25. In one such xenon strobe embodiment, a color filter, is also placed in series with the light path in order to obtain a monochromatic light.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2000Date of Patent: April 29, 2003Assignee: PPT Vision, Inc.Inventors: Charles T. Bourn, Gary A. Lebens