Infrared Responsive Patents (Class 250/338.1)
  • Patent number: 9372264
    Abstract: Proximity sensor devices are described that integrate a light emitting diode with a light sensor assembly in a single, compact package. The proximity sensor devices comprise a substrate having a surface. The light emitting diode and light sensor assembly are mounted to the substrate proximate to the surface. The light emitting diode is configured to emit electromagnetic radiation in a limited spectrum of wavelengths, while the light sensor assembly is configured to detect electromagnetic radiation in the limited spectrum of wavelengths emitted by the light emitting diode. An encapsulation layer is formed on the surface over the light emitting diode and light sensor assembly. A trench is formed in the encapsulation layer to receive electromagnetic radiation blocking material configured to block electromagnetic radiation in the limited spectrum of wavelengths to at least partially mitigate crosstalk between the light emitting diode and the light sensor assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: Maxim Integrated Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Pradip D. Patel, Ajay K. Ghai, Steven D. Cate
  • Patent number: 9365420
    Abstract: A three-dimensional nanoresonator structure has a stack of laterally confined layers including at least a first layer and a second layer of different conductive materials between which a dielectric layer is interposed. The layers have at least a respective accessible surface area exposed to an environment in which the structure is immersed. Multiple three-dimensional nanoresonators that can be dispersed in an environment are formed from an array of nanoresonators fixed to a sacrificial substrate. The nanoresonators are subsequently separated from the substrate and conjugated with a chemical agent adapted to promote the formation of a stable colloidal suspension of nanoresonators in a liquid medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignees: FONDAZIONE ISTITUTO ITALIANO DI TECNOLOGIA, SCUOLA SUPERIORE DI STUDI UNIVERSITARI E DI PERFEZIONAMENTO SANT'ANNA, SCUOLA NORMALE SUPERIORE
    Inventors: Angelo Bifone, Vito Clerico', Alessandro Tredicucci, Pasqualantonio Pingue, Adriano Boni, Fabio Recchia
  • Patent number: 9368658
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a MEMS sensor includes a mirror and an absorber spaced apart from the mirror, the absorber including a plurality of spaced apart conductive legs defining a tortuous path across an area directly above the mirror.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Fabian Purkl, Gary Yama, Ando Feyh, Gary O'Brien
  • Patent number: 9356703
    Abstract: Communication apparatus and techniques, such as for optical communication, can include providing a reference frequency derived from an atomic energy level transition or a molecular energy level transition, generating at least two specified optical carrier signals at least in part using the reference frequency, coherently modulating the specified optical carrier signals using respective baseband information signals to provide respective coherently-modulated optical subcarriers. A combined optical information signal comprising the optical subcarriers can be transmitted to a receiver, such as via a fiber optic cable. In an example, a received optical information signal can be optically Fourier transformed to provide respective coherent outputs, which can be coherently downconverted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Steven R. Wilkinson, Gabriel N. Price
  • Patent number: 9342984
    Abstract: The present invention refers to a system and method for monitoring and supervising potential traffic infractions, comprising the detection of potential traffic infractions and the capture of the images thereof, wherein the images preferentially relate to a sequence of images of the pre and post events, further comprising a multi-thread module which enables the capture of images of one or more potential traffic infractions occurring in the same or in different lanes of the road, with almost simultaneous pre-event and post-event sequences.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Inventor: Persio Walter Bortolotto
  • Patent number: 9329087
    Abstract: A pyroelectric-type infrared sensor is provided with: a sensor element; a shield case for covering the sensor element; an infrared transmission filter; an output circuit, which performs impedance conversion to output signals of the sensor element and outputs the signals; and at least one reflecting film. In the pyroelectric-type infrared sensor, the at least one reflecting film, which reflects infrared, is provided between the infrared transmission filter attached to the shield case and surface electrodes, and the infrared transmission filter is disposed extremely close to the surface electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: NEC TOKIN CORPORATION
    Inventor: Masahiro Saito
  • Patent number: 9329121
    Abstract: The invention relates to a sensor having a filter arrangement, downstream of which there is arranged a detector arrangement, and an evaluating device connected to the detector arrangement. The filter arrangement has at least a first filter, the suspect filter, and at least one second filter, the reference filter(s). The first filter is configured as a band pass filter allowing the passage of a first predetermined band, the suspect band. The at least one second filter is configured as a band pass filter allowing the passage of a second predetermined band(s), the reference band(s). The detector arrangement has at least one detector associated with at least one of the filters. The band passes reference filters are distributed above and below the band pass of the suspect filter. The sensor with advantage could be utilized within the IR band, and could advantageously be used to detect CO2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Danfoss IXA A/S
    Inventors: Jens Moeller Jensen, Arun Krishna, Lars Munch, Rainer Buchner, Thomine Stolberg-Rohr, Henrik Gedde Moos
  • Patent number: 9304079
    Abstract: A gas analyzer for the absorption-spectroscopic in-situ determination of at least one chemical and/or physical parameter of a gaseous measurement medium, wherein the gas analyzer includes a first housing; at least one laser as a radiation source, which laser is arranged in the first housing; at least one first process window for coupling the radiation emitted by the laser into a measurement medium; and at least one detector by which, following interaction with the measurement medium, the radiation is detected. The first process window can be configured as an afocal meniscus lens having a convex surface and a concave surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: METTLER-TOLEDO GMBH
    Inventor: Frank Killich
  • Patent number: 9297758
    Abstract: An optical gas detector (20) in metal or other suitable material, comprising a cup-shaped body (1), with upper mouth (9) closed by a lid (2) the bottom of which (8) is flat and provided with a plurality of through holes (15) variously arranged, which place said detector (20) in communication with the outside environment, and inside which an IR source (10) and an IR analyser (11) are placed, borne by an overlying circuit board (12). The inner lateral surface of the body (1) forming a first reflector wall (6) having a regular or irregular annular extension and defining, in conjunction with a second convex or concave reflector wall (7, 7?) of a shaped appendage (5) and with one or more reflectors (3, 3?, 21, 22, 23,24,25) pre-inserted and positioned in the body (1), a multiplicity of geometrically alternative optical paths (4, 4?, 4?, 4??) of the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the IR source (10) and detected by the IR analyser (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: N.E.T. SRL
    Inventor: Giacomino Frigo
  • Patent number: 9299853
    Abstract: A transistor includes a gate in contact with a substrate. A gate insulating layer is in contact with at least the gate. An inorganic semiconductor layer is in contact with the gate insulating layer. There is a source electrode in contact with a first portion of the inorganic semiconductor layer and a drain electrode in contact with a second portion of the inorganic semiconductor layer, and the source electrode and the drain electrode are separated by a gap. There is a multilayer insulating structure in contact with at least the inorganic semiconductor layer in the gap. The multilayer structure includes an inorganic dielectric layer having a first pattern defining a first area; and a polymer structure having a second pattern defining a second area. The second area is located within the first area and the polymer structure is in contact with the semiconductor layer in the gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: EASTMAN KODAK COMPANY
    Inventors: Carolyn Rae Ellinger, Shelby Forrester Nelson
  • Patent number: 9295402
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods, software, and systems for assessing a burn injury.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: University of Washington Through its Center for Commercialization
    Inventors: Mohammad Hassan Arbab, Pierre D. Mourad, Antao Chen, Trevor C. Dickey, Matthew D. Klein, Dale P. Winebrenner
  • Patent number: 9297701
    Abstract: In order to improve efficiency for converting electromagnetic energy into heat energy, an electromagnetic wave detector detecting an electromagnetic wave having a specific wavelength includes a substrate in which a read-out circuit is formed; a temperature detecting portion with a space from the substrate and which includes a bolometer thin film and a first antenna wire; a supporting portion which supports the temperature detecting portion with a space from the substrate and which includes electrode wires connected to the read-out circuit and to the bolometer thin film; and a reflecting portion which is provided to the substrate and which reflects the electromagnetic wave penetrating the temperature detecting portion toward the temperature detecting portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Tokuhito Sasaki
  • Patent number: 9274003
    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: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Ingo Herrmann, Christoph Schelling
  • Patent number: 9275857
    Abstract: Various embodiments provide non-planar nanowires, nanowire arrays, and nanowire networks as well as methods of their formation and applications. The non-planar nanowires and their arrays can be formed in a controlled manner on surfaces having a non-planar orientation. In embodiments, two or more adjacent nanowires from different surfaces can grow to merge together forming one or more nanowire branches and thus forming a nanowire network. In embodiments, the non-planar nanowires and nanowire networks can be used for cantilever oscillation, switching and transistor actions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: STC.UNM
    Inventor: Stephen D. Hersee
  • Patent number: 9261411
    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: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: INSTITUT NATIONAL D'OPTIQUE
    Inventors: Hassane Oulachgar, Philip Mauskopf, Hubert Jerominek, Martin Bolduc, Samir Ilias, Christine Alain
  • Patent number: 9261456
    Abstract: A method and system for analyzing noisy terahertz spectroscopy data transforms the measured time-dependent data into frequency space, for example, using a discrete Fourier transform, and then transforms the frequency spectrum into wavelet frequency space. The twice-transformed data is analyzed to identify spectroscopic features of the signal, for example, to identify a resonance frequency. The method may be used, for example, in a stand-off detector to identify particular chemicals in a target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: University of Washington through its Center for Commercialization
    Inventors: Mohammad Hassan Arbab, Dale P. Winebrenner, Antao Chen, Eric I. Thorsos
  • Patent number: 9261408
    Abstract: A thermal position sensor includes a collection of micro-bolometers, each having an electrical resistance and each including a substrate and an absorptive element. The absorptive element is suspended above the substrate and configured to absorb infrared radiation, including 10-micron long-wavelength infrared radiation. A change in a temperature of the micro-bolometer causes a change in the resistance of the micro-bolometer. The collection of micro-bolometers is partitioned into a first quadrant, a second quadrant, a third quadrant, and a fourth quadrant, where each of the quadrants represents a 90-degree segment of the sensor and includes at least one micro-bolometer of the collection of micro-bolometers. Each of the quadrants includes at least one output signal that provides information indicative of a temperature of the quadrant based on a resistance associated with the at least one micro-bolometer of the quadrant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: SVZ Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Sergey V. Zaitsev
  • Patent number: 9257587
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate having an upper surface that defines a sensing region. A fixed beam structure is supported at a first level above the sensing region. The fixed beam structure includes fixed beam supports that extend upwardly from the upper surface of the substrate to position the fixed beam structure at the first level above the sensing region. An absorber structure is supported above the fixed beam structure at a second level above the sensing region. The absorber structure includes a pillar support that extends upwardly from the fixed beam structure to position the absorber structure at the second level above the sensing region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Fabian Purkl, Gary Yama, Ando Lars Feyh
  • Patent number: 9257209
    Abstract: An electromagnetic wave generator includes first and second electrodes facing each other and spaced apart from each other; a chargeable particle disposed between the first and second electrodes; a voltage source which applies a voltage between the first and second electrodes; and an antenna electrically connected to one of the first and second electrodes and which radiates an electromagnetic wave due to induced current oscillation based on the applied voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Sung-nae Cho
  • Patent number: 9250128
    Abstract: A method and a system for measuring an optical asynchronous sample signal. The system for measuring an optical asynchronous sampling signal comprises a pulsed optical source capable of emitting two optical pulse sequences with different repetition frequencies, a signal optical path, a reference optical path, and a detection device. Since the optical asynchronous sampling signal can be measured by merely using one pulsed optical source, the complexity and cost of the system are reduced. A multi-frequency optical comb system using the pulsed optical source and a method for implementing the multi-frequency optical comb are further disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: BEIHANG UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Zheng Zheng, Xin Zhao, Lei Liu, Jiansheng Liu
  • Patent number: 9239290
    Abstract: A terahertz scanning reflectometer is described herein. A high sensitivity terahertz scanning reflectometer is used to measure dynamic surface deformation and delamination characteristics in real-time. A number of crucial parameters can be extracted from the reflectance measurements such as dynamic deformation, propagation velocity, and final relaxation position. A terahertz reflectometer and spectrometer are used to determine the permeation kinetics and concentration profile of active ingredients in stratum corneum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignee: Applied Research and Photonics, Inc.
    Inventors: Anis Rahman, Aunik K. Rahman
  • Patent number: 9234797
    Abstract: A focal plane array (FPA) imaging sensor includes an array of multiple tuning cells disposed on a monolithic substrate, in which each tuning cell includes: (a) a tunable etalon disposed in the monolithic substrate, and (b) a THz detector assembly comprised of at least two antennae disposed in the monolithic substrate. The THz detector assembly is disposed below the tunable etalon. Each tunable etalon includes a Fabry-Pérot interferometer comprised of upper and lower mirrors, spaced by a gap between the mirrors, the gap forming an etalon of the interferometer. The FPA imaging sensor may also be formed as a hybrid, in which portions of the tuning cells are fabricated separately from the THz detector assembly and aligned to each other. The lower mirrors may also be fabricated monolithically with the substrate and the upper mirrors may be formed separately and then aligned to the lower mirrors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Exelis, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Daniel Newman, Paul Poo-Kam Lee, Andrew Paul Sacco
  • Patent number: 9223545
    Abstract: A system including an integrated circuit chip also includes a microcontroller in the chip and an algorithm for execution by the microcontroller. The algorithm includes addition, subtraction, and multiplication operators (e.g. 25,15,20) and shift-left and shift-right operators (e.g., 48,21) configured for solving particular equations (Eqns. 1-4). Input numbers are within particular ranges to allow the shift operators to shift binary bits so each number so it fits within a register of a particular width. An IR sensor (4) may convert IR radiation (3) to produce a voltage (Vobj) representing the temperature (Tobj) of an IR emitting object (2). The algorithm (100) operates in conjunction with the microcontroller (7) to convert the voltage (Vobj) into a value representing the temperature (Tobj) of the remote object (2) without keeping track of decimal points and resolution of the numbers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Habib Sami Karaki, Ankit Khanna
  • Patent number: 9222829
    Abstract: An apparatus for transmitting or receiving terahertz waves includes an enclosure having a front opening, a rear opening, and an internal passageway therebetween. The enclosure includes an antenna mounting structure and a lens mounting structure. A terahertz photoconductive antenna is mounted within the enclosure against the antenna mounting structure. The terahertz photoconductive antenna has a rear side for being optically energized by an optical beam passing through the rear opening of the enclosure, and a front side for transmitting or receiving the terahertz waves through the front opening. A terahertz lens is mounted within the enclosure against the lens mounting structure. The terahertz lens is positioned between the front opening and the terahertz photoconductive antenna for converging the terahertz waves being transmitted or received. The antenna mounting structure and the lens mounting structure are configured to optically align the terahertz photoconductive antenna and the terahertz lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: TeTechS Inc.
    Inventors: Daryoosh Saeedkia, David Biesty
  • Patent number: 9217714
    Abstract: Provided herein is an apparatus, including a photon emitter configured for emitting photons onto a surface of an article; a first reflective surface and a second reflective surface configured to reflect the photons onto the surface of the article; and a processing means configured for processing signals from a photon detector array corresponding to photons scattered from surface features of the article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Joachim W. Ahner, David M. Tung, Stephen Keith McLaurin, Travis W. Grodt
  • Patent number: 9219185
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a pixel structure having an umbrella absorber is disclosed. The method includes providing a substrate with a membrane on a first surface of the substrate. The membrane has one or more openings that expose one or more portions of the first surface, and includes a thermopile. A sacrificial layer is deposited on the membrane and in the one or more openings. The sacrificial layer is patterned to expose a portion of the membrane associated with one or more hot junctions of the thermopile. A rigid, thermally-conductive layer is formed on the sacrificial layer and on the exposed portion of the membrane associated with the one or more hot junctions of the thermopile. An absorber is deposited on the rigid, thermally-conductive layer. A cavity is formed in the substrate from a second surface of the substrate to the membrane and the sacrificial layer is removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: Excelitas Technologies Singapore Pte. Ltd
    Inventors: Grigore D. Huminic, Philippe Vasseur, Hermann Karagoezoglu, Radu M. Marinescu
  • Patent number: 9201052
    Abstract: A method of performing dissolution analysis on a tablet, the method comprising: irradiating a tablet with radiation having at least one frequency in the range from 40 GHz to 100 THz; detecting radiation which has been transmitted through or reflected by the tablet; determining a parameter from the detected radiation indicative of the density of a coating layer of the tablet; and determining information about the dissolution characteristics of the tablet from said parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: TeraView Limited
    Inventors: Louise Ho, Yaochun Shen, Phillip F. Taday, Thomas Rades
  • Patent number: 9187360
    Abstract: The invention relates to chalcogenide glass compositions for use in a lens system to balance thermal effects and chromatic effects and thereby provide an achromatic and athermal optical element that efficiently maintains achromatic performance across a broad temperature range. The glass composition is based on sulfur compounded with germanium, arsenic and/or gallium, and may further comprise halides of, for example, silver, zinc, or alkali metals. Alternatively, is based on selenium compounded with gallium, and preferably germanium, and contains chlorides and/or bromides of, for example, zinc, lead or alkali metals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: SCHOTT CORPORATION
    Inventor: Nathan Aaron Carlie
  • Patent number: 9187094
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device and a method for controlling a speed of a vehicle. A safe speed of the vehicle is determined based on a curvature of a forward path and weather conditions. When a travelling speed of the vehicle is higher than the safe speed, the speed of the vehicle is controlled such that the vehicle is decelerated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: MANDO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kwangjin Han
  • Patent number: 9177982
    Abstract: A backside illuminated image sensor includes a semiconductor layer and a trench disposed in the semiconductor layer. The semiconductor layer has a frontside surface and a backside surface. The semiconductor layer includes a light sensing element of a pixel array disposed in a sensor array region of the semiconductor layer. The pixel array is positioned to receive external incoming light through the backside surface of the semiconductor layer. The semiconductor layer also includes a light emitting element disposed in a periphery circuit region of the semiconductor layer external to the sensor array region. The trench is disposed in the semiconductor layer between the light sensing element and the light emitting element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: OmniVision Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Duli Mao, Dyson H. Tai, Vincent Venezia, Yin Qian, Gang Chen, Howard E. Rhodes
  • Patent number: 9177685
    Abstract: A photoconductive antenna is described that includes a substrate that includes a pair of trenches. Furthermore, a pair of non-parallel electrodes, which can be designed with a chaotic electrode geometry, can each be deposited in one of the trenches, and can be configured to produce chaotic trajectories of incoherent electric currents. Finally, an insulation layer, which can be either a physical electrical insulation layer or an air gap, can be included between each of the pair of non-parallel electrodes and the trench walls. Overall, the thickness of the substrate, the thickness of the trenches, and the thickness of the non-parallel electrodes can each be optimized to produce a coherent terahertz beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Dong Ho Wu, Benjamin Graber, Christopher Kim
  • Patent number: 9157798
    Abstract: An optical wavelength dispersion device includes a first substrate, an input unit formed on the first substrate having a slit for receiving an optical signal, a grating formed on the first substrate for producing a first light beam form the optical signal for outputting, and a second substrate covered on the top of the input unit and the grating, wherein the input unit and the grating are formed from a photo-resist layer by high energy light source exposure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: PHOTON CHIP, INC.
    Inventor: Cheng-Hao Ko
  • Patent number: 9157805
    Abstract: According to the present invention, the gas adsorption capability of a getter can be maintained while the characteristics of an infrared ray sensor element are prevented from being deteriorated. An infrared ray sensor package has an infrared ray sensor element, a base substrate, a housing, an infrared ray transmission window, and a getter. The infrared ray sensor element is vacuum-sealed in a space surrounded by the base substrate, the housing, and the infrared ray transmission window. A spacer is disposed between the infrared ray sensor element and the base substrate to form a gap between the infrared ray sensor element and the base substrate. The getter is arranged in the gap formed between the infrared ray sensor element and the base substrate. A heat shielding member is disposed between the infrared ray sensor element and the getter. The heat shielding member is a heater for heating the infrared ray sensor element or an element formed of alloy containing Ni or heat-resistant glass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: NEC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takao Yamazaki, Seiji Kurashina
  • Patent number: 9140611
    Abstract: A infrared ray detector includes a first metal layer; a second metal layer on the first metal layer and configured to absorb infrared rays; a thermistor layer below the second metal layer, the thermistor layer having a resistance that changes according to infrared rays absorbed in the second metal layer; a thermal leg below the thermistor layer and separated from the first metal layer; and a control unit configured to control a gap between the first metal layer and the thermal leg.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hae-seok Park, Sung-hyun Nam
  • Patent number: 9121761
    Abstract: In some example embodiments, an infrared detector may comprise a substrate; a resonator spaced apart from the substrate, the resonator absorbing incident infrared light; a thermoelectric material layer contacting the resonator and having a variable resistance according to temperature variation due to the absorbed incident infrared light; a lead wire electrically connecting the thermoelectric material layer and the substrate; a heat separation layer between the substrate and the thermoelectric material layer, the heat separation layer preventing heat from being transferred from the thermoelectric material layer to the substrate; and/or a ground plane layer preventing the incident infrared light from proceeding toward the substrate. The heat separation layer may at least reduce heat transfer from the thermoelectric material layer to the substrate. The ground plane layer may at least reduce an amount of the incident infrared light that reaches the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sung-hyun Nam, Hae-seok Park
  • Patent number: 9121815
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for measuring a fiber content of polyethyleneterephthalate (PET) and polytrimethyleneterephthalate (PTT) fibers, particularly wherein the method includes: a qualitative analysis step of identifying a presence of polyethyleneterephthalate (PET) and polytrimethyleneterephthalate (PTT) fibers in a mixed-spun fiber product; and a quantitative analysis step of measuring the fiber content by a microscopic count through difference in color between PET and PTT fibers by birefringence in a cross polarization state of a polarized light microscope (PLM). Through the present invention, it is possible to simply and accurately calculate the fiber content of PET and PTT fibers in a mixed-spun fiber material in which various kinds of fibers are mixed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Keum-hyang Lee, Min-Chul Shin, Eun-Ho Shin
  • Patent number: 9109881
    Abstract: Methods of capturing improved-contrast mode spectra of a double ion-exchanged (DIOX) glass sample using prism coupling of index np. The DIOX glass sample has a refractive index profile with a first region adjacent the surface that satisfies 0.0005 ? ? ? n ? ? n ? x ? ? 0.0009 , where ? is a wavelength of measuring light. The prism-sample interface includes an interfacing liquid of index nf that differs from np by no more than 0.03, and that can exceed np. The mode spectra have a contrast that is higher than that obtained by conventional prism coupling by using gradient illumination or partially blocked illumination that reduces the amount of background reflected light from the coupling prism. The improved-contrast mode spectra can be processed using conventional means to determine at least one stress characteristic of the DIOX glass sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Rostislav Vatchev Roussev, Emily Elizabeth Young
  • Patent number: 9108358
    Abstract: An apparatus detects defects in an object during three-dimensional printing of the object. The apparatus uses a terahertz sensor to generate data corresponding to the thickness of an object being formed at a plurality of locations on the surface of a layer of the object. These thickness data are compared to thickness data for locations of the corresponding layer from a previous build of the object. If a difference in thickness exceeds a predetermined threshold, a defect is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Robert P. Herloski, Thomas R. Race
  • Patent number: 9082029
    Abstract: An optical code scanner is presented that includes image capture technology to scan optical codes. The image capture technology uses a fixed aperture, a fixed standard optical lens, a fixed high dispersion optical lens and at least one illumination device that generates different colors of light. Together, these elements increase the effective depth of field of the optical code scanner by capturing images of an item presented to the optical code scanner using different colors of light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: NCR Corporation
    Inventor: Steven Joel Hammer
  • Patent number: 9075452
    Abstract: A digitizer system includes a substrate with indicia having photoluminescent features that uniquely define local areas of the substrate. A sensor device, such as a stylus, may sense radiation emitted from the features, and a controller may determine therefrom the location of the stylus relative to the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Stephen J. Craft
  • Patent number: 9064769
    Abstract: An image sensor architecture for an active pixel sensor array are separated and arranged vertically in at least two different layers in a hybrid chip structure. The top layer includes the photodiode and amplifier circuitry for each pixel. A bottom includes the pixel circuit components and any digital circuitry required for signal processing. By forming the top layer in a process optimized for forming low-noise pixels, the pixel performance can be greatly improved. In addition, since the digital circuitry is now separated from the imaging circuitry, it can be formed using a process which has been optimized for circuit speed and manufacturing cost. By combining the two layers into a stacked structure, the top layer (and any intermediate layer(s)) acts to optically shield the lower layer, thereby allowing charge to be stored and shielded without the need for a mechanical shutter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: AltaSens, Inc.
    Inventor: Lester Kozlowski
  • Patent number: 9062948
    Abstract: An aerial smoke generator system includes a pilotless aircraft, an altimeter, a smoke dispensing container, a rotating impulse-smoke-dispenser, and a processor. The altimeter is mounted to the pilotless aircraft. The smoke dispensing container is connected to the pilotless aircraft and has a smoke-producing chemical under pressure and a nozzle valved to release smoke from the smoke dispensing container. The rotating impulse-smoke-dispenser connected to the nozzle so as to release smoke produced by the smoke dispensing container. The rotating impulse-smoke-dispenser has tubular arms extending radially outward and configured to eject smoke under pressure in a direction promoting rotation of the rotating impulse-smoke-dispenser. The processor is connected to the altimeter and the smoke dispensing container so as to initiate a release of smoke when the pilotless aircraft arrives at a designated height.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: ASGS Associates, Trustee for Aerial Smoke Generator System CRT Trust
    Inventor: S. Mill Calvert
  • Patent number: 9064982
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a bolometer infrared sensor includes depositing a first sacrificial layer on a surface of a substrate over a sensor region, and forming an absorber structure for the infrared sensor on top of the first sacrificial layer. A second sacrificial layer is deposited on top of the absorber structure. An encapsulating thin film is then deposited on top of the second sacrificial layer. Vent holes are formed in the encapsulating thin film. The first and the second sacrificial layers are removed below the encapsulating thin film to release the absorber structure and form a cavity above the sensing region that extends down to the substrate in which the absorber structure is located via the vent holes. The vent holes are then closed in a vacuum environment to seal the absorber structure within the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Fabian Purkl, Gary Yama, Ando Feyh, Andrew Graham, Ashwin Samarao, Gary O'Brien
  • Patent number: 9046414
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a hazard detector includes a front casing coupled with a back plate to define a housing having an interior region. The hazard detector also includes a passive infrared sensor device that is disposed within the interior region and that is positioned to face a room within which the hazard detector is positioned so as to detect objects within the room. The hazard detector additionally includes a Fresnel lensing component that is disposed on an exterior of the front casing and that is positioned in front of the passive infrared sensor device to direct infrared radiation onto the passive infrared sensor device. The Fresnel lensing component is configured to be inwardly pushable by a user to cause contact with a switch positioned therebehind so that input is provided to the hazard detector by the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Tony Fadell, Mathias Schmidt, Adam Mittleman, Ben Filson, Andrew Goldenson
  • Publication number: 20150144795
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a radiation imaging sensor with at least one detection element, which is implemented on a substrate as a micromechanical resonator and which absorbs the radiation to be detected. The resonator is set into a resonant oscillation with an excitation device and a shift in the resonance frequency of the detection element under exposure to radiation is detected with a detection device. The radiation sensor is characterized by the fact that it comprises a scanning device with a single-axis or multi-axis tiltable scanning element. The facility to tilt the device means that the detection element can be used to detect radiation from different directions. The imaging sensor can be realized in a compact manner and be economically produced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2014
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Inventors: Ulrich Hofmann, Manfred Weiss, Joachim Janes, Frank Senger
  • Publication number: 20150144790
    Abstract: Electronic devices may include time-of-flight (ToF) image pixels. Each ToF pixel may include a photodiode, a first capacitor coupled to the photodiode via a first transfer gate, a second capacitor coupled to the photodiode via a second transfer gate, and a third capacitor coupled to the photodiode via a third transfer gate. The first transfer gate may be turned on for a given duration to store a first charge in the first capacitor. The second transfer gate may be turned on for the given duration to store a second charge in the second capacitor. The third transfer gate may be turned on for a duration that is longer than the given duration to store a third charge in the third capacitor. Depth information may be computed based on the first, second, and third stored charges and a corresponding pixel constant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2013
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Applicant: Aptina Imaging Corporation
    Inventors: Sergey Velichko, Gennadiy Agranov
  • Publication number: 20150145764
    Abstract: Described herein are optical proximity detectors, methods for use therewith, and systems including an optical proximity detector. Such optical proximity detectors include an analog front-end and a digital back-end. In certain embodiments, the digital back-end includes a dynamic gain and phase offset corrector, a cross-talk corrector, a phase and magnitude calculator, and a static phase offset corrector. The dynamic gain and phase offset corrector corrects for dynamic variations in gain and phase offset of the analog front-end due to changes in temperature and/or operating voltage levels. The crosstalk corrector corrects for electrical and/or optical crosstalk associated with the analog front-end. The phase and magnitude calculator calculates phase and magnitude values in dependence on the corrected versions of digital in-phase and quadrature-phase signals received from the analog front-end. The static phase offset corrector corrects for a static phase offset of the optical proximity detector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2014
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Inventors: Itaru Hiromi, Philip V. Golden, David W. Ritter, Pradeep Bhardwaj, Steven Herbst
  • Patent number: 9040914
    Abstract: Demultiplexing systems and methods are discussed which may be small and accurate without moving parts. In some cases, demultiplexing embodiments may include optical filter cavities that include filter baffles and support baffles which may be configured to minimize stray light signal detection and crosstalk. Some of the demultiplexing assembly embodiments may also be configured to efficiently detect U.V. light signals and at least partially compensate for variations in detector responsivity as a function of light signal wavelength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: NEWPORT CORPORATION
    Inventor: Jamie Knapp
  • Patent number: 9040947
    Abstract: A coupling and various methods of use of the coupling. In one embodiment a coupling is provided for use with an appliance operated by a power supply, which coupling allows mounting/dismounting of the appliance without electrical isolation from the supply, said coupling comprising: a) a mounting member having a first encapsulated transformer element and suitable controls connectable to the power supply, said member being suitable for fixing to a structure; and b) a holder member engageable with said mounting member and suitable for holding or for connecting thereto an appliance, said holder member including a second encapsulated transformer element able to conduct power to an appliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: 300K Enterprises Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Christopher Scott Trewin, Johnny Fabian Russell, Christian Albin Weimann, Michael Rodway
  • Patent number: RE45634
    Abstract: The invention relates to an amplifier capable of producing a plurality of output signals, these output signals being controlled by a plurality of input signals. A multiple-input and multiple-output amplifier of the invention includes 4 signal input terminals, 4 signal output terminals, 4 active sub-circuits and a feedback network. Each active sub-circuit has a sub-circuit input terminals connected to one of the signal input terminals, a sub-circuit output terminal connected to one of the signal output terminals and a sub-circuit common terminal. The feedback network uses mutual induction between windings. The feedback network has terminals connected to the sub-circuit common terminal of the active sub-circuits. The feedback network presents an impedance matrix producing a negative feedback such that the transfer admittance matrix of the multiple-input and multiple-output amplifier approximates a given admittance matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Frederic Broyde, Evelyne Clavelier