Patents by Inventor Volkmar Schulz

Volkmar Schulz 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: 8158916
    Abstract: This invention relates to a color controlled light source comprising a plurality of colored light elements; a detector for detecting the light output of the light source and generating a detection signal; and a color control unit for generating driving signals to said light elements on the basis of said detection signal and a predetermined target color point of the light output of the light source. In order to enable detection of contributions from individual light elements to the light output of the light source, the light source further comprises a modulator for individual signature modulation of the driving signal to each one of said light elements; and a corresponding demodulator for demodulation of said detection signal and generation of actual, i.e. measured, values of the output of the individual light elements. The color control unit determines nominal values of the light output of each light element for obtaining said target color point, and compares the actual values with the nominal values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Volkmar Schulz, Bernd Ackermann, Lorenzo Feri
  • Patent number: 8106599
    Abstract: A switched light element array includes first, second and third light emitting elements, and first and second switches. The first light emitting element includes first and second terminals, and the second light emitting element includes a first terminal, and a second terminal coupled to the second terminal of the first light emitting element. The third light emitting element includes a first terminal coupled to the first terminal of the first light emitting element and a second terminal. The first switch includes a first terminal coupled to each of the first terminals of the first and third light emitting elements and a second terminal coupled to the first terminal of the second light emitting element. The second switch includes a first terminal coupled to the second terminal of the third light emitting element, and a second terminal coupled to each of the second terminals of the first and second light emitting elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Harald Josef Günther Radermacher, Volkmar Schulz
  • Patent number: 8089221
    Abstract: The invention relates to an illumination device (1) with a number of light emitters, for example LEDs (L1, L2, L3, L4) of individual emission spectra. Sensor units (D1, D2, D3, D4) can produce a vector of measurement signals (S1, S2, S3, S4) that represent the light output of a single active light emitter. Based on a linear relation obtained during a calibration procedure, a characteristic value of the light output of that light emitter (L1, L2, L3, L4) is then calculated from the measurement vector, wherein said characteristic value is based on the coefficients of a decomposition of the individual emission spectrum into basis functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Volkmar Schulz, Christoph Martiny
  • Patent number: 8067898
    Abstract: Disclosed is a power supply device for light elements, including a first light element having a first color, a second light element having a second color, and a third light element having a third color. The power supply includes a power supply unit, a controllable switch coupled in series to the third light element in parallel to the second light element. The power supply unit has a first and a second output such that the first light element is coupled to the first output and the second and third light elements are coupled to the second output. The power supply unit provides adjustable output signals at the first and said second output such that the third light element radiates light when the switch is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Harald Josef Gunther Radermacher, Volkmar Schulz, Matthias Wendt
  • Publication number: 20110288401
    Abstract: A nuclear detector module (24) is housed within an electrically conductive hollow resonator element (18) that is to be used in a combined MR and nuclear imaging unit. The resonator element has an inner face (26) which is radiation transparent facing an examination region (14) and a plurality of other faces (28) disposed facing and spaced from an RF screen (22).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2010
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventors: Torsten Solf, Volkmar Schulz
  • Patent number: 8063377
    Abstract: A detector for a nuclear imaging system includes a scintillator including an array of scintillator elements and a light guide including a grid which defines light guide elements. Light from scintillations in the scintillation crystal in response to received radiation, passes through the light guide and strikes light sensitive elements of a light sensitive element array. The light sensitive element array includes larger elements in an array in the center surrounded by smaller light sensitive elements located in a peripheral array around the central array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventor: Volkmar Schulz
  • Patent number: 8022632
    Abstract: The invention relates to a color-controlled illumination device (1) with a number of light emitters, for example LEDs (L1, L2, L3, L4), of different primary colors. Photosensors (D1, D2, D3) consisting of a photodiode (20) covered with different dielectric filter layers (21) measure the light output of the light emitters (L1, L2, L3, L4) with distinct oscillating sensitivity curves that extend over the whole relevant spectral range. In a control unit (14), the actual color point of the illumination device (1) is calculated and the emissions of the light emitters (L1, L2, L3, L4) are individually adapted in order to match a target color point ((X,Y,Z)target) given with e.g. CIE tri-stimulus values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Volkmar Schulz, Eduard Johannes Meijer
  • Publication number: 20110109232
    Abstract: Light sensors (1) are used in lighting applications, especially in combination with LEDs, to control and/or adapt the color point of light sources. Costs and/or performance of the light sensor (1) are essential in order to guarantee cost-effective light sources with reproducible color points. This aim is achieved by a light sensor (1) comprising a light diffuser (10), an optical non-transparent housing (11) having at least one window (12), at least one interference filter (13) and at least two photo sensors (14). The light diffuser (10) is arranged in such a way that light from outside the optical non-transparent housing (11) has to pass the light diffuser (10) so as to enter the interior of the optical non-transparent housing (11) via the window (12). The interference filter (13) and the at least two photo sensors (14) are arranged in the interior of the optical non-transparent housing (11), which interference filter (13) is arranged between the window (12) and the at least two photo sensors (14).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2008
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventors: Volkmar Schulz, Christoph Martiny, Eduard Johannes Meijer, Peter Vergeer
  • Patent number: 7923995
    Abstract: This invention relates to magnetic inductance tomography, and in particular, to coils of a sensor/driver coil array for use in a magnetic inductance tomography apparatus, in which driver/sensor coils are used to measure the induced flux in a conductive, dielectric and permittivity body, such as the human body. The sensor/driver coil array comprises at least one layer of thin coils whose centers are arranged on a regular grid, with adjacent coils overlapped by a suitable distance to cancel inductive neighbor coupling between them.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventor: Volkmar Schulz
  • Publication number: 20110050984
    Abstract: A method and a System to obtain a more realistic image of an object by acquiring a plurality of e.g. monochromatic images without increasing the structure of a, for example, charged coupled device array by a sequential acquisition of the images by using a colour sequential flash.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2007
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventor: Volkmar Schulz
  • Publication number: 20110025230
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a driver device (10) for driving and controlling light emitting diodes (LEDs) or LED-strings comprising a control unit (16), and at least two switching units (14) coupled in series, and each comprising a switch (22) controllable by said control unit (16) and two connection points (30) for connecting at least one LED, wherein the first connection point (28) is coupled with one end of said switch (22). The driver device is characterized in that each switching unit (14.1 to 14.n) comprises an inductance coupled between the other end of said switch (22) and said second connection point (30).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2008
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventors: Volkmar Schulz, Harald J.G. Radermacher
  • Publication number: 20110017916
    Abstract: In nuclear imaging, when a gamma ray strikes a scintillator, a burst of visible light is created. That light is detected by a photodetector and processed by downstream electronics. It is desirable to harness as much of the burst of light as possible and get it to the photodetector. In a detector element (18), a first reflective layer (44) partially envelops a scintillation crystal (34). The first reflective layer (44) diffuses the scintillated light. A second reflective layer (46) and a support component reflective layer (48) prevent the light from leaving the scintillation crystal (34) by any route except a light emitting face (36) of the scintillator (34). In another embodiment, a light concentrator (50) is coupled to the scintillator (34) and channels the diffuse light onto a light sensitive portion of a photodetector (38). The reflective layers (44, 46, 48) and the concentrator (50) ensure that all or nearly all of the light emitted by the scintillator (34) is received by the photodetector (38).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2008
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventors: Volkmar Schulz, Carsten Degenhardt, Jerome J. Griesmer, Steven E. Cooke
  • Publication number: 20110018541
    Abstract: An imaging system comprises: a magnetic resonance scanner (30) having a cylindrical bore (36) defining a cylinder axis (DA), the magnetic resonance scanner having a gradient coil (10, 10?) defining an isocenter (64) within the bore and an isoplane (66) passing through the isocenter and oriented transverse to the cylinder axis; a ring of radiation detectors (60a, 60b, 60?) arranged concentric with the cylindrical bore and configured to detect radiation emanating from within the bore; and a generally annular electronic circuit board (62, 62?) arranged concentric with the cylindrical bore and centered on the isoplane, the generally annular electronic circuit board operatively connected with the ring of radiation detectors to generate electrical signals indicative of detection of radiation by the ring of radiation detectors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2009
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventors: Torsten J. Solf, Volkmar Schulz, Bjoern Weissler
  • Publication number: 20100327755
    Abstract: This invention relates to a color controlled light source comprising a plurality of colored light elements, and a plurality of (filtered) photo detectors, having different spectral characteristics covering all or most of the total spectrum of the light elements. The (filtered) photo detectors detect the light output of the light source, and generate corresponding detection signals. The light source further has a color control unit for generating driving signals to the light elements on the basis of the detection signals and a predetermined target color point of the light output of the light source, and a modulator for individual signature modulation of the driving signal to each one of said light elements. A corresponding demodulator is provided for demodulation of the detection signals and extraction, from each detection signal, of actual values of the light outputs of the light elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2007
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventors: Eduard J. Meijer, John B. Mills, Volkmar Schulz, Bernd Ackerman, Lorenzo Feri, Hans M.B. Boeve
  • Publication number: 20100315007
    Abstract: This invention relates to a color controlled light source comprising a plurality of colored light elements; a detector for detecting the light output of the light source and generating a detection signal; and a color control unit for generating driving signals to said light elements on the basis of said detection signal and a predetermined target color point of the light output of the light source. In order to enable detection of contributions from individual light elements to the light output of the light source, the light source further comprises a modulator for individual signature modulation of the driving signal to each one of said light elements; and a corresponding demodulator for demodulation of said detection signal and generation of actual, i.e. measured, values of the output of the individual light elements. The color control unit determines nominal values of the light output of each light element for obtaining said target color point, and compares the actual values with the nominal values.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2007
    Publication date: December 16, 2010
    Applicant: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Volkmar Schulz, Bernd Ackermann, Lorenzo Feri
  • Publication number: 20100282973
    Abstract: A radiation detector comprises: a substrate (54); a two-dimensional array of solid state detector elements (50) disposed on or in the substrate and defining a detector array area (52); electrodes (Ec, Ea) disposed on or in the substrate; and electrically conductive connecting lines (60, 64) disposed on or in the substrate and operatively electrically connecting the solid state detector elements and the electrodes, the electrically conductive connecting lines arranged to define a maximum area in conjunction with any one conducting solid state detector element that is less than or about one tenth of the detector array area. An imaging system comprises an MR scanner (10) and a PET or SPECT imaging system arranged to have some interaction with a magnetic field generated by the MR scanner, the PET or SPECT imaging system including scintillator elements (40) and the aforesaid radiation detectors arranged to detect scintillations generated in the scintillator elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2009
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventor: Volkmar Schulz
  • Publication number: 20100251157
    Abstract: The invention relates to the integration of an energy function into a light management system, particularly for saving energy and monitoring energy consumption. According to an embodiment of the invention, a light management system (10) with an integrated energy function is provided, wherein the system is adapted to receiving energy information about light fixtures (12-16) of a lighting system (18), and to processing the received energy information with regard to energy consumption of the lighting system (18). The energy function may be for example used to automatically configure a lighting system to low energy consumption, to allow further configurations of the lighting system with regard to lowering energy consumption, or to provide a user with a sensible set of lights that can be turned off and will amount to significant energy savings when turned off.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2008
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventors: Matthias Wendt, Salvador Expedito Boleko Ribas, Volkmar Schulz, Felix Henric Govert Ogg
  • Publication number: 20100235309
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of controlling a lighting system with multiple controllable light sources 3a, 3b and a system therefor. According to a first aspect, influence data of the lighting system are obtained, which data represent the effect of one or more of the light sources 3a, 3b on the illumination of one or more sections of an illuminated environment. In an optimization method, sets of control commands are continuously determined, a predicted light distribution for these control commands is determined from the influence data, and a colorimetric difference between the predicted light distribution and a target light distribution is determined. A plurality of adjustment steps are performed to minimize the colorimetric difference. According to a second aspect, a neural network is trained with the influence data and a set of control commands for controlling the lighting system is determined with the use of the neural network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2007
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventors: Salvador Expedito Boleko Ribas, Volkmar Schulz, Dirk Valentinus Rene Engelen
  • Publication number: 20100219347
    Abstract: An imaging system includes positron emission tomography (PET) detectors (30) shrouded by broadband galvanic isolation (99) and coincidence detection electronics (50, 50ob), or other radiation detectors. A magnetic resonance scanner includes a main magnet (12, 14) and magnetic field gradient assembly (20, 20?, 22, 24) configured to acquire imaging data from a magnetic resonance examination region at least partially overlapping the examination region surrounded by the PET detectors. A radio frequency coil (80, 100) has plurality of conductors (66, 166) and a radio frequency screen (88, 188, 188EB, 188F) substantially surrounding the conductors to shield the coil at the magnetic resonance frequency. The radiation detectors are outside of the radio frequency screen. Magnetic resonance-compatible radiation collimators or shielding (60, 62) containing an electrically non-conductive and non-ferromagnetic heavy atom oxide material are disposed with the radiation detectors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2008
    Publication date: September 2, 2010
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventors: Volkmar Schulz, Torsten J. Solf, Gordon D. Demeester, Michael A. Morich
  • Publication number: 20100188082
    Abstract: In a hybrid PET-MR system, PET detector elements (30) are added in the bore (14), in close proximity to the gradient coils (16). Fluid coolant is supplied to transfer heat from the PET detector elements (30). Thermal insulation (80) insulates the fluid coolant and the PET detector elements (30) from the gradient coils (16). In some embodiments, a first coolant path (90) is in thermal communication with the electronics, a second coolant path (92) is in thermal communication with the light detectors, and a thermal barrier (94, 96) is arranged between the first and second coolant paths such that the first and second coolant paths can be at different temperatures (Te, Td). In some embodiments a sealed heat pipe (110) is in thermal communication with a heat sink such that working fluid in the heat pipe undergoes vaporization/condensation cycling to transfer heat from the detector elements to the heat sink.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2008
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventors: Michael A. MORICH, Gordon D. DEMEESTER, Jerome J. GRIESMER, Torsten J. SOLF, Volkmar SCHULZ, Bjoern WEISSLER