Measuring Infrared Radiation Reflected From Sample Patents (Class 250/341.8)
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Patent number: 6784431Abstract: A non-destructive method is provided for determining the amount of an anodize coating on a metallic substrate. A value of infrared energy reflected from the metallic substrate without the anodize coating is determined. A value of infrared energy reflected from the metallic substrate with the anodize coating is determined. A value of infrared energy absorbed in the anodize coating is determined, and the value of the infrared energy absorbed in the anodize coating is correlated to an amount of the anodize coating.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2002Date of Patent: August 31, 2004Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Paul H. Shelley, Linda A. Caldwell Stancin, Kathryn A. Soucy
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Patent number: 6774367Abstract: A night vision system for a vehicle includes a pulsed light source for illuminating a region proximate the vehicle and a secondary trigger light source operating at a predetermined pulse timing and second wavelength. A light sensor detects light at the second wavelength. The trigger light pulses are used to indicate the pulse timing of each respective vehicle's primary NIR light source. Upon detecting another vehicle's trigger light source, the controller adjusts the pulse phase of the first light source to be exactly out-of-phase with that of the oncoming vehicle since the pulsed timing of the oncoming vehicle's NIR light source is known upon detection of the opposing vehicle's trigger light source. Each vehicle can then adjust its primary light source to be out-of-phase with the other vehicle and, hence, non-interfering.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2002Date of Patent: August 10, 2004Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Craig Hammann Stephan, Jeffrey Thomas Remillard
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Publication number: 20040147034Abstract: Method and apparatus for measuring the amount of an organic substance in a biological sample using infrared electromagnetic radiation. For example, glucose levels can be detected in capillary fluid filtrate obtained subcutaneously in a continuous manner in order to provide real-time glucose monitoring for a patient with diabetes.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 24, 2003Publication date: July 29, 2004Inventors: Jay Prabhakar Gore, Sivakumar Santhanakrishnan, Kislaya Kunjan, Anjan Mehta, Paul J. Mulqueen
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Publication number: 20040135087Abstract: A system for detecting and characterizing media includes a light source, at least two sensors, and a media identification system. The light source is positioned to emit at least a portion of an illumination light towards a media path for media. The sensors are positioned to capture at least specular light and transmitted light from the emitted illumination light directed towards the media path for the media.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 15, 2003Publication date: July 15, 2004Applicant: Xerox CorporationInventor: David D. Martenson
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Patent number: 6753527Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for imaging a liquid-filling container in which a plurality of imaging devices each comprising a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit are provided. Light from each light emitting unit is irradiated onto a liquid-filling container and this light transmitted through the container is received by each light receiving unit. The object of the present invention is to provide such method and an apparatus for imaging a liquid-filling container. This method or apparatus allows for simultaneous and highly reliable imaging of two or more kinds of condition of the container. For accomplishing this object, according to the present invention, wavelengths of the lights emitted by the respective light emitting units and received by the respective light receiving units of the imaging devices for imaging the liquid-filling containers are different from each other.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 2002Date of Patent: June 22, 2004Assignee: Suntory LimitedInventors: Takahiro Yamagishi, Shigeki Tamura
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Patent number: 6753528Abstract: A surface of the component in MEMS is illuminated by an illumination beam and the reflected beam is collected and detected by a position sensitive detector or photo detector array. As the surface is tilted about a pivot or about X and Y axes, the change in position of the collected beam is detected for characterizing the mechanical and optical properties of MEMS.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2002Date of Patent: June 22, 2004Assignee: KLA-Tencor Technologies CorporationInventors: Mehrdad Nikoonahad, Guoheng Zhao
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Publication number: 20040113072Abstract: A method for applying a sample film to a sample carrier for subsequent spectroscopic analysis is described, comprising providing a quantity of sample in liquid state, providing a sample carrier having at least one sample position, applying the quantity of sample in liquid state on the at least one sample position in a plurality of partial quantities of the quantity of sample in such a manner that the partial quantities on the at least one sample position are not in contact with one another before being dried, drying the quantity of sample to form the sample film.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2003Publication date: June 17, 2004Applicant: Bruker Optik GmbHInventor: Matthias Boese
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Patent number: 6741875Abstract: Described is a method which uses spectral data simultaneously collected in a continuous array of discrete wavelength points of the visible spectrum adjacent to the infrared and near infrared part of the light spectrum. The spectral data is collected using a number of detectors with different sensitivity ranges. Some detectors may be sensitive to visible and possibly, to part of the near infrared portion of radiation. Spectral data from die infrared spectrum is collected with the infrared detectors, and are in some embodiments insensitive to the visible links.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2002Date of Patent: May 25, 2004Assignee: CME Telemetrix Inc.Inventors: Romauld Pawluczyk, Thomas Scecina, Theodore E. Cadell
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Patent number: 6730913Abstract: A method of detecting objects with a night vision system is provided. The night vision system includes a light source and a camera. The method includes activating the light source as a sequence of light pulses wherein each light pulse is increasing in intensity for a predetermined number of pulses to form a pulse train. The camera is activated as a corresponding sequence of detection windows wherein each of the windows corresponds to one of the light pulses for receiving reflected light resulting from the corresponding light pulse. The light pulses and detection windows are configured such that a time delay between each corresponding light pulse and detection window is increasing throughout the pulse train. In another variation, the camera gain is increased throughout the pulse train. In yet another variation, the light pulses have constant amplitude, the camera gain is constant for all pulses, and the number of camera gain windows increases as the delay increases.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2002Date of Patent: May 4, 2004Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Jeffrey Thomas Remillard, Willes H. Weber
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Publication number: 20040069947Abstract: A plastic identifying apparatus of the present invention is provided with a sampling unit (2) that samples a test piece (1) from an item to be identified that contains plastic; an identifying unit (3) provided with a detection unit (4) that identifies a type of plastic contained in the test piece (1); and a supply unit (5) that supplies the test piece (1) from the sampling unit (2) to the detection unit (4). With this plastic identifying apparatus, it is possible to realize a plastic identifying method of the present invention, and to identify the types of plastics contained in items to be identified with good accuracy, and continuously, regardless of the size of the items.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 9, 2003Publication date: April 15, 2004Inventors: Hiroshi Iwamoto, Takao Hisazumi, Yuji Maniwa
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Patent number: 6720560Abstract: A method for generating a digital representation of an image by scanning the image with two different types of light. A system for use in generating a digital representation of an image, as well as digital representation of an image are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2000Date of Patent: April 13, 2004Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Albert D. Edgar, Steven C. Penn
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Publication number: 20040065834Abstract: A spectral reflectance sensor including: a light source for emitting a modulated beam of red light; a light source for emitting a modulated beam of near infrared light; a receiver for receiving reflected light produced by either the red source or the near infrared source; a receiver for receiving incident light from either the red source or the infrared source; a signal conditioner responsive to the modulation such that the signals produced by the receivers in response to reflected and incident light from the source can be discriminated from signals produced by ambient light; and a microprocessor having an input such that the microprocessor can determine the intensities of incident red light, reflected red light; incident near infrared light; and reflected near infrared light. From these intensities, and by knowing the growing days since emergence or planting, the sensor can calculate the mid-growing season nitrogen fertilizer requirements of a plant.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 26, 2003Publication date: April 8, 2004Applicant: The Board of Regents for Oklahoma State UniversityInventors: Marvin L. Stone, Duane Needham, John B. Solie, William R. Raun, Gordon V. Johnson
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Patent number: 6717148Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for measuring a coating from paper or board. The measurement is carried out by one detector at different times or by two detectors simultaneously. IR radiation directed at the coating and radiation emerging from the coating are chopped synchronously in blocks. A wavelength band sensitive and insensitive to the absorption are bandpass filtered and measured in both the MIR and NIR region. The absorption strength is measured in a digital signal processing block by comparing the radiation sensitive to absorption to the radiation insensitive to absorption, and the amount of each coating component is determined in the digital signal processing block on the basis of the absorption strength.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2002Date of Patent: April 6, 2004Assignee: Metso Automation OyInventors: Markku Känsäkoski, Markku Mäntylä, Jussi Tenhunen
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Patent number: 6714017Abstract: A method and system for detecting electrical short circuit defects in a plate structure of a flat panel display, for example, a field emission display (FED) is disclosed. In one embodiment, the process first applies a stimulation to the electrical conductors of the plate structure. Next, the process creates an infra-red thermal mapping of a cathode region of the FED. For example, an infra-red array may be used to snap a picture of the cathode of the FED. Then, the process analyzes the infra-red thermal mapping to determine a region of the FED which contains the electrical short circuit defect. Another embodiment localizes the defect to one sub-pixel by performing an infra-red mapping of the region which the previous IR mapping process determined to contain the electrical short circuit defect. Then, the process analyzes this infra-red mapping to determine a sub-pixel of the FED which contains the electrical short circuit defect.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2000Date of Patent: March 30, 2004Assignees: Candescent Technologies Corporation, Candescent Intellectual Property Services, Inc.Inventors: Marius Enachescu, Sergey Belikov, Stephen F. Meier
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Patent number: 6710346Abstract: A presence detector includes an optical emitter for emitting optical radiation, an optical detector for detecting a presence of an object based on receiving the optical radiation, and a microcontroller for controlling the optical emitter and processing the optical detector output, such that a range adjustment and range hysteresis based on the object are provided by software in the microcontroller.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 2001Date of Patent: March 23, 2004Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: James Gabriel Brewington, James Lewis Levine, Duane Scott Miller, Michael Alan Schappert
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Patent number: 6697654Abstract: Methods and apparatus for estimating and removing spectral interference improve precision and robustness of non-invasive analyte measurement using Near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy. The estimation of spectral interference is accomplished, either through multivariate modeling or discrete factor analysis, using a calibration set of samples in which the interference is orthogonal to the analyte signal of interest, or where the shape of the interference is known. Each of the methods results in a multivariate model in which the spectral interference is estimated for a new sample and removed by vector subtraction. Independent models based on classes of sample variability are used to collapse spectral interference and determine more accurately which model is best equipped to estimate the signal of interference in the new sample. Principal components analysis and other commonly known analytical techniques can be used to determine class membership.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2002Date of Patent: February 24, 2004Assignee: Sensys Medical, Inc.Inventors: Alexander D. Lorenz, Thomas B. Blank, Timothy L. Ruchti
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Patent number: 6697155Abstract: A remote platform obtaining a spectrum of one or more locations by moving the platform to sequentially illuminating the locations with different wavelengths of radiation. The different wavelengths of radiation reflected from the locations may be sequentially detected and converted into data. Spectra of the locations may be assembled from the data that was sequentially collected as the platform moved.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2002Date of Patent: February 24, 2004Assignee: ITT Manufacturing Enterprises, Inc.Inventors: Michael E. Dobbs, D. Allan Roberts
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Patent number: 6696685Abstract: A device for detecting properties of a moving web of paper, more specifically for production control in the paper making process, comprising an infrared lighting device suited for illuminating the web of paper with infrared light and a detector device for detecting light reflected or transmitted by the web of paper which is provided with a light input portion. The infrared lighting device is provided with a light source in the form of a long, rod-shaped infrared emitter, the light source being accommodated in a housing having a front plate facing the web of paper. An exit window, through which the light from the light source passes to impinge upon the web of paper, is tight-fittingly received in an aperture in the front plate.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2002Date of Patent: February 24, 2004Assignee: Metso Paper Automation OyInventor: Ursula Schumacher
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Publication number: 20040026622Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for imaging the surface of a substrate through a coating on the substrate. The system includes an infrared light source positioned to cast an infrared light upon the substrate to thereby create reflected light. A focal plane array may be positioned to receive the reflected light and generate an image therefrom. At least one optical filter may be disposed between the substrate and the focal plane array so as to pass only coating transparent wavelengths of the reflected light along an optical path between the infrared light source and the focal plane array thereby visually revealing irregular structural features of the substrate as at least one image.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 6, 2002Publication date: February 12, 2004Inventors: Don DiMarzio, Robert Silberstein, John Weir
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Patent number: 6690017Abstract: A night vision system for a vehicle is provided. The system includes an illumination subsystem for illuminating a region proximate the vehicle, a receiver for receiving light reflected off objects in the illuminated region and generating a signal responsive to the received light. A GPS unit is included in operative communication with a GPS network for generating a time signal and vehicle directional data. A controller is programmed to periodically pulse on the illuminating device and the receiver substantially simultaneously as a function of the time signal and the vehicle directional data. In particular, vehicles traveling in opposite directions will have their night vision system activated out-of-phase with each other so that neither night vision system is “blinded” by illumination emitting from the other.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2002Date of Patent: February 10, 2004Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Jeffrey Thomas Remillard, Willes H. Weber
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Patent number: 6690016Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting, locating, isolating and controlling variations in the manufacturing process by transient thermography. A heat source (200) imparts heat to a surface which is radiated in the infrared region. Infrared sensors (204, 206, 208, 210) are coupled to a processor which tracks the physical characteristics of the sample, and provides feedback to a central process controller to make adjustments to the manufacturing process. The sample can be a continuous product such as a green powder metal sheet or tobacco product.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2000Date of Patent: February 10, 2004Assignee: Philip Morris IncorporatedInventors: Michael L. Watkins, Grier S. Fleischhauer, A. Clifton Lilly, Jr.
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Patent number: 6680479Abstract: A water detecting apparatus includes a source of infra-red radiation which is reflected off an inner surface of a pipe wall onto a mirror directing the infra-red signal along a path to an infra-red detector connected by an electrical signal path to an electronic control. The path is interrupted by a rotating chopper having windows occupied by two optical filters. The first optical filter only passes an infra-red signal of wavelength 1900 nm which is absorbed by water, while the second optical filter only passes an infra-red signal of wavelength 2200 nm, another wavelength absorbed by water, but not to the same extent as the 1900 nm wavelength. The 2200 nm wavelength serves as a reference signal.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2000Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Assignee: Lattice Intellectual Property LimitedInventor: Stuart Charles Murray
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Patent number: 6675029Abstract: An apparatus and method for non-destructively estimating a tissue property, such as hydration, of a living subject utilizes in vivo spectral measurements made by irradiating skin tissue with near infrared (NIR) light. The apparatus includes a spectroscopic instrument in conjunction with a subject interface. The resulting spectra are passed to an analyzer for further processing, which includes detecting and eliminating invalid spectral measurements, and preprocessing to increase the signal-to-noise ratio. Finally, an estimation model developed from an exemplary set of measurements is applied to predict the tissue hydration for the sample. The method of tissue hydration measurement provides additional information about primary sources of systematic tissue variability, namely, the water content of the epidermal layer of skin and the penetration depth of the incident light.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2002Date of Patent: January 6, 2004Assignee: Sensys Medical, Inc.Inventors: Stephen L. Monfre, Timothy L. Ruchti, Thomas B. Blank, Brian J. Wenzel
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Patent number: 6671043Abstract: A process and an apparatus preferably used during the photocagulation of the fundus of human eyes or animals measures density fluctuations caused by pulsed irradiation, such as a laser irradiation source, on a material. A wherein a measuring signal is acoustically or optically detected. The change of the intensity and/or of the time slope of the measuring signal resulting from the irradiation of a specific material point is detected. A linear thermo-elastic signal fraction is removed from the measuring signal.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2000Date of Patent: December 30, 2003Assignee: Medizinisches Laserzentrum Luebeck GmbHInventor: Gereon Huettman
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Patent number: 6668181Abstract: An apparatus and method for non-invasively quantifying the hydration of the stratum corneum of a living subject utilizes in vivo spectral measurements made by irradiating skin tissue with near infrared (NIR) light. The apparatus includes a spectroscopic instrument in conjunction with a subject interface. The resulting NIR absorption spectra are passed to an analyzer for further processing, which includes detecting and eliminating invalid spectral measurements, and preprocessing to increase the signal-to-noise ratio. Finally, a calibration model developed from an exemplary set of measurements is applied to predict the SC hydration for the sample. The method of SC hydration measurement provides additional information about primary sources of systematic tissue variability, namely, the water content of the epidermal layer of skin and the penetration depth of the incident light.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2002Date of Patent: December 23, 2003Assignee: Sensys Medical, Inc.Inventors: Brian J. Wenzel, Stephen L. Monfre, Timothy L. Ruchti, Ken Meissner, Frank Grochocki, Thomas Blank, Jessica Rennert
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Publication number: 20030230719Abstract: A nondestructive method is provided for efficiently determining thickness of a sol-gel coating formed upon a metallic substrate. A value of infrared energy reflected from the metallic substrate without the sol-gel coating is determined. A value of infrared energy reflected from the metallic substrate with the sol-gel coating is determined. A value of infrared energy absorbed in the sol-gel coating is determined, and a value of the infrared energy absorbed in the sol-gel coating is correlated to a thickness of the sol-gel coating.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 13, 2002Publication date: December 18, 2003Inventors: Paul H. Shelley, Richard G. Wire, Terry C. Tomt
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Publication number: 20030230718Abstract: A non-destructive method is provided for determining the amount of an anodize coating on a metallic substrate. A value of infrared energy reflected from the metallic substrate without the anodize coating is determined. A value of infrared energy reflected from the metallic substrate with the anodize coating is determined. A value of infrared energy absorbed in the anodize coating is determined, and the value of the infrared energy absorbed in the anodize coating is correlated to an amount of the anodize coating.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 13, 2002Publication date: December 18, 2003Inventors: Paul H. Shelley, Linda A. Caldwell Stancin, Kathryn A. Soucy
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Publication number: 20030230720Abstract: A non-destructive method is provided for determining the amount of a chromated conversion coating on a metallic substrate. A value of infrared energy reflected from the metallic substrate without the chromated conversion coating is determined. A value of infrared energy reflected from the metallic substrate with the chromated conversion coating is determined. A value of infrared energy absorbed in the chromated conversion coating is determined, and the value of the infrared energy absorbed in the chromated conversion coating is correlated to an amount of the chromated conversion coating.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 13, 2002Publication date: December 18, 2003Inventors: Paul H. Shelley, Jacqueline Fritz
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Publication number: 20030205672Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting under- or over-filling of lenses in packages where ultraviolet radiation is directed to the package.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 3, 2003Publication date: November 6, 2003Applicant: Bausch & Lomb IncorporatedInventors: Robert Duggan, Ted Foos, Liam Power, Paul A. Merritt, Duncan Westland, Peter Morgan
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Patent number: 6633037Abstract: A method of the present invention includes exposing a structure to first electromagnetic radiation including at least one wavelength absorbed by a predetermined substance that is to be detected. Such substance can be water, a water-soluble substance, or fungi, the presence of which can be a significant problem in a structure such as a house or building. The method includes sensing second electromagnetic radiation from the structure, the second radiation based on the first radiation. The method also includes determining whether the substance is present in the structure, based on the sensed second radiation. If the substance to be detected is water and the determining step reveals a water-suspect area in the structure, the method can include testing the water-suspect area of the structure to determine whether water is present therein. If water is confirmed by the determination to be present in the structure, the method can include a step of determining the source of the water.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2002Date of Patent: October 14, 2003Inventor: Patrick J. Toomey
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Patent number: 6633660Abstract: A method for the direct reconstruction of an object from measurements, called scattering data, of scattered waves due to probing waves as emitted by a source. The scattering data is related to a scattering kernel by an integral operator. The image is directly reconstructed by executing a prescribed mathematical algorithm, as determined with reference to the integral operator, on the scattering data.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2000Date of Patent: October 14, 2003Inventor: John Carl Schotland
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Patent number: 6633035Abstract: A measurement method and apparatus, which are capable of simply measuring the water content of an object with a high degree of accuracy, is characterized by irradiating the surface of the object with at least two monochromatic light beams having different wave length values, one of the wave length values being less than 1350 nm; measuring the intensity of light for each of the light beams reflected from the surface of the object using a light intensity-measurement unit; obtaining the reflective absorbance (A&lgr;) of each light beam; calculating a reflective-absorbance differences (&Dgr;A&lgr;) between, or a reflective-absorbance ratio (A&lgr;′) of, the respective light beams, respectively; and estimating the water content of the measured object by using the relationship between water content and the reflective-absorbance differences or reflective-absorbance ratio, which relationship stored in a memory device in advance.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2001Date of Patent: October 14, 2003Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventors: Junichi Katagiri, Yoshitaka Takezawa, Yuzo Ito
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Patent number: 6630673Abstract: Apparatus and method for non-invasively measuring at least one optical parameter of a sample, particularly a sample of tissue that comprises a plurality of layers. The at least one parameter can be used to determine the presence or concentration of an analyte of interest in the sample of tissue. The apparatus and method of the present invention (1) measure light that is substantially reflected, scattered, absorbed, or emitted from a shallower layer of the sample of tissue, (2) measure light that is substantially reflected, scattered, absorbed, or emitted from a deeper layer of the sample of tissue, (3) determine at least one optical parameter for each of these layers, and (4) account for the effect of the shallower layer on the at least one optical parameter of the deeper layer. Specifying the sampling depth allows determinations of the optical properties of a specific layer of the sample of the tissue, e.g., dermis, and decreases interference from other layers, e.g.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2001Date of Patent: October 7, 2003Assignee: Abbott LaboratoriesInventors: Omar S. Khalil, Xiaomao Wu, Johannes Sake Kanger, Rene' Alexander Bolt, Shu-Jen Yeh, Charles F. Hanna, Frits Frans Maria de Mul
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Patent number: 6624419Abstract: A fluidization level sensor and controller for use in a fluidized patient support surface has a controller coupled to a sensor and a compressor. The patient support surface contains a mass of granular particles housed in frame walls and supported by a diffuser. The compressor forces a fluid, typically air, into a plenum chamber and through the diffuser. The fluid flows through the mass of granular particles, causing the mass of granular particles to fluidize, and exits through a fluid permeable sheet. The fluidization level sensor produces an output signal proportional to the fluidization level of the mass of granular particles, and provides this output signal to the controller. The controller generates a compressor control signal in response to the output of fluidization level sensor, which in turn adjusts the compressor to maintain a substantially constant fluidization level.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2002Date of Patent: September 23, 2003Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.Inventors: Ryszard S. Ozarowski, William T. Sutton
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Patent number: 6624418Abstract: An optical transmitting and receiving device with light-conducting receiver, which are arranged inside the housing, in front of a light-permeable cover between a transmitting unit and a receiving unit, so that the share of light reflected at the light-permeable cover of the transmitting unit is conducted to the receiving unit, thus making it possible to detect the operational readiness of the transmitting unit as well as the degree of soiling of the light-permeable cover.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2000Date of Patent: September 23, 2003Assignee: Conti Temic microelectronic GmbHInventors: Hubert Braunwarth, Johann Florian, Günter Reisacher
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Patent number: 6610983Abstract: A method of the present invention includes exposing a structure to first electromagnetic radiation including at least one wavelength absorbed by a predetermined substance that is to be detected. Such substance can be water, a water-soluble substance, or fungi, the presence of which can be a significant problem in a structure such as a house or building. The method includes sensing second electromagnetic radiation from the structure, the second radiation based on the first radiation. The method also includes determining whether the substance is present in the structure, based on the sensed second radiation. If the substance to be detected is water and the determining step reveals a water-suspect area in the structure, the method can include testing the water-suspect area of the structure to determine whether water is present therein. If water is confirmed by the determination to be present in the structure, the method can include a step of determining the source of the water.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2002Date of Patent: August 26, 2003Inventor: Patrick J. Toomey
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Publication number: 20030155514Abstract: A night vision system for a vehicle is provided. The system includes an illumination subsystem for illuminating a region proximate the vehicle, a receiver for receiving light reflected off objects in the illuminated region and generating a signal responsive to the received light. A GPS unit is included in operative communication with a GPS network for generating a time signal and vehicle directional data. A controller is programmed to periodically pulse on the illuminating device and the receiver substantially simultaneously as a function of the time signal and the vehicle directional data. In particular, vehicles traveling in opposite directions will have their night vision system activated out-of-phase with each other so that neither night vision system is “blinded” by illumination emitting from the other.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 21, 2002Publication date: August 21, 2003Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey Thomas Remillard, Willes H. Weber
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Publication number: 20030155513Abstract: A method of detecting objects with a night vision system is provided. The night vision system includes a light source and a camera. The method includes activating the light source as a sequence of light pulses wherein each light pulse is increasing in intensity for a predetermined number of pulses to form a pulse train. The camera is activated as a corresponding sequence of detection windows wherein each of the windows corresponds to one of the light pulses for receiving reflected light resulting from the corresponding light pulse. The light pulses and detection windows are configured such that a time delay between each corresponding light pulse and detection window is increasing throughout the pulse train. In another variation, the camera gain is increased throughout the pulse train. In yet another variation, the light pulses have constant amplitude, the camera gain is constant for all pulses, and the number of camera gain windows increases as the delay increases.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 21, 2002Publication date: August 21, 2003Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey Thomas Remillard, Willes H. Weber
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Patent number: 6605808Abstract: A diagnostic apparatus including a terahertz generator taking the form of a femtosecond laser exciting either an optoelectric crystal of a photoconductive dipole antenna the terahertz radiation is directed onto a target preferably held close by or abutting an enclosure including a reflection receiving window and housing terahertz detector for detecting terahertz radiation. Preferably the terahertz radiation generator forms part of the receiving window. The enclosure has a modified atmosphere to permit ready transmission of terahertz radiation. A beam splitter is positioned between the laser and the terahertz generator to split off a probe laser beam from the terahertz inducing laser radiation which is also directed to the detector means. The output from the detector being determined by the amplitude of that part of the reflected teraherz radiation wave coaligned with the probe laser at the detector.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2001Date of Patent: August 12, 2003Assignee: Luminis PTY LTDInventors: Samuel Mickan, Derek Abbott
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Patent number: 6605807Abstract: A detection system for identifying surface irregularities such as cracks, pits, scratches and holes in a part that is made of a material having a relatively high reflectivity and a relatively low emissivity such as titanium, aluminum, and silicon (such as silicon solar panels). A laser source generates a laser beam having a diameter that is approximately 50 microns or less. A scanning device scans the laser beam across the surface of the part. A surface irregularity radiates energy from said laser beam. An infrared receiver is directed at the surface of the part. The infrared receiver generates an infrared signal of the surface. A display that is connected to the infrared receiver displays the infrared signal to identify surface irregularities. Preferably, the infrared receiver is oriented at a first angle relative to a line perpendicular to the surface of the part. The first angle is preferably greater than 20 degrees and less than 30 degrees.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2002Date of Patent: August 12, 2003Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventor: Morteza Safai
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Patent number: 6600559Abstract: An on-line method for detecting particle size of a liquid during a process in which there is not a correlation between low absorbance with small particle size, the method comprises the steps of measuring a plurality of reference particle sizes each associated with a particular near infrared diffuse reflectance spectrum for creating a reference infrared diffuse reflectance spectrum having high absorbance with small particle size; measuring on-line a near infrared diffuse reflectance spectrum of the liquid during the process; and determining the particle size of the on-line liquid based on correlating the on-line-measured particle size with the reference near infrared diffuse reflectance spectrum.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2001Date of Patent: July 29, 2003Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Steven C. Switalski, Donald J. Majka
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Patent number: 6600946Abstract: Dermal hydration is determined in a target region of a human subject by determining a relationship between first and second measurements. The first measurement is a measurement of a first type of electromagnetic radiation that has been reflected from the target region, the second measurement is a measurement of a second type of electromagnetic radiation that has been reflected from the target region, and the second type of electromagnetic radiation is absorbed by liquid, namely water or perspiration, to a greater degree than the first type of electromagnetic radiation is absorbed by the liquid. The electromagnetic radiation that is reflected from the region and measured is initially transmitted to the region from a remote location, and the transmitted electromagnetic radiation is not visible to a naked human eye. An examination being carried out in accordance with the present invention can be carried out while the region is moving, by tracking the region.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2000Date of Patent: July 29, 2003Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventor: Robert R. Rice
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Patent number: 6596996Abstract: A spectral reflectance sensor including: a light source for emitting a modulated beam of red light; a light source for emitting a modulated beam of near infrared light; a receiver for receiving reflected light produced by either the red source or the near infrared source; a receiver for receiving incident light from either the red source or the infrared source; a signal conditioner responsive to the modulation such that the signals produced by the receivers in response to reflected and incident light from the source can be discriminated from signals produced by ambient light; and a microprocessor having an input such that the microprocessor can determine the intensities of incident red light, reflected red light; incident near infrared light; and reflected near infrared light. From these intensities, and by knowing the growing days since emergence or planting, the sensor can calculate the mid-growing season nitrogen fertilizer requirements of a plant.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2001Date of Patent: July 22, 2003Assignee: The Board of Regents for Oklahoma State UniversityInventors: Marvin L. Stone, Duane Needham, John B. Solie, William R. Raun, Gordon V. Johnson
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Patent number: 6586740Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting under- or over-filling of lenses in packages where ultraviolet radiation is directed to the package.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 1999Date of Patent: July 1, 2003Assignee: Bausch & Lomb IncorporatedInventors: Robert Duggan, Ted Foos, Liam Power, Paul A. Merritt, Duncan Westland, Peter Morgan
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Patent number: 6576906Abstract: This invention discloses methods, materials, and devices for making and screening combinatorial libraries to identify semi-conducting and thermoelectric materials. The disclosed method includes preparing a combinatorial library of materials, and identifying library members that are semiconductors. The method may include determining a thermoelectric figure of merit, ZT, for each member of a second combinatorial library of materials. The method determines ZT by applying an oscillatory voltage across the library members, measuring power dissipated by library members, and calculating ZT from the power dissipated. The method may also include isolating single-phase materials of the semiconducting library members. The present invention also discloses an apparatus for discovering thermoelectric materials using combinatorial techniques.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 1999Date of Patent: June 10, 2003Assignee: Symyx Technologies, Inc.Inventors: William B. Archibald, Marc Hornbostel
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Publication number: 20030102433Abstract: A hemispherical detector comprising a plurality of photodetectors arranged in a substantially contiguous array, the array being substantially in the shape of a half-sphere, the half-sphere defining a closed end and an open end, the open end defining a substantially circular face. Also provided is a method for constructing a hemispherical detector comprising the steps of making a press mold of the desired shape of the hemispherical detector, pouring a material into the press mold to form a cast, finishing the cast to remove any defects, coating the cast with a coating material, and attaching a plurality of photodetectors to the cast.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 15, 2003Publication date: June 5, 2003Inventors: Emil W. Ciurczak, Kevin C. Bynum
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Publication number: 20030094574Abstract: A method of determining liquid absorption of an aggregate comprises providing a sample of the aggregate, adding liquid to the sample, subjecting the sample to a light source signal, monitoring a light reflected signal reflected from the sample and controlling addition of liquid to the sample as a function of the light reflected signal. The apparatus comprises a support for supporting a sample of the aggregate, a liquid source for adding liquid to the sample, a light source which subjects the sample to a light source signal, a light sensor which senses a reflected light signal reflected from the sample and a processor/controller which controls addition of liquid from the liquid source as a function of the reflected light signal. The light source is preferably an infrared source and the light sensor is preferably an infrared detector.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 14, 2002Publication date: May 22, 2003Applicant: Barnstead/Thermolyne CorporationInventors: Roger W. Earle, Eric T. Garz, Peter O. Lee, Mark D. Lockwood, Jason J. Schmitt
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Patent number: 6552342Abstract: A system for improving the visibility in vehicles, including the following: an illumination optical system (2) for continuous radiation of infrared pulsed light; an associated receiver optical system (3) for receiving reflected components of the radiated light; a display (4) for representing information obtained by the receiver optical system (3), and a device (5, 6) for determining the presence of glare in the receiver optical system (3) from a foreign vehicle illumination optical system and for changing the keying interval or duty cycle of the infrared pulsed light of the illumination optical system (2) driven with fixed keying interval in dependence upon the vehicle direction of travel in such a manner that the glare is eliminated. Therein the illumination optical system is driven is driven with a fixed keying interval depending upon the vehicle direction of travel or, in certain cases, the direction of illumination.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2001Date of Patent: April 22, 2003Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AGInventors: Michael Holz, Edgar Weidel
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Patent number: 6548818Abstract: A system for determining the presence and optionally the position of an ophthalmic product such as a contact lens in a container is provided.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 1999Date of Patent: April 15, 2003Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc.Inventors: Denwood F. Ross, III, Timothy P. Newton, James A. Ebel, Peyman Dehkordi, Robert Lee Simmons, Michael Francis Widman, Chandra Tan
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Patent number: 6535283Abstract: The disclosure is a probelike apparatus (16) for spectroscopic analysis of a fluid medium (19) by attenuated reflection. Two light beams from a light source (11) impinge upon the boundary (18) between a prism (17) and the medium (19) to be analyzed and the intensities of the light beams reflected at the boundary are measured in a detector unit (22). The two light beams differ in their angle of incidence on the boundary and/or in their polarization state. Measurement is preferably carried out under total reflection.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 1999Date of Patent: March 18, 2003Assignee: BASF AktiengesellschaftInventors: Camiel Heffels, Thomas Beuermann, Matthias Rädle, Benno Sens, Alfred Rennig, Jürgen Ettmüller