Patents Issued in February 13, 2018
  • Patent number: 9891070
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a mobile terminal capable of providing map information and a control method thereof. A mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a display unit configured to display map information containing preset route information and at least one graphic object linked to place information and a controller configured to change the preset route information based on place information linked to any one graphic object when a drag touch started from the any one graphic object of the at least one graphic object is released from the map information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Jinhyoung Park, Sukjin Lee, Gukchan Lim, Mihyun Park
  • Patent number: 9891071
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing navigation services including illumination data. A request for a route is received with one or more preferences related to illumination for the route. One or more road segments that have illumination road attributes that correspond to the one or more preferences are selected. The illumination road attributes are calculated as a function of high beam frequency for the one or more road segments. The route is generated including the one or more road segments. The route is provided with the illumination road attributes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Joshua Thompson, Yunjie Zhao
  • Patent number: 9891072
    Abstract: An approach is provided for presenting comprehensible representation of travel segments based, at least in part, on velocity information. The approach involves processing and/or facilitating a processing of traffic information, velocity information, or a combination thereof for one or more travel segments, characteristic information for one or more vehicles, or a combination thereof to determine the one or more travel segments within a velocity threshold level. The approach also involves causing, at least in part, a filtering of the one or more travel segments based, at least in part, on the velocity threshold level. The approach further involves causing, at least in part, a presentation of at least one mapping user interface depicting one or more representations for the one or more travel segments within the velocity threshold level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: HERE Global B.V.
    Inventor: James D. Lynch
  • Patent number: 9891073
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method and device for providing guidance to a street view destination. The method includes: acquiring a real scenario image of a scenario in which a device is located; determining, according to a current location and a device facing direction of the device, annotated information needing to be displayed; displaying, in the real scenario image, the annotated information needing to be displayed; determining selected annotated information; and displaying detailed information of a street view corresponding to the selected annotated information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: TENCENT TECHNOLOGY (SHENZHEN) COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventor: Teng Ma
  • Patent number: 9891074
    Abstract: A sensor system for sensing a physical quantity is disclosed. The sensor system includes a first sensor path comprising a first first sensing element and a second first sensing element and a first intermediate node being provided in between the first first sensing element and the second first sensing element. The sensor also includes a second sensor path comprising a first second sensing element and a second second sensing element and a second intermediate node being provided in between the first second sensing element and the second second sensing element. A third sensor path is provided and comprises a first third sensing element and a second third sensing element and a third intermediate node being provided in between the first third sensing element and the second third sensing element. A signal processing device is also included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: NXP B.V.
    Inventors: Robert Meyer, Thomas Preisner, Michael Schoeneich
  • Patent number: 9891075
    Abstract: To provide a magnetic encoder in which a base material has a ring-shaped body portion into which a rotation axis is inserted when a magnetic drum is mounted on a rotation axis, and an engagement convex portion provided so as to project over a whole circumference of an outer periphery of the body portion. The body portion has a centering track provided in a part of the outer periphery of the body portion over the whole circumference as a reference of circular runout tolerance on an outer periphery of a magnet. The engagement convex portion has a constricted portion projecting from the outer periphery of the body portion, and a cylindrical portion extending in an axial direction of the body portion from a tip end of the constricted portion. The magnet surrounds the engagement convex portion so as to wrap around to a gap between the cylindrical portion and the body portion, and exposes the centering track without covering the centering track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Takumi Asano, Taizo Iwami, Takashi Tamura, Takeshi Musha
  • Patent number: 9891076
    Abstract: A method and an angle sensor for contactless measurement of an angle between a first machine element and a second machine element rotatable with respect thereto. A plurality of coils are non-rotatably connected to the first machine element and include transmitter coils—distributed around the rotational axis. Each of the transmitter coils is arranged in a sector about the rotational axis. An iron-core element non-rotatably connected to the second machine element is disposed in a sector opposite the transmitter coils. Based on applying voltage pulses, a determination of the angle to be measured is effected starting from a ratio formation between the amplitude of a secondary voltage pulse associated with a selected transmitter coil and a peak amplitude.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Siegfried Brunner
  • Patent number: 9891077
    Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for capturing image information. The apparatus includes a waveguide having opposed planar input and output faces. A diffractive optical element (DOE) is formed across the waveguide. The DOE is configured to couple a portion of the light passing through the waveguide into the waveguide. The light coupled into the waveguide is directed via total internal reflection to an exit location on the waveguide. The apparatus further includes a light sensor having an input positioned adjacent the exit location of the waveguide to capture light exiting therefrom and generate output signals corresponding thereto. A processor determines the angle and position of the coupled light with respect to the input face of the waveguide based on the output signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: MAGIC LEAP, INC.
    Inventor: Adrian Kaehler
  • Patent number: 9891078
    Abstract: Determining information about a degree of freedom of rigid body motion of an encoder scale includes: directing a first beam toward an encoder scale, in which the first beam diffracts from an encoder scale; combining a diffracted component of the first beam with a second beam to form an interfering output beam; monitoring changes in the output beam as a function of a wavelength of the first and second beams; and determining the information about a degree of freedom of rigid body motion of the encoder scale based on changes in the output beam as a function of the wavelength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Zygo Corporation
    Inventors: Leslie L. Deck, Jan Liesener
  • Patent number: 9891079
    Abstract: A double-bearing position encoder has an axle stabilized within a housing via two bearings disposed on opposite walls of the housing. The axle is in communications with a rotating cam. The cam actuates a pulser so as to generate an active pulse at a tissue site for analysis by an optical sensor. The axle rotates a slotted encoder wheel or a reflective encoder cylinder disposed within the housing so as to accurately determine the axle position and, hence, the active pulse frequency and phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Masimo Corporation
    Inventor: Cristiano Dalvi
  • Patent number: 9891080
    Abstract: A probe assembly for inserting a probe into a flexible or semi-rigid vessel or tubing having a distal aseptic connector for coupling to the vessel or tubing, the probe sheath comprising at least a portion that is rigid, the probe sheath extending longitudinally from the aseptic connector and having at least one inner longitudinal lumen configured to receive an elongate sensor or probe body and to permit longitudinal movement of the sensor/probe body within the probe sheath lumen, and an actuator for deploying a probe within the vessel or tubing by advancing the probe body through the aseptic connector to a position where the probe can measure at least one parameter within the vessel or tubing is disclosed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: GE HEALTHCARE BIO-SCIENCES CORP.
    Inventors: Richard L. Damren, Colin R. Tuohey, Thomas Erdenberger, Michael Fisher, Jonathan A. Kenney, Parrish M. Galliher, Joseph D. Crowell
  • Patent number: 9891081
    Abstract: A method for producing a sensor housing comprises forming three seals including a first annular seal and a second annular seal connected to each other by a connecting web formed materially integral in a unipartite fashion with the first annular seal and the second annular seal, and positioning the first annular seal and the second annular seal on a housing shell of the sensor housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Stephan Henzler, Alexander Herrmann, Wolfgang Woernle, Benjamin Bertsch
  • Patent number: 9891082
    Abstract: A field device includes a housing and a process variable transducer configured to measure or control a process variable in an industrial process. Field device circuitry in the housing is coupled to the process variable transducer. A meter body mount is carried in housing. A meter is affixed to the meter body mount by an attachment mechanism. The meter includes a display element. A cover seals the meter in the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Rosemount Inc.
    Inventor: George Charles Hausler
  • Patent number: 9891083
    Abstract: A probe assembly includes a heat source; and a probe tip configured to enhance conduction of heat provided by the heat source into a front end tip of the probe. The probe tip includes: a first region having high thermal conductivity in at least a z-direction, wherein the z-direction is parallel to an axis along which the probe tip is extended; and at least one additional region having thermal characteristics different from the first region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Grant A. Gordon, Yates Wong
  • Patent number: 9891084
    Abstract: A method of detecting a particle comprises magnetizing a particle using an AC magnetic field; generating an AC voltage in a sensing device having a conductive substantially 2-dimensional lattice structure from the magnetized particle; superimposing a DC magnetic field on the generated AC voltage in the sensing device; and measuring an AC Hall voltage at the sensing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Engel, Rodrigo Neumann Barros Ferreira, Mathias Steiner
  • Patent number: 9891085
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for measuring liquid fuel flows within a conduit are disclosed. An example flow sensor may include a conduit arranged to flow fuel therethrough along a flow axis, the conduit defining a flow area orthogonal to the flow axis. The flow sensor may further include a first transducer arranged to direct a first signal through the conduit proximate the flow area to a second transducer, the second transducer being arranged to direct a second signal through the conduit proximate the flow area to the first transducer, the first transducer being spaced apart from the second transducer by a signal path length, and in a direction parallel to the flow axis by an axial distance. The fuel flow measuring system may further include a processor arranged to calculate a fuel mass flow rate based on first and second signal transit times, known fuel properties and a fuel temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Muddassar Ali Muhammad, Edward Randall Furlong, Colin James Mackenzie, William James Mailander
  • Patent number: 9891086
    Abstract: A fluid dispenser having a fluid reservoir, a fluid suction chamber of variable volume that defines an extraction and application space; a dip tube that connects the reservoir to the chamber at an injection orifice that defines an injection axis; and a suction mechanism for sucking, during a suction stage, fluid from the reservoir into the chamber through the injection orifice. The injection orifice is situated a little way inside or outside the extraction and application space, such that the fluid is injected in the form of an axial jet into the extraction and application space and fills it, at least in part, without the injection orifice penetrating into the space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: APTAR FRANCE S.A.S.
    Inventors: Stephane Beranger, Patrick Muller
  • Patent number: 9891087
    Abstract: A mass airflow measuring device includes an air passageway defined in a duct. A first channel communicates with the air passageway via at least one first aperture to allow air flowing through the air passageway to enter the first channel. A second channel is located downstream from the first channel. A sample channel communicates the first channel with the second channel. A mass airflow sensor is located in the sample channel and is adapted to receive air flowing in the sample channel. The sample channel is defined in a housing which has a chamber adapted to accommodate one of a variety of differently configured mass airflow sensors. The sensor is adapted to output an airflow signal based on air flowing past the sensor. A processing unit communicates with the sensor and is adapted to receive the airflow signal from the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Supertrapp Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Nikolas James Wolgamott, Robert Pierce, III
  • Patent number: 9891088
    Abstract: Technologies are described herein for compensating for inaccuracies in flow measurement in real-time during accumulation of usage. A pulse count indicating an amount of flow in a meter over a measurement period is read. An average flow rate through the meter for the measurement period is determined and a correction factor is looked up from a table based on the average flow rate. A total usage accumulator for the meter is then updated with the amount of flow over the measurement period based on the pulse count and the correction factor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Mueller International, LLC
    Inventors: Szabolcs Zigovszki, Ian Phillip Harvey, Francis J. Stifter, Jr., Matt Allen Thomas
  • Patent number: 9891089
    Abstract: The disclosed invention is a modular fluid meter test system configured for testing the accuracy of fluid flow meters. The modular test system is configured with an input module, an output module and zero or more center modules. The system is configured to be shipped disassembled so that it can be installed inside a test facility without the need to modify the entrances of the structure to house the test system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Inventors: Floyd Stanley Salser, Michael Louis Mastic, David Allen Zook, Andrew Douglas Jenkinson
  • Patent number: 9891090
    Abstract: The measuring cup is a calibrated measuring device that configured for use in measuring volume. The measuring cup is configured for use with an analyte material selected from the group consisting of: a fluid analyte material, a semi-rigid analyte material, a granular analyte material, or a crystalline analyte material. The measuring cup comprises a cap, a body, and a leveler. The cap and the leveler are attached to the body. The body is a contained and calibrated volume that is used to measure the volume of the analyte material. The cap is a handle that is used to manipulate the measuring cup. The leveler is a device that levels the analyte material within the body of the measuring cup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Inventor: John L. Harper, II
  • Patent number: 9891091
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the location of a phase boundary such as a fill level, in a vessel. The method includes: providing at least one source of radiation capable of emitting radiation through a portion of the interior of the vessel; providing a plurality of radiation detectors, each detector being capable of detecting, within a part of the measurement range, radiation emitted by the source; and providing a data processing unit for calculation of the position of the phase boundary from the amount of radiation detected by the detectors, wherein the data processing unit calculates the position of the phase boundary from the amount of radiation detected by the detectors by: (i) in a first step, determining within which detector stage the phase boundary is located; and then (ii) in a second step, determining the position of the phase boundary within the detector stage determined in (i).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Johnson Matthey Public Limited Company
    Inventors: Edgar Ramon Sanchez Galicia, Kenneth James, Stephen John Roe
  • Patent number: 9891092
    Abstract: A method for determining the fill level of a medium (2) in a container (3) that is advantageous as compared to the prior art is achieved in that several emitting devices (6) are supplied with electromagnetic signals and that an emitting behavior of at least a portion of the emitting devices (6) is evaluated in view of the fill level of the medium (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: KROHNE Messtechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Christoph Baer, Thomas Musch, Michael Deilmann, Attila Bilgic, Stephan Neuburger
  • Patent number: 9891093
    Abstract: A method for determining the position of a liquid interface between a lower tray and an upper tray in a process apparatus such as a distillation column, using gamma scanning and comparing the maximum count rate of gamma photons measured between two trays with the count rate attributed to scanning through the apparatus filled with vapor. The method enables the operating parameters of the apparatus to be optimized and provides a manner of calculating the % flood of an individual tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Johnson Matthey Public Limited Company
    Inventors: Graham Banks, Lowell Thomas Pless
  • Patent number: 9891094
    Abstract: A system incorporating a weighing scale in which information is presented to the user based on output of the weighing scale via a portable device and a database.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventor: Kevin Cartwright
  • Patent number: 9891095
    Abstract: A method for providing personalized recommendations to an individual, relating to monitoring his or her weight, comprising the steps of /a/ obtaining a plurality of prior weighings for the individual concerned, each weighing giving the total weight and the body fat percentage, /b/ deriving a characteristic curve (S1) for the individual by associating at least the total weight and the fat body mass, /c/ obtaining a target total weight (P2) for the user to achieve by the end of a target period, and therefore a target total weight change, /d/ deducing a target number of calories to burn, corresponding to target changes in the fat body mass and lean body mass deduced from the total weight change, /e/ providing the user with personalized instructions on exercise and/or diet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: WITHINGS
    Inventors: Joffrey Villard, Guillaume Jeanne
  • Patent number: 9891096
    Abstract: An interactive body weight scale is presented. The body weight scale may have computing and data communication ability to track a user's weight by connecting to a number of different electronic devices. The body weight scale is capable of recording an audio message, converting the audio message to message text, and transmitting the message to a remote social network. The scale may also receive message responses from the remote network and play the messages back based on whether a particular message is a positive message. A scale use indicator provides a reminder for a user to use the body weight scale.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: BBY SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventor: Anshuman Sharma
  • Patent number: 9891097
    Abstract: A brightness calibration method used in an optical detection system includes a single source illuminator and a probe card. The single source illuminator is configured to illuminate the probe card. The probe card has a plurality of detection sites. The brightness calibration method includes: sequentially detecting brightness values at the detection sites through one of a plurality of diffusers by a sensing chip; sequentially detecting transparencies of the diffusers at one of the detection sites by the sensing chip; and selecting and respectively disposing the diffusers corresponding to larger ones of the transparencies over the detection sites corresponding to smaller ones of the brightness values, and selecting and respectively disposing the diffusers corresponding to smaller ones of the transparencies over the detection sites corresponding to larger ones of the brightness values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignees: GLOBAL UNICHIP CORPORATION, TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chang-Ming Liu, Pi-Tsan Lo, Shih-Hua Hsu, Chien-Hao Lin, Teng-Hui Lee, Tsung-Ju Hsieh
  • Patent number: 9891098
    Abstract: An electronic device may have a display. The display may have a central active area and a peripheral inactive area. A cover layer such as a layer of cover glass may be used to cover the display. The inner surface of the cover layer in the inactive area may be coated with an opaque masking layer such as black ink. Light for an ambient light sensor or other component may pass through an opening in the black ink. A layer of ink or other structures may be mounted within the opening to serve as a filter structure. A light diffusing structure such as a clear member with a textured surface may be used to diffuse light that is passing through the opening in the black ink and the filter to the light sensor. Integral filter-diffuser structures and structures with concave surfaces for focusing incoming light onto the light sensor may be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Anna-Katrina Shedletsky
  • Patent number: 9891099
    Abstract: There is provided in a first form, a system including a detector and a reflector disposed about and proximal to the detector, at least of portion of the reflector being disposed in front of the detector. The reflector is configured to reflect at least a portion of the radiation directed to the system at an angle greater than a first predetermined value onto the detector, and the system is configured so that at least a portion of the radiation directed to the system at an angle less than the first predetermined value directly impinges on the detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Elbit Systems of America, LLC
    Inventors: James Anton Harder, Michaelene Williams Sprague
  • Patent number: 9891100
    Abstract: An electronic device display may have a display cover layer. The cover layer may have a border that has an opaque masking material with an opening defining a light window for an ambient light sensor. The ambient light sensor may have a photodetector mounted in a light sensor housing. A molded clear plastic light diffuser may be used to diffuse light for the ambient light sensor that is passing through the light window. The light diffuser may reduce directionality in the ambient light sensor. The light diffuser may have an array of molded protrusions such as flat-topped cones. Alignment features may be formed in the light sensor housing and the light diffuser. Clips and other molded structures for attaching the light sensor to a mounting bracket or other structures may be molded into the light diffuser and light sensor housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Apple, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard Ruh
  • Patent number: 9891101
    Abstract: An information-reading element may be provided, which can be made small, and allows the number of adjustment steps to be reduced, and an information-reading device may be provided. An information-reading element may be provided and equipped with a light-emitting element, which serves as a polarized light-emitting part for emitting polarized light as outgoing light, and a light-receiving element, which serves as a polarized light-receiving part for receiving the polarized light as returning light after the polarized light is reflected off a reflecting plate, said reflecting plate being a target object from which information is to be read, wherein the light-emitting element and the light-receiving element have different polarization characteristics from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignees: SHINANO KENSHI CO., LTD., SHINSHU UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Nakamura, Musubu Ichikawa
  • Patent number: 9891102
    Abstract: In a simplified light sensing circuit, a light sensing apparatus including the light sensing circuit, a method of driving the light sensing apparatus, and an image acquisition apparatus and optical touch screen apparatus including the light sensing apparatus, the light sensing circuit includes an oxide semiconductor transistor including a channel layer including an oxide semiconductor material, for each pixel. The oxide semiconductor transistor is configured to operate as a light sensing device that senses light and a switch that outputs light sensing data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Young Kim, I-hun Song, Seung-eon Ahn, Sang-hun Jeon, Chang-jung Kim, Sung-ho Park
  • Patent number: 9891103
    Abstract: A spectrometer comprising a waveguide module, a diffractive component, and a light sensor is provided. The waveguide module has a first reflective surface, a second reflective surface opposite to the first reflective surface, and a light channel between the first reflective surface and the second reflective surface. The diffractive component has a diffractive surface and a plurality of strip-shaped diffractive structures located on the diffractive surface. The sharpness of the profile of the strip-shaped diffractive structures on a first side of the diffractive surface is greater than that on a second side of the diffractive surface. When viewed along a direction perpendicular to the second reflective surface, the first side of the diffractive surface is positioned between the first reflective surface and the second reflective surface with a distance away from the second reflective surface. A method for assembling the spectrometer and an assembling system are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: OTO PHOTONICS INC.
    Inventors: Meng-Hua Wang, Shih-Hung Chien, Jyh-Jau Chen, Jan Liang Yeh
  • Patent number: 9891104
    Abstract: Provided is a spectroscopic detector including: a light source for generating polychromatic light 11; a single diffraction grating 13; an excitation optical system for guiding the light from the light source 11 onto the diffraction grating 13, for selecting one wavelength from the light diffracted by the diffraction grating 13, and for casting the selected wavelength of light into a sample as excitation light; a detection optical system for guiding observation light emitted from the sample irradiated with the excitation light onto the diffraction grating 13 to disperse the observation light; and a photodetector 15 for detecting the observation light dispersed by the detection optical system. By using one diffraction grating 13 in both the excitation optical system and the detection optical system, the number of diffraction gratings is reduced, whereby both the cost reduction and the downsizing of the device are achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: SHIMADZU CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Minato
  • Patent number: 9891105
    Abstract: A microspectroscope includes: a light source; a plurality of light projecting optical fibers that receive light from the light source; a spectroscope; a plurality of light receiving optical fibers for guiding received light to the spectroscope; and a confocal optical system for causing each of a plurality of beams from the plurality of light projecting optical fibers to be condensed and irradiated onto a sample, and forming images of a plurality of beams from a plurality of condensing points on the sample, respectively on the plurality of light receiving optical fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Otsuka Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hisashi Shiraiwa
  • Patent number: 9891106
    Abstract: Provided is a terahertz wave spectrometry system that is capable of easily identifying and quantitating an analyzing target molecule in an analyte, even if the analyte contains water, by calculating a baseline function expressing the absorption characteristic of water peculiar to the terahertz wave.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seiji Fujihara, Yasuyuki Naito, Morio Tomiyama
  • Patent number: 9891107
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an optical imaging system that defines an optical path. In an aspect, the optical imaging system includes a first optical sub-system configured to substantially image, at a focus plane, electromagnetic radiation emanating from an object plane, a slit element at the focus plane to extract a line image from the electromagnetic radiation, a second optical sub-system configured to collimate, at a center plane, the electromagnetic radiation from the slit element, a dispersive element at the center plane with variable dispersive properties, a third optical sub-system configured to image the collimated electromagnetic radiation from the center plane to an image plane, and a detecting element at the image plane. In one example, the slit element is mechanically movable into and out of the optical path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: WAVEFRONT RESEARCH, INC.
    Inventor: Thomas A. Mitchell
  • Patent number: 9891108
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for detecting Alzheimer's disease in a subject. This method involves providing a sample from the subject, subjecting the sample to a spectroscopic analysis to produce a spectroscopic signature for the sample, determining whether the spectroscopic signature for the sample corresponds to an Alzheimer's disease spectroscopic signature, and identifying a subject as having Alzheimer's disease where the spectroscopic signature for the sample from that subject corresponds to the spectroscopic signature for Alzheimer's disease.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: THE RESEARCH FOUNDATION FOR THE STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK
    Inventor: Igor K. Lednev
  • Patent number: 9891109
    Abstract: The present concept is a portable color sensor for measuring color of a substrate that includes a single flat printed circuit board with a top and bottom side which includes at least one LED light and one color sensor and at least one light pipe receiving light from the LED and transmitting it onto a substrate at an angle theta. It also includes a tube frame including an optical tube for receiving light reflections from the substrate and directing the reflections to the color sensor. The light pipes and the tube frame, are mounted and compression fit between the printed circuit board and a lower housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Inventor: Matthew Sheridan
  • Patent number: 9891110
    Abstract: A system includes a temperature sensor and a distance sensor. The distance sensor provides an indication of distance between the temperature sensor and an object to be measured. By determining the distance between the temperature sensor and the object, the system determines whether the object is sufficiently close to the temperature sensor to make an accurate temperature measurement, such as by determining whether the object completely fills the field of view of the sensor. In an implementation, the distance sensor includes a light source and a photodetector configured to detect light having wavelengths that correspond to those generated by the light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Maxim Integrated Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Cheng-Wei Pei, Arvin Emadi
  • Patent number: 9891111
    Abstract: A thermowell assembly for measuring a process temperature includes an elongate thermowell having a proximal end and a distal end. A bore extends between the two ends with the thermowell assembly configured to extend into a process fluid. An infrared sensor detects infrared radiation from the distal end through the bore of the thermowell and responsively provides a sensor output. A configuration is provided in which infrared radiation received by the infrared sensor from a wall of the bore is reduced and or radiation received from the distal end of the bore is increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Rosemount Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew John Kitzman, Sascha Ulrich Kienitz, Jason Harold Rud
  • Patent number: 9891112
    Abstract: A radiation detector and method and computer program product for detecting radiation. The detector comprises a waveguide structure, a sensing structure comprising a phase change material, an optical transmitter and optical receiver. The optical transmitter transmits an optical sensing signal for receipt at the optical receiver via the waveguide structure. The phase change material comprises a first phase state at a first temperature range and a second phase state at a second temperature range and transitions from the first phase state to the second phase state under exposure of the radiation. The sensing structure is arranged in an evanescent field area of the waveguide structure and provides for an evanescent field of the optical sensing signal a first complex refractive index in the first phase state and a second complex refractive index in the second phase state. The first complex refractive index is different from the second complex refractive index.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Stefan Abel, Lukas Czornomaz, Jean Fompeyrine, Bernd w. Gotsmann, Fabian Menges
  • Patent number: 9891113
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a thermal sensor and a method for producing a thermal sensor of this type having a low signal-to-noise ratio at relatively high signal strengths. To this end, a thermoelectric generator is combined with a field effect transistor and a diode. Owing to its integrated diode and the barrier effect associated therewith, the thermal sensor is suitable for the economical and efficient design of imaging sensor arrays for converting thermal radiation into electrical signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Ingo Herrmann, Fabian Utermoehlen
  • Patent number: 9891114
    Abstract: A flexible laminated thermocouple is provided and includes layers of insulation material. At least one of the layers has a longitudinal axis and includes thermocouple conductors formed of differing electrically conductive materials. Each of the thermocouple conductors includes a main section extending along the longitudinal axis and a flange extending transversely to the longitudinal axis. The main sections are insulated from one another and the thermocouple conductors are insulated from thermocouple conductors of another layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventors: Eric Karlen, John Horowy, William Louis Wentland, Debabrata Pal
  • Patent number: 9891115
    Abstract: A sensor structure includes a fixing assembly and a sensing assembly. The fixing assembly includes a connection member. The sensing assembly includes a sleeve, an engaging member, a microchip, and a fastening member. The engaging member is received in the sleeve and is detachably engaged with the connection member. The microchip is coupled to the engaging member and is received in the sleeve. The fastening member latches the sleeve and is detachably fit around the connection member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Zong-Yuan Sun
  • Patent number: 9891116
    Abstract: To provide a signal generation circuit having a short settling time of an output voltage. In a PTAT signal generation circuit, a trimming circuit is coupled between the cathodes of 0-th to K-th diodes and a line of a ground voltage, the anode of the 0-th diode is coupled to a first node, the anodes of the first to the K-th diodes are coupled to a second node via a resistive element, the first node and the second node are set to the same voltage, a first current flowing through the 0-th diode and a second current flowing through the first to the K-th diodes are set to have the same value, and a third current flowing through the trimming circuit is set to have the value 2 times that of each of the first current and the second current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: RENESAS ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shigeki Obayashi, Hiroki Shimano, Masataka Minami, Hiroji Ozaki
  • Patent number: 9891117
    Abstract: The temperature sensor includes an insulating film; a thin film thermistor portion which is formed on the surface of the insulating film with a thermistor material of TiAlN; the pair of interdigitated electrodes which have a plurality of comb portions and are pattern-formed on the thin film thermistor portion using a metal so as to face each other; and the pair of pattern electrodes which are pattern-formed on the surface of the insulating film and are connected to the pair of interdigitated electrodes, wherein at least a part of each of the pattern electrodes is formed of a conductive resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI MATERIALS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hitoshi Inaba, Noriaki Nagatomo
  • Patent number: 9891118
    Abstract: A temperature sensor includes a metal tube containing thermo-sensitive element and filled with an insulating filling material, and a housing to which the metal tube is fixed. The metal tube includes a small-diameter part and a large-diameter part. The distal end of the small-diameter part is located beyond a virtual line. The virtual line passes a center of a maximum virtual circle which is an inscribed circle that contacts at least three points on an inner surface of the pipe in a cross-section perpendicular to an axial direction of the pipe, and is perpendicular to a center axis line of the metal tube. The whole of the small-diameter part and the part of the large-diameter part filled with the filling material are located within a center virtual circle which is coaxial with the maximum virtual circle and has an inner diameter of ? of that of the maximum virtual circle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kouichi Yoshida
  • Patent number: 9891119
    Abstract: A sensor includes a first structure that is attachable to a measurement specimen, a second structure that is made of material which is smaller in thermal expansion coefficient than the first structure, a bottom surface of the second structure being connected to the first structure, and a detector that is connected to an upper surface of the second structure, the detector being configured to detect a deformation of the second structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Yokogawa Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Takeru Samejima, Nobuyuki Hamamatsu, Takashi Yoshida