Patents Issued in April 24, 2018
  • Patent number: 9952062
    Abstract: A consumption meter for measuring consumption data of a supplied utility is provided, the consumption meter comprising: a housing with an opening, where the housing forms a closed compartment when the opening of the housing is closed with a cover; a communication module provided in the closed compartment; a front plate provided in the closed department and arranged adjacent to the cover, wherein the front plate has a first front plate surface facing the cover, and a second front plate surface facing opposite; and an antenna comprising an antenna body with an antenna conductive element, which is connected to the communication module; wherein the front plate has an indentation arranged between the first and the second front plate surfaces, and wherein the antenna body is arranged in the indentation. The consumption meter provides an antenna with a high transmission performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: KAMSTRUP A/S
    Inventors: Peter Schmidt Laursen, Claus Jørgensen, Lasse Pilegaard
  • Patent number: 9952063
    Abstract: A contactless electromagnetic sensor device for determining displacements of a rotor (120) is disclosed. Two sensing coils (612, 614) interact with surfaces of the rotor. A bridge circuit is formed by the sensing coils and by two secondary windings (212, 213) of an input transformer (210). The primary winding of the input transformer receives an excitation signal. An output signal is obtained at an output tap formed by a common node between the sensing coils (612, 614) and a common node between the secondary windings of the input transformer. In this manner excitation and detection are separated. If cables are used for connecting the bridge circuit to signal processing circuitry, the input and output impedances of the bridge circuit can be matched to the characteristic impedance of the cables. An output transformer can be connected to the output tap. The roles of the input and output transformers can be interchanged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: MECOS AG
    Inventors: Stephan Germann, Philipp Buhler
  • Patent number: 9952064
    Abstract: A transformer position sensor includes a primary coil, a secondary coil, and an electrically shorted coil. The primary coil is adapted to receive an excitation signal and is configured, upon receipt of the excitation signal, to generate a primary magnetic flux. The secondary coil is inductively coupled to the primary coil upon electrical excitation of the primary coil, and includes a plurality of differentially wound coils. The electrically shorted coil is inductively coupled to receive at least a portion of the primary magnetic flux generated by the primary coil. The electrically shorted coil is configured, upon receipt of at least a portion of the primary magnetic flux, to generate a magnetic flux that opposes the primary magnetic flux.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Vikrant Deshmukh, John Jerred
  • Patent number: 9952065
    Abstract: A position sensor device to determine a position of a moving device comprises a detection unit to detect a signal generated by the moving device and an evaluation unit to determine a first position (?0(t1)) specifying the position of the moving device at a first time (t1). An error distance determination unit determines a velocity of the movement of the moving device and at least one error distance (?err1, ?err2, ?err3) specifying a distance by which the moving device moves on between the first time (t1) and a second time (t2) in dependence on the velocity and a propagation delay time (Tpd). A position correction unit is configured to determine a corrected position (?corr) in dependence on the at least one error distance (?err1, ?err2, ?err3) and the first position (?0(t1)).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: AMS AG
    Inventors: Ruggero Leoncavallo, Kurt Riedmueller
  • Patent number: 9952066
    Abstract: A disclosed probe assembly includes a sensor member and an outer holder including a main bore for the sensor member, the outer holder including a first coefficient of thermal expansion. The sensor member is held within a sensor bore of an inner holder. The inner holder is held within the main bore of the outer holder by an interference fit. The inner holder includes a second coefficient of thermal expansion greater than the first coefficient of thermal expansion. Expansion of the inner holder is constrained by the outer holder to maintain the sensor member within the probe bore of the inner holder at elevated temperatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Eli Cole Warren
  • Patent number: 9952067
    Abstract: The disclosed technology may include systems, methods, and apparatus for optical measurements. A method is provided that includes receiving, by first and second Extrinsic Fabry-Perot Interferometer (EFPI) sensors, respective portions of interrogation light. The first EFPI sensor is responsive to a measurement stimulus and both the first EFPI sensor and the second EFPI sensor are responsive to a common mode stimulus. The method includes detecting a measurement signal and a first common-mode signal responsive to receiving altered interrogation light from the first EFPI sensor, the measurement signal corresponding to the measurement stimulus. The method includes detecting a second common mode signal responsive to receiving altered light from the second EFPI sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Kulite Semiconductor Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Martin A. Sanzari
  • Patent number: 9952068
    Abstract: An optical element for generating diffraction orders for an encoder apparatus, in which the optical element includes an array of diffraction features arranged such that the spacing between the centers of adjacent diffraction features varies irregularly from one pair of adjacent features to the next.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: RENISHAW PLC
    Inventor: Jason Kempton Slack
  • Patent number: 9952069
    Abstract: A tipping indicator (10) for fixing to a side surface of a packing box (1) includes an ink bag (11), an ink absorber (12), and an outer bag (13). The ink bag (11) includes an ink chamber (11a) internally filled with an ink (G). The ink absorber (12) is ink absorptive and has a different color from the ink (G). The outer bag (13) is formed from a film within which the ink bag (11) and the ink absorber (12) are enclosed. At least part of the outer bag (13) has a visual confirmation region (R3) in which the ink absorber (12) is visible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Toshiyuki Nakamura
  • Patent number: 9952070
    Abstract: An apparatus that determines an immersion risk of a mobile terminal user, includes an immersion determination unit configured to determine whether the user is immersed in a mobile terminal based on data of the user, and calculate an immersion frequency based on a result of the determination. The apparatus further includes an immersion risk determination unit configured to calculate a degree of the immersion risk based on the immersion frequency, and determine whether the immersion risk is present based on the degree of the immersion risk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ho-Sub Lee
  • Patent number: 9952071
    Abstract: A sensor unit includes a sensor module including a first plane and a second plane that crosses the first plane, and an armor body configured to house the sensor module. The armor body includes a first reference inner plane for positioning the first plane of the sensor module, a first reference outer plane parallel to the first reference inner plane and provided on an outer surface of the first reference inner plane, a second reference inner plane for positioning the second plane of the sensor module, and a second reference outer plane parallel to the second reference inner plane and provided on an outer surface of the second reference inner plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Mikimoto Jin, Tsutomu Taniguchi
  • Patent number: 9952072
    Abstract: The gas sensor 100 has a gas flow channel 127 formed therein by an inner protection cover 130. The gas flow channel 127 is formed in the pathway of measured gas from a first outer gas hole 144a formed in an outer protection cover 140 that covers the tip end of a sensor element 110 to a gas inlet port 111 of the sensor element 110. The gas flow channel 127 extends from the rear end side to the tip end side of the sensor element 110 and is open to the sensor element chamber 124 having the gas inlet port 111 disposed therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Mika Murakami, Takayuki Sekiya, Tomoya Seimori
  • Patent number: 9952073
    Abstract: An integrated load cell and inclinometer includes an outer shell including a u-shaped structure configured to receive a polished rod; a load sensor configured output a load signal based on a load experienced by the load sensor; a position sensor configured to output a position signal based on a position experienced by the position sensor; a load and position signal processor configured to receive and process the load signal from the load sensor and to output load signal data representative of the load experienced by the load sensor, and receive and process the position signal from the position sensor and to output position signal data representative of the inclination of the walking beam or the position of the polished rod; a solar battery configured to provide power to the integrated load cell and inclinometer; and a transmitter configured to transmit the load signal data and position signal data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Bode Energy Equipment Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Min Zhao
  • Patent number: 9952074
    Abstract: A heating, ventilation, or air conditioning (HVAC) system with automated flow direction detection is provided. The HVAC system includes one or more hoses configured to provide airflow from HVAC equipment, a bidirectional pressure sensor coupled to the hoses, and a controller coupled to the bidirectional pressure sensor. The controller is configured to receive a signal from the bidirectional pressure sensor, determine a direction of the airflow relative to the bidirectional pressure sensor based on the signal, correct the signal for a reversed hose polarity relative to the bidirectional sensor based on the direction of the airflow, and perform a control activity using the corrected signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Mark G. Freund, Troy A. Goldschmidt, Gary W. Gavin, Brandon A. Sloat, Timothy C. Gamroth
  • Patent number: 9952075
    Abstract: A magnetic flowmeter for measuring flow of a process fluid in a pipe includes a magnetic coil disposed adjacent to the pipe configured to apply a magnetic field to the process fluid. First and second electrodes are disposed within the pipe and electrically coupled to the process fluid and configured to sense an electromotive force (EMF) induced in the process fluid due to the applied magnetic field and flow of the process fluid. Input circuitry is coupled to the first and second electrodes and provides an output related to the sensed EMF. Diagnostic circuitry coupled to the input circuitry is configured to identify a saturation related condition and responsively provide a diagnostic output. In another embodiment, saturation prevention circuitry prevents saturation of the input circuitry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.
    Inventors: Scot Ronald Foss, Bruce David Rovner, Jared James Dreier
  • Patent number: 9952076
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described for automatically performing set-up steps for flow cytometry operations. The invention provides for the spatial determination of a flow stream and the subsequent automatic alignment of analysis devices and/or collection vessels. The automatic determination of flow stream properties provides for the automatic configuration flow cytometer parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Becton, Dickinson and Company
    Inventors: Pierce O. Norton, Vladimir Azersky
  • Patent number: 9952077
    Abstract: A brace bar, a flow conduit assembly including a brace bar, and a method for assembling a vibrating flowmeter including a brace bar are provided. The brace bar includes a first brace bar plate and a second brace bar plate. The first brace bar plate includes a first aperture and a first notch. The second brace bar plate includes a second aperture and a second notch. The first aperture and the second notch are configured to couple to a first flow conduit. The second aperture and the first notch are configured to couple to a second flow conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Micron Motion, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory Treat Lanham, Christopher A. Werbach
  • Patent number: 9952078
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to mass flow verification systems for and methods of measuring and verifying the mass flow through a mass flow delivery/measurement device such as a mass flow controller. A mass flow verification system comprises a preset volume, a temperature sensor, and a pressure sensor. The measured verified flow determined by the mass flow verification system can be adjusted to compensate for errors resulting from a dead volume within the mass flow measurement device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: MKS Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Junhua Ding, Kaveh H. Zarkar
  • Patent number: 9952079
    Abstract: A flow sensor assembly includes a housing that defines an inlet port, an outlet port, a main channel and a bypass channel. An inlet flow channel fluidly connects the inlet port of the flow sensor assembly to the main channel and an outlet flow channel fluidly connects the main channel to the outlet port. A bypass feeder input channel fluidly connects the main channel to the bypass channel and a bypass feeder output channel fluidly connect the bypass channel to the main channel. In some instances, at least 40 percent of an input pressure differential applied between the inlet port and the outlet port of the flow sensor assembly drops across the inlet flow channel and the outlet flow channel collectively. A sensor is exposed to a fluid in the bypass channel and senses a measure related to a flow rate of the fluid flowing through the bypass channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Jamie Speldrich, Richard C. Sorenson
  • Patent number: 9952080
    Abstract: When an exposed part of a semiconductor chip is reduced in size, a tendency of development of a crack on the semiconductor chip is suppressed. A pressure of injection of a resin MR into a second space creates a gap on a contact part SEL where an elastic film LAF and a semiconductor chip CHP1 are in contact, and a resin MR2 different in constituent from the resin MR infiltrates into the gap. As a result, in an area of semiconductor chip CHP1 that is exposed from the resin MR, the resin MR2 is formed in an area other than a flow detecting unit FDU and an area around it. Hence, an area of semiconductor chip CHP1 that is exposed from the resins MR and MR2 can be reduced in size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsutomu Kono, Keiji Hanzawa, Noboru Tokuyasu, Shinobu Tashiro, Hiroki Nakatsuchi
  • Patent number: 9952081
    Abstract: A level sensor assembly includes a fiber that is configured to be at least partially disposed in a tank and to be coupled to a light source and to a light detector. The fiber includes a plurality of sensing regions spaced apart along a length of the fiber. Each sensing region of the plurality of sensing regions includes a Bragg grating configured to generate a reflection spectrum responsive to incident light and a strain layer around the Bragg grating. Each strain layer is configured to induce a strain on the fiber at a respective Bragg grating based on a temperature of the strain layer such that shifts in the reflection spectra of the Bragg gratings indicate which of the sensing regions are submerged in a liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Tyler C. Staudinger, Jacob D. Delaney
  • Patent number: 9952082
    Abstract: The level sensor system includes a level sensor label configured to be associated with a container containing a material whose level is to be sensed, the level sensor label arrangement having a circuit which includes an inductive element electrically connected to a capacitive structure configured to be associated with the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: PALO ALTO RESEARCH CENTER INCORPORATED
    Inventors: David E. Schwartz, Yunda Wang, Robert A. Street, Ping Mei, Janos Veres, Gregory L. Whiting, Steven E. Ready, Tse Nga Ng
  • Patent number: 9952083
    Abstract: A method and a system for evaluating a content of a bin, the method may include (a) transmit multiple acoustic pulses by multiple acoustic transceiver arrays towards different areas of an upper surface of the content when the acoustic transceivers are positioned at different locations; wherein the multiple acoustic transceiver arrays are connected to a device that is moved according to a movement pattern between the different locations; receive by the multiple acoustic transceiver arrays multiple echoes of the multiple acoustic pulses; process by the multiple acoustic transceiver arrays the multiple echoes to provide multiple estimates of the different areas; associate with the multiple estimates of the different areas timing information indicative of a timing of the receiving of the multiple echoes to a computer; and obtain by an acoustic based location device, location information readings related to locations of the device at multiple points of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: APM AUTOMATION SOLUTIONS LTD
    Inventors: Avishai Bartov, Yossi Zlotnick
  • Patent number: 9952084
    Abstract: A method and a system for evaluating a content of a bin, the method may include: transmitting by multiple acoustic transceiver arrays, a plurality of acoustics pulses in an at least partially overlapping manner towards an expected location of the content to generate an acoustic interference pattern that comprises multiple fringes; detecting by an acoustic transceiver array a first fringe of the acoustic interference pattern and providing a fringe detection signal; and processing the first fringe detection signal to assist in a provision of a first estimate related to the content. A distance between a pair of acoustic transceiver arrays is at least ten times a distance between transducers of a same acoustic transceiver array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: APM AUTOMATION SOLUTIONS LTD
    Inventors: Yossi Zlotnick, Avishai Bartov
  • Patent number: 9952085
    Abstract: A multiturn pulley liquid level sensor device for measuring a liquid level in a well and in a container, comprising a mechanical float which is fastened to a fastening rope and which can slide up and down. The fastening rope is installed on one or more pulleys, and as the float moves up and down, the pulley rotates back and forth. One pulley is mechanically coupled to one digital absolute magnetic rotation encoder device, and the encoder device is used for monitoring the total rotation angle of the pulley in real time. By way of using an algorithm, the total rotation angle of the pulley is converted into a distance from the bottom to calculate the height of a liquid level. A multiwheel encoder has two reading types, i.e., one is an electrical signal reading type, and the other is an optical signal reading type. The electronic output of said encoder may be used as input to an industrial control system, or be sent via communications link to a remote or the internet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: MultiDimension Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: James Geza Deak, Mark C. Tondra
  • Patent number: 9952086
    Abstract: A liquid level detector includes a casing having a first regulatory section and a second regulatory section, a float that has its upward and downward displacement restricted by contact with the first regulatory section or the second regulatory section, a magnet body that is held by the float, and a switch mechanism that is switched between an on-state and an off-state. A first distance from a switching plane to the first regulatory section and a second distance from the switching plane to the second regulatory section are both longer than a length from one magnet end face to a bottom end section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Atsushi Yasuda
  • Patent number: 9952087
    Abstract: A conveyor system for transporting items from a receiving section to an outlet section, the conveyor system having plurality of first support members for transporting items and a weighing device. wherein a second support member is arranged at a first support member by way of a support assembly, allowing the second support member for being supported by the first support member in a first vertical position and for being moved relative to the first support member between the first vertical position and a second vertical position higher than the first vertical position. The conveyor system includes a lifting device for moving the second support member from the first vertical position towards the second vertical position. The weighing device is arranged for supporting the second support member when the second support member is in the second vertical position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: OPTIMUS SORTER HOLDING B.V.
    Inventor: Albert Hendriks
  • Patent number: 9952088
    Abstract: Controlling deposition and retrieval of shipments via an electronic locker unit communicatively coupled a managing distribution center, and having lockable compartments, comprises entering an identification code of the shipment and retrieving specific information including a weight P0 associated with the shipment; opening a compartment of the electronic locker unit; depositing the shipment inside the compartment; weighing the shipment with a weighing module located inside the compartment and comparing the measured weight P with a reference weight; and locking the compartment and logging the compartment as filled and successfully locked upon close match and validation of weight comparison, said reference weight is an authorized weight interval between a minimal weight Pmin and a maximal weight Pmax determined by cumulating at least the two following: a carrier weight tolerance T1 corresponding to the weight P0 provided by the carrier, and a locker weight tolerance T2 of the scales of the weighing modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: NEOPOST TECHNOLOGIES
    Inventor: Stéphane Pointeau
  • Patent number: 9952089
    Abstract: An optical sensing module includes a substrate, a cover, a plurality of light-emitting chips, a light-receiving chip, and a plurality of encapsulants. The cover is disposed on the substrate. A plurality of first chambers and a second chamber are formed between the cover and the substrate. The cover has a plurality of light-emitting holes communicating with the first chambers, respectively, and a light-receiving hole communicating with the second chamber. The light-emitting chips are disposed on the substrate and in the first chambers, respectively. The light-receiving chip is disposed on the substrate and in the second chamber. The encapsulants fill the first and second chambers and enclose the light-emitting chips and the light-receiving chip, respectively. Hence, characterized in that: the light-emitting chips and the light-receiving chip are disposed on the substrate, and the light-emitting chips emit light beams in different colors to enhance light emission efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Lingsen Precision Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ming-Te Tu, Yu-Chang Huang
  • Patent number: 9952090
    Abstract: A detecting apparatus for detecting an object includes at least a screen, at least a detecting unit and at least a holding unit. The screen is partial light-permeable and has a first surface and an opposite second surface. The object is disposed adjacent to the first surface of the screen. The detecting unit is disposed corresponding to the object and located adjacent to the second surface of the screen. The holding unit holds the relative distances between the screen, the object and the detecting unit. The detecting unit captures the image of the second surface of the screen so as to calculate the optical field distribution of the object. The detecting apparatus can measure the optical field distribution of an object quickly and has the advantages of low cost and high accuracy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: National Central University
    Inventors: Ching-Cherng Sun, Yeh-Wei Yu, Yen-Lin Chen, Wei-Hsin Chen
  • Patent number: 9952091
    Abstract: The invention provides a management system for an illumination facility, which comprises an illuminance measuring instrument, a position detector for detecting a position of the traveling vehicle, and an arithmetic device, which are mounted on a traveling vehicle, wherein the arithmetic device is configured to save a map information, positional data of an illumination lamp, initial data including illuminance data, and the illuminance data as acquired by the illuminance measuring instrument while driving the traveling vehicle, and wherein the arithmetic device is configured to calculate daily management data of the illumination facility based on the positional data of the traveling vehicle as detected by the position detector, the map information, and the illuminance data, and further wherein the arithmetic device is configured to calculate a change of the illumination facility including the illumination lamp based on the initial data and the daily management data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: TOPCON Corporation
    Inventor: Hisashi Isozaki
  • Patent number: 9952092
    Abstract: An optical sensor and optical system are disclosed. The optical sensor is disclosed to include a light source, a photodetector having a proximity sensing portion and an ambient light sensing portion, and a controller configured to implement a proximity sensing phase where the proximity sensing portion of the photodetector is utilized to obtain an incident light reading when the light source is ON and then implement an ambient light sensing phase where the ambient light sensing portion of the photodetector is utilized to obtain an incident light reading when the light source is OFF.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: AVAGO TECHNOLOGIES GENERAL IP (SINGAPORE) PTE. LTD.
    Inventors: James Costello, Gek Yong Ng, Siong Lee Loh, Boon Keat Tan
  • Patent number: 9952093
    Abstract: An ultraviolet index measuring method and apparatus includes preparing a first photosensor having spectral response only in a first section of a wavelength between 250 nm and 298 nm, a second photosensor having spectral response only in a second section of a wavelength between 298 nm and 328 nm, and a third photosensor having spectral response only in a third section of a wavelength between 328 nm and 400 nm. An output signal of the first photosensor, an output signal of the second photosensor, and an output signal of the third photosensor are calibrated using spectral irradiance of reference solar light. First photocurrent of the first photosensor, second photocurrent of the second photosensor, and third photocurrent of the third photosensor are measured under a measurement environment. An ultraviolet index is calculated using the first photocurrent, the second photocurrent, and the third photocurrent under the measurement environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science
    Inventors: Dong-Hoon Lee, Seongchong Park, Dong-Joo Shin
  • Patent number: 9952094
    Abstract: A semiconductor device for flame detection, including: a semiconductor body having a first conductivity type conductivity, delimited by a front surface and forming a cathode region; an anode region having a second conductivity type conductivity, which extends within the semiconductor body, starting from the front surface, and forms, together with the cathode region, the junction of a photodiode that detect ultraviolet radiation emitted by the flames; a supporting dielectric region; and a sensitive region, which is arranged on the supporting dielectric region and varies its own resistance as a function of the infrared radiation emitted by the flames.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS S.R.L.
    Inventors: Massimo Cataldo Mazzillo, Antonella Sciuto
  • Patent number: 9952095
    Abstract: An electronic device includes one or more light sources for emitting light toward a body part of a user and one or more optical sensors for capturing light samples while each light source is turned on and for capturing dark samples while the light source(s) are turned off. A signal produced by the one or more optical sensors is filtered and demodulated produce multiple demodulated signals each associated with a light source. Each signal associated with the light source(s) is analyzed to estimate or determine a physiological parameter of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Steven P. Hotelling, Marcelo M. Lamego
  • Patent number: 9952096
    Abstract: A spectral encoder includes a thin layer of lossy dielectric material whose thickness varies transversely from 0 to a thickness of about ?/4n (e.g., <100 nm), where ? is the wavelength of incident radiation and n is the dielectric material's refractive index. The dielectric layer reflects (and/or transmits) light at a wavelength that depends on the layer's thickness. Because the dielectric layer's thickness varies, different parts of the dielectric layer may reflect (transmit) light at different wavelengths. For instance, shining white light on a dielectric layer with a linearly varying thickness may produce a rainbow-like reflected (and/or transmitted) beam. Thus, the spectral encoder maps different wavelengths to different points in space. This mapping can be characterized by a transfer matrix which can be used to determine the spectrum of radiation incident on the spectral encoder from the spatial intensity distribution of the radiation reflected (and/or transmitted) by the spectral encoder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: PRESIDENT AND FELLOWS OF HARVARD COLLEGE
    Inventors: Mikhail A. Kats, Romain Blanchard, Patrice Genevet, Federico Capasso
  • Patent number: 9952097
    Abstract: The infrared scene projector has a support structure having an airtight chamber; an image projector secured to the support structure; a conversion chip having a substrate secured to the support structure, and an array of conversion units received on a face of the substrate, the array of conversion units being enclosed inside the airtight chamber and being optically coupled to the image projector, each one of the conversion units having at least one supporting post secured to the face of the substrate and a suspended platform held spaced apart from the face of the substrate by the at least one supporting post, the conversion chip being adapted to convert at least one of visible and near-infrared light received from the image projector into infrared radiation; and an infrared beam path extending away from the array of conversion units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: INSTITUT NATIONAL D'OPTIQUE
    Inventor: Bruno Tremblay
  • Patent number: 9952098
    Abstract: A spectrometer comprises a plurality of isolated optical channels comprising a plurality of isolated optical paths. The isolated optical paths decrease cross-talk among the optical paths and allow the spectrometer to have a decreased length with increased resolution. In many embodiments, the isolated optical paths comprise isolated parallel optical paths that allow the length of the device to be decreased substantially. In many embodiments, each isolated optical path extends from a filter of a filter array, through a lens of a lens array, through a channel of a support array, to a region of a sensor array. Each region of the sensor array comprises a plurality of sensor elements in which a location of the sensor element corresponds to the wavelength of light received based on an angle of light received at the location, the focal length of the lens and the central wavelength of the filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: VERIFOOD, LTD.
    Inventors: Damian Goldring, Dror Sharon, Guy Brodetzki, Amit Ruf, Menahem Kaplan, Sagee Rosen, Omer Keilaf, Uri Kinrot, Kai Engelhardt, Ittai Nir
  • Patent number: 9952099
    Abstract: A spectroscopic analysis device for analysis of a sample comprises an input for receiving light from the sample and a photonic integrated circuit. This photonic optical filter comprises one or more tunable bandpass filters arranged to filter the received light. Furthermore, the device comprises a controller that is arranged—to control the one or more tunable bandpass filters, to receive filter results obtained from the one or more tunable bandpass filters, and to provide spectroscopic analysis results based on the received filter results.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Klaas Cornelis Jan Wijbrans, Gerhardus Wilhelmus Lucassen, Bernardus Hendrikus Wilhelmus Hendriks
  • Patent number: 9952100
    Abstract: A handheld LIBS spectrometer system features an optics stage moveable with respect to a housing and including a laser focusing lens. A laser source is mounted in the housing for directing a laser beam to a sample via the laser focusing lens. A detection fiber is mounted in the housing and is fixed relative thereto. A first mirror is fixed relative to the housing and includes an aperture for the laser beam. This mirror is oriented to re-direct plasma radiation for delivery to the detection fiber. A controller subsystem is responsive to the output of a spectrometer subsystem and is configured to control the laser source and the optics stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: SciAps, Inc.
    Inventors: David R. Day, Konstantin Derman, John Francis Egan, Paul Edward Soucy
  • Patent number: 9952101
    Abstract: A spectroscopic measurement apparatus includes a light source, an integrator, a first spectroscopic detector, a second spectroscopic detector, and an analysis unit. The integrator includes an internal space in which a measurement object is disposed, a light input portion for inputting light to the internal space, a light output portion for outputting light from the internal space, and a sample attachment portion for attaching the measurement object. The first spectroscopic detector receives the light output from the integrator, disperses the light of a first wavelength region, and acquires first spectrum data. The second spectroscopic detector receives the light output from the integrator, disperses the light of a second wavelength region, and acquires second spectrum data. The first wavelength region and the second wavelength region include a wavelength region partially overlapping each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: HAMAMATSU PHOTONICS K.K.
    Inventors: Kengo Suzuki, Kazuya Iguchi
  • Patent number: 9952102
    Abstract: In one example, an electronic signal is received from a target color measurement instrument that includes a plurality of color channels. A response of the target color measurement instrument to a light emitted by a target light emitting device is extracted from the signal. The response is calibrated to minimize a difference between the response and an output of a color matching function of a standard observer. Calibrating includes multiplying the response by a calibration matrix. The calibration matrix combines measurements of a first plurality of lights from a tunable light source and measurements of a second plurality of lights from the target light emitting device. A first subset of the measurements of the first plurality and second plurality of lights are made by the target color measurement instrument and a second subset of the measurements of the first plurality and second plurality of lights are made by a reference spectroradiometer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: DATACOLOR, INC.
    Inventors: Zhiling Xu, Michael H. Brill
  • Patent number: 9952103
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method for evaluating cooling performance of equipment in a data center. In one aspect, the method comprises receiving data related to equipment in the data center, determining first parameters related to airflow and temperature in the data center at a first period in time, receiving a description of a transient event affecting one of airflow and temperature in the data center at a second time, breaking a second time period subsequent to the second time into a plurality of time intervals, determining second parameters related to airflow in the data center during one of the time intervals, determining the parameters related to temperature in the data center at each of the time intervals based on the second parameters related to airflow, and storing, on a storage device, a representation of the parameters related to temperature in the data center during the second time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC IT CORPORATION
    Inventors: James William VanGilder, Christopher M. Healey, Xuanhang Zhang
  • Patent number: 9952104
    Abstract: An optical fiber temperature distribution measuring device includes: an optical fiber as a sensor; a light source for outputting, to the optical fiber, signal light which has been amplified by excitation light; a temperature distribution calculation unit for measuring a temperature distribution along the optical fiber by using backward Raman scattered light from the optical fiber; an ASE light intensity variation measurement unit for measuring an intensity variation of an ASE light generated at the light source; and a temperature distribution correction unit for correcting the temperature distribution based on a measurement result of the ASE light intensity variation measurement unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Yokogawa Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Yuuji Nishio
  • Patent number: 9952105
    Abstract: A temperature measurement apparatus includes a first temperature sensor disposed so as to be close to a contact surface with an object to be measured in a thickness direction of an apparatus main body, and a second temperature sensor disposed so as to be close to a display unit in the thickness direction of the apparatus main body. The display unit is switched between a first display state and a second display state by switching a mark between display and non-display. An internal temperature of the object to be measured is calculated by using a detected temperature in the first temperature sensor and a detected temperature in the second temperature sensor in the first display state, and a detected temperature in the first temperature sensor and a detected temperature in the second temperature sensor in the second display state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Sakiko Shimizu, Akira Ikeda
  • Patent number: 9952106
    Abstract: Input device configurations are described. In implementations, an input device includes a sensor substrate having a capacitive sensor to detect proximity of an object that contacts the input device. The input device also includes a flexible contact layer spaced apart from the sensor substrate, where the flexible contact layer is implemented to flex and contact the sensor substrate responsive to pressure applied by the object to initiate an input to a computing device. The flexible contact layer can include a force concentrator pad that is designed to cause pressure to be channeled through the force concentrator pad to cause the flexible contact layer to contact the sensor substrate to initiate the input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Timothy C. Shaw, Flavio P. Ribeiro, Glennis E. Covington, Christian C. Gadke, Xuezhong Wu, Bradley R. Martin, Francie Judith Zant, Scott M. Mail, James C. Marshall
  • Patent number: 9952107
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a force sensor apparatus is provided including a tube portion having a plurality of radial ribs and a strain gauge positioned over each of the plurality of radial ribs, a proximal end of the tube portion that operably couples to a shaft of a surgical instrument that operably couples to a manipulator arm of a robotic surgical system, and a distal end of the tube portion that proximally couples to a wrist joint coupled to an end effector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc
    Inventors: Stephen J. Blumenkranz, Christopher J. Hasser
  • Patent number: 9952108
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a multi-axis force sensor which includes a vertical measurement module to measure a vertical component of force applied to a point of application, and a horizontal measurement module to measure a horizontal component of force applied to the point of application, wherein the vertical measurement module has a body horizontally moved by the horizontal component of force applied to the point of application, and the horizontal measurement module measures the horizontal component of force applied to the point of application, based on the movement of the body of the vertical measurement module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: I2A SYSTEMS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Pil Won Heo, Gwang Min Gu
  • Patent number: 9952109
    Abstract: A microbarometer includes a reference base, a bellows having a first edge fixed to a reference surface of the base and having an elongation direction perpendicular to the reference surface. A cover closes a second edge of the bellows and sealingly insulates an interior volume thereof. The bellows configured such that variations in elongation are directly proportional to pressure variations induced by infrasonic waves. A reflective element is integral the cover and an interferometric component receives a beam from a source is integral with the reference surface of the base. An input/output optical path faces the reflective element and is parallel to the elongation direction of the bellows, so as to emit a beam fraction towards the reflective element and to sense the reflected beam after reflection from reflective element. The interferometric component including integrated optical guide lines and optical separation and combination zones within a substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: COMMISSARIAT A L'ENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVES
    Inventors: Serge Olivier, Damien Ponceau
  • Patent number: 9952110
    Abstract: A pressure sensor package includes a pressure sensor having a first side attached to a substrate and a second side opposite the first side, the first side having a pressure inlet aligned with an opening in the substrate, the second side having one or more electrical contacts. A logic die attached to an opposite side of the substrate as the pressure sensor is operable to process signals from the pressure sensor. First electrical conductors connect to the one or more electrical contacts of the pressure sensor. Second electrical conductors connect to one or more electrical contacts of the logic die. A mold compound completely encapsulates the second electrical conductors and at least partly encapsulates the logic die and the first electrical conductors. An open passage in the mold compound is aligned with the opening in the substrate so as to define a pressure port of the pressure sensor package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Sebastian Beer, Horst Theuss
  • Patent number: 9952111
    Abstract: According to an embodiment, a device includes a substrate, a transducer die disposed over the substrate, a cover disposed over the transducer die, and a support structure connecting the cover to the substrate. The support structure includes a port configured to allow transfer of fluidic signals between an ambient environment and the transducer die.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: INFINEON TECHNOLOGIES AG
    Inventor: Andreas Froemel