Patents by Inventor John Liobe

John Liobe 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).

  • Publication number: 20240036176
    Abstract: A pixel system for an imaging device can include one or more pixels comprising a pulse trigger assembly configured to detect a pulse at one or more threshold voltages, a timer system forming part of and/or connected to the one or more pixels, the timer system comprising one or more trigger switches. The pulse trigger assembly can be configured to activate the one or more trigger switches in response to detecting the pulse at the one or more threshold values. The pixel system can include a time-of-flight (TOF) module operatively connected to the one or more pixels and/or the timer system to determine a TOF based on an output from the timer system while simultaneously performing either or both passive imaging and asynchronous laser pulse detection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2023
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Applicant: Sensors Unlimited, Inc.
    Inventors: John Liobe, Rui Zhu
  • Publication number: 20230333221
    Abstract: A time-of-flight sensor threshold circuit outputs a threshold voltage to a time-of-flight sensor, the threshold reducing over the duration of a time-of-flight measurement, which reduction can occur continually during the measurement. The circuit is provided with an initial threshold voltage portion to set the threshold voltage corresponding to a selected maximum threshold value, a time-dependent portion, to charge and discharge over time, to or from a current control portion, a threshold voltage ramp control portion to lower the threshold value over time by charging or discharging the time-dependent portion to or from the current control portion at a selected rate, and a synchronizing portion to synchronize current flow to or from the current control portion with a synchronizing input signal synchronized with an illumination pulse from a connected illuminator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2022
    Publication date: October 19, 2023
    Applicant: Sensors Unlimited, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Freeman, Michael W. Delamere, John Liobe
  • Patent number: 11789130
    Abstract: A pixel system for an imaging device can include one or more pixels comprising a pulse trigger assembly configured to detect a pulse at one or more threshold voltages, a timer system forming part of and/or connected to the one or more pixels, the timer system comprising one or more trigger switches. The pulse trigger assembly can be configured to activate the one or more trigger switches in response to detecting the pulse at the one or more threshold values. The pixel system can include a time-of-flight (TOF) module operatively connected to the one or more pixels and/or the timer system to determine a TOF based on an output from the timer system while simultaneously performing either or both passive imaging and asynchronous laser pulse detection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: Sensors Unlimited, Inc.
    Inventors: John Liobe, Rui Zhu
  • Publication number: 20230307481
    Abstract: A photodetector array (PDA) system includes metal traces. A dielectric passivation layer defines a front side of a stack. An absorption layer is on a back side of the stack relative to the dielectric passivation layer. An array of pixels is included, each having a respective diffusion feature between the dielectric passivation layer and the absorption layer. The diffusion features are operatively connected to the absorption layer for photodetection. A metal trace runs between respective diffusion features. The metal trace is at a depth in the stack closer to the front side of the stack than the absorption layer. The dielectric passivation layer electrically insulates the metal trace from a front side surface of the stack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2022
    Publication date: September 28, 2023
    Applicant: Sensors Unlimited, Inc.
    Inventors: John Liobe, Wei Zhang
  • Publication number: 20230305259
    Abstract: A system for aligning components of an imaging device includes an imaging device, and a test camera. The imaging device includes a lens and a focal plane array (FPA). The FPA defines an optical axis and includes at least two test elements configured and adapted to emit a light through the lens. The test camera is configured and adapted to be mounted to and pre-aligned with the lens of the imaging device to receive a light from the at least two test elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2022
    Publication date: September 28, 2023
    Inventors: Michael W. Delamere, Michael J. Evans, Krishna Linga, John Liobe
  • Publication number: 20230299223
    Abstract: In accordance with at least one aspect of this disclosure, a photodiode structure can include a charge layer comprised of undoped InP, and a detector active area forming a junction with the charge layer and having edges configured to prevent edge breakdown. The location of the junction can be controlled through a diffusion of the detector active area or through an epitaxially grown doped region, for example. The photodiode structure can also include a charge control layer comprised of doped InP. The charge control layer can include a thickness and carrier concentration configured to achieve a predetermined gain, high speed, low dark current, and low break down voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2022
    Publication date: September 21, 2023
    Applicant: Sensors Unlimited, Inc.
    Inventors: John Liobe, Krishna Linga, Wei Huang
  • Patent number: 11588987
    Abstract: An imaging system and a method of imaging are provided. The imaging system includes a single optics module configured for focusing light reflected or emanated from a dynamic scene in the infrared spectrum and a synchronous focal plane array for receiving the focused light and acquiring infrared images having a high spatial resolution and a low temporal resolution from the received focused light. The imaging system further includes an asynchronous neuromorphic vision system configured for receiving the focused light and acquiring neuromorphic event data having a high temporal resolution, and a read-out integrated circuit (ROIC) configured to readout both the infrared images and event data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: Sensors Unlimited, Inc.
    Inventors: Sunil L. Kukreja, Joseph V. Mantese, Olusequin T. Oshin, John Liobe, John S. Murphy
  • Patent number: 11495631
    Abstract: A system includes a pixel including a diffusion layer in contact with an absorption layer. The diffusion layer and absorption layer are in contact with one another along an interface that is inside of a mesa. A trench is defined in the absorption layer surrounding the mesa. An overflow contact is seated in the trench.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: Sensors Unlimited, Inc.
    Inventors: Wei Huang, Douglas Stewart Malchow, Michael J. Evans, John Liobe, Wei Zhang
  • Publication number: 20220079447
    Abstract: A method of medical imaging is provided. The method includes receiving pulsed light emissions from fluoroscopic material in a target field of a patient, wherein the target field was treated with fluoroscopic material that emitted the pulsed light emissions in response to a pulsed laser signal. The pulsed laser signal has a wavelength that was selected to excite the fluoroscopic material. The method further includes capturing a passive image of the target field and asynchronously detecting pulses of the pulsed light emissions. The method further includes determining pulse-source coordinates in the image, wherein the pulse-source coordinates correspond to a location of the fluoroscopic material that emitted the pulsed light emissions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2021
    Publication date: March 17, 2022
    Applicant: Sensors Unlimited, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas Stewart Malchow, John Liobe, Thuc-Uyen Nguyen, Brendan Mc Granaghan Murphy
  • Patent number: 11251210
    Abstract: A system includes a pixel including a diffusion layer in contact with an absorption layer. A transparent conductive oxide (TCO) is electrically connected to the diffusion layer. An overflow contact is in electrical communication with the TCO. The overflow contact can be spaced apart laterally from the diffusion layer. The pixel can be one of a plurality of similar pixels arranged in a grid pattern, wherein each pixel has a respective overflow contact, forming an overflow contact grid offset from the grid pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: Sensors Unlimited, Inc.
    Inventors: Wei Huang, Douglas Stewart Malchow, Michael J. Evans, John Liobe, Wei Zhang
  • Patent number: 11251219
    Abstract: A system includes a pixel having a diffusion layer within a cap layer. The diffusion layer defines a front side and an illumination side opposite the front side with an absorption layer operatively connected to the illumination side as well as the diffusion and cap layers. A set of alternating oxide and nitride layers are deposited on the front side of the cap and diffusion layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: Sensors Unlimited, Inc.
    Inventors: Wei Zhang, Douglas Stewart Malchow, John Liobe, Michael J. Evans, Wei Huang
  • Publication number: 20210288100
    Abstract: A system includes a pixel having a diffusion layer within a cap layer. The diffusion layer defines a front side and an illumination side opposite the front side with an absorption layer operatively connected to the illumination side as well as the diffusion and cap layers. A set of alternating oxide and nitride layers are deposited on the front side of the cap and diffusion layers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2020
    Publication date: September 16, 2021
    Applicant: Sensors Unlimited, Inc.
    Inventors: Wei Zhang, Douglas Stewart Malchow, John Liobe, Michael J. Evans, Wei Huang
  • Patent number: 11105784
    Abstract: A system for remote detection of fluid leaks from a natural gas or oil pipeline including a laser light source for detecting a methane leak while sweeping in multiple directions, a Midwave Infrared (MWIR) detector optically coupled with the laser light source and a controller operatively connected to the laser light source and the MWIR detector for aggregating data collected by the laser light source and the MWIR using a nuropmophic flow detection algorithm including computational fluid dynamic models.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: Sensors Unlimited, Inc.
    Inventors: Sunil L. Kukreja, Joseph V. Mantese, John Liobe
  • Publication number: 20210255288
    Abstract: A pixel system for an imaging device can include one or more pixels comprising a pulse trigger assembly configured to detect a pulse at one or more threshold voltages, a timer system forming part of and/or connected to the one or more pixels, the timer system comprising one or more trigger switches. The pulse trigger assembly can be configured to activate the one or more trigger switches in response to detecting the pulse at the one or more threshold values. The pixel system can include a time-of-flight (TOF) module operatively connected to the one or more pixels and/or the timer system to determine a TOF based on an output from the timer system while simultaneously performing either or both passive imaging and asynchronous laser pulse detection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2020
    Publication date: August 19, 2021
    Applicant: Sensors Unlimited, Inc.
    Inventors: John Liobe, Rui Zhu
  • Publication number: 20210249455
    Abstract: A system includes a pixel including a diffusion layer in contact with an absorption layer. A transparent conductive oxide (TCO) is electrically connected to the diffusion layer. An overflow contact is in electrical communication with the TCO. The overflow contact can be spaced apart laterally from the diffusion layer. The pixel can be one of a plurality of similar pixels arranged in a grid pattern, wherein each pixel has a respective overflow contact, forming an overflow contact grid offset from the grid pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2020
    Publication date: August 12, 2021
    Applicant: Sensors Unlimited, Inc.
    Inventors: Wei Huang, Douglas Stewart Malchow, Michael J. Evans, John Liobe, Wei Zhang
  • Publication number: 20210249462
    Abstract: A system includes a pixel including a diffusion layer in contact with an absorption layer. The diffusion layer and absorption layer are in contact with one another along an interface that is inside of a mesa. A trench is defined in the absorption layer surrounding the mesa. An overflow contact is seated in the trench.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2020
    Publication date: August 12, 2021
    Applicant: Sensors Unlimited, Inc.
    Inventors: Wei Huang, Douglas Stewart Malchow, Michael J. Evans, John Liobe, Wei Zhang
  • Publication number: 20210102931
    Abstract: A system for remote detection of fluid leaks from a natural gas or oil pipeline including a laser light source for detecting a methane leak while sweeping in multiple directions, a Midwave Infrared (MWIR) detector optically coupled with the laser light source and a controller operatively connected to the laser light source and the MWIR detector for aggregating data collected by the laser light source and the MWIR using a nuropmophic flow detection algorithm including computational fluid dynamic models.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2019
    Publication date: April 8, 2021
    Inventors: Sunil L. Kukreja, Joseph V. Mantese, John Liobe
  • Publication number: 20210105421
    Abstract: An imaging system and a method of imaging are provided. The imaging system includes a single optics module configured for focusing light reflected or emanated from a dynamic scene in the infrared spectrum and a synchronous focal plane array for receiving the focused light and acquiring infrared images having a high spatial resolution and a low temporal resolution from the received focused light. The imaging system further includes an asynchronous neuromorphic vision system configured for receiving the focused light and acquiring neuromorphic event data having a high temporal resolution, and a read-out integrated circuit (ROIC) configured to readout both the infrared images and event data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2019
    Publication date: April 8, 2021
    Applicant: Sensors Unlimited, Inc.
    Inventors: Sunil L. Kukreja, Joseph V. Mantese, Olusequin T. Oshin, John Liobe, John S. Murphy
  • Patent number: 10955551
    Abstract: A pixel output processing circuit of a focal plane array (FPA) having a plurality of laser range finding pixels (LRF) is provided. The respective LRF pixels output a high frequency analog signal in response to sensing a reflected laser pulse. The pixel output processing circuit includes a common net and a detection circuit. The common net is connected to a amplifying transistor of each of the LRF pixels for receiving analog signals output from the respective LRF pixels. The detection circuit is coupled to the common net and outputs a pulse flag in response to detecting that a high frequency analog signal has been received by the common net.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: Sensors Unlimited, Inc.
    Inventors: John Liobe, Joshua Lund
  • Patent number: 10539464
    Abstract: An imaging method includes assigning pixels within the extent of a focal plane array active area to a first readout range and a second readout range. Image data is read out from the pixels assigned to the first readout range and the second readout range. Pixels located within the extend of the focal plane array active area and not assigned to the first readout range or the second readout range are left unread. Imaging systems and hyperspectral imaging arrangements are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: Sensors Unlimited, Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua Lund, John Liobe