Patents by Inventor Maarten Kuijk
Maarten Kuijk 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: 9151677Abstract: A demodulation sensor (30) is described for detecting and demodulating a modulated radiation field impinging on a substrate (31). The sensor comprises the means (1,7,15) for generating, in the substrate, a static majority current assisted drift (Edrift) field, at least one gate structure (33) for collecting and accumulating minority carriers (21), the minority carriers generated in the substrate by the impinging radiation (28) field. The at least one gate structure comprises at least two regions (4,9,18) for the collection and accumulation of the minority carriers (21) and at least one gate (5,6,8) adapted for inducing a lateral electric drift field under the gate structure, the system thus being adapted for directing the minority carriers (21) towards one of the at least two regions (4,9) under influence of the static majority current assisted drift field and the lateral electric drift field induced by the at least one gate, and a means for reading out the accumulated minority carriers in that region.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2011Date of Patent: October 6, 2015Assignee: MELEXIS TECHNOLOGIES NVInventors: Volodymyr Seliuchenko, Maarten Kuijk
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Publication number: 20150001664Abstract: The present invention relates to a color and non-visible light e.g. IR sensor, namely a multispectral sensor which can be used in a camera such as a TOF camera for depth measurement, reflectance measurement and color measurement, and for generation of 3D image data or 3D images as well as the camera itself and methods of operating the same.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 10, 2013Publication date: January 1, 2015Inventors: Ward Van Der Tempel, Daniel Van Nieuwenhove, Maarten Kuijk
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Patent number: 8897178Abstract: An active transceiver circuit for transmission of a low bitrate data signal over and reception of a high bitrate data signal from a single ended transmission medium is provided. The active transceiver circuit includes an input port for receiving a low bitrate input data signal, an output port for delivering a high bitrate output data signal, a differential input/output port for launching a low bitrate data signal into the single ended transmission medium and for receiving a high bitrate data signal from the single ended transmission medium, a first and second single ended output driver adapted for each delivering, on their respective output nodes, the shaped low bitrate input data signal, and a high bitrate receiver for receiving the signals at output nodes of the first and second single ended output drivers, and for generating a high bitrate output data signal on the output port.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2010Date of Patent: November 25, 2014Assignee: Eqcologic NVInventors: Bram Devuyst, Maarten Kuijk
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Publication number: 20140328231Abstract: An active transceiver circuit for transmission of a low bitrate data signal over and reception of a high bitrate data signal from a single ended transmission medium is provided. The active transceiver circuit includes an input port for receiving a low bitrate input data signal, an output port for delivering a high bitrate output data signal, a differential input/output port for launching a low bitrate data signal into the single ended transmission medium and for receiving a high bitrate data signal from the single ended transmission medium, a first and second single ended output driver adapted for each delivering, on their respective output nodes, the shaped low bitrate input data signal, and a high bitrate receiver for receiving the signals at output nodes of the first and second single ended output drivers, and for generating a high bitrate output data signal on the output port.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 15, 2014Publication date: November 6, 2014Applicant: EQCOLOGIC NVInventors: Bram DEVUYST, Maarten KUIJK
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Publication number: 20140211192Abstract: An electronic driver circuit for LEDs and LASERs is provided for use in time-of-flight applications featuring a high efficiency of energy-conversion and a high precision of distance-measurements based on a dual conversion circuit. A voltage to voltage DC-DC conversion is hereby merged with a DC-voltage to pulsed-current booster, this booster operating at a time-of-flight modulation frequency. At the start of a new measurement cycle, the PWM signal for driving the DC-DC conversion is updated in response to currents observed during previous illumination periods.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 12, 2012Publication date: July 31, 2014Inventors: Riemer Grootjans, Sebastien Resimont, Maarten Kuijk
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Patent number: 8659108Abstract: Impinging electromagnetic radiation generates pairs of majority and minority carriers in a substrate. A spectrometer device for detection of electromagnetic radiation impinging on a substrate comprises means for generating, in the substrate, a majority carrier current; at least one detection region for collecting generated minority carriers, the minority carriers being directed under influence of the majority carrier current; and means for determining spectral information based on minority carriers collected at the at least one detection region.Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 2009Date of Patent: February 25, 2014Assignee: Softkinetic Sensors N.V.Inventors: Daniel Van Niewenhove, Ward Van Der Tempel, Maarten Kuijk
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Patent number: 8648998Abstract: A method for measuring time of flight of radiation includes emitting modulated radiation (51) in response to a first modulation signal, projecting the modulated radiation (51) onto a scene (55), and receiving radiation, the received radiation including at least modulated radiation reflected by the scene (55). The received radiation (26, 27) is converted into a radiation induced electrical signal. The radiation induced electrical signal is mixed with a second modulation signal, thus generating a mixed signal, which is integrated, thus generating an integrated signal. When the integrated signal exceeds a threshold value (Vref), charge is injected into the integrated signal. The method includes applying changes to the first and/or second modulation signal at one or more moments in time, and measuring the integrated signal at one or more moments in time, thus obtaining at least one TOF pair difference signal (62).Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2009Date of Patent: February 11, 2014Assignee: Softkinetic Sensors NVInventors: Daniel Van Nieuwenhove, Ward Van Der Tempel, Maarten Kuijk
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Publication number: 20130301483Abstract: An active transceiver circuit for transmission of a low bitrate data signal over and reception of a high bitrate data signal from a single ended transmission medium is provided. The active transceiver circuit includes an input port for receiving a low bitrate input data signal, an output port for delivering a high bitrate output data signal, a differential input/output port for launching a low bitrate data signal into the single ended transmission medium and for receiving a high bitrate data signal from the single ended transmission medium, a first and second single ended output driver adapted for each delivering, on their respective output nodes, the shaped low bitrate input data signal, and a high bitrate receiver for receiving the signals at output nodes of the first and second single ended output drivers, and for generating a high bitrate output data signal on the output port.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 19, 2013Publication date: November 14, 2013Inventors: Bram DEVUYST, Maarten KUIJK
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Publication number: 20130256546Abstract: A demodulation sensor (30) is described for detecting and demodulating a modulated radiation field impinging on a substrate (31). The sensor comprises the means (1,7,15) for generating, in the substrate, a static majority current assisted drift (Edrift) field, at least one gate structure (33) for collecting and accumulating minority carriers (21), the minority carriers generated in the substrate by the impinging radiation (28) field. The at least one gate structure comprises at least two regions (4,9,18) for the collection and accumulation of the minority carriers (21) and at least one gate (5,6,8) adapted for inducing a lateral electric drift field under the gate structure, the system thus being adapted for directing the minority carriers (21) towards one of the at least two regions (4,9) under influence of the static majority current assisted drift field and the lateral electric drift field induced by the at least one gate, and a means for reading out the accumulated minority carriers in that region.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 6, 2011Publication date: October 3, 2013Applicant: MELEXIS TECHNOLOGIES NVInventors: Volodymyr Seliuchenko, Maarten Kuijk
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Patent number: 8488685Abstract: An active bidirectional splitter (212) for transmission and reception of data signals over a single ended transmission medium (105) comprises an input port (150), an output port (152) and a differential combined input/output port (151), a first differential output driver (115) for receiving an input signal (144) from the input port (150) and transmitting this signal to the differential input/output port (151), a second differential output driver (116) for receiving the input signal (144) from the input port (150), a first averaging circuit (121) for averaging the differential signal (146, 147) at the differential input/output port (151), a second averaging circuit (120) for averaging the differential signal (144, 145) at the output of the second differential output driver (116), and a receiver (117) for receiving both averaged signals (118, 119) from the first averaging circuit (121) and the second averaging circuit (120) and for generating therefrom an output signal on the output port (152).Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2010Date of Patent: July 16, 2013Assignee: Eqcologic NVInventors: Xavier Maillard, Maarten Kuijk
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Patent number: 8294882Abstract: The photonic mixer comprises a couple of an injecting contact region (3, 4) for injecting the majority carrier current into the semiconductor substrate (1) and a detector region (7, 8) for collecting the photocurrent. The injecting contact region (3, 4) is doped with a dopant of the first conductivity type (p+) at a higher dopant concentration than the semiconductor substrate (1). The detector region (7, 8) is doped with a dopant of a second conductivity type (n+) opposite the first conductivity type and has a junction (11, 12) with the semiconductor substrate (1), a zone of the semiconductor substrate (1) around said junction (11, 12) being a depleted substrate zone (101, 102).Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2010Date of Patent: October 23, 2012Assignee: Softkinetic Sensors NVInventors: Ward Van Der Tempel, Daniel Van Nieuwenhove, Maarten Kuijk
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Patent number: 8164358Abstract: A cable driver (301) for driving a single ended transmission medium such as a coaxial cable (115) comprising a core (120) and a shield (121) comprises a differential driver (104, 377) comprising a first output (151) for putting a first signal to the core (120) of the single ended transmission medium (115), a second output (152) for putting a second signal to the shield (121) of the single ended transmission medium (115) through a termination resistor (118) having an impedance close to the characteristic impedance (Z0) of the single ended transmission medium (115), and a third output (153) for putting a transmit ground supply signal (GNDT), local to the differential driver, to the shield (121) of the single ended transmission medium (115) through a first high frequency low impedance path (112). In use, the current through the third output (153) will be substantially the inverse of the common mode current through the first and second outputs (151, 152).Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2010Date of Patent: April 24, 2012Assignee: Eqcologic NVInventors: Koen Van Den Brande, Maarten Kuijk
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Publication number: 20110255071Abstract: The photonic mixer comprises a couple of an injecting contact region (3,4) for injecting the majority carrier current into the semiconductor substrate (1) and a detector region (7,8) for collecting the photocurrent. The injecting contact region (3,4) is doped with a dopant of the first conductivity type (p+) at a higher dopant concentration than the semiconductor substrate (1). The detector region (7,8) is doped with a dopant of a second conductivity type (n+) opposite the first conductivity type and has a junction (11,12) with the semiconductor substrate (1), a zone of the semiconductor substrate (1) around said junction (11,12) being a depleted substrate zone (101, 102).Type: ApplicationFiled: October 14, 2010Publication date: October 20, 2011Inventors: Ward VAN DER TEMPEL, Daniel VAN NIEUWENHOVE, Maarten KUIJK
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Publication number: 20110103267Abstract: An active transceiver circuit (212) for transmission of a low bitrate data signal (177) over and reception of a high bitrate data signal (166R) from a single ended transmission medium (105), the transmission medium (105) comprising an inner conductor (107) and a conductive shield layer (109), comprises: an input port (204) for receiving a low bitrate input data signal (101), an output port (202) for delivering a high bitrate output data signal (102), a differential input/output port (203) for launching a low bitrate data signal (177) into the single ended transmission medium (105) and for receiving a high bitrate data signal (166R) from the single ended transmission medium (105), a first and second single ended output driver (191, 192) adapted for each delivering, on their respective output nodes (111, 112), the low bitrate input data signal (101) shaped to a maximum slew rate that is at least 5 times smaller than the maximum slew rate of the received high bitrate data signal (166R), and a high bitrate receiType: ApplicationFiled: April 29, 2010Publication date: May 5, 2011Inventors: Bram Devuyst, Maarten Kuijk
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Publication number: 20110063614Abstract: Impinging electromagnetic radiation generates pairs of majority and minority carriers in a substrate. A spectrometer device for detection of electromagnetic radiation impinging on a substrate comprises means for generating, in the substrate, a majority carrier current; at least one detection region for collecting generated minority carriers, the minority carriers being directed under influence of the majority carrier current; and means for determining spectral information based on minority carriers collected at the at least one detection region.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 19, 2009Publication date: March 17, 2011Applicant: VRIJE UNIVERSITEIT BRUSSELInventors: Daniel Van Niewenhove, Ward Van Der Tempel, Maarten Kuijk
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Publication number: 20110058153Abstract: A method for measuring time of flight of radiation includes emitting modulated radiation (51) in response to a first modulation signal, projecting the modulated radiation (51) onto a scene (55), and receiving radiation, the received radiation including at least modulated radiation reflected by the scene (55). The received radiation (26, 27) is converted into a radiation induced electrical signal. The radiation induced electrical signal is mixed with a second modulation signal, thus generating a mixed signal, which is integrated, thus generating an integrated signal. When the integrated signal exceeds a threshold value (Vref), charge is injected into the integrated signal. The method includes applying changes to the first and/or second modulation signal at one or more moments in time, and measuring the integrated signal at one or more moments in time, thus obtaining at least one TOF pair difference signal (62).Type: ApplicationFiled: May 11, 2009Publication date: March 10, 2011Inventors: Daniel Van Nieuwenhove, Ward Van Der Tempel, Maarten Kuijk
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Patent number: 7894515Abstract: The present invention is related to an adaptive equalizer comprising multiple tuning circuits that generate tuning signals. Each tuning signal can typically induce higher frequency gain up to a limited level, e.g. +5 dB, at the upper data frequency for compensation of high frequency losses in the connected transmission channel. Several tuning signals can tune one adaptive amplifying compensation stage. In its adaptive amplifying compensation stage the tuning signal can generate through its tuning function, non-linear small-signal and large-signal transfer behavior. However, by limiting the amount of higher frequency gain to maximum +8 dB per tuning function, and by having only one tuning function active at a time the resulting deterministic fitter remains tolerable. Several adaptive amplifying compensation stages introducing non-linear effects in the compensation behavior and their tuning functions are disclosed. Especially at low power supply voltage the merits of the present invention become apparent.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2004Date of Patent: February 22, 2011Assignees: Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Eqcologic NVInventors: Maarten Kuijk, Xavier Maillard
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Patent number: 7852464Abstract: A method for measuring time of flight of radiation comprises emitting modulated radiation in response to a first modulation signal, projecting the modulated radiation onto a scene, receiving radiation, the received radiation comprising a first portion being the modulated radiation reflected by the scene and a second portion being background radiation, converting the received radiation into a signal on a conversion node, the signal on the conversion node having a first and a second signal component, the first signal component being indicative of the background radiation and the second signal component being dependent on the reflected modulated radiation, and determining the time of flight of the radiation based on the second signal component. A corresponding device is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2007Date of Patent: December 14, 2010Assignee: Vrije Universiteit BrusselInventors: Maarten Kuijk, Daniel Van Nieuwenhove
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Publication number: 20100244898Abstract: A cable driver (301) for driving a single ended transmission medium such as a coaxial cable (115) comprising a core (120) and a shield (121) comprises a differential driver (104, 377) comprising a first output (151) for putting a first signal to the core (120) of the single ended transmission medium (115), a second output (152) for putting a second signal to the shield (121) of the single ended transmission medium (115) through a termination resistor (118) having an impedance close to the characteristic impedance (Z0) of the single ended transmission medium (115), and a third output (153) for putting a transmit ground supply signal (GNDT), local to the differential driver, to the shield (121) of the single ended transmission medium (115) through a first high frequency low impedance path (112). In use, the current through the third output (153) will be substantially the inverse of the common mode current through the first and second outputs (151, 152).Type: ApplicationFiled: March 29, 2010Publication date: September 30, 2010Inventors: Koen VAN DEN BRANDE, Maarten Kuijk
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Publication number: 20100246647Abstract: An active bidirectional splitter (212) for transmission and reception of data signals over a single ended transmission medium (105) comprises an input port (150), an output port (152) and a differential combined input/output port (151), a first differential output driver (115) for receiving an input signal (144) from the input port (150) and transmitting this signal to the differential input/output port (151), a second differential output driver (116) for receiving the input signal (144) from the input port (150), a first averaging circuit (121) for averaging the differential signal (146, 147) at the differential input/output port (151), a second averaging circuit (120) for averaging the differential signal (144, 145) at the output of the second differential output driver (116), and a receiver (117) for receiving both averaged signals (118, 119) from the first averaging circuit (121) and the second averaging circuit (120) and for generating therefrom an output signal on the output port (152).Type: ApplicationFiled: March 29, 2010Publication date: September 30, 2010Inventors: Xavier MAILLARD, Maarten KUIJK