Patents by Inventor Thomas C. Arends

Thomas C. Arends 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: 9964439
    Abstract: In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a housing and an image sensor that is coupled to the housing and has a field of view. The apparatus also includes a non-imaging optical system coupled to the housing and disposed outside of the field of view of the image sensor. The non-imaging optical system can output diffuse light in a set of directions to a surface to produce scattered light. The image sensor and the non-imaging optical system are collectively configured such that during operation, the image sensor receives at least a portion of the scattered light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: FiftyThree, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas C. Arends, Nicholas E. Bratt, John K. Ikeda, Jonathan R. Harris, Georg F. Petschnigg
  • Patent number: 9323355
    Abstract: In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a housing and an image sensor that is coupled to the housing and has a field of view. The apparatus also includes a non-imaging optical system coupled to the housing and disposed outside of the field of view of the image sensor. The non-imaging optical system can output diffuse light in a set of directions to a surface to produce scattered light. The image sensor and the non-imaging optical system are collectively configured such that during operation, the image sensor receives at least a portion of the scattered light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: FiftyThree, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas C. Arends, Nicholas E. Bratt, John K. Ikeda, Jonathan R. Harris, Georg F. Petschnigg
  • Patent number: 9313349
    Abstract: A hand-held optical scanner is described. The hand-held optical scanner has an image sensor, as well as a scan window through which image light is directed toward the image sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Martin T. King, Claes-Fredrik Mannby, Thomas C. Arends, David P. Bajorins, Daniel C. Fox
  • Patent number: 9297750
    Abstract: In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a housing and an image sensor that is coupled to the housing. The apparatus also includes a non-imaging optical system coupled to the housing that can output light to a surface and produce a scattered light component and a specular reflected light component. The image sensor and the non-imaging optical system are collectively configured in such a manner that during operation, the image sensor receives from a surface (1) at least a portion of the scattered light component and not the specular reflected light component or (2) at least a portion of the scattered light component having a magnitude and at least a portion of the specular reflective light component having a magnitude less than the magnitude of the portion of the scattered light component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: FiftyThree, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas C. Arends, Nicholas E. Bratt, John K. Ikeda, Jonathan R. Harris, Georg F. Petschnigg
  • Publication number: 20150172489
    Abstract: A hand-held optical scanner is described. The hand-held optical scanner has an image sensor, as well as a scan window through which image light is directed toward the image sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2013
    Publication date: June 18, 2015
    Applicant: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Martin T. King, Claes-Fredrik Mannby, Thomas C. Arends, David P. Bajorins, Daniel C. Fox
  • Patent number: 8600196
    Abstract: A hand-held optical scanner is described. The hand-held optical scanner has an image sensor, as well as a scan window through which image light is directed toward the image sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Claes-Fredrik Mannby, Thomas C. Arends, David P. Bajorins, Daniel C. Fox, Cheryl Grunbock
  • Patent number: 8257310
    Abstract: A syringe for performing a medical procedure includes a pressure sensor, a volume sensor, and a compensation circuit. The volume sensor measures a volume of a flowable material that is dispensed from the syringe, the pressure sensor measures a pressure being applied to the flowable material, and the compensation circuit calculates a delivered volume of the flowable material by accounting for system compliance (expansion) as the pressure is increased. By compensating for system compliance in this manner, a syringe can be used in high pressure procedures while still providing accurately controllable material delivery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Kyphon SARL
    Inventors: Brian W. Donovan, Andrea Y. Leung, Lisanne A. Eng, David P. Thompson, Robert B. Hubler, Stephanie A. Barnes, Thomas C. Arends, Keith Schubert, Paul C. Leonard, Paul F. Muller
  • Publication number: 20110288523
    Abstract: A syringe for performing a medical procedure includes a pressure sensor, a volume sensor, and a compensation circuit. The volume sensor measures a volume of a flowable material that is dispensed from the syringe, the pressure sensor measures a pressure being applied to the flowable material, and the compensation circuit calculates a delivered volume of the flowable material by accounting for system compliance (expansion) as the pressure is increased. By compensating for system compliance in this manner, a syringe can be used in high pressure procedures while still providing accurately controllable material delivery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2011
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Applicant: KYPHON SARL
    Inventors: Brian W. Donovan, Andrea Y. Leung, Lisanne Eng, David P. Thompson, Robert B. Hubler, Stephanie Ann Barnes, Thomas C. Arends, Keith Schubert, Paul C. Leonard, Paul F. Muller
  • Patent number: 8002748
    Abstract: A syringe for performing a medical procedure includes a pressure sensor, a volume sensor, and a compensation circuit. The volume sensor measures a volume of a flowable material that is dispensed from the syringe, the pressure sensor measures a pressure being applied to the flowable material, and the compensation circuit calculates a delivered volume of the flowable material by accounting for system compliance (expansion) as the pressure is increased. By compensating for system compliance in this manner, a syringe can be used in high pressure procedures while still providing accurately controllable material delivery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Kyphon SARL
    Inventors: Brian W. Donovan, Andrea Y. Leung, Lisanne Eng, David P. Thompson, Robert B. Hubler, Stephanie Ann Barnes, Thomas C. Arends, Keith Schubert, Paul C. Leonard, Paul F. Muller
  • Publication number: 20110142371
    Abstract: A hand-held optical scanner is described. The hand-held optical scanner has an image sensor, as well as a scan window through which image light is directed toward the image sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2010
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Inventors: Martin T. King, Cheryl Grunbock, Claes-Fredrik Mannby, Thomas C. Arends, David P. Bajorins, Daniel C. Fox
  • Publication number: 20100274180
    Abstract: A syringe for performing a medical procedure includes a pressure sensor, a volume sensor, and a compensation circuit. The volume sensor measures a volume of a flowable material that is dispensed from the syringe, the pressure sensor measures a pressure being applied to the flowable material, and the compensation circuit calculates a delivered volume of the flowable material by accounting for system compliance (expansion) as the pressure is increased. By compensating for system compliance in this manner, a syringe can be used in high pressure procedures while still providing accurately controllable material delivery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2009
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Applicant: Kyphon SARL
    Inventors: Brian W. Donovan, Andrea Y. Leung, Lisanne Eng, David P. Thompson, Robert B. Hubler, Stephanie Ann Barnes, Thomas C. Arends, Keith Schubert, Paul C. Leonard, Paul F. Muller
  • Patent number: 6343741
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the transitions between binary levels of an input signal such as a scanned bar code label by detecting zero crossings of an approximated second derivative of the input signal. Samples of the input signal are obtained by using delay lines, sample-and-hold circuits, an analog shift register or similar device. The first derivative of the signal is approximated by the slope of a straight line between two sampled points on the waveform. The second derivative is approximated by the difference between two first derivatives. Zero crossings of the second derivative indicating transitions of the input signal may be determined either by detecting a signal peak on both sides of the zero crossing, or by comparing the second derivative signal to zero when the first derivative exceeds a positive or negative threshold. The amount of shift in the zero crossings may be estimated by measuring relative amplitudes or widths of the surrounding signal lobes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2002
    Assignee: PSC Scanning, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas C. Arends, Randy D. Elliott
  • Patent number: 6332576
    Abstract: A compact scan module including a resonantly driven dithering assembly employing feedback and/or travel stops for scanning an illumination beam of a barcode scanner. In one construction the dithering assembly includes one or more travel stops to limit the motion of the mirror assembly with the two travel stop(s) fabricated from damped resilient material to absorb excess energy imparted on the dithering assembly. A first preferred feedback embodiment employs a Hall effect sensor wherein a feedback magnet is connected to the dithering assembly with a Hall effect sensor positioned to sense the varying magnetic field resulting from the varying position of the feedback magnet. A second feedback embodiment incorporates piezoelectric feedback wherein one or more piezoelectric strain sensors are attached to the bending member to provide the position sensing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2001
    Assignee: PSC Scanning, Inc.
    Inventors: James E. Colley, James W. Ring, Patrick M. O'Donnell, Thomas C. Arends
  • Patent number: 6328216
    Abstract: A compact scan module including a resonantly driven dithering assembly employing feedback and/or travel stops for scanning an illumination beam of a barcode scanner. In one construction the dithering assembly includes one or more travel stops to limit the motion of the mirror assembly with the two travel stop(s) fabricated from damped resilient material to absorb excess energy imparted on the dithering assembly. A first preferred feedback embodiment employs a Hall effect sensor wherein a feedback magnet is connected to the dithering assembly with a Hall effect sensor positioned to sense the varying magnetic field resulting from the varying position of the feedback magnet. A second feedback embodiment incorporates piezoelectric feedback wherein one or more piezoelectric strain sensors are attached to the bending member to provide the position sensing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: PSC Scanning, Inc.
    Inventors: James E. Colley, James W. Ring, Patrick M. O'Donnell, Thomas C. Arends
  • Patent number: 6152372
    Abstract: A compact scan module including a resonantly driven dithering assembly employing feedback and/or travel stops for scanning an illumination beam of a barcode scanner. In one construction the dithering assembly includes one or more travel stops to limit the motion of the mirror assembly with the two travel stop(s) fabricated from damped resilient material to absorb excess energy imparted on the dithering assembly. A first preferred feedback embodiment employs a Hall effect sensor wherein a feedback magnet is connected to the dithering assembly with a Hall effect sensor positioned to sense the varying magnetic field resulting from the varying position of the feedback magnet. A second feedback embodiment incorporates piezoelectric feedback wherein one or more piezoelectric strain sensors are attached to the bending member to provide the position sensing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2000
    Assignee: PSC Scanning, Inc.
    Inventors: James E. Colley, James W. Ring, Patrick M. O'Donnell, Thomas C. Arends
  • Patent number: 6047894
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for conditioning an input signal from an optical detector includes a controller for dynamically modifying adjustable delay elements connected to the input signal, thereby modifying characteristics of the signal conditioning circuitry. The method and apparatus determines the transitions between binary levels of an input signal such as a scanned bar code label by detecting zero crossings of an approximated second derivative of the input signal. Samples of the input signal are obtained by using delay lines, sample-and-hold circuits, an analog shift register or similar device. The first derivative of the signal is approximated by the slope of a straight line between two sampled points on the waveform. The second derivative is approximated by the difference between two first derivatives.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2000
    Assignee: Spectra-Physics Scanning Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas C. Arends, Randy D. Elliott
  • Patent number: 5925868
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the transitions between binary levels of an input signal such as a scanned bar code label by detecting zero crossings of an approximated second derivative of the input signal. Samples of the input signal are obtained by using delay lines, sample-and-hold circuits, an analog shift register or similar device. The first derivative of the signal is approximated by the slope of a straight line between two sampled points on the waveform. The second derivative is approximated by the difference between two first derivatives. Zero crossings of the second derivative indicating transitions of the input signal may be determined either by detecting a signal peak on both sides of the zero crossing, or by comparing the second derivative signal to zero when the first derivative exceeds a positive or negative threshold. The amount of shift in the zero crossings may be estimated by measuring relative amplitudes or widths of the surrounding signal lobes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1999
    Assignee: Spectra-Physics Scanning Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas C. Arends, Randy D. Elliott
  • Patent number: 5923023
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the transitions between binary levels of an input signal such as a scanned bar code label by detecting zero crossings of an approximated second derivative of the input signal. Samples of the input signal are obtained by using delay lines, sample-and-hold circuits, an analog shift register or similar device. The first derivative of the signal is approximated by the slope of a straight line between two sampled points on the waveform. The second derivative is approximated by the difference between two first derivatives. Zero crossings of the second derivative indicating transitions of the input signal may be determined either by detecting a signal peak on both sides of the zero crossing, or by comparing the second derivative signal to zero when the first derivative exceeds a positive or negative threshold. The amount of shift in the zero crossings may be estimated by measuring relative amplitudes or widths of the surrounding signal lobes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Assignee: Spectra-Physics Scanning Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas C. Arends, Randy D. Elliott
  • Patent number: 5723852
    Abstract: A bar code scanning system such as for use in retail checkout having a scanner housing; a plurality of surfaces facing a scan volume from different directions; and sets of pattern mirrors positioned adjacent the respective surfaces, the housing being positioned above the scan volume and containing one or more laser beam modules and/or a scanning mechanism for producing scanning beams which are routed to the pattern mirrors and out through the respective surfaces into the scan volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1998
    Assignee: Spectra-Physics Scanning Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph F. Rando, Howard N. Roberts, Thomas C. Arends
  • Patent number: 5565668
    Abstract: An optical system and method for data reading having a light source which generates an optical beam directed toward an object to be read and a focusing system in the outgoing light path which establishes multiple beam functions. In a preferred application, a scanning system includes a multifocal lens having a single lens element having an inner lens portion of a first focal length and an outer annular lens portion with a second focal length, the optical system of a bar code scanner therefore establishing two separate focal positions from a single light source. Alternately, the system includes a focusing lens system with an corrector element disposed in the outgoing optical path, the corrector element having a plurality of optical zones, each zone having a different optical characteristic for modifying a portion of the outgoing optical beam. A zone may be a refractive region, a reflective region, a diffractive region, an empty region, a window region, or combinations thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1996
    Assignee: Spectra-Physics Scanning Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Brad R. Reddersen, Thomas C. Arends