Infrared Responsive Patents (Class 250/338.1)
  • Publication number: 20140198973
    Abstract: A terahertz temporal and spatial resolution imaging system is provided. The system includes: a sample placing rack; a detection crystal, located on the exit side of the sample placing rack; a pump light generating device, for generating a pump light to irradiate the test sample; a terahertz light generating device, for generating a terahertz light to irradiate the test sample, irradiate the detection crystal after obtaining information about the test sample, and modulate an index ellipsoid of the detection crystal; a detection light generating device, for generating a detection light to irradiate the detection crystal to detect the index ellipsoid of the detection crystal, thereby indirectly obtaining the information about the test sample; and an imaging apparatus, located in an optical path after the detection light passes through the detection crystal, for collecting terahertz images of the test sample.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2013
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Applicant: Capital Normal University
    Inventors: Yan ZHANG, Xinke WANG
  • Patent number: 8779361
    Abstract: An optical proximity sensor is provided that comprises an infrared light emitter an infrared light detector, a first molded optically transmissive infrared light pass component disposed over and covering the light emitter and a second molded optically transmissive infrared light pass component disposed over and covering the light detector. Located in-between the light emitter and the first molded optically transmissive infrared light pass component, and the light detector and the second molded optically transmissive infrared light pass component is a substantially optically non-transmissive infrared light barrier component. The infrared light barrier component substantially attenuates or blocks the transmission of undesired direct, scattered or reflected light between the light emitter and the light detector, and thereby minimizes optical crosstalk and interference between the light emitter and the light detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Avago Technologies General IP (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: James Costello, Rani Saravanan, Wee Sin Tan
  • Patent number: 8772720
    Abstract: Disclosed are a system and a method for monitoring unsaturated zone gas and near-surface atmosphere in real time by using an isotope analyzer. The system includes a near-surface atmosphere analyzer including a fixing member, a plurality of near-surface gas inlets, a plurality of gas transfer members communicating with the near-surface gas inlets, an analyzing member including an isotope analyzer, which analyzes an isotope of gas transferred through the gas transfer members, a channel connected to the gas transfer members and the analyzing member to select one gas transfer member and to supply gas transferred through the selected gas transfer member to the analyzing member, and a connection member connecting the channel to the analyzing member, a communication device transmitting components of the isotope output from the isotope analyzer, and a monitoring server outputting the components of the isotope transmitted from the communication device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources
    Inventors: Gi-Tak Chae, Ki-Sung Sung, Jeong-Chan Kim
  • Patent number: 8772717
    Abstract: A radiation detector is provided that includes a photodiode having a radiation absorber with a graded multilayer structure. Each layer of the absorber is formed from a semiconductor material, such as HgCdTe. A first of the layers is formed to have a first predetermined wavelength cutoff. A second of the layers is disposed over the first layer and beneath the first surface of the absorber through which radiation is received. The second layer has a graded composition structure of the semiconductor material such that the wavelength cutoff of the second layer varies from a second predetermined wavelength cutoff to the first predetermined wavelength cutoff such that the second layer has a progressively smaller bandgap than the first bandgap of the first layer. The graded multilayer radiation absorber structure enables carriers to flow toward a conductor that is used for measuring the radiation being sensed by the radiation absorber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: DRS RSTA, Inc.
    Inventors: Pradip Mitra, Jeffrey D. Beck, Mark R. Skokan
  • Patent number: 8772721
    Abstract: The invention relates to an operating device for a motor vehicle having a movable activation element for activating at least one switch element for generating a switch signal. The operating device comprises a sensor face which is arranged on the activation element and an optical reflection sensor device, which has at least one light emitting diode and at least one photodiode for optical radiation. A signal can be generated when the sensor face is approached and/or the sensor face is touched, in particular by means of a finger of a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Marquardt GmbH
    Inventors: Ingo Hasselbrinck, Stefan Vogel
  • Patent number: 8772724
    Abstract: Methods and systems may include a system including a first passive motion sensor having a lateral field of view with a first edge and a second passive motion sensor having a lateral field of view with a second edge that is substantially parallel to the first edge. The first and second edges can define a virtual beam. The system may also include logic to receive signals from the first and second passive motion sensors and determine a gait velocity and level of activity based on the signals from the first and second passive motion sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Intel-GE Care Innovations LLC
    Inventor: William C. DeLeeuw
  • Patent number: 8772718
    Abstract: A device for detecting electromagnetic radiation that comprises an active bolometer provided with a first element sensitive to said electromagnetic radiation and a reference bolometer identical to the active bolometer, provided with a second element sensitive to said electromagnetic radiation. The active bolometer and reference bolometer are arranged close to one another on the same substrate. A cover covers at least the part of the second sensitive element exposed to the electromagnetic radiation and arranges an empty space between said second sensitive element and the cover. The inner wall of the cover is constituted by an absorbent layer made from a material absorbing at least the thermal radiations emitted by the second sensitive element. A reflecting shield forms at least a part of the outer wall exposed to said electromagnetic radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique et aux Energies Alternatives
    Inventors: Jean-Louis Ouvrier-Buffet, Jerome Meilhan
  • Patent number: 8772719
    Abstract: A coordinate measuring device includes a carrier that can be rotated automatically about two axes and that can be directed toward a measuring aid. The following are arranged on the carrier so as to be able to move together: an optical distance measuring device for measuring the distance to the measuring aid; an infrared light source for emitting an infrared target beam, which is visible as an infrared target point when reflected on the measuring aid; a fine target detection unit for determining a fine position of the infrared target point on a first position detection sensor, wherein the fine target detection unit and the distance measuring device have a common exit lens system; a second light source, the light of which is visible as a second target point when reflected on the measuring aid; a rough target detection unit for determining a rough position of the second target point on a second position detection sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Leica Geosystems AG
    Inventors: Burkhard Böckem, Simon Fuchs
  • Publication number: 20140183360
    Abstract: A long-distance polarization and phase-sensitive reflectometry based on random laser amplification for extending a sensing distance includes a long-distance polarization and phase-sensitive reflectometry of a distributed Raman amplification based on optical fiber random lasers generated by unilateral pumps, a long-distance polarization and phase-sensitive reflectometry of a distributed Raman amplification based on optical fiber random lasers generated by bilateral pumps, and a long-distance polarization and phase-sensitive reflectometry of a Raman amplification based on a combination of optical fiber random lasers generated by unilateral pumps and a common Raman pump source, which are applied in optical fiber perturbation sensing and have a capability of greatly improving a working distance of a sensing system and a high practicability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2014
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: University of Electronic Science and Technology of China
    Inventors: Yunjiang Rao, Zinan Wang, Zengling Ran
  • Patent number: 8764287
    Abstract: A thermal detector includes a thermal detecting element and a support member supporting the thermal detecting element and a wiring layer. The support member has an arm member connected to a mounting member with the first arm member having an arm base end section extending outwardly from the mounting member toward a first direction, the arm base section having a first width measured along a direction perpendicular to the first direction, and an arm body section having a proximal end portion extending from the arm base end section generally along an outer contour of the mounting member with the proximal end portion being spaced apart from an edge of the mounting member in the first direction. The proximal end portion of the arm body section has a second width measured along a direction perpendicular to a lengthwise direction of the arm body section that is narrower than the first width.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Taketomi Kamikawa
  • Patent number: 8766186
    Abstract: A control aperture for an IR sensor includes a die; an IR sensor disposed on the die and an IR opaque aperture layer on the die having an IR transmissive aperture aligned with the IR sensor for controlling the field of view and focus of the IR sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Analog Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Oliver Kierse, Eamon Hynes
  • Patent number: 8766152
    Abstract: The present invention includes, in various aspects and embodiments, a method and apparatus for guiding a laser guided munition to an offset aim point relative to the laser spot. In one aspect, the laser guided munition comprises a propelled explosive ordnance; an optical sensor; means for indicating an offset from a laser designation; and a flight control system. The flight control system is responsive to an output from the optical sensor to: home on the laser designation during the descent of an arcing trajectory for the propelled explosive ordnance; determine that the propelled explosive ordnance traversed a predetermined point in the descending trajectory; and upon traversing the predetermined point, guide the propelled explosive ordnance to the position defined by the offset indicator. In a second aspect, the laser guided munition is deployed as part of a system that also includes a laser designator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Edward Max Flowers, Chad Nathan Chegwidden, Christopher L. Gould
  • Publication number: 20140175282
    Abstract: An optical frequency filter comprises a support layer having reflective elements formed thereon, the reflective elements defining at least one periodic grid of substantially parallel slits, the period P, the height, and the width of the slits being selected in such a manner that the reflective elements form a wavelength-selective structure for a wavelength lying in a determined range of wavelengths. The support layer material has a refractive index nh and includes inclusions of a material of refractive index nb, where nb is strictly less than nh. The inclusions are flush with the surface of the support layer opposite from its surface on which the reflective elements are formed, and present height hbwherein 0.5h?hb?1hh, hh being the support layer height, and width lbwhere 0.05P?lb?0.75P. Each inclusion is situated at least in part between two reflective elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: COMMISSARIAT A L'ENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVES
    Inventor: Roch ESPIAU DE LAMAESTRE
  • Publication number: 20140175280
    Abstract: A cognitive stimulating sterilizing device for providing visual, tactile and, or audible stimulation for infants that also selectively sterilizes select items and the surrounding ambient. This including a housing adapted for removable connection to cribs, changing tables and similar furniture, an ultraviolet light source in the housing for sanitizing items in the housing when closed and the ambient when opened, audio source and compartments for holding and storing select items. The housing may include reflective and/or transparent surfaces for directing and/or passing ultraviolet light. A sensor, such as an infrared sensor, detects the presence of a human in the surrounding area in a motion-independent manner, such as by detecting fluctuations in infrared energy emitted by the human. A microcontroller receives data from the sensor and directs the activation and/or deactivation of the ultraviolet light source according to whether a human is detected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2013
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Inventor: Sylvia Tantillo
  • Publication number: 20140175281
    Abstract: An electrochromic device (ECD) includes an electrochromic cell and, optionally, one or more additional electrochromic cells where all cells are parallel, and where at least one of the electrodes of one of the cells comprises a single-walled carbon nanotube (SWNT) film The electrochromic cells allow the control of transmittance of two or more different portions of the electro-magnetic spectrum through the ECD. One cell can control the transmittance of visible radiation while the other cell can control the transmittance of IR radiation. The ECD can be employed as a “smart window” to control the heat and light transmission through the window. The ECD can be in the form of a laminate that can be added to an existing window.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2012
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: University of Florida Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: John R. Reynolds, Ryan M. Walczak, Andrew Gabriel Rinzler, Svetlana V. Vasilyeva, Aubrey Lynn Dyer
  • Patent number: 8759767
    Abstract: A double-pass fiber-optic based spectroscopic gas sensor delivers Raman excitation light and infrared light to a hollow structure, such as a hollow fiber waveguide, that contains a gas sample of interest. A retro-reflector is placed at the end of this hollow structure to send the light back through the waveguide where the light is detected at the same end as the light source. This double pass retro reflector design increases the interaction path length of the light and the gas sample, and also reduces the form factor of the hollow structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignees: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC, University of South Carolina, Georgia Tech Research Corporation
    Inventors: Jerry C. Carter, James W. Chan, James E. Trebes, Stanley M. Angel, Boris Mizaikoff
  • Patent number: 8759770
    Abstract: A system for qualifying usability risk associated with subsurface defects in a multilayer coating includes a component having a multilayer coating, an infrared detection device for capturing infrared images of the multilayered coating and a processing unit that is in electronic communication with the infrared detection device where the processing unit generates a subsurface defect map of the multilayer coating based on the infrared images. The system further includes a risk map of the component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Steven Charles Woods, James Carroll Baummer
  • Patent number: 8759771
    Abstract: An optical element includes a semiconductor layer having an energy band gap larger than a photon energy of light, and a plurality of electrodes in electrical contact with the semiconductor layer. At least one of the electrodes forms a Schottky junction between the electrode and the semiconductor layer; the Schottky junction has a barrier height smaller than the photon energy of the light. At least part of a junction surface between the electrode that forms the Schottky junction and the semiconductor layer includes a light irradiation surface arranged to be irradiated with the light from a surface of the semiconductor layer without the electrodes, and a portion of a coupling structure arranged to be coupled to a terahertz wave that is generated or detected through the irradiation with the light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Toshihiko Ouchi
  • Patent number: 8759768
    Abstract: A movable device for measuring physical quantities of nuclear materials contained in a shielded cell, which device can be brought up against the shielded cell and can be retracted therefrom, the device configured to carry out the measurement in the position in which it is against the shielded cell. The device includes a carriage, a support member placed on the carriage, and a shielded container placed on the support member. The shielded container includes a transfer container configured to store the nuclear material to be measured, and an opening configured to be aligned with an opening in one wall of the shielded cell. The support member is made of graphite and includes a housing accommodating a neutron emission module, a casing covering the shielded container, the casing being made of graphite, and a neutron measurement mechanism fastened to the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique et Aux Energies Alternatives
    Inventors: Nicolas Hupont, Philippe Bernard, Jean-Francois Mante, Jean-Pierre Coulon, Nicolas Saurel
  • Patent number: 8759769
    Abstract: A terahertz-wave generating device including an optical waveguide containing an electrooptic crystal includes: first and second optical waveguides through which first and second light beams respectively propagate; a propagation portion through which a first terahertz wave propagates, the first terahertz wave being generated from the second optical waveguide in a direction different from a direction of the second light beam; and a delay portion arranged at incidence sides of the first and second light beams and configured to delay the first light beam relative to the second light beam. The first optical waveguide and the second optical waveguide are arranged with the propagation portion interposed therebetween. A first equiphase surface of the first terahertz wave is substantially aligned with a second equiphase surface of a second terahertz wave generated from the first optical waveguide in a direction different from a direction of the first light beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takeaki Itsuji
  • Publication number: 20140166868
    Abstract: TeraHertz signal generation system based on traveling-wave oscillators providing extraction of orders of magnitude higher oscillation frequencies resulting in frequency multipliers and THz transceivers that can generate, transmit and sense THz frequency signals for sensing/imaging.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2012
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Inventors: Ahmet Tekin, Ahmed Emira, Suat Utku Ay
  • Publication number: 20140172374
    Abstract: A material detector includes a pulse generator to generate pulses to excite molecules in the material and a detector to detect a signal generated from excited molecules in the terahertz region. Spectral features in the material are analyzed to identify the material. Detection can be performed using a nanoantenna array structure having antennas tuned to detect the expected spectral emission. The nanoantenna array can include antennas having MIM or MIIM diodes. Signal processing and statistical analysis is use to reduce false positives and false negative in identifying the material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2013
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Inventor: Patrick K. Brady
  • Publication number: 20140166882
    Abstract: An uncooled microbolometer detector that includes a substrate, a platform held above the substrate by a support structure, at least one thermistor provided on the platform, and an optical absorber. The optical absorber includes at least one electrically conductive layer extending on the platform over and in thermal contact with the at least one thermistor and patterned to form a resonant structure defining an absorption spectrum of the uncooled microbolometer detector. The optical absorber is exposed to electromagnetic radiation and absorbs the electromagnetic radiation according to the absorption spectrum. A microbolometer array including a plurality of uncooled microbolometer detectors arranged in a two-dimensional array is also provided. Advantageously, these embodiments allow extending the absorption spectrum of conventional infrared uncooled microbolometer detectors to the terahertz region of the electromagnetic spectrum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: INSTITUT NATIONAL D'OPTIQUE
    Inventors: Hassane OULACHGAR, Philip MAUSKOPF, Hubert JEROMINEK, Martin BOLDUC, Samir ILIAS, Christine ALAIN
  • Publication number: 20140166881
    Abstract: A terahertz wave generating module includes a bidirectional light source which provides a first dual-mode beam in a first direction and a second dual-mode beam in a second direction; a forward lens unit which focuses the first dual-mode beam; a photomixer unit which converts the first dual-mode beam focused by the forward lens unit into a terahertz wave; a backward lens unit which focuses the second dual-mode beam; and a light output unit which uses the second dual-mode beam focused by the backward lens unit as a light signal, wherein the bidirectional light source, the forward lens unit, the photomixer unit, the backward lens unit, and the light output unit are integrated in a housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2013
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: ELECTRONICS AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Sang-Pil HAN, Kyung Hyun PARK, Namje KIM, Han-Cheol RYU, Jeong Woo PARK, Hyunsung KO, Kiwon MOON
  • Patent number: 8754373
    Abstract: A pyroelectric element includes a pyroelectric substrate; a light-receiving section composed of a front-side electrode, a back-side electrode, and a light-receiving portion; and a light-receiving section composed of a front-side electrode, a back-side electrode, and a light-receiving portion. Since the pyroelectric substrate warps in a cavity-facing region opposite a cavity, the light-receiving area of the light-receiving sections is greater than that in the case where there is no warp. It is thus possible to improve detection sensitivity of the pyroelectric element without making the size of the pyroelectric element larger than that in the case where there is no warp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomoyoshi Tai, Kenji Suzuki, Jungo Kondo
  • Patent number: 8753008
    Abstract: A thermal imaging device, which may be incorporated in an industrial monitoring system, is contained and protected by an enclosure that includes a window assembly. The window assembly includes a removable window and a temperature sensor, wherein the window provides a passage for infrared radiation to the imaging device, within the enclosure, and the temperature sensor is positioned, within the enclosure, for measuring a temperature of the removable window, and is adapted to communicate with circuitry of the imaging device. The window assembly may further include a removable retaining ring and a mounting plate. The mounting plate may include a bezel and an outer shoulder formed in a first side thereof, wherein the bezel receives the removable window and the outer shoulder receives the retaining ring, so that the retaining ring may hold the window against the bezel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Fluke Corporation
    Inventors: Paul S. Carlson, Mathew N. Rekow
  • Patent number: 8749636
    Abstract: A multi-band aperture filter for optically coupling to a focal plane array (FPA) of a camera includes a substrate, and a first spectral coating on a first surface of the substrate that passes both a first longer and a second shorter wavelength band. A second spectral coating that passes the longer wavelength band and blocks the shorter wavelength band is on an outer annulus region, but not on an inner region on the first surface or a second surface of the substrate. The second spectral coating provides a larger aperture area for the longer wavelength band as compared to an aperture area for the shorter wavelength band to passively realize different F-numbers for the bands to provide substantially matched beam spot sizes on the detector array for the longer wavelength band and the shorter wavelength band, such as a long-wave infrared (LWIR) band and a mid-wave IR (MWIR) band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventor: Kevin L. Brown
  • Patent number: 8748821
    Abstract: The present invention is related to an energy recycling device. The energy recycling device includes a substrate, multiple miniature receivers, for receiving infrared radiation, on the substrate and multiple current rectifiers electrically connected to the miniature receivers respectively. The miniature receivers transform the infrared radiation into alternating currents (AC). The current rectifiers rectify the alternating currents (AC) so as to transform the alternating currents (AC) into direct currents (DC). Thereby, the infrared radiation received by the miniature receivers can be first transformed into the alternating currents (AC) with extremely high frequencies, and then the alternating currents (AC) with extremely high frequencies can be transformed into direct currents (DC) usable by an electronic device. Accordingly, infrared can be used to supply power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Inventor: Yi-Yi Chen
  • Publication number: 20140154788
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to paper-based substrates and apparatus comprising such substrates. The apparatus may include a patterned conductive structure coupled to the paper-based substrate, wherein the patterned conductive structure responds to electromagnetic radiation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2012
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: Tufts University
    Inventors: Fiorenzo Omenetto, David L. Kaplan, Hu Tao
  • Publication number: 20140151558
    Abstract: An occupancy sensor with the following components is disclosed: a sensing probe to detect occupancy of a space monitored by the sensor and to produce a corresponding sensing signal; a comparator, including a voltage divider defining a comparison value, against which the sensing signal is compared to detect occupancy; and a voltage sensing means to sense a feed voltage applied to the sensor, where changes in the feed voltage to the sensor induce a change in the comparison value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2011
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: OSRAM GMBH
    Inventors: Enrico Bortot, Christian Cecchetti, Stefan Hackenbuchner, Uwe Liess, Torsten Mannke
  • Publication number: 20140155865
    Abstract: Air-in-line sensor systems and methods of using same are provided. The system includes an adapter (60) including first and second cylindrical portions defining a fluid flow channel, the first cylindrical portion comprising two adjacent wedge-shaped protrusions (68). Each wedge-shaped protrusion is infrared transmittive and defines an outer surface and an inner surface. The system further includes a tube and an infrared reflective sensor having an infrared light emitter (42,52) and an infrared light detector (44,54). The infrared light emitter and the infrared light detector are positioned at or near an adapter so that an infrared light can be transmitted to the adapter and at least a portion of the infrared light reflected off the adapter can be detected by the infrared light detector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2012
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: NESTEC S.A.
    Inventors: Adam Hartman, Paul Nguyen, David Charles Cummings
  • Publication number: 20140151557
    Abstract: A photonic sensor, comprising: a platform, a temperature sensor on the platform; and a structure formed on or as part of the platform.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2012
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: ANALOG DEVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Paul Martin Lambkin, William Allan Lane
  • Publication number: 20140151561
    Abstract: A pixel circuit including: a detection circuit having first and second transistors coupled in series between differential output nodes of an antenna, wherein the antenna is configured to be sensitive to terahertz radiation; a capacitor coupled to an intermediate node between the first and second transistors; and control circuitry coupled to control nodes of the first and second transistors, the control circuitry being configured for selectively applying to the control nodes one of: a gate biasing voltage for biasing the control nodes of the first and second transistors during a detection phase of the pixel circuit; and a reset voltage for resetting a voltage stored by the capacitor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2012
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.A.
    Inventors: Hani Sherry, Andreia Cathelin
  • Patent number: 8742352
    Abstract: An occupancy sensor has a body and a lens cover. The body includes an enclosure, a human movement sensing component and at least one multi-position rotary switch. The at least one multi-position rotary switch is configured through the enclosure of the body, has a plurality of switching positions and is rotatable between the switching positions. The lens cover is attached to the body and covers the human movement sensing component. With the above-mentioned structure, a user can easily and accurately rotate the multi-position rotary switch to adjust a function of the sensor because the multi-position rotary switch can be positioned in one of the switching positions, and thereby no excessive or deficient adjustment will be made.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: IR-Tec International Ltd.
    Inventor: Wen-I Huang
  • Patent number: 8742351
    Abstract: When a system is powered on and becomes ready for a measurement, it automatically begins to acquire an interferogram (IFG). When a new IFG is acquired, if a background (BKG) IFG is present in a memory but there is no sample IFG (S2 and S4), the new IFG is compared with the BKG-IFG and, if the two IFGs are identical, the new IFG is added to the BKG-IFG (S5, S6 and S7). When an operator sets a sample in a sample chamber and the new IFG shows a change, the IFG is stored as a sample IFG (S8). Then, a sample measurement is initiated. After that, when a new IFG is found to be identical to the sample IFG stored in the memory (S9 and S10), the new IFG is added to the sample IFG (S13). The sample measurement is completed when the number of sample IFGs stored in the memory has reached a predetermined accumulation number. Thus, the sample measurement is automatically performed, for which the operator only needs to set a sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Shimadzu Corporation
    Inventor: Hisato Fukuda
  • Patent number: 8742350
    Abstract: A proximity sensor includes a printed circuit board (PCB); a first cup and a second cup embedded in the PCB; an electromagnetic radiation transmitter operably mounted in the first cup; and an electromagnetic radiation receiver operably mounted in the second cup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Avago Technologies General IP (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Yufeng Yao, Sze Ping Ong, Wee Sin Tan
  • Patent number: 8734009
    Abstract: A system, method and device determine the state of a beverage and communicate information regarding the beverage. A communication device runs an application that determines the start temperature of the beverage to be cooled and sets a desired end temperature. Thermochromatic inks are used on the container label or packaging of the container to convey temperature information. A camera of the communication device senses temperature information of an image of the container. The application then determines an amount of time for cooling the beverage also taking into consideration the type and size of container. The beverage is placed in a cooling device, a timer is initiated by the user, and the application later generates a message indicating the beverage has reached the desired end temperature. The user may link information generated from the application to social networking sites for purposes such as generating invitations to friends within the social network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Millercoors, LLC
    Inventors: Jason Morgan Kelly, Ray Alan Toms, Charles Ho Fung
  • Patent number: 8735819
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system and method for positioning and passively aligning at least one optical component as close as possible to an electromagnetic radiation detector. This system comprises supporting wedges (37) for Z positioning of the optical component (35) as close as possible to the detector (21) and passive X and Y alignment means via holding wedges and/or holding balls (36), the X, Y and Z axes being axes perpendicular to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique
    Inventors: Manuel Fendler, Gilles Lasfargues, Francois Marion
  • Patent number: 8735823
    Abstract: A terahertz-wave element includes a waveguide (2, 4, 5) that includes an electro-optic crystal and allows light to propagate therethrough, and a coupling member (7) that causes a terahertz wave to enter the waveguide (2, 4, 5). The propagation state of the light propagating through the waveguide (2, 4, 5) changes as the terahertz wave enters the waveguide (2, 4, 5) via the coupling member (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Toshihiko Ouchi
  • Patent number: 8737760
    Abstract: An image processing method and to an arrangement for implementing the method. The method includes filtering the original image with a low-pass filter for forming a low-pass filtered image, creating a high-pass filtered image by subtracting the low-pass filtered image from the original image, forming intermediate values from the created high-pass filtered image based on column-wise selection of pixel values in the suppression of column noise and row-wise selection of pixel values in the suppression of row noise, and subtracting formed intermediate values column-by-column and row-by-row from the original image. The arrangement includes a non-linear, one-dimensional digital finite impulse response filter, a computing unit for column-wise or row-wise formation of intermediate values, an image storage unit and a subtraction unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Flir Systems AB
    Inventors: Stefan Olsson, Emanuel Johansson
  • Patent number: 8735820
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for deriving a refinery product property value based on data produced from a globally-calibrated spectrographic analyzer and data from a non-spectrographic analyzer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Tesoro Refining and Marketing Company
    Inventor: Daniel C. Mertens
  • Publication number: 20140138543
    Abstract: Sub-arrays such as tiles or chips having pixel elements arranged on a routing layer or carrier to form a larger array. Through-chip vias or the like to the backside of the chip are used for connecting with the pixel elements. Edge features of the tiles may provide for physical alignment, mechanical attachment and chip-to-chip communication. Edge damage tolerance with minimal loss of function may be achieved by moving unit cell circuitry and the electrically active portions of a pixel element away from the tile edge(s) while leaving the optically active portion closer to the edge(s) if minor damage will not cause a complete failure of the pixel. The pixel elements may be thermal emitter elements for IR image projectors, thermal detector elements for microbolometers, LED-based emitters, or quantum photon detectors such as those found in visible, infrared and ultraviolet FPAs (focal plane arrays), and the like. Various architectures are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2012
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: SANTA BARBARA INFRARED, INC.
    Inventor: Joseph Donald LaVeigne
  • Patent number: 8729473
    Abstract: In conventional membrane infrared (IR) sensors, little to no attention has been paid toward transmissivity of IR near metal traces. Here, because the substrate of an integrated circuit carrying the sensor is used as a visible light filter, reflection of IR radiation back into the substrate can affect the operation and reliability of the IR sensor. As a result, an arrangement is provided that reduces the area occupied by metal lines by reducing the pitch and compacting the routing so as to reduce the effects from the reflection of IR radiation by metal traces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Walter Meinel, Kalin Lazarov
  • Patent number: 8729472
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to systems and methods which utilize a cavity ring-down spectroscopy (CRDS) technique implemented for the measurements of vapor transmission rate. In one embodiment, the vapor content to be measured is contained within an optical cavity. Light is then injected into the cavity up to a threshold level and the decay time of the injected light is measured. When the wavelength of the injected light is resonant with an absorption feature of the vapor the decay time increases linearly as a function of vapor content. In this manner, vapor content causes a longer decay time and thus the amount of vapor passing through the film (film permeation rate) can be determined in real-time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics Corporation
    Inventors: Aziz Mahfoud Familia, David Shackleford, Nafih Mekhilef, Mike Zimmerman
  • Publication number: 20140131579
    Abstract: A system and associated method for analyzing a smoking article filter is provided. An emitter emits an initial signal toward a smoking article filter. The initial signal may have a frequency between about 0.1 teraHertz and about 10 teraHertz. A sensor may detect a resultant signal resulting from interaction of the initial signal with the smoking article filter. An analysis unit may receive the resultant signal from the sensor, determine a filter status based on the resultant signal, and output an indicium indicative of the filter status. The filter status may include a capsule presence within the smoking article filter, a capsule absence from the smoking article filter, a proper insertion of a capsule into the smoking article filter, a defective insertion of a capsule into the smoking article filter, a proper capsule within the smoking article filter, and a defective capsule within the smoking article filter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2012
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: R.J. REYNOLDS TOBACCO COMPANY
    Inventors: Balager Ademe, Gary Lee Wood
  • Publication number: 20140131576
    Abstract: An illuminance and proximity sensor includes a first sensing unit that senses infrared light and green light, and forwards a first sensing signal corresponding to a result of the sensing, a second sensing unit that filters visible light, senses the infrared light, and forwards a second sensing signal corresponding to a result of the sensing, and a control unit that produces an illuminance using a first difference value from subtracting the second sensing signal from the first sensing signal, and a proximity using a second difference value from subtracting the first difference value from the second sensing signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2013
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Inventor: So Eun PARK
  • Patent number: 8723121
    Abstract: An identification system and method comprising a beacon unit using a highly collimated source of electromagnetic radiation, which emits towards a thermal imaging unit highly directional radiation. In this manner, improved visual identification of the beacon unit and the carrier associated therewith through the imaging unit can be achieved over both short and long distances. In particular, detection of the beacon unit is aided by emitting highly collimated radiation with high power density at great distances. When detected by the sensor array, an image of the emitted radiation is indeed displayed as a bright spot of light on the display, thus eliciting the attention of a viewer observing a scene through the imaging unit. Blooming of an array of sensing elements provided in the imaging unit may further be fostered by delivering a great amount of power to the imaging unit, thus improving detection of the beacon unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: The Flewelling Ford Family Trust
    Inventors: Timothy D. F. Ford, Casey Stack
  • Patent number: 8723122
    Abstract: An infrared sensor module, a touch sensing method thereof, and an auto calibration method applied to the same are disclosed, the touch sensing method includes turning on the infrared sensor module which includes a sensor block with a light receiving region and is arranged to be perpendicular to a surface of a display panel, the light receiving region being divided into m×n blocks (where, each of m and n is a natural number of two or more) arranged in m rows by n columns, each of the blocks having a plurality of light receiving pixels arranged in a row direction, scanning optical signals of each block, selecting the block having maximum output optical signals with respect to the blocks of each column, and summing the optical signals of the light receiving pixels of the block selected from the column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: LG Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jae-Hun Shin, Hyung-Uk Jang, Jun-Seok Oh
  • Publication number: 20140124671
    Abstract: An image pixel apparatus for detecting electromagnetic radiation includes an absorption structure device configured to absorb the electromagnetic radiation and to take it up as a quantity of heat. At least one plasmonic resonance structure device of the apparatus is configured to forward the electromagnetic radiation to the absorption structure device. A detection device that has at least one detection element is configured to detect the electromagnetic radiation by way of changes in an electrical property of the at least one detection element that are caused by the quantity of heat taken up.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2013
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Applicant: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Ingo Herrmann, Christoph Schelling
  • Patent number: 8716665
    Abstract: Various embodiments of a compact optical proximity sensor with a ball grid array and windowed or apertured substrate are disclosed. In one embodiment, the optical proximity sensor comprises a printed circuit board (“PCB”) substrate comprising an aperture and a lower surface having electrical contacts disposed thereon, an infrared light emitter and an infrared light detector mounted on an upper surface of the substrate, an integrated circuit located at least partially within the aperture, a molding compound being disposed between portions of the integrated circuit and substrate, an ambient light detector mounted on an upper surface of the integrated circuit, first and second molded infrared light pass components disposed over and covering the infrared light emitter and the infrared light detector, respectively, and a molded infrared light cut component disposed between and over portions of the first and second infrared light pass components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Avago Technologies General IP (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Yufeng Yao, Chi Boon Ong, Wee Sin Tan