Patents Issued in November 21, 2017
  • Patent number: 9823314
    Abstract: A device includes a diamond with one or more nitrogen vacancies, a light emitting diode configured to emit light that travels through the diamond, and a photo sensor configured to sense the light. The device also includes a processor operatively coupled to the photo sensor. The processor is configured to determine, based on the light sensed by the photo sensor, a magnetic field applied to the diamond.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph W. Hahn, Gregory S. Bruce, Wilbur Lew
  • Patent number: 9823315
    Abstract: In a magnetic sensor, a pinned layer covers a wiring layer on a side opposite to a substrate with respect to the wiring layer and includes a bent portion having a bent shape in cross section. Free layers are arranged on a side opposite to the substrate with respect to the pinned layer. The size of the free layers in a planar direction is set to a size smaller than the size of the pinned layer in the planar direction. A magnetic field leaking from the pinned layer may form a closed loop adjacent to the substrate, that is, on a side opposite to the free layers with respect to the substrate. Therefore, influence of the magnetic field leaking from the pinned layer on the free layers can be restricted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Toshifumi Yano, Takamoto Furuichi
  • Patent number: 9823316
    Abstract: A magnetic biosensor can include a magnetic stack comprising a free layer, a fixed layer, and a nonmagnetic layer between the free layer and the fixed layer. At least one of the free layer or the fixed layer may have a magnetic moment oriented out of a major plane of the free layer or the fixed layer, respectively, in an absence of an external magnetic field. The magnetic biosensor also may include a sample container disposed over the magnetic stack, a plurality of capture antibodies attached to a bottom surface of the sample container above the magnetic stack, and a magnetic field generator configured to generate a magnetic field substantially perpendicular to the major plane of the free layer or fixed layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA
    Inventors: Jian-Ping Wang, Md Tofizur Rahman, Yi Wang
  • Patent number: 9823317
    Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) apparatus includes a housing which has a bore to which a magnetic field for use in an MRI scan is applied, a moving table on which an inspection target may be placed and that enters the bore of the housing, a projector which projects an image onto an inner wall that forms the bore of the housing, and a controller which controls the projection unit and transmits a video signal to the projector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Myung-kyu Lee
  • Patent number: 9823318
    Abstract: In a method for correlating magnetic resonance images with histological sections, a target tissue of a living animal is embedded in an enclosed matrix of an optical cutting temperature compound to obtain a packaged specimen on a platform oriented in a first guiding plane. The packaged specimen on the platform is subjected to an MRI examination by scanning along imaging planes parallel to the first guiding plane, and then subjected to a frozen sectioning procedure along sectioning planes in parallel with a second guiding plane which is parallel to the first guiding plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou
    Inventors: Yu-Chun Lin, Jiun-Jie Wang, Chun-Chieh Wang, Yi-Ping Lin, Gigin Lin
  • Patent number: 9823319
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a radio frequency resonator and a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus comprising the same. A radio frequency resonator for a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus in accordance with the present disclosure comprises: a microstrip substrate; a conductive pattern portion for resonance that is formed on one surface of the microstrip substrate and increases an intensity of a magnetic field which is generated by resonating an RF signal; and a ground conductive board that is formed on the other surface of the microstrip substrate. According to the present disclosure, there is provided a radio frequency resonator for a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus capable of generating an intense magnetic field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: UNIVERSITY OF ULSAN FOUNDATION FOR INDUSTRY COOPERATION
    Inventor: Hyoung Suk Yoo
  • Patent number: 9823320
    Abstract: A circuit arrangement is provided for the current supply of a magnetic resonance imaging installation with a radio-frequency shielding cabin and at least one basic field magnet. The arrangement includes a first circuit arranged outside the radio-frequency shielding cabin and configured to generate a DC link voltage from a grid voltage, and a second circuit arranged within the radio-frequency shielding cabin and configured to generate a magnetization current for the basic field magnet from the DC link voltage. This architecture makes it possible to realize a cost-effective solution for an integrated (fixedly installed) modular magnetization current supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Siemens Healthcare
    Inventor: Volker Model
  • Patent number: 9823321
    Abstract: In a method and apparatus for magnetic resonance imaging of an examination subject using an acquisition sequence that includes at least one acquisition cycle, wherein the acquisition cycle includes a readout block set with at least two readout blocks, and a saturation pulse set with at least two saturation pulses, the saturation pulses of the saturation pulse set are respectively associated with respective readout blocks of the readout block set, and the saturation pulses of the saturation pulse set have respectively varying flip angles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: John Kirsch, Dominik Paul, Benjamin Schmitt
  • Patent number: 9823322
    Abstract: In a method and magnetic resonance (MR) apparatus to acquire MR data from a subject, a predetermined spectral model of a multipoint Dixon technique is used that includes at least two spectral components with respective associated relaxation rates, a first phase due to field inhomogeneities; and a second phase due to eddy current effects. MR data are acquired using a bipolar multi-echo MR measurement sequence for multiple image points wherein, for each image point, the multi-echo MR measurement sequence alternately uses positive and negative readout gradient fields for the readout of MR signals of the MR data at at least three echo times. The at least two spectral components are determined based on the MR data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Siemens Healthcare GmbH
    Inventors: Stephan Kannengiesser, Marcel Dominik Nickel, Xiaodong Zhong
  • Patent number: 9823323
    Abstract: Disclosed are a method and apparatus for providing information about a point of interest (POI) with respect to at least one pulse sequence for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The method includes receiving information about a first POI and at least a second POI of the at least one pulse sequence, analyzing the at least one pulse sequence, displaying the at least one pulse sequence, based on the analysis, marking the first POI and the at least second POI on the displayed at least one pulse sequence, matching a pointer with a closest POI with respect to the first POI and the at least second POI when the pointer is located within a predetermined range from at least one of the marked POIs, and displaying information about the matched POI.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sung-Hun Park, Keum-yong Oh
  • Patent number: 9823324
    Abstract: In a method and a control sequence determination device for determining a magnetic resonance system control sequence includes at least one radio-frequency pulse train to be emitted by a magnetic resonance system, a target magnetization is acquired and a k-space trajectory is determined. A radio-frequency pulse train for the k-space trajectory is then determined in an RF pulse optimization method using a target function, wherein the target function includes a combination of different trajectory curve functions, of which at least one trajectory curve function is based on a trajectory error model. A method for operating a magnetic resonance system uses such a control sequence and a magnetic resonance system has such a control sequence determination device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Josef Pfeuffer, Rainer Schneider
  • Patent number: 9823325
    Abstract: The present invention describes methods and compositions for non-invasively assessing the molecular structure of biocompatible hydrogels using MRI analysis. It is shown that biocompatible hydrogels prepared from polymerizing macromolecules that are attached to a paramagnetic, superparamagnetic or ferromagnetic contrast agents form reporter gels wherein monitoring of the changes in the structure of the hydrogels by MRI is facilitated by the presence of such paramagnetic, superparamagnetic or ferromagnetic agents in the biocompatible hydrogel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Inventor: Kevin M. Bennett
  • Patent number: 9823326
    Abstract: The method according to the invention for the correction of measurement data acquired along Cartesian lines in k-space, which measurement data have been acquired by means of a pulse sequence in which gradients are switched simultaneously during the radiation of at least one non-selective excitation pulse, includes the steps of measurement data acquired with the pulse sequence are entered into k-space, i.e. entered into a memory organized as k-space, a pulse excitation profile is determined, and the acquired measurement data are corrected using the pulse excitation profile, the correction including a de-convolution operation in at least one of the three k-space directions. The correction of measurement data according to the invention allows an unrestricted use of pulse sequences, in particular gradient echo sequences, in which an excitation is implemented given already activated gradients (for example for noise reduction).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: David Grodzki
  • Patent number: 9823327
    Abstract: A touch detection device includes: an electrostatic capacitance detection device of each touch sensor; and a touch detection device to each touch sensor. The touch determination device obtains a maximum electrostatic capacitance, a minimum electrostatic capacitance and an intermediate electrostatic capacitance, and determines that the touch operation with respect to the touch sensor having the maximum change amount is performed when both of a first condition that a difference between the maximum electrostatic capacitance and the intermediate electrostatic capacitance exceed a second determination value and a second condition that a difference between the intermediate electrostatic capacitance and the minimum electrostatic capacitance is smaller than a third determination value are satisfied, and determines that a change of the electrostatic capacitance is caused by a noise when at least one of the first condition and the second condition is not satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hidetaka Tanaka
  • Patent number: 9823328
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed that may be employed to calibrate current sense circuitry of CPU core voltage (Vcore) DC/DC voltage regulation circuitry by coupling an individual Vcore phase of a VR as a current source to a VSA phase of the same VR so that the Vcore phase acts as a current sink for the coupled Vcore phase during calibration of the current sense circuitry of the individual Vcore phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Dell Products LP
    Inventors: Johan Rahardjo, John J. Breen, Abey K. Mathew
  • Patent number: 9823329
    Abstract: A magnetic current sensor calibration system includes a plurality of sensors and a substrate. The substrate has a first surface and a second surface, and the sensors are mounted on the first surface. The substrate includes a bipolar calibration conductor and a unipolar calibration conductor. The bipolar calibration conductor is spaced apart from the plurality of sensors and is disposed between the first and second surfaces. The unipolar calibration conductor is spaced apart from the plurality of sensors and the bipolar calibration conductor, and is disposed between the first and second surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Andy Peczalski, Tom Rezachek
  • Patent number: 9823330
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a plurality of antennas, a receiver in communication with said plurality of antennas for receiving one or more packets in a block based modulation environment, a switch interposed between a portion of the antennas and the receiver for switching between the antennas, and a processor for calculating angle of arrival for use in identifying a location of a mobile device transmitting the one or more packets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Donald Hart, Paul J. Stager, Santosh Pandey, David Kloper, Dan Lyons, Matthew A. Silverman
  • Patent number: 9823331
    Abstract: An object detecting apparatus includes a detecting unit configured to detect an area of a predetermined object from an image, a calculating unit configured to calculate an evaluation value on the area detected by the detecting unit, and a control unit configured, when the evaluation value satisfies a predetermined criterion, to determine that the area is the predetermined object. The predetermined criterion is set depending on an amount of distortion of an image displayed on a display unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Makoto Yokozeki
  • Patent number: 9823332
    Abstract: A mobile device includes a chemical sensor to detect chemicals in the environment in which the mobile device is present. The detected chemicals are analyzed and used to generate a chemical characteristic of the environment. The chemical characteristic of the environment is used to determine location related data for the mobile device. For example, an implemented within or remote chemical characteristic database that stores chemical characteristics associated with location related data may be searched based on the chemical characteristic of the environment to determine the location of the mobile device. The location related data may be a location of the mobile device or assistance data that may be used to assist in generating a more accurate position fix, e.g., using a satellite positioning system. The location related data may simply whether the mobile device is inside or outside or the floor of a multi-floor building.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventor: Mary A. Fales
  • Patent number: 9823333
    Abstract: A broadcast from a beacon associated with a mobile device is detected, at a proximate device. The broadcast includes an identifier associated with the mobile device. The identifier is sent to a service provider system to receive a confirmation that the mobile device associated with the identifier is lost. Upon receiving the confirmation, using the proximate device, a first location of the proximate device is determined at a first time, and a first signal strength of the broadcast is measured at the first time and at the first location. A location of the beacon is computed using the first signal strength and the first location from the proximate device, and by further using a second signal strength measurement at a second location and a third signal strength at a third location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Benjamin D. Cox, Daniel P. Craggs, Christopher J. Poole, Lakshmi Deepak Yalamanchili
  • Patent number: 9823334
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide for a method for obtaining location information regarding a wireless unit in a distributed antenna system (DAS). The method includes identifying a first time of arrival of a wireless signal in a time and frequency unit at a first active antenna unit (AAU). A second time of arrival of the wireless signal in the time and frequency unit at a second AAU is also identified. A location of a wireless unit transmitting the wireless signal is estimated based on a location of the first AAU, a location of the second AAU, and a difference between the first time of arrival and the second time of arrival. The location of the wireless unit and an indication that the location corresponds to the time and frequency unit is sent to a baseband unit or serving mobile location center (SMLC).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: CommScope Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Lance K. Uyehara, Boris Golubovic
  • Patent number: 9823335
    Abstract: A vehicle system includes: an in-vehicle apparatus having a signal transmission unit that transmits different pulse pattern signals from multiple transmitting antennas; and a portable device having a receiving unit that receives the signals. The in-vehicle apparatus or the portable device includes a portable device position identification unit that identifies a position of the portable device according to the signals. The portable device includes a frequency-to-voltage conversion unit that outputs a voltage corresponding to a frequency of each signal. The portable device position identification unit includes: a first storage unit that preliminary stores voltage change patterns corresponding to the frequencies of the signals in relation to positions of the vehicle; and a first position estimation unit that compares the voltage change patterns of the frequency-to-voltage conversion unit with the voltage change patterns in the first storage unit, and estimates the position of the portable device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignees: DENSO CORPORATION, SOKEN, INC.
    Inventors: Munenori Matsumoto, Kouji Sakamoto
  • Patent number: 9823336
    Abstract: Provided are a vertical alignment apparatus and method for a vehicle radar. The vertical alignment apparatus includes a case at which a shaft is formed, an antenna that is coupled with the shaft and is disposed to be rotatable about the shaft in a vertical direction, an antenna rotary member that rotates the antenna, and a stopper that limits an angle of rotation of the antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: MANDO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hanyeol Yu, Seok Jo Lee
  • Patent number: 9823337
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for controlling an alignment of a vehicle radar capable of automatically detecting a vertical angle of a target to perform an alignment in a vertical direction. The apparatus includes: a substrate; a transmitting antenna unit configured to be disposed at one side of the substrate; a receiving antenna unit configured to be disposed at the other side of the substrate; and a vertical angle detection unit configured to detect a vertical angle of a target based on a signal received from the receiving antenna unit, wherein the receiving antenna unit includes: a plurality of first antennas configured to be arranged in a row direction to a surface of the substrate; and a plurality of second antennas configured to be arranged in a column direction to the surface of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: MANDO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Sung Joon Heo, Su Han Kim
  • Patent number: 9823338
    Abstract: Data is received characterizing a measurement for a scene received by a plurality of sensor elements forming a sensor array. Intermediate scattering coefficients can be determined using the received data by applying to the received data a mapping of a plurality of scene sub-domains to the plurality of sensor elements. A parameter of an object within the scene can be estimated using the intermediate scattering coefficients. Related apparatus, systems, techniques, and articles are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Inventor: Alec Rose
  • Patent number: 9823339
    Abstract: A time of flight (TOF) camera comprises a light source for illuminating an object with light and a plurality of light-sensitive pixels for collecting return image light reflected by the object. Further, each light-sensitive pixel of the TOF camera may comprise a photoelectric cathode for generating electrons responsive to return image light incident on the pixel and a plurality of anodes for collecting electrons generated at the photoelectric cathode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLC
    Inventor: David Cohen
  • Patent number: 9823340
    Abstract: A method removing adjecent frequency interference from a Time Of Flight sensor system by adaptively adjusting the transmitted infrared illumination frequency of the TOF sensor by measuring the interfering infrared illuminating frequencies and dynamicaly adjusting the transmitted illuminating infrared frequency of the TOF sensor to eliminate the interference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Dong-Ik Ko
  • Patent number: 9823341
    Abstract: The ultrasonic sensor includes a wave transmitting and receiving device and a cover. The wave transmitting and receiving device has a front surface including a wave transmitting and receiving surface and is configured to transmit and receive an ultrasonic wave through the wave transmitting and receiving surface. The cover covers the wave transmitting and receiving device so as to expose the wave transmitting and receiving surface. The cover is constituted by multiple portions, and the multiple portions are individually made of multiple materials different from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Tsuji, Osamu Hirakawa
  • Patent number: 9823342
    Abstract: A system for monitoring at least one tag device has at least one mobile cellular telephone. The mobile cellular telephone is capable of communicating on a WiFi network, wherein the at least one tag device transmits wireless data messages in a non-associating mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: AeroScout, Ltd.
    Inventors: Joel Powell Cook, Daniel Aljadeff
  • Patent number: 9823343
    Abstract: An antenna system, such as a radar antenna system, includes an array of antenna elements and a controller. The controller outputs an in-path indicator in response to an angle of arrival for a target being less than a threshold angle for a given range to the target. The angle of arrival is based on a differential phase angle derived from data defining first and second composite signal returns from the target associated with first and second apertures respectively, and a phase center offset between the apertures. The first and second apertures are formed from first and second subsets of the antenna elements respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: James Paul Ebling
  • Patent number: 9823344
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for tracking moving objects. A sensor system is configured to measure a position of each of a plurality of moving objects as a set of measurements. A track assignment component is configured to accept the set of measurements from the sensor system and assign a subset of the measurements to respective tracks. The tracks represents the motion of respective objects. The track assignment component represents a cost calculation component configured to provide a cost matrix from at least a change point detection analysis of a feature associated with the set of measurements and an object assignment component configured to assign the subset of the measurements to respective tracks. A filtering component is configured to update respective associated states of tracks representing the plurality of moving objects according to the set of measurements and the assignment of the subset of the measurements to respective tracks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Ryan D. Turner, Steven Bottone, Clay J. Stanek
  • Patent number: 9823345
    Abstract: A helicopter rotor blade performance system (BPS) allows for accurate determination of blade track height and blade track phase while reducing size, weight, and complexity of the system. The BPS uses sensing technology that is scalable to adapt to a variety of helicopters and is readily and unobtrusively installed. The BPS includes a bused smart system methodology that can directly measure track height, while phase can be estimated using the time synchronous average of the magnitude or range of the return signal from a radar wave. The BPS includes a rotation monitor, radar tracker, and control unit, that allows for a determination of the track errors and consequentially whether a track rebalancing should occur.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Green Power Monitoring Systems, LLC
    Inventor: Eric Robert Bechhoefer
  • Patent number: 9823346
    Abstract: The various technologies presented herein relate to identification and mitigation of spurious energies or signals (aka “spurs”) in radar imaging. Spurious energy in received radar data can be a consequence of non-ideal component and circuit behavior. Such behavior can result from I/Q imbalance, nonlinear component behavior, additive interference (e.g. cross-talk, etc.), etc. The manifestation of the spurious energy in a radar image (e.g., a range-Doppler map) can be influenced by appropriate pulse-to-pulse phase modulation. Comparing multiple images which have been processed using the same data but of different signal paths and modulations enables identification of undesired spurs, with subsequent cropping or apodization of the undesired spurs from a radar image. Spurs can be identified by comparison with a threshold energy. Removal of an undesired spur enables enhanced identification of true targets in a radar image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC
    Inventors: Armin W. Doerry, Douglas L. Bickel
  • Patent number: 9823347
    Abstract: A hazard warning system can be utilized in an aircraft. The hazard warning system can include a processing system for determining a high altitude ice crystal (HAIC) condition and causing a warning of the HAIC condition to be displayed. An avionic display can be used to display the warning of the HAIC condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory J. Koenigs, Jeffery A. Finley
  • Patent number: 9823348
    Abstract: Systems, devices and methods for obtaining or providing listening involve utilizing one or more electromagnetic signal (energy) detection-facilitated modulation sensing devices to sense audio frequency modulated signals received from or associated with one or more illuminated and/or luminous objects; and generating or providing a listening output of the sensing device(s), the listening output including signals and/or information indicating or providing a representation of a disturbance to an electromagnetic field or fields at or associated with at least one of said one or more objects, the disturbance being or including an audio frequency modulation of a signal from or associated with (e.g., received from) at least one of said one or more objects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Inventor: Dan Slater
  • Patent number: 9823349
    Abstract: Driver-detection technology includes various systems, methods, and apparatuses. For example, an active infrared (IR) sensor might be affixed in the driver's footwell of a motor vehicle and detect the driver's entry into the vehicle. The detection of the driver by the IR sensor is usable to personalize motor-vehicle features, such as seat position, steering-wheel position, interior lighting, radio controls, mirror angles, and touch-screen configuration, among others.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Manoharprasad K. Rao, Mark A. Cuddihy, Carla Ann Gale
  • Patent number: 9823350
    Abstract: Laser light pulsed to illuminate and reflect from at least one object is received at a digital micro-mirror device including an array of mirrors each of which may be selectively controlled to be oriented to either reflect incident light onto a detector or not. The detector outputs a signal representative of an amount of light sensed. By applying M spatial patterns to the mirrors, each in synchronization with one pulse from the laser, and storing sampled signal values from the detector output at each of K times following a pulse from the laser, the collected information may be used to reconstruct K images each using all M spatial patterns and stored sampled signal values corresponding to a respective one of the K times. Each of the K images corresponds to a different range to the digital micro-mirror device, such that the system may be employed as a range finder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventor: David U. Fluckiger
  • Patent number: 9823351
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for light detecting and range sensing. In one approach, a light detecting and ranging (LiDAR) sensor uses an optical directing device; a multi-clad optical fiber, a light source, and a detector. The light source is optically coupled to the multi-clad optical fiber which is configured to receive optical rays transmitted from the light source and route the rays on an optical path leading to the optical directing device. The optical directing device is configured both to direct the transmitted optical rays routed through the multi-clad fiber towards a target to be sensed and direct optical rays reflected from the target on an optical path leading to the multi-clad optical fiber. The multi-clad optical fiber is configured to receive the reflected optical rays and route the reflected optical rays on an optical path leading to the detector. The detector is configured to detect the reflected optical rays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Uber Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: James A Haslim, Michael D Karasoff, Nicholas M Iturraran, Brent S Schwarz
  • Patent number: 9823352
    Abstract: A time-of-flight (TOF) sensor device is provided with features for correcting distance measurement offset errors caused by such factors as temperature, dynamic reflectivity ranges of objects in the viewing space, or other factors. In various embodiments, the TOF sensor device generates corrected distance values based on comparison of two different distance values measured for an object by two different measurement techniques, including but not limited to phase shift measurement, pulsed TOF measurement, distance measurement based on the focal length of the TOF sensor's lens, and comparison of distance variations with light intensity variations. In addition, some embodiments of the TOF sensor device perform self-calibration using internal waveguides or parasitic reflections as distance references.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Safety AG
    Inventors: Carl Meinherz, Martin Hardegger, Manfred Stein, Danilo Dorizzi
  • Patent number: 9823353
    Abstract: A lidar system with a light source to emit a pulse of light into a field of view and a receiver to detect a return pulse of light which is reflected or scattered by a target in the field of view. The receiver may include an avalanche photodiode to generate an electrical-current pulse corresponding to the return pulse and a transimpedance amplifier to produce a voltage pulse that corresponds to the electrical-current pulse. A voltage amplifier may amplify the voltage pulse and a comparator may produce an edge signal when the amplified voltage pulse exceeds a threshold. A time-to-digital converter may determine a time interval based on an emission time of the pulse of light and based on the edge signal. A processor may determine a distance to the target using the time interval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Luminar Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason M. Eichenholz, Austin K. Russell, Scott R. Campbell, Alain Villeneuve, Rodger W. Cleye, Joseph G. LaChapelle, Matthew D. Weed, Lane A. Martin
  • Patent number: 9823354
    Abstract: The invention provides an illuminance measuring system, which comprises an illuminance measuring instrument which comprises a first communication unit and is moved by a moving vehicle, a position measuring means which comprises a second communication unit and is capable of measuring a three-dimensional position of the illuminance measuring instrument and a data collector which comprises a third communication unit and a storage unit for storing positional information data of a predetermined measuring point, wherein the data collector moves the moving vehicle to the measuring point based on a position of the illuminance measuring instrument as measured by the position measuring means and the positional information data, an illuminance is measured by the illuminance measuring instrument and a position of the illuminance measuring instrument at the time of illuminance measurement is measured by the position measuring means, and wherein the data collector obtains an illuminance measurement result from the illumina
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: TOPCON Corporation
    Inventors: Hisashi Isozaki, Atsushi Shoji, Akira Ooide
  • Patent number: 9823355
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus and method for bistatic laser range imaging. The apparatus utilizes two light sources, two receivers, a demodulator and an image processor such that a three dimensional image is produced. The method includes generating beams of intensity modulated light, one toward a target, another toward a receiver. The light toward the target reflects from the target toward another receiver. The modulation envelopes of the beams of light are demodulated into components, the components digitized, then decimated, and a three dimensional image is constructed from the digitized components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Linda Mullen, Brandon Cochenour, Derek Alley
  • Patent number: 9823356
    Abstract: A GPS receiving apparatus according to the present invention includes: a GPS radio wave receiving unit that receives GPS radio waves; a walking state determination unit that determines a walking state of a wearer continuously for a predetermined interval; a storage unit that stores walking information determined by way of the walking state determination unit; a determination unit that determines whether being a state in which GPS radio waves can be received, based on a series of the walking states stored in the storage unit; and a control unit that causes reception of GPS radio waves to be carried out by way of the GPS radio wave receiving unit, in a case of being determined by way of the determination unit as being a state in which GPS radio waves can be received.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: CASIO COMPUTER CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Masao Sambongi
  • Patent number: 9823357
    Abstract: A wireless receiver being capable of determining its velocity with respect to a number of wireless transmitters is provided. The wireless receiver includes a communication interface for receiving a number of carrier signals originating from the number of wireless transmitters, and a processor being configured to determine a number of carrier phases of the carrier signals at two different time instants, to determine a number of carrier phase differences from the determined number of carrier phases for each carrier signal between the two different time instants, to determine a location matrix indicating a geometric relationship between a location of the wireless receiver and a number of locations of the number of transmitters, and to determine the velocity of the wireless receiver upon the basis of the number of carrier phase differences and the location matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Vladimir Iosifovich Ivanov, Yanxing Zeng, Jianqiang Shen, Lev Borisovich Rapoport
  • Patent number: 9823358
    Abstract: A low-power wireless ionizing radiation measurement system is provided that is intended to be used in a wearable dosimeter for occupational radiation monitoring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: PURDUE RESEARCH FOUNDATION
    Inventors: Sean M. Scott, P. Alexander Walerow, Daniel John Valentino
  • Patent number: 9823359
    Abstract: A radiation image detecting device includes a photodetecting element that detects fluorescence light, and a prism that is disposed on an optical path of excitation light traveling toward an imaging plate and between the photodetecting element and the imaging plate. The prism includes, as surface thereof, a side face that is opposed to the imaging plate, and a side face and a side face that are inclined relative to the side face. The prism is disposed so that the excitation light incident through the side face propagates inside and is output from the side face and so that reflection from the imaging plate incident through the side face propagates inside and is output from the side face. The photodetecting element is disposed so as to be opposed to a region different from a region where the reflection from the imaging plate is output, in the surface of the prism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: HAMAMATSU PHOTONICS K.K.
    Inventors: Koei Yamamoto, Toshihiro Oikawa, Hiroki Suzuki, Yuichi Miyamoto, Naoto Sakurai
  • Patent number: 9823361
    Abstract: A radiation imaging control apparatus, which is communicable with a radiation imaging apparatus including a radiation sensor and capable of acquiring an X-ray moving image, includes a first communication unit configured to communicate with the radiation imaging apparatus via Ethernet communication, a second communication unit configured to communicate with the radiation imaging apparatus via at least a pair of bidirectional serial optical communication lines, a first control unit configured to cause the first communication unit to transmit a first signal for setting at least one parameter to the radiation imaging apparatus, a second control unit configured to cause the second communication unit to output data of the X-ray moving image received from the radiation imaging apparatus to an image processing unit, and transmit a second signal for some settings to the radiation imaging apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroaki Niwa, Shigeo Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 9823362
    Abstract: The present invention provides a radiation detector UBM electrode structure body and a radiation detector which suppress the degradation of metal electrode layers at the time of formation of UBM layers and achieve sufficient electric characteristics, and a method of manufacturing the same. A radiation detector UBM electrode structure body according to the present invention includes a substrate made of CdTe or CdZnTe, comprising a Pt or Au electrode layer formed on the substrate by electroless plating, an Ni layer formed on the Pt or Au electrode layer by sputtering, and an Au layer formed on the Ni layer by sputtering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: JX NIPPON MINING & METALS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masaomi Murakami, Makoto Mikami, Kouji Murakami, Akira Noda, Toru Imori
  • Patent number: 9823363
    Abstract: A radiation imaging apparatus includes a pixel array including a plurality of pixels, each including a conversion unit, a holding unit, an output unit, and a reset unit, a control unit configured to control the pixel array to perform a reset operation for concurrently performing resetting on the plurality of pixels and a holding operation for concurrently performing holding on the plurality of pixels, based on a control signal indicating timing of generation of radiation, and a selection unit configured to perform a selection operation for sequentially selecting a pixel. The selection unit selects at least part of the plurality of pixels in a period from when the control unit performs the reset operation to when the control unit performs the holding operation based on a first control signal among a plurality of the control signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kanako Sato
  • Patent number: 9823364
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems for 3D imaging of in vivo and ex vivo tissues. The disclosed systems and methods employ an autoradiographic approach where particles emitted by a radioactive composition within the tissue are detected. Once detected, a 3D representation of the source of particles within the tissue is reconstructed for viewing and analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignees: Arizona Board of Regents on Behalf of the University of Arizona, Invicro, LLC
    Inventors: Harrison H. Barrett, Brian Miller, Yijun Ding, Liying Chen, John William Hoppin, Luca Caucci