Patents by Inventor Martin U. Pralle

Martin U. Pralle 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).

  • Patent number: 12125659
    Abstract: Image intensifier systems incorporating a microchannel plate (MCP) and methods for producing the same are disclosed. In some examples, a device is disclosed that includes a first substrate having a radiation-receiving first surface and an opposed second surface through which electromagnetic radiation is transmitted. A second substrate is coupled to the first substrate to define a vacuum cavity therebetween. An electron-emitting photocathode is disposed within the vacuum cavity for generating electrons from electromagnetic radiation transmitted through the second surface. A microchannel plate is disposed within the vacuum cavity and defines microchannels extending from an input end to an output end. Each of the microchannels is configured to generate electrons in response to an electron generated by the photocathode being received through the input end of the respective microchannel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2024
    Assignee: SIONYX, LLC
    Inventors: Martin U. Pralle, Christopher Vineis
  • Patent number: 12080694
    Abstract: A monolithic sensor for detecting infrared and visible light according to an example includes a semiconductor substrate and a semiconductor layer coupled to the semiconductor substrate. The semiconductor layer includes a device surface opposite the semiconductor substrate. A visible light photodiode is formed at the device surface. An infrared photodiode is also formed at the device surface and in proximity to the visible light photodiode. A textured region is coupled to the infrared photodiode and positioned to interact with electromagnetic radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2024
    Assignee: SiOnyx, LLC
    Inventors: Jutao Jiang, Jeffrey McKee, Martin U. Pralle
  • Patent number: 11728322
    Abstract: A monolithic sensor for detecting infrared and visible light according to an example includes a semiconductor substrate and a semiconductor layer coupled to the semiconductor substrate. The semiconductor layer includes a device surface opposite the semiconductor substrate. A visible light photodiode is formed at the device surface. An infrared photodiode is also formed at the device surface and in proximity to the visible light photodiode. A textured region is coupled to the infrared photodiode and positioned to interact with electromagnetic radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: SIONYX, LLC
    Inventors: Jutao Jiang, Jeffrey McKee, Martin U. Pralle
  • Patent number: 11721714
    Abstract: Light trapping pixels, devices incorporating such pixels, and various associated methods are provided. In one aspect, for example, a light trapping pixel device can include a light sensitive pixel having a light incident surface, a backside surface opposite the light incident surface, and a peripheral sidewall disposed into at least a portion of the pixel and extending at least substantially around the pixel periphery. The pixel can also include a backside light trapping material substantially covering the backside surface and a peripheral light trapping material substantially covering the peripheral sidewall. The light contacting the backside light trapping material or the peripheral light trapping material is thus reflected back toward the pixel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: SiOnyx, LLC
    Inventors: Martin U. Pralle, Jeffrey McKee, Jason Sickler
  • Patent number: 11264371
    Abstract: A monolithic sensor for detecting infrared and visible light according to an example includes a semiconductor substrate and a semiconductor layer coupled to the semiconductor substrate. The semiconductor layer includes a device surface opposite the semiconductor substrate. A visible light photodiode is formed at the device surface. An infrared photodiode is also formed at the device surface and in proximity to the visible light photodiode. A textured region is coupled to the infrared photodiode and positioned to interact with electromagnetic radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: SiOnyx, LLC
    Inventors: Jutao Jiang, Jeffrey McKee, Martin U. Pralle
  • Publication number: 20210217788
    Abstract: Light trapping pixels, devices incorporating such pixels, and various associated methods are provided. In one aspect, for example, a light trapping pixel device can include a light sensitive pixel having a light incident surface, a backside surface opposite the light incident surface, and a peripheral sidewall disposed into at least a portion of the pixel and extending at least substantially around the pixel periphery. The pixel can also include a backside light trapping material substantially covering the backside surface and a peripheral light trapping material substantially covering the peripheral sidewall. The light contacting the backside light trapping material or the peripheral light trapping material is thus reflected back toward the pixel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2021
    Publication date: July 15, 2021
    Inventors: Martin U. Pralle, Jeffrey McKee, Jason Sickler
  • Patent number: 10985198
    Abstract: Light trapping pixels, devices incorporating such pixels, and various associated methods are provided. In one aspect, for example, a light trapping pixel device can include a light sensitive pixel having a light incident surface, a backside surface opposite the light incident surface, and a peripheral sidewall disposed into at least a portion of the pixel and extending at least substantially around the pixel periphery. The pixel can also include a backside light trapping material substantially covering the backside surface and a peripheral light trapping material substantially covering the peripheral sidewall. The light contacting the backside light trapping material or the peripheral light trapping material is thus reflected back toward the pixel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: SiOnyx, LLC
    Inventors: Martin U. Pralle, Jeffrey McKee, Jason Sickler
  • Patent number: 10748956
    Abstract: A monolithic sensor for detecting infrared and visible light according to an example includes a semiconductor substrate and a semiconductor layer coupled to the semiconductor substrate. The semiconductor layer includes a device surface opposite the semiconductor substrate. A visible light photodiode is formed at the device surface. An infrared photodiode is also formed at the device surface and in proximity to the visible light photodiode. A textured region is coupled to the infrared photodiode and positioned to interact with electromagnetic radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: SiOnyx, LLC
    Inventors: Jutao Jiang, Jeffrey McKee, Martin U. Pralle
  • Publication number: 20190222778
    Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for identifying an individual in both cooperative and non-cooperative situations are provided. In one aspect, for example, a system for identifying an individual can include an active light source capable of emitting electromagnetic radiation having at least one wavelength of from about 700 nm to about 1200 nm, and an imager device positioned to receive the electromagnetic radiation upon reflection from an individual to generate an electronic representation of the individual. The system can also include an image processing module functionally coupled to the imager device to receive the electronic representation. The image processing module processes the electronic representation into an individual representation having at least one substantially unique identification trait.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2019
    Publication date: July 18, 2019
    Inventors: Stephen D. Saylor, Martin U. Pralle
  • Publication number: 20190206923
    Abstract: A monolithic sensor for detecting infrared and visible light according to an example includes a semiconductor substrate and a semiconductor layer coupled to the semiconductor substrate. The semiconductor layer includes a device surface opposite the semiconductor substrate. A visible light photodiode is formed at the device surface. An infrared photodiode is also formed at the device surface and in proximity to the visible light photodiode. A textured region is coupled to the infrared photodiode and positioned to interact with electromagnetic radiation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2019
    Publication date: July 4, 2019
    Inventors: Jutao Jiang, Jeffrey McKee, Martin U. Pralle
  • Publication number: 20190198538
    Abstract: Light trapping pixels, devices incorporating such pixels, and various associated methods are provided. In one aspect, for example, a light trapping pixel device can include a light sensitive pixel having a light incident surface, a backside surface opposite the light incident surface, and a peripheral sidewall disposed into at least a portion of the pixel and extending at least substantially around the pixel periphery. The pixel can also include a backside light trapping material substantially covering the backside surface and a peripheral light trapping material substantially covering the peripheral sidewall. The light contacting the backside light trapping material or the peripheral light trapping material is thus reflected back toward the pixel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2019
    Publication date: June 27, 2019
    Inventors: Martin U. Pralle, Jeffrey McKee, Jason Sickler
  • Patent number: 10244188
    Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for identifying an individual in both cooperative and non-cooperative situations are provided. In one aspect, for example, a system for identifying an individual can include an active light source capable of emitting electromagnetic radiation having at least one wavelength of from about 700 nm to about 1200 nm, and an imager device positioned to receive the electromagnetic radiation upon reflection from an individual to generate an electronic representation of the individual. The system can also include an image processing module functionally coupled to the imager device to receive the electronic representation. The image processing module processes the electronic representation into an individual representation having at least one substantially unique identification trait.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: SiOnyx, LLC
    Inventors: Stephen D. Saylor, Martin U. Pralle
  • Patent number: 10229951
    Abstract: A monolithic sensor for detecting infrared and visible light according to an example includes a semiconductor substrate and a semiconductor layer coupled to the semiconductor substrate. The semiconductor layer includes a device surface opposite the semiconductor substrate. A visible light photodiode is formed at the device surface. An infrared photodiode is also formed at the device surface and in proximity to the visible light photodiode. A textured region is coupled to the infrared photodiode and positioned to interact with electromagnetic radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: SiOnyx, LLC
    Inventors: Jutao Jiang, Jeffrey McKee, Martin U. Pralle
  • Patent number: 10224359
    Abstract: Light trapping pixels, devices incorporating such pixels, and various associated methods are provided. In one aspect, for example, a light trapping pixel device can include a light sensitive pixel having a light incident surface, a backside surface opposite the light incident surface, and a peripheral sidewall disposed into at least a portion of the pixel and extending at least substantially around the pixel periphery. The pixel can also include a backside light trapping material substantially covering the backside surface and a peripheral light trapping material substantially covering the peripheral sidewall. The light contacting the backside light trapping material or the peripheral light trapping material is thus reflected back toward the pixel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: SiOnyx, LLC
    Inventors: Martin U. Pralle, Jeffrey McKee, Jason Sickler
  • Patent number: 9905599
    Abstract: Light trapping pixels, devices incorporating such pixels, and various associated methods are provided. In one aspect, for example, a light trapping pixel device can include a light sensitive pixel having a light incident surface, a backside surface opposite the light incident surface, and a peripheral sidewall disposed into at least a portion of the pixel and extending at least substantially around the pixel periphery. The pixel can also include a backside light trapping material substantially covering the backside surface and a peripheral light trapping material substantially covering the peripheral sidewall. The light contacting the backside light trapping material or the peripheral light trapping material is thus reflected back toward the pixel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: SiOnyx, LLC
    Inventors: Martin U. Pralle, Jeffrey McKee, Jason Sickler
  • Publication number: 20170358621
    Abstract: A monolithic sensor for detecting infrared and visible light according to an example includes a semiconductor substrate and a semiconductor layer coupled to the semiconductor substrate. The semiconductor layer includes a device surface opposite the semiconductor substrate. A visible light photodiode is formed at the device surface. An infrared photodiode is also formed at the device surface and in proximity to the visible light photodiode. A textured region is coupled to the infrared photodiode and positioned to interact with electromagnetic radiation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2017
    Publication date: December 14, 2017
    Inventors: Jutao Jiang, Jeffrey McKee, Martin U. Pralle
  • Patent number: 9741761
    Abstract: A monolithic sensor for detecting infrared and visible light according to an example includes a semiconductor substrate and a semiconductor layer coupled to the semiconductor substrate. The semiconductor layer includes a device surface opposite the semiconductor substrate. A visible light photodiode is formed at the device surface. An infrared photodiode is also formed at the device surface and in proximity to the visible light photodiode. A textured region is coupled to the infrared photodiode and positioned to interact with electromagnetic radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: SiOnyx, LLC
    Inventors: Jutao Jiang, Jeffrey McKee, Martin U. Pralle
  • Publication number: 20170161557
    Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for authenticating an individual or user using biometric features is provided. In one aspect, for example, a system for authenticating a user through identification of at least one biometric feature can include an active light source capable of emitting electromagnetic radiation having a peak emission wavelength at from about 700 nm to about 1200 nm, where the active light source is positioned to emit the electromagnetic radiation to impinge on at least one biometric feature of the user, and an image sensor having infrared light-trapping pixels positioned relative to the active light source to receive and detect the electromagnetic radiation upon reflection from the at least one biometric feature of the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2014
    Publication date: June 8, 2017
    Applicant: SIOnyx, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen D. Saylor, Martin U. Pralle, James E. Carey, Homayoon Haddad
  • Publication number: 20160329366
    Abstract: Light trapping pixels, devices incorporating such pixels, and various associated methods are provided. In one aspect, for example, a light trapping pixel device can include a light sensitive pixel having a light incident surface, a backside surface opposite the light incident surface, and a peripheral sidewall disposed into at least a portion of the pixel and extending at least substantially around the pixel periphery. The pixel can also include a backside light trapping material substantially covering the backside surface and a peripheral light trapping material substantially covering the peripheral sidewall. The light contacting the backside light trapping material or the peripheral light trapping material is thus reflected back toward the pixel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2016
    Publication date: November 10, 2016
    Inventors: Martin U. Pralle, Jeffrey McKee, Jason Sickler
  • Publication number: 20160119555
    Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for identifying an individual in both cooperative and non-cooperative situations are provided. In one aspect, for example, a system for identifying an individual can include an active light source capable of emitting electromagnetic radiation having at least one wavelength of from about 700 nm to about 1200 nm, and an imager device positioned to receive the electromagnetic radiation upon reflection from an individual to generate an electronic representation of the individual. The system can also include an image processing module functionally coupled to the imager device to receive the electronic representation. The image processing module processes the electronic representation into an individual representation having at least one substantially unique identification trait.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2015
    Publication date: April 28, 2016
    Inventors: Stephen D. Saylor, Martin U. Pralle