With Imaging Patents (Class 250/227.2)
  • Patent number: 11417709
    Abstract: A display may have an array of pixels. Each pixel may have a light-emitting diode such as an organic light-emitting diode. The organic light-emitting diodes may each have an anode that is coupled to a thin-film transistor pixel circuit for controlling the anode. Transparent windows may be formed in the display. The windows may be formed by replacing data storage capacitors and other pixel circuit structures in a subset of the pixels with transparent window structures, by selectively removing portions of light-emitting diode anodes, and by shifting anodes. An array of electrical components such as an array of light sensors may be aligned with the transparent windows and may be used to measure light passing through the transparent windows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Minhyuk Choi, Rui Liu, Cheng Chen, Chin-Wei Lin, Sang Y. Youn, Shih Chang Chang, Tsung-Ting Tsai
  • Patent number: 11287569
    Abstract: A high-speed imaging system for capturing images of flow created by initiation of energetic material includes a lens collector disposed in a protective shield. The protective shield helps protect the lens collector from damage due to the blast event. The lens connector is connected to an incoherent optical fiber bundle made of a bundle of coherent fiber bundles. The incoherent optical fiber bundle creates scrambled images that are relayed to a high-speed camera. A computer connected to the high-speed camera unscrambles the scrambled images to reproduce the images of the flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Michael Soo, Meghan Bash
  • Patent number: 11281336
    Abstract: Systems and methods for optical imaging are disclosed. An optical sensor includes: an image sensor array comprising a plurality of pixels; and a collimator filter disposed above the image sensor array, the collimator filter comprising a plurality of light collimating apertures and light blocking material, wherein multiple light collimating apertures of the plurality of light collimating apertures are disposed within a photosensitive area of one of the pixels in the plurality of pixels, and wherein the multiple light collimating apertures are disposed over different portions of the photosensitive area of the one of the pixels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: WILL SEMICONDUCTOR (SHANGHAI) CO. LTD.
    Inventors: Richard Klenkler, Arash Akhavan Fomani, Marek Mienko
  • Patent number: 11282875
    Abstract: An image sensor may include a first shared pixel region and a first isolation layer on a substrate, the first isolation layer defining the first shared pixel region. The first shared pixel region may include photo-sensing devices in sub-pixel regions and a first floating diffusion region connected to the photo-sensing devices. The sub-pixel regions may include a first sub-pixel region and a second sub-pixel region that constitute a first pixel group region. The sub-pixel regions may include a third sub-pixel region and a fourth sub-pixel region that constitute a second pixel group region. The first shared pixel region may include first and second well regions doped with first conductivity type impurities. The second well region may be spaced apart from the first well region. The first pixel group region may share a first well region. The second pixel group region may share the second well region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Eunsub Shim
  • Patent number: 11237672
    Abstract: A display apparatus for detecting three-dimensional (3D) spatial information. The display apparatus includes a display panel having a plurality of active subpixels in a display area configured with multiple gaps respectively between at least some active subpixels, the display panel including a counter substrate at front and a backplane substrate at back; an optical layer at a back side of the backplane substrate; multiple light sensors attached discretely on a back side of the optical layer and substantially aligned with the multiple gaps in the display area; and a light source on the backplane substrate and configured to provide an infrared light signal in a direction toward a field of view beyond the counter substrate. The multiple light sensors are configured to detect respective infrared light signals reflected from multiple different regions of an object in the field of view for collectively deducing 3D spatial information of the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: BOE Technology Group Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Pengpeng Wang, Haisheng Wang, Xiaoliang Ding, Yangbing Li, Likai Deng
  • Patent number: 11162897
    Abstract: A metrology device that can determine at least one characteristics of a sample is disclosed. The metrology device includes an optical system that uses spatially coherent light with a first and a second objective lens as well as a detector that detects light reflected from the sample. The objective lenses use numerical apertures sufficient to produce a small probe size, e.g., less than 200 ?m, while a spatial filter is used to reduce the effective numerical aperture of the optical system as seen by the detector to avoid loss of information and demanding computation requirements caused by the large angular spread due to large numerical apertures. The spatial filter permits light to pass in a desired range of angles, while blocking the remaining light and is positioned to prevent use of the full spatial extent of at least one of the first objective lens and the second objective lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: Onto Innovation Inc.
    Inventors: George Andrew Antonelli, Troy Daniel Ribaudo, Michael J. Hammond
  • Patent number: 11073659
    Abstract: A probe structure includes a monolithically integrated waveguide and lens. The probe is based on SU-8 as a guiding material. A waveguide mold is defined using wet etching of silicon using a silicon dioxide mask patterned with 45° angle with respect to the silicon substrate edge and an aluminum layer acting as a mirror is deposited on the silicon substrate. A lens mold is made using isotropic etching of the fused silica substrate and then aligned to the silicon substrate. A waveguide polymer such as SU-8 2025 is flowed into the waveguide mask+lens mold (both on the same substrate) by decreasing its viscosity and using capillary forces via careful temperature control of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: The Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York
    Inventors: Michal Lipson, Mohammad Amin Tadayon, Aseema Mohanty, Felippe Barbosa
  • Patent number: 10956547
    Abstract: A biometrics authentication system having a small and simple configuration and being capable of implementing both of biometrics authentication and position detection is provided. A biometrics authentication system includes a light source emitting light to an object, a microlens array section condensing light from the object, a light-sensing device obtaining light detection data of the object on the basis of the light condensed by the microlens array section, a position detection section detecting the position of the object on the basis of the light detection data obtained in the light-sensing device, and an authentication section, in the case where the object is a living body, performing authentication of the living body on the basis of the light detection data obtained in the light-sensing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kenji Yamamoto, Hideo Sato, Isao Ichimura, Toshio Watanabe, Shinichi Kai, Junji Kajihara, Kengo Hayasaka
  • Patent number: 10809853
    Abstract: Systems and methods for optical imaging are disclosed. An optical sensor includes: an image sensor array comprising a plurality of pixels; and a collimator filter disposed above the image sensor array, the collimator filter comprising a plurality of light collimating apertures and light blocking material, wherein multiple light collimating apertures of the plurality of light collimating apertures are disposed within a photosensitive area of one of the pixels in the plurality of pixels, and wherein the multiple light collimating apertures are disposed over different portions of the photosensitive area of the one of the pixels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: Will Semiconductor (Shanghai) Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Richard Klenkler, Arash Akhavan Fomani, Marek Mienko
  • Patent number: 10802255
    Abstract: A microscopy system includes a first excitation source configured to emit a one-photon light beam and a second excitation source configured to emit a two-photon light beam. The system also includes a first optical component configured to deliver one or more of a one-photon light sheet and a two-photon light sheet, where the one-photon light sheet is based on the one-photon light beam and the two-photon light sheet is based on the two-photon light beam. The system further includes a single reflective surface at a back focal plane of the first optical component to reflect the one or more of the one-photon light sheet and the two-photon light sheet toward a sample. The single reflective surface rotates about a fixed axis situated at a cross section of the single reflective surface and the back focal plane of the first optical component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: Northwestern University
    Inventors: Yevgenia Kozorovitskiy, Manish Kumar
  • Patent number: 10722211
    Abstract: An acoustic-wave measuring apparatus includes a holding unit configured to hold a subject and an irradiation unit configured to irradiate the subject with light. An acoustic-wave detecting unit detects acoustic waves generated in the subject due to irradiation with the light; an image pickup unit acquires an image of the subject; and a measurement position on the image acquired by the image pickup unit is designated. A coordinate transforming unit transforms the coordinates of the measurement position on the image to coordinates of a corresponding position on the holding unit; and a position control unit moves at least one of the irradiation unit and the acoustic-wave detecting unit to the corresponding position on the holding unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Ryuichi Nanaumi
  • Patent number: 10707195
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to optical systems and methods for their manufacture. An example optical system includes a first substrate having a mounting surface and a spacer structure having at least one cavity. The spacer structure is coupled to the mounting surface of the first substrate. The optical system also includes a light-emitter device that is coupled to the spacer structure and a detector device coupled to the first substrate such that the at least one detector device is disposed within the at least one cavity of the spacer structure. The optical system also includes a second substrate that mounts a lens and a waveguide and is coupled to the spacer structure. The optical system also includes a shim coupled between the second surface of the spacer structure and a mounting surface of the second substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: Waymo LLC
    Inventors: Matthew Last, Ajaya Chilumula
  • Patent number: 10690849
    Abstract: A probe structure includes a monolithically integrated waveguide and lens. The probe is based on SU-8 as a guiding material. A waveguide mold is defined using wet etching of silicon using a silicon dioxide mask patterned with 45° angle with respect to the silicon substrate edge and an aluminum layer acting as a mirror is deposited on the silicon substrate. A lens mold is made using isotropic etching of the fused silica substrate and then aligned to the silicon substrate. A waveguide polymer such as SU-8 2025 is flowed into the waveguide mask+lens mold (both on the same substrate) by decreasing its viscosity and using capillary forces via careful temperature control of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: The Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York
    Inventors: Michal Lipson, Mohammad Amin Tadayon, Aseema Mohanty, Felippe Barbosa
  • Patent number: 10559618
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present technology may comprise a method and apparatus for an image sensor. The image sensor may comprise a color filter with a convex surface and a corresponding underlying dielectric element. The convex surface of the color filter is parallel to a convex surface of the dielectric element, wherein the convex shape of the color filter is substantially equal to the convex shape of the dielectric element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLC
    Inventor: Swarnal Borthakur
  • Patent number: 10531786
    Abstract: A capsule endoscopic device with movement control is disclosed. The capsule endoscopic device comprises a capsule housing, one or more electrodes disposed fixedly through the capsule housing, a signal generation/signal driver unit, an interface circuit and a switch module. The electrodes apply electrical stimulus to living body tissue in a patient's gastrointestinal track. The signal generation/signal driver unit generates the electrical stimulus for the electrodes. The switch module is coupled to the electrodes, the signal generation/signal driver unit and the interface circuit. Furthermore, the switch module is configured to connect the electrodes to the signal generation/signal driver unit or the interface circuit depending on an operation mode. The switch module, the signal generation/signal driver unit and the interface circuit are inside the capsule housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: CAPSO VISION INC
    Inventor: Kang-Huai Wang
  • Patent number: 10315046
    Abstract: Featured is a robot and a needle delivery apparatus. Such a robot comprises a plurality of actuators coupled to control locating any of number of intervention specific medical devices such as intervention specific needle injectors. Such a robot is usable with image guided interventions using any of a number of types of medical imaging devices or apparatuses including MRI. The end-effector can include an automated low needle delivery apparatus that is configured for dose radiation seed brachytherapy injection. Also featured is an automated seed magazine for delivering seeds to such an needle delivery apparatus adapted for brachytherapy seed injection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: The Johns Hopkins University
    Inventors: Dan Stoianovici, Alexandru Patriciu, Dumitru Mazilu, Doru Petrisor, Louis R. Kavoussi
  • Patent number: 10281266
    Abstract: An apparatus is described for measuring surface topography of a three-dimensional structure. In many embodiments, the apparatus is configured to focus each of a plurality of light beams to a respective fixed focal position relative to the apparatus. The apparatus measures a characteristic of each of a plurality of returned light beams that are generated by illuminating the three-dimensional structure with the light beams. The characteristic is measured for a plurality of different positions and/or orientations between the apparatus and the three-dimensional structure. Surface topography of the three-dimensional structure is determined based at least in part on the measured characteristic of the returned light beams for the plurality of different positions and/or orientations between the apparatus and the three-dimensional structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Erez Lampert, Adi Levin, Tal Verker
  • Patent number: 10260869
    Abstract: A system for determining surface topography of a three-dimensional structure is provided. The system can include an illumination unit configured to output a two-dimensional array of light beams each comprising a plurality of wavelengths. An optical assembly can focus the plurality of wavelengths of each light beam to a plurality of focal lengths so as to simultaneously illuminate the structure over a two-dimensional field of view. A detector and a processor are used to generate data representative of the surface topography of the three-dimensional structure based on the measured characteristics of the light reflected from the structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Yossef Atiya, Tal Verker
  • Patent number: 10187600
    Abstract: A pixel cell has four maskless phase detection photodiodes sharing the same readout amplifier, microlens and filter color. The four photodiodes are configured to operate in two adjacent pairs wherein the two adjacent pairs of photodiodes are separated by a light guide and are positioned under the single microlens such that light incident in a first direction is collected in a first pair of photodiodes of the two adjacent pairs of photodiodes and light incident in a second direction is collected in a second pair of photodiodes of the two adjacent pairs of photodiodes. The microlens has a plano-convex shape which causes light to be incident in two directions on photodiodes positioned under each of two sides of the microlens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: SMARTSENS TECHNOLOGY (U.S.), INC.
    Inventors: Yaowu Mo, Zhibin Xiong, Chen Xu, Zexu Shao, Ko Ping Keung
  • Patent number: 10170510
    Abstract: A color separation element array, an image sensor including the color separation element array, and an electronic device including the color separation element array are provided. The color separation element array includes a plurality of color separation elements configured to separate an incident light into a color light according to wavelength bands in a transparent layer, the plurality of color separation elements including a first element and a second element having different refractive indices, and the first element and second element being arranged in a horizontal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hongkyu Park
  • Patent number: 10074786
    Abstract: In one embodiment, the transparent growth substrate of an LED die is formed to have light scattering areas, such as voids formed by a laser. In another embodiment, the growth substrate is removed and replaced by another substrate that is formed with light scattering areas. In one embodiment, the light scattering areas are formed over the light absorbing areas of the LED die, to reduce the amount of incident light on those absorbing areas, and over the sides of the substrate to reduce light guiding. The replacement substrate may be formed to include reflective particles in selected areas. A 3D structure may be formed by stacking substrate layers containing the reflective areas. The substrate may be a transparent substrate or a phosphor tile that is affixed to the top of the LED.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: LUMILEDS LLC
    Inventors: Kenneth John Vampola, Hans-Helmut Bechtel
  • Patent number: 10049257
    Abstract: A fingerprint identification module includes a cover plate, a fingerprint identification sensor, at least one light source, a plurality of fibers, and a display device. The cover plate has an inner surface and an outer surface opposite to the inner surface. The fingerprint identification sensor and the at least one light source are located under the inner surface, and the at least one light source is located adjacent to the fingerprint identification sensor. The fibers are arranged in an array and are located between the cover plate and the fingerprint identification sensor. Each of the fibers has a light incident surface facing the inner surface and inclined relative to the inner surface. An optical axis of each of the fibers is perpendicular to the inner surface of the cover plate. The display device is located between the cover plate and the plurality of fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: Gingy Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Jen-Chieh Wu, Chuck Chung
  • Patent number: 9967486
    Abstract: An image pickup apparatus includes: a solid-state image pickup device partitioned into a light-receiving portion region that generates an image pickup signal of an optical image, a circuit portion region that processes the image pickup signal and generates a driving signal, and a terminal portion region having terminals for inputting/outputting signals with an external apparatus; and an objective optical portion having an objective lens unit including a unit main body having an objective lens group for forming an optical image and a holding barrel where the unit main body is fixed, and a prism that guides the optical image that passes through the objective lens unit to the light-receiving portion region. The prism of the objective optical portion is disposed on the light-receiving portion region of the substrate, and the holding barrel of the objective lens unit is disposed on the circuit portion region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kazuhiro Yoshida
  • Patent number: 9880108
    Abstract: A bore imaging system comprises a photo detector having a readout set of pixels, and a bore surface imaging arrangement that transmits image light from the bore surface to the photo detector. The bore surface imaging arrangement comprises an image geometry transforming fiber bundle comprising a plurality of optical fibers having input ends that are arranged in a first shape to receive light that arises from an image zone and passes through a lens arrangement, and output ends that are arranged in a second shape to transmit the image light to the readout set of pixels, wherein the outputs ends or the readout set of pixels are configured such that at least 25% of the readout set of pixels receive the transmitted image light. High image data rates and good image resolution may thereby be provided in a borescope without using custom photo detectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Mitutoyo Corporation
    Inventor: Paul Gerard Gladnick
  • Patent number: 9846272
    Abstract: Illumination devices are described for illuminating a target area, e.g., floors of a room, using solid-state light sources. In general, an illumination device includes a first light guide extending along a first plane, the first light guide to receive light from first light emitting elements (LEEs) and guide the light in a first direction in the first plane; a second light guide extending along the first plane, the second light guide to receive light from second LEEs and guide the light in a second direction in the first plane opposite to the first direction; a first redirecting optic to receive light from the first light guide and direct the light in first and second angular ranges; and a second redirecting optic to receive light from the second light guide and direct the light in third and fourth angular ranges, where the first, second, third and fourth angular ranges are different.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: Quarkstar LLC
    Inventors: Wilson Dau, Louis Lerman, Ingo Speier
  • Patent number: 9786706
    Abstract: There is configured a solid-state imaging unit including: a semiconductor base 21 having one surface serving as a circuit formation surface and another surface serving as a light receiving surface; a photoelectric conversion section 22 provided in the semiconductor base 21; a reflection layer 24 provided on the circuit formation surface above the photoelectric conversion section 22; and an insulating section 23 arranged in the reflection layer 24.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Keisuke Hatano, Atsushi Toda
  • Patent number: 9773827
    Abstract: An image sensor includes a semiconductor substrate having first and second faces. The sensor includes a plurality of pixel groups each including pixels, each pixel having a photoelectric converter and a wiring pattern, the converter including a region whose major carriers are the same with charges to be accumulated in the photoelectric converter. The sensor also includes a microlenses which are located so that one microlens is arranged for each pixel group. The wiring patterns are located at a side of the first face, and the plurality of microlenses are located at a side of the second face. Light-incidence faces of the regions of the photoelectric converters of each pixel group are arranged along the second face such that the light-incidence faces are apart from each other in a direction along the second face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masaaki Minowa, Hidekazu Takahashi, Yuichiro Yamashita, Akira Okita
  • Patent number: 9766385
    Abstract: The invention relates to an illumination device (1) comprising an optical waveguide (2) and a number of (connections for) light sources (3)—especially LEDs—positioned along the waveguide (3). This waveguide has a central axis (4) at a distance r to the surface of the waveguide, said surface comprising a light entrance surface (6) on which the (connections for) light sources are positioned and a curved light exit surface (5), wherein, viewed along the circumference of the curved surface (5), the distance r to a first intersection (8) between the flat surface (6) and the curved surface (5), changes to a second distance of different value at the second intersection (9) between said surfaces. The invention also relates to a luminaire comprising such an illumination device (1). Due to the special design of the waveguide (2), the amount of reflections of light in the light sources is largely reduced and desired shaping of the exiting beam can be realized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: PHILIPS LIGHTING HOLDING B.V.
    Inventors: Erik Paul Boonekamp, Willem Lubertus Ijzerman, Michel Cornelis Josephus Marie Vissenberg, Teunis Willem Tukker
  • Patent number: 9759670
    Abstract: A bore imaging system comprises a photodetector configuration and a first bore surface imaging arrangement configured to transmit image light arising from a first image zone on a bore surface to the photodetector. The photodetector configuration comprises a first curved photodetector arrangement which is curved in a plane that is oriented transverse to an axial direction of the bore. The first curved photodetector arrangement comprises a first imaging array that receives image light along a direction transverse to the axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: Mitutoyo Corporation
    Inventor: Jamie Lyn Shaffer
  • Patent number: 9565997
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an endoscopic camera for a robotic surgical system includes a stereo camera module mounted to a robotic arm of a patient side cart. The optical and electro-optic components of the camera module are hermetically sealed within a first housing. Signals from an electro-optic component travel through traces in a ceramic substrate forming one side of the hermetically sealed first housing. A second housing surrounds the first housing and optical fibers are dispersed between the housings to provide lighting in a body cavity. The camera module may be sterilized by an autoclave.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: David D. Scott, David C. Shafer, Dominique Brichard, Peter M. Herzlinger
  • Patent number: 9289191
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for generating sinograms by sampling a plurality of transducers acoustically coupled with the surface of a volume of tissue over a period of time after a light pulse at one wavelength, and after another light pulse at a different wavelength, and for processing those sinograms, reconstructing at least two optoacoustic images from the two sinograms, processing the two optoacoustic images to generate two envelope images and generating a parametric map from information in the two envelope images. In an embodiment, motion and tracking are determined to align the envelope images. In an embodiment, at least a second parametric map is produced from information in the same two envelope images. In an embodiment an ultrasound image is also acquired, and the parametric map is coregistered with and overlayed upon the ultrasound image, and then displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Seno Medical Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan Clingman, Jason Zalev
  • Patent number: 9264572
    Abstract: An image reading device including: concave first lens mirrors that are arranged in an array shape along a main scanning direction and that collimate scattered light reflected by an irradiated object and reflect the scattered light as a substantially parallel bundle of rays that are angled in a sub-scanning direction; planar mirrors that reflect light from the first lens mirrors; apertures that are arranged in an array shape and that allow light from the planar mirrors to pass through by way of openings that are arranged in an array shape and that are light-shielded therearound for selectively allowing light to pass through; concave second lens mirrors that are arranged in an array shape into which light from the apertures is incident and that reflect the light from the apertures as converged light; and light receivers that have light receiving areas on which light from the second lens mirrors is incident and that form images that correspond to light from the openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Tadashi Minobe, Takahito Nakanishi, Seiichi Matsumura, Tetsuo Funakura, Hiroyuki Kawano, Tatsuki Okamoto, Taku Matsuzawa, Yasunori Matsumoto
  • Publication number: 20150122979
    Abstract: An illumination apparatus includes: a light guide that is formed in a rod shape and includes a positioning portion that is formed at one end in a longitudinal direction, and light incident surfaces that are formed at two end faces in the longitudinal direction; and light sources that are arranged in the vicinity of the light incident surfaces, respectively, and that emit light that is incident on the incident surfaces. The light guide is formed by injection molding. A gate portion for supplying a resin material during injection molding opens at a position that corresponds to a tip face of the positioning portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2015
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventor: Hidemasa YOSHIDA
  • Patent number: 8969777
    Abstract: A method for processing images acquired by image detectors with non-uniform transfer functions and irregular spatial locations includes the steps of accumulating data from multiple images, defining an affinity graph which edges define pairs of detectors that measure related signal, performing statistical analysis on the accumulated data with respect to each pair of detectors, and solving a system of equations constructed from the results of the statistical analysis to estimate each detector transfer function, a set of solutions to the system of equations comprising a calibration of an imaging system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Mauna Kea Technologies
    Inventors: Nicolas Savoire, Tom Vercauteren
  • Patent number: 8952317
    Abstract: A device for examining an object, preferably a document of value, by using optical radiation, having an optical waveguide which has an anisotropic retro-reflector section, which is formed along a surface curved in a plane of curvature and which reflects radiation components specularly in a first plane of incidence parallel to the plane of curvature but retro-reflects radiation components orthogonally with respect to the first plane of incidence, so that at least a proportion of the optical radiation falling in a glancing manner on the retro-reflector section is at least partly guided on the convex side of the surface by reflection on the retro-reflector section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Giesecke & Devrient GmbH
    Inventor: Bernd Wunderer
  • Patent number: 8847915
    Abstract: An optical finger navigation device and method for making the device uses a light pipe array lens, which includes an array of light pipes formed in a monolithic block of material. The light pipe array lens is configured to function similarly to a fiber bundle lens to transmit light through the lens using the light pipes in the monolithic block of material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Avago Technologies General IP (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Timothy James Orsley, Robert Guy Ritter
  • Patent number: 8848271
    Abstract: Described are a method and apparatus for high-speed phase shifting of an optical beam. A transparent plate having regions of different optical thickness is illuminated by an optical beam along a path of incidence that extends through the regions. The transparent plate can be moved or the optical beam can be steered to generate the path of incidence. The optical beam exiting the transparent plate has an instantaneous phase value according to the region in which the optical beam is incident. Advantageously, the phase values are repeatable and stable regardless of the location of incidence of the optical beam within the respective regions, and phase changes at high modulation rates are possible. The method and apparatus can be used to modulate a phase difference of a pair of coherent optical beams such as in an interferometric fringe projection system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Dimensional Photonics, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert F. Dillon, Neil H. K. Judell, Timothy I. Fillion, Gurpreet Singh, Nathan E. Wallace
  • Publication number: 20140246570
    Abstract: An image reading device including: concave first lens mirrors that are arranged in an array shape along a main scanning direction and that collimate scattered light reflected by an irradiated object and reflect the scattered light as a substantially parallel bundle of rays that are angled in a sub-scanning direction; planar mirrors that reflect light from the first lens mirrors; apertures that are arranged in an array shape and that allow light from the planar mirrors to pass through by way of openings that are arranged in an array shape and that are light-shielded therearound for selectively allowing light to pass through; concave second lens mirrors that are arranged in an array shape into which light from the apertures is incident and that reflect the light from the apertures as converged light; and light receivers that have light receiving areas on which light from the second lens mirrors is incident and that form images that correspond to light from the openings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2012
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Applicant: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Tadashi Minobe, Takahito Nakanishi, Seiichi Matsumura, Tetsuo Funakura, Hiroyuki Kawano, Tatsuki Okamoto, Taku Matsuzawa, Yasunori Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 8810808
    Abstract: Methods of optimizing the diameters of nanowire photodiode light sensors. The method includes comparing the response of nanowire photodiode pixels having predetermined diameters with standard spectral response curves and determining the difference between the spectral response of the photodiode pixels and the standard spectral response curves. Also included are nanowire photodiode light sensors with optimized nanowire diameters and methods of scene reconstruction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Zena Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Munib Wober
  • Patent number: 8754859
    Abstract: An electro-optic display comprises, in order, a light-transmissive electrically-conductive layer; a layer of a solid electro-optic material; and a backplane (162) bearing a plurality of pixel electrodes. A peripheral portion of the backplane extends outwardly beyond the layer of solid electro-optic material and bears a plurality of radiation generators (166) and a plurality of radiation detectors (168), the radiation generators and detectors together being arranged to act as a touch screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: E Ink Corporation
    Inventors: Holly G. Gates, Robert W. Zehner, Russell J. Wilcox, Matthew J. Aprea
  • Publication number: 20140146088
    Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for providing a compact, low-sensor count scanning display that is capable of both displaying graphical content and of capturing images of objects placed on or above the scanning display. Various implementations are discussed, including raster scan, line scan, and compressive sampling version.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2012
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Applicant: QUALCOMM MEMS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: John Michael Wyrwas, James Chester Meador, Thomas Gordon Brown, Xiquan Cui, Ron Lee Feldman, Russell Wayne Gruhlke, Ying Zhou, Khurshid Syed Alam, Kollengode Subramanian Narayanan
  • Patent number: 8704156
    Abstract: Disclosed is a solid-state image pickup apparatus including a photoelectric converter formed on a substrate, a wiring portion formed above the photoelectric converter and constituted of multilayer wirings, and an insulating portion in which the multilayer wirings of the wiring portion are embedded, the insulating portion having a refractive index larger than a silicon oxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Koji Kikuchi
  • Patent number: 8699111
    Abstract: Described are a method and apparatus for high-speed phase shifting of an optical beam. A transparent plate having regions of different optical thickness is illuminated by an optical beam along a path of incidence that extends through the regions. The transparent plate can be moved or the optical beam can be steered to generate the path of incidence. The optical beam exiting the transparent plate has an instantaneous phase value according to the region in which the optical beam is incident. Advantageously, the phase values are repeatable and stable regardless of the location of incidence of the optical beam within the respective regions, and phase changes at high modulation rates are possible. The method and apparatus can be used to modulate a phase difference of a pair of coherent optical beams such as in an interferometric fringe projection system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Inventors: Robert F. Dillon, Neil H. K. Judell, Timothy I. Fillion, Gurpreet Singh, Nathan E. Wallace
  • Publication number: 20130234009
    Abstract: The present invention relates to optical devices for imaging and spectroscopic applications where optical field curvature is a predominant characteristic. In particular, the invention relates to imaging optics and an optical device for mapping a curved image field. The optical device for mapping a curved image field comprises a focal plane array 20 having a plurality of light processing elements 21 and a focal plane adapter 110 mounted in front of the focal plane array 20 configured to transmit the curved image field to the light processing elements 21 of the focal plane array 20.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2011
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Applicant: EUROPEAN SPACE AGENCY
    Inventor: Benedikt Guldimann
  • Patent number: 8514411
    Abstract: Methods of optimizing the diameters of nanowire photodiode light sensors. The method includes comparing the response of nanowire photodiode pixels having predetermined diameters with standard spectral response curves and determining the difference between the spectral response of the photodiode pixels and the standard spectral response curves. Also included are nanowire photodiode light sensors with optimized nanowire diameters and methods of scene reconstruction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Zena Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Munib Wober
  • Patent number: 8456738
    Abstract: An ultrahigh-resolution fiber-optic confocal microscope has an illumination system; three single-mode optical fibers, each optically coupled to a fiber coupler; a sample support stage arranged to receive illumination radiation from an end of one of the single-mode optical fibers; a detector arranged to receive output radiation from one of the single-mode optical fibers; and a lock-in amplifier electrically connected to the detector and the illumination system. The illumination system is adapted to provide illumination radiation that has a time-varying strength that is correlated with the detector by the lock-in amplifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: The United States of America, as Represented by the Secretary, Department of Health and Human Services
    Inventors: Ilko K. Ilev, Ronald W. Waynant, Israel Gannot, Amir H. Gandjbakhche
  • Patent number: 8378289
    Abstract: Provided is an optical receiver module capable of suppressing an increase, which is caused by tolerance of angle occurring at a time of manufacturing, in an amount of reflected return light that enters into an optical fiber while ensuring light-receiving efficiency. The light-receiving element (10) is arranged so that directions of the lines, which extend along the edges contained in a surface of the light-receiving element (10) on a side of the light-receiving-element support member (11), and which intersect with the region surrounded by a straight line corresponding to the incident direction of the light, a straight line corresponding to a direction of the optical axis of the optical fiber (3), and a supporting surface of the light-receiving-element support member (11) for supporting the light-receiving element (10), correspond to the directions different from the directions orthogonal to the incident direction of the light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Oclaro Japan, Inc.
    Inventors: Hisashi Takamatsu, Michihide Sasada
  • Patent number: 8368003
    Abstract: An image-capturing module for simplifying optical component and reducing assembly time includes a substrate unit, an image-capturing unit, a cover unit, a light-emitting unit and an optical imaging unit. The image-capturing unit has at least one image-capturing element electrically disposed on the substrate unit. The cover unit has at least one cover element disposed on the substrate unit and covering the image-capturing element, and the cover element has an opening for exposing the image-capturing element. The light-emitting unit has at least one light-emitting element electrically disposed on the substrate unit. The optical imaging unit has a light-guiding element disposed on the cover element for receiving light beams generated by the light-emitting element and an imaging element connected with the light-guiding element and disposed in the opening of the covering element. The light-guiding element and the imaging element are integrated with each other to form one piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Azurewave Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Chi-Hsing Hsu, Chih-Chien Chen
  • Patent number: 8294082
    Abstract: A probe for use in a coordinate digitizing system includes an indicator, such as a pointing tip or crosshairs, and a marker, the location of which can be determined by a marker tracking system relative to a coordinate system. The probe is configured to effectively place the marker's virtual image—as seen by the tracker—at the same location as the indicator without blocking a user's view of the indicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Boulder Innovation Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Juris George Melkis, Ivan Faul, Dennis Toms
  • Patent number: 8280144
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for analyzing material properties of an object using hyperspectral imaging. An exemplary method includes obtaining a hyperspectral image of an object; analyzing the hyperspectral image according to an algorithm; and correlating data obtained from the analysis with material properties of the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Goldfinch Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Jeyamkondan Subbiah, Chris Richard Calkins, Ashok Samal