Patents by Inventor Stein Kuiper

Stein Kuiper 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: 20090197272
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of determining in vitro the amount of nuclear DNA within a human or animal cell using UV absorption measurement with UV light. The invention also relates to a method for detecting in vitro cancerous cells in a biological sample relying on the aforementioned principles. The invention also relates to an in vitro method of diagnosing or predicting the likely occurrence of cancer in a human or animal subject.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2007
    Publication date: August 6, 2009
    Inventors: Bernardus Hendrikus Wilhelmus Hendriks, Erik Robbert Vossenaar, Gerhard Spekowius, Nijs Cornelis Van Der Vaart, Stein Kuiper
  • Patent number: 7570434
    Abstract: The present invention discloses an optical device comprising a container having an inner wall, said container enclosing a first liquid (A) and an electrically susceptible second liquid (B), said liquids (A; B) being immiscible and being in contact with each other via an interface (14), said interface (14) having a contact angle with the inner wall; and an electrode arrangement (2; 12) for controlling the shape of the interface (14) by means of a voltage; the optical device having an operational range in between a first value of the contact angle and a second value of the contact angle, the first value being in a range of 50-110° and the second value being in a range of 70°-130°, the second value being larger than the first value. It has been discovered that the response speed of the interface (14) to a change in position is a function of the contact angle (?), with a response speed reaching a maximum value around (?)=90° and at least 75% of this maximum value in the given interval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Stein Kuiper, Bernardus H. W. Hendriks
  • Publication number: 20090185280
    Abstract: A controllable optical system has an optical component comprising a chamber housing first and second fluids, the interface between the fluids defining a boundary surface (15;88a,88b) and an electrode arrangement (14,16;86,87) for electrically controlling the shape of the boundary surface. A drive circuit is operable in an operative mode and an inoperative, power saving mode, and a storage capacitor maintains a signal on the electrode arrangement during the inoperative mode. Feedback is used control switching of the drive circuit between modes taking into account the boundary surface conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2005
    Publication date: July 23, 2009
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS, N.V.
    Inventors: Ivon F. Helwegen, Stein Kuiper, Henk Derks, Bernardus H.W. Hendriks
  • Publication number: 20090174948
    Abstract: The present invention discloses an optical device comprising a container enclosing an insulating liquid (A) and a liquid responsive to an electric field (B), the insulating liquid (A) and the liquid responsive to an electric field (B) being immiscible and being in contact with each other via an interface (14), at least one of the liquids (A; B) being at least partially placed in a light path through the container. The optical device further comprises an electrode arrangement (2; 12) for controlling the shape of the interface (14) by means of a voltage; and means (100) for preventing the interface from an exposure to an external electric field. Consequently, the build-up of electrostatic charge on a surface of the optical device is avoided, which prevents the unwanted distortion of the interface (14) caused by the interaction of the liquid responsive to an electric field (B) and the electrostatic charge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2009
    Publication date: July 9, 2009
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS, N.V.
    Inventors: Stein Kuiper, Bernardus H.W. Hendriks
  • Patent number: 7557999
    Abstract: A variable focus lens comprises a container enclosing an insulating liquid (A) and a conducting liquid (B), the insulating liquid (A) and the conducting liquid (B) being immiscible, having different refractive indices and being in contact with each other via an interface (14), the liquids (A, B) being at least partially placed in a light path through the container. The variable focus lens further comprises an electrode arrangement (2, 12) for controlling the shape of the interface (14) by means of an applied voltage. The container further comprises a transparent end portion (4) in the light path, a part (4) the transparent end portion (4) defining the shape of a part of the interface (14) at a predefined value of the voltage. Consequently, a variable focus lens with a reduced building height (H) is achieved that suffers less from the gradual formation of is small droplets of the conducting liquid (B) on the inner surface of the end portion (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Stein Kuiper, Bernardus H. W. Hendriks
  • Patent number: 7553019
    Abstract: The invention concerns variable focus spectacles in which the electro-wetting effect is utilized to provide a manually or automatically variable focal length. The variable focus spectacles (200) comprise a spectacle frame (210) and at least one variable power lens (100A, 100B). The lens (100) comprises a transparent rear wall (110), a transparent front wall (120), a cavity (140) formed between the transparent front wall (120) and the transparent rear wall (110), first and second immiscible fluids of differing refractive index contained within said cavity, and electrodes (150, 160) for applying an electric field to said fluids to change a contact angle between an interface layer (M) of the two fluids and the front wall of the lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Stein Kuiper, Bernardus Hendrikus Wilhelmus Hendriks
  • Patent number: 7545575
    Abstract: An optical element (1) for correcting refractive index related aberrations comprises a fluid chamber (5) which is provided with an electrode configuration (2,12) and includes a first, electrically conducting, fluid (B) and a second, non-conducting, fluid (A), and an interface (14) between the fluids, the fluids having different Abbc numbers. By applying a voltage (VO to the electrode configuration electrowetting forces are generated, which deform the shape of the interface (14,14?) and determine the corrective power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Bernardus H. W. Hendriks, Stein Kuiper
  • Publication number: 20090135423
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for measuring an intensity of a part of an electromagnetic spectral range, and an electronic device implementing the method. The method comprises the steps of providing an electronic device comprising an optical device (10) comprising at least a first liquid (A) and being placed in front of a sensor (120), the optical device (10) having a transmittance of the part of the electromagnetic spectral range depending on an orientation of at least the first liquid (A); measuring a first intensity of the electromagnetic (EM) spectral range; changing the orientation of at least the first liquid (A); measuring a second intensity of the electromagnetic spectral range; and calculating an intensity of the part of the electromagnetic spectral range from the difference between the first intensity and the second intensity. Consequently, an intensity for a part of the EM spectral range can be measured without the need for a sensor dedicated to this part of the EM spectral range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2005
    Publication date: May 28, 2009
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS, N.V.
    Inventors: Stein Kuiper, Bernardus H.W. Hendriks, Robert W.J. Zijlstra
  • Publication number: 20090122388
    Abstract: An optical element (1) is provided for generating interfacial waves by means of electro wetting. The optical element (1) comprises a fluid chamber (3) with at least one side wall and an optical axis (10). Furthermore the fluid chamber (3) includes a first fluid (A) and a second fluid (B) which are separated by an interface (4), the fluids (A,B) being immiscible. A first electro wetting electrode (2) and a second electro wetting electrode (9) are provided, the first electro wetting electrode (2) is separated from the first fluid (A) and the second fluid (B) by a fluid contact layer (8). The second electro wetting electrode (9) is arranged to act on the first fluid (A). The selected standing or running waves can be formed by providing selected voltages to the first and the second electro wetting electrodes (2,9) respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2005
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS, N.V.
    Inventors: Stein Kuiper, Bernardus Hendrikus Wilhelmus Hendriks
  • Publication number: 20090122639
    Abstract: An acoustic probe (100) includes an acoustic transducer (20) including a plurality of acoustic transducer elements arranged in a one-dimensional array; and a variably- refracting acoustic lens (10) coupled to the acoustic transducer. The variably-refracting acoustic lens has at least a pair of electrodes (150, 160) adapted to adjust the focus of the variably-refracting acoustic lens in response to a selected voltage applied across the electrodes. In one embodiment, the variably-refracting acoustic lens includes a cavity, first and second fluid media (141, 142) disposed within the cavity, and the pair of electrodes. The speed of sound of an acoustic wave in the first fluid medium is different than the speed of sound of the acoustic wave in the second fluid medium. The first and second fluid media are immiscible with respect to each other, and the first fluid medium has a substantially different electrical conductivity than the second fluid medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2007
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventors: Christopher Hall, Chien Ting Chin, Jan Frederik Suijver, Bernardus Hendrikus Wilhelmus Hendriks, Stein Kuiper
  • Publication number: 20090116359
    Abstract: An optical scanning device for scanning an information layer of a first optical record carrier having a first cover layer thickness and an information layer of a second optical record carrier having a second, different cover layer thickness. The device includes an objective lens system for converging a radiation beam on the information layers. The objective lens system includes a first lens element and a second lens element spaced apart along an optical axis. The objective lens system further includes a switchable optical element comprising a first fluid, and a chamber positioned between said first lens and said second lens.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2006
    Publication date: May 7, 2009
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS, N.V.
    Inventors: Bernardus Hendrikus Wilhelmus Hendriks, Stein Kuiper
  • Patent number: 7525736
    Abstract: The present invention discloses an optical device comprising a container enclosing an insulating liquid (A) and a liquid responsive to an electric field (B), the insulating liquid (A) and the liquid responsive to an electric field (B) being immiscible and being in contact with each other via an interface (14), at least one of the liquids (A; B) being at least partially placed in a light path through the container. The optical device further comprises an electrode arrangement (2; 12) for controlling the shape of the interface (14) by means of a voltage; and means (100) for preventing the interface from an exposure to an external electric field. Consequently, the build-up of electrostatic charge on a surface of the optical device is avoided, which prevents the unwanted distortion of the interface (14) caused by the interaction of the liquid responsive to an electric field (B) and the electrostatic charge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Stein Kuiper, Bernardus H. W. Hendriks
  • Publication number: 20090103185
    Abstract: The present invention discloses an electronic device (1) comprising an optical device (10) having a container enclosing an insulating liquid (A) and an electrically susceptible liquid (B), the insulating liquid (A) and the electrically susceptible liquid (B) being immiscible and being in contact with each other via an interface (14), at least one of the liquids (A; B) being at least partially placed in a light path through the container. The electronic device further comprises first signal generating means (34) for generating a control signal indicative of a difference between the actual position of the interface (14) and a desired position; second signal generating means (50) for generating a further control signal for adapting the position of the interface (14) in response to the control signal; and control means (40) for prohibiting the second signal generating means (50) to update the further control signal during a positional change of the interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2005
    Publication date: April 23, 2009
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS, N.V.
    Inventors: Ivon F. Helwegen, Stein Kuiper, Bernardus H.W. Hendriks, Robert W.J. Zijlstra
  • Patent number: 7515348
    Abstract: A zoom optical system is provided which has a lens system which comprises a first lens which is arranged to provide a continuously variable focus for a beam of radiation. The lens system further comprises a switchable optical element including a first fluid, a second fluid and a wavefront modifier having a part through which said radiation beam is arranged to pass. In a first mode the switchable optical element has a first fluid configuration with said part being substantially covered by the first fluid, and in a second mode the switchable optical element has a second, different, fluid configuration with said part being substantially covered by the second fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Bernardus H. W. Hendriks, Stein Kuiper
  • Patent number: 7508566
    Abstract: A switchable optical element has a fluid chamber including immiscible first and second bodies of fluid disposed relative to one another along an optical axis of the element. The second body of fluid is movable in a direction away from the optical axis (A) by electro-wetting action, giving the switchable optical element a changeable transmissivity along the optical axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Bokke Johannes Feenstra, Robert Andrew Hayes, Rudolph Maria Snoeren, Stein Kuiper, Bernardus Hendrikus Wilhelmus Hendriks, Anton Petrus Maria Van Arendonk
  • Patent number: 7499222
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a collection of variable focus lenses comprising two electrodes (21, 22) and a fluid chamber filled with two fluids which are separated by a meniscus, wherein the shape of the meniscus is variable under the influence of a voltage, comprises the following steps: providing an electrically insulating body (60) having a plurality of through-holes (14, 65); applying electrically conducting material to a surface of the body (60) in order to obtain the electrodes (21, 22); covering at least one of the obtained electrodes (21, 22) by a layer of electrically insulating material; covering an inner surface of a part of the through-holes (14) with a hydrophobic material; partially sealing these through-holes (14); arranging the fluids inside the partially sealed through-holes (14); completely sealing the through-holes (14); and dividing the body (60) into portions, such that each portion constitutes a complete lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Johannus Wilhelmus Weekamp, Stein Kuiper, Bernardus Hendrikus Wilhelmus Hendriks, Arjen Gerben Van Der Sijde
  • Publication number: 20090046195
    Abstract: A variable focus (10) lens comprising a fluid chamber (12) containing a first fluid (14) and a second fluid (16) is disclosed. The fluids are non-miscible and in contact over a meniscus (18) and the second fluid is able to alter its shape on the influence of a magnetic field. The second fluid is preferably a ferrofluid. Means (20, 22) for applying a gradient magnetic field (24) over at least a part of the fluid chamber are provided that are capable of inducing a magnetic flux maximizing movement of the fluids, such that the shape of the meniscus varies in dependence on the magnetic field.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2005
    Publication date: February 19, 2009
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS, N.V.
    Inventors: Bernardus Hendrikus Wilhelmus Hendriks, Stein Kuiper
  • Patent number: 7489448
    Abstract: An optical scanning device provides a radiation source (2,200), a collimator lens (4,40), an objective (7,90) for converting a beam (5,30?) to a scanning spot at the position of an information layer (101) of a record carrier (1,100). The device also includes an electrowetting cell (6). The electrowetting cell (6) acts such that a beam (5,30?) enters the objective (7,90) at a predetermined height of an entrance pupil of the objective (7,90) independent of the position of the objective (7,90) and that the beam (5,30?) forms a predetermined angle at the entrance pupil of the objective (7,90) with the optical axis (8). In this way the rim intensity may be kept constant over the entrance pupil of the objective (7,90).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Bernardus Hendrikus Wilhelmus Hendriks, Johannes Joseph Hubertina Barbara Schleipen, Stein Kuiper
  • Patent number: 7483218
    Abstract: An optical component (48) for introducing optical aberrations to a light beam defining an optical axis (28) is described, comprising a fluid chamber (46) having a first fluid (56) and at least a second fluid (58) therein, the first and second fluid (56, 58) being non-miscible, the first fluid (56) and the second fluid (58) being in contact along an interface (60) extending through the fluid chamber (46) substantially transverse to the optical axis (28), the first and second fluids (56, 58) having different indices of refraction, the first fluid (56) being substantially electrically insulating and the second fluid (58) being substantially electrically conductive; at least a first electrode (62-70) separated from the second fluid (58) and at least a second electrode (72) acting on the second fluid to alter the shape of the interface (60) in dependence on a voltage applied between the first and second electrode (62-70, 72).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Stein Kuiper, Bernardus Hendrikus Wilhelmus Hendriks
  • Publication number: 20090013544
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for detecting an orientation of a device (1) with respect to a direction of an acceleration force and a device (1) comprising an optical device (10) comprising a first liquid (A) and a second liquid (B), said liquids (A; B) being immiscible, having different refractive indices and different densities and being in contact with each other via an interface (14), a sensor (20) comprising a grid of pixels (22), the sensor (20) being arranged to sense an image captured by the optical device (10) on a subset (24, 24?) of the grid of pixels (22); and calculating means (30) for calculating an orientation of the device (1) with respect to a direction of an acceleration force from the position of the subset (24, 24) on the grid (22). Consequently, the orientation of the device (1) with respect to the direction of an acceleration force such as gravity can be obtained without mechanically moving parts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2005
    Publication date: January 15, 2009
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONIC, N.V.
    Inventors: Bernardus H.W. Hendriks, Stein Kuiper