Patents Issued in November 21, 2017
  • Patent number: 9823418
    Abstract: Provided is a waveguide-type optical diffraction grating. A waveguide core includes a waveguide core that is asymmetric with respect to a thickness direction perpendicular to a light propagating direction. In the waveguide core, a phase adjustment portion is configured to adjust a phase difference between a forward wave traveling in an input direction and a reflected wave traveling in a direction reverse to the input direction in the waveguide-type optical diffraction grating, and the phase adjustment portion is provided in a manner that a sum of a phase of the forward wave and a phase of the reflected wave which are generated in the phase adjustment portion becomes a constant value irrespective of a polarization state of input light to the waveguide-type optical diffraction grating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignees: Oki Electric Industry Co., Ltd., PHOTONICS ELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH ASSOCIATION
    Inventor: Hideaki Okayama
  • Patent number: 9823419
    Abstract: An optical system may include a substrate that includes an etched region and a laser-induced breakage region. The optical system may further include an optical waveguide disposed on the substrate. The optical system may further include an optical device coupled to the optical waveguide within the etched region. The laser-induced breakage region may produce a predetermined coupling gap between the optical waveguide and the optical device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Ciena Corporation
    Inventors: Francois Pelletier, Michel Poulin, Marie-Josée Picard, Christine Latrasse
  • Patent number: 9823420
    Abstract: An apparatus for converting fiber mode to waveguide mode. The apparatus includes a silicon substrate member and a dielectric member having an elongated body. Part of the elongated body from a back end overlies the silicon substrate member and remaining part of the elongated body up to a front end is separated from the silicon substrate member by a second dielectric material at an under region. The apparatus also includes a waveguide including a segment from the back end to a tail end formed on the dielectric member at least partially overlying the remaining part of the elongated body. The segment is buried in a cladding overlying entirely the dielectric member. The cladding has a refractive index that is less than the waveguide but includes an index-graded section with decreasing index that is formed at least over the segment from the tail end toward the back end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: INPHI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masaki Kato, Radhakrishnan L. Nagarajan
  • Patent number: 9823421
    Abstract: A GRIN fiber lens connection system particularly suited for high-power laser applications is disclosed. In one aspect, a GRIN fiber lens expanded beam system that is efficient over a wide spectral region, e.g., a range of about 200 nm, 300 nm or 400 nm, is disclosed for coupling one optical fiber (such as a single-mode fiber) to another. For example, a GRIN fiber lens expanded beam system is efficient over a range of wavelengths from about 400 nm to about 800 nm, from about 190 nm to about 390 nm, or from about 1270 nm to about 1650 nm. A method for designing such a coupling system is also disclosed. In another example, the cores of the GRIN fiber lenses are substantially devoid of germanium, and the cladding is doped with an element, such as fluorine, that lowers the refractive index of the cladding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: COMMSCOPE ASIA HOLDINGS B.V.
    Inventors: Sander Johannes Floris, Jeroen Antonius Maria Duis, Jan Willem Rietveld, Rutger Wilhelmus Smink
  • Patent number: 9823422
    Abstract: An optical delivery waveguide for a material laser processing system includes a small lens at an output end of the delivery waveguide, transforming laser beam divergence inside the waveguide into a spot size after the lens. By varying the input convergence angle and/or launch angle of the laser beam launched into the waveguide, the output spot size can be continuously varied, thus enabling a continuous and real-time laser spot size adjustment on the workpiece, without having to replace the delivery waveguide or a process head. A divergence of the laser beam can also be adjusted dynamically and in concert with the spot size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignees: LUMENTUM OPERATIONS LLC, AMADA HOLDINGS CO. LTD
    Inventors: Martin H. Muendel, Dahv Kliner
  • Patent number: 9823423
    Abstract: An optical waveguide comprises at least two TIR surface and contains a grating. Input TIR light with a first angular range along a first propagation direction undergoes at least two diffractions at the grating. Each diffraction directs light into a unique TIR angular range along a second propagation direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignees: DIGILENS INC., ROCKWELL COLLINS INC.
    Inventors: Jonathan David Waldern, Alastair John Grant, Milan Momcilo Popovich, James H. Stanley, Robert D. Brown
  • Patent number: 9823424
    Abstract: A ferrule assembly for a fiber optic connector includes a ferrule having a first portion defining a front end face and a second portion defining a shoulder offset from the front end face in a longitudinal direction. The ferrule assembly also includes a pin retainer received over the first portion of the ferrule and at least one guide pin projecting from a first surface of the pin retainer. The pin retainer can be removed from the ferrule, rotated to a reverse orientation, and re-installed on the ferrule to switch the ferrule assembly from a male configuration to a female configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Corning Optical Communications LLC
    Inventors: Jakub Krawczyk, Daniel Leyva, Jr., Robert Max Sanetick, Hieu Vinh Tran
  • Patent number: 9823425
    Abstract: A dust-proof apparatus for a fiber optic connector has a base; a ferrule receiving sleeve positioned on a mating end of the base; two primary cantilevered arms extending substantially in parallel from the mating end of the base, with the ferrule receiving sleeve being positioned therebetween; and a secondary cantilevered arm extending from the mating end of the base, and having a locking projection receiving hole disposed on a free end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: ADC Telecommunications (Shanghai) Distribution Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Teller Xiao, Yanhong Yang, Eric Wang, Paul Hubbard
  • Patent number: 9823426
    Abstract: There is provided an optical communication device including a lens substrate configured to have a first face on which a plurality of lenses corresponding to a plurality of channels of optical communication are two-dimensionally formed, and a ferrule configured to be disposed facing a second face that is the opposite face of the first face of the lens substrate and to be provided with through holes into which optical fibers are inserted in positions corresponding to each of the plurality of lenses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Kazunao Oniki, Hiizu Ootorii, Eiji Otani
  • Patent number: 9823427
    Abstract: A fiber optic drop terminal assembly includes a housing, a spool and a fiber optic distribution cable. The housing has a first exterior surface and an oppositely disposed second exterior surface. A plurality of ruggedized adapters is mounted on the first exterior surface of the housing. The ruggedized adapters include a first port accessible from outside the housing and a second port accessible from inside the housing. The spool is engaged with the second exterior surface and includes a drum portion. The fiber distribution cable is coiled around the drum portion. The distribution cable includes a first end and an oppositely disposed second end. The second end is disposed inside the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: CommScope Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Trevor D. Smith, Raymond Hagen, Thomas G. LeBlanc, Thomas Marcouiller
  • Patent number: 9823428
    Abstract: LC optical connectors and a duplex clip for forming duplex connector assemblies are provided herein. The LC optical connector includes a rigid latch member for positive locking with another component, such as an adaptor. The duplex clip is configured to hold two LC optical connectors to form a duplex connector assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: FLUKE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Seymour Goldstein, Ian Michael Davidson
  • Patent number: 9823429
    Abstract: A pluggable connector with anti-electromagnetic interference capability is disclosed in this invention, which includes a socket housing, multiple terminal assemblies and a shielding case. The socket housing includes an insulating base, a first anti-EMI block independently mounted on the insulating base and a second anti-EMI block independently mounted on the insulating base. The first anti-EMI block and an upper bracket can be combined together to form an upper circuit board slot, and the second anti-EMI block and a lower bracket can be combined together to form a lower circuit board slot. The pluggable connector of the present invention has a good anti-electromagnetic interference capability by the first and second anti-EMI blocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Oupiin Electronic (Kunshan) Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hsin chih Chen
  • Patent number: 9823430
    Abstract: This disclosure generally relates to high-speed fiber optic networks that use light signals to transmit data over a network. The disclosed subject matter includes devices and methods relating to lens receptacles and/or optoelectronic subassemblies. In some aspects, the disclosed devices and methods relate to a lens receptacle including a receptacle body extending between a receptacle top and a receptacle bottom, the receptacle body including: a port body defining a receptacle port with a port opening at the receptacle top; a receptacle window defining a base of the receptacle port; a lens array including lenses positioned on the receptacle window; and at least one receptacle alignment feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: FINISAR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Maziar Amirkiai, Tao Wu, Mark Donovan, Hongyu Deng
  • Patent number: 9823431
    Abstract: Aspects of this disclosure relate to a cable that includes an outer housing, a plurality of optical fibers within the outer housing and arranged side-by-side along the width of the cable; and a removably attached access layer within the outer housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventors: David Frank Lish, Ben Warren Segura, David Anthony, John Toccalino, Paul Steven Rader, David Miles
  • Patent number: 9823432
    Abstract: A termination field and a guide member are independently pivotally coupled to a base body. The termination field pivots relative to the base body along a path of travel. The guide member is coupled to the base body to provide bend radius protection to cables plugged into the termination field. The guide member defines a channel leading the cables from the termination field towards a first side of the base body at an exterior of the base body. In certain examples, the guide member and termination field pivot relative to the base body about different hinge axes. In other examples, the termination field pivots with the guide member for part of the path of travel and relative to the guide member for another part of the path of travel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignees: ADC Czech Republic, S.R.O., CommScope Connectivity Belgium BVBA
    Inventors: Zoltan Alexi, Bernadus Johannes Nicolas Geling, Simon Reyndert Christiani, Rudi Verbruggen, Johan Geens
  • Patent number: 9823433
    Abstract: Staggered Splices. At least some illustrative embodiments are apparatus including a tube having a wall defining an interior volume, first and second optical fibers disposed within the interior volume and the first and second optical fibers joined at a first splice. Also included are third and fourth optical fibers disposed within the interior volume, the third and fourth optical fibers joined at a second splice. The first splice and the second splice have an axially spaced-apart relationship within the interior volume of the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: PGS Geophysical AS
    Inventors: Matthew Segsworth, Jeremy Smith, Robert Alexis Peregrin Fernihough, Jeff Bowlus
  • Patent number: 9823434
    Abstract: A waterproof housing for a digital device includes a lens mount system having a threaded aperture provided on the housing, a lens arrangement including an optical lens coupled to a threaded collar, and a positioning assembly for fixedly locating the lens arrangement to the housing at a predetermined rotational engagement position of the threaded collar to the threaded aperture. The positioning assembly includes a releasable locking pin that is located in the housing adjacent to the threaded aperture, and a recess in a mounting surface of the lens arrangement for receiving a locking end of the pin when the lens arrangement and the housing are positioned at the predetermined engagement position. At this position, an optical feature of the lens arrangement is located at a predetermined desired distance from an optical plane of a camera of a digital device positioned within the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: VALS TECH, INC.
    Inventors: Valentins Ranetkins, Freddy Espinoza
  • Patent number: 9823435
    Abstract: A device for moving a nonlinear crystal or a saturable absorber in two dimensions includes a first and a second piezo unit, each having a corresponding carrier, piezo driver, and carriage moveable by the piezo driver at incremental steps along a linear path with respect to the carrier between a first and a second end location, in which the linear paths of the first piezo unit and the second piezo unit are orthogonal. The nonlinear crystal/saturable absorber is fastenable on the carriage of the first piezo unit and the carrier of the first piezo unit is fastened on the carriage of the second piezo unit. The device further includes stops that define the carriage end locations, an end location detection configured to detect the carriages at their respective end locations, and a counting unit configured to count the steps covered during the moving of the carriage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Trumpf Laser Marking Systems AG
    Inventors: Carsten Ziolek, Dirk Bueche, Thomas Huerlimann, Erich Sprecher, Nikolaus Willi
  • Patent number: 9823436
    Abstract: A lens barrel includes: a first barrel; a second barrel that, with respect to the first barrel, is capable of relative movement in a direction orthogonal to the optical axis; an adjustment member for adjusting an amount of the relative movement; two adjustment member housing portions that are provided in a diametral space between the first barrel and the second barrel, are formed so as to be separate from each other in a circumferential direction and are capable of housing the adjustment member; a plurality of screws; a plurality of fastening portions for threadedly engaging and fastening the first barrel and the second barrel in parallel with the optical axis by means of the plurality of screws; and one washer member that is held in an integral manner between the plurality of screws and the plurality of fastening portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Shishido
  • Patent number: 9823437
    Abstract: An adjustable lens mount with an outer mount ring, a laterally adjustable inner mount ring and at least two connection structures. The at least two connection structures communicate in each instance with a manipulator with a radial acting axis. The connection structures in each instance have a coupling member and a lever connected therewith. The coupling member is connected to the inner mount ring farther radially outside than the lever is connected to the outer mount ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Jenoptik Optical Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Torsten Erbe, Stephan Fahr
  • Patent number: 9823438
    Abstract: An electro-optical apparatus has an element substrate that is provided with a mirror and a sealing member which seals the mirror, and the sealing member includes a light-transmitting cover which faces the mirror opposite from the element substrate. An infrared cut filter is laminated on the light-transmitting cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Manabu Kondo
  • Patent number: 9823439
    Abstract: A compact high-resolution imaging lens which meets the demands for low-profileness, a low F-value and a wide field of view and corrects aberrations properly. It includes, in order from the object side: a first positive lens having a convex object-side surface; a second negative lens having a convex object-side surface; a third lens; a fourth positive lens; and a fifth negative double-sided aspheric lens having a concave image-side surface. When Fno denotes F-number, ih maximum image height, TTL total track length, f45 the composite focal length of the fourth and fifth lenses, r5 and r6 the curvature radii of the third lens object-side and image-side surfaces, r7 and r8 the curvature radii of the fourth lens object-side and image-side surfaces, and r9 and r10 the curvature radii of the fifth lens object-side and image-side surfaces, respectively, it satisfies the following conditions: Fno?2.4; TTL/2ih<0.9; f45<0; 0<r5/r6<4.0; 0.5<(r7+r8)/(r7?r8)<3.0; and 0.4<(r9+r10)/(r9?r10)<4.0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: KANTATSU CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masaya Hashimoto, Hisao Fukaya
  • Patent number: 9823440
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an imaging lens, the imaging lens including, in an ordered way from an object side, a first lens having positive (+) refractive power, a second lens having negative (?) refractive power, a third lens having negative (?) refractive power, a fourth lens having negative (?) refractive power, wherein the imaging lens meets a conditional expression of ?0.5<f/f3<0 and ?0.5<f/f4<0, where f is an entire focus distance of the imaging lens, f3 is a focus distance of the third lens, and f4 is a focus distance of the fourth lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: LG INNOTEK CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Dukkeun Kwon
  • Patent number: 9823441
    Abstract: A three-piece optical lens for capturing image and a three-piece optical module for capturing image, along the optical axis in order from an object side to an image side, include a first lens with positive refractive power, wherein an object-side surface thereof can be convex; a second lens with refractive power; and a third lens with refractive power, wherein both surfaces of each of the aforementioned lenses can be aspheric; the third lens can have positive refractive power, wherein an image-side surface thereof can be concave, and both surfaces thereof are aspheric; at least one surface of the third lens has an inflection point whereby the optical lens can increase aperture value and improve the imaging quality for use in compact cameras.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Ability Opto-Electronics Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yao-Wei Liu, Yeong-Ming Chang
  • Patent number: 9823442
    Abstract: An optical image capturing system includes, along the optical axis in order from an object side to an image side, a first lens, a second lens, a third lens, a fourth lens, and a fifth lens, wherein at least one lens among the first to the fifth lenses has positive refractive force and the fifth lens can have negative refractive force, and wherein both surfaces thereof are aspheric, and at least one surface thereof has an inflection point such that the lenses in the optical image capturing system which have refractive power include the first to the fifth lenses, whereby the optical image capturing system can increase aperture value and improve the imaging quality for use in compact cameras.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: ABILITY OPTO-ELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yao-Wei Liu, Nai-Yuan Tang, Yeong-Ming Chang
  • Patent number: 9823443
    Abstract: An imaging lens is provided. The imaging lens includes, in an order from an object side to an image plane side, a first lens having an object side surface that is convex and having a positive refractive power, a second lens having a positive or negative refractive power, a third lens having a positive or negative refractive power, a fourth lens having a negative refractive power, and a fifth lens having a positive or negative refractive power, wherein an image side surface of the fifth lens has a concave center portion and has at least one inflection point, and the imaging lens satisfies a condition that ?0.25?(Y?yp)/yp??0.05, where Y denotes an image height of a real chief ray, and yp denotes an image height of a paraxial chief ray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hwan-seon Lee, Tae-youn Lee
  • Patent number: 9823444
    Abstract: An optical image capturing system includes, along the optical axis in order from an object side to an image side, a first lens, a second lens, a third lens, a fourth lens, and a fifth lens, wherein at least one lens among the first to the fifth lenses has positive refractive force, the fifth lens can have negative refractive force, wherein both surfaces thereof are aspheric, and at least one surface thereof has an inflection point, and wherein the lenses in the optical image capturing system which have refractive power include the first to the fifth lens, whereby the optical image capturing system can increase aperture value and improve the imaging quality for use in compact cameras.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Ability Opto-Electronics Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yao-Wei Liu, Nai-Yuan Tang, Yeong-Ming Chang
  • Patent number: 9823445
    Abstract: An imaging optical lens assembly includes, in order from an object side to an image side, a first lens element, a second lens element, a third lens element, a fourth lens element, a fifth lens element and a sixth lens element. The first lens element has negative refractive power. The second lens element has negative refractive power. The third lens element has negative refractive power. The imaging optical lens assembly has a total of six lens elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: LARGAN PRECISION CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chun-Yen Chen, Shu-Yun Yang
  • Patent number: 9823446
    Abstract: A photographing lens assembly includes, in order from an object side to an image side, a first lens element, a second lens element, a third lens element, a fourth lens element, a fifth lens element and a sixth lens element. The first lens element with positive refractive power has a convex object-side surface. The second lens element, the third lens element and the fourth lens element have refractive power. The fifth lens element with negative refractive power has a convex object-side surface and a concave image-side surface, wherein the surfaces thereof are aspheric, and at least one of the surfaces thereof has at least one inflection point thereon. The sixth lens element with negative refractive power has a convex object-side surface and a concave image-side surface, wherein the surfaces thereof are aspheric, and at least one of the surfaces thereof has at least one inflection point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: LARGAN PRECISION CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Po-Lun Hsu, Tsung-Han Tsai, Hsin-Hsuan Huang
  • Patent number: 9823447
    Abstract: An imaging lens module includes an imaging lens assembly and a first optical component. The imaging lens assembly has an optical axis and includes a lens element. The lens element includes an effective optical portion, which is non-circular and disposed on a center of the lens element. The first optical component has a non-circular opening hole. The effective optical portion of the lens element of the imaging lens assembly is corresponded to the non-circular opening hole of the first optical component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: LARGAN PRECISION CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Cheng-Feng Lin, Chun-Hua Tsai, Ming-Ta Chou
  • Patent number: 9823448
    Abstract: A camera lens module in which an optical system is configured to include five sheets of lenses is provided. In the camera lens module, first, second, third, fourth and fifth lenses are sequentially arranged from an object side, and the first lens performs a zooming operation while moving along an optical axis. Accordingly, the optical system is configured to include five sheets of lenses for performance of a zooming operation and to allow only the first lens to perform the zooming operation, so that it is possible to manufacture a high-resolution optical system in a compact size and to perform the zooming operation at a high speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: LG INNOTEK CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kyunghwan Lee
  • Patent number: 9823449
    Abstract: An optical telephoto imaging lens includes an aperture stop and a lens group, the lens group includes, in order from an object side to the image side: a first lens element with a positive refractive power; a second lens element with a negative refractive power; a third lens element with a refractive power; a fourth lens element with a negative refractive power; a fifth lens element with a positive refractive power. The first, second, third, fourth and fifth lens elements each have a focal length: f1, f2, f3, f4 and f5, the object-side and the image-side surfaces of the second lens element each have a radius of curvature R3, R4, and they satisfy the relations: |fn|>|f4|>|f2|>|f1|, wherein n=3 and 5; 0<(R3+R4)/(R3?R4)<0.5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Glory Science Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Feng-Chao Chung, Kun-Ti Liu
  • Patent number: 9823450
    Abstract: An optical image capturing system includes, along the optical axis in order from an object side to an image side, a first lens, a second lens, a third lens, a fourth lens, and a fifth lens. At least one lens among the first to the fifth lenses has positive refractive force. The fifth lens can have negative refractive force, wherein both surfaces thereof are aspheric, and at least one surface thereof has an inflection point. The lenses in the optical image capturing system which have refractive power include the first to the fifth lenses. The optical image capturing system can increase aperture value and improve the imaging quality for use in compact cameras.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: ABILITY OPTO-ELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Nai-Yuan Tang, Yeong-Ming Chang
  • Patent number: 9823451
    Abstract: A mid-infrared objective lens assembly (10) includes a plurality of spaced apart, refractive lens elements (20) that operate in the mid-infrared spectral range, the plurality of lens elements (20) including an aplanatic first lens element (26) that is closest to an object (14) to be observed. The first lens element (26) has a forward surface (36) that faces the object (14) and a rearward surface (38) that faces away from the object (14). The forward surface (36) can have a radius of curvature that is negative.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Daylight Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeremy Rowlette
  • Patent number: 9823452
    Abstract: A zoom lens comprising in order from an object side, a first lens unit having a negative refractive power, a second lens unit having a negative refractive power, a lens unit having a positive refractive power, and a rearmost lens unit having a negative refractive power, and the rearmost lens unit is positioned nearest to an image in the plurality of lens units, and at the time of zooming, distances between the lens units in the plurality of lens units change. Moreover, an image pickup apparatus includes the zoom lens, and an image pickup element having an image pickup surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takashi Fujikura, Keisuke Takada
  • Patent number: 9823453
    Abstract: A catadioptric light-field lens has a replaceable micro-mirror array including a plurality of micro-mirrors arranged in concentric rings; a light incidence region formed around the micro-mirror array; a main mirror which is configured to reflect light incident via the light incidence region and concentrate the light at the micro-mirror array; and a light exit region which is formed through the center portion of the main mirror to face the micro-mirror array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sung-ho Lee, Tae-hee Lee, Hee-chul Han
  • Patent number: 9823454
    Abstract: A scalable parabolic or disc shaped mirror, that is formed and maintained by inflating, with air or inert gas, a rigid polymer membrane envelope, that is pre-formed, and such that when inflated, forms this parabolic or disc shape, governed by a center supporting pole, and ring around circumference of the mirror. The top half of the ballooned envelope is made of a clear transparent membrane through which the sun's rays pass through and on to the lower inner lower surface, which is coated with reflective surface. The balloon is skewered through the middle of each membrane, and clamped with flanges to hermetically seal the envelope. The pole or center structure is anchored and hinged at the base so the Pneumatic Mirror can be articulated to face towards the sun, thus focussing the energy to whatever device is at the focal point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Inventor: Arthur Ira Rosen
  • Patent number: 9823455
    Abstract: The invention relates to a microscope in which a layer of the sample is illuminated by a plurality of thin strips of light (11) passed through a grid (34) and the sample is viewed (5) perpendicular to the plane of the strips of light. To record the image, the object (4) is displaced through the strips of light (11). At least three different images of the objects (4) are made at different phase angles. The images can be combined to form a single combined image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Europaeisches Laboratorium Fuer Molekularbiologie (EMBL)
    Inventor: Ernst H. K. Stelzer
  • Patent number: 9823456
    Abstract: In order to allow precise observation of a specimen at an observation point with a desired depth without changing the working distance of an objective optical system while employing a simple configuration, a laser scanning microscope according to the present invention includes an objective lens having a plurality of optical elements that are disposed with gaps therebetween in an optical-axis direction and that condense laser light emitted from a light source onto a specimen and also having an adjustment ring that allows changing of the focal point by moving the optical elements in the optical-axis direction; a scanner that has a galvanometer mirror capable of oscillating about a predetermined oscillation axis and that scans the laser light condensed onto the specimen by the objective lens in accordance with an oscillation angle of the galvanometer mirror; a light detecting unit that obtains image information of the specimen on the basis of return light returned from the specimen scanned with the laser light;
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kanako Kondo, Makio Ueno
  • Patent number: 9823457
    Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatus related to optical microscopy. In one aspect, an apparatus includes a sample holder, a first objective lens, a plurality of optical components, a second objective lens, and a mirror. The apparatus may directly image a cross-section of a sample oblique to or parallel to the optical axis of the first objective lens, without scanning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Tongcang Li, Sadao Ota, Jeongmin Kim, Yuan Wang, Xiang Zhang
  • Patent number: 9823458
    Abstract: An optical microscope system for 3D surface deformation and morphology measurement that can serve as a powerful tool in quality engineering and control, as well as in biological and materials research is described. The system was developed in part by combining the DAIC technique with optical microscopy. Decoding algorithms were derived for calculating the 3D displacement or profile of a micro-sized test sample from the in-plane displacement components of it first-order diffracted views.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Georgia Tech Research Corporation
    Inventors: Shuman Xia, Jingwen Zhang
  • Patent number: 9823459
    Abstract: A triangular frame metering structure includes three side beams and three end pieces each connected between two of the side beams. Each end piece top and bottom is configured for connection of support loads, with all support loads connecting to the metering structure at the top or bottom of one of the end pieces. Secondary mirror focusing mechanisms mounted on the end piece tops support pairs of secondary mirror struts. Strut mounts on the end piece bottoms provide connections to pairs of primary mirror struts, base struts, and instrument struts. All support loads connected to the metering structure are thus connected only to the corners of the metering structure and are connected at a same radial distance from a central longitudinal axis. The metering structure has reduced mass with high stiffness for supporting large aperture telescopes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Andrew L. Bullard, Maciej D. Makowski
  • Patent number: 9823460
    Abstract: A blade inspection apparatus has a borescope and a PC. The borescope has a distance sensor for detecting an insertion length when an insertion section of the borescope is inserted through a hole provided in a casing in which a rotor of an engine is housed, an acceleration sensor for detecting an attitude of the insertion section, and distance sensors for detecting two distances from the insertion section to two stator vanes on a stator. The PC compares the attitude and two distances detected in the borescope with the attitude and two distances relating to an inspection image stored in a HDD. When a match occurs therebetween, the PC outputs match information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Eiichi Kobayashi, Yutaka Konomura, Fumio Hori
  • Patent number: 9823461
    Abstract: Provided are a fluid for an electrowetting device including a first fluid as a polar liquid, and a second fluid, as a non-polar solution, which is separated from the first fluid by an interface, wherein the first fluid includes an organic acid having an acid dissociation constant (pKa) of about 4 or less, a polar solvent, and a quaternary ammonium hydroxide compound, and an electrowetting device including the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignees: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD., SNU R&DB FOUNDATION
    Inventors: Chilsung Choi, Woohyuk Jang, Taekdong Chung
  • Patent number: 9823462
    Abstract: Instead of using a clear or a semi-transparent notch within an electrowetting display, a colored notch that is the same color of the pixel region extends from one of the pixel walls toward an opposing pixel wall of the pixel region. The colored notches follow a non-flipped arrangement within each of the pixel regions. For example, each colored notch is adjacent to the same respective pixel wall for a pixel region. In other configurations, the colored notches follow a flipped arrangement within each of the pixel regions. For example, a colored notch of one pixel region and a colored notch of another pixel region are adjacent to the same pixel wall (on opposing sides). Instead of including a separate white sub pixel for each pixel, each pixel region is at least partially covered by a white color filter and a color filter that is the color of the pixel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Tulasi Sridhar Reddy Guntaka, Karel Johannes Gerhardus Hinnen, Gor Manukyan
  • Patent number: 9823463
    Abstract: To provide a light source unit whose overall size is relatively small and a projector which incorporates the light source unit, there is provided a light source unit including a first light source device for emitting light in a first wavelength range, a second light source device which is disposed on an axis of the light in the first wavelength range and having a luminescent light emitting area for emitting light in a second wavelength range by receiving the light in the first wavelength range, and a third light source device which is disposed on the axis of the light in the first wavelength range so as to face the first light source device for emitting light in a third wavelength range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: CASIO COMPUTER CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Osamu Umamine
  • Patent number: 9823464
    Abstract: An optical module includes a mirror unit including a mirror holder and a mirror on the mirror holder, the mirror holding including a first plate; a center guide supporting the mirror unit; and an actuator configured to rotate the mirror unit about a rotation axis. The actuator includes a first actuator at the first plate and second and third actuators at second and third plates, respectively, and spaced from each other in a direction parallel to the rotation axis, and the first actuator is configured to be acted upon by the second and third actuators to rotate the mirror unit about the rotation axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kyubum Kim, Seungho Myoung, Jekil Ryu, Wonhee Oh
  • Patent number: 9823465
    Abstract: A hybrid organic-inorganic micromirror device includes a micromirror comprising an inorganic material positioned above an elastomeric substrate. The micromirror is supported on an underside thereof by a conductive elastomeric support protruding from the elastomeric substrate. The conductive elastomeric support may function as a universal joint and is rendered electrically conductive by an electrically conductive coating thereon. A plurality of electrodes are disposed on the elastomeric substrate under the micromirror. The electrodes are spaced apart from each other and from the micromirror and are arranged around the conductive elastomeric support. Each electrode comprises an inorganic material and is in electrical contact with an elastomeric contact region protruding from the elastomeric substrate. When a voltage bias is applied between the micromirror and one or more of the electrodes, the micromirror is electrostatically actuated to move in a predetermined direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois
    Inventors: Seok Kim, Zining Yang
  • Patent number: 9823466
    Abstract: The optical path changing device of the present disclosure includes an optical member having a parallel plate face for changing an optical path, and first, second, and third actuators. The first, the second, and the third actuators are connected with the optical member at first, second, and third vertices of a triangle imaginarily drawn on a plane parallel to the parallel plate face of the optical member. The first, the second, and the third actuators drive the optical member forward and backward in a normal direction of the parallel plate face at the first, the second, and the third vertices serving as points of load. The optical member has a center of gravity within the triangle when seen from the normal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takaaki Abe, Masutaka Inoue, Takaaki Gyoten, Ryoji Okubo, Akiyoshi Yamaguchi, Kazuma Tani
  • Patent number: 9823467
    Abstract: A scanning type endoscope includes a light guide section configured to guide illumination light, a ferrule provided along the light guide section, an actuator configured to vibrate the ferrule to thereby swing a distal end of the light guide section, a cylindrical member configured to include a space containing the light guide section, the ferrule and the actuator and being provided along the light guide section, and a damping section configured to fix the ferrule to the cylindrical member and absorb vibration of the ferrule, in which the damping section is formed of a ferrule holding member configured to hold a proximal end of the ferrule and a ring-shaped member configured to fix the ferrule holding member to the cylindrical member, be disposed near a joint in the cylindrical member connected to holding member and be made of a material that absorbs vibration of the ferrule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yuji Sakai, Hiroyuki Takizawa, Daiki Ariyoshi, Soichiro Koshika