Patents Issued in February 16, 2016
  • Patent number: 9261608
    Abstract: The invention is an imaging apparatus comprising a detector device (12) for determining points of incidence of photons and having an impact surface (13), and an aperture (16) suitable for projecting the photons to the detector device (12) having an inlet surface (17) and an outlet surface facing the impact surface (13), and comprising pinholes (18?, 18?, 22) connecting the inlet surface (17) and the outlet surface. The pinholes (18?, 18?, 22) comprise one or more central pinholes (18?, 22) and one or more peripheral pinholes (18?), and at least one central pinhole (18?, 22) and at least one peripheral pinhole (18?) are formed with focal opening (20?, 20?, 23) depth or focal opening (20?, 20?, 23) sizes different from each other. Furthermore, the invention is an aperture for the imaging apparatus and a method of manufacturing an aperture of an imaging apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Mediso Orvosi Berendezes Fejleszto es Szerviz Kft.
    Inventors: Istvan Bagamery, Adam Billing, Tamas Bukki, Ferenc Kovacs, Zoltan Nyitrai, Andras Wirth
  • Patent number: 9261609
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for charge collection control in radiation detectors are provided. One radiation detector includes a semiconductor substrate, at least one cathode on a surface of the semiconductor substrate, and a plurality of anodes on a surface of the semiconductor substrate opposite the at least one cathode, wherein the plurality of anodes have gaps therebetween. The radiation detector further includes a charge collection control arrangement configured to cause one or more charges induced within the semiconductor substrate by incident photons to drift towards one or more of the plurality of anodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Arie Shahar, Eliezer Traub, Yaron Glazer, Ira Micah Blevis
  • Patent number: 9261610
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a High-Purity Germanium (HPGe) detector, comprising: a HPGe single crystal having an intrinsic region exposed surface; a first electrode and a second electrode connected to a first contact electrode and a second contact electrode of the HPGe single crystal respectively; and a conductive guard ring arranged in the intrinsic region exposed surface around the first electrode to separate the intrinsic region exposed surface into an inner region and an outer region. A leakage current derived from the intrinsic region exposed surface of the HPGe detector can be separated from the current of the HPGe detector by the conductive guard ring provided in the surface, thereby suppressing the interference of the surface leakage current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Nuctech Company Limited
    Inventors: Qingjun Zhang, Yuanjing Li, Zhiqiang Chen, Yulan Li, Qiufeng Ma, Ziran Zhao, Yinong Liu, Jianping Chang
  • Patent number: 9261611
    Abstract: Systems and methods for scanning with radiation detectors are provided. One system includes at least one radiation scanning camera-head, an array of at least one pixelated radiation detector having an imaging surface including a two dimensional array of pixels, and a scanning unit positioned between the radiation detector and the object. The scanning unit includes first and second radiation blocking plates having first and second two-dimensional arrays of openings, respectively, wherein the array of pixels and the first and second arrays of openings have a same pitch. Additionally, for each of a plurality of scan positions of the scanning unit, the first and second moveable plates and the imaging surface are positioned differently with respect to each other to produce different inclination angles in response to each scan position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Arie Shahar, Eliezer Traub
  • Patent number: 9261612
    Abstract: Methods of evaluating a parameter of interest of a formation intersected by a borehole, including exposing a radiation sensor in the borehole to a calibration radiation source while a measurement operation using the radiation sensor is suspended. Methods may include exposing the radiation sensor to the calibration radiation source when the radiation sensor is stationary relative to the formation or during interruption of drilling operations or at predetermined intervals; processing response information, including performing a mitigation process on a portion of the response information relating to exposure of the radiation sensor to a calibration radiation source during measurement operations; or using the calibrated measurement information to estimate parameters of interest. Devices may include a radiation sensor, a calibrator including a calibration radiation source, and an actuator configured to intermittently expose the radiation sensor to the calibration radiation source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Feyzi Inanc, Daniel T. Georgi
  • Patent number: 9261613
    Abstract: The invention concerns a passive monitoring method to detect the presence of and characterize a micro-seismic event (3) occurring in the subsurface, by processing seismic data recorded by a plurality of seismic receivers (R1, Rn) arranged on the earth surface (4), said seismic data comprising acquisition noise and a wave field (6) generated by the micro-seismic event, said wave field being drowned in the noise, the method comprising the performing of waveform inversion directly on the seismic data recorded by the seismic receivers with no prior detection of the wave field generated by the micro-seismic event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: CGGVERITAS SERVICES SA
    Inventor: Emmanuel Auger
  • Patent number: 9261614
    Abstract: Automated detection of microseismic events is performed by a system and method that provides automated calculation of one or more statistical parameters for statistics-based detection of microseismic events of interest. An event detector to perform signal subspace-based detection may automatically, e.g. iteratively, be configured based on the one or more automatically calculated and/or estimated statistical parameters, which may include a signal subspace dimension, an effective embedding dimension, a detection threshold, and/or a false alarm rate. Some of the statistical parameters may be calculated based on custom-generated synthetic seismic data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Fuxian Song, Norman Warpinski
  • Patent number: 9261615
    Abstract: Method for identifying geologic features from seismic data (11) using seismic anomaly detection by a double-windowed statistical analysis. Subtle features that may be obscured using a single window on the data are made identifiable using two moving windows of user-selected size and shape: a pattern window located within a sampling window larger than the pattern window (12). If Gaussian statistics are assumed, the statistical analysis may be performed by computing mean and covariance matrices for the data within the pattern window in its various positions within the sampling window (13). Then a specific measure of degree of anomaly for each voxel such as a residue value may be computed for each sampling window using its own mean and covariance matrix (14), and finally the resulting residue volume may be analyzed, with or without thresholding, for physical features indicative of hydrocarbon potential (15).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventor: Krishnan Kumaran
  • Patent number: 9261616
    Abstract: A method for estimating velocity dispersion in seismic surface waves in massive 3-D data sets (401) that improves upon auto-picking of a curve along the peak or ridge of the magnitude of the beam-formed field (402). The seismic data are transformed to the frequency-slowness domain, where nonlinear constrained optimization is performed on the transformed data. The optimization matches a nonlinear mathematical parametric model (403) of a beam-formed field to that in the transformed data, adjusting the parameters each iteration to reduce mismatch (404). Dispersion curves are determined by the center of the beam in the optimized models (405). A preferred nonlinear parametric mathematical model is a Gaussian-shaped beam or a cosine-tapered boxcar beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Warren S. Ross, Sunwoong Lee
  • Patent number: 9261617
    Abstract: A rope-tension system for a marine seismic cable comprising a series of sensor nodes connected between flexible cable sections connected to other sensor nodes and flexible sections by armored cable segments. The flexible sections, which are housed in flexible protective covers, have a pair of ropes as stress members. The two ropes are pivotably pinned at both ends to termination units at the opposite ends of the flexible sections. The two ropes extend through a ring positioned between the two termination units. The pivots at the rope ends form linkages with the ropes that allow the ropes to adjust their positions as the flexible section engages a curved surface during retrieval. The ring presents bearing surfaces with a large radius of curvature to the ropes to avoid sharp bending loads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: ION Geophysical Corporation
    Inventor: Andre' W. Olivier
  • Patent number: 9261618
    Abstract: Depth triggers for marine geophysical survey cable retriever systems. At least some of the illustrative embodiments include causing a submerged geophysical survey cable to surface. In some cases, the causing the cable to surface may include: fracturing a frangible link wherein the frangible link, before the fracturing, affixes position of a piston within a cylinder bore of a housing coupled to the geophysical survey cable, and the fracturing of the frangible link responsive to pressure exerted on a face of the piston as the geophysical survey cable reaches or exceeds a predetermined depth; moving the piston within the cylinder bore; and deploying a mechanism that makes the geophysical survey cable more positively buoyant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: PGS Geophysical AS
    Inventors: Andre Stenzel, Youlin Hu
  • Patent number: 9261619
    Abstract: Methods and systems for improving azimuth distribution in a seismic acquisition system are described. A survey acquisition system includes a plurality of streamers towed by a plurality of streamer vessels, including a first streamer vessel and a second streamer vessel and a plurality of sources towed by a plurality of source vessels. The plurality of streamer vessels and plurality of source vessels are configured relative to one another such that the plurality of source vessels are positioned at one or more predetermined inline distances behind a portion of the first streamer vessel and are also positioned at one or more predetermined inline distances in front of a portion of the second streamer vessel. The plurality of streamer vessels and plurality of source vessels are also spaced apart from one another in a cross-line direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: CGGVERITAS SERVICES SA
    Inventors: Fabrice Mandroux, Alexandre Lenart
  • Patent number: 9261620
    Abstract: System and method for deploying multiple antennas in an array configuration with unobstructed electromagnetic access to a formation outside of a casing, sequencing the transmitted signal to control the direction of transmission into the formation, receiving the reflected signals, and locating the position of the reflection based on the scanned transmission signal orientation and the direction of the received signal. Such a deployment of an antenna array with unobstructed electromagnetic access to the formation outside of the casing, sequencing of the interrogation signal, and analysis of the received signal relative to the transmitted signal direction form the basis for reflection image rendering as the transmitted signal is scanned by a sequenced stimulus signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Inventors: Micah Thomas Mangione, Paul Henson Townsend, Robert J. Duenckel
  • Patent number: 9261621
    Abstract: An arrangement and an associated method are described in which a boring tool is moved through the ground within a given region along a path in which region a cable is buried. The boring tool and the cable transmit a boring tool locating signal and a cable locating signal, respectively. Intensities of the boring tool locating signal and the cable locating signal are measured along with a pitch orientation of the boring tool. Using the measured intensities and established pitch orientation, a positional relationship is determined to relative scale including at least the boring tool and the cable in the region. The positional relationship is displayed to scale in one view. The positional relationship may be determined and displayed including the forward locate point in scaled relation to the boring tool and the cable. Cable depth determination techniques are described including a two-point ground depth determination method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Merliln Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Guenter W. Brune, Albert W. Chau, John E. Mercer
  • Patent number: 9261622
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to borehole logging methods and apparatuses for estimating formation properties using nuclear radiation, particularly an apparatus and method for estimating amounts of silicon and/or oxygen in the formation using exposure time information. The method may include using nuclear radiation information from at least one nuclear radiation detector to estimate at least one parameter of interest. The method may also include reducing an error in the estimated formation properties due to speed variations of a nuclear radiation source that activates the silicon and oxygen in the formation. The apparatus may include at least one nuclear radiation detector. The apparatuses may include an information processing device to perform the methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Feyzi Inanc, Rafay Zahid Ansari, W. Allen Gilchrist, David M. Chace
  • Patent number: 9261623
    Abstract: A target assembly for a radiation generator may include a target body and a beam dump. The target assembly may also include a temperature activated coupler between the target body and the beam dump to move the beam dump between a non-contact position with the target body and a contact position with the target body based upon temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Frederic Gicquel
  • Patent number: 9261624
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for detecting radiation in a borehole intersecting an earth formation. The apparatus may include a neutron sensitive scintillation media and at least one optically transparent neutron absorptive material optically coupled to the media, which may be positioned to prevent incident neutrons from reaching a neutron-shaded surface of the media, and to provide directional sensitivity. The neutron absorptive material may comprise a light guide optically coupled to the neutron sensitive scintillation media. The scintillation media may be disposed within the at least one optically transparent neutron absorptive material, which may be configured to prevent substantially all incident neutrons having an incident neutron energy below a selected energy threshold from reaching the media. The selected energy threshold may be approximately 0.2 eV. A neutron-reflecting material may be disposed within the scintillation media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Maxim Vasilyev, Toyli Anniyev, Steven M. Bliven, Andrey Federov, Mikhail Korjik
  • Patent number: 9261625
    Abstract: A method and system provide the ability to measure relative displacement and rotation. A first light is continuously shined from a first light source that is fixed on a first entity to a first two-dimensional (2D) plate fixed on a second entity. The first direction of propagation of the first light does not change relative to the first entity. A second light is shined from a second light source that is fixed on the first entity to a second 2D plate fixed on the second entity. A second direction of propagation of the second light does not change relative to the first entity and is different from the first direction of propagation. The displacement of the lights on plates is directly monitored to determine a 3D displacement vector that represents a relative displacement between the first entity and the second entity. Thus, a three dimensional gravity gradient tensor is constructed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventor: Shervin Taghavi Larigani
  • Patent number: 9261626
    Abstract: The invention is related to a disposable contact lens comprising a top coating which is made of a hydrophilic polymeric material including dangling hydrophilic polymer chains covalently linked to the hydrophilic polymeric material through oligo-caprolactone linkages susceptible to enzymatic degradation in the eyes. The top coating is stable to lens processing/storage and confers lubricity to the lens. However, it slowly is degraded during the lens wear due to the action of enzymes (e.g., Lipase) in tear film. The loss in lubricity will be experienced as a drop in comfort for the lens wearer and thereby serves as the built-in compliance features of the disposable contact lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Novartis AG
    Inventors: Newton T. Samuel, Nirupama Kenkare
  • Patent number: 9261627
    Abstract: The disclosure provides a zinc oxide anti-reflection layer having a syringe-like structure and method for fabricating the same. The zinc oxide anti-reflection layer includes: a zinc oxide lower portion, wherein the zinc oxide lower portion has a nanorod array structure; and a zinc oxide upper portion connected to the zinc oxide lower portion, wherein the zinc oxide anti-reflection layer has a syringe-like structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Kun-Ping Huang, Jr-Hau He, Li-Ko Yeh, Kun-Yu Lai
  • Patent number: 9261628
    Abstract: The present invention provides a photovoltaic device having an optical component that is capable of concentrating solar energy and method of making the same. More specifically, the present invention provides for an on-line produced patterned glass component that is capable of concentrating solar energy and allows for significantly less photovoltaic material to be used in a photovoltaic device. The present invention also provides for an on-line method of making the patterned glass and a method for making a photovoltaic device incorporating the patterned glass described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: AGC FLAT GLASS NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Matthew Spencer, Christopher R. Cording
  • Patent number: 9261629
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a lens module including following is provided. A first lens plate having a plurality of first lens sections, a second lens plate having a plurality of second lens sections and a third lens plate having a plurality of third lens sections are provided. The first lens sections of the first lens plate are separated to form a plurality of first lens units. The second and third lens plates are connected. A relative position between each of the first lens units and one of the second lens sections corresponding to the first lens unit is adjusted. Each of the first lens units and the second lens section corresponding to the first lens unit are connected. The second and third lens sections are separated to form a plurality of second lens units and a plurality of third lens units connected to the second lens units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: HIMAX TECHNOLOGIES LIMITED
    Inventors: Yin-Dong Lu, Han-Yi Kuo
  • Patent number: 9261630
    Abstract: A method of concentrating directional radiant energy using reflective optics and receivers that convert that energy wherein the receivers are situated in the body of the reflector on risers parallel to the direction of radiant energy, each said riser bounded by at least one parabolic mirror lying closer and another lying farther from the energy source, where the focus or foci of said mirrors lie substantially in the direction faced by the receiver situated in said riser. The reflector geometries include ones in which the mirrors are parabolic cylinder sections and require only one-axis tacking to focus, and ones in which the mirrors are paraboloid sections and require two-axis tracking to focus sunlight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Sun Synchrony, Inc.
    Inventor: James T. Hoffman
  • Patent number: 9261631
    Abstract: A diffraction grating excellent in surface precision and allowing its miniaturization and weight reduction and a method for manufacturing the same. The present invention includes: a glass substrate having a thickness of 0.5 mm to 8 mm; a resin-made microstructure body having an unevenness pattern and formed on one surface of the glass substrate; and a flat resin layer formed on the other surface of the glass substrate. Even if the glass substrate has surface precision of ?/2 or greater, the replica of the diffraction grating, in which the microstructure body is not influenced by the surface precision of the glass substrate and which is excellent in surface precision, can be manufactured by the flatness of the resin layer. In addition, since the glass substrate can be made thin, the miniaturization and weight reduction of the diffraction grating can be achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Hitachi High-Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Kenji Kawasaki, Masahiko Ogino, Akihiro Miyauchi
  • Patent number: 9261632
    Abstract: A light emitting diode device is described which includes at least one planar non-periodic high-index-contrast grating. The light emitting diode device includes a cavity formed between a reflective optical element and a transmissive optical element. One or both of the optical elements can be a planar non-periodic high-index-contrast grating. The transmissive optical element can be a collimating lens used to collimate incident beams of light while the reflective optical element can be a parabolic reflector used to reflect incident beams of light along a direction opposite to an incidence direction. A light emitter can be disposed within the cavity and can emit beams of light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP
    Inventors: Zhen Peng, Nathaniel Quitoriano, Marco Fiorentino
  • Patent number: 9261633
    Abstract: Disclosed is a black resin composition with which a black matrix having high insulation properties even after heat treatment at a high temperature and, in addition, achromatic reflection properties can be readily formed. The black resin composition comprises (A) a light-shielding material, (B) an alkali-soluble resin, and (C) an organic solvent, and comprises (A-1) a carbon black and (A-2) titanium nitride compound particles as the light-shielding material (A). The carbon black (A-1) is surface-treated with a sulfur-containing compound, and in the surface composition, the percentage of carbon atoms is 95% or less and the percentage of sulfur atoms is 0.5% or more.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: TORAY INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Yoshihiko Inoue, Ryosuke Aihara
  • Patent number: 9261634
    Abstract: A variable optical filter is disclosed including a bandpass filter and a blocking filter. The bandpass filter includes a stack of alternating first and second layers, and the blocking filter includes a stack of alternating third and fourth layers. The first, second and fourth materials each comprise different materials, so that a refractive index of the first material is smaller than a refractive index of the second material, which is smaller than a refractive index of the fourth material; while an absorption coefficient of the second material is smaller than an absorption coefficient of the fourth material. The materials can be selected to ensure high index contrast in the blocking filter and low optical losses in the bandpass filter. The first to fourth layers can be deposited directly on a photodetector array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: VIAVI SOLUTIONS INC.
    Inventors: Karen Denise Hendrix, Charles A. Hulse, Richard A. Bradley, Jeffrey James Kuna
  • Patent number: 9261635
    Abstract: An optical system may include a polarization beam splitter having an input that receives multiple optical signals, a first output and a second output. The first output may provide components of the multiple optical signals having a first polarization. The second output may provide components of the multiple optical signals having a second polarization. The optical system may include a rotator having an input that receives the components to rotate the first polarization such that each of the components has the second polarization, and an output to supply components as rotated components. The optical system may also include an optical circuit including a substrate. The rotator may be separate from the substrate. The optical circuit may include an optical demultiplexer circuit provided on the substrate to receive the rotated components and the components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Infinera Corporation
    Inventors: Radhakrishnan L. Nagarajan, Masaki Kato, Jeffrey T. Rahn, Alan C. Nilsson, Kuang-Tsan Wu
  • Patent number: 9261636
    Abstract: A polarizing plate includes a polarizer having absorption and transmission axes, a protective film on an upper surface of the polarizer, a half-wavelength (?/2) retardation film on a lower surface of the polarizer, an adhesive layer on a lower surface of the half-wavelength (?/2) retardation film, and a quarter-wavelength (?/4) retardation film on a lower surface of the adhesive layer. An absolute orthogonal b-coordinate value based on a CIELAB color coordinate system of the polarizing plate may be approximately 3 or less when the polarizing plate is stacked with a reference polarizing plate having a degree of polarization of at least 99.9% such that an angle between the absorption axis of the polarizer and an absorption axis of a polarizer of the reference polarizing plate or an angle between the transmission axis of the polarizer and a transmission axis of the polarizer of the reference polarizing plate is 90°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: CHEIL INDUSTRIES INC.
    Inventors: Eun Kyeong Seo, Mun Bo Ko, Min Jung Kim, Yong Woon Kim, Ki Ho Park, Jung Kyu Lee
  • Patent number: 9261637
    Abstract: A light guide plate has a light introduction part having an end face configured to have light incident thereon, and a light guide plate body disposed continuously to the light introduction part and comprising a thickness smaller than a maximum thickness of the light introduction part. The light guide plate body has a light emitting surface that emits the light incident from the end face. The light introduction part comprises an inclined face disposed on at least one side of the light guide plate. The inclined face is inclined smoothly from a surface of a part thicker than the light guide plate body toward an end of the light guide plate body. An optical pattern part has a linear pattern element is disposed near a region in a proximity of the inclined face in a face on a light exit side of the light guide plate body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: OMRON Corporation
    Inventors: Masayuki Shinohara, Kazuhide Hirota, Norikazu Kitamura, Takako Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 9261638
    Abstract: A flexible light guide film having a light-adjusting structure in the form of a lenticular-like microstructure on the bottom side of the light guide film. The light guide film has a substrate layer supporting a layer light-adjusting structure, which is in the form of an array of longitudinal lenticular lenses laterally arranged in parallel. A prismatic-like microstructure may be provided on the top light emitting side of the light guide film. The light guide film is fabricated by a process involving coating/embossing of a roll of sheet material, in a roll-to-roll continuous process. Advantages includes significantly reducing the thickness of the light guide film, and the roll-to-roll fabrication process provides for more precise replication of the microstructures on the master mold or drum onto the surface of the light guide film, which in turn reduces the failure rate and manufacturing cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: UBRIGHT OPTRONICS Corporation
    Inventors: Kong-Hua Wang, Kai-Jing Wang, Fang-Chun Yeh, Ching-An Yang, Yi-Chun Huang
  • Patent number: 9261639
    Abstract: An optical display device comprises a light source, a pixelated display panel, and a light guide to collect light from the light source and to transport the light via total internal reflection. A first surface of the light guide includes recessed regions having a circular-based profile, such as a quarter-circle profile, to reflect the light from the light guide to the pixelated display panel. A first optical layer covering at least a portion of the first surface of the light guide fills the recessed regions included in the first surface of the light guide. A second optical layer covering at least a portion of a second surface of the light guide transmits the reflected light to the pixelated display panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Modilis Holdings LLC
    Inventor: Tero Johannes Tuohioja
  • Patent number: 9261640
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display apparatus includes a liquid crystal display panel including a liquid crystal cell between first second polarizing plates; and a surface light source device. The surface light source device includes a light source unit, a light guide plate for outputting first directivity light having directivity of maximum intensity in a first direction, which forms a predetermined angle from a normal direction of the light output surface in a plane approximately parallel to a light guiding direction of light, and having a high ratio of a polarized light component oscillating in the plane and a prism sheet being configured to convert the first directivity light into second directivity light directed in a second direction within a predetermined angle from the normal direction of the light output surface of the light guide plate while substantially maintaining a polarization state of the first directivity light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignees: KEIO UNIVERSITY, DAI NIPPON PRINTING CO., LTD., NITTO DENKO CORPORATION, NITTO JUSHI KOGYO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Koike, Runa Nakamura, Fumihiro Arakawa, Hiroshi Yamamoto, Takehito Fuchida, Shouhei Maezawa, Hiroyuki Takemoto, Nao Murakami, Tsuyoshi Ishikawa, Eizaburo Higuchi
  • Patent number: 9261641
    Abstract: Dual-sided optical films have extended prisms formed in one major surface, and extended lenslets formed in an opposite major surface. Some or all of the prisms are compound prisms, in which the two inclined surfaces of each compound prism each include a tip portion, a base portion, and an intermediate portion disposed between the tip portion and the base portion, the intermediate and tip portions forming a concave shape and the intermediate and base portions forming a convex shape, or vice versa. When obliquely incident light, e.g. from a light guide, is incident on the prism side of the film, an output beam emerges from the lenslet side of the film. The output beam has an intensity distribution with a sharp left beam edge and a sharp right beam edge, these beam edges having 10%-to-90% transition angles of no more than 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, or 2 degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Michael J. Sykora, John A. Wheatley
  • Patent number: 9261642
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a light guide member. The light guide member comprises a plurality of light guide sheets each including: a body having a curved shape; a plurality of scattering particulates dispersed in the body; a light exiting layer positioned on an outer surface of the body; and a light reflecting layer positioned on an inner surface of the body. Each of the light guide sheets has two end surfaces and two side surfaces, and at least one of the two end surfaces is used to guide light into each of the light guide sheets. The light guide member is formed by the plurality of light guide sheet connected side by side through the side surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: BOE Technology Group Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shang Wang
  • Patent number: 9261643
    Abstract: Lightguide is disclosed. The lightguide includes a staircase shape optical construction that includes a plurality of light reflecting risers. At least two of the risers include non-parallel light reflecting portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: David A. Ender
  • Patent number: 9261644
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for stabilizing a tremolo system in a string instrument, the tremolo system having a block and a number of tensioners in extension from the block. One aspect of the invention includes an apparatus, mountable to the string instrument, and having a first retainer to engage a first one of the tensioners and a second retainer to engage a second one of the tensioners, wherein the first retainer is closer to the block than is the second retainer when the apparatus is mounted to the string instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Scott Nicholas Dante Lionello
    Inventor: Scott Nicholas Dante Lionello
  • Patent number: 9261646
    Abstract: An optical fiber with a large effective area includes a core layer and a cladding layer. The core layer comprises an inner core layer having a radius of 1-4 ?m and a relative refractive index difference ?12 of ?0.2%??12<0% relative to the outer core layer, and an outer core layer having a radius of 4-7 ?m and a relative refractive index difference ?2 of ?0.15%-0.05%. ?12 remains unchanged or increases as the radius of the inner core layer increases. The cladding layer comprises an inner cladding layer cladding the core layer and having a radius of 7-20 ?m and a relative refractive index difference ?3 of ?0.5%˜?0.1%, a depressed cladding layer has a radius of 12-40 ?m, and a relative refractive index difference ?4 of ?1.0%˜?0.3%, and an outer cladding layer having a relative refractive index difference ?5 of ?0.2%˜?0.4%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: YANGTZE OPTICAL FIBRE AND CABLE JOINT STOCK LIMITED COMPANY
    Inventors: Su Chen, Chen Yang, Beibei Cao, Weijun Tong, Jie Luo
  • Patent number: 9261647
    Abstract: Quasi-phase matched (QPM), semiconductor photonic waveguides include periodically-poled alternating first and second sections. The first sections exhibit a high degree of optical coupling (abbreviated “X2”), while the second sections have a low X2. The alternating first and second sections may comprise high-strain and low-strain sections made of different material states (such as crystalline and amorphous material states) that exhibit high and low X2 properties when formed on a particular substrate, and/or strained corrugated sections of different widths. The QPM semiconductor waveguides may be implemented as silicon-on-insulator (SOI), or germanium-on-silicon structures compatible with standard CMOS processes, or as silicon-on-sapphire (SOS) structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Johathan Albert Cox, Peter Thomas Rakich
  • Patent number: 9261648
    Abstract: A plasmonic structure comprises a substrate and an electro conductor provided in or on the substrate. The electro conductor comprises a first part configured to provide a first series of plasmon resonance modes (for incident radiation of a first wavelength) and a second part configured to provide a second series of plasmon resonance modes (for incident radiation of a second wavelength). The first and second parts are functionally connected in a linkage region, wherein the electro conductor is shaped such as to form a capacitive gap. The electro conductor is further configured to direct radiation incident on the plasmonic structure of the first wavelength predominantly toward a first direction and to direct radiation incident on the plasmonic structure of the second wavelength predominantly toward a second direction, in which the first direction and the second direction are separated by an angle of at least 60°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignees: IMEC VZW, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, KU LEUVEN R&D
    Inventor: Dries Vercruysse
  • Patent number: 9261649
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a semiconductor optical waveguide device includes the steps of forming a waveguide mesa having first and second portions by etching a stacked semiconductor layer through a first mask; forming a dummy buried region embedding a top surface and side surfaces of the waveguide mesa; forming a second mask on the dummy buried region, the second mask having an opening on the first portion and having a pattern on the second portion; forming a third mask having an opening that reaches a top surface of the first portion, the third mask including a dummy buried mask formed by etching the dummy buried region through the second mask; forming an upper mesa by etching the waveguide mesa through the third mask; and after removing the third mask, forming a lower mesa by etching the stacked semiconductor layer, the lower mesa having a greater width than that of the upper mesa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: SUMITOMO ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Takamitsu Kitamura, Hideki Yagi, Naoya Kono
  • Patent number: 9261650
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for flexible configuring of optical fibers to illuminate digital projectors. The optical fibers are attached to various positions of a configurable back plane assembly and a condensing assembly condenses the light beams prior to launch into the projector. Horizontal and vertical launch symmetries are maintained for any number of optical fibers between 1 and 9.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Laser Light Engines, Inc.
    Inventors: John Arntsen, Barret Lippey
  • Patent number: 9261651
    Abstract: Ferrule assemblies having at least one coded magnetic array are disclosed. In one embodiment, a ferrule assembly includes a ferrule body having a coupling surface and a coded magnetic array having a plurality of magnetic regions. The coded magnetic array may be located within the coupling surface. The ferrule assembly further includes a lens component located within the ferrule body. The lens component may have a facet at the coupling surface of the ferrule body at a predetermined angle. In another embodiment, a translating ferrule assembly includes an optical interface and a coded magnetic array, and is configured to translate within a connector housing of an optical connector when coupled to an electronics device. Optical couplings having a coded magnetic array and sockets for receiving a connector are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: CORNING OPTICAL COMMUNICATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Seldon David Benjamin, Jeffery Alan DeMeritt, Micah Colen Isenhour, Dennis Michael Knecht, James Phillip Luther
  • Patent number: 9261652
    Abstract: An opto-electronic apparatus comprises a substrate for supporting a plurality of components forming an opto-electronic assembly and an optical component attached to the substrate with an adhesive material, such as a solder or epoxy. The optical component is formed to include a plurality of bond slots disposed in parallel across at least a portion of the bottom surface of the optical component, the plurality of bond slots providing a path for a liquid adhesive material and improving the ability to displace the liquid adhesive material as the component is pressed into the surface of the substrate during the attachment process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: CISCO TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: John Fangman, Vipulkumar Patel, Ravinder Kachru
  • Patent number: 9261653
    Abstract: A fiber optic plug assembly for a fiber optic cable includes a plug body and cable attachment element. The plug body has a main portion with a front end and back end and at least one latching arm extending from the main portion. The cable attachment element has a front portion received in the back end of the main portion of the plug body, a rear portion located outside of the plug body, and a passage configured to allow at least one optical fiber to extend through the cable attachment element and into the main portion of the plug body. The rear portion of the cable attachment element receives at least a portion of the at least one latching arm. An optical connector system with a fiber optic plug assembly is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: CORNING CABLE SYSTEMS LLC
    Inventors: Micah Colen Isenhour, Dennis Michael Knecht, James Phillip Luther
  • Patent number: 9261654
    Abstract: Structures, devices and methods are provided for creating fiber optic adapter plates with integrated fiber optic adapters. In one aspect, fiber optic adapter plates having integrated fiber optic adapter subassemblies are formed from a moldable plastic. For example, a molded plastic fiber optic adapter plate can include a molded plastic adapter back plate having a plurality of integrated fiber optic adapter subassemblies and one or more attachment mechanisms that facilitate locating and attaching an adapter front plate having a corresponding plurality of integrated fiber optic adapter subassemblies on the adapter front plate. Advantages provided by integrating fiber optic adapters into the molded plastic assemblies include superior mechanical strength, manufacturing cost reductions and adapter placement flexibility among other advantages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: LEVITON MANUFACTURING CO., INC.
    Inventors: James Murphy, Tom Sauter, Loren Borg, Michael Everett
  • Patent number: 9261655
    Abstract: A connector having a ferrule, and a translucent or transparent covering membrane sealingly bonded with the ferrule by a paste zone and blanking the opening of the connector. The covering membrane being detachable from the ferrule by peeling and having a strip for gripping the membrane during peeling. The covering membrane having a line defining an easy cutting path to prevent its re-installment on the ferrule after its peel off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: SOURIAU
    Inventors: Vanessa Pagot, Vincent Metzger, Alain Philippe
  • Patent number: 9261656
    Abstract: An optical lens connector includes a flat lens and substantially flat alignment surfaces. A lens body has a planar surface, and an optical lens is disposed in the lens body. The lens is a GRIN lens with a flat optical surface through which a light signal is propagated. The flat surface of the optical lens and the connector face enables the lens to be cleaned, and can reduce degradation due to contamination. The lens body can be housed in a sleeve as a rail guide to provide alignment of the lens with a mating connector lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Qi Qi, Jamyuen Ko
  • Patent number: 9261657
    Abstract: An optical fiber array connector includes a ribbon fiber and a ribbon fiber holder. The ribbon fiber includes optical fibers having fixed pitch. The ribbon fiber holder includes a connection plate and a support member connected to the connection plate. The connection plate defines a ribbon shaped through hole. The support member includes a top surface and two rails. The two rails are supported by the top surface and parallel to each other. The two rails and the top surface cooperatively define a ribbon shaped receiving channel. The ribbon shaped receiving channel communicates with the ribbon shaped through hole. The ribbon fiber is received in the ribbon shaped receiving channel. The optical fibers are received in the ribbon shaped through hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Chang-Wei Kuo
  • Patent number: 9261658
    Abstract: A method for fastening a fiber optic connector to a fiber optic cable including providing a fiber optic cable having at least one optical fiber, loose yarn serving as strength members and an outer cable sheath surrounding the loose yarn and optical fiber; providing a fiber optic connector having at least two recesses into which strength members of a fiber optic cable can be inserted; removing a portion of the outer cable sheath at an end of the fiber optic cable, thereby exposing a portion of the loose yarn at the end of the fiber optic cable; splitting the exposed portion of the loose yarn into at least two bundles; forming at least two yarn pins from the bundles; and inserting each yarn pin into a respective recess of the fiber optic connector and fastening using an adhesive. Also disclosed is the cable assembly made by the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: CCS TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Tomasz Andrzejewski, Bert Zamzow