Controlling Light Source Intensity Patents (Class 250/205)
  • Patent number: 12105200
    Abstract: A system includes a near-infrared (NIR) illuminator, an NIR image sensor, a light detection and ranging (LIDAR) device, and control circuitry configured to perform operations. The operations include causing the NIR illuminator to illuminate a portion of an environment, and obtaining, from the NIR image sensor, NIR image data representing the portion of the environment illuminated by the NIR illuminator. The operations also include detecting a retroreflector within the NIR image data and, based on detecting the retroreflector within the NIR image, determining a position of the retroreflector within the environment. The operations further include, based on the position of the retroreflector within the environment, adjusting at least one parameter of the LIDAR device in connection with scanning the retroreflector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2024
    Assignee: Waymo LLC
    Inventors: Caner Onal, Nirav Dharia, Giulia Guidi
  • Patent number: 12092585
    Abstract: Techniques are described for automatically detecting defects in webs using ultraviolet light to excite fluorescing agents in various layers of the web. In one example. a system for detecting defects in the web includes an inspection device and a processing unit. The inspection device includes a lighting unit, a filter, and an image capture device. The lighting unit is configured to emit ultraviolet light having a first wavelength to the web, the web including a fluorescing agent configured to emit light having a second wavelength upon excitation by the ultraviolet light. The image capture device is configured to capture one or more images of the light having the second wavelength after the light has passed through the filter. The processing unit is configured to determine whether the web includes a defect based on the one or more images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Jason P. Smith, Steven P. Floeder
  • Patent number: 12055675
    Abstract: A power beaming system includes a power beam transmitter arranged to transmit the power beam, and a power beam receiver arranged to receive the power beam from the power beam transmitter. A power beam transmission source is arranged to generate a laser light beam for transmission by the power beam transmitter from a first location toward a remote second location. A beam-shaping element shapes the laser light beam, at least one diffusion element uniformly distributes light of the shaped laser light beam, and a projection element illuminates a power beam receiving element of predetermined shape with the shaped laser light beam. At the power beam receiver, a diffusion surface diffuses a portion the power beam specularly reflected from the power beam receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2023
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2024
    Assignee: Laser Motive, Inc.
    Inventors: Jordin T. Kare, Thomas J. Nugent, Jr., David Bashford
  • Patent number: 12007670
    Abstract: An illuminating unit for illuminating an imaging range of a monochromatic camera mounted on a board work machine for working on a board includes a red light source configured to emit a red light, a green light source configured to emit a green light, a blue light source configured to emit a blue light, and a lighting controller configured to adjust independently respective light amounts of the red light source, the green light source, and the blue light source in the same number of gradations within a predetermined dimming range. In the red light source, the green light source, and the blue light source, the upper limit of the dimming range of the light source having the strong light amount is smaller than the upper limit of the dimming range of the light source having the weak light amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2024
    Assignee: FUJI CORPORATION
    Inventor: Mitsuhiro Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 11987167
    Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle lighting system based on infrared light sources, the vehicle lighting system comprising: an infrared matrix lamp, which comprises a plurality of infrared light sources arranged in a matrix and which is configured to be mounted on a vehicle to provide an illumination range with respect to the vehicle, wherein each of the plurality of infrared light sources corresponds to an illumination region in the illumination range; and a matrix lamp controller configured to turn on, when a target region needs to be illuminated, an infrared light source in the infrared matrix lamp corresponding to the target region on the basis of relative position information between the target region and the vehicle, wherein the relative position information comprises an angular position of the target region relative to a vehicle reference. The invention further relates to a vehicle comprising the vehicle lighting system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: NIO TECHNOLOGY (ANHUI) CO., LTD
    Inventors: Yongkun Yu, Rui Zhang
  • Patent number: 11982928
    Abstract: A scanning laser projector includes an optical module with a housing defined by a top surface, a bottom surface, and sidewalls extending between the top surface and bottom surface to define an interior compartment within the housing. A given one of the sidewalls has an exit window defined therein. A first light detector is positioned at an interior surface of the given one of the sidewalls about a periphery of the exit window. A second light detector positioned at the interior surface of the given one of the sidewalls about the periphery of the exit window and on a different side thereof than the first light detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Assignees: STMicroelectronics LTD, STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Alex Domnits, Elan Roth, Davide Terzi, Luca Molinari, Marco Boschi
  • Patent number: 11953236
    Abstract: A characterization device, system, and method for characterizing reflective elements from the light beams reflected in it. The device has two variable-gain detectors on a common structure, which can be portable or fixed, and for capturing light beams reflected by a reflective element, and from at least one processor characterizing the quality of the reflected light beams and evaluating the quality of the reflective element from its reflective capacity. Each detector has a lens for increasing the signal-to-noise ratio of the reflected beam or beams, a light sensor on which the beam or beams captured by the lens are focused, an automatic gain selection system associated with the optical sensor, and a data communication device associated with the device itself. A characterization system and a characterization method for characterizing reflective elements from the quality of the light beams reflected in at least one reflective element or heliostat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: FUNDACIÓN CENER-CIEMAT
    Inventors: Iñigo Les Aguerrea, Amaia Mutuberria Larrayoz, Adrian Peña Lapuente, Marcelino Sanchez Gonzalez, Carlos Heras Vila, Iñigo Salina Áriz, David Izquierdo Núñez, Javier Garcia-Barberena Labiano
  • Patent number: 11913836
    Abstract: A dispersion measurement apparatus includes a pulse forming unit, a correlation optical system, a beam splitter, an operation unit, an imaging unit, a spatial filter unit, and a photodetector. The pulse forming unit forms a light pulse train including light pulses having time differences and different center wavelengths. The beam splitter branches the light pulse train passed through a measurement object. The imaging unit disperses one light pulse train and images each light pulse. The spatial filter unit extracts light of a partial region of the other light pulse train. The correlation optical system outputs correlation light including a cross-correlation or an autocorrelation of the extracted light. The photodetector detects a temporal waveform of the correlation light. The operation unit estimates a wavelength dispersion amount in the measurement object based on a feature value of the temporal waveform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: HAMAMATSU PHOTONICS K.K.
    Inventors: Koyo Watanabe, Hisanari Takahashi, Kyohei Shigematsu, Takashi Inoue
  • Patent number: 11864867
    Abstract: An exemplary system includes a light source and a control circuit configured to apply voltage having a first polarity to the light source for a first time period to provide a threshold charge for the light source to start an emission of a light pulse that is directed at a target within a body. The control circuit is further configured to apply voltage having a second polarity opposite the first polarity to the light source for a second time period subsequent to the first time period to discharge the light source to stop the emission of the light pulse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: HI LLC
    Inventors: Alex Borisevich, Ryan Field
  • Patent number: 11771308
    Abstract: A medical control device includes a focus controller configured to move a focus lens included in an imaging device configured to capture an object image taken in by an endoscope and generate a captured image, and control a focus position, wherein the focus controller is configured to executes remote shooting control for moving the focus lens and setting the focus position in a position of a hyperfocal distance corresponding to the endoscope in a case where an object distance from the endoscope to an object is included in a range of an object distance from the endoscope to the object at which remote shooting is performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: SONY OLYMPUS MEDICAL SOLUTIONS INC.
    Inventor: Kazunori Segawa
  • Patent number: 11677275
    Abstract: Concepts and technologies directed to wireless power transfer network management are disclosed herein. Embodiments of a system can include an optical beamforming transmitter, a processor, and a memory that stores computer-executable instructions that configure a processor to perform operations. The operations can include receiving a power charge message that requests wireless power transfer to charge a battery system of a wirelessly chargeable equipment. The operations can include detecting that the wirelessly chargeable equipment is within a power transfer range of the optical beamforming transmitter. The operations can include determining that the wirelessly chargeable equipment is not stationary. The operations can include tracking movement of the wirelessly chargeable equipment and activating the optical beamforming transmitter that provides wireless power transfer to the wirelessly chargeable equipment while the wirelessly chargeable equipment is within the power transfer range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Joseph Soryal, Naila Jaoude, Samuel N. Zellner
  • Patent number: 11615222
    Abstract: A physics engine executed on a processor to simulate rigid body dynamics of a simulated physical system using an inertia scaling function is provided. The physics engine may be configured to iteratively loop through a collision detection phase, an iterative solving phase, updating phase, and display phase. The physics engine may further be configured to determine a neighboring body weighting value for one or more of the plurality of bodies, and determine an inertia scaling value for the one or more of the plurality of bodies based on the neighboring body weighting value for that body. The physics engine may further be configured to scale an inertia value for a body of that colliding pair of bodies based on the inertia scaling value for the iterative solving phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Petar Mitrovic, Eoin McLoughlin, Maxwell Simon Abernethy, Milan Simic, Milos Jovanovic, Nikola Nikolic, Oliver M. Strunk, Pavle Josipovic, Rory Mullane, Janos Benk
  • Patent number: 11585493
    Abstract: A subject of the invention is the source of LED lighting that improves human cognitive performance during work activities or in any activity and simulates sun radiation in the biologically beneficial range 460 to 660 nm, for more than 90%. The whole system of the LED lighting source is set in such a way that 4.5 to 6% of blue and turquoise light radiation is added to the light radiation emitted from white LED chips, and it is advantageous if of equal radiation intensity. This measurement will provide for balancing of radiation intensity to 90% of the sunshine level. The generated combined light radiation of the cognitive LED lighting source has CRI 98 and correlated colour temperature 4000 to 4700 K, the sun radiation has correlated colour temperature 4982 K and CRI 99.5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Inventors: Hynek Medricky, Daniel Jesensky, Daniel Stepan
  • Patent number: 11493440
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a speckles detection system for detecting one or more speckles on a surface of an optical element of an image capturing device. The system comprises: one or more light sources configured to emit a light beam towards the optical element, the optical element being configured to reflect light from the light sources when speckles are located on the surface of the optical element. The system further comprises one or more light receivers configured to receive the light beam reflected by the optical elements such that speckles on the surface of the optical elements are detected. Methods for detecting one or more speckles on a surface of an optical element of an image capturing device are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: FICOSA ADAS, S.L.U.
    Inventors: Francisco Remiro Herrero, Jordi Vila Planas, Inigo Salinas Ariz, Carlos Hera Vila, Ignacio Ayora Morante
  • Patent number: 11476636
    Abstract: Described are various configurations of integrated wavelength lockers including asymmetric Mach-Zehnder interferometers (AMZIs) and associated detectors. Various embodiments provide improved wavelength-locking accuracy by using an active tuning element in the AMZI to achieve an operational position with high locking sensitivity, a coherent receiver to reduce the frequency-dependence of the locking sensitivity, and/or a temperature sensor and/or strain gauge to computationally correct for the effect of temperature or strain changes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: OpenLight Photonics, Inc.
    Inventors: John Parker, Jared Bauters, Jonathan Edgar Roth, Erik Norberg, Gregory Alan Fish
  • Patent number: 11468401
    Abstract: Sensor-equipped display management systems and methods that may be used to calculate a number of products removed from a display management system based upon motion of one or more mechanisms within the display management system. Additionally, the systems and methods may be used to detect patterns from the sensor data, which may be indicative of attempted theft of products stored within the display management system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: RTC Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick Costello, Stephen N. Hardy, Tony Dipaolo
  • Patent number: 11463675
    Abstract: A method characterizes a scanning light source configured to emit illumination propagating in any one of a plurality of directions spanning an angular range. The method includes (i) detecting, with a camera, illumination propagating at each of the plurality of directions; (ii) storing image data corresponding to a response of the camera to the detected illumination. The method also includes (iii) processing the image data to characterize at least one of the angular range, pointing accuracy, pointing jitter, a divergence of the illumination, a uniformity of the illumination, and a fidelity of a scanning pattern, formed by the scanning light source, to a predetermined pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: JENOPTIK OPTICAL SYSTEMS, LLC
    Inventors: Marc D. Himel, Gunnar H. Gunnarsson, Andrea Koertvelyessy, James J. Kumler, Jan Werschnik
  • Patent number: 11444698
    Abstract: The present invention provides an optical transmitter including a semiconductor laser and a control method thereof for preventing crosstalk between channels in an NG-PON2 with a 100 GHz channel spacing by reducing a wavelength drift of the semiconductor laser. The wavelength drift occurs between a few nanoseconds and a few hundreds of nanoseconds from the beginning of a burst when the semiconductor laser is operated in a burst-mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Inventor: Jeongsoo Kim
  • Patent number: 11405999
    Abstract: A system (1) is configured to obtain a target light level, determine a first set of light settings for one or more lights (13,14,24,25) and/or a first set of daylight blocker settings for one or more daylight blockers (21,22) based on the target light level, control these devices based on the first set(s) of settings, and receive from a user device (31) information indicating a quality of a light-modulated data signal received by the user device from the one or more lights, as determined by the user device. The system is further configured to determine a second set of light settings based on the first set of light settings and the determined signal quality and/or a second set of daylight blocker settings based on the first set of daylight blocker settings and the determined signal quality and control these devices based on the second set(s) of settings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: SIGNIFY HOLDING B.V.
    Inventors: Dzmitry Viktorovich Aliakseyeu, Bartel Marinus Van De Sluis, Mustafa Tolga Eren, Dirk Valentinus René Engelen
  • Patent number: 11368054
    Abstract: A power beaming system delivers electric power in laser light from a first location to a remote second location. The laser light has a high energy intensity level defining a hazardous illumination area and a low energy intensity level defining a safe illumination area. The system includes guard circuitry emitter(s) and corresponding detector(s). The guard circuitry forms a detection area about the hazardous illumination area to detect objects in proximity to the hazardous illumination area. A controller directs the guard and power beam circuitry according to sequentially activated safety modes to operate at a low energy intensity level, to scan in a defined pattern, to adjust operation of the detector(s), and to set guard circuitry parameters based on a time value, an object detection value, or a change to the delivered electric power. An output coupled to the controller and power beam circuitry controllably permits or prevents operation at the high energy intensity level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: LaserMotive, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Nugent, Jr., Jordin T. Kare, Alexander Hay
  • Patent number: 11367804
    Abstract: A directional photodetector comprises a photosensitive element and a light selector. The photosensitive element comprises a single-photon avalanche diode, SPAD, or an array of SPADs or SPAD array. The light selector is arranged on or above the photosensitive element, in particular on or above an active surface of the photosensitive element. The light selector is configured to restrict a field of view of the photosensitive element at least for light with a wavelength within a specified wavelength range. The light selector is configured to restrict the field of view by predominantly passing light with a direction of incidence within a range of passing directions of the light selector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: AMS AG
    Inventor: Robert Kappel
  • Patent number: 11362740
    Abstract: A power over fiber system includes a power sourcing equipment, a powered device, an optical fiber cable and a controller. The power sourcing equipment includes semiconductor lasers. The semiconductor lasers output feed light of different wavelengths by oscillating with electric power. The powered device includes photoelectric conversion elements. The photoelectric conversion elements have different photoelectric conversion efficiencies and convert the feed light output from the power sourcing equipment into electric power with their respective photoelectric conversion efficiencies. The optical fiber cable transmits the feed light from the power sourcing equipment to the powered device. The controller performs a process of selecting and activating one of the semiconductor lasers and a process of selecting and activating one of the photoelectric conversion elements in order that the power over fiber system perform predetermined power supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: KYOCERA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Takehiko Suyama
  • Patent number: 11359910
    Abstract: An inspection method, correction method, and inspection device that include measuring a first spatial position where laser light is emitted at a first region and measuring a first strike position where the inspection device is struck by the laser light in the first region, the measurements being performed by emitting the laser light at the first region of the inspection device; measuring a second spatial position where the laser light is emitted at a second region and measuring a second strike position where the inspection device is struck by the laser light in the second region, the measurements being performed by emitting the laser light at the second region of the inspection device; and comparing measurement results for the first spatial position and the second spatial position with measurement results for the first strike position and the second strike position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: MITUTOYO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Masayuki Nara
  • Patent number: 11360025
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described for analyzing a plurality of biological samples with a plurality of fluorescent reagents in an automated fashion. The system may include two optical systems, a fluorescence imaging system and an optical quenching system. These two systems may be placed laterally adjacent to one another, and generally beneath one of the wells of sample-containing microtiter plate. The biological sample contained therein may be stained with a series of fluorescent reagents, with the fluorescence quenched between stainings. By precise positioning of the sample with respect to the imaging system, the sample may be imaged with a plurality of serially applied reagents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: Miltenyi Biotec B.V. & CO. KG
    Inventors: Thomas Rockel, Stefan Miltenyi, Sven Ignatius, Jurgen Krieg
  • Patent number: 11353360
    Abstract: This electromagnetic wave detector is provided with light reception graphene and reference graphene that are aligned on an insulating layer, first electrodes and second electrodes that are disposed so as to oppose each other and sandwich the light reception graphene and reference graphene, a gate electrode for applying a gate voltage to the light reception graphene and reference graphene, and a balanced circuit and detection circuit that are connected between the second electrodes. If electromagnetic waves are incident on the light reception graphene, photocarriers will be generated through in-band transition. If electromagnetic waves are incident on the reference graphene, photocarriers will not be generated because of the Pauli blocking effect. In a state where no electromagnetic waves are incident on the light reception graphene or reference graphene, the balanced circuit causes the first electrodes and second electrodes to have the same potential.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masaaki Shimatani, Shimpei Ogawa, Daisuke Fujisawa, Satoshi Okuda
  • Patent number: 11333532
    Abstract: There is provided a light control circuit including a light detector, a frequency detector, an error amplifier, an NMOS driver and a light source. The frequency detector identifies a signal frequency according to detected voltage signals outputted by the light detector and generates a control signal accordingly. The NMOS driver changes a drive current of the light source according to an output of the error amplifier. The error amplifier changes a bandwidth thereof according to the control signal from the frequency detector to regulate a response time of the drive current of the light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: PIXART IMAGING INC.
    Inventors: Kuan-Choong Shim, Gim-Eng Chew
  • Patent number: 11333761
    Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) coordinate measurement device combines tracker and scanner functionality. The tracker function is configured to send light to a retroreflector and determine distance to the retroreflector based on the reflected light. The tracker is also configured to track the retroreflector as it moves, and to determine 3D coordinates of the retroreflector. The scanner is configured to send a beam of light to a point on an object surface and to determine 3D coordinate of the point. In addition, the scanner is configured to adjustably focus the beam of light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: FARO TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Kenneth Steffey, Robert E. Bridges, David H. Parker
  • Patent number: 11320267
    Abstract: A system for stabilizing a scale factor associated with an optic rotation sensor comprises an optic rotation sensor that generates an optic signal in response to a rotation of the optic rotation sensor. A sensor detection system produces a rotation signal as a function of the optic signal and rotation of the optic rotation sensor. A first waveguide guides a portion of the optic signal for an interaction length, and produces a first processed optic signal. A second waveguide receives a portion of the optic signal from first waveguide through evanescent coupling, and produces a second processed optic signal. A wavemeter detector receives the optic signals and measures the effective interferometric wavelength (EIW) of the light based on the optic signals. A scale factor correction system receives the rotation signal and the EIW, and measures the correct rotation signal by processing the rotation signal and the EIW.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: KVH Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Liming Wang
  • Patent number: 11300385
    Abstract: The present invention relates to camouflage pattern printed fabrics and coatings for objects such as clothing, surfaces, buildings, ground vehicles, aircraft and watercraft and superstructures, wherein the patterns are created to mimic a view from underwater towards the surface so that the camouflage pattern matches what an aquatic animal would see from underwater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Inventor: Zachary Burton
  • Patent number: 11294021
    Abstract: A tracking apparatus includes a photosensor. The apparatus includes only a single, physically compact, optical pattern emitting base station. The apparatus includes a computer that tracks the photosensor to sub-millimeter accuracy using the optical pattern emitted by the base station. Alternatively, the computer determines angular position of the photosensor relative to the base station to a finer resolution than the size of an aperture of the photosensor from the light emitted by the base station. A method for tracking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Inventor: Kenneth Perlin
  • Patent number: 11287309
    Abstract: A serialized probe component for an optoacoustic device has a unique identifier associated therewith and includes, in an embodiment, an operative connection between a read-write memory and the optoacoustic device. Software adapted to generate and store logs in a read-write memory is executed on the optoacoustic device and stores logs concerning utilization of the serialized probe component on the read-write memory. A method for logging operational information concerning an optoacoustic device is further disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: Seno Medical Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory Schmid, William Ackerman, Bryan Clingman
  • Patent number: 11275196
    Abstract: In one aspect, an object detection system is provided that adapts to the distance between the emitter and receiver. The system may utilize a range determining operation whereby the receiver will adjust an operation threshold, such as the detected signal strength required for the receiver to indicate that no object is present. The system may increase the threshold of the receiver as the strength of the received signal from the emitter increases, and upon certain conditions, decrease the threshold of the receiver as the strength of the received signal decreases. The system may utilize different receiver thresholds corresponding with different distance ranges between the emitter and receiver. By increasing the threshold of the receiver, the system may disregard low-level reflected light, thereby avoiding ignoring legitimate obstructions, while allowing the system to operate reliably over a wide physical range between the emitter and receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: The Chamberlain Group LLC
    Inventors: Paul D. Bratton, Michael Joseph Davies, Scott E. Gavett
  • Patent number: 11263924
    Abstract: An artificial eye system comprising: a display unit for displaying an image of an eye thereon, the display unit comprising a light cell adapted to selectively emit light and detect light; and a controller for controlling the display unit, the controller for: operating the display unit to concurrently detect light through the light cell and display an actual image of the eye; determining a next mage of the eye to be displayed on the display unit as a function of the detected light; and operating the display unit to display the next image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: CAE HEALTHCARE CANADA INC.
    Inventors: Jean-Sebastien Flamand, Francois Caron
  • Patent number: 11255969
    Abstract: A measurement apparatus including a laser apparatus; a branching part that branches the frequency modulated laser beam into a reference light and a measurement light; a beat signal generation part that generates a beat signal by mixing the reflected light reflected by irradiating the measurement light to an object to be measured; and a detection part that performs frequency analysis on first sampling data generated by sampling the beat signal at a first frequency and second sampling data generated by sampling the beat signal at a second frequency obtained by dividing a resonance frequency of the laser resonator by a positive integer, wherein the first frequency is a frequency equal to the resonance frequency or being a frequency equal to or more than twice the resonance frequency of the laser resonator and a measurement method are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: Mitutoyo Corporation
    Inventor: Shinji Komatsuzaki
  • Patent number: 11231615
    Abstract: Disclosed is a backlight unit and a display device including the same. The backlight unit can include a light emitting section including a plurality of light emitting devices disposed on a substrate, and a light source protection layer disposed on the plurality of light emitting devices, wherein an air gap is disposed between a top surface of the substrate and a bottom surface of the light source protection layer and in between the light emitting devices, a light conversion sheet having a plurality of light conversion patterns disposed in positions corresponding to the plurality of light emitting devices, and a phosphor film disposed on the light conversion sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: LG DISPLAY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kyuhwan Lee, SangChul Ryu, DongSeok Lee, MyungJoon Park, GwanHoon Park, Suhun Lee
  • Patent number: 11218678
    Abstract: A projection system, a protection circuit and a current monitoring method of an image resolution enhancement device are provided. A light valve converts an illumination beam into an image beam. The image resolution enhancement device changes a transmission path of the image beam according to a driving current. The protection circuit detects the driving current. When the driving current is greater than or equal to a first current threshold, the protection circuit further compares the driving current with a second current threshold. When a duration time that the driving current is smaller than the second current threshold and greater than or equal to the first current threshold is greater than or equal to a time threshold, the protection circuit decreases the driving current to be smaller than the first current threshold to control the image resolution enhancement device. The projection lens converts the image beam into a projection beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: Coretronic Corporation
    Inventor: Chao-Chun Wang
  • Patent number: 11207036
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the field of a cabinet x-ray incorporating an x-ray tube, an x-ray detector, and an optical camera for the production of organic and non-organic images. The computing device receives data including video data from an optical camera, a laser detector, an infrared detector, an ultrasonic detector, or a weight scale or pressure sensor, and determines automatically, based on the resultant data, if a sample/specimen has been left in the sample chamber. In particular, the disclosure relates to a system and method with corresponding apparatus for automatic detection if a sample/specimen has been left in the sample chamber without having to open the chamber door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: KUB Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Vikram Butani, Yan Chen, Chester Lowe, Vignesh Mandalapa-Bhoopathy, Edwin Maria-Selvaraj, Roberto Velasco
  • Patent number: 11209146
    Abstract: A miniaturized structured light projection module is provided. The miniaturized structured light projection module includes a light source assembly and a projecting lens. The light source assembly has a plurality of light source units, each of which is provided with a default projected pattern on its surface. The projecting lens is disposed above the light source units. The default projected patterns of the light source units are disposed on a front focal plane of the projecting lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignees: LITE-ON OPTO TECHNOLOGY (CHANGZHOU) CO., LTD., LITE-ON TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yu-Yu Chang, Yung-Chang Jen, Chen-Hsiu Lin
  • Patent number: 11208230
    Abstract: A printing apparatus includes a casing, an optical sensor, a second light receiving portion and an adjustment part. The optical sensor includes a light emitting portion and a first light receiving portion. The optical sensor is provided at a position in the vicinity of the outlet and located within a conveying region. The conveying region is an area through which the print medium passes. The second light receiving portion is provided in the vicinity of the optical sensor and positioned outside the conveying region where external light is perceivable. The adjustment part is configured to adjust a sensitivity in the detection of the presence of the print medium by the first light receiving portion. Adjustment of the sensitivity of the first light receiving portion is performed based on an intensity of the external light received at the second light receiving portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Katsuya Nishiyama
  • Patent number: 11199442
    Abstract: An ambient light detector, a detector array and a method are disclosed. An ambient light sensor includes a first plurality of sensor elements, where each sensor element is configured to provide a signal in response to a level of illumination and a second plurality of reference elements, each reference element configured to provide a reference signal and each including a blocking element configured to shield the respective reference element from being illuminated, where the first plurality is larger than the second plurality and the first plurality of sensor elements and the second plurality of reference elements are arranged in an array, and where a sensor element and a reference element are laterally arranged on or in a common layer substrate sharing at least one common first contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: OSRAM OPTO SEMICONDUCTORS GMBH
    Inventors: Hoa Vu, Andrey Lysov
  • Patent number: 11202355
    Abstract: One embodiment of the invention relates to an outdoor lighting fixture that includes a ballast for controlling the amount of current provided to a lamp. The lighting fixture also includes a fixture housing at least partially surrounding the ballast and the lamp and a mounting system for holding the fixture housing to at least one of a wall and a pole. The lighting fixture yet further includes a camera coupled to the housing and a control circuit wired to the camera. The lighting fixture also includes a radio frequency transceiver wired to the control circuit. The control circuit is configured to cause information from the camera to be wirelessly transmitted by the radio frequency transceiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: ORION ENERGY SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventor: Neal R. Verfuerth
  • Patent number: 11193871
    Abstract: Provided is an apparatus for measuring particulate matter, the apparatus including an air inflow device configured to receive air including particulate matter particles, two or more light sources configured to respectively emit light of different wavelengths to the air received, a pattern measuring device configured to measure scattering patterns for each wavelength of light based on detecting light that is forward-scattered by the particulate matter particles and light that is back-scattered by the particulate matter particles, and a processor configured to obtain a size of the particulate matter particles and a concentration of the particulate matter particles based on the scattering patterns for each wavelength of light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ho Jun Chang, Yun S Park, Woo Chang Lee
  • Patent number: 11156456
    Abstract: An optical sensing system can be integrated into a camera module. In particular, an optical element of an optical sensing system can be disposed entirely or partly within a barrel of a camera module. The optical element can be oriented toward a reflective surface, such as an infrared cut filter, such that an optical path is defined between free space and the optical element via at least one reflection off the reflective surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Tong Chen, Mehmet Mutlu, Mark T. Winkler
  • Patent number: 11150078
    Abstract: Methods for performing imaging reflectometry measurements include determining a representative reflectance intensity value using multiple images of a measurement area that includes a particular structure and/or using a plurality of pixels each associated with the particular structure within the measurement area. A parameter associated with the particular structure is determined using the representative reflectance intensity value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Guoheng Zhao, Mehdi Vaez-Iravani
  • Patent number: 11151960
    Abstract: An electronic apparatus is provided. The electronic apparatus includes a display; an illumination sensor; and a processor. The processor is configured to carry out a predetermined operation based on the illumination value being greater than or equal to a threshold, falling below the threshold for a predetermined time and thereafter being greater than or equal to the threshold. The processor is further configured to turn on the display based on the illumination value being greater than or equal to the threshold, falling below the threshold for the predetermined time and thereafter being greater than or equal to the threshold; or the illumination value being less than or equal to a second threshold, rising above the second threshold for the predetermined time, and thereafter being less than or equal to the second threshold, the second threshold being less than the threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Sang-won Lee
  • Patent number: 11141065
    Abstract: Eyelid illumination systems and methods for imaging meibomian glands for meibomian gland analysis are disclosed. In one embodiment, a patient's eyelid is IR trans-illuminated with an infrared (IR) light. A trans-illumination image of the patient's eyelid is captured showing meibomian glands in dark outlined areas, whereas non-gland material is shown in light areas. This provides a high contrast image of the meibomian glands that is X-ray like. The lid trans-illumination image of the meibomian glands can be analyzed to determine to diagnose the meibomian glands in the patient's eyelid. The eyelid may be trans-illuminated by a lid-flipping device configured to grasp and flip the eyelid for imaging the interior surface of the eyelid. Also, an IR surface meibography image of the meibomian glands may also be captured and combined with the trans-illumination image of the meibomian glands to provide a higher contrast image of the meibomian glands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: TearScience, Inc
    Inventors: Stephen M. Grenon, Donald R. Korb, Joshua Grenon, Scott Liddle, Steve Bacich, John M. Jans
  • Patent number: 11142047
    Abstract: A vehicle window has a plurality of integrated electro-optical elements, wherein the electro-optical elements have a common supply voltage, wherein the integrated electro-optical elements are controllable individually or in groups such that the electro-optical elements change the optical properties of the window at the respective location, wherein a first logical interface for feeding in the common supply voltage and a second logical interface for feeding in a common control signal are provided for controlling the electro-optical elements and for providing the common supply voltage, wherein, downstream from the logical interface, the control signal is converted into control signals for the control of the integrated electro-optical elements individually or in groups, wherein the physical interface is arranged on one of the outer faces of the window, wherein the physical interface for the first logical interface and the second logical interface has, together, 3 or 4 electrical connections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: SAINT-GOBAIN GLASS FRANCE
    Inventors: Bernhard Reul, Michael Labrot, Philippe Letocart, Christian Effertz
  • Patent number: 11137269
    Abstract: A reference voltage generator circuit generates a reference voltage corresponding to a power supply voltage. A current/voltage converter circuit converts a photocurrent output by a photoreceiver into voltage, and outputs a voltage obtained by adding the converted voltage and the reference voltage. A sample and hold circuit holds a voltage of a capacitor in response to a sample and hold signal, the capacitor having the voltage input at one end and the reference voltage input at another end. An amplifier circuit outputs an output signal where a voltage held by the sample and hold circuit is amplified with the reference voltage as a reference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: MITUTOYO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Osamu Kawatoko, Tomohiro Tahara, Hirokazu Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 11131629
    Abstract: In one embodiment, disclosed are apparatus, methods, and targets for determining a phase shift of a photomask having a phase-shift target. An inspection or metrology system is used to direct an incident beam towards the target and then detect a plurality of intensity measurements that are transmitted through the target in response to the incident beam. A phase shift value for the target may then be determined based on the intensity measurements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: KLA-Tencor Corporation
    Inventors: Abdurrahman Sezginer, Kuljit Virk, Eric Vella
  • Patent number: 11118903
    Abstract: A multipole illumination system may include an illumination source to generate a source beam, one or more acousto-optic deflectors to diffract the source beam along at least two directions; one or more collection lenses to collect at least some of the diffracted light from the one or more acousto-optic deflectors, and a controller to generate one or more drive signals for the one or more acousto-optic deflectors. For example, the one or more drive signals may cause the one or more acousto-optic deflectors to generate a symmetric distribution of two or more illumination beams formed from light diffracted from the one or more acousto-optic deflectors and collected by the one or more collection lenses, where a distribution of wavelength and intensity of the two or more illumination beams is symmetric in a plane formed by the first and second directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: KLA Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew V. Hill, Dmitry Gorelik