Controlling Light Source Intensity Patents (Class 250/205)
  • Patent number: 8884204
    Abstract: A light-emitting element driving circuit comprising, a light-emitting element, a driving unit which has a control terminal and is configured to drive the light-emitting element according to a potential of the control terminal, a node connected to the control terminal, a monitor configured to monitor an emitted light amount of the light-emitting element, a potential control unit configured to control a potential of the node so that the emitted light amount of the light-emitting element approaches a target value, and an auxiliary potential control unit configured to assist potential control of the node by the potential control unit when a difference between the emitted light amount of the light-emitting element detected by the monitor and the target value is larger than a reference amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masanori Shibata, Yoshikazu Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 8884777
    Abstract: A mobile device including a solar battery having a light-receiving surface provided on a casing of the mobile device, an illuminance detector that detects an illuminance of light incident on the casing, an output section that outputs a state of light incident on the light-receiving surface of the solar battery, and a controller that controls the output section based on the illuminance detected by the illuminance detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Mobile Communications Inc.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Kato, Kimitaka Benise, Jusuke Shimura, Yoshiaki Inoue, Yasuhide Hosoda
  • Patent number: 8879072
    Abstract: Laser scanning microscope and method for the operation thereof having at least two detection channels which has at least one beamsplitter with a splitting of the sample light deviating from the 50:50 split and/or, with 50:50 split in the detection channels, has detectors with differently adjusted gain, or in at least one detection channel with equal light splitting has an additional light attenuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Microscopy GmbH
    Inventors: Nils Langholz, Dieter Huhse
  • Patent number: 8866058
    Abstract: An optical transceiver comprises a substrate having a temperature control device, a light source, a light-guiding fiber, a detector, optics for collimating the light from the light source, coupling optics for focusing the light beam into the light-guiding fiber, and a beamsplitter which sends one part of the collimated light beam into a wavelength stabilization unit and another part of the collimated light beam into the coupling optics. A wavelength stabilization unit detects and compensates for wavelength drift of the light source. The optical transceiver has a superluminescent diode for its light source and may, for example, be integrated in a fiber-optic gyro.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman LITEF GmbH
    Inventor: Sven Voigt
  • Patent number: 8859943
    Abstract: A method 100 maximizes the contrast between light and dark markings 13 that carry information. The markings are illuminated by a variable output light source 16, and a reflected image is received by a detector 18 and processed by a controller 20. The method calculates a histogram of the reflected image at step 102, and the method determines at step 104 if the histogram has one peak or two peaks. The method increases at step 110 or decreases at step 112 the output of the light source 16 by adding or subtracting a small step amount to or from the current light level of the light source 16. The method 100 is a continuously repeating loop, and the method increases or decreases the light level of the source of illumination with substantially every loop to oscillate about an equilibrium light level that provides maximum contrast.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Parker-Hannifin Corporation
    Inventor: Ronald Roth
  • Patent number: 8847935
    Abstract: A display device includes: a screen unit; a drive unit; a signal processing unit; and a selector, wherein the screen unit includes rows of scanning lines, columns of signal lines, matrix-state pixel circuits and a light sensor, the drive unit includes a scanner supplying a control signal to the scanning lines and a driver supplying a video signal to the signal lines, the screen unit is sectioned into plural regions each having plural pixel circuits, the pixel circuit emits light in accordance with the video signal, the light sensor is arranged with respect to each region and outputs a luminance signal in accordance with the light emission, the selector supplies plural luminance signals to the signal processing unit by switching the signals, and the signal processing unit corrects the video signal in accordance with the luminance signals and supplies the video signal to the driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Junichi Yamashita, Katsuhide Uchino
  • Publication number: 20140284450
    Abstract: The technique introduced herein decouples the traditional relationship between bandwidth and responsivity, thereby providing a more flexible and wider photodetector design space. In certain embodiments of the technique introduced here, a photodetector device includes a first mirror, a second mirror, and a light absorption region positioned between the first and second reflective mirrors. For example, the first mirror can be a partial mirror, and the second mirror can be a high-reflectivity mirror. The light absorption region is positioned to absorb incident light that is passed through the first mirror and reflected between the first and second mirrors. The first mirror can be configured to exhibit a reflectivity that causes an amount of light energy that escapes from the first mirror, after the light being reflected back by the second mirror, to be zero or near zero.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2014
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Inventors: Shu-Lu Chen, Yun-Chung Na
  • Patent number: 8841592
    Abstract: Technologies pertaining to determining when glare will be perceived by a hypothetical observer from a glare source and the intensity of glare that will be perceived by the hypothetical observer from the glare source are described herein. A first location of a potential source of solar glare is received, and a second location of the hypothetical observer is received. Based upon such locations, including respective elevations, and known positions of the sun over time, a determination as to when the hypothetical observer will perceive glare from the potential source of solar glare is made. Subsequently, an amount of irradiance entering the eye of the hypothetical observer is calculated to assess potential ocular hazards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Clifford K. Ho, Cianan Alexander Sims
  • Patent number: 8829406
    Abstract: Optical apparatus includes a device package, with a radiation source contained in the package and configured to emit a beam of coherent radiation. A diffractive optical element (DOE) is mounted in the package so as to receive and diffract the radiation from the radiation source into a predefined pattern comprising multiple diffraction orders. An optical detector is positioned in the package so as to receive and sense an intensity of a selected diffraction order of the DOE.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Primesense Ltd.
    Inventors: Ronen Akerman, Dudu Voschina, Niv Galezer, Yoed Arieli, Tomer Segev, Zafrir Mor, Alexander Shpunt
  • Patent number: 8829412
    Abstract: A glow tube output detection device that monitors for light emissions from a legacy glow tube so that the status of the glow tube may be fed to other systems such as supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems for electric power distribution networks. The monitored legacy glow tubes are connected to the various phases of electrical buses to indicate the presence of high voltage including back feeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: DGI Creations, LLC
    Inventor: John Christopher Papson
  • Patent number: 8822902
    Abstract: An optical apparatus for adjusting the position and aperture of a pinhole and a method using the same are provided. A light beam is provided. The light beam is focused on an object and reacts with the object to form a signal beam. The signal beam is focused and projected on a liquid-crystal switch. The projection position of the signal beam on the liquid-crystal switch is determined, and the transparence of the liquid-crystal switch at the projection position is adjusted to form a transparent area. The signal beam passes through the transparent area and reaches a light detecting unit to form a detecting signal. The aperture of the transparent area is adjusted according to the intensity of the detecting signal. The liquid-crystal switch is driven to move, so that the position of the transparent area in the moving direction of the signal beam is adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Hong-Chou Lyu, Yuan-Chin Lee
  • Patent number: 8822904
    Abstract: A plant sensor includes a first light emitter to emit first measuring light with a first wavelength to irradiate a growing condition measurement target therewith; a second light emitter to emit second measuring light with a second wavelength to irradiate the growing condition measurement target therewith; a light receiver to receive reflected light of each of the first and second measuring light from the growing condition measurement target and output a received light signal; a controller to control light emission; a light path merging unit to merge a first outgoing light path of the first measuring light from the first light emitter and a second outgoing light path of the second measuring light from the second light emitter; and a common outgoing light path connecting the light path merging unit to a light exit portion emitting the first measuring light and the second measuring light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha TOPCON
    Inventors: Kunihiro Hayashi, Peng Zhao
  • Patent number: 8822895
    Abstract: A fiber fuse detecting apparatus provides early detection of a fiber fuse generation in an optical fiber that propagates laser light, preventing the damage from expanding. It comprises light input means arranged on a laser light incidence side of the optical fiber that inputs at least a portion of reverse direction propagation light propagating in a reverse direction to light incidenting the optical fiber, light receiving means that photo-electrically converts light input by the light input means, electric filter means that extracts from an output signal of the light receiving means a prescribed frequency band component that contains a periodic signal due to fiber fuse, detecting means that detects change of or a prescribed value in output level of the electric filter means, and warning means that emits a warning signal in response to a detection output of the detecting means. The laser light to the optical fiber is stopped or reduced by means of the warning means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: National Institute of Information and Communications Technology
    Inventors: Kazi Sarwar Abedin, Toshio Morioka
  • Patent number: 8817343
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus capable of reading documents includes a reading unit including a light emitting element, a mechanism configured to move the reading unit, and a control unit configured to control the reading unit and the mechanism both to carry out reading by turning on the light emitting element and moving the reading unit and to temporarily stop moving the reading unit upon occurrence of a predetermined factor. The control unit sets a first current value which is caused to flow through the light emitting element when reading is carried out and sets a second current value which is less than the first current value and which is caused to flow through the light emitting element when the reading unit is temporarily stopped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kenji Kubozono, Yasuyuki Shinada
  • Patent number: 8803056
    Abstract: A light source apparatus that generates a light to be supplied to an endoscope, which includes: LEDs of respective colors that emit lights; collimator lenses that receive emitted lights and emit the received lights; and illuminance sensors arranged at positions where the illuminance sensors can receive both of leak lights of the lights emitted from the LEDs of respective colors, which are not used as illumination lights, and lights emitted from the LEDs of respective colors and reflected by the collimator lenses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Olympus Medical Systems Corp.
    Inventors: Yutaka Shirota, Tomoya Takahashi, Yusuke Yabe, Masato Toda, Koji Omori, Takahiro Masaki, Daisuke Akiyama
  • Publication number: 20140217261
    Abstract: In one embodiment there is provided an ambient lighting control system 1 comprising a controller (2) and a sensor node (3a). The sensor node (3a) comprises an arrangement including a light energy collecting element (8) such as a solar cell, an energy storage element (9) and a transmitter (11). The collecting element (8) charges the storage element (9). The transmitter (11) is arranged to transmit signals to the controller (2) using energy stored by the energy storage element (9), wherein the number of signals provided during a time interval to the controller (2) is proportional to a light intensity at the light energy collecting element (8). The controller (2) may thus output a control signal C for controlling an amount of ambient lighting, wherein the control signal is based on the determined number of received signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2012
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Bastiaan De Groot, Raj Dayal Natarajan, Henricus Antonius Gerardus Van Vugt
  • Patent number: 8792081
    Abstract: An exposure method for exposing a mask pattern, which includes plural types of patterns, with a high throughput and optimal illumination conditions for each type of pattern. The method includes guiding light from a first spatial light modulator illuminated with pulse lights of illumination light to a second spatial light modulator and exposing a wafer with light from the second spatial light modulator, accompanied by: controlling a conversion state of the second spatial light modulator including a plurality of second mirror elements; and controlling a conversion state of the first spatial light modulator including a plurality of first mirror elements to control intensity distribution of the illumination light on a predetermined plane between the first spatial light modulator and the second spatial light modulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventor: Soichi Owa
  • Patent number: 8779340
    Abstract: A lighting fixture system for fluorescent lamps includes one or more fluorescent lamps and one or more ballasts configured to provide controlled power to the one or more fluorescent lamps. The lighting fixture further includes a controller wired to the fluorescent lighting fixture. The controller includes one or more relays configured to turn power provided to the one or more ballasts on and off such that the one or more fluorescent lamps turn on and off with the switching of the one or more relays. The controller further includes a logic circuit configured to control the switching of the one or more relays, wherein the logic circuit is configured to log usage information for the fluorescent lighting fixture in memory. The controller yet further includes communications electronics configured to output the logged usage information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Orion Energy Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Neal R. Verfuerth, Daniel J. Czaja, Jr., Michael J. Potts, Ryan M. Franzen, Eric A. Smasal
  • Patent number: 8772692
    Abstract: An optical transmission device capable of being coupled to an optical fiber includes a light source configured to emit a first light toward the optical fiber; a lens configured to converge the first light to an end of the optical fiber; a light reflector configured to reflect a first reflected light as a second reflected light, a part of the first light being reflected as the first reflected light by the lens or the optical fiber; a first light receiver configured to receive the second reflected light; a detector configured to detect a failure based on a difference value between a first value corresponding to an amount of the second reflected light and a reference value being indicative of an amount of the second reflected light, the second reflected light being detected when the first light is normally emitted and is normally transmitted to and through the optical fiber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventor: Masaaki Takaoka
  • Patent number: 8772691
    Abstract: A system to provide radiant energy of selectable spectral characteristic (e.g. a selectable color combination) uses an integrating cavity to combine energy of different wavelengths from different sources. The cavity has a diffusely reflective interior surface and an aperture for allowing emission of combined radiant energy. Sources of radiant energy of different wavelengths, typically different-color LEDs, supply radiant energy into the interior of the integrating cavity. In the examples, the points of entry of the energy into the cavity typically are located so that they are not directly visible through the aperture. The cavity effectively integrates the energy of different wavelengths, so that the combined radiant energy emitted through the aperture includes the radiant energy of the various wavelengths. The apparatus also includes a control circuit coupled to the sources for establishing output intensity of radiant energy of each of the sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: ABL IP Holding LLC
    Inventors: Donald F. May, Jack C. Rains, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8773336
    Abstract: Illumination devices and related systems and methods are closed that can be used for LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) backlights, LED lamps, or other applications. The illumination devices can include a photo detector, such as a photodiode or an LED or other light detecting device, and one or more LEDs of different colors. A related method can be implemented using these illumination devices to maintain precise color produced by the blended emissions from such LEDs. One application for the illumination devices is backlighting for FSC (Field Sequential Color) LCDs (Liquid Crystal Displays). FSC LCDs temporally mix the colors in an image by sequentially loading the red, green, and blue pixel data of an image in the panel and flashing the different colors of an RGB backlight. Precise and uniform color temperature across such a display can be advantageously maintained by continually monitoring ratios of photodiode currents induced by the different colored LEDs in each illumination device as each color is flashed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Ketra, Inc.
    Inventor: David J. Knapp
  • Publication number: 20140185045
    Abstract: Consistent with the present disclosure, an apparatus for producing a control signal for a laser source is provided, comprising an etalon configured to receive light from the laser source and control circuitry that provides the control signal, wherein the control signal is indicative of a comparison of (a) a difference between a forward transmission signal of the etalon and a backward reflection signal of the etalon and (b) the light received by the etalon from the laser source. Alternatively, the control signal is indicative of a comparison of (a) a difference between a forward transmission signal of the etalon and a backward reflection signal of the etalon and (b) a combination of the forward transmission signal of the etalon and the backward reflection signal of the etalon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2012
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Inventors: Xiaofeng Han, Tim Butrie, David Coult
  • Patent number: 8766154
    Abstract: An opto-electronic measuring arrangement being independent from extraneous light includes a transmission light source and a compensation light source which sequentially emit light on a clocked phase basis. The emitted light is respectively phase-shifted. The light sources can be controlled such that the clock-synchronous signal difference between different phases becomes zero. A basic coupling light source transmits light directly to the optical receiver without the light being influenced by the measuring object. The basic coupling control current is so that a desired sensitivity of the measuring arrangement is achieved and/or a desired operating point can be set. The controllable current source for generating a clocked transmission control current and the controllable basic coupling current source for generating a clocked basic coupling control current are phase-synchronously clocked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Mechaless Systems GmbH
    Inventor: Erhard Schweninger
  • Patent number: 8766660
    Abstract: A method of measuring the efficiency with which a solar cell converts incident photons into charge carriers, including the following steps: (a) illuminating the solar cell with a broadband light source; (b) illuminating the solar cell with the broadband light source of which the intensity of a selected range of wavelengths has been reduced; (c) determining the change in the number of photons incident on the cell and the change in the number of charge carriers produced by the cell between steps (a) and (b); and (d) using the changes determined in step (c) to calculate the said efficiency measure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Technical University of Denmark
    Inventor: Frederik Christian Krebs
  • Patent number: 8759734
    Abstract: Systems and methods for spatial commissioning of a lighting system are provided. A determination of which sensors receive a light signal from one or more emitter devices may be made. Each one of the sensors and/or each one of the emitter devices may provide a direction of the light signal detected by a respective one of the sensors. The direction of the light signal detected by the respective one of the sensors may be detected. A sensor graph based on the direction of the light signal may be generated, where nodes of the sensor graph represent the sensors and/or the emitter devices. Each one of the sensors and/or the emitter devices may be mapped to a corresponding location in a site model based on the sensor graph and on the site model, where locations of the sensors and/or the emitter devices are indicated by the site model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Redwood Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Jonathan M. Barrilleaux
  • Patent number: 8760293
    Abstract: A sensing device transmits wireless signals when an error between at least one sampled parameter value and at least one predicted parameter value is too great, such that the sensing device transmits wireless signals to a load control device using a variable transmission rate that is dependent upon the amount of change in a value of the parameter. The sensing device uses the one or more estimators to determine the predicted parameter value, and may transmit the estimators to the load control device if the error is too great. The load control device uses the estimators to determine at least one estimated parameter value and controls the electrical load in response to the estimated parameter value. The sensing device may comprise, for example, a daylight sensor for measuring a total light intensity in the space around the sensor or a temperature sensor for measuring a temperature around the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventor: James P. Steiner
  • Patent number: 8759733
    Abstract: A system to provide radiant energy of selectable spectral characteristic (e.g. a selectable color combination) uses an integrating cavity to combine energy of different wavelengths from different sources. The cavity has a diffusely reflective interior surface and an aperture for allowing emission of combined radiant energy. Sources of radiant energy of different wavelengths, typically different-color LEDs, supply radiant energy into the interior of the integrating cavity. In the examples, the points of entry of the energy into the cavity typically are located so that they are not directly visible through the aperture. The cavity effectively integrates the energy of different wavelengths, so that the combined radiant energy emitted through the aperture includes the radiant energy of the various wavelengths. The apparatus also includes a control circuit coupled to the sources for establishing output intensity of radiant energy of each of the sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: ABL IP Holding LLC
    Inventors: Donald F. May, Jack C. Rains, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20140166852
    Abstract: Described are optical sensing systems. The systems may perform reliably in explosive environments and provide eye protection should breakage of an optical fiber be detected. Sensors of the systems additionally may be self-managing, acquiring and transmitting sensed data as available electrical power permits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Inventor: Sylvain Hauzeray
  • Publication number: 20140166850
    Abstract: An electronic device may be provided that has a display. The display may produce stray light when producing images for a user. The electronic device may have an ambient light sensor for measuring ambient light levels. Ambient light data may be used in adjusting display brightness. The display may be periodically disabled to prevent the stray light from interfering with the ambient light sensor. An integrating analog-to-digital converter may be used in gathering sensor data from the ambient light sensor. Control circuitry may be configured to remove background signals from ambient light sensor data. The background signals may be associated with leakage current that arises due to offset voltages in an operational amplifier in the integrating analog-to-digital converter. The operational amplifier may have an analog autozeroing capability or control circuitry may be used to subtract background data from ambient light sensor data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2013
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Dong Zheng
  • Publication number: 20140166851
    Abstract: An optical input apparatus is provided. The optical input apparatus includes a body having an image sensor; a plurality of light sources provided in the body to emit light; and a controller configured to control emission of light by the plurality of light sources as a function of a pattern received by the image sensor, wherein the plurality of light sources selectively emit light according to a location of a local saturation of light received by the image sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2013
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kang-Nam KIM, In-Kuk YUN
  • Patent number: 8754354
    Abstract: A light-emitting device includes: an array of light-emitting elements connected to a light-up signal line to supply a current for lighting up; an array of memory elements provided so as to correspond to the respective light-emitting elements, connected through respective resistances to a memory signal line to supply a signal to designate a light-emitting element to be lighted up, and memorizing by getting turned on that a corresponding light-emitting element is to be lighted up; and an array of switch elements provided so as to correspond to the respective memory elements, electrically connected to the respective memory elements, connected to a transfer signal line to supply signals to set so as to allow a sequential shift of an ON state from one side end to the other end side, and causing the respective memory elements to be likely to be set in an ON state by getting turned on.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seiji Ohno, Takashi Fujimoto
  • Patent number: 8755044
    Abstract: The illumination power density of a multi-spot inspection system is adjusted in response to detecting a large particle in the inspection path of an array of primary illumination spots. At least one low power, secondary illumination spot is located in the inspection path of an array of relatively high power primary illumination spots. Light scattered from the secondary illumination spot is collected and imaged onto one or more detectors without overheating the particle and damaging the wafer. Various embodiments and methods are presented to distinguish light scattered from secondary illumination spots. In response to determining the presence of a large particle in the inspection path of a primary illumination spot, a command is transmitted to an illumination power density attenuator to reduce the illumination power density of the primary illumination spot to a safe level before the primary illumination spot reaches the large particle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: KLA-Tencor Corporation
    Inventors: Juergen Reich, Charles Amsden, Jiayao Zhang, Christian Wolters
  • Patent number: 8742384
    Abstract: An optical system for detecting light from a 2D area of a sample (36) comprises a collection lens (34) for collecting light from a collection region of the sample. A light detector (44) is positionally fixed with respect to the sample, and a reflector arrangement (61) directs collected light to the detector. The reflector arrangement comprises movable components and the collection lens (34) is movable relative to the sample. The collection lens and the movable components are configurable to define different collection regions, and the movement of the components effects a direction of the light from the collection region to a substantially unchanged area of the light detector (44). This arrangement avoids the need for a bulky detector in order to detect signals from a 2D sample area formed by scanning across the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Erik Martinus Hubertus Petrus Van Dijk, Cornelius Antonius Hezemans
  • Patent number: 8743088
    Abstract: A pointing device including a touching surface, a light emitting diode, an imaging element, and a first light control part. A fingertip is placed on the touching surface. The light emitting diode illuminates the touching surface from a side opposite to a side where the fingertip is placed. The imaging element receives light reflected from the fingertip. The first light control part controls light, which is emitted from the light emitting diode and reaches the touching surface, so that the light is evenly incident to the touching surface. The pointing device improves detection accuracy and prevents malfunctions, even when there is deviation in an output from a light source. In addition, an electronic apparatus including an input device can be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takahiro Watanabe
  • Patent number: 8735792
    Abstract: An optoelectronic sensor (10) for monitoring a working area (42) is provided, the working area (42) being located within a detection area (20) of the sensor (10) and in a first distance from the sensor (10), wherein the sensor (10) comprises an illumination unit (22) with a light source (24) for at least partially illuminating the working area (42), and an object detection unit (30) for detecting forbidden objects in the working area (42), wherein an illumination control (28) of the illumination unit (22) is configured to, during a startup period, initially activate the illumination unit (28) with a lower power such that a provisional working area (40, 40a-c) in a second distance from the sensor (10) less than the first distance is illuminated at most with a predetermined maximum light output; test whether there is a forbidden object intrusion into the provisional working area (40, 40a-c); and if no forbidden object intrusion is detected, activate the illumination unit (28) with a higher power such that th
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Sick AG
    Inventors: Markus Hammes, Ingolf Braune, Stephan Schmitz, Shane MacNamara
  • Patent number: 8735802
    Abstract: For an optical transmitter in which an EA modulator modulates a laser beam emitted from an LD, a control circuit stops heating/cooling of the EA modulator when a casing temperature (TC) is within a range of a low-temperature side reference temperature (T_cool) and a high-temperature side reference temperature (T_heat), sets a bias voltage for the EA modulator to a bias voltage corresponding to the modulator temperature based on table information recorded on a memory circuit, heats the EA modulator and sets the bias voltage corresponding to the low-temperature side reference temperature when the casing temperature is equal to or lower than the low-temperature side reference temperature, and cools the EA modulator and sets the bias voltage corresponding to the high-temperature side reference temperature when the casing temperature is equal to or higher than the high-temperature side reference temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Kohei Iwanaga
  • Patent number: 8729446
    Abstract: An outdoor lighting fixture for communicating with a traffic light system is shown and described. The outdoor lighting fixture includes a ballast for providing current to at least one lamp and a fixture housing at least partially surrounding the ballast and the at least one lamp. The outdoor lighting fixture further includes a mount configured to hold the fixture housing to a pole and a control circuit wired to the ballast. A sensor and a radio frequency transceiver are wired to the control circuit. The control circuit is configured to process inputs from the sensor to determine whether to send a light change instruction to the traffic system via the radio frequency transceiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Orion Energy Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Neal R. Verfuerth
  • Patent number: 8729919
    Abstract: With a light source evaluation device 10 according to the present invention and a solar cell evaluation device 1 employing the same, a dependency P (?, Ib) for each wavelength ? of a short-circuit current Ib generated by white bias light of a measurement target solar cell 2, which is pre-measured at each of a plurality (i) of irradiance levels, is regarded as a spectral responsivity Pi (?) at each irradiance level, and a value for adjusting a light quantity of an illumination light source 3 that illuminates the solar cell 2 is computed using a spectral responsivity Ps (?), which is computed using the spectral responsivity Pi (?), a pre-supplied spectral irradiance S (?) of reference sunlight, and a pre-measured spectral irradiance L (?) of the illumination light source 3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Optics, Inc.
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Nishikawa, Tsutomu Okura
  • Patent number: 8723447
    Abstract: A wireless battery-powered daylight sensor for measuring a total light intensity in a space is operable to transmit wireless signals using a variable transmission rate that is dependent upon the total light intensity in the space. The sensor comprises a photosensitive circuit, a wireless transmitter for transmitting the wireless signals, a controller coupled to the photosensitive circuit and the wireless transmitter, and a battery for powering the photosensitive circuit, the wireless transmitter, and the controller. The photosensitive circuit is operable to generate a light intensity control signal in response to the total light intensity in the space. The controller transmits the wireless signals in response to the light intensity control signal using the variable transmission rate that is dependent upon the total light intensity in the space. The variable transmission rate may be dependent upon an amount of change of the total light intensity in the space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventor: James P. Steiner
  • Patent number: 8724097
    Abstract: A source of light that could cause ocular damage within a given range from the source of light, such as a first laser, is accompanied by an optical hazard avoidance device, such as a second laser, that stimulates voluntary, involuntary, or both voluntary and involuntary responses, either physiological or behavioral or both physiological and behavioral, within one or more hazard zones, such as by inducing gaze aversion within the viewer. For example, a visible laser beam induces gaze aversion, pupil contraction or a combination of gaze aversion and pupil contraction, reducing the dose rate or exposure of the ocular tissue to damaging radiation from a primary source. In one example, the primary source is a UV Raman detector and the visible laser beam is selected to induce gaze aversion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Alakai Defense Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth Randall Pohl, Alan Ray Ford, Robert Douglas Waterbury, Darius Vunck, Edwin L. Dottery
  • Patent number: 8710415
    Abstract: The device (1) for lighting an illumination field (2) includes a light source (5), adapted to illuminate the illumination field (2), a device for regulating the illuminance from the light source (7). The device for regulating the illuminance from the light source (7) is adapted to receive an actual luminance signal representing the actual luminance of the lighting field (2) and control the illuminance from the light source (5) as a function of the actual luminance signal and a luminance set point signal. The lighting device (1) comprises a device for determining the actual luminance (11) adapted to determine the actual luminance of the lighting field (2) and to create and transmit the actual luminance signal to the device for regulating the illumination from the light source (7). Application to devices for illuminating operating fields.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Maquet SAS
    Inventor: Gabriel Peyras
  • Patent number: 8710417
    Abstract: A stable light source device is provided with a light source, a pinhole constricting optical flux emitted from the light source, a first integrating element inside which optical flux from the pinhole is multiply reflected, a light detection sensor monitoring a light amount, a control section controlling the light source on the basis of the light amount monitored by the light detection sensor and making the light amount consistent, an aperture formed in the first integrating element and emitting light outside the first integrating element, a diffusion-transmission member disposed at a light emission side of the aperture, a branching section disposed at a light emission side of the diffusion-transmission member and branching incident light towards plural light emission portions, and neutral density filters provided at the light emission portions, transmitted light amounts thereof respectively differing such that light amounts at the light emission portions are respectively different.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Seishi Ikami
  • Publication number: 20140110561
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for controlling an amount of light in a visible light communication system are provided. In the visible light communication system, a terminal measures an amount of light for a light signal received from a sensor, determines whether the measured amount of light is less than a threshold value, increases an amount of light for a light source signal to transmit to the sensor when the measured amount of light is less than the threshold value, and transmits, to the sensor, a light source signal according to the increased amount of light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2013
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Do-Young KIM, Dong-Keon KONG, Dong-Woo KIM, Jeong-Je PARK, Kwang-Hyeon LEE, Nae-Hyun LIM, Hyoung-Kyu LIM, Yong CHANG
  • Patent number: 8706271
    Abstract: A system may communicate between a display device and a lighting system using light generated by the display device and a light sensor in the lighting system. A computing device and a building control system may communication over a wireless link. The building control system may determine that the computing device is co-located with a fixture in the building control system based on whether communication over the wireless link between the computing device and the building control system is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Redwood Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Covaro, David Leonard
  • Patent number: 8690362
    Abstract: The invention describes a method of controlling a lighting of a room (1) in accordance with a still or moving image (2) projected onto a projection surface (3s), which method comprises optically measuring a number of characteristic features (f) of the projected image and adjusting the room lighting of the room on the basis of the measured characteristic features (f). Furthermore, the invention relates to a system for controlling the lighting of a room (1) in accordance with an image (2) projected onto a projection surface (3s), to a control device (9) for use in such a system, and to a projection screen device (3) for use in such a system. Moreover, the invention relates to a room lighting system (1) for lighting of a room in accordance with an image (2) projected onto a projection surface (3s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventor: Matthias Wendt
  • Patent number: 8686331
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a laser system in which a current laser wavefront performance of the laser system may be monitored. Further, the laser system embodiments disclosed herein may be configured for correcting the laser wavefront internally via correction system(s) within the laser system. Still further, the correction system(s) disclosed herein may provide a long lifetime of performance and may be configured for having a minimal impact on photocontamination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: KLA-Tencor Corporation
    Inventor: J. Joseph Armstrong
  • Patent number: 8686335
    Abstract: A system and method for adjusting the light output of an optoacoustic imaging system. An optoacoustic imaging system includes a light source having a light output control, a probe for delivering light to a volume, the probe being associated with one or more sensors, a light path operatively connected to the first light source, the light path providing light from the first light source to the probe. To avoid unsafe fluence levels incident upon the volume of interest in a clinical setting, the light output control may be set to an initial, relatively low value. After the light source is pulsed, the light output may be measured at or near the probe at the distal end of the light path. The measured light output can used to determine whether, and how much, to change the setting of the light output control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Seno Medical Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory Schmid, Bryan Clingman
  • Patent number: 8680457
    Abstract: A lighting system which includes a light source to emit illuminating light and sense reflected light from an environment. The light source may be included in an array to be selectively enabled and disabled by the controller. The array may include a plurality of light sources, each of which may be sensitive to a wavelength respective to each light source, thus providing the array sensitivity to one or more wavelength. Each of the plurality of light sources in the array may be selectively operable between a sensing operation and an emitting operation. The sensing operation may be defined by the light source sensing the environmental light, and the emitting operation being defined by the light source emitting the illuminating light. The controller may selectively operate the light source between the passive operation and the active operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Lighting Science Group Corporation
    Inventors: Fredric S. Maxik, Eric Bretschneider, Pedro Medelius, David E. Bartine, Robert R. Soler, Gregory Flickinger
  • Patent number: 8674285
    Abstract: A vehicle interior rearview mirror system includes an interior rearview mirror assembly having a reflective element and ambient and glare light sensors. A control circuit is operable to establish a reflectance level of the reflective element. At least one of (a) the mirror system includes a charge accumulation device selectively connected with the ambient or glare light sensor and the control circuit establishes the ambient and glare light levels as a function of time for an output of the charge accumulation device to reach a reference level when connected to the respective light sensor, (b) a common element is used to measure outputs of the light sensors sequentially to correspond errors due to component variations, and (c) the mirror system includes temperature compensation of the glare and/or ambient light sensor and the temperature compensation is responsive to a reference light sensor that is substantially not exposed to light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Donnelly Corporation
    Inventors: John P. Drummond, Kenneth Schofield
  • Publication number: 20140070072
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provides methods and systems for synthesizing optical signals with high frequency stability. Using a set of external optical signal manipulators and control systems, embodiments of the invention enhance the resolution of any frequency reference and thereby alleviates the needs for ultra-high-Q cavities in frequency-stable optical signal synthesis. The invention consequently improves the performance of any optical signal generator by a substantial margin, while maintaining the system complexity and power dissipation at levels comparable to the original systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: RAM Photonics, LLC
    Inventor: Ping Piu Kuo