Patents Issued in January 23, 2014
  • Publication number: 20140022497
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display module includes a liquid crystal module and a polarizer stacked with each other. The polarizer includes a polarizing layer, a transparent conductive layer and at least two driving-sensing electrodes. The polarizing layer and the transparent conductive layer are stacked with each other. The at least two driving-sensing electrodes are spaced from each other and electrically connected with the transparent conductive layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2013
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: TIANJIN FUNAYUANCHUANG TECHNOLOGY CO.,LTD.
    Inventor: HO-CHIEN WU
  • Publication number: 20140022498
    Abstract: A display apparatus has a first display substrate including a pixel electrode, and a second display substrate facing the first display substrate and including a pixel region. The second display substrate includes an insulating substrate, a concave surface compensation pattern that is in the pixel region and that is on the insulating substrate, an overcoating layer covering the concave surface compensation pattern, and a common electrode that is on the overcoating layer and that has an aperture therein at a location corresponding to the concave surface compensation pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2013
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Inventors: Sung Hyuk KIM, Jin Suk PARK
  • Publication number: 20140022499
    Abstract: According to an aspect, a semi-transmissive liquid crystal display device includes a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix, a plurality of reflective electrodes, a counter electrode facing the reflective electrode, and a liquid crystal layer. The reflective electrodes are provided for each of the pixels, and each of them includes a plurality of electrodes, with a combination of the areas of which area coverage modulation is performed by using n bits. The electrodes are configured such that a ratio of the sum of the perimeter(s) of electrode(s) corresponding to each bit of the n bits satisfies 1:2: . . . :2n-1. The liquid crystal layer is provided between the reflective electrode and the counter electrode. The semi-transmissive liquid crystal display device is configured to carry out reflective display using the reflective electrode and carry out transmissive display using at least a space of the reflective electrode between the pixels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2013
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Inventors: Masaya Tamaki, Kazuyuki Maeda
  • Publication number: 20140022500
    Abstract: A first semiconductor layer is formed in the shape of an island in an active area displaying images on an array substrate. A second semiconductor layer is formed in the shape of an island outside the active area. A first insulating film covers the first and second semiconductor layers. A gate line is formed on the first insulating film and extends in a first direction. The gate line includes a gate electrode crossing the first semiconductor layer and a crossing portion crossing the second semiconductor layer. A second insulating film covers the gate line. A source line is formed on the second insulating film and extends in a second direction. The source line includes a source electrode contacting with the first semiconductor layer. A drain electrode is formed on the second insulating film apart from the source line and contacting with the first semiconductor layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2013
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Inventors: Kazuhito WATANABE, Masakatsu Kitani
  • Publication number: 20140022501
    Abstract: The present invention provides a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel and a display apparatus using the same. The LCD panel comprises a first substrate, a second substrate and a liquid crystal layer. The liquid crystal layer is formed between the first substrate and the second substrate. The second substrate comprises pixels, wherein each of the pixels includes a main pixel region and a sub-pixel region, and a first ratio of the first line width to the first space in the main pixel region is different to a second ratio of the second line width to the second space in the sub-pixel region. The present invention can mitigate a color shift problem and a reduced aperture problem existing in the conventional LCD panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2012
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: SHENZHEN CHINA STAR OPTOELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: JinJie Wang
  • Publication number: 20140022502
    Abstract: A liquid crystalline polyester composition contains 100 parts by weight of a liquid crystalline polyester (A) and 10 to 100 parts by weight of a mica (B), wherein a rate in number of mica with a ratio (d1/d2) of a long diameter (d1) to a short diameter (d2) that is greater than 2.0, to an entire content of the mica (B) contained in the liquid crystalline polyester composition is not higher than 20%.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2011
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: TORAY INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Satoshi Matsubara, Hideyuki Umetsu, Takayuki Hase
  • Publication number: 20140022503
    Abstract: An eyeglass frame having flexible pivot hinge enabling approximately 180° bending. The frame includes a frame, a temple and a hinge. The frame has a tenon receiving hole and a frame screw hole perpendicular thereto. The temple has a stem receiving hole and a temple screw hole perpendicular thereto. The hinge has a frame joint and a temple joint. The frame joint has a pin seat formed with a bore and a tenon formed with a tenon screw hole. The temple joint has a stem formed with a stem screw hole and ending with substantially U-shaped fork. A channel passes through the two branches of the fork. The instant disclosure includes relatively minimum members for easier maintenance and increased comfortableness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2012
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: DONGGUAN ACTION OPTIC RESOURCES CO., LTD.
    Inventor: NG CHOON KHEANG
  • Publication number: 20140022504
    Abstract: One embodiment of an improved magnetic eyeglasses holder system includes a first magnet which can be substantially permanently attached to an eyeglass temple piece or frame, a second magnet positioned outside an article of clothing, and a third magnet positioned inside the article of clothing, providing a secure grip on the article of clothing. One embodiment includes a kit with heat-shrink-tubing to substantially permanently attach a first magnet to an eyeglass temple piece or frame. Other substantially permanent attachment options are described and shown, too. Sales of kits, for adapting ordinary eyeglasses, can develop and prove the existence of substantial markets for improved magnetic eyeglasses holders and thereby justify the expense of future mass production. Another embodiment, which is mass producible, uses a first magnet that is molded into the eyeglasses. Other embodiments are described and shown. A method for adapting ordinary eyeglasses is included, too.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2013
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Inventor: William Mehrkam Peterson
  • Publication number: 20140022505
    Abstract: A variable-optic powered or electronic ophthalmic lens may be utilized to augment the eye's natural ability to refract light or focus. The variable-optic powered lens comprises an electronic system that includes a power source, power management circuitry, clock generation circuitry, control algorithms and circuitry and lens driver circuitry. The ophthalmic lens may also comprise one or more sensors configured to detect ciliary muscle signals and adjust the optics of the lens accordingly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2012
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Inventors: Randall Braxton Pugh, Daniel B. Otts, James Daniel Riall, Adam Toner
  • Publication number: 20140022506
    Abstract: Silicone hydrogel contact lenses are formed from the reaction product of a polymerizable composition comprising at least one acrylate-containing siloxane monomer, at least one hydrophilic vinyl-containing monomer, and at least one vinyl-containing cross-linking agent, wherein the polymerizable composition has a molar ratio of total amount of hydrophilic vinyl-containing monomer to total amount of acrylate-containing siloxane monomer of from 5:1 to 30:1, respectively. The silicone hydrogel contact lenses have good manufacturing processability, can be manufactured without the use of alcohol solvents, and have excellent surface wettability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2012
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: COOPER VISION INTERNATIONAL HOLDING COMPANY ,LP
    Inventors: Ye Hong, Li Yao, Yuwen Liu, Charlie Chen, Arthur Back
  • Publication number: 20140022507
    Abstract: A method for making a silicone hydrogel contact lens is provided. In one embodiment, a prepolymer mixture is polymerized in a lens mold in an atmosphere having less than about 10000 ppm oxygen to form a silicone hydrogel contact lens suitable for extended wear as characterized by producing less than 10% corneal swelling after a period of continuous wear of 7 days including normal sleep periods. In one embodiment, the prepolymer mixture comprises at least one oxyperm material containing hydrophilic groups, wherein the at least one oxyperm material is a siloxane-containing macromer or monomer, at least one ionperm material, and a cross-linking agent. In certain embodiments, the polymerization of the prepolymer mixture may be carried out in an atmosphere having less than about 1000 ppm oxygen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2013
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: CIBA Vision Corporation
    Inventors: Paul Clement Nicolson, Richard Carlton Baron, Peter Chabrecek, John Court, Angelika Domschke, Hans Jorge Griesser, Arthur Ho, Jens Hopken, Bronwyn Glenice Laycock, Qin Liu, Dieter Lohmann, Gordon Francis Meijs, Eric Papaspiliotopoulos, Judy Smith Riffle, Klaus Schindhelm, Deborah Sweeney, Wilson Leonard Terry, Jr., Jurgen Vogt, Lynn Cook Winterton
  • Publication number: 20140022508
    Abstract: An ophthalmic lens is presented. The lens includes a toric optical zone and a phase-affecting, non-diffractive optical element for extending depth of focus of imaging.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: XCEED IMAGING LTD.
    Inventors: Shai Ben-Yaish, Alex Zlotink, Ido Raveh, Ofer Limon, Oren Yehezkel, Karen Lahav-Yacouel, Michael Goldstein, Zeev Zalevsky
  • Publication number: 20140022509
    Abstract: One embodiment disclosed is a compact wavefront sensor module to be attached to or integrated with an ophthalmic instrument for eye examination and/or vision correction procedures. The front lens for relaying the wavefront from the eye to a wavefront sampling plane is positioned at the optical input port of the wavefront sensor module. The front lens is shared by the wavefront sensor and the ophthalmic instrument, and the wavefront sensor module can be made very compact while still being able to cover a large eye wavefront measurement diopter range. Another embodiment disclosed is an ophthalmic device for measuring properties of a subject eye including an ophthalmic instrument integrated with the wavefront sensor module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2013
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: Clarity Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Yan Zhou, William Shea
  • Publication number: 20140022510
    Abstract: An image engine and a projection system with two discrete format channels are described. The engine comprises a spatial light modulating system in each channel and a combining layer. A specific arrangement of the modulators of the two spatial light modulating systems relative to the combining layer makes it possible that one modulating system generates a landscape format image while the second modulating system generates a portrait format image in a common output path. In the projection system, a control logic addresses either the landscape channel or the portrait format channel or both channels, depending either on the format of the incoming image data, or on external controls.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2012
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Inventors: Bernhard Rudolf Bausenwein, Max Mayer
  • Publication number: 20140022511
    Abstract: A light field display for generating glasses-free, continuous 3D images is provided. The light field display has a horizontal retro-reflective display screen with a microstructured surface having an array of narrowly-spaced, ninety-degree microstructures, and a vertical diffuser having an array of narrowly-spaced, randomly-patterned microstructures. The vertical diffuser is joined to the horizontal retro-reflective display screen to form a light field display for use in front-projection display systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2011
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Inventors: Huei Pei Kuo, Larry M. Hubby
  • Publication number: 20140022512
    Abstract: A phosphor-based lamp includes a phosphor material and an excitation source, which may be a laser or an LED, or both. Preferably, the lamp includes a recycling collar to reflect and recycle high angle light to increase brightness. Preferably, when the excitation source is a laser, a beam splitter redirects the laser beam to direct the laser beam through the recycling collar aperture onto the phosphor material. Light emitted by the phosphor material which exits the aperture passes through the beam splitter as the output of the lamp. Alternatively, lenses are used to redirect the laser beam around the recycling collar towards the phosphor material. Preferably, a plurality of excitation lasers are disposed around the recycling collar and aimed either to direct their outputs onto the phosphor material or toward an opposing wall, where the outputs are reflected onto the phosphor material. Such lamp may be used as part of a projection system. In one embodiment, the phosphor material is contained on the color wheel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2013
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: WAVIEN, INC.
    Inventors: Kenneth LI, Seiji Inatsugu
  • Publication number: 20140022513
    Abstract: A projector including: a projecting unit including a plurality of light sources and a modulating unit configured to modulate lights emitted by the plurality of light sources, the projecting unit projecting modulated light modulated by the modulating unit; an optical system configured to optically change a projection state of the modulated light projected from the projecting unit; an optical-system adjusting unit configured to change a state of the optical system; a storing unit configured to store states of the optical system and adjustment values of light emission amounts of the respective light sources for adjusting white balance of the modulated light in association with each other; and a light-emission-amount adjusting unit configured to adjust the light emission amounts of the respective light sources on the basis of the adjustment values corresponding to the states of the optical system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2013
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kengo MIZUNO
  • Publication number: 20140022514
    Abstract: A projector including a first light source, a second light source that emits light having a color different from the first light source, a light modulator that modulates the light emitted from each of the first and the second light sources, and a controller that controls a first operation state in which the first and the second light sources are driven based on time division driving to perform image display and a second operation state in which the first and the second light sources are driven based on time division driving to perform illumination, wherein in the second operation state, a switching frequency at which the first and the second light sources are switched from one to the other is higher than a switching frequency at which the first and the second light sources are switched from one to the other in the first operation state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2013
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Inventors: Shuji NARIMATSU, Hidehito IISAKA
  • Publication number: 20140022515
    Abstract: A projector includes a light source; a spatial light modulation device which modulates light from the light source according to an image that is written; a light diffusion device which adjusts a degree of diffusion of the light incident on the spatial light modulation device or the light emitted from the spatial light modulation device; and a light diffusion controller which controls the light diffusion device so that the light diffusion device diffuses the light when the light source starts to light up.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2013
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Kaoru YAMAGUCHI, Tadashi KINEBUCHI, Shuji NARIMATSU, Hiroyuki MOTEKI, Hirofumi KASUGA, Hidehito IISAKA
  • Publication number: 20140022516
    Abstract: A projector including: a plurality of light sources; a modulator that modulates light emitted from each of the plurality of light sources; a projection unit that projects the modulated light modulated by the modulator; a storage unit that stores grayscales of the light sources and adjustment values for adjusting the light emission amounts of the light sources in order to make white balance of the modulated light projected through the projection unit in relation to each other; and a light-emission-amount adjusting unit that adjusts the light emission amounts of the light sources based on the adjustment values corresponding to the grayscales of the light sources.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2013
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kengo MIZUNO
  • Publication number: 20140022517
    Abstract: A light module is proposed, which includes a frame bearing a plurality of light sources disposed in a matrix arrangement and capable of forming a corresponding number of light points. The frame is configured for assembly with at least one other frame of an identical module, so as to enable juxtaposing and simultaneously driving a predetermined set of light modules. A modular light system is also proposed, which includes an assembly of a plurality of light modules.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2013
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Inventors: Bastian Villeflose, Julien Anton Rioja, Alexandre Gailly
  • Publication number: 20140022518
    Abstract: A projection optical system substantially consists of a first optical system composed of a plurality of lens groups and a second optical system composed of one reflection mirror having a convex aspherical surface arranged in this order from the reduction side, in which all optical surfaces constituting the first and second optical systems are formed so as to have rotationally symmetrical shapes around one common axis, the projection optical system is configured such that focus adjustment is performed by individually moving two lens groups in the first optical system along the common axis, and the lens disposed on the most magnification side in the reduction side lens group of the two lens groups is a lens having a convex surface on the magnification side, thereby magnifying and projecting an image formed on a conjugate plane on the reduction side to a conjugate plane on the magnification side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2013
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Masaru AMANO
  • Publication number: 20140022519
    Abstract: A projection optical system substantially consists of a first optical system composed of a plurality of lenses and a second optical system composed of one reflection mirror having a convex aspherical surface arranged in this order from the reduction side and is configured, when an air space between the first optical system and the second optical system is taken as T12 and a displacement in a direction of the optical axial from a position of maximum effective height on the magnification side lens surface of the lens disposed on the most magnification side in the first optical system to the vertex of the lens surface is taken as Zf, to satisfy a conditional expression (1):0.1<Zf/T12<1.0, in which an image formed on a conjugate plane on the reduction side is magnified and projected onto a conjugate plane on the magnification side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2013
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Masaru AMANO
  • Publication number: 20140022520
    Abstract: A projection display apparatus includes an image display element for displaying an image on a reduction side conjugate plane and a projection optical system for magnifying and projecting the image onto a screen which is a magnification side conjugate plane as a conjugate image. The projection optical system substantially consists of a dioptric system and a catoptrics system having a common axis. The center of a display surface of the image display element is disposed eccentrically with respect to the optical axis and, when a magnification side conjugate position of the center of the display surface is vertically above the optical axis, an intersection point between a lower light ray of a light flux focused on the bottom center of the conjugate image and an upper light ray of a light flux focused on the top center of the conjugate image falls within a predetermined range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2013
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: Fujifilm Corporation
    Inventor: Masanao KAWANA
  • Publication number: 20140022521
    Abstract: An underlayer is formed to cover the upper surface of a substrate and a guide pattern is formed on the underlayer. A DSA film constituted by two types of polymers is formed in a region on the underlayer where the guide pattern is not formed. Thermal processing is performed while a solvent is supplied to the DSA film on the substrate. Thus, a microphase separation of the DSA film occurs. As a result, patterns made of the one polymer and patterns made of another polymer are formed. Exposure processing and development processing are performed in this order on the DSA film after the microphase separation such that the patterns made of another polymer are removed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2013
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Inventors: Masahiko HARUMOTO, Tadashi MIYAGI, Yukihiko INAGAKI, Koji KANEYAMA
  • Publication number: 20140022522
    Abstract: A liquid immersion member is used in a liquid immersion exposure apparatus which exposes a substrate via liquid by exposure light, and forms a liquid immersion space above an object which is movable below the optical member. The liquid immersion member includes a first member that is disposed at at least a portion of surrounding of the optical member, and a second member that is disposed at at least a portion of surrounding of an optical path of the exposure light, that includes a second upper surface which is opposite to the first lower surface of the first member via a gap, a second lower surface which is capable of being opposite to the object, and a fluid recovery part which is disposed at at least a portion of surrounding of the second lower surface, and that is relatively movable with respect to the first member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2013
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Inventor: Shinji SATO
  • Publication number: 20140022523
    Abstract: An exposure apparatus exposes a substrate by irradiating exposure light onto the substrate via a projection optical system and a liquid. The exposure apparatus has a stage which includes a substrate holder for holding the substrate, a detachable member detachably disposed on the stage so that its upper surface contacts an immersion region, and a sensor having a light transmissive member. The detachable member, on which an opening is formed in the upper surface, is disposed on the stage so that the light transmissive member is arranged within the opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2013
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroyuki NAGASAKA, Hiroaki TAKAIWA, Shigeru HIRUKAWA, Ryuichi HOSHIKA, Hitoshi ISHIZAWA
  • Publication number: 20140022524
    Abstract: A device for the optical measurement of an optical system, in particular an optical imaging system, is provided. The device includes at least one test optics component arranged on an object side or an image side of the optical system. An immersion fluid is adjacent to at least one of the test optics components. A container for use in this device, a microlithography projection exposure machine equipped with this device, and a method which can be carried out with the aid of this device are also provided. The device and method provide for optical measurement of microlithography projection objectives with high numerical apertures by using wavefront detection with shearing or point diffraction interferometry, or a Moiré measuring technique.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2012
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: CARL ZEISS SMT GMBH
    Inventors: Ulrich Wegmann, Uwe Schellhorn, Joachim Stuehler, Albrecht Ehrmann, Martin Schriever, Markus Goeppert, Helmut Haidner
  • Publication number: 20140022525
    Abstract: A deflection mirror (1, 501, etc.) for a microlithography projection exposure apparatus for illuminating an object field in an object plane of the projection exposure apparatus (1067) using the deflection mirror with grazing incidence. This deflection mirror has a substrate (3, 503, etc.) and at least one layer system (5, 505, etc.), and during operation light impinges on said mirror at a multiplicity of angles of incidence, wherein the layer system is designed such that, for light having a wavelength of less than 30 nm, for an angle of incidence of between 55° and 70°, the variation of the reflectivity is less than 20%, in particular less than 12%.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2013
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: CARL ZEISS SMT GMBH
    Inventors: Hartmut ENKISCH, Stephan MUELLENDER, Martin ENDRES
  • Publication number: 20140022526
    Abstract: The invention relates to a lithographic apparatus including an illumination system configured to condition a radiation beam, a patterning device support constructed to support a patterning device, the patterning device being capable of imparting the radiation beam with a pattern in its cross-section to form a patterned radiation beam, a substrate support constructed to hold a substrate; a projection system configured to project the patterned radiation beam onto a target portion of the substrate, and an encoder-type measurement system configured to at least during projection of the patterned radiation beam onto a target portion of the substrate continuously determine a position quantity of a patterning device supported on the patterning device support using a grid or grating provided on the patterning device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2013
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: ASML NETHERLANDS B.V.
    Inventors: Jan VAN EIJK, Engelbertus Antonius Fransiscus Van Der Pasch, Johannes Petrus Martinus Bernardus Vermeulen
  • Publication number: 20140022527
    Abstract: A lithographic apparatus including a substrate table position measurement system and a projection system position measurement system to measure a position of the substrate table and the projection system, respectively. The substrate table position measurement system includes a substrate table reference element mounted on the substrate table and a first sensor head. The substrate table reference element extends in a measurement plane substantially parallel to the holding plane of a substrate on substrate table. The holding plane is arranged at one side of the measurement plane and the first sensor head is arranged at an opposite side of the measurement plane. The projection system position measurement system includes one or more projection system reference elements and a sensor assembly. The sensor head and the sensor assembly or the associated projection system measurement elements are mounted on a sensor frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2013
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: ASML NETHERLANDS B.V.
    Inventors: Engelbertus Antonius Fransiscus VAN DER PASCH, Joost Jeroen Ottens, Emiel Jozef Melanie Eussen, Johannes Henricus Wilhelmus Jacobs, William Peter Van Drent, Frank Staals, Lukasz Jerzy Macht, Erik Willem Bogaart
  • Publication number: 20140022528
    Abstract: A proximity sensor and proximity sensing method using a change in light quantity of a reflected light are disclosed. The proximity sensor may include a quantity change detection unit which detects a change in a quantity of reflected light which is output light which has been reflected by an object, where an intensity of the output light changes, and a proximity determination unit which determines a proximity of the object to the quantity change detection unit based on a change in the intensity of the output light and the detected change in the quantity of the reflected light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2013
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Inventors: Jun Haeng LEE, Hyun Surk RYU, Kyoobin LEE, Tobi DELBRUCK, Raphael BERNER
  • Publication number: 20140022529
    Abstract: The structural material with embedded sensors provides of diagnostics and measurement of static and/or dynamic strains in structures and structural elements formed from the structural material. The structural material includes an array of fiber Bragg grating sensors or the like embedded therein for strain measurement and monitoring. An array of linear channels is formed in the structural element, and the plurality of fiber Bragg grating sensors are respectively disposed therein. The plurality of fiber Bragg grating sensors communicate with a signal analyzer, which receives the signals generated by the fiber Bragg grating sensors, the signals being representative of a magnitude of a strain placed on the to structural element. The signal analyzer may, in turn, transmit a conditioned signal to a computer or the like for presentation of strain data to the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2012
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: KING FAHD UNIVERSITY OF PETROLEUM AND MINERALS
    Inventor: SAMIR MEKID
  • Publication number: 20140022530
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring a structure using an optical fiber based distributed acoustic sensor (DAS) extending along the length of the structure. The DAS is able to resolve a separate acoustic signal with a spatial resolution of 1 m along the length of the fibre, and hence is able to operate with an acoustic positioning system to determine the position of the riser with the same spatial resolution. In addition, the fiber can at the same time also detect much lower frequency mechanical vibrations in the riser, for example such as resonant mode vibrations induced by movement in the surrounding medium. By using vibration detection in combination with acoustic positioning then overall structure shape monitoring can be undertaken, which is useful for vortex induced vibration (VIV) visualisation, fatigue analysis, and a variety of other advanced purposes. The structure may be a sub-sea riser.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2013
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Inventors: Mahmoud Farhadiroushan, Daniel Finfer, Yousif Kamil, Roy Lester Kutlik
  • Publication number: 20140022531
    Abstract: A dual source system and method includes a high power laser used to determine elemental concentrations in a sample and a lower power device used to determine compounds present in the sample. A detector subsystem receives photons from the sample after laser energy from the high power laser strikes the sample and provides a first signal. The detector subsystem then receives photons from the sample after energy from the lower power device strikes the sample and provides a second signal. The high power laser is pulsed and the first signal is processed to determine elemental concentrations present in the sample. The lower power device is energized and the second signal is processed to determine compounds present in the signal. Based on the elemental concentrations and the compounds present, the compounds present in the sample are quantified.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2012
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Inventor: Don Sackett
  • Publication number: 20140022532
    Abstract: A dual source system and method includes a high power laser used to determine elements in a sample and a lower power device used to determine compounds present in the sample. An optical subsystem directs photons from a sample to a detector subsystem after laser energy from the laser strikes the sample along an optical path. After energy from the device strikes the sample protons are directed to the detector subsystem along the same optical path. The detector subsystem receives photons after laser energy from the laser strikes the sample and provides a first signal, and receives photons after energy from the device strikes the sample and provides a second signal. A controller subsystem pulses the high power laser and processes the first signal to determine elements present in the sample, energizes the lower power device and processes the second signal to determine compounds present in the sample.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2012
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Inventor: Donald W. Sackett
  • Publication number: 20140022533
    Abstract: A frequency comb laser providing large comb spacing is disclosed. At least one embodiment includes a mode locked waveguide laser system. The mode locked waveguide laser includes a laser cavity having a waveguide, and a dispersion control unit (DCU) in the cavity. The DCU imparts an angular dispersion, group-velocity dispersion (GVD) and a spatial chirp to a beam propagating in the cavity. The DCU is capable of producing net GVD in a range from a positive value to a negative value. In some embodiments a tunable fiber frequency comb system configured as an optical frequency synthesizer is provided. In at least one embodiment a low phase noise micro-wave source may be implemented with a fiber comb laser having a comb spacing greater than about 1 GHz. The laser system is suitable for mass-producible fiber comb sources with large comb spacing and low noise. Applications include high-resolution spectroscopy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2013
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: IMRA AMERICA, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin FERMANN, Ingmar HARTL
  • Publication number: 20140022534
    Abstract: An apparatus for inertial sensing is provided. The apparatus comprises at least one atomic inertial sensor, and one or more micro-electrical-mechanical systems (MEMS) inertial sensors operatively coupled to the atomic inertial sensor. The atomic inertial sensor and the MEMS inertial sensors operatively communicate with each other in a closed feedback loop.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2013
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventor: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
  • Publication number: 20140022535
    Abstract: An optical characteristic measuring apparatus and an optical characteristic measuring method of the invention are an optical characteristic measuring apparatus and method for obtaining a predetermined optical characteristic such as a color value or a total spectral radiation factor of a measurement object. A spectral intensity distribution of predetermined ambient light entering through a measurement opening is measured and stored prior to measurement of the optical characteristic. In measuring the optical characteristic, an optical characteristic in a condition that actually measured ambient light is used as an observation light source is obtained, with use of the stored spectral intensity distribution of ambient light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2012
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Inventor: Shinji Yamamoto
  • Publication number: 20140022536
    Abstract: A method for conducting fast Brillouin optical time domain analysis for dynamic sensing of optical fibers is provided herein. The method includes the following stages: injecting a pump pulse signal into a first end of an optical fiber and a probe signal into a second end of the optical fiber, wherein the probe and the pump pulse signals exhibit a frequency difference between them that is appropriate for an occurrence of a Brillouin effect; alternating the frequency of either the probe or the pulse signals, so as the alternated signal exhibits a series of signal sections, each signal section having a predefined common duration and a different frequency; measuring the Brillouin probe gain for each one of the alternating frequencies; and extracting physical properties of the optical fiber throughout its length at sample points associated with the sampled time and the frequencies, based on the measured Brillouin probe gain.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2013
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Inventors: YAIR PELED, MOSHE TUR
  • Publication number: 20140022537
    Abstract: A communication system can include a transmitter which transmits a signal, and at least one sensing device which receives the signal, the sensing device including a line contained in an enclosure, and the signal being detected by the line through a material of the enclosure. A sensing system can include at least one sensor which senses a parameter, at least one sensing device which receives an indication of the parameter, the sensing device including a line contained in an enclosure, and a transmitter which transmits the indication of the parameter to the line through a material of the enclosure. Another sensing system can include an object which displaces in a subterranean well. At least one sensing device can receive a signal from the object. The sensing device can include a line contained in an enclosure, and the signal can be detected by the line through a material of the enclosure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2013
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Etienne M. SAMSON, John L. MAIDA, JR.
  • Publication number: 20140022538
    Abstract: A tilt check apparatus and a tilt check method are provided. The tilt check apparatus checks a lens module including a sensor and a lens and includes: a light-emitting part which diffuses and outputs light to check a tilt of the lens module; a reflector which reflects the diffused light; an interface which, if the reflected light is sensed by the sensor of the lens module, receives the sensed result from the sensor; and a detector which detects depth information by using the sensed result received through the interface and detects a tilt state between the lens and the sensor based on the depth information. Therefore, efficiency of a tilt check process is improved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2013
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Jin-a JEON
  • Publication number: 20140022539
    Abstract: A method for determining absolute orientation of a platform is disclosed. In one embodiment, a first sky polarization data set for a first time Ti is measured using a sky polarization sensor disposed on a platform. A second sky polarization data set is obtained at a second time Tj. A difference in orientation between the first sky polarization data set and the second sky polarization data set is determined using an orientation determiner. The difference in orientation is provided as at least one orientation parameter for the platform at time Tj. The at least one orientation parameter is used to provide a direction relative to a reference point on the platform.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: TRIMBLE NAVIGATION LIMITED
    Inventor: Peter Glen FRANCE
  • Publication number: 20140022540
    Abstract: Among the multiple OES data wavelengths, an analysis device identifies the wavelength of light emissions from a substance contained in the plasma from among multiple light emission wavelengths within the chamber by way of the steps of: measuring the light emission within the chamber during etching processing of the semiconductor wafer; finding the time-based fluctuation due to changes over time on each wavelength in the measured intensity of the light emissions in the chamber; comparing the time-based fluctuations in the wavelength of the light emitted from the pre-specified substance; and by using the comparison results, identifying the wavelength of the light emitted from the substance caused by light emission within the chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2013
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Inventors: Ryoji ASAKURA, Kenji TAMAKI, Akira KAGOSHIMA, Daisuke SHIRAISHI, Toshio MASUDA
  • Publication number: 20140022541
    Abstract: An inspection system and a method for defect detection, the method includes: generating a first beam that includes a near infrared spectral component and a visible light component; directing at least the near infrared spectral component towards a backside of an inspected object, the backside includes first elements made of a substantially transparent to near infrared radiation first material and second elements that are made of a second material arranged to reflect near infrared radiation; directing, towards a sensor, a near infrared spectral component of a second beam generated from the illuminating of the inspected object; wherein the sensor is sensitive to visible light radiation and to near infrared radiation; generating, by the sensor, detection signals that are responsive to the near infrared component of the second beam; and detecting at least one attribute of at least the second elements by processing the detection signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2013
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Inventor: Diana Shapirov
  • Publication number: 20140022542
    Abstract: A gas analyzer is capable of detecting abnormality of a measurement environment without using either or both of a pressure sensor and a gas temperature sensor. The gas analyzer creates absorption spectra from transmitted light intensity of laser beams applied to gas for measuring the amount of spread W and compares the amount of spread against a threshold D. The amount of spread of the absorption spectra does not depend on pressure if the pressure of the gas to be measured falls within a high-vacuum region, and monotonously increases with increased pressure if the pressure of the gas to be measured is higher than the high-vacuum region. Thus, if W>D, it is determined that the measurement environment does not form a high-vacuum region and abnormality is transmitted to the outside. In all other cases, the measurement environment is deemed to form a high-vacuum region, and partial pressure is calculated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2012
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: SHIMADZU CORPORATION
    Inventor: Fumiaki OTERA
  • Publication number: 20140022543
    Abstract: A device for determining the position of a first mechanical element relative to a second mechanical element, having a first measurement unit for attachment to the first mechanical element, a second measurement unit for attachment to the second mechanical element, and an evaluation unit. The first measurement unit emits spectrally differing first and second light beams in essentially the same direction and a position-sensitive optical detector. The second measurement unit has a reflector arrangement facing the first measurement unit, in order to reflect the first and second light beams onto the detector. Surfaces facing the first measurement unit being color splitters having different reflectivity/transmissibility for the first light beam and the second light beam. The evaluation unit determines the location of the first and second mechanical elements relative to one another from the incidence positions of the reflected first and second light beams on the detector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2013
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Inventor: Heinrich Lysen
  • Publication number: 20140022544
    Abstract: Miniature spectrometers produce low resolution spectral data due to their size limitations. A method for processing these spectral data is proposed. The spectral data from a low resolution spectrometer is enhanced to a higher resolution, or processed to be in the wavelength domain. This process is called spectrum reconstruction, and can be used in low cost and miniature spectrometers with limited spectral resolution. The proposed method is noise robust, adapts to input spectrum, and can be used across many types of spectrometric devices without any manual adjustment of parameters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: NanoLambda, Inc.
    Inventors: Umpei Kurokawa, Cheng Chun Chang, Byung Ii Choi
  • Publication number: 20140022545
    Abstract: Example methods and apparatus for obtaining suspended particle information are disclosed. A disclosed example method includes emitting light from a light source, dividing the light source into a first path and a second path, and directing the first path to a first container comprising a plurality of particles in a suspension material. The example method also includes directing the second path to a second container containing a suspension material devoid of particles, retrieving a first transmission value of the first path through the first container, and retrieving a second transmission value of the second path through the second container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2013
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME DU LAC
    Inventors: Steven Ruggiero, Carol Tanner
  • Publication number: 20140022546
    Abstract: A Fourier transform spectrometer (Da) of the invention extracts, in generating an integrated interferogram obtained by integrating a plurality of interferograms, an output of an interferometer (11a) within a predetermined range according to positioning information of a center burst in an interferogram measured at a time before measurement of an interferogram at the present time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2012
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventors: Yoshiroh Nagai, Toshio Kawano