With Beam Deflector Or Focussing Means Patents (Class 250/353)
  • Publication number: 20110204238
    Abstract: An apparatus for radiometric measurement of thin fluid films includes a housing (1) enclosing means of radiation, a radiation guide, a reflector (4) and one or more detectors (5). The means of radiation is normally an IR radiator (2). The radiation guide is either a radiation tube (3) or a radiation cone (7). The reflector (4) is of the type non-imagining optics. If there is more than one detector (5) normally at least one detector is a reference detector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2009
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Inventor: Leif Cronvall
  • Patent number: 7985953
    Abstract: A detector of human emitted Blackbody radiation includes a plurality of series connected thermocouples. A lens can be associated with each of the thermocouples. Incoming radiation produces a different response in each of the thermocouples in accordance with a respective angle of arrival even from a motionless radiation source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Lorenzo Luterotti, Dragan P. Petrovic
  • Publication number: 20110155911
    Abstract: An infrared detector (301) is provided which comprises a pyroelectric detector (303) having first and second sensing elements (345), an aperture stop (311), and a Fresnel lens array (305). The detector may be used as a passive infrared sensor unit for detecting intrusion into large openings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2007
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Inventor: Richard N. Claytor
  • Publication number: 20110139990
    Abstract: A MEMS-based Fourier Transform (FT) spectrometer is provided. According to an embodiment, the MEMS-based FT spectrometer is an FT infrared (FTIR) spectrometer. The FT spectrometer can include a beam splitter positioned to receive an incoming beam from a light source and split the incoming beam into a first sub-beam and a second sub-beam, a fixed mirror positioned to receive the first sub-beam from the beam splitter, a scanning MEMS mirror positioned to receive the second sub-beam from the beam splitter, and a photodetector, wherein a reflected first sub-beam from the fixed mirror and a reflected second sub-beam from the scanning MEMS mirror recombine at the beam splitter and become directed to the photodetector. According to one embodiment, the photodetector is a MEMS-based IR detector. In addition, the MEMS-based IR detector can be an un-cooled IR detector having a capacitive sensing structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2009
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Applicant: University of Florida Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Huikai Xie, Lei Wu, Andrea Pais, Sean Robert Samuelson
  • Publication number: 20110133882
    Abstract: There is provided an apparatus for detecting the coordinates of an event within an interest region including: a light source limiting an interest region; at least two light receiving units receiving reflected light of an event within the interest region; a reflector refracting the reflected light received in the light receiving units; and one image sensor on which the reflected light refracted on the reflector is image-formed, wherein the apparatus for detecting coordinates is configured of one module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2010
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRO-MECHANICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Il Mo Jung, Yong Gyu Yoon, Jae Goon Aum, Won Jin Baek
  • Patent number: 7943904
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a bispectral detection device, particularly of an infrared radiation and a visible radiation, including a monolithic substrate; an array of bolometric micro-bridges sensitive to infrared radiation, the bolometric micro-bridges being suspended over a first face of the substrate by means of support and connection arms; and an array of photoelectric elements fowled in the substrate, and sensitive to visible radiation, the bolometric micro-bridges and the photoelectric elements being stacked. According to the invention, the substrate portion between the photoelectric element array and a second face of the substrate, opposite to the first face thereof, is thinned so that the photoelectric elements are capable of detecting a visible radiation incident on the second face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique
    Inventor: Jean-Louis Ouvrier-Buffet
  • Publication number: 20110084903
    Abstract: A light detector includes: a light receiving device having a central optical axis and first and second directions perpendicular thereto, the light receiving device detecting incident light; a first light shield provided on a light incident side of the light receiving device and disposed on one side in the first direction with respect to the light receiving device; and a second light shield provided on the light incident side of the light receiving device and disposed on the other side in the first direction with respect to the light receiving device, wherein the first and second light shields form a light incident slit over an angular range including the direction in which the central optical axis of the light receiving device extends, and the width of the slit increases as the angle with respect to the central optical axis of the light receiving device increases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2010
    Publication date: April 14, 2011
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yasunori ONISHI
  • Patent number: 7902508
    Abstract: A detection field selectable motion sensor that includes a modulator having a output with a shaped response to received radiation emissions forming a detection field and a sensor configured to detect the output from the modulator. The motion sensor can be configured with a set of lenses that can be aligned with the sensor. Further, the motion sensor can be an active sensor that transmits electromagnetic radiation which is detected after reflection from a detection field. Infrared radiation is the preferred source of received and transmitted radiation but microwave or visible light can be used. For an active motion detection either coherent or incoherent radiation can be used. The motion sensor includes a means for mounting and a hinge or swivel for orientating the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: The Watt Stopper Inc
    Inventor: Roar Viala
  • Publication number: 20110024627
    Abstract: An optical proximity sensor is provided that comprises an infrared light emitter, an infrared light detector, a ceramic housing, a substrate, and a cover or shield. The ceramic housing is mounted on or attached to the substrate, and comprises first and second recesses separated by a light barrier. The cover is mounted over the ceramic housing, the light emitter and the light detector. The infrared light emitter is located within the first recess and mounted on the substrate. The infrared light detector is located within the second recess and mounted on the substrate. The light barrier between the first and second recesses, in conjunction with the remainder of the ceramic housing, the substrate, and the cover or shield substantially attenuates or blocks the transmission of undesired direct, scattered or reflected infrared light between the light emitter and the light detector, and thereby minimizes optical crosstalk and interference between the light emitter and the light detector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2009
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Applicant: Avago Technologies ECBU (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventor: Yu Feng Yao
  • Patent number: 7875852
    Abstract: A passive infrared detector assembly including a detector housing comprising a window transparent to far infrared radiation, at least one sensor sensitive to the far infrared radiation and disposed within the detector housing and an anti-masking subassembly, including at least one light guide having a serrated light aperture, the light aperture defining a plurality of teeth like portions and a plurality of grooves and being disposed close to the outside of the window, at least one infrared light emitter operative to emit near infrared radiation via the light aperture of the at least one light guide and a near infrared radiation receiver operative to receive radiation emitted by the at least one near infrared light emitter and to measure the level of received near infrared radiation and to provide a masking alarm signal upon detection of a predetermined change in the level of the received near infrared radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: Visonic Ltd
    Inventors: Boris Zhevelev, Yaacov Kotlicki
  • Publication number: 20110012019
    Abstract: A mirror switch apparatus for controlling an electronic device includes a directional light source generator, a mirror component, and a light receiver. The directional light source generator is used to provide a directional light to be transmitted to the mirror component. The light receiver is used to control the electronic device. When the light receiver receives the directional light reflected from the mirror component the mirror switch apparatus is activated to control the electronic device, such as by turning the device on/off.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2009
    Publication date: January 20, 2011
    Inventor: LAN-RONG DUNG
  • Publication number: 20110004405
    Abstract: An Earth horizon sensor that images the vicinity of the Earth horizon or limb to locate the non-thermal airglow emissions and calculates the orientation of the horizon plane or alternately the vector pointing towards the center of the Earth based on the location of the said airglow emissions. The orientation of the horizon plane in turn can be used to calculate the pitch and roll of the platform upon which the Earth horizon sensor is mounted. Yaw angle can be calculated with an additional celestial reference located in the same image or made available from another source. The orientation of the horizon plane can also be used to calculate the latitude and longitude of Earth coordinates, provided that three axis inertial attitude and time are also available. The Earth horizon sensor can be adapted to operate in space upon spacecraft in Earth orbit or in the atmosphere upon aircraft flying at altitudes of 10K ft or more.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2009
    Publication date: January 6, 2011
    Applicant: Optical Physics Company Inc.
    Inventor: Richard A. Hutchin
  • Publication number: 20100308224
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a kind of infrared sensing device mounted in the faucet at the basin, it comprises an infrared emitting tube for emitting the infrared light, an infrared receiving tube for receiving the infrared light, a circuit board on which the infrared emitting and receiving tubes are mounted, a housing for accommodating the infrared emitting and receiving tubes, an emitting lens for focusing the emitted infrared light, an receiving lens for focusing the reflected infrared light. The optical center of the emitting lens is biased to left or right, which enables the emitted light to deviate from the water column from the faucet, meanwhile, the optical center of the emitting lens is also biased up, which enables the emitted light to deviate from the basin. Compared with the prior arts, this infrared sensing device in the present invention has better sensing effects, which is economical, practical and costs lower.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2009
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Inventors: Weigen Chen, Yifeng Yang, Jian Zhang
  • Patent number: 7847256
    Abstract: A system is provided for detecting when an enclosure having a body and a removable cover is opened. The system comprises a light source for generating a light beam, a light detector for detecting the light beam, and at least one reflector all mounted inside the enclosure. The reflector reflects the light beam along a predetermined pathway toward the light detector when the removable cover is closed over the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Seok-Joo Jang, Terrence G. Ward, Daniel J. Kaplan, Brooks S. Mann, Louis Thompson
  • Publication number: 20100301218
    Abstract: Systems and methods for generating, projecting or correlating thermal spectra use digital micro-mirror devices (DMDs) to controllably modulate input radiation such as long wave infrared light. An optical system for creating an output spectrum based upon an input light suitably includes a grating configured receive the input light and to spread the input light by wavelength into an input spectrum. A digital micro-mirror device (DMD) is configured to receive the input spectrum and to controllably activate mirrors in the DMD corresponding to selected wavelengths of the input light. Portions of the input light having selected wavelengths can be extracted from remaining portions of the input light for the output spectrum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Applicant: RAYTHEON COMPANY
    Inventor: Kevin W. Ayer
  • Publication number: 20100294935
    Abstract: The present invention provides thermal detectors having an optical cavity that is optimized to couple light into a sensor. Light that is on resonance is coupled with the sensor with as high as 100% efficiency, while light off resonance is substantially reflected away. Light that strikes the sensor from the sides (i.e. not on the optical cavity axis) only interacts minimally with sensor because of the reduced absorption characteristics of the sensor. Narrowband sensors in accordance with the present invention can gain as much as 100% of the signal from one direction and spectral band, while receiving only a fraction of the normal radiation noise, which originates from all spectral bands and directions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2010
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Inventor: Joseph J. Talghader
  • Publication number: 20100276598
    Abstract: A conformal coherent wideband antenna coupled IR detector array included a plurality of unit cells each having a dimension that includes an antenna for focusing radiation onto an absorber element sized less than the dimension. In one embodiment, the absorber element may be formed of a mercury cadmium telluride alloy. According to a further embodiment, the antenna array may be fabricated using sub-wavelength fabrication processes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2009
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Applicant: RAYTHEON COMPANY
    Inventors: Deborah J. Kirby, David T. Chang, Terence J. De Lyon, James H. Schaffner, Metin S. Mangir, Jeffery J. Puschell, Jar Jueh Lee, Michael Gritz
  • Publication number: 20100270470
    Abstract: The present invention provides an infrared ray detector capable of facilitating design of a compound lens and capable of reliably detecting a heat source in a stabilized state, which is provided with a light receiving portion for detecting infrared ray energies, and a compound lens having a plurality of lens portions to condense an infrared ray in a predetermined detection area to the light receiving portion, wherein individual detection areas which condense infrared rays to the light receiving portion through the respective lens portions of the compound lens exist in the entire range of a predetermined detection area, and at least a part of the individual detection areas overlap each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2010
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Applicant: TOSHIBA LIGHTING & TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jun Sasaki, Noriyuki Kitamura, Yuji Takahashi, Takaya Kamakura
  • Patent number: 7807972
    Abstract: The invention provides a sensor including a first sensor element formed in a first substrate and at least one optical element formed in a second substrate, the first and second substrates being configured relative to one another such that the second substrate forms a cap over the first sensor element. The cap includes a diffractive optical element and an aperture stop which collectively determine the wavelength of incident radiation that is allowed through the cap and onto the at least one optical element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Analog Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Lambkin, William A. Lane, Andrew David Bain
  • Publication number: 20100237249
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system for illuminating an in-flight refueling operation involving a tanker aircraft (14) and a receiver aircraft (13), comprising: a generating device (2) for generating a light emission, substantially in a near infrared spectrum; a directing device (12) for directing the emission to define an emission envelope (15) containing a spatial range of in-flight refueling positions of the receiver aircraft (13) relative to the tanker aircraft (14); further comprising a collecting device (3) for collecting the light emission generated by the generating device (2) and means (5) for transmitting the light emission collected by the collecting device (3) to the directing device (12).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2009
    Publication date: September 23, 2010
    Inventor: Alberto ADARVE LOZANO
  • Publication number: 20100238030
    Abstract: A detector, system including a detector and method for sensing motion within a detection region. The detector has a detection element and a focusing element aiming received energy corresponding to a presence within the detection region toward the detection element. The focusing element has a plurality of sections in which each of the plurality of sections establishes a corresponding detection zone within the detection region. The plurality of sections are arranged to allow a motion vector to be determined for an object passing through the detection region. The system includes a detector that generates pulses each time presence in a detector zone is detected as well as a central alarm panel. The central alarm panel receives the pulses and has processor that evaluates the timing between electrical pulses to determine the motion vector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2006
    Publication date: September 23, 2010
    Applicant: ADT Security Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary Mark Shafer, Alfred Yarbrough
  • Publication number: 20100207912
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are optical detection systems and modules thereof. The optical detection system is used for determining a location where an object contacts a detection area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2010
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Applicant: ARIMA LASERS CORP.
    Inventors: Ming-Cho WU, Ching-Hui LIN
  • Patent number: 7777188
    Abstract: The disclosed system and apparatus for a sensor support structure generally includes a substantially reflective support strut having discontinuous protrusions on the support surface presented to the field of view of the sensor. These discontinuous protrusions may be suitably configured such that ambient thermal radiation is generally reflected away from the support strut and divergent from acceptance in the sensor's optical train.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Eric Fest, Rex Kremer
  • Publication number: 20100193689
    Abstract: The present invention provides an infrared signal-receiving unit and an electronic device each capable of suppressing malfunction and communication failures of infrared communication equipment. The present invention is an infrared signal-receiving unit comprising a light guide and an infrared receiver that receives an infrared signal guided by the light guide, wherein the unit includes a multi-layer reflective film that reflects infrared at a wavelength band corresponding to that of disturbing light, and the infrared receiver receives the infrared signal that has passed through the multi-layer reflective film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2008
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Inventor: Masashi Yokota
  • Publication number: 20100187422
    Abstract: Methods and systems for providing a light device that can emit light and sense light are disclosed. In one embodiment, a lighting device includes a light guide having a planar first surface, the light guide configured such that at least some ambient light enters the light guide through the first surface and propagates therein, and at least one light detector disposed along an edge of the light guide, the at least one detector optically coupled to the light guide to receive light propagating therein. The light detector can be configured to produce a control signal. In some embodiments, the lighting device also includes at least one light turning feature disposed on the first surface, the at least one light turning feature configured to direct light incident into the light guide through the first surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2009
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Applicant: QUALCOMM MEMS Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Manish Kothari, James Randolph Webster, Gaurav Sethi, Alok Govil, Jonathan Charles Griffiths
  • Patent number: 7745793
    Abstract: There is provided an infrared signal receiver which includes a photo-detector unit receiving light in a predetermined infrared wavelength region, sent from a remote operating unit; and an optical element disposed in front of the photo-detector unit, allowing the light of the predetermined infrared wavelength region to transmit therethrough in preference to other infrared wavelength region. In the receiver, the predetermined signal wavelength region is a region of 930 nm or longer and 960 nm or shorter, and mean transmittance of light of the optical element in the predetermined signal wavelength region is larger than mean transmittance of light in a region of 900 nm or longer and shorter than 930 nm, and/or, mean transmittance of light in a region of longer than 960 nm and 1,020 nm or shorter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Masaharu Senoue, Kazuhiko Morisawa, Takashi Watanabe, Shunichi Kajiya, Kenichi Sasaki, Hitomi Madokoro, Yuji Takahashi, Rie Tsubo
  • Patent number: 7718970
    Abstract: An infrared detection unit includes a base carrying an infrared sensor element, and a cap configured to be fitted on the base to surround the infrared sensor element. The cap has a top wall with a window in which a semiconductor lens is fitted to collect an infrared radiation onto the infrared sensor element. The semiconductor optical lens is formed from a semiconductor substrate to have a convex lens and a flange which surround said convex lens. An infrared barrier is formed on the semiconductor lens to block the infrared radiation from passing through the boundary between the circumference of the convex lens and the window. Accordingly, the infrared sensor element can receive only the infrared radiation originating from a detection area intended by the convex lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Panasonic Electric Works Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Honda, Takayuki Nishikawa, Tomohiro Kamitsu
  • Publication number: 20100108892
    Abstract: A mirror reflection processing method for a position sensitive detector device in intelligent bathroom products. The infrared emitter in the position sensitive detector device is provided with two infrared emitting intensity modes. The position sensitive detector device determines whether to consider that no signal is collected in current collection according to the result of comparison between the reflected infrared signal intensity received by the infrared receiver and the preset value therein, thereby overcoming the mis-operation of the position sensitive detector device when being opposite to objects with relatively high reflectivity, and making the position sensitive detector device even more widely applied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2009
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Inventors: Jian ZHANG, Guofeng CHEN, Xingyan LIU
  • Patent number: 7687777
    Abstract: A cost-effective photosensor system for rotor position detection includes securing an aperture assembly to an off-the-shelf infrared radiation-emitting component and/or an off-the-shelf infrared radiation-detecting component. The application discloses an aperture assembly that may be stamped from a thin, opaque, elongated piece of plastic having an aperture window through which a radiation beam may pass and be focused. The aperture assembly also has a locking system for securing the assembly to the off-the-shelf photosensor system component, and an alignment system to direct the infrared radiation beam. A replaceable stamped aperture assembly for use in a rotor-sensing system and a method of providing a replaceable aperture assembly and securing it to an infrared component of a photosensor system are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: Shop Vac Corporation
    Inventor: Neil N. Norell
  • Patent number: 7687778
    Abstract: An infrared receiver includes a shielding member and an infrared detecting member. The shielding member has negative refractive power for diverging incident infrared rays. The infrared detecting member includes a main body formed with a convex surface having positive refractive power and an infrared sensor enclosed in the main body. The infrared sensor receives infrared rays converged by the convex surface, and converts received infrared rays to electrical signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: He-Li Wang, Hong Li, Ting Zhang, Ting-Ting Zhao
  • Publication number: 20100072373
    Abstract: In a terahertz antenna module 1, a photoconductive antenna element 17 is fixed to a wiring board 9, and electrically connected to an electric signal input/output pin 24 of an electric signal input/output port 23 via a signal electrode of the wiring board 9. Further, a buffer member 7, a hemispherical lens 8, a photoconductive antenna element 17, and the wiring board 9 are disposed in a recess 3 of a container 2 in this order from an opening 6 side of the container 2, and by attaching a cover 25 to the container 2, the wiring board 9, the photoconductive antenna element 17, and the hemispherical lens 8 are pressed against the buffer member 7. Further, the wiring board 9 is positioned by the recess 4 and the hemispherical lens 8 is positioned by the buffer member 7 so that the optical axis OA of the hemispherical lens 8 passes just through a photoconductive antenna part of the photoconductive antenna element 17.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2008
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Applicant: Hamamatsu Photonics K.K.
    Inventor: Kazutoshi Nakajima
  • Publication number: 20100065744
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a bispectral detection device, particularly of an infrared radiation and a visible radiation, including a monolithic substrate; an array of bolometric micro-bridges sensitive to infrared radiation, the bolometric micro-bridges being suspended over a first face of the substrate by means of support and connection arms; and an array of photoelectric elements fowled in the substrate, and sensitive to visible radiation, the bolometric micro-bridges and the photoelectric elements being stacked. According to the invention, the substrate portion between the photoelectric element array and a second face of the substrate, opposite to the first face thereof, is thinned so that the photoelectric elements are capable of detecting a visible radiation incident on the second face.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2009
    Publication date: March 18, 2010
    Applicant: Commissariat A L'Energie Atomique
    Inventor: Jean-Louis OUVRIER-BUFFET
  • Publication number: 20100059680
    Abstract: A detector having a field of view in elevation on the order of one hundred eighty degrees in one plane and three hundred sixty degrees in a perpendicular plane includes a generally hemispherical lens in combination with an optical frustum. The combination directs incident radiant energy within the field of view onto a centrally located sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2007
    Publication date: March 11, 2010
    Inventor: C. Gilbert Young
  • Publication number: 20100059677
    Abstract: A lens for Terahertz imaging that has a transparent body defining at least a first and a second lens surface. The lens body is arranged such that light incident to the lens refracts at the first lens surface, propagates through the body to the second lens surface and refracts at the second lens surface. The angle of deviation of light at the first lens surface substantially equals the angle of deviation of light at the second lens surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2009
    Publication date: March 11, 2010
    Inventors: Rainer Leonhardt, Yat Hei Lo
  • Patent number: 7655909
    Abstract: Infrared detector elements and methods for forming infrared detector elements in which the top metal layer of CMOS circuitry of the detector element is employed as a lead metal reflector for the infrared detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: L-3 Communications Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas R. Schimert, Athanasios J. Syllaios, William L. McCardel, Roland W. Gooch
  • Publication number: 20100001189
    Abstract: Rapid, voltage controlled phase modulation of continuous wave THz radiation is demonstrated. By transmitting an infrared laser beam through a phase modulator, the phase of the THz radiation which is generated by the photomixing of two infrared beams can be directly modulated through a 2? phase shift. The 100 kHz modulation rate that is demonstrated is approximately three orders of magnitude faster than what can be achieved by mechanical scanning.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2009
    Publication date: January 7, 2010
    Applicant: NEW JERSEY INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventor: John Francis Federici
  • Publication number: 20090314945
    Abstract: The present invention is a lighting device having detection function, of which the structure features combination of illuminating elements and an infrared detector and a detector shade cover is used as an upper cover for the whole structure of the lighting device to thereby enhance the detection angular range of the infrared detector, simplify the manufacturing process, and providing a uniform and soft lighting source or a bright lighting source. The infrared detector has a function of detecting thermal radiation so that by detecting the thermal radiation from a human body, a signal for supplying power to the illuminating element is provided. When the infrared detector no long detects the thermal radiation from the human body, the control board stops the electric power supplied to the illuminating elements. As such, effective saving of energy can be realized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2008
    Publication date: December 24, 2009
    Inventor: KAI-PO CHEN
  • Patent number: 7635846
    Abstract: A motion detector device includes a lamp assembly, a junction box assembly with a cylindrically shaped holding arm, a rotation assembly incorporating a sensor seat, a pyro-sensor and circuitry, and a lens assembly. The lens assembly can assume a semi-spherical or cylindrical shape. The lens assembly is integrally formed by a plurality of multifaceted lenses with pre-determined focuses constituting pre-determined focusing views. Each focusing view is defined for a range/distance and angle of detection. The lens assembly can be rotated to select a specific focusing view. The sensor seat is disposed at the focus of the selected focusing view to receive infrared radiation rays. The entire or half or portion of the lens assembly carries lenses making up the pre-determined focusing views.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2009
    Assignee: IQ Group SDN BHD
    Inventors: Yung Chih Chi, Wen Chin Chen
  • Publication number: 20090309029
    Abstract: An infrared motion detector including at least one infra-red radiation sensor, at least one radiation reflecting surface, operative to direct radiation impinging thereon towards the at least one infra-red radiation sensor and at least one coating layer, coating the at least one radiation reflective surface, which is substantially reflective to far infra-red radiation and which strongly absorbs at least one of visible light and near infra-red radiation, wherein the at least one coating layer includes black nickel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2007
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Applicant: Visonic Ltd.
    Inventors: Boris Zhevelev, Yaacov Kotlicki
  • Patent number: 7633067
    Abstract: In a security sensor device an element unit (21) including a sensor elements (15, 23) for transmitting or receiving a detection wave (IR) is supported on a sensor body (41) in such a manner as to adjust a horizontal deflecting angle and a vertical deflecting angle ?v; a cover (43) is attached to the sensor body; and the center of pivotal movement (10) for the vertical deflection is displaced downward or upward from the intermediate portion of the element unit. A recessed portion (56) recessed inwardly of the cover is formed in a part of the cover corresponding to the part, to which the center of pivotal movement of the element unit is displaced, through a stepped portion (44). A hood (17) for shielding a part of the region, where the detection wave passes for, from the airy region is provided above and near the center of pivotal movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: Optex Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Ikeda
  • Publication number: 20090303456
    Abstract: Embodiments of a multi-waveband sensor system and method for seeking targets are generally described herein. In some embodiments, the multi-waveband sensor system includes a secondary reflector positioned within a gathering path of a primary reflector to reflect the wavebands gathered by the primary reflector back through an aperture in the primary reflector. The multi-waveband sensor system may also include a laser waveband dichroic beam splitter positioned within a focal path of the secondary reflector to pass infrared (IR) wavebands and to reflect laser wavebands. A LADAR subsystem may transmit laser wavebands for reflection by the laser waveband dichroic beam splitter through the aperture to the secondary reflector for reflection to an off-axis region on the primary reflector for direction toward a target.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2008
    Publication date: December 10, 2009
    Applicant: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Richard A. Paiva, David Michika, Justin C. Jenia
  • Publication number: 20090302222
    Abstract: A passive infrared detector assembly including a detector housing comprising a window transparent to far infrared radiation, at least one sensor sensitive to the far infrared radiation and disposed within the detector housing and an anti-masking subassembly, including at least one light guide having a serrated light aperture, the light aperture defining a plurality of teeth like portions and a plurality of grooves and being disposed close to the outside of the window, at least one infrared light emitter operative to emit near infrared radiation via the light aperture of the at least one light guide and a near infrared radiation receiver operative to receive radiation emitted by the at least one near infrared light emitter and to measure the level of received near infrared radiation and to provide a masking alarm signal upon detection of a predetermined change in the level of the received near infrared radiation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2007
    Publication date: December 10, 2009
    Applicant: VISONIC LTD
    Inventors: Boris Zhevelev, Yaacov Kotlicki
  • Publication number: 20090294675
    Abstract: A system is provided for detecting when an enclosure having a body and a removable cover is opened. The system comprises a light source for generating a light beam, a light detector for detecting the light beam, and at least one reflector all mounted inside the enclosure. The reflector reflects the light beam along a predetermined pathway toward the light detector when the removable cover is closed over the body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2008
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: SEOK-JOO JANG, TERENCE G. WARD, DANIEL J. KAPLAN, BROOKS S. MANN, LOUIS THOMPSON
  • Patent number: 7626170
    Abstract: Infrared radiation detection systems and methods of making the same are provided. In one embodiment, the radiation detection system comprises: a housing having an open end exposed to a radiation emitting object; a detector positioned in the housing, the detector comprising a radiation sensing material for detecting infrared radiation, the radiation sensing material having a portion removed by etching or coated by a mask such that only a region of the radiation sensing material is capable of detecting the infrared radiation; and a lens positioned in the housing for transmitting infrared radiation from the object to the detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Kevin George Harding, Mark Joseph Bartonek, Brandi Elizabeth Wood, Pingfan Peter Wu
  • Patent number: 7615751
    Abstract: This invention relates generally to the field of motion detection sensors, and in particular to a system and method for adjusting the position of a printed circuit board relative to a focusing element. The invention includes a housing having a front opening and an interior cavity. A focusing element is located within the front opening and the detector is coupled to a printed circuit board located within the interior cavity. A cover is coupled to the printed circuit board and disposed within the interior cavity. A cam is operatively coupled with the cover and the printed circuit board for adjusting the position of the printed circuit board such that the detector's position is adjusted relative to the focusing element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Mark C. Buckley, Bruce Ginn, Raymond E. Daggers, Rand Lenroot, Roy Phi
  • Publication number: 20090266988
    Abstract: An infrared detection unit includes a base carrying an infrared sensor element, and a cap configured to be fitted on the base to surround the infrared sensor element. The cap has a top wall with a window in which a semiconductor lens is fitted to collect an infrared radiation onto the infrared sensor element. The semiconductor optical lens is formed from a semiconductor substrate to have a convex lens and a flange which surround said convex lens. An infrared barrier is formed on the semiconductor lens to block the infrared radiation from passing through the boundary between the circumference of the convex lens and the window. Accordingly, the infrared sensor element can receive only the infrared radiation originating from a detection area intended by the convex lens.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2006
    Publication date: October 29, 2009
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Honda, Takayuki Nishikawa, Tomohiro Kamitsu
  • Patent number: 7605370
    Abstract: A robust, compact spectrometer apparatus for determining respective concentrations or partial pressures of multiple gases in a gas sample with single as well as multiple and even overlapping, absorption or emission spectra that span a wide spectral range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Assignee: RIC Investments, LLC
    Inventor: James T. Russell
  • Patent number: 7597489
    Abstract: Reflective movable mirrors are used to reflect an image from a desired direction into the lens of a camera. This apparatus is preferably used with infrared (IR) cameras. To capture images from different directions, the orientations of the mirrors are modified. The mirrors are light, requiring only miniature motors and actuators for moving them. The mirrors are also much smaller than the focal plane electronics and the IR lens, requiring much less space for moving them than would be required for moving the camera. This provides a pointing capability for an airframe-fixed IR camera and this capability is provided with minimum additional payload, space and power requirements. The apparatus and method can be used for IR and electro-optical (EO) cameras.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Dan T. Horak, Emray R. Goossen, Steven D. Martinez
  • Patent number: 7592592
    Abstract: A night vision arrangement for a vehicle incorporating a camera. The camera comprises a window which is substantially transparent to infra-red light, a lens separate from the window, and an infra-red sensor to capture an image received through the window. A beam deflector is provided in alignment with the window to deflect a beam received through the window and directs the deflected beam through the lens on to the sensor. A display unit is provided to display the captured image to a driver of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Assignee: Autoliv Development AB
    Inventor: Dick Eriksson
  • Publication number: 20090212221
    Abstract: The disclosed system and apparatus for a sensor support structure generally includes a substantially reflective support strut having discontinuous protrusions on the support surface presented to the field of view of the sensor. These discontinuous protrusions may be suitably configured such that ambient thermal radiation is generally reflected away from the support strut and divergent from acceptance in the sensor's optical train.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2007
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Inventors: Eric Fest, Rex Kremer