Patents by Inventor Tom Claes

Tom Claes 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: 12236947
    Abstract: A voice-based system is configured to process commands in a flexible format, for example, in which a wake word does not necessarily have to occur at the beginning of an utterance. As in natural speech, the system being addressed may be named within or at the end of a spoken utterance rather than at the beginning, or depending on the context, may not be named at all.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2025
    Assignee: Cerence Operating Company
    Inventors: Bart D'hoore, Christoph Halboth, Holger Quast, Dino Seppi, Markus Funk, Tom Claes, Christophe Ris
  • Publication number: 20240046924
    Abstract: A voice-based system is configured to process commands in a flexible format, for example, in which a wake word does not necessarily have to occur at the beginning of an utterance. As in natural speech, the system being addressed may be named within or at the end of a spoken utterance rather than at the beginning, or depending on the context, may not be named at all.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2023
    Publication date: February 8, 2024
    Inventors: Bart D'hoore, Christoph Halboth, Holger Quast, Dino Seppi, Markus Funk, Tom Claes, Christophe Ris
  • Patent number: 11735172
    Abstract: A voice-based system is configured to process commands in a flexible format, for example, in which a wake word does not necessarily have to occur at the beginning of an utterance. As in natural speech, the system being addressed may be named within or at the end of a spoken utterance rather than at the beginning, or depending on the context, may not be named at all.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: Cerence Operating Company
    Inventors: Bart D'hoore, Christoph Halboth, Holger Quast, Dino Seppi, Markus Funk, Tom Claes, Christophe Ris
  • Publication number: 20220343906
    Abstract: A voice-based system is configured to process commands in a flexible format, for example, in which a wake word does not necessarily have to occur at the beginning of an utterance. As in natural speech, the system being addressed may be named within or at the end of a spoken utterance rather than at the beginning, or depending on the context, may not be named at all.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2021
    Publication date: October 27, 2022
    Inventors: Bart D'hoore, Christoph Halboth, Holger Quast, Dino Seppi, Markus Funk, Tom Claes, Christophe Ris
  • Patent number: 11175453
    Abstract: An integrated photonic device may include an image detector that comprises an array of pixels. The device may further include an integrated waveguide and a light coupler comprising a light receiving part optically coupled to the integrated waveguide for receiving a light signal. The light coupler may be adapted for coupling a same predetermined spectral band of the light signal to each of a plurality of pixels of the image detector. The light coupler may include a tapered portion, in which the light coupler tapers outward in a direction of propagation, and an end part comprising an elliptically shaped back reflector for reflecting light propagating along the direction of propagation back through the light coupler toward the integrated waveguide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignees: IMEC VZW, Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tom Claes
  • Publication number: 20210294034
    Abstract: An integrated photonic device may include an image detector that comprises an array of pixels. The device may further include an integrated waveguide and a light coupler comprising a light receiving part optically coupled to the integrated waveguide for receiving a light signal. The light coupler may be adapted for coupling a same predetermined spectral band of the light signal to each of a plurality of pixels of the image detector. The light coupler may include a tapered portion, in which the light coupler tapers outward in a direction of propagation, and an end part comprising an elliptically shaped back reflector for reflecting light propagating along the direction of propagation back through the light coupler toward the integrated waveguide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2017
    Publication date: September 23, 2021
    Inventor: Tom Claes
  • Patent number: 10883874
    Abstract: Provided are a dual coupler device configured to receive lights of different polarization components, a spectrometer including the dual coupler device, and a non-invasive biometric sensor including the spectrometer. The dual coupler device may include, for example, a first coupler layer configured to receive a light of a first polarization component among incident lights. and a second coupler layer configured to receive a light of a second polarization component among the incident lights, wherein a polarization direction of the light of the first polarization component is perpendicular to a polarization direction of the light of the second polarization component. The first coupler layer and the second coupler layer may be spaced apart from each other and extended along a direction in which the light propagates in the first coupler layer and the second coupler layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignees: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD., IMEC VZW
    Inventors: Seongho Cho, Tom Claes, Dongho Kim
  • Patent number: 10678187
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to a large area lens-free imaging device. One example is a lens-free device for imaging one or more objects. The lens-free device includes a light source positioned for illuminating at least one object. The lens-free device also includes a detector positioned for recording interference patterns of the illuminated at least one object. The light source includes a plurality of light emitters that are positioned and configured to create a controlled light wavefront for performing lens-free imaging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: IMEC VZW
    Inventors: Richard Stahl, Tom Claes, Xavier Rottenberg, Geert Vanmeerbeeck, Andy Lambrechts
  • Patent number: 10632433
    Abstract: A disposable material processing apparatus, useable as a bioreactor or fermenter, includes a hollow tank (101) and a mixing paddle (110) disposed within the interior of the tank and adapted to mix contents therein. The paddle may be isolated within a flexible sleeve (140). Various functional elements, such as a sparger, sensor, material extraction conduit, material addition conduit, and/or heat exchange element may be provided, and optionally arranged to travel with the paddle within the tank interior. Baffles may protrude into a mixing tank to enhance mixing. A tank and/or sleeve may comprise polymeric film materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: PALL LIFE SCIENCES BELGIUM BVBA
    Inventors: Tom Claes, Jean-Pascal Zambaux, Steven Vanhamel, Christophe Braet, Florence Bosco, Jose Castillo
  • Patent number: 10578490
    Abstract: A spectrometer is provided. The spectrometer may include an image sensor including a pixel array; and a photonics layer disposed on the pixel array and including a plurality of resonators and a plurality of couplers evanescently coupled to the plurality of resonators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignees: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD., IMEC VZW
    Inventors: Tom Claes, Sung Mo Ahn, Woo Chang Lee
  • Patent number: 10564362
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to a light coupler, a photonic integrated circuit, and a method for manufacturing a light coupler. The light coupler is for optically coupling to an integrated waveguide and for out-coupling a light signal propagating in the integrated waveguide into free space. The light coupler includes a plurality of microstructures. The plurality of microstructures is adapted in shape and position to compensate decay of the light signal when propagating in the light coupler. The plurality of microstructures is also adapted in shape and position to provide a power distribution of the light signal when coupled into free space such that the power distribution corresponds to a predetermined target power distribution. Each of the microstructures forms an optical scattering center. The microstructures are positioned on the light coupler in accordance with a non-uniform number density distribution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: IMEC VZW
    Inventors: Xavier Rottenberg, Tom Claes, Dries Vercruysse
  • Publication number: 20200018646
    Abstract: Provided are a dual coupler device configured to receive lights of different polarization components, a spectrometer including the dual coupler device, and a non-invasive biometric sensor including the spectrometer. The dual coupler device may include, for example, a first coupler layer configured to receive a light of a first polarization component among incident lights. and a second coupler layer configured to receive a light of a second polarization component among the incident lights, wherein a polarization direction of the light of the first polarization component is perpendicular to a polarization direction of the light of the second polarization component. The first coupler layer and the second coupler layer may be spaced apart from each other and extended along a direction in which the light propagates in the first coupler layer and the second coupler layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2019
    Publication date: January 16, 2020
    Applicants: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD., IMEC VZW
    Inventors: Seongho Cho, Tom Claes, Dongho Kim
  • Patent number: 10466100
    Abstract: Provided are a dual coupler device configured to receive lights of different polarization components, a spectrometer including the dual coupler device, and a non-invasive biometric sensor including the spectrometer. The dual coupler device may include, for example, a first coupler layer configured to receive a light of a first polarization component among incident lights. and a second coupler layer configured to receive a light of a second polarization component among the incident lights, wherein a polarization direction of the light of the first polarization component is perpendicular to a polarization direction of the light of the second polarization component. The first coupler layer and the second coupler layer may be spaced apart from each other and extended along a direction in which the light propagates in the first coupler layer and the second coupler layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignees: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD., IMEC VZW
    Inventors: Seongho Cho, Tom Claes, Dongho Kim
  • Patent number: 10451821
    Abstract: An example embodiment relates to a photonic integrated circuit device and a method for its manufacture. An example device includes a planar detector having at least one photodetector. The device may further include a waveguide layer arranged substantially parallel to the planar detector, the waveguide layer including a first integrated waveguide for guiding a first light signal. A cavity may be formed in the waveguide layer in a region spaced away from the edges of the waveguide layer such as to terminate the first integrated waveguide in that region. A first reflective surface may be provided in the cavity to reflect the first light signal guided by the first integrated waveguide toward a first photodetector of the planar detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignees: IMEC VZW, SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO. LTD.
    Inventors: Tom Claes, Rita Van Hoof, Gillis Winderickx
  • Patent number: 10323981
    Abstract: An example embodiment may include an interferometer. The interferometer may include a multimode waveguide with an input waveguide optically coupled to a first side of the multimode waveguide, for feeding a light signal to the multimode waveguide. The interferometer may also include a first waveguide at one end optically coupled to a second side of the multimode waveguide, and at the other end terminated by a first waveguide mirror. The interferometer may also include a second waveguide at one end optically coupled to the second side of the multimode waveguide and at the other end terminated by a second waveguide mirror. The multimode waveguide may be adapted to distribute the light signal towards the first and second waveguide mirror via the first waveguide and via the second waveguide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignees: IMEC VZW, SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Tom Claes
  • Patent number: 10267998
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to an imaging device, a method for imaging an object, and a photonic integrated circuit. The imaging device includes at least one photonic integrated circuit. The photonic integrated circuit includes an integrated waveguide for guiding a light signal. The photonic integrated circuit also includes a light coupler optically coupled to the integrated waveguide. The light coupler is adapted for directing the light signal out of a plane of the integrated waveguide as a light beam. The imaging device also includes a microfluidic channel for containing an object immersed in a fluid medium. The microfluidic channel is configured to enable, in operation of the imaging device, illumination of the object by the light beam. In addition, the imaging device includes at least one imaging detector positioned for imaging the object illuminated by the light beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: IMEC VZW
    Inventors: Dries Vercruysse, Pol Van Dorpe, Xavier Rottenberg, Tom Claes, Richard Stahl
  • Publication number: 20180156991
    Abstract: An example embodiment relates to a photonic integrated circuit device and a method for its manufacture. An example device includes a planar detector having at least one photodetector. The device may further include a waveguide layer arranged substantially parallel to the planar detector, the waveguide layer including a first integrated waveguide for guiding a first light signal. A cavity may be formed in the waveguide layer in a region spaced away from the edges of the waveguide layer such as to terminate the first integrated waveguide in that region. A first reflective surface may be provided in the cavity to reflect the first light signal guided by the first integrated waveguide toward a first photodetector of the planar detector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2017
    Publication date: June 7, 2018
    Applicants: IMEC VZW, Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Tom Claes, Rita Van Hoof, Gillis Winderickx
  • Publication number: 20180106671
    Abstract: An example embodiment may include an interferometer. The interferometer may include a multimode waveguide with an input waveguide optically coupled to a first side of the multimode waveguide, for feeding a light signal to the multimode waveguide. The interferometer may also include a first waveguide at one end optically coupled to a second side of the multimode waveguide, and at the other end terminated by a first waveguide mirror. The interferometer may also include a second waveguide at one end optically coupled to the second side of the multimode waveguide and at the other end terminated by a second waveguide mirror. The multimode waveguide may be adapted to distribute the light signal towards the first and second waveguide mirror via the first waveguide and via the second waveguide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2016
    Publication date: April 19, 2018
    Applicants: IMEC VZW, Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
    Inventor: Tom Claes
  • Publication number: 20180011443
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to a large area lens-free imaging device. One example is a lens-free device for imaging one or more objects. The lens-free device includes a light source positioned for illuminating at least one object. The lens-free device also includes a detector positioned for recording interference patterns of the illuminated at least one object. The light source includes a plurality of light emitters that are positioned and configured to create a controlled light wavefront for performing lens-free imaging.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2016
    Publication date: January 11, 2018
    Applicant: IMEC VZW
    Inventors: Richard Stahl, Tom Claes, Xavier Rottenberg, Geert Vanmeerbeeck, Andy Lambrechts
  • Publication number: 20170351035
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to a light coupler, a photonic integrated circuit, and a method for manufacturing a light coupler. The light coupler is for optically coupling to an integrated waveguide and for out-coupling a light signal propagating in the integrated waveguide into free space. The light coupler includes a plurality of microstructures. The plurality of microstructures is adapted in shape and position to compensate decay of the light signal when propagating in the light coupler. The plurality of microstructures is also adapted in shape and position to provide a power distribution of the light signal when coupled into free space such that the power distribution corresponds to a predetermined target power distribution. Each of the microstructures forms an optical scattering center. The microstructures are positioned on the light coupler in accordance with a non-uniform number density distribution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2015
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Applicant: IMEC VZW
    Inventors: Xavier Rottenberg, Tom Claes, Dries Vercruysse