Patents Issued in January 24, 2017
  • Patent number: 9551801
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed relating to wide towing of marine survey signal sources. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a signal source and a wing coupled to the signal source. In this embodiment, the wing is configured to impart a force to the signal source when towed through a body of water by a survey vessel. In this embodiment, the force includes a lateral component and a vertical component. The wing may be configured to impart the force based on a shape of the wing and an orientation of the wing. The wing may extend over at least a third of a length of a keel of the apparatus. At least a majority of a top surface of the wing may be oriented within 20 degrees of parallel to a surface of the body of water. The wing may include a plurality of wing sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignees: PGS Geophysical AS, National University of Singapore
    Inventors: Chan Ghee Koh, Anders Goran Mattsson
  • Patent number: 9551802
    Abstract: A method and towed sonic array system for defocusing the beampattern of the towed sonic array. The method includes determining an amplitude adjustment and a phase adjustment for each of the sonic projectors; and driving each of the sonic projectors with a drive signal modified by the amplitude adjustment and the phase adjustment for that sonic projector. The amplitude adjustment and phase adjustment for each of the sonic projectors are, at least in part, based upon the distance from that sonic projector to a virtual source. The location of the virtual source may be selected so as to achieve different beampatterns, including wide-sector beams and, in at least one case, a near-omni-directional beampattern. The drive signal may include multiple frequency components, in which case the method may be used to find a set of beamformer coefficients for each of the frequency components and an inverse transform may be used to realize a defocused driving signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: ULTRA ELECTRONICS MARITIME SYSTEMS INC.
    Inventor: Olivier Beslin
  • Patent number: 9551803
    Abstract: Systems and methods for geological medium exploration are provided herein. A method of geological medium exploration may include generating vibrations in a geological medium and recording wave-fields at a surface and in a borehole. Additionally, the method may include obtaining a wave field modification operator and applying the wave-field operator to a full range of seismic data to achieve a spectrally-modified wave field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Colorado School of Mines
    Inventors: Thomas Leonard Davis, Halina Jedrzejowska-Tyczkowska, Krystyna Zukowska, Irena Irlik
  • Patent number: 9551804
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a wearable motion detection device (12) configured for detecting body-to-ground proximity, and to a related method. The motion detection device (12) comprising a capacitance detection unit (70) arranged to detect body-to-ground capacitance, the capacitance detection unit (70) comprising a first electrode (30) arranged to contact a body portion (16) of a monitored subject, when the device (12) is worn, a second electrode (32) that is arranged separately from but operatively connected with the first electrode (30), a shield electrode (34) that is arranged to shield the second electrode (32) from the first electrode (30), the device (12) further comprising a control unit (74) arranged to determine, under consideration of a body-to-ground capacitance signal provided by the capacitance detection unit (70), whether a fall event occurs. The present disclosure further relates to a corresponding computer program for implementing a motion detection method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Patrick Kechichian, Warner Rudolph Theophile Ten Kate, Wilhelmus Andreas Marinus Arnoldus Maria Van Den Dungen
  • Patent number: 9551805
    Abstract: An inductive wireless power device comprises a transmitter configured to generate an electromagnetic field to a coupling region for wireless power transfer to a receiver, and control logic configured to determine a coupling coefficient of the wireless power transfer when the receiver is within the coupling region. The control logic also determines a presence of a foreign object within the coupling region responsive to a comparison of the determined coupling coefficient and an expected coupling coefficient for the wireless power transfer. An inductive wireless power device comprises a receiver configured to couple with an electromagnetic field in a coupling region for inductive wireless power transfer from a transmitter. The receiver is configured to alter a wireless power transfer characteristic of the transmitter for a determination of a presence of a foreign object within the coupling region responsive to a determination of a coupling coefficient of the wireless power transfer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: INTEGRATED DEVICE TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventor: Manjit Singh
  • Patent number: 9551806
    Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for evaluating an earth formation. Methods may include inducing a current in the formation; measuring a time-dependent transient electromagnetic (TEM) signal induced by the formation responsive to the current; and estimating apparent resistivity values for each of a plurality of samples derived from the TEM measurement, wherein each sample corresponds to a discrete time window of the TEM measurement. Estimating the apparent resistivity values for each of the samples includes determining for each sample a simulated homogeneous formation that provides a best fit for the sample. The apparent resistivity values may be used to estimate distance to an interface. The apparent resistivity values or the estimated distance may be logged and the log displayed. The apparent resistivity values, the estimated distance, or the log may be used to conduct further operations in a borehole, including geosteering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Fei Le, Gregory B. Itskovich, Steven A. Morris, Sushant M. Dutta
  • Patent number: 9551807
    Abstract: Technologies applicable to NMR detection of water and hydrocarbons during induced alteration processes are disclosed. NMR measurements may be used to monitor properties of subsurface fluids within a subsurface formation. NMR measurement devices may be deployed proximal to or within a subsurface formation that contains hydrocarbons. Multiple NMR measurements may be performed during an induced alteration process applied to the subsurface formation to determine properties of the subsurface formation or fluid as the induced alteration process progresses. Changes in properties of the subsurface formation or fluid may be determined and may be used to determine efficacy of, optimize, or otherwise modify the induced alteration process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: VISTA CLARA INC.
    Inventors: David O. Walsh, Elliot D. Grunewald
  • Patent number: 9551808
    Abstract: A CT apparatus without a gantry. The CT apparatus includes a scanning passage; a stationary X-ray source arranged around the scanning passage and including a plurality of ray emission focal spots; and a plurality of stationary detector modules arranged around the scanning passage and disposed opposite the X-ray source. At least some of the plurality of detector modules may be arranged substantially in an L shape, a semicircular shape, a U shape, an arc shape, a parabolic shape, or a curve shape when viewed in a plane intersecting the scanning passage. The invention ensures that the stationary gantry type CT system has a small size, and a high data identification accuracy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: NUTECH COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Jinyu Zhang, Hu Tang, Zhanjun Duan, Li Zhang, Ziran Zhao
  • Patent number: 9551809
    Abstract: A downhole property measurement apparatus includes an optical fiber having a series fiber Bragg gratings with interleaved resonant wavelengths such that adjacent fiber Bragg gratings have different resonant wavelengths and a difference between adjacent resonant wavelengths is greater than a dynamic wavelength range of each of the adjacent fiber Bragg gratings. An optical interrogator is in optical communication with the optical fiber and configured to emit a frequency domain light signal having a swept wavelength for a first time duration and a chirp having a modulation of amplitude with a varying of wavelength for a second time duration that is less than the first time duration. A return light signal is transformed by the optical interrogator into a time domain to determine a resonant wavelength shift and corresponding location of each of the gratings. A processor converts the resonant wavelength shifts into the downhole property.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Alexander M. Barry, Brooks Childers, Roger Duncan
  • Patent number: 9551810
    Abstract: A capsule comprising two non-directly contacting halves enables otherwise coupling loads between experiment and gauging to be re-routed through the outer-most portable body (e.g. a logging sonde housing) having substantial inertia, thus serving to attenuate the parasitic loads. For co-located leveled experiment and gauging, a pair of concentric bearings (shaft in shaft) is utilized. Independent bearing sets and shock/vibration isolation support each capsule half within the outer sonde housing. A first half of the capsule supports the experiment, which the second half supports the gauging apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas J. Meyer
  • Patent number: 9551811
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for acoustic calibration of a towed hydrophone line array. In a very low frequency band, calibration is performed using a surrounding ambient acoustic noise environment observed by one or more calibrated reference standard hydrophones and hydrophone channels of the array being calibrated. The array hydrophone sensitivities are computed by comparing output voltages of the array hydrophones with the output voltages of one or more calibrated reference hydrophones. The method extends the low frequency limit for the calibration of a towed hydrophone line array to substantially less than the minimum frequency at which the acoustic projectors commonly used for acoustic calibrations can transmit a useful acoustic signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Steven E. Crocker
  • Patent number: 9551812
    Abstract: An adhesive composition, an adhesive layer, an optical member, and an adhesive sheet, the adhesive composition including 100 parts by weight of a (meth)acrylic copolymer, the (meth)acrylic copolymer having a weight average molecular weight of about 100,000 to about 2,000,000 g/mol; about 0.05 to about 5 parts by weight of a carbodiimide crosslinker; and about 0.01 to about 0.3 parts by weight of an organic group-containing compound, the organic group-containing compound including at least one selected from the group of titanium, zirconium, and hafnium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: CHEIL INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Hirosh Ogawa, Tatsuhiro Suwa
  • Patent number: 9551813
    Abstract: An optical film including cellulose acylate and a compound represented by General Formula (I) described below, a polarizing plate, and a liquid crystal display device; R1 and R3 represent hydrogen atoms, alkyl groups having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, cycloalkyl groups having 3 to 20 carbon atoms, alkenyl groups having 2 to 20 carbon atoms, or aromatic groups having 6 to 20 carbon atoms. R5 represents a hydrogen atom, an unsubstituted alkyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, a cycloalkyl group having 3 to 20 carbon atoms, an alkenyl group having 2 to 20 carbon atoms, or an aralkyl group represented by -L5-Ar5 (L5 represents an alkylene group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms and Ar5 represents an aromatic group having 6 to 20 carbon atoms). Here, the total of ring structures present in R1, R3, and R5 is one or two.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: FUJIFILM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Aiko Yoshida, Yutaka Nozoe, Yoshinori Kanazawa, Yasukazu Kuwayama, Yu Naito
  • Patent number: 9551814
    Abstract: In a method for manufacturing a structure of curable material, a first structure from a first curable material is molded and cured on a substrate, and a second structure of a second curable material is molded and cured on a first surface of the first structure facing away from the substrate, so that at the first surface of the first structure a boundary surface forms between the first and second structures so that the first structure is not covered by the second structure in a passage area. A solvent is introduced into the passage area to dissolve the first curable material of the first structure so that a cavity forms between the second structure and the first surface of the substrate. After curing, the first curable material is soluble and the second curable material is insoluble for the solvent. An optical component and an optical layer stack are made of curable material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.
    Inventors: Frank Wippermann, Jacques Duparre, Peter Dannberg, Andreas Braeuer
  • Patent number: 9551815
    Abstract: There is provided a metal-based particle assembly comprising 30 or more metal-based particles separated from each other and disposed in two dimensions, the metal-based particles having an average particle diameter in a range of from 200 to 1600 nm, an average height in a range of from 55 to 500 nm, and an aspect ratio, as defined by a ratio of the average particle diameter to the average height, in a range of from 1 to 8, wherein the metal-based particle assembly has in an absorption spectrum for a visible light region a maximum wavelength of a peak at a longest side in wavelength, and an absorbance at the maximum wavelength is higher as compared with that of a reference metal-based particle assembly, on the premise that the numbers of the metal-based particles are the same. The metal-based particle assembly of the present invention presents significantly intense plasmon resonance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY, LIMITED
    Inventor: Tomohiro Fukuura
  • Patent number: 9551816
    Abstract: Retroreflecting optical constructions are disclosed. A disclosed retroreflecting optical construction includes a retroreflecting layer that has a retroreflecting structured major surface, and an optical film that is disposed on the retroreflecting structured major surface of the retroreflecting layer. The optical film has an optical haze that is not less than about 30%. Substantial portions of each two neighboring major surfaces in the retroreflecting optical construction are in physical contact with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: William D. Coggio, John S. Huizinga, Michael L. Steiner, Robert F. Watkins, Encai Hao, William B. Kolb, Peiwang Zhu, Michael Benton Free, Brant U. Kolb, Kui Chen-Ho, Paul E. Humpal, Scott M. Tapio, Kenneth L. Smith
  • Patent number: 9551817
    Abstract: The present invention relates to composite polymeric particles for use as infrared reflectors in optical bandpass applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: ROHM AND HAAS COMPANY
    Inventors: Edward Greer, Brian Einsla, Susan Fitzwater
  • Patent number: 9551818
    Abstract: A broadband partial reflector includes a first multilayer polymeric optical film having a total number of optical repeating units from a first side to a second side of the first multilayer polymeric optical film and a second multilayer polymeric optical film having a total number of optical repeating units from a first side to a second side of the second multilayer polymeric optical film and an intermediate layer on the second side of the multilayer polymeric optical film separates the first multilayer polymeric optical film from the second multilayer polymeric optical film. The first multilayer polymeric optical film has a first baseline optical repeating unit thickness profile and a first apodized optical repeating unit thickness profile monotonically deviating from the first baseline optical repeating unit thickness profile and defining the second side of the first multilayer polymeric optical film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Michael F. Weber, Timothy J. Nevitt, John A. Wheatley
  • Patent number: 9551819
    Abstract: The present application relates to a method for manufacturing a polarized light splitting element and a polarized light splitting element. The present application can provide: a method for manufacturing the polarized light splitting element having excellent polarized light splitting ability and light-transmission ability through a simple and efficient process; and the polarized light splitting element having the excellent polarized light splitting ability and the light transmission ability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventors: Jin Mi Jung, Jong Byung Lee, Bu Gon Shin, Jae Jin Kim
  • Patent number: 9551820
    Abstract: A reflection-mode waveplate for operation in the terahertz region by shifting the phase between two perpendicular polarization components of the light wave, comprising a ground plane; an array of polygonal unit cells; the polygonal unit cells comprising a polymer positioned between the ground plane and the exterior of the array of polygonal patches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Grace D. Metcalfe, Michael Wraback, Andrew Clare Strikwerda, Richard Douglas Averitt, Kebin Fan, Xin Zhang
  • Patent number: 9551821
    Abstract: A light-emitting device comprises: a substrate that holds one end of connection terminals and on which is mounted an electronic component; a light-emitting element that is mounted on one face of the substrate; a support member on which the substrate is mounted; and a cover section that positionally locates and holds the substrate, by mounting on the support member in a condition abutting one face of the substrate. The cover section has a cover section body that covers one face of the substrate; on the cover section body, a light guide is provided, through which passes the light that is emitted from the light emitting element, in a condition in which movement thereof is restricted along directions on either side of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: TS Tech Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masanori Suzuki
  • Patent number: 9551822
    Abstract: A display device including a light source; a wavelength conversion member to convert a wavelength of light generated from the light source; a light guide member to guide the light converted by the wavelength conversion member; and an adhering member. In addition, the wavelength conversion member includes a first surface facing the light source; a second surface facing the light guide member; a top surface extending from the first surface to the second surface; and a bottom surface facing the top surface. Furthermore, the adhering member is disposed on the top surface and the bottom surface. Also, the wavelength conversion member includes a tube, the tube receives a sealing member, an air layer and a matrix therein, and the air layer is formed between the sealing member and the matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: LG INNOTEK CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Jin Ho Lee
  • Patent number: 9551823
    Abstract: A backlight module is provided, including a circuit board, a plurality of light-emitting elements, a frame, and a plurality of first and second light-reflecting portions. The light-emitting elements are disposed on the circuit board and separated from each other. The frame includes a base plate and two lateral plates extended from the base plate, wherein the circuit board is disposed on the base plate. The first and second light-reflecting portions are disposed on at least one of the lateral plates and arranged in a staggered manner. The first light-reflecting portions are closer to the light-emitting elements than the second light-reflecting portions. The reflectivity of the second light-reflecting portions exceeds that of the first light-reflecting portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Lextar Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Ku-Cheng Lin
  • Patent number: 9551824
    Abstract: A light guide plate has a light exit surface, a back surface opposed to the light exit surface, and a light entrance surface consisting of at least part of a side surface. The light guide plate also has a body portion, and a light exit-side layer formed from an ionizing radiation curable resin. The light exit-side layer includes an optical element portion which defines the light exit surface. The optical element portion includes unit shaped elements arranged in one direction intersecting a light guide direction, each unit shaped element extending linearly in a direction intersecting the one direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Yamamoto, Hiroshi Sekiguchi, Masahiro Goto, Keiji Kashima
  • Patent number: 9551825
    Abstract: A light emitting diode package for a directional display may comprise light emitting diodes and a protection diode. The protection diode may be arranged in a well that is at a different location to the well that the light emitting diodes are arranged. The directional display may include a waveguide. The waveguide may include light extraction features arranged to direct light from an array of light sources by total internal reflection to an array of viewing windows and a reflector arranged to direct light from the waveguide by transmission through extraction features of the waveguide to the same array of viewing windows. The brightness of the directional display can be increased. An efficient and bright directional display system can be achieved. Efficient light baffling for light escaping from the edge of the waveguide is achieved through light deflecting extraction films.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: RealD Spark, LLC
    Inventors: Graham J. Woodgate, Michael G. Robinson, Jonathan Harrold
  • Patent number: 9551826
    Abstract: The backlight module includes a front frame, a backboard, a heat sink, a light source and a light guide plate. A quantum dot unit is arranged between the light guide plate and the light source. The heat sink, light source and light guide plate are arranged on the backboard, with the heat sink fixing the quantum dot unit to the backboard. The backlight module further includes a middle frame arranged between the backboard and the front frame, and coupled to the heat sink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: SHENZHEN CHINA STAR OPTOELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Quan Li
  • Patent number: 9551827
    Abstract: The disclosure generally relates to efficient hollow light duct bends (200) that are capable of retaining a higher on-axis transmission for partially collimated light propagating within a light duct (220, 230). In particular, the described hollow light duct bends (200) include input and output plates (214, 216) that have low reflectivity for near nonnal incident light, and high reflectivity for near grazing incident light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Steven H. Kong, David G. Freier
  • Patent number: 9551828
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical fiber containing a glass fiber and a resinous coating layer that covers a periphery of the glass fiber, in which the resinous coating layer contains an ethanol of 10 mg or less or a methanol of 2 mg or less per gram of the resinous coating layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: SUMITOMO ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Kumiko Tachibana, Masuo Iida, Takashi Fujii
  • Patent number: 9551829
    Abstract: A photoacoustic detection device including a nanophotonic circuit including a first chip on which is formed at least one optical waveguide and in which is formed a set of cavities defining a Helmholtz resonator; at least one optical source capable of emitting an optical signal in a given wavelength range, capable of being modulated at an acoustic modulation frequency, this source being attached to the first chip; a second chip forming a cap for said cavities and including acoustic sensors; and electronic circuits for processing the output of the acoustic sensors formed in the first or the second chip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignees: Commissariat a l'energie atomique et aux energies alternatives, Universite De Reims Champagne Ardenne
    Inventors: Mickaël Brun, Sergio Nicoletti, Bertrand Parvitte, Virginie Zeninari
  • Patent number: 9551830
    Abstract: A method of reversible spatial mode selection and conversion between waveguides and free space is presented using a multiplexed volume Bragg grating (MVBG). The MVBG has an inherent angular selectivity, providing different losses for different transverse modes and converting a higher order mode in waveguide to a single fundamental mode in free space. Using the device in a resonator allows for a pure higher order mode to be guided and amplified in the gain medium, to increase the mode area, to extract accumulated excitation more efficiently, and, therefore, to increase gain of the amplifier. In the same resonator, the device is able to convert the higher order mode to a high brightness Gaussian beam in free space or to a fundamental mode in a waveguide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: University of Central Florida Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Anderson, Ivan Divliansky, Leonid Glebov, Daniel Ott, Evan Hale, George Venus
  • Patent number: 9551831
    Abstract: A pluggable LC adaptor comprises a LC adaptor housing and an assembly, wherein the assembly is disposed in the LC adaptor housing. The assembly comprises: a first fiber collimator having a first lens; a first LC ferrule; a first fiber, where the first fiber is partially disposed inside the first LC ferrule and partially disposed inside the first fiber collimator; a second fiber collimator having a second lens; a second LC ferrule; a second fiber, where the second fiber is partially disposed inside the second LC ferrule and partially disposed inside the second fiber collimator; and an optical passive element disposed between the first collimator and the second collimator. The optical passive element may be a thin film filter or an isolator core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Alliance Fiber Optic Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Xiaotao Peng, Shiping Zhang, Kuofu Hsu, Andy Fenglei Zhou
  • Patent number: 9551832
    Abstract: An optical source is described. This optical source includes a semiconductor optical amplifier, with a semiconductor other than silicon, which provides an optical gain medium. In addition, a photonic chip, optically coupled to the semiconductor optical amplifier, includes: a first optical waveguide that conveys at least a portion of the optical signal, and a second optical waveguide that conveys at least another portion of the optical signal. Moreover, the photonic chip includes a distributed-Bragg-reflector (DBR) ring resonator that is optically coupled to the first optical waveguide and the second optical waveguide, and that reflects a tunable wavelength in the optical signal. Furthermore, a monitor on the photonic chip measures at least the other portion of the optical signal, and control logic on the photonic chip thermally tunes the tunable wavelength of the DBR ring resonator based on the measurement of at least the other portion of the optical signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: ORACLE INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jock T. Bovington, Ashok V. Krishnamoorthy
  • Patent number: 9551833
    Abstract: An apparatus for multiplexing and demultiplexing comprises: a substrate having a first surface and a second surface, where the second surface is opposite to the first surface; a first fiber array unit disposed on the first surface of the substrate and a second fiber array unit disposed on the second surface of the substrate, where a plurality of fibers in a fiber array unit are arranged in an array on a chip; a first microlens array disposed on the first surface of the substrate and a second microlens array disposed on the second surface of the substrate; a plurality of thin film filters disposed on the first and second surface of the substrate, where each thin film filter transmits light having a different wavelength band; a fiber collimator disposed on the first surface of the substrate; a turning prism disposed at an edge of the substrate for turning light from the first surface to the second surface of the substrate or also turning light from the second surface to the first surface of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Alliance Fiber Optic Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Yao Li, Fenfei Liu, Xiaotao Peng, Andy Fenglei Zhou
  • Patent number: 9551834
    Abstract: A method to assemble a transmitter optical module is disclosed, where the optical module installs two lenses, one of which concentrates an optical beam emitted from a laser diode, while, the other collimates the optical beam concentrated by the former lens. The method has a feature that the first lens is firstly positioned in a point to collimate the optical beam coming from the laser diode, then, moved to a point, which is apart from the former point with respect to the laser diode, to concentrate the optical beam. The process performs the steps to position the lens by a jig to extract the optical beam passing through the first lens outside of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Munetaka Kurokawa, Tomoya Saeki, Yasushi Fujimura
  • Patent number: 9551835
    Abstract: A GRIN lens array of an embodiment has a structure for enabling a coupling face in which lens end faces of GRIN lenses are arranged, to be accurately polished so as to have a desired angle relative to optical axes of the GRIN lenses. The GRIN lens array has the GRIN lenses and a main body portion. The main body portion comprises a holding portion having a coupling face, and an edge portion having a reference face to be used as a reference in polishing of the coupling face. The respective thicknesses of the holding portion and the edge portion along the longitudinal direction of the GRIN lenses are set so as to form a step between the coupling face and the reference face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: SUMITOMO ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Dai Sasaki, Masaki Ohmura, Osamu Shimakawa, Hajime Arao, Yuuichi Mitose, Takuro Watanabe, Motoyoshi Kimura
  • Patent number: 9551836
    Abstract: An optical switch fabric includes horizontal optical waveguides including a first set and a second set, the first set is configured to receive a first plurality of wavelengths from the one or more external switches and the second set is configured to send a second plurality of wavelengths to the one or more external switches; wavelength-selective drop optical switches associated with the first set, wherein the wavelength-selective drop optical switches are each configured to drop a selected wavelength from a horizontal optical waveguide of the first set to an associated vertical optical waveguide of vertical optical waveguides; and controllable optical switches associated with the vertical optical waveguides, wherein the controllable optical switches are each configured to direct a selected wavelength from a vertical optical waveguide to a horizontal optical waveguide of the second set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Ciena Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Y. Frankel, Michael Gazier, Joseph Berthold
  • Patent number: 9551837
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to silicon optical line multiplexers. In an embodiment, an optical line multiplexer includes at least one microprism etched from a silicon substrate. Another embodiment includes a plurality of these microprisms forming an array. In use, a light beam is guided through the multiplexer device such that it impinges on a line of microprisms that, depending upon their orientation, either reflect/deflect or transmit the beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventor: Thoralf Kautzsch
  • Patent number: 9551838
    Abstract: An optical bridge for switching between a plurality of electrical chips, the optical bridge comprising: a passive optical router; and a plurality of Bridge Interface Chips optically connected to the passive optical router; each Bridge Interface Chip being connectable to one of the plurality of electrical chips to form a connection between that electrical chip and the passive optical router at which electrical signals from the electrical chip are converted into wavelength tunable modulated optical signals for transmission to the passive optical router and at which an optical signals from the passive optical router are converted into electrical signals to be received by the electrical chip; wherein each Bridge Interface Chip includes a wavelength tunable laser input and a modulator for modulating the wavelength tunable laser input to provide the wavelength tunable modulated optical signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Rockley Photonics Limited
    Inventors: Haydn Frederick Jones, Andrew George Rickman, Aaron Zilkie
  • Patent number: 9551839
    Abstract: An optical fiber assembly includes at least one optical component configured to deliver light from a first end to a second end opposite the first end. The at least one optical component includes at least one localized heat-sensitive area that emits increased temperatures with respect to remaining areas of the at least one optical fiber in response to light traveling through the localized heat-sensitive area. The optical fiber assembly further includes a nanoparticle heat sink that contacts the optical component and that completely surrounds the localized heat-sensitive area such that the nanoparticle heat sink dissipates heat from the at least one optical component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: RAYTHEON COMPANY
    Inventor: Andrew R. Rollinger
  • Patent number: 9551840
    Abstract: An optical rotating joint installation; comprising: a drive shaft for a rotating interface, the drive shaft comprising a hollow central bore; and an optical rotating joint located in the hollow central bore. The proportion of the cross-sectional area of the material retained in the annular section of the drive shaft is preferably greater than or equal to 50%, more preferably 60%, yet more preferably 75%. The diameter of the hollow central bore is preferably less than or equal to 20 mm, more preferably 16 mm. The optical rotating joint installation may be provided as a retro-fit to replace an existing solid drive shaft that does not have an optical rotating joint, for example by hollowing out the existing solid drive shaft or by replacing the existing solid drive shaft with a drive shaft with a hollow central bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: BAE SYSTEMS plc
    Inventors: Christopher Ralph Pescod, Mohammed Nawaz
  • Patent number: 9551841
    Abstract: Optical data center connector systems including a fiber optic plug assembly and a fiber optic receptacle assembly. In one embodiment, a fiber optic plug assembly includes a plug body having an insertion surface and a plug body opening at the insertion surface, wherein the plug body defines a ferrule enclosure coupled in free space to the plug body opening, and a ferrule element disposed within the ferrule enclosure of the plug body. The ferrule element includes a mechanical coupling face, an optical interface surface, and a plurality of lens elements at the optical interface surface. The ferrule element is disposed within the ferrule enclosure such that the optical interface surface is recessed with respect to the insertion surface of the plug body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: CORNING OPTICAL COMMUNICATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Mark Alan Bradley, Micah Colen Isenhour, Dennis Michael Knecht, James Phillip Luther
  • Patent number: 9551842
    Abstract: A fiber optic connector includes a ferrule, a ferrule holder from which the ferrule extends, a housing in which the ferrule holder is received, and a connector body coupled to the housing. The connector body is configured to retain the ferrule holder within the housing. The fiber optic connector further includes a strain relief assembly comprising a support coupled to a rear portion of the connector body and a boot received over support. The support includes a first portion defining a front end of the support and a second portion defining a back end of the support, with the second portion having a stiffness less than the first portion. Additionally, the support and boot are formed from respective first and second materials, with the second material being less rigid than the first material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Corning Optical Communications LLC
    Inventor: Thomas Theuerkorn
  • Patent number: 9551843
    Abstract: When a moving member moves to a fixing position, a fixing member moves to a second fixing position, a blade of the fixing member cuts into a protection layer of a cord, and thereby the cord is fixed. When the moving member moves to a releasing position, the fixing member moves to a second releasing position, the blade leaves the protection layer, and thereby the cord is released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignees: HONDA TSUSHIN KOGYO CO., LTD., KEIO UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Shigehiro Oi, Koichiro Yoshimura, Yasuhiro Koike
  • Patent number: 9551844
    Abstract: A system for passive optical alignment includes an through optical via formed through a substrate, an optical transmission medium secured to a first side of the substrate such that the optical transmission medium is aligned with the through optical via, and an optoelectronic component secured to a second side of the substrate such that the active region of said optoelectronic component is aligned with the through optical via.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP
    Inventors: Michael Renne Ty Tan, Sagi Varghese Mathai, Paul Kessler Rosenberg, Georgios Panotopoulos, David A. Fattal, Wayne V. Sorin
  • Patent number: 9551845
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for manufacturing one or more optical engine packages, each optical engine package comprising a silicon photonic die. The method includes receiving a substrate comprising a package portion and a cutting area adjacent to the package portion, assembling the optical engine package on the substrate such that an edge-coupled waveguide of the silicon photonic die overlaps a boundary between the cutting area and the package portion, and cutting the optical engine package and the substrate in the cutting area to expose the edge-coupled waveguide for optical coupling thereof to an optical fiber core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Microsemi Storage Solutions (U.S.), Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel Kim
  • Patent number: 9551846
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for manufacturing one or more optical engine packages, each optical engine package comprising a silicon photonic die. The method includes receiving a substrate comprising a package portion and a cutting area adjacent to the package portion, assembling the optical engine package on the substrate such that an edge-coupled waveguide of the silicon photonic die overlaps a boundary between the cutting area and the package portion, and cutting the optical engine package and the substrate in the cutting area to expose the edge-coupled waveguide for optical coupling thereof to an optical fiber core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Microsemi Storage Solutions (U.S.), Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel Kim
  • Patent number: 9551847
    Abstract: A latch may include a follower and a driver. The follower may include a follower opening configured to receive a post of a housing. The driver may include a driver opening configured to receive the post of the housing such that the driver is selectively rotatable relative to the post. The driver may further include an interfacing finger positioned to be received by the follower opening. The interfacing finger may be configured to urge the follower to slidingly move relative to the housing as the driver is rotated relative to the post.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: FINISAR CORPORATION
    Inventors: William H. Wang, Shamei Shi, Eric Li
  • Patent number: 9551848
    Abstract: An optoelectronics chip-to-chip interconnects system is provided, including at least one packaged chip to be connected on the printed-circuit-board with at least one other packaged chip, optical-electrical (O-E) conversion mean, waveguide-board, and (PCB). Single to multiple chips interconnects can be interconnected provided using the technique disclosed in this invention. The packaged chip includes semiconductor die and its package based on the ball-grid array or chip-scale-package. The O-E board includes the optoelectronics components and multiple electrical contacts on both sides of the O-E substrate. The waveguide board includes the electrical conductor transferring the signal from O-E board to PCB and the flex optical waveguide easily stackable onto the PCB to guide optical signal from one chip-to-other chip. Alternatively, the electrode can be directly connected to the PCB instead of including in the waveguide board. The chip-to-chip interconnections system is pin-free and compatible with the PCB.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Banpil Photonics, Inc.
    Inventor: Achyut Kumar Dutta
  • Patent number: 9551849
    Abstract: Disclosed are interposer structures having an optical fiber connection and a related fiber optic ferrule that can form a portion of an optical assembly. The interposer structure is useful for transmitting optical signals to/from an integrated circuit that may be attached to the interposer. Specifically, the interposer structure and the related ferrule of the optical connector provide a passively aligned structure having a matched thermal response to maintain a suitable optical connection between the devices over a range of temperatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: CORNING OPTICAL COMMUNICATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Douglas Llewellyn Butler, Micah Colen Isenhour, Dennis Michael Knecht, James Phillip Luther, James Scott Sutherland
  • Patent number: 9551850
    Abstract: A light source module of an optical apparatus is disclosed. The light source module includes a laser pump unit, a lens unit, and a fiber unit. The laser pump unit generates a laser source. The lens unit converts the laser source into a condensed beam. The fiber unit receives the condensed beam and emits an optical signal. The light source module can achieve effects of low cost, large bandwidth, high resolution, and high stability with well-designed pump power of the laser pump unit, and length, doping material, and core size of the fiber unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignees: CRYSTALVUE MEDICAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: William Wang, Chung-Ping Chuang, Meng-Shin Yen, Chung-Cheng Chou, Sheng-Lung Huang, Kuang-Yu Hsu, Chien-Chung Tsai, Tuan-Shu Ho