Patents Issued in May 1, 2018
  • Patent number: 9958522
    Abstract: A method for determining the spatial distribution of magnetic resonance signals from at least one of N subvolumes predefines a reception encoding scheme and determines unique spatial encoding for at least one of the subvolumes but not for the entire volume under examination (UV). A transmission encoding scheme is also defined, wherein encoding is effected via the amplitude and/or phase of the transverse magnetization. The temporal amplitude and phase profile of the RF pulses is then calculated and each reception encoding step is carried out I times with variations according to the I transmission encoding steps in the transmission encoding scheme. The method makes it possible to largely restrict the spatially resolving MR signal encoding and image reconstruction to subvolumes of the object under examination without the achievable image quality sensitively depending on imperfections in the MR apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Bruker BioSpin MRI GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Ruhm, Johannes Schneider, Peter Ullmann
  • Patent number: 9958523
    Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) method includes: applying radio-frequency (RF) pulses comprising a plurality of frequency components and a selection gradient to a subject to simultaneously excite a plurality of sub-volumes in each of a plurality of groups, wherein a plurality of sub-volumes making up a volume of the subject are divided into the plurality of groups so that any neighboring sub-volumes belong to different groups; performing three-dimensional (3D) encoding on each of the excited sub-volumes using a plurality of encoding methods; acquiring magnetic resonance signals from the encoded sub-volumes; and reconstructing the acquired magnetic resonance signals into image data corresponding to each of the encoded sub-volumes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Young Beom Kim, Yeunchul Ryu, Jaemock Yi
  • Patent number: 9958524
    Abstract: A probe calibration device that includes a first offset element having a substantially rectangular first aperture. The probe calibration device includes a tuned pass element disposed adjacent to the first offset element. The tuned pass element has a non-rectangular second aperture. The probe calibration device includes a second offset element disposed adjacent to the tuned pass element and on a side opposite the first offset element. The second offset element has a substantially rectangular third aperture. The probe calibration device includes a backing element disposed adjacent to the second offset element. The first offset element, the tuned pass element, the second offset element and the backing element form a cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Lydell L. Frasch, Nathaniel P. Roman
  • Patent number: 9958525
    Abstract: A measuring device for direction finding of an electromagnetic signal includes an antenna-element for receiving the electromagnetic signal and processing means for determining the direction of the electromagnetic signal and displaying the direction of the electromagnetic signal. The processing means further include direction uncertainty determination means (322) for determining a direction uncertainty angle of the direction of the electromagnetic signal. The processing means are set up for displaying the direction uncertainty angle on display means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: ROHDE & SCHWARZ GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventor: Hendrik Bartko
  • Patent number: 9958526
    Abstract: Directional characterization of a location of a target device makes use of multiple radio transmissions that are received from the target device. In some examples, each radio transmission is received at a first antenna at a fixed location, and is also received at a second moving antenna. The received transmissions are combined to determine the directional characterization, for example, as a distribution of power as a function of direction. In some examples, the received radio transmissions are processed to determine, for each of a plurality of directions of arrival of the radio transmissions, a most direct direction of arrival, for example, to distinguish a direct path from a reflected path from the target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Swarun Suresh Kumar, Dina Katabi
  • Patent number: 9958527
    Abstract: A sensor for determining a direction-of-arrival of radiation impingent on the sensor which has antennas positioned in a particular set-up different from a rectangle, so that information may be derived between two pairs of the antennas, positioned in corners of a rectangular grid and additional information may be derived from an additional antenna, combined with one of the “grid” antennas forming a third pair of antennas. The additional antenna is positioned away from the corners and other pre-defined lines of the rectangle/grid. In this manner, such as from phase differences between the pairs of antennas, more information may be derived compared to antennas positioned merely at the corners of a rectangle to remove ambiguous angles of direction-of-arrival without compromising accuracy of an angular determination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: TRACKMAN A/S
    Inventor: Fredrik Tuxen
  • Patent number: 9958528
    Abstract: A method for determining a yaw direction of a wind turbine includes the following steps, receiving at a component of the wind turbine a signal broadcasted from a source, determining a direction from the component towards the source based on the received signal, determining the yaw direction of the wind turbine in relation to the determined direction towards the source is provided. Further, a wind turbine and a device as well as a computer program product and a computer readable medium are disclosed for performing the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCAFT
    Inventor: Samuel H. Hawkins
  • Patent number: 9958529
    Abstract: A system for localization of a radio frequency source in a region includes a first plurality of antennas disposed about the region, a second plurality of antennas disposed about the region, a first radio frequency positioning module in communication with the first plurality of antennas and configured to determine a plurality of spatially separated candidate locations in the region for the radio frequency source, a second radio frequency positioning module in communication with the second plurality of antennas and configured to determine a sub-region of the region, the sub-region including the radio frequency source, and a resolution module for identifying a subset of the candidate locations in the sub-region of the region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Dina Katabi, Deepak Vasisht, Jue Wang
  • Patent number: 9958530
    Abstract: The vertical tailplane of the aircraft is equipped with a distress beacon. The floatability of the vertical tailplane is taken advantage of in order to keep the distress beacon on the surface of the water in the case of an accident caused by a forced landing on the sea.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Airbus Operations SAS
    Inventor: Michel Colin
  • Patent number: 9958531
    Abstract: In some examples, a query including signal values providing measures of signals between a first wireless device and corresponding access points is received. Access points are ranked for the query based on sorting the signal values. Similarity values are computed, using the ranking, between the query and respective fingerprints of signal values collected at a plurality of locations in an area, each signal value of the signal values in the fingerprints providing a measure of a signal between at least one wireless device at a location of the plurality of locations and a respective access point of the access points. A location of the first wireless device is determined based on the computed similarity values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventor: Krishnam Raju Jampani
  • Patent number: 9958532
    Abstract: Provided is a method for detecting a position of an object relative to an electrode configuration with at least three electrodes, wherein a first electrode substantially is arranged parallel or concentrically to a second electrode, a third electrode is arranged in an acute angle or excentric relative to the first electrode, the first electrode is loaded with a first generator signal, and wherein the second electrode may be loaded with a second generator signal. The second generator signal preferably is inverse with respect to the first generator signal. In addition, provided for the method is a suitable electrode configuration with at least three electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Microchip Technology Germany II GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventor: Stefan Burger
  • Patent number: 9958533
    Abstract: A method for locating wireless devices within a local region, comprising: determining respective global locations of two or more of the wireless devices; determining whether the wireless devices are within the local region by calculating respective distances between the global locations; determining respective ranges between the wireless devices within the local region; and, determining respective relative locations of the wireless devices within the local region by triangulation using the ranges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: DRNC Holdings, Inc.
    Inventor: Tajinder Manku
  • Patent number: 9958534
    Abstract: A method for determining an indicator for a blindness of a radar sensor, includes: controlling the radar sensor to transmit a transmission signal in the form of at least two successive frequency ramps having the same ramp slope and in the same frequency range, and to receive detection signals associated with the frequency ramps; examining, for multiple frequencies, whether a ratio between the received powers in the frequency spectra of the received signals, at a respective frequency, corresponds to a ratio between the transmission powers of the associated frequency ramps; and determining an indicator for a blindness of the radar sensor based on the result of the examinations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Maija Chabaud, Goetz Kuehnle
  • Patent number: 9958535
    Abstract: A detector (118) for determining a position of at least one object (112) is disclosed, the detector (118) comprising: at least one longitudinal optical sensor (120), wherein the longitudinal optical sensor (120) has at least one sensor region (124), wherein the longitudinal optical sensor (120) is at least partially transparent, wherein the longitudinal optical sensor (120) is designed to generate at least one longitudinal sensor signal in a manner dependent on an illumination of the sensor region (124) by at least one light beam (126) traveling from the object (112) to the detector (118), wherein the longitudinal sensor signal, given the same total power of the illumination, is dependent on a beam cross-section of the light beam (126) in the sensor region (124); at least one illumination source (114) adapted to illuminate the object (112) with illumination light (115) through the longitudinal optical sensor (120); and at least one evaluation device (136), wherein the evaluation device (136) is designed to
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: BASF SE
    Inventors: Robert Send, Ingmar Bruder, Erwin Thiel, Stephan Irle
  • Patent number: 9958537
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided directed to a device, including at least one ultrasonic transducer, a multi-level pulser coupled to the at least one ultrasonic transducer; the multi-level pulser including a plurality of input terminals configured to receive respective input voltages, an output terminal configured to provide an output voltage, and a signal path between a first input terminal and the output terminal including a first transistor having a first conductivity type coupled to a first diode and, in parallel, a second transistor having a second conductivity type coupled to a second diode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Butterfly Networks, Inc.
    Inventors: Kailiang Chen, Tyler S. Ralston
  • Patent number: 9958538
    Abstract: An ultrasonic transmission and reception device is described. This includes a transmission circuit for generating a transmission signal at its transmission outputs and, an ultrasonic transducer, which is suited for converting electrical signals into sound signals and sound signals into electrical signals, a transformer, the primary side of which is connected to the transmission outputs and of the transmission circuit and the secondary side of which is connected to the ultrasonic transducer, and a reception circuit for processing a received signal present at its reception input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Karl-Heinz Richter, Dirk Schmid, David Bartylla
  • Patent number: 9958539
    Abstract: The present invention regards a method of operation of a real aperture radar system for surveillance of the Earth's surface, said real aperture radar system being installed on a space vehicle/platform that moves in a direction of flight and comprising a transceiving antenna, or a transmitting antenna and a receiving antenna, which is/are electronically steerable. All the radar pulses are transmitted: with a predefined pulse repetition frequency and a predefined timing of the scanning cycle such that to guarantee a complete coverage of each of the N swaths parallelly to the direction of flight; and by using a frequency agility technique.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Thales Alenia Space Italia S.p.A. Con Unico Socio
    Inventor: Andrea Torre
  • Patent number: 9958540
    Abstract: An ultra-wideband transceiver includes: one antenna for transmitting a first ultra-wideband signal at time 1 and receiving a second ultra-wideband signal at time 2; a transfer unit that transfers the first ultra-wideband signal from a first node to the antenna or transfers the second ultra-wideband signal received by the antenna to the first node, based on characteristics of an input signal; and a first buffer that generates a first pulse signal for the first ultra-wideband signal and outputs the same to the first node at time 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: S-1 Corporation
    Inventor: Hyounkuk Kim
  • Patent number: 9958541
    Abstract: A radar device mounted in a moving object includes a radar transmitter and a radar receiver. The radar receiver includes a plurality of antenna brunch processors that perform correlation processing of the received returning signals and the radar transmission signal, and generate respective correlation signals each including arrival delay information of each of the received returning signals, an electric power profile generator that generates an electric power profiles for each arrival direction of the received returning signals and Doppler frequency component, using the generated correlation signals, and a stationary object group distribution generator that, based on the generated electric power profiles, obtains a first distribution of a Doppler frequency components of a stationary object group including a plurality of stationary objects as the plurality of targets in the perimeter of the moving object, for each azimuth angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takaaki Kishigami, Hirofumi Nishimura
  • Patent number: 9958542
    Abstract: An IP camera includes a camera unit for picking up images of a target object; a wireless signal processing unit for transmitting an intelligent monitoring ng a wireless signal to the target object and receiving a scattering wireless signal reflected from the target object; and a signal processing unit electrically coupled to the camera unit and the wireless signal processing unit for receiving a data corresponding to the image of the target object from the camera unit and a data corresponding to the scattering wireless signal reflected from the wireless signal processing unit. The signal processing unit analyzes the data corresponding to the image of the target object to obtain a status ate information and generates a reference signal according to the status information, and the reference signal is processed together with the data corresponding to the scattering wireless signal by the signal processing unit to generate a change detection signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: ALPHA NETWORKS INC.
    Inventors: Rong-Fa Kuo, Chia-Hui Chan, Chung-Wang Lee
  • Patent number: 9958543
    Abstract: The present method and system relates to the determination of elevation angles for the case in which more than one target object is situated within a radar cell. Through the estimation according to the present invention of the elevation angles in multi-target scenarios, even in such cases both azimuth angles and elevation angles can be determined, and a reliable classification of the respective target objects can then take place. The present system also relates to a motor vehicle having a radar system that includes an azimuth and elevation angle estimation method and system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Michael Schoor, Volker Gross
  • Patent number: 9958544
    Abstract: An embodiment can include a vessel-towed system that includes a first towing/communication interface system, e.g., a first tow cable with a fiber optic system, and spaced apart buoys for supporting the first tow cable. A first mobile structure including a first control system and first type of emitter, e.g., an attraction system, is connected to the first tow cable. A second mobile structure is provided that can include an underwater towed emitter such as an audio emulation system. The first and second emitters can be configured emit a first and second plurality of emissions for inducing a receiving entity response. The second mobile structure is coupled with the first mobile structure with a second tow cable that comprises another fiber optic cable. An automated response or manual control systems can be provided on the towing vessel and the first mobile structure adapted to operate the first and second emitters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Robert S Lanham, William R Stocke, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9958545
    Abstract: A lidar system with a light source to emit a pulse of light and a receiver to detect a return pulse of light. The receiver can include a first channel to receive a first portion of the return pulse and produce a first digital output signal, and a second channel to receive a second portion of the return pulse and produce a second digital output signal. The receiver can include a logic circuit to produce an output electrical-edge signal in response to receiving the digital output signals. The receiver can also include a time-to-digital converter to determine a time interval based on an emission time of the pulse of light and based on the electrical-edge signal. The lidar system can also include a processor to determine a distance to a target based at least in part on the time interval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Luminar Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason M. Eichenholz, Austin K. Russell, Scott R. Campbell, Alain Villeneuve, Rodger W. Cleye, Joseph G. LaChapelle, Matthew D. Weed, Lane A. Martin
  • Patent number: 9958546
    Abstract: A laser rangefinder includes: a MEMS mirror that changes a traveling direction of laser light; a first photodetector that reflects a portion of the laser light directed in a predetermined direction by the MEMS mirror and receives another portion of the laser light; a second photodetector that receives first reflected light that is reflection of the laser light from a target object outside an enclosure and second reflected light that is reflection of the portion of the laser light from the first photodetector; and a signal processor that calculates a distance from the laser rangefinder to the target object by subtracting, from a first distance from the laser diode to the target object calculated using the first reflected light, a second distance from the laser diode to the first photodetector calculated using the second reflected light, and calculates a direction of the target object with respect to the laser rangefinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignees: FUNAI ELECTRIC CO., LTD., KYOTO UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Shingo Setono, Ryusuke Horibe, Manabu Murayama, Yuichiro Masuda, Tomohisa Hirai, Atsushi Mushimoto, Fumitoshi Matsuno
  • Patent number: 9958547
    Abstract: This invention discloses a three-dimensional imaging radar system and method based on a plurality of times of integral. The system includes an LED light source, an optical band-pass filter, an image sensor, an electronic shutter, a data processor, and a display terminal. The LED light source generates a series of light pulse trains, and when the light pulse trains illuminate an object, the object reflects the light in succession. The reflected light is sensed by the image sensor through the optical band-pass filter, to form an image on the image sensor. The image sensor performs exposure imaging three times in succession for the reflected light of the same pulse under the action of the electronic shutter. The data processor analyzes the three images to obtain contour information and distance information about the object. Finally, the display terminal displays results.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: HANGZHOU GUANGPO INTELLIGENT TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jian Fu, Xiuda Zhang, Jun Lv, Yingjie Gu
  • Patent number: 9958548
    Abstract: A system for indoor localization using satellite navigation signals in a Distributed Antenna System. The system includes a plurality of Off-Air Access Units (OAAUs), each operable to receive an individual satellite navigation signal from at least one of a plurality of satellite navigation systems (e.g., GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS, or BeiDou) and operable to route signals optically to one or more DAUs. The system further includes a plurality of remote DRUs located at a Remote location that are operable to receive signals from a plurality of local DAUs. Moreover, the system includes an algorithm to delay each individual satellite navigation signal for providing indoor localization at each of the plurality of DRUs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Dali Systems Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Daryl Meerkerk, Shawn Patrick Stapleton
  • Patent number: 9958549
    Abstract: Methods and systems that can detect GNSS spoofing attacks and that do not require explicit or implicit knowledge of exact position or attitude and that provide hypothesis test statistics, threshold values, and probabilities of false alarm and missed detection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Cornell University
    Inventors: Mark L. Psiaki, Steven P. Powell, Brady W. O'Hanlon
  • Patent number: 9958550
    Abstract: The invention relates to methods, apparatuses and computer programs for generating receiver-specific correction information for correcting pseudorange observations. The method comprises: receiving raw observations obtained by the NSS receiver observing NSS multiple frequency signals from a plurality of NSS satellites over multiple epochs; obtaining precise satellite information on: (i) the orbit position of each of the satellites, (ii) a clock offset of each of the satellites, and (iii) a set of biases associated with each of the satellites; estimating ambiguities in the carrier phase of the received raw observations, using the precise satellite information, or information derived therefrom; computing combination values based on the received raw observations together with the estimated ambiguities, to cancel out the effects of the geometry, the effects of the clocks, troposphere and ionosphere; and generating the correction information per satellite, based on the computed combination values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Trimble Inc.
    Inventors: Xiaoming Chen, Andrea Nardo
  • Patent number: 9958551
    Abstract: A method for evaluating the availability of ARAIM system is provided. A satellite position coordinate and clock offset of each satellite at a current time point and several time points before the current time point are received. Empirical mode decomposition is performed on the position coordinate and the clock offset respectively, to obtain a position coordinate mode component and a clock offset mode component of each satellite at each time point. A position coordinate mode component and a clock offset mode component of each satellite at a time point next to the current time point are obtained respectively. According to the position coordinate mode component and the clock offset mode component of each satellite at the time point next to the current time point, a position coordinate mode component and a clock offset mode component of each satellite at a next time point is obtained, thereby obtaining an evaluation result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: BEIHANG UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Zhipeng Wang, Yanbo Zhu, Wei Shao, Qiang Li
  • Patent number: 9958552
    Abstract: A radiation detector system is provided that includes plural detector units and at least one processor. The detector units are configured to acquire imaging information at plural corresponding projection angles. The at least one processor is configured to acquire projections at the projection angles; organize the projections into groups based on the projection angles; and, for each group of projections, rotate a corresponding image from an original orientation so that the group of projections are parallel to a first axis of the rotated image, convolute and sum slices from the group of projections using kernels to provide a corresponding coordinate set forward projection; perform a back projection to provide back projections; and rotate the back projections to the original orientation and sum the rotated back projections to provide a back projected transaxial image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jonathan Benjamin Sachs, Yariv Grobshtein
  • Patent number: 9958553
    Abstract: A method for determining a radionuclide concentration of a material is provided. The method comprises placing the material to be analyzed into a vessel, wherein the material comprises a radionuclide, wherein the material has a known volume, and wherein the vessel has a fixed geometry. The method further comprises weighing the material to be analyzed and measuring the moisture content of the material to be analyzed. The method additionally comprises placing a protective structure in the material and placing a detector in the protective structure, wherein the detector is coupled to a single-channel analyzer. The method also comprises counting the emitted radiation having a known energy over an interval of time to produce a count per time, wherein the emitted radiation is emitted from the radionuclide and then dividing the count per time by the weight of the material to produce a count per time per weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: All Clear Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Philip Andrew Karam
  • Patent number: 9958554
    Abstract: The invention relates to a detection apparatus for detecting radiation. The detection apparatus comprises a GOS material (20) for generating scintillation light depending on the detected radiation (25), an optical filter (24) for reducing the intensity of a part of the scintillation light having a wavelength being larger than 650 nm, and a detection unit (21) for detecting the filtered scintillation light. Because of the filtering procedure relatively slow components, i.e. components corresponding to a relatively large decay time, of the scintillation light weakly constribute to the detection process or are not detected at all by the detection unit, thereby increasing the temporal resolution of the detection apparatus. The resulting fast detection apparatus can be suitable for kVp-switching computed tomography systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Cornelis Reinder Ronda, Roland Proksa, Axel Thran
  • Patent number: 9958555
    Abstract: A single crystal yttrium aluminum perovskite scintillator has a minimum thickness of at least 5 mm and a transmittance of at least 50% at a wavelength of 370 nm. A method for fabricating the yttrium aluminum perovskite scintillator includes acquiring a yttrium aluminum perovskite single crystal boule, annealing the yttrium aluminum perovskite single crystal boule in an oxygen containing environment to obtain a partially annealed crystal, and annealing the partially annealed crystal in an inert environment or a reducing environment to obtain the yttrium aluminum perovskite single crystal scintillator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: CRYTUR
    Inventors: Jan Kubat, Jan Polak, Martin Klejch, Tomas Marek
  • Patent number: 9958556
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a direct conversion radiation detector for wherein the direct conversion material comprises a garnet with a composition of Z3(AlxGay)O12:Ce, wherein Z is Lu, Gd, Y, Tb or combinations thereof and wherein y is equal to or greater than x; and preferably Z comprises Gd. Suitable garnets directly convert radiation, such as x-rays or gamma-rays, into electronic signals. Preferably photoluminescence of the garnet is low or absent. The detector is particularly suitable for use in x-ray imaging devices, such as computed tomography. In some embodiments photoluminescence of garnets might be used to construct a hybrid direct-indirect conversion detector, which may be particularly suitable for use with Time-of-Flight PET.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Frank Verbakel, Cornelis Reinder Ronda, Herfried Karl Wieczorek
  • Patent number: 9958557
    Abstract: Provided are photon counting apparatuses and methods, and radiographic imaging apparatuses configured to receive charge signals corresponding to incident radiation photons, and to count the incident radiation photons by using a plurality of counting bits, such that the counting changes only one counting bit from among the plurality of counting bits when the count value is increased by one. By using the photon counting methods, a data-change frequency of photon counting data corresponding to radiation photons is minimized while counting the radiation photons based on charge signals corresponding to input radiation photons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jin-myoung Kim, Kang-ho Lee, Chae-hun Lee, Jae-chul Park
  • Patent number: 9958558
    Abstract: A digital x-ray detector has a non-metallic housing. A two dimensional array of photosensors enclosed by the housing is in electrical communication with an electrical circuit formed on an interior surface of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Carestream Health, Inc.
    Inventor: Scott T. MacLaughlin
  • Patent number: 9958559
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a system and method for determining a working bed location. The method may include: acquire a first reference bed location relating to a bed for supporting an object; acquire a first set of reference emission data relating to photons of a first energy level originated from radiation of scintillator crystals of a plurality of detectors, the first set of reference emission data corresponding to the first reference bed location; acquire, at a working bed location relating to the bed, a set of positioning emission data relating to photons of the first energy level, wherein the set of positioning emission data relating to photons of the first energy level originated from radiation of scintillator crystals of the plurality of detectors; and determine the working bed location based on the first reference bed location, the first set of reference emission data, and the set of positioning emission data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: UIH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Tao Feng, Hongdi Li
  • Patent number: 9958560
    Abstract: A neutron detector system, with a detector having a pair of spaced diamond detector layers, sandwiched between outer silicon layers. In response to incident neutrons, the detector system measures pulse heights and response times, and from those measurements, calculates the carbon recoil energy and time of flight of scattered neutrons. This data is further used to calculate a “direction cone”, which represents the approximate angle of arrival of the incident neutron. These direction cones can be used to image neutron events.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: SOUTHWEST RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventor: Keiichi Ogasawara
  • Patent number: 9958561
    Abstract: A neutron detection apparatus includes a neutron detector and an analyzer. The neutron detector includes a plurality of neutron detector assemblies, where each of the neutron detector assemblies includes a plurality of neutron detection devices. The neutron detector also includes a moderating volume. The plurality of neutron detector assemblies are disposed within the moderating volume so as to form a three-dimensional array of neutron detection devices within the moderating volume. The analyzer is communicatively coupled to each of the neutron detection devices of the plurality of neutron detector assemblies. The analyzer configured to receive one or more measured response signals from each of the neutron detection devices, and perform one or more analysis procedures to determine one or more characteristics associated with the one or more neutron sources based at least on the received one or more measured response signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignees: The Curators of the University of Missouri, Kansas State University Research Foundation
    Inventors: Steven L. Bellinger, Simon Bolding, Anthony N. Caruso, Brian Cooper, Joseph A. Crow, James Currie, Ryan G. Fronk, Cory B. Hoshor, Douglas S. McGregor, William H. Miller, Eliot R. Myers, Thomas M. Oakes, Brent J. Rogers, John K. Shultis, Philip B. Ugorowski, Stephen M. Young
  • Patent number: 9958562
    Abstract: A method for calibrating a nuclear gauge of the having a source includes providing a nuclear gauge comprising a radiation source, the radiation source being coupled with a computing system with a machine readable program stored thereon containing a calibration routine. An operator places the gauge on one or more specified blocks to adjust the source within each block to one or more specified positions to initiate a count. The method includes determining that the source is at each position before each count begins, adjusting the counting times before each count begins by the program on the nuclear gauge based on each position of the source to obtain calibration information, obtaining counts at each position, storing the counts within the computing system of the nuclear gauge, and calculating for each position calibration coefficients.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Troxler Electronic Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Ernest Troxler, Dirk M. Steckmann, Donald E. Weger
  • Patent number: 9958563
    Abstract: A solid scintillator member is provided in the internal space of a container. The scintillator member is an aggregate of a plurality of pellets. The internal space also confines a gas produced through the vaporization of a liquid sample containing a radioactive substance. When radiation emitted from a plurality of particles within the gas reaches the scintillator member, light is generated. That light is detected by a pair of photomultipliers. A plurality of particles may be produced outside of the container and introduced into the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignees: OCHANOMZU UNIVERSITY, Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Etsuko Furuta, Yuka Kato, Kiyoshi Ogiwara
  • Patent number: 9958564
    Abstract: Method and system for acquiring seismic data. The system includes a first streamer vessel configured to tow a first source array and a first streamer spread; a first source vessel configured to tow a second source array; and a second source vessel configured to tow a third source array. The first to third source arrays are distributed along a non-linear profile while the first streamer vessel and the first to second source vessels move along an inline direction (X).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: CGG SERVICES SAS
    Inventors: Damien Grenie, Thomas Mensch, Risto Siliqi
  • Patent number: 9958565
    Abstract: Embodiments, including apparatuses, systems and methods, for attaching autonomous seismic nodes to a deployment cable. In an embodiment, an apparatus includes a seismic node having a direct attachment mechanism configured to directly attach the seismic node to a deployment line, the direct attachment mechanism being configurable between an open and/or unlocked position and a closed and/or locked position to release and retain the deployment line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Seabed Geosolutions B.V.
    Inventors: Richard Edward Henman, Johan Fredrik Næs, Arne Henning Rokkan, Mariann Ervik, Leif Johan Larsen, Fredrik Lund, Robert Schistad
  • Patent number: 9958566
    Abstract: An airborne ElectroMagnetic (EM) survey system wherein the system includes; first, a series of transmitter coils, which induce a primary (EM) field into the earth resulting in a secondary EM field being created in any sub-surface electrically conductive bodies; and second, a set of three orthogonal receiver coils which detect the secondary EM field. Multiple transmitter coils through which an electric current is pumped, form part of the structural, aluminum framework of a multi-rotor drone. The receiver sensor may be an EM induction sensor, comprised of multi-turn, copper windings, mounted inside an aerodynamic bird and separated by non-conductive sphalerite, which acts as an electrical insulator to limit self-induction and capacitance. Additionally a lighter-than-air balloon may be used to add vertical lift and increase a pendulum effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Inventor: Isaac Max Porterfield
  • Patent number: 9958567
    Abstract: In one example of rotational ranging in a wellbore in which a wellbore component having an axis of rotation is disposed, a wellbore ranging sensor is disposed on a circumferential area surrounding the axis of rotation. The sensor is moved on the circumferential area to multiple distinct sensing positions. At each sensing position, a magnetic field from another wellbore that is apart from the wellbore is measured resulting in multiple magnetic field measurements at the multiple distinct sensing positions. The multiple magnetic field measurements are provided to determine a position of the wellbore relative to the other wellbore using at least a subset of the multiple magnetic field measurements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher A. Golla, Randal T. Beste, Svetozar Simeonov, Burkay Donderici, Luis E. San Martin
  • Patent number: 9958568
    Abstract: A method and system for active cancellation of transient signals and dynamic loop configuration for geophysical exploration is disclosed. The method includes controlling a transmitter to transmit a waveform in a frequency spectrum during an on-time. The transmitter includes a plurality of turns of wire. The method also includes controlling a plurality of switches to direct an electrical signal through the plurality of turns of wire. The plurality of switches electrically coupled to the plurality of turns of wire. The method further includes controlling a switch of the plurality of switches to direct a first portion of a transient current in an opposite direction from a direction of a second portion of the transient current during an off-time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: CGG SERVICES SAS
    Inventors: Philip Miles, Jason Berringer
  • Patent number: 9958569
    Abstract: The present invention provides a four-sided scanning system for vehicles that uses a combination of backscatter and transmission based X-ray imaging to achieve material discrimination. In one embodiment, the system is designed as a mobile, drive-through system, which can be folded and stowed in a truck and can be conveniently deployed at any place when required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Rapiscan Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward James Morton, Andreas F. Kotowski
  • Patent number: 9958570
    Abstract: A method of analyzing a reservoir fluid comprising: providing an analyzer, wherein the analyzer is a molecular factor computational system; and determining at least one property of the reservoir fluid using the analyzer, wherein the step of determining comprises: causing or allowing energy to interact with the reservoir fluid; and detecting the interaction between the energy and the reservoir fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Megan R. Pearl, William C. Pearl, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9958571
    Abstract: Machine, computer readable medium, program code, and computer-implemented methods for performing a reservoir simulation with well completion and reservoir grid data quality assurance, are provided. An exemplary embodiment can include a data quality analyzing machine having memory containing data quality analyzing instructions configured to simulate a reservoir model with automated well completion and reservoir grid data quality assurance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Mohammed S. Al-Nuaim, Umar A. Al-Nahdi, Khalid A. Al-Nasser, Keyang Dai, Tareq Al-Zahrani, Khalid Al-Alwan, Muath Al-Mulla
  • Patent number: 9958572
    Abstract: A multi-layer composite synthetic test bed may be used to model fracture propagation and fracture networks. For example, a fracturing fluid may be introduced into a multi-layer composite synthetic test bed at a pressure and a flow rate sufficient to create a fracture network therein. Then, the fracture network may be analyzed to produce synthetic fracture data, which may be used in a fracture model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Andy Cheng Chang, Syed Muhammad Farrukh Hamza, Matthew Lewis Lahman, Jesse Clay Hampton, Ruixiang Gu, Stephen Byrne Persac