Patents Issued in March 17, 2020
  • Patent number: 10591581
    Abstract: A space-time calibration system and method implement space-time solutions, in which, in one preferred embodiment, a single node determines its own space-time solutions based on other network nodes with which the single node communicates. In other preferred embodiments, space-time solutions for the node can be generated using other resources in the network. The disclosed system and method enable reliable, precise object positioning particularly for environments where the Global Positioning System (GPS) is blocked or subject to interference such as within the urban core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: Digimarc Corporation
    Inventor: Geoffrey B. Rhoads
  • Patent number: 10591582
    Abstract: Various technologies for mitigating distortion in coherent image products generated from SAR data are described herein. Synthetic aperture radar (SAR) datasets generated based upon SAR returns from first and second passes of a SAR platform over a scene are received. The SAR datasets can be co-notched at matching sample indices to improve coherence of SAR images generated from the datasets. Windowed SAR data is generated by applying independent windows to subsets of each of the datasets to reduce sidelobe levels of their image impulse responses. Coherent image products are generated based upon the windowed SAR data, wherein an image quality of the coherent image products is improved as compared to coherent image products generated based upon the SAR datasets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignees: National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC
    Inventors: Cameron Musgrove, Robert Riley, James C. West
  • Patent number: 10591583
    Abstract: A method (100; 200) for digital signal processing (S(t)) of a pulse and scanning radar during an observation of a coastal zone in land/sea detection mode, the signal being sampled according to a two-dimensional temporal map, a distance dimension (d) and a recurrence dimension (rec), comprising: selecting a digital terrain model file (MNT) of the observed coastal zone; transforming (110; 210) the temporal map and/or the digital terrain model file to obtain a transformed temporal map and/or a transformed digital terrain model file the data of which are expressed in a common reference frame; constructing (120) a mask (MT; MF) from the transformed digital terrain model file; and applying (130) the mask to the samples (E(d, rec); E(d, ?f)) of the map associated with the transformed temporal map, in such a way as to obtain filtered samples (Ef(d, rec); Ef(d, ?f)).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: Thales
    Inventors: Vincent Corretja, Gilles Guerrini, Richard Montigny, David Thierry Sfez
  • Patent number: 10591584
    Abstract: A system and method perform calibration of a radar system on a mobile platform. A position of the platform is obtained along with a relative position of one or more stationary objects from the platform using the position of the platform and a mapping algorithm as ground truth and one or more radar parameters regarding the one or more stationary objects using the radar system, the one or more radar parameters including an angle estimate. The method includes determining a correction matrix based on the one or more parameters and the ground truth, and obtaining corrected received signals from subsequent received signals of the radar system based on the correction matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Oded Bialer, Igal Bilik
  • Patent number: 10591585
    Abstract: An electronic control unit for radar sensors, in particular for driver assistance systems in motor vehicles, including an integrated component for generating and processing high-frequency signals, and a controller for controlling functions of this component, including monitoring functions for monitoring the operability of the radar sensor, characterized by an error injector integrated into the component for generating defined error conditions for a functional test of the monitoring functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Dirk Steinbuch, Matthias Steinhauer, Michael Ott
  • Patent number: 10591586
    Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a method of recognizing a biological target includes performing radar measurements for a plurality of sites on the biological target using a millimeter-wave radar sensor, producing a target data set for the plurality of sites based on the radar measurements, extracting features from the target data set, comparing the extracted features to stored features, and determining whether the extracted features match the stored features based on the comparing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: INFINEON TECHNOLOGIES AG
    Inventors: Saverio Trotta, Ashutosh Baheti, Reinhard-Wolfgang Jungmaier, Avik Santra
  • Patent number: 10591587
    Abstract: A directed-energy weapon counter measure apparatus and method for modifying a path of a focused electromagnetic energy beam (204) emitted by a directed energy weapon system so as to deflect it from a platform (200), the apparatus comprising an electromagnetic radiation source, communicably coupled to a control system. The control system is configured to create an atmospheric element (202) operative to simulate a physical electromagnetic radiation path modifying device within an atmospheric volume located in the path of the focused electromagnetic radiation beam (204) by causing electromagnetic radiation from the source to be applied to a selected plurality of three-dimensional portions of said atmospheric volume so as to heat and/or ionise the air with in said portions, wherein said selected portions are spatially located together in a substantially unbroken, three-dimensional configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: BAE Systems plc
    Inventors: Paul Michael Blanchard, Nicholas Giacomo Robert Colosimo
  • Patent number: 10591588
    Abstract: An imaging system may include a modulation component to provide a modulation signal. The imaging system may include an illumination component to receive the modulation signal and emit a modulated optical signal based on the modulation signal, and provide an electrical illumination signal. The electrical illumination signal may be an electrical representation of the modulated optical signal emitted by the illumination component. The imaging system may include an electrical mixer to receive the electrical illumination signal and the modulation signal, multiply the electrical illumination signal and the modulation signal in order to form a mixed signal, filter the mixed signal in order to form a filtered mixed signal, and output, based on the filtered mixed signal, a calibration signal associated with calibrating the imaging system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Markus Dielacher, Martin Flatscher, Stefan Gansinger, Alexander Venus
  • Patent number: 10591589
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a sensor network, Machine Type Communication (MTC), Machine-to-Machine (M2M) communication, and technology for Internet of Things (IoT). The present disclosure may be applied to intelligent services based on the above technologies. According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, an apparatus of a first electronic device in a wireless communication system comprises at least one transceiver and at least one processor operatively coupled to the at least one transceiver. The at least one processor is configured to negotiate with a second electronic device, determine a measurement scheme selected from a plurality of measurement schemes using at least one of a wireless signal and a sound signal, based on a result of the negotiation with the second electronic device, and determine a distance between the first electronic device and the second electronic device according to the measurement scheme.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kwang-Hoon Han, Gi-Beom Kim, Seong-Hee Park, Chil-Youl Yang, Myoung-Hwan Lee, Tae-Young Lee, Dohy Hong
  • Patent number: 10591590
    Abstract: A control algorithm for wireless sensor to estimate and calculate environmental parameters. The control algorithm comprises a method to calculate the distant between an approaching object to wireless sensor receive antenna by measuring the travelling time between completion of transmission of transmit signal at the transmit antenna and completion of reception of the reflected transmit signal at the receive antenna, a method of calculating the approaching speed of an object to wireless sensor receive antenna by using multiple distance measurements, and a method to calculate impact force from an approaching object based on estimated mass of the object and deceleration of its speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: Kiomars Anvari
    Inventor: Kiomars Anvari
  • Patent number: 10591591
    Abstract: A mainlobe detection process can include a number of tests that are performed to define when the monopulse antenna system will transition from open loop scanning to closed loop scanning and then to tracking. A hybrid tracking technique is also provided which adaptively discovers and corrects for phase alignment error. Magnitude-only tracking can be performed initially to locate the nulls in the azimuth and elevation ratios and to identify the magnitudes of these ratios at these nulls. Phase tracking can be then performed. During phase tracking, phase corrections can be repeatedly applied to the azimuth and elevation difference channels to correct any phase error that may exist. During this process, the magnitudes of the ratios can be used to determine how the phase corrections should be adjusted. Once the hybrid tracking process is complete, the monopulse antenna system is properly phase-aligned and phase tracking will be correctly employed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: L-3 Communications Corp.
    Inventors: Sy Prestwich, Jeffrey B Bench, Richard A McNamee
  • Patent number: 10591592
    Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for measuring time of flight to an object. A transmitter transmits an electromagnetic signal and provides a reference signal corresponding to the electromagnetic signal. A receiver receives the electromagnetic signal and provides a response signal corresponding to the received electromagnetic signal. A detection circuit is configured to determine a time of flight between the transmitter and the receiver based upon the reference signal and the response signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: Humatics Corporation
    Inventors: David A. Mindell, Gregory L. Charvat, Gary A. Cohen, Dana R. Yoerger
  • Patent number: 10591593
    Abstract: Sensors, devices, systems, devices, and methods for providing wireless modular self-contained units with battery power supply that can use radar, ultrasonic, and IR measuring techniques and sensors for directional detection of impeding objects, persons, or moving targets, and can be used with mobile smart phones and the like. The modular sensor units can be used as a displacement and motion measurement sensor for point of reference measurement applications. The displacement sensing method can use radar, ultrasonic, and IR measuring techniques for directional detection of impeding objects, persons, or moving targets. Upon the detection of the said target, algorithms make use of the direction, angle of ascent, and speed to provide real time position data represented in discrete format.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: HIPSCIENCE, LLC
    Inventor: Marquette Trishaun
  • Patent number: 10591594
    Abstract: The present technology relates to an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and a program for suppressing the occurrence of false recognition. A road surface region estimating section estimates a road surface region in a first image captured of a predetermined imaging range. A non-polarized region extracting section extracts a non-polarized region from a second image captured of the imaging range. A low-confidence level region estimating section estimates a low-confidence level region for an object with a low first confidence level obtained by a first sensor within a measurement range of the first sensor in the imaging range on the basis of information indicating the road surface region and the non-polarized region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Hideki Oyaizu, Takuto Motoyama, Yasuhiro Sutou, Toshio Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 10591595
    Abstract: A detection-system for a vehicle to detect the presence of one or more object relative to the vehicle comprises a module-housing, a radar sensor component located within the module-housing for emitting a radar beam and receiving reflected signals in a detection mode. The radar sensor component comprises means for emitting a defrost beam in a defrost mode; the defrost beam overlapping the radar beam. The detection-system further comprises an absorber material located in the field of view of the defrost beam to absorb the energy of the defrost beam and to warm up in view to provide a defrosting effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: Aptiv Technologies Limited
    Inventors: Matthias Rieke, Marcel Fruend
  • Patent number: 10591596
    Abstract: A system and method for obtaining a Doppler frequency of a target are disclosed. A receiver receives a first plurality of samples of a first echo signal from the target and a second plurality of samples of a second echo signal from the target. The second plurality of samples is separated from the first plurality of samples by a time period. A phase shift is determined for the duration of the time period and the phase shift is applied to the second plurality of samples. The first plurality of samples is combined with the second plurality of samples to obtain combined samples, and the Doppler frequency for the target is obtained from the combined samples.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Alexander Pokrass, Igal Bilik, Moshe Laifenfeld
  • Patent number: 10591597
    Abstract: An ultrasound imaging apparatus includes an ultrasonic probe configured to transmit an ultrasound to an object, receive an echo signal reflected from the object, and output the echo signal; a quality determiner configured to receive the echo signals and determine quality of voxels of a three-dimensional (3D) volume of the object to be rendered based on observation information of the 3D volume; and a beamformer configured to perform beamforming on the echo signal based on the quality of the voxels to generate an output signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kyuhong Kim, Youngihn Kho, Baehyung Kim, Suhyun Park, Jongkeun Song
  • Patent number: 10591598
    Abstract: A light detection and ranging (lidar) device includes: a lower base; an upper base; a laser emitting unit for emitting a laser in a form of a point light source; a nodding mirror for transforming the laser in the form of the point light source to a line beam pattern which is perpendicular to the lower base, wherein the nodding mirror reflects the laser emitted from the laser emitting unit; a polygonal mirror for transforming the line beam pattern to a plane beam pattern and receiving a laser reflected from an object; and a sensor unit for receiving the laser reflected from the object via the polygonal mirror.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: SOS LAB CO., LTD
    Inventors: Ji Seong Jeong, Jun Hwan Jang, Dong Kyu Kim, Sung Ui Hwang, Gyeong Hwan Shin, Bum Sik Won
  • Patent number: 10591599
    Abstract: A LIDAR can encounter a remotely located mirror as it moves through a local environment (e.g. a convex roadside mirror). The remote mirror can occupy a small portion of the LIDAR field of view but offer a wealth of reflection data regarding a larger indirect field of view (e.g. around a corner). In one embodiment a LIDAR can learn the location of the remote mirror and then can dynamically increase the density of laser ranging measurements in an associated mirror region of the field of view. The LIDAR can track the mirror region as it moves in the local environment with an increased density of outgoing laser pulses and thereby interrogate the remote mirror for reflection data from a wide indirect field of view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Inventor: James Thomas O'Keeffe
  • Patent number: 10591600
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a lidar system includes a light source configured to emit pulses of light. The lidar system also includes multiple optical links and multiple sensor heads. Each optical link couples the light source to a corresponding sensor head, and each optical link is configured to convey at least a portion of the emitted pulses of light from the light source to the corresponding sensor head. Each sensor head includes a scanner configured to scan pulses of light across a field of regard of the sensor head, where the scanned pulses of light include the portion of the emitted pulses of light conveyed from the light source to the sensor head by the corresponding optical link. Each sensor head also includes a receiver configured to detect at least a portion of the scanned pulses of light scattered or reflected by a target located downrange from the sensor head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: Luminar Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Alain Villeneuve, Jason M. Eichenholz
  • Patent number: 10591601
    Abstract: A machine vision system comprises a camera configured to generate one or more images of a field of regard of the camera, a lidar system, and a processor. The lidar system includes a laser configured to emit light, where the emitted light is directed toward a region within the field of regard of the camera and a receiver configured to detect light returned from the emitted light. The processor is configured to receive an indication of a location based on the returned light and determine whether a solid object is present at the location based on the one or more images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: Luminar Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Richmond Hicks, Matthew D. Weed, Jason M. Eichenholz
  • Patent number: 10591602
    Abstract: An object detector includes a projector including a light source having a two-dimensionally arranged plurality of light emitter groups, each of the light emitter groups having a plurality of light emitters, a light receiver which receives light emitted from the projector, and reflected by an object, and a light source driver which lights on and lights off each of the light emitter groups of the light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Akatsu, Tadashi Nakamura, Kohji Sakai
  • Patent number: 10591603
    Abstract: A tracker includes a retro-follow mode that causes a beam of light from the tracker to follow a retroreflector while locked onto the retroreflector with the beam of light turned on or, alternatively, using target cameras with the beam of light turned off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: FARO TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Kalyan Nagalla, Robert E. Bridges
  • Patent number: 10591604
    Abstract: A focal plane array light detection and ranging 3D imaging method based on a code division multiple access technique is provided. A narrow laser pulse is shaped into a flat-top beam. The shaped beam is space-time encoded by a focal plane array-based optical encoder. The encoded beam is projected onto the target. The echo signals are obtained by a collecting lens. According to the encoding rule, the signals are grouped and multiplexed into several channels; subsequently, the multi-channel multiplexed signals are captured by a focal plane array detector and converted by a multi-channel digitizer. The multi-channel encoded full waveform signals are acquired from the digitizer by a PC terminal. The encoded full waveforms can be demodulated into the flight ranges for all subpixels via signal processing. By orthogonal range correction and pixel splicing and integrating the geographical data of all pixels, the 3D image reconstruction of the target can be accomplished.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: NANJING UNIVERSITY OF AERONAUTICS AND ASTRONAUTICS
    Inventor: Fan Xu
  • Patent number: 10591605
    Abstract: Methods and systems for navigating a vehicle along a surface employ a scanner to scan a light beam over the surface; employ light reflected by one or more fiducial markers on the surface onto pixels of a receiver to determine a spatial arrangement of the fiducial markers on the surface; and compare the spatial arrangement of the fiducial markers with a predetermined map of the fiducial markers to determine a location of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Inventor: Gerard Dirk Smits
  • Patent number: 10591606
    Abstract: A system and method generates a phase scintillation map that is utilized to de-weight satellite signal observations from GNSS satellites. One or more base stations each assign an index value to one or more GNSS satellite in view, where the index value indicates an adverse effect of ionospheric scintillation on signals received from the GNSS satellite. The values and identifiers may be transmitted to a server. The server utilizes the received information to generate the phase scintillation map that may include one or more scintillation bubbles, wherein a location of each scintillation bubble is based on the received information. The phase scintillation map is transmitted to one or more rovers. The rover determines if a pierce point associated with a selected GNSS satellite in view of the rover falls within the boundaries of a scintillation bubble. If so, satellite signal observations from the selected GNSS satellite are de-weighted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: NovAtel Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas Morley
  • Patent number: 10591607
    Abstract: A tracking device (10) configured to track a shipment of cargo is provided including a housing (20) having a complementary top portion (22) and bottom portion (25). The top portion and the bottom portion of the housing are pivotally coupled. A tracking unit, arranged within the housing, includes a processor configured to collect and transmit data. A power unit having at least one power source is arranged within the housing and is configured to supply power to the tracking unit. A circuit board connects the power unit and the tracking unit. The circuit board includes a metal tab arranged adjacent a conductive interface. A portion of a pull tab (80) formed from a thin, non-conductive material is arranged between the tab and the conductive interface. The tracking device is configured to transform from an inactive state to a fully active state upon removal of the pull tab (80).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Heston Grant Woolf, Bill Games, Blair Streit, Robin L. Wald, Tim Uys, Stephen Varga, Jeffrey Allen Leshuk, Richard Mark Desmarais
  • Patent number: 10591608
    Abstract: This provides methods and systems for V2X applications, such as forward collision warning, electronic emergency brake light, left turn assist, work zone warning, signal phase timing, and others, mainly relying on a GNSS positioning solution transmitted via the Dedicated Short-Range Communications (DSRC) to/from the roadside units and onboard units in other V2X-enabled vehicles. However, the positioning solution from a GNSS may be deteriorated by noise and/or bias due to various error sources, e.g., time delay, atmospheric effect, ephemeris effect, and multipath effect. This offers a novel quality filter that can detect noise and the onset of drift in GNSS signals by evaluating up to four metrics that compare the qualities of kinematic variables, speed, heading angle change, curvature, and lateral displacement, obtained directly or derived from GNSS and onboard vehicle sensors. This is used for autonomous cars and vehicle safety, with various examples/variations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: SAVARI, INC.
    Inventors: Faroog Ibrahim, Kazutoshi Nobukawa
  • Patent number: 10591609
    Abstract: A system for determining a location in a disadvantaged signal environment includes three aerial vehicles hovering at high altitude and spaced apart to form a triangle, and a mother aerial vehicle positioned a distance away and at a lower altitude. The mother aerial vehicle acquires and transmits coarse geolocation information, using a pulse compression, high-power X Band radar and directional antenna, to each of the three aerial vehicles to direct them to coarse geo-positions above designated respective ground locations. One of the three aerial vehicles has a synthetic aperture radar for producing a terrain strip-map that is mensurated against a map database to provide fine position adjustments for each of the three aerial vehicles, which are also also configured to transmit a respective signal coded with its latitude, longitude, and altitude, for a computing device to perform time difference of arrival measurements of the signals to determine its location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: Telephonics Corp.
    Inventor: John Anthony Pierro
  • Patent number: 10591610
    Abstract: Disclosed are a system, apparatus, and method for optimizing GNSS search. A first radio signal is received from a terrestrial base station and a coarse location of the mobile device is estimated. A first time offset of the terrestrial base station to a timing signal of a target satellite is determined for locating a position of the target satellite. A distance from the position of the target satellite to the estimated coarse location of the mobile device is determined. A GNSS search is performed based on the distance from the target satellite and the first time offset of the first radio signal from the first terrestrial base station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventor: Rayman Pon
  • Patent number: 10591611
    Abstract: A method for determining a wrong synchronization of a receiver with a satellite, associated receiver and computer program product, is implemented after the acquisition phase and includes the following steps: generating first and second test signals; for each correlation interval, determining a first prompt correlator corresponding to the correlation value between the received signal and the first test signal, and a second prompt correlator corresponding to the correlation value between the received signal and the second test signal; determining first and second energy values corresponding to the energy of the first and second correlators, respectively; determining a wrong synchronization indicator based on the difference between the first and second energy values; and detecting a wrong synchronization based on this indicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: Thales
    Inventors: Nicolas Martin, Denis Bouvet
  • Patent number: 10591613
    Abstract: Relative GPS antenna alignment uses a phase shifter electrically connected to a first GPS antenna. A combiner is electrically connected to the phase shifter, the second GPS antenna and to a GPS receiver. A GPS reception signal (Sig1) emitted by the first GPS antenna is phase-shifted by the phase shifter by a phase shift (?) that can be set by way of a controller and is added by the combiner to a second GPS reception signal (Sig2) emitted by the second GPS antenna. The composite signal (Sum) thus produced is determined for at least three different phase shifts (?). On the basis of these data, the profile of the composite signal (Sum) and the relative alignment of the two GPS antennas in relation to one another is determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: KATHREIN-WERKE KG
    Inventor: Robert Bieber
  • Patent number: 10591614
    Abstract: A large-area directional radiation detection system useful in detecting shielded radiological weapons may include a large number of prism-shaped detectors stacked in a two-dimensional array of particle detectors in which alternate detectors are displaced frontward and rearward in, for example, a checkerboard-type arrangement of detectors. If a source of radiation is in front of the array, the frontward detectors act as collimators for the rearward detectors, thereby producing a narrow detection peak among the rearward detectors. The lateral position of the detection peak indicates the lateral position of the source, and the width of the detection peak indicates the distance of the source from the detector array, thereby providing a three-dimensional determination of the source location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Inventor: David Edward Newman
  • Patent number: 10591615
    Abstract: A device and method for reading an exposed imaging plate generate read-out light and utilize a deflection unit to direct the read-out light in a scanning movement over the imaging plate. The deflection unit has a micromirror to deflect impinging read-out light towards the imaging plate. The micromirror can swivel about a first swivel axis and about a second swivel axis distinct from the first. A detector unit detects fluorescent light emitted from the imaging plate at locations where the read-out light impinges. An evaluating unit evaluates signals received from the detector unit and builds up an image that is stored in the imaging plate. The evaluating unit takes into account, when evaluating the signals received from the detector unit, that points on the imaging plate are subjected to the read-out light variably often and/or for variable time lengths while the micromirror oscillates about the first and the second swivel axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: DÜRR DENTAL
    Inventors: Bernd Philipps, Michael Weber, Alexander Hack
  • Patent number: 10591616
    Abstract: A one-dimensional multi-element photo detector includes a photodiode array with a first upper row of photodiode pixels and a second lower row of photodiode pixels. The photodiode array is part of the photo detector. A scintillator array includes a first upper row and a second lower row of scintillator pixels. The first upper and second lower rows of scintillator pixels are respectively optically coupled to the first upper and second lower rows of photodiode pixels. The photo detector also includes readout electronics, which are also part of the photo detector. Electrical traces interconnect the photodiode pixels and the readout electronics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Rodney A. Mattson, Randall P. Luhta, Marc A. Chappo
  • Patent number: 10591617
    Abstract: Metal halide optical materials (e.g., scintillator materials or persistent phosphors) are described. More particularly, the optical materials include codoped perovskite-type halides, wherein the codoping ion is present at a molar ratio of 5000 parts per million (ppm) or less with respect to all cations. For example, the optical material can be a codoped trihalide having the formula ABX3 where A is one or more alkali metal, B is one or more alkali earth metal, and X is one or more halide that is doped with up to about 10 atomic percent of a dopant ion and codoped with up to about 5000 ppm of one or more isovalent or aliovalent codopant ion, such as a tetravalent ion (e.g., Zr4+), a trivalent ion (e.g., Sc3+, Y3+, Gd3+, or La3+ ion) or a divalent ion (e.g., Mg2+). The codoped material can have modified afterglow compared to a noncodoped material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: University of Tennessee Research Foundation
    Inventors: Yuntao Wu, Mariya Zhuravleva, Luis Stand, Charles L. Melcher
  • Patent number: 10591618
    Abstract: The X-ray detection device according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes a scintillator that generates scintillation light in response to incident X-rays; a detection unit including a plurality of pixels each generating a pixel signal in response to the scintillation light incident thereon; and an output unit that generates X-ray two-dimensional projection data by using the pixel signals of the pixels. A pixel of the detection unit includes a plurality of subpixels that performs photoelectric conversion in response to the scintillation light; an AD conversion unit that applies AD conversion to outputs of the subpixels; and an adder that generates the pixel signal corresponding to the pixel by adding up outputs of the plurality of subpixels after the AD conversion. The present disclosure is applicable to an X-ray CT device and an X-ray FPD device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Nishihara, Kenichi Okumura, Tsutomu Imoto, Masao Matsumura
  • Patent number: 10591619
    Abstract: A radiation detector assembly is provided that includes a semiconductor detector, a collimator, plural pixelated anodes, and at least one processor. The collimator has openings defining pixels. Each pixelated anode is configured to generate a primary signal responsive to reception of a photon and to generate at least one secondary signal responsive to reception of a photon by at least one surrounding anode. Each pixelated anode includes a first portion and a second portion located in different openings of the collimator. The first portion is configured as a collecting portion having a collecting area, and the second portion is configured as a non-collecting portion having a non-collecting area that has a different size from the collecting area. The at least one processor is configured to determine a location for the reception of a photon using a primary signal and at least one secondary signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: GE Precision Healthcare LLC
    Inventor: Arie Shahar
  • Patent number: 10591620
    Abstract: A system for measuring a particle beam includes a central and peripheral part and a front and back panel. The central part includes a system for producing a space charge zone to be passed through by a beam to be measured, charge carriers of a first and second type being generated by the beam when the latter passes through the space charge zone. The peripheral part includes a system for collecting at least one type of charge carrier from among the first or second type. The peripheral part surrounds the central part such that a particle beam can pass through the central part without passing through the peripheral part, an orifice being provided in back panel, in a region of the central part such that the thickness of the region, along a normal axis to the front panel is less than that of the peripheral part along the normal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignees: UNIVERSITÉ D'AIX MARSEILLE, CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE (CNRS)
    Inventors: Wilfried Vivian Roland Vervisch, Laurent Ottaviani, Stéphane Biondo, Vanessa Laurence Jill Hurtado Ep Vervisch
  • Patent number: 10591621
    Abstract: A neutron detector that indicates the direction toward a neutron source. The detector is a proton-recoil type of detector, in which two different scintillators are positioned on both sides of a hydrogenous target. Proton recoil signals from the two scintillators indicate whether neutrons arrive from the left, right, or center relative to the detector alignment. Surprisingly high precision can be obtained by orienting the detector so that the counting rates in the two scintillators are equal, at which point the target layer is directly aligned with the source. Disclosed are thick and thin target configurations, versions for discriminating pulses from the two scintillators, options for assembling a multi-detector stack and array, and multiple analysis procedures for optimally locating the neutron source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Inventor: David Edward Newman
  • Patent number: 10591622
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to a sensor cable that may be reconfigurable to have various combinations of seismic sensors. An apparatus may comprise a sensor cable and seismic sensors distributed throughout a volume of the sensor cable and along all three axes of the sensor cable, wherein the seismic sensors are assigned to sampling groups that are reconfigurable and not hardwired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: PGS Geophysical AS
    Inventors: Robertus Franciscus Hegge, Roald G. van Borselen
  • Patent number: 10591623
    Abstract: Example systems and methods are described for performing multilateral well sensing in a downhole environment. In an example system, a cased parent wellbore and a cased lateral wellbore intersect at a lateral junction. A sensor is deployed within the cased lateral wellbore that communicably couples to a transmitter module, wherein the transmitter module is deployed within the cased lateral wellbore downhole of the lateral junction and configured to generate acoustic signals. An optical fiber cable is deployed within the cased parent wellbore and configured to receive acoustic signals transmitted by the transmitter module in the cased lateral wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Mikko Jaaskelainen, Brian Vandellyn Park
  • Patent number: 10591624
    Abstract: Systems and methods for deployment and retrieval of ocean bottom seismic receivers. In some embodiments, the system includes a carrier containing receivers. The carrier can include a frame having a mounted structure (e.g., a movable carousel, movable conveyor, fixed parallel rails, or a barrel) for seating and releasing the receivers (e.g., axially stacked). The structure can facilitate delivering receivers to a discharge port on the frame. The system can include a discharge mechanism for removing receivers from the carrier. In some embodiments, the method includes loading a carrier with receivers, transporting the carrier from a surface vessel to a position adjacent the seabed, and using an ROV to remove receivers from the carrier and place the receivers on the seabed. In some embodiments, an ROV adjacent the seabed engages a deployment line that guides receivers from the vessel down to the ROV for “on-time” delivery and placement on the seabed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: Magseis FF LLC
    Inventors: James N. Thompson, Clifford H. Ray, Glenn D. Fisseler, Roger L. Fyffe
  • Patent number: 10591625
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and techniques for controlling the rate of penetration of a drill bit use drilling parameter measurements read from drilling parameter sensors to evaluate control loops, with the output of one of the control loops at any given time being used by an automatic driller to control the rate of penetration. For each of the drilling parameters, the automatic driller reads a drilling parameter measurement, determines an error measurement that represents a difference between a drilling parameter setpoint and the drilling parameter measurement, and from the error measurement determines an output signal proportional to the rate of penetration of the drill bit. The output signal of one of the control loops is subsequently selected and used to control the rate of penetration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: PASON SYSTEMS CORP.
    Inventors: Trevor Leigh Holt, Thomas William Charles Wilson, Quinn Harrison Hepburn
  • Patent number: 10591626
    Abstract: An electromagnetic energy source for emitting pulses of electromagnetic energy includes a sonde assembly having a first section axially aligned with, and spaced from, a second section. An energy storage capacitor of the sonde assembly includes an electrode mounted in each of the first section and the second section of the sonde assembly and operable to generate an electric field, and a capacitive charge storage medium mounted in each of the first section and the second section of the sonde assembly and surrounding each electrode. The sonde assembly further includes a fast-closing switch located between the electrodes of the first and second sections of the sonde assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Howard K. Schmidt, Jesus Manuel Felix Servin, Erika Ellis, Mazen Y. Kanj, Abdullah Awadh Al-Shehri
  • Patent number: 10591627
    Abstract: Proximity detection systems and proximity detections methods are disclosed herein. In one aspect of the disclosure the systems and methods include measuring and analyzing the vector components of a generated magnetic field. In another aspect of the present disclosure, the results of the vector component measurements are used to take safety actions which may result in an alert to an operator or pedestrian, and/or automatic action by a vehicle or machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: FREDERICK ENERGY PRODUCTS, LLC
    Inventors: Larry D. Frederick, Dean Estill, Andrew Nichols
  • Patent number: 10591628
    Abstract: Methods and systems of electromagnetic sensing in a wellbore are presented in this disclosure for monitoring annulus fluids and water floods. An array of transmitters and one or more receivers are located along a casing in the wellbore. A transmitter in the array and one of the receivers can be mounted on a same collar on the casing forming a transmitter-receiver pair. The receiver can receive a signal originating from the transmitter and at least one other signal originating from at least one other transmitter in the array, wherein the signal is indicative of a fluid in the wellbore in a vicinity of the transmitter-receiver pair and the at least one other signal is indicative of another fluid in a formation around the wellbore. The receiver can further communicate, via a waveguide, the signal and the at least one other signal to a processor for signal interpretation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Ahmed E. Fouda, Tasneem Mandviwala, Burkay Donderici, Etienne Samson
  • Patent number: 10591629
    Abstract: A conveyance and methods for x-ray inspection of an object. The conveyance has a bed with attached wheels and detector elements disposed along a pontine structure coupled to the conveyance. A source of penetrating radiation is coupled to the conveyance and disposed so as to irradiate each of the detector elements from a single position. An automated manual transmission couples power from an engine to a set of the wheels of the conveyance, both for road travel and for x-ray inspection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: American Science and Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Jason Toppan
  • Patent number: 10591630
    Abstract: A subsurface logging tool that is deployable in a wellbore that traverses a formation includes a gamma-ray scintillation detector with a thallium-based scintillator material. The scintillator material is suitable for high-temperature downhole environments (i.e., above 70° C.). As such, the scintillator material improves the performance of oilfield measurement(s) at temperatures above 70° C. and at least up to 175° C., when compared with the use of the other materials. The scintillator material may have an effective atomic number of at least sixty. The scintillator material may have the chemical formula Tl2LiY1-xCexCl6, where x is 0 to 1. Lithium (Li) may be partially or completely replaced by another alkali metal or by indium (In). Yttrium (Y) is partially or completely replaced by another rare earth element. Chlorine (Cl) is partially or completely replaced by another halide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Markus Berheide, Cornelis Huiszoon
  • Patent number: 10591631
    Abstract: Gravity surveys of subterranean formations may be based on the simultaneous measurement of gravity and its derivatives to produce a higher resolution formation map or wellbore log.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Satyan Gopal Bhongale, Michel Joseph Leblanc