With Beam Deflector Or Focussing Means Patents (Class 250/353)
  • Patent number: 12243904
    Abstract: Microbolometer systems and methods are provided herein. For example, an infrared imaging device includes a microbolometer array. The microbolometer array includes a plurality of microbolometers. Each microbolometer includes a microbolometer bridge that includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion includes a resistive layer configured to capture infrared radiation. The second portion includes a second portion having a plurality of perforations defined therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2025
    Assignee: Teledyne FLIR Commercial Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric A. Kurth, Marin Sigurdson, Robert F. Cannata
  • Patent number: 12226851
    Abstract: A combined optical system for determining temperature of the surface of an object or material and its distance with respect to a predetermined reference point associated with the system includes an optical radiation source emitting optical probe radiation at a predetermined wavelength or in a predetermined wavelength range, a source control unit controlling switching of the source from an operative condition, in which it emits optical probe radiation, to an inoperative condition, in which it does not emit optical probe radiation, optical detectors acquiring scattered optical radiation and thermally emitted optical radiation from the surface of the object or material, and a processing unit determining the distance of the surface of the object/material based on scattered optical probe radiation when the source is operative, and the local temperature of the surface of the object/material on the basis of thermally emitted optical radiation when the source is inoperative.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2025
    Assignee: ADIGE S.p.A.
    Inventors: Simone Donadello, Barbara Previtali
  • Patent number: 12204033
    Abstract: A system for multimodal detection is provided. The system comprises a light collection and distribution device configured to perform at least one of collecting light signals from a field-of-view (FOV) and distributing the light signals to a plurality of detectors. The light signals have a plurality of wavelengths comprising at least a first wavelength and a second wavelength. The system further comprises a multimodal sensor comprising the plurality of detectors. The plurality of detectors comprises at least a light detector of a first type and a light detector of a second type. The light detector of the first type is configured to detect light signals having a first light characteristic. The light detector of the first type is configured to perform distance measuring based on light signals having the first wavelength. The light detector of the second type is configured to detect light signals having a second light characteristic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2025
    Assignee: SEYOND, INC.
    Inventors: Yimin Li, Haosen Wang, Yang Han, Zhaoqiang Peng, Junwei Bao
  • Patent number: 12140676
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to imaging LiDARs with optical antennas fed by optical waveguides. The optical antennas can be activated through an optical switch network that connects the optical antennas to a laser source to a receiver. A microlens array is positioned between a lens of the LiDAR system and the optical antennas, the microlens array being positioned so as to transform an emission angle from a corresponding optical antenna to match a chief ray angle of the lens. Methods of use and fabrication are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Assignee: nEye Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Tae Joon Seok, Xiaosheng Zhang, Kyungmok Kwon, Ming Chiang A. Wu
  • Patent number: 12130384
    Abstract: A multiple FOV optical sensor includes a primary mirror having first and second rings of differing curvature to collect light from an object within different FOV. A secondary mirror includes a MEMS MMA in which the mirrors tip and tilt in 2 DOF or add piston in 3 DOF to (I) reflect light from the first ring within the first FOV that is focused at an imaging plane coincident with an imaging detector to form a focused image of the object at the imaging detector or (II) reflect light from the second ring within the second FOV onto the imaging detector (either focused to form a focused image or defocused to form a blurred spot). The MEMS MMA may be configured to alternate between (I) and (II) or to perform both (I) and (II) at the same time with the different FOV either overlapped or spatially separated on the detector. The sensor may be configured as an all-passive sensor, a dual-mode sensor or a hybrid of the two.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2024
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Andrew W. Dutton, Gerald P. Uyeno, Sean D. Keller, Eric Rogala
  • Patent number: 12123976
    Abstract: A laser scanner device can be adapted to be mounted to a vehicle, the device comprising a LiDAR module working based on a laser measuring beam and time-of-flight-measurement-principle. The LiDAR module is configured to provide a horizontal field of view of at least 60°, an instantaneous vertical field of view of at least ±2°, a scan resolution of at least one point per 0.8° in horizontal and vertical direction, and a frame rate of at least 10 Hz for scanning at least the entire horizontal and instantaneous vertical field of view with said scan resolution, wherein the LiDAR module comprises a multibeam transmitter configured for generating a plurality of measuring beams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2024
    Assignees: LEICA GEOSYSTEMS AG, HEXAGON TECHNOLOGY CENTER GMBH
    Inventors: Julien Singer, Lukas Heinzle, Jochen Scheja, Simon Mark, Jürg Hinderling, Burkhard Böckem
  • Patent number: 12108069
    Abstract: Disclosed in the present disclosure is a method, an apparatus, a system, a device, a storage medium, and a program product for transmitting composite photo data, the method including: responding to a first transmission request triggered by a first user; obtaining target composite photo data directed by the first transmission request, in which the target composite photo data includes at least one piece of first photo data and at least one piece of first video data corresponding to the first photo data; compressing and processing the target composite photo data according to the first photo data to obtain first compressed data having an identical data facade to that of the first photo data; and transmitting the first compressed data to a first terminal position corresponding to the first transmission request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2024
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2024
    Assignee: UGREEN GROUP LIMITED
    Inventors: Qingsen Zhang, Junling Chen, Jiashu Huang, Qibang Yi, Weiming Chen
  • Patent number: 12096914
    Abstract: A filter assembly is configured to optically couple a camera head to an endoscope. The filter assembly includes a first end adapted to be removably coupled to the camera head and a second end opposite and spaced apart from the first end, the second end adapted to be removably coupled to the endoscope. The filter assembly includes an optic housing disposed between the first end and the second end, the optic housing includes an optical path length maximizer and a first window. The first window has a first surface that is angled with respect to a plane that is perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the optic housing so as to minimize a narcissus reflection within the optic housing and an optical filter to reject laser irradiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2024
    Assignee: KARL STORZ Imaging, Inc.
    Inventors: William H. Meyer, Christopher Zimmer
  • Patent number: 12101538
    Abstract: Provided are an image acquisition device and a method for adjusting a focus position using the same, which can acquire an accurate focus position without a decrease in light amount incident in an image photographing sensor. The image acquisition device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes: a first sensor collecting some of the beams projected from a sample to generate a first image; and a second sensor collecting at least some of the remaining beams of the beams projected from the sample to generate a second image for measuring a focus position, in which a focus of the first sensor is adjusted by the focus position measured by using the second sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2024
    Assignee: VIEWORKS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Chang Woo Kang
  • Patent number: 12085447
    Abstract: A spectroscopy system that includes a light source that generates light having a plurality of wavelengths, a light transmitter that transmits the light to a target analyte, a light receiver that receives Raman-scattered light scattered from the target analyte, and a multi-wavelength spectroscopy assembly that acquires a spectrum by splitting the Raman-scattered light transmitted from the light receiver. The multi-wavelength spectroscopy assembly includes a single diffraction grating configured to diffract the Raman-scattered light and a single concave mirror configured to focus the Raman-scattered light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2024
    Assignee: AGENCY FOR DEFENSE DEVELOPMENT
    Inventors: Jae Hwan Lee, Young Soo Chung, Hyung Bin Son, Se Kyu Shim, Jung Taek Hong
  • Patent number: 12078591
    Abstract: In an embodiment an optical measuring arrangement includes a tube section-shaped hollow body having a central axis extending from a first end face to an opposite second end face of the hollow body, wherein a spiral-shaped hollow light guide is formed in an inner surface of the hollow body by the inner surface being formed at least partially from a light-reflecting material and being formed as a hollow spiral winding around the central axis with a hollow cross section open toward the central axis, a light source arranged at a first spiral end and lying on the first end face of the hollow body, the light source configured to emit a light beam into the hollow spiral so that the light beam is tangentially to its turns and, after a plurality of reflections inside the hollow spiral, emerges from a second spiral end lying on the second end face of the hollow body and a light detector arranged at the second spiral end, the light detector configured to detect the emerging light beam and to output an electronic measure
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2024
    Assignee: OSRAM Opto Semiconductors GmbH
    Inventor: Farhang Ghasemi Afshar
  • Patent number: 12078592
    Abstract: A mid-infrared gas sensor based on a tapered sub-wavelength grating slot waveguide comprises a lower cladding, a first tapered grating array and a second tapered grating array. The first tapered grating array and the second tapered grating array are disposed on an upper surface of the lower cladding. The first tapered grating array is located in front of the second tapered grating array. The first tapered grating array is formed by 5566 identical first core waveguides that are regularly distributed at intervals from left to right. The second tapered grating array is formed by 5566 identical second core waveguides that are regularly distributed at intervals from left to right. The first core waveguides and the second core waveguides are tapered waveguides. Upper sides and lower sides of the first core waveguides and the second core waveguides are isosceles trapezoids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2024
    Assignee: Ningbo University
    Inventors: Weiwei Chen, Yuefeng Wang, Pengjun Wang, Dong Zhang, Yan Li
  • Patent number: 12066379
    Abstract: A sensing apparatus that senses structure of electrode of electrical battery. The electrode is arranged to have layers spatially adjacent thereto that provide a waveguide region that includes a surface of the electrode that changes in structure. The sensing apparatus includes a source of Terahertz electromagnetic radiation, and a coupling arrangement that couples Terahertz electromagnetic radiation from the source into the waveguide region. The Terahertz electromagnetic radiation interacts with features present at the surface. The sensing apparatus includes detector that receives Terahertz electromagnetic radiation that is reflected and/or transmitted through the waveguide region, and processes the Terahertz electromagnetic radiation to determine temporal changes therein that are indicative of dendritic growths occurring at the surface of the electrode or any manufacturing or structural faults.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2024
    Assignee: CAMBRIDGE BATTERY RESEARCH LIMITED
    Inventor: Hatice Munevver Tuncer
  • Patent number: 12066609
    Abstract: A multi-band/multi-polarization reflective or catadioptric optical system yields differing effective focal lengths (EFLs) per band/polarization. This approach could be used to create an imaging system, for example. In such case, a sensor (imager, spectrometer, diode, etc.) is located at the one or more focal planes. On the other hand, it could also be used to create a projecting system or hybrid projecting and imaging system by locating an emitter such as an LED, laser, etc.) at the image or focal plane. The system employs polarizers and/or dichroic coatings nano patterns to create different focal lengths and/or fields of view using the same mirrors and/or lenses by, for example, including at least one dichroic coating optically in front of at least one additional mirror to separately reflect the different bands or polarizations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2024
    Assignee: The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew A. Sinclair, Juha-Pekka Laine
  • Patent number: 12013154
    Abstract: A method is provided for determining a state of a solar-thermal field with rows, arranged in parallel in a transverse direction of the field, of successively arranged parabolic trough collectors having a mirroring reflector surface, which each have, along their longitudinal extent, a focal point line in which at least one absorber pipe is arranged in each case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2024
    Assignee: DEUTSCHES ZENTRUM FÜR LUFT- UND RAUMFAHRT E.V.
    Inventor: Philipp Christoph Prahl
  • Patent number: 11994666
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure describe techniques for independently controlling an angle (e.g., change in tilt) and/or position (e.g., change in lateral position) of an optical beam. For example, an optical beam control system may include a telescope with rotatable mirrors and lenses configured to provide a path to an optical beam to produce an output optical beam, which in turn is made into parallel optical beams following a diffractive optical element. The optical beam control system may also include a detector system to a beam angle and/or a beam position of one of the parallel optical beams to generate feedback signal or signals to control a rotation of one or more of the mirrors in the telescope such as to adjust the beam angle, the beam position, or both of the parallel optical beams. The optical beam control system may be part of a quantum information processing (QIP) system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignees: IonQ, Inc., DUKE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Jungsang Kim, Kai Hudek, Jaime David Wong-Campos
  • Patent number: 11994466
    Abstract: A method for identifying a composition material of an object located in an environment surrounding at least one device, the object moving relative to the device, in which at least one sensor is mounted on the device and communicates with at least one central processing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: IRIDESENSE
    Inventor: Scott Buchter
  • Patent number: 11997373
    Abstract: A camera module (1) for a vehicle (2). A printed circuit board (11) of the camera module (1) has a carrier (10) for at least one camera (14, 141, 142, . . . , 14N). The carrier (10) is mounted directly to the printed circuit board (11). The printed circuit board (11) carries as well electronic components (18) and a connector (19).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS SWEDEN AB
    Inventors: Alexandru Maftei, Ovidiu Nita
  • Patent number: 11988558
    Abstract: Described herein is a method for identifying an interference pigment in a coating. Also described herein is a corresponding device and a computer-readable medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: BASF COATINGS GMBH
    Inventors: Markus Mundus, Guido Bischoff, Thomas Kantimm, Martin Schmitz
  • Patent number: 11971488
    Abstract: A LIDAR system has a laser emission unit configured to generate a plurality of laser beams. The system has a scanning unit configured to receive the plurality of laser beams. The common scanning unit projects the plurality of laser beams toward a field of view of the LIDAR system. The system has at least one processor. The processor is programmed to cause the scanning unit to scan the field of view of the LIDAR system by directing the plurality of beams along a first plurality of scan lines traversing the FOV. The processor is also programmed to displace the plurality of laser beams from a first set of locations associated with the first plurality of scan lines to a second set of locations associated with a second plurality of scan lines. Further, the processor is programmed to direct the plurality of laser beams along the second plurality of scan lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: INNOVIZ TECHNOLOGIES LTD.
    Inventors: Ronen Eshel, Nir Goren
  • Patent number: 11961379
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the teachings herein include a measurement chamber for a smoke detection unit of a smoke detector. The measurement chamber may include: at least a passage for smoke to be detected; and a measurement chamber cover with angular light trap structures on an inside of the measurement chamber. The angular light trap structures are shaped to follow the compact-design principle of a Fresnel stepped lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: SIEMENS SCHWEIZ AG
    Inventor: Ulrich Kuhn-Matysiak
  • Patent number: 11944031
    Abstract: This invention relates to a precision agriculture produce harvesting system and produce harvesting apparatus configured for integration with the system, an essential feature of which is a harvesting device subsystem (100) that includes a harvesting device, for instance pruning shears (102) and a harvesting separation stroke detector (108) housed within a control module housing (110) mounted to the shears (102). A person operating the pruning shears (102) produces discernible separation strokes when the handles (104) of the shears (102) are squeezed together to produce a shearing action. The stroke detector (108) detects the separation strokes of the shears (102). By the addition of the control module (108) to the pruning shears (102), the shears are essentially converted into a data logging device by means of which important aspects of a produce harvesting process can be digitised and supplied to a harvest data digital data processing system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: Agri Technovation (Pty) Ltd
    Inventor: Albert Hendrik Bijker
  • Patent number: 11880045
    Abstract: A motion generator including a frame, a mount movable with respect to the frame, and an emitting device having a beam outlet configured to emit an electromagnetic beam therefrom, and where the emitting device is coupled to and movable together with the mount relative to the frame. The motion generator is also operable in a first mode in which the beam outlet travels in a spiral pattern that alternatingly increases and decreases in radius, where for any given point in the spiral pattern the beam outlet produces a beam speed, a beam direction, an instantaneous beam radius, and a beam radius rate of change, and where the beam speed, the beam direction, and the beam radius rate of change may be adjusted independently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Inventor: Paul Kratzke
  • Patent number: 11874593
    Abstract: A vehicular camera assembly includes a lens barrel accommodating at least an outer lens element and an inner lens element. An imager printed circuit board (imager PCB) includes an imager disposed at a side. The lens barrel is disposed at the housing such that the imager is aligned with the inner lens element and the outer lens element, with the inner lens element disposed closer to the imager than the outer lens element. A vacuum exists in a space between the outer lens element and the inner lens element to thermally insulate an outer surface of the outer lens element from an inner surface of the inner lens element. Light passing through the outer lens element, the vacuum, and the inner lens element is imaged by the imager.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: Magna Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Zhongyao Liu, Jonathan D. Conger, Steven V. Byrne, Jeffrey A. White, Kevin T. Smith
  • Patent number: 11870968
    Abstract: System, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to estimating depth using a machine learning (ML) model. In one embodiment, a method includes acquiring image data according to criteria from a detector that uses a lens to resolve multiple angles of light per section of the detector. The method also includes mapping a kernel to the image data according to a view associated with the section and a size of the kernel. The method also includes processing the image data using the ML model to produce the depth according to the size of the kernel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Sean P. Rodrigues
  • Patent number: 11862653
    Abstract: An imaging sensor package includes: an imaging sensor; and an architected substrate coupled to a bottom surface of the imaging sensor. The architected substrate has local stiffness variations along an in-plane direction of the architected substrate, and the imaging sensor and the architected substrate are curved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: HRL LABORATORIES, LLC
    Inventors: Mark O'Masta, Jacob Hundley, Eric Clough, Christopher Roper, Geoffrey McKnight
  • Patent number: 11839357
    Abstract: A filter assembly is configured to optically couple a camera head to an endoscope. The filter assembly includes a first end adapted to be removably coupled to the camera head and a second end opposite and spaced apart from the first end, the second end adapted to be removably coupled to the endoscope. The filter assembly includes an optic housing disposed between the first end and the second end, the optic housing includes an optical path length maximizer and a first window. The first window has a first surface that is angled with respect to a plane that is perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the optic housing so as to minimize a narcissus reflection within the optic housing and an optical filter to reject laser irradiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: KARL STORZ Imaging, Inc.
    Inventors: William H. Meyer, Christopher Zimmer
  • Patent number: 11774355
    Abstract: A methane alert station for detecting methane gas in an environment. The methane alert station comprises a casing, at least one window opening formed in the casing, a infrared transmitting window disposed in the at least one window opening, an infrared light source disposed adjacent to the infrared transmitting window, a hyperbolic mirror disposed in the casing coaxially with a central axis, a Winston cone disposed coaxially with the central axis and spaced from the hyperbolic mirror along the central axis, and a filter-detector arranged coaxially with the central axis and so that the Winston cone is disposed between the hyperbolic mirror and the filter-detector. The infrared light source is configured to emit an outgoing infrared light from the casing. The filter-detector is configured to measure a methane gas concentration in the environment by measuring an absorption of infrared radiation of the methane gas at specific wavelength bandwidths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: United States of America as represented by the Administrator of NASA
    Inventors: Shahid Aslam, Gerard Quilligan, Nicolas Gorius, Conor Nixon
  • Patent number: 11774730
    Abstract: An imaging lens for use with an operational waveband over any subset of 7.5-13.5 ?m may include a first optical element of a first high-index material and a second optical element of a second high-index material, that may have a refractive index greater than 2.2 in the operational waveband, an absorption per mm of less than 75% in the operational waveband, and an absorption per mm of greater than 75% in a visible waveband of 400-650 nm. Optically powered surfaces of the imaging lens may include a sag across their respective clear apertures that are less than 10% of a largest clear aperture of the imaging lens. Respective maximum peak to peak thicknesses of the first and second optical elements may be similar in size, for example within 15 percent of each other. Ratios of maximum peak to peak thickness to clear aperture and, separately, to sag are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: FLIR SYSTEMS TRADING BELGIUM BVBA
    Inventor: Jeremy Huddleston
  • Patent number: 11754450
    Abstract: A temperature measurement system for measuring a temperature of a measured surface includes: 1) a first temperature sensor; and 2) a reference surface including a second temperature sensor integrated therein. The first temperature sensor includes a field of view simultaneously covering both at least a portion of the measured surface and at least a portion of the reference surface, thus is configured for simultaneously taking a first measurement of both the portion of the measured surface and the portion of the reference surface. The first measurement of the reference surface taken by the first temperature sensor is compared to a second measurement taken by the second temperature sensor for use in calibrating the first temperature sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: Accure Acne, Inc.
    Inventors: Henrik Hofvander, Michael John Estes
  • Patent number: 11740080
    Abstract: A method of determining geo-reference data for a portion of a measurement area includes providing a monitoring assembly comprising a ground station, providing an imaging assembly comprising an imaging device with a lens operably coupled to an aerial device, hovering the aerial device over a measurement area, capturing at least one image of the measurement area within the imaging device, transmitting the at least one image to the ground station using a data transmitting assembly, and scaling the at least one image to determine the geo-reference data for the portion of the measurement area by calculating a size of a field-of-view (FOV) of the lens based on a distance between the imaging device and the measurement area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: The United States of America, as Represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Gary A. Lunt
  • Patent number: 11727778
    Abstract: A thermographic detector device for a fire alarm control system is described herein. In some examples, one or more embodiments include a thermography camera configured to capture a thermal image within a field of view of the thermographic detector device, a memory and a processor to execute instructions stored in the memory to detect a fault associated with the thermographic detector device, wherein the fault includes at least one of a field of view fault, an operating parameter fault, and an internal fault, generate a fault signal upon detecting the fault, and provide a notification of the fault using the fault signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Johnny Julien De Blonde, Marco Di Nubila, Matthew John Naylor, Scott Lang, Uroj Usmani
  • Patent number: 11714103
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for obtaining extremely high sensitivity chemical composition maps with spatial resolution down to a few nanometers. In some embodiments these chemical composition maps are created using a combination of three techniques: (1) Illuminating the sample with IR radiation than is tuned to an absorption band in the sample; and (2) Optimizing a mechanical coupling efficiency that is tuned to a specific target material; (3) Optimizing a resonant detection that is tuned to a specific target material. With the combination of these steps it is possible to obtain (1) Chemical composition maps based on unique IR absorption; (2) spatial resolution that is enhanced by extremely short-range tip-sample interactions; and (3) resonant amplification tuned to a specific target material. In other embodiments it is possible to take advantage of any two of these steps and still achieve a substantial improvement in spatial resolution and/or sensitivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: Bruker Nano, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig Prater, Kevin Kjoller
  • Patent number: 11686673
    Abstract: The device is formed in a casing including a support, a spacer body, and a mirror element fixed together. A light-emitting element and a light-receiving element are arranged on a bearing surface of the support and face a reflecting surface of the mirror element. The light-emitting element is configured to generate infrared radiation, and the light-receiving element is configured to receive light radiation reflected by the reflecting surface. The spacer body has an emission opening housing the light-emitting element and a reception opening housing the light-receiving element; the reception opening comprises a radiation-limitation portion configured to enable entry of reflected light radiation having an angle, with respect to a normal to the bearing surface, of less than a preset value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS S.r.l.
    Inventors: Maria Eloisa Castagna, Salvatore Cascino, Viviana Cerantonio, Antonello Santangelo
  • Patent number: 11650412
    Abstract: An active mode image sensor for optical non-uniformity correction (NUC) of an active mode sensor uses a Micro-Electro-Mechanical System (MEMS) Micro-Mirror Array (MMA) having tilt, tip and piston mirror actuation to form and scan a laser spot that simultaneously performs the NUC and illuminates the scene so that the laser illumination is inversely proportional to the response of the imager at the scan position. The MEMS MMA also supports forming and scanning multiple laser spots to simultaneously interrogate the scene at the same or different wavelengths. The piston function can also be used to provide wavefront correction. The MEMS MMA may be configured to generate a plurality of fixed laser spots to perform an instantaneous NUC.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Gerald P. Uyeno, Sean D. Keller, Benn H. Gleason
  • Patent number: 11622503
    Abstract: A riding lawn mower has an internal combustion engine and a muffler with a first housing. The internal combustion engine is connected to the muffler to supply exhaust gases originating from the internal combustion engine to the first housing of the muffler for noise damping of the exhaust gases. A second housing is provided that thermally insulates the first housing of the muffler. The second housing at least partially encloses the first housing of the muffler. The second housing has an exterior side with an emissivity of greater than 0.8.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: Andreas Stihl AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Werner Ludwig, Christian Rohrmoser
  • Patent number: 11624658
    Abstract: A near-infrared sensor cover includes a cover body having transmissiveness to near-infrared rays. The cover body includes a base and a heater unit. The heater unit is arranged rearward of the base in a transmission direction of the near-infrared rays and includes a wire-like heating element. The heating element is configured to generate heat when energized. The base includes a rear portion that includes a rear surface of the base in the transmission direction. In the rear portion of the base, at least part of a section that is different from a section in which the heater unit is provided is formed by a reflection suppression structure including asperities. The asperities include a reflection suppression surface that is inclined relative to the transmission direction and reduces reflection of the near-infrared rays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignees: TOYODA GOSEI CO., LTD., IMUZAK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Koji Okumura, Koji Fukagawa, Kazumi Sawamura
  • Patent number: 11624587
    Abstract: The vehicle delimits an interior space from an exterior space. The sighting device includes: a support defining an interior volume, an optronic head adapted to rotate about an axis, an optical path comprising: a collecting optical unit for collecting a portion of the surroundings of exterior space, adapted to rotate about the axis; and an optical transport system including a plurality of optical components, portion of the components being, in the interior space and the other portion being in the interior volume; a drive means driving the optronic head and the collecting optical unit so that the ratio between the angle of rotation of the head and the angle of rotation of the collecting optical unit is substantially equal to 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: THALES
    Inventor: Paul Thibout
  • Patent number: 11576591
    Abstract: A gas sensor kit includes a gas sensor that measures a gas concentration of an exhalation gas of a subject and a gas supply unit that supplies a therapeutic gas, supplied through a tube, to the subject. In the gas sensor, the gas sensor has a convex portion that is supported when connected with the gas supply unit, and the gas supply unit has at least one locking claw that supports the convex portion when connected with the gas sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: NIHON KOHDEN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Fumihiko Takatori, Masayuki Inoue, Kenichiro Kabumoto
  • Patent number: 11562634
    Abstract: A passive infrared motion detector discriminates between the motion of humans and pets in a premises. The motion detector includes an infrared sensor and a mirror for focusing infrared radiation from distinct fields of view. In one embodiment, a mask prevents infrared radiation from reaching the infrared sensor, and cut away regions on the surface of the mask allow selective passage of infrared radiation to the infrared sensor. In an alternative embodiment, the cylindrical mirror elements includes reflective and unreflective regions, which allow selective passage of infrared radiation to the infrared sensor. The cut away regions and the reflective regions are elongated to correspond to the shape of standing humans. As a result, the infrared radiation from animals only partially reaches the infrared sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: Tyco Fire & Security GmbH
    Inventors: Boris Zhevelev, Yehuda Shviki, Zach Avidar, Vitaly Roytenburd
  • Patent number: 11536567
    Abstract: A surveying instrument comprises a light projecting optical system for projecting a distance measuring light to a predetermined measuring point, a light receiving optical system for receiving a reflected distance measuring light and an infrared light from the measuring point, and an arithmetic control module for controlling a distance measurement and a temperature measurement based on light receiving results of the reflected distance measuring light and the infrared light, and the arithmetic control module measures a distance to the measuring point based on light receiving results of the reflected distance measuring light received by a photodetector of the light receiving optical system, and measures a temperature of the measuring point based on light receiving results of the infrared light received by a temperature sensor of the light receiving optical system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: TOPCON Corporation
    Inventors: Taichi Yuasa, Ken-ichiro Yoshino
  • Patent number: 11509802
    Abstract: A cellular trail camera system is disclosed and may include a housing; a mounting bracket for mounting the camera; a visible sensor; an infrared sensor; and a plurality of Fresnel lenses each operable to be individually mounted to or with the infrared sensor and to focus infrared light to the infrared sensor from a different direction. One of the Fresnel lenses may be mounted to or with the housing during operation. The housing may include a wireless transceiver, which may communicate via a cellular network. The camera may communicate with a wireless communication device via the wireless transceiver. The camera may communicate images and/or video to the wireless device. The infrared sensor may include a plurality of elements. The camera may be powered by a solar cell that is mounted on the camera or remote from the camera. The visible sensor may be activated when the infrared sensor detects a heat-generating object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: Tactacam LLC
    Inventors: Benjamin Stern, Garrison Peel, Jeff Peel
  • Patent number: 11480412
    Abstract: A system and a method for tracking a target and for compensating for atmospheric turbulence is described. In an embodiment, the system includes at least two light sources each emitting a light beam to the target; at least two collimators that collimate the light beam of the associated light source; and a reference device to reflect a portion of the light beam exiting from all the collimators. The system also includes: at least two targeting modules to lead the light beam from the light source to reach a predetermined zone of the target; at least two detection modules to receive and detect the portion of the beam reflected by the reference device; a module for determining angle of deviation; a module for determining phase deviation; and an adjustment module for adjusting each of the light sources in order to compensate for atmospheric turbulence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: COMPAGNIE INDUSTRIELLE DES LASERS CILAS
    Inventors: Régis Grasser, Marie Naiim-Habib
  • Patent number: 11467036
    Abstract: A cold-tunnel system is disclosed for recovery of thermal emissivity of extended targets. The cold-tunnel system is comprised of an infrared camera having a thermal imaging lens; an aperture plate having a hole aligned with the thermal imaging lens; four cold-wall panels assembled in a box pattern as a cold-tunnel assembly to form a cold tunnel; an air-blowing desiccator affixed to each cold-wall panel; an external liquid chiller to chill a reservoir of working fluid; a target under test; and an extended source blackbody reference disposed directly behind the target under test.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AS REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY OF THE ARMY
    Inventors: Jason G. Zeibel, William Paul Blase, John K. Delaney
  • Patent number: 11448536
    Abstract: Near-Infrared (NIR) filter photometry is used to calculate component concentrations in multiphase flows. The disclosed methodology adapts the Beer-Lambert law for nonhomogeneous immiscible mixtures (such as oil and water) by modeling the fluid layer as a nonhomogeneous distribution of its components and deriving a mathematical relationship between measured absorbances, component path lengths, and non-homogeneity factors. The methodology is integrated into a multi-channel filter photometer to measure phase concentrations in oil-and-gas pipelines. The system is proven more accurate than current state of the art based on data from simulations, multiphase flow laboratories and field trials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: WEATHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventors: Vijay Ramakrishnan, John Lievois
  • Patent number: 11408979
    Abstract: Electro-optical sighting systems and methods are provided. One example includes a optical transmitter configured to emit an infrared beam along an optical path toward a target, a beam director positioned in the optical path and having a plurality of optical elements configured to direct the infrared beam and to collect reflected infrared radiation from reflection of the beam from the target, a focal plane array detector configured to receive reflected infrared radiation from the beam director, an optical phased array (OPA) positioned in the optical path between the optical transmitter and the beam director, and a controller operatively coupled to the OPA and configured to direct the OPA to defocus the infrared beam to broaden a field of view of the optical transmitter for active illumination, and focus the infrared beam to narrow the field of view of the optical transmitter for range determination and/or target designation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: RAYTHEON COMPANY
    Inventor: Philip T. Shimon
  • Patent number: 11391634
    Abstract: A temperature measurement system for measuring a temperature of a measured surface includes: 1) a first temperature sensor; and 2) a reference surface including a second temperature sensor integrated therein. The first temperature sensor includes a field of view simultaneously covering both at least a portion of the measured surface and at least a portion of the reference surface, thus is configured for simultaneously taking a first measurement of both the portion of the measured surface and the portion of the reference surface. The first measurement of the reference surface taken by the first temperature sensor is compared to a second measurement taken by the second temperature sensor for use in calibrating the first temperature sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: Accure Acne, Inc.
    Inventors: Henrik Hofvander, Michael John Estes
  • Patent number: 11385458
    Abstract: An optical device comprises a printed circuit board comprising a rigid main portion and comprising at least one flexible portion arranged at the periphery of the rigid main portion, the rigid main portion including an electronic image-capture circuit; a lens holder comprising at least one optical lens, the lens holder comprising a wall forming a cavity extending along the optical axis of the device from its top end to its bottom end, the bottom end being mounted on the rigid main portion of the printed circuit board so as to align, along the optical axis of the device, the electronic image-capture circuit and the optical lens; at least one heating element arranged on the flexible portion of the printed circuit board, the flexible portion of the printed circuit board being arranged by bearing directly against the wall of the lens holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: Aptiv Technologies Limited
    Inventors: Arkadiusz Rafalowski, Witold Poreda
  • Patent number: 11385347
    Abstract: The system and method represents a high-resolution, three-dimensional, multi-static precipitation RADAR approach that employs agile microsatellites, in formation and remotely coupled, via a new high-precision, ultra-low power, remote timing synchronization technology. This system and method uses multi-static RADAR interferometric methods implemented via a microsatellite formation to synthesize an effectively large (e.g., 15 m) aperture to provide about 1 km horizontal resolution and about 125 m vertical resolution in the Ku-band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin R. Maschhoff, Martin F. Ryba
  • Patent number: RE49950
    Abstract: There is provided a system and method for detecting a distance to an object. The method comprises providing a lighting system having at least one pulse width modulated visible-light source for illumination of a field of view; emitting an illumination signal for illuminating the field of view for a duration of time y using the visible-light source at a time t; integrating a reflection energy for a first time period from a time t?x to a time t+x; determining a first integration value for the first time period; integrating the reflection energy for a second time period from a time t+y?x to a time t+y+x; determining a second integration value for the second time period; calculating a difference value between the first integration value and the second integration value; determining a propagation delay value proportional to the difference value; determining the distance to the object from the propagation delay value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: LeddarTech Inc.
    Inventor: Yvan Mimeault