Radiant Energy Patents (Class 340/600)
  • Patent number: 11977093
    Abstract: A personal radiation and density meter system includes a housing, a radiation detection subsystem and a radiation emitting sub-system. The housing includes an interior portion configured as an interior space, and a slot. The radiation detection sub-system includes a personal radiation dosimeter positioned in the slot. The radiation emitting sub-system includes a shield assembly, a source, an actuator, a trigger, and an aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: Thermo Scientific Portable Analytical Instruments Inc.
    Inventors: Joy Stafford, Andrew Leoni
  • Patent number: 11927506
    Abstract: Systems and method for operating and monitoring refrigerators are described. Temperature cycles within the compartment are characterized using statistical, frequency and pattern analysis techniques to derive a steady-state characteristic of temperature within the compartment. A thermal sensor inside the conditioned area is monitored and temperature data sets can be analyzed to determine performance in comparison to a baseline, and energy consumption. Analysis of continuous temperature readings taken from individual or groups of freezers identifies patterns of variations in temperature cycles from which feedback on efficiency can be inferred. Electrical load can be determined by measuring or estimating current usage and identifying periods of time when compressors are active in the refrigerator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: KLATU NETWORKS, INC.
    Inventor: Richard Kriss
  • Patent number: 11867532
    Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for aspirating smoke detector packaging are described herein. In some examples, one or more embodiments include a package for an aspirating smoke detector device, comprising a plurality of panels, wherein a first panel includes a mounting template having a plurality of mounting indicators, wherein each of the plurality of mounting indicators corresponds to a respective mounting location of the aspirating smoke detector device, and a second panel includes a head protector configured to be removed from the package and inserted into a slot of the aspirating smoke detector device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Mauro Miheli, Gianluca Pace, Erika Simeoni
  • Patent number: 11839501
    Abstract: An image generating device for generating an image which is an X-ray image of an area including a bone portion of a subject with the bone portion removed has a control unit 70 including: a DRR imager 81 configured to generate a first DRR image of an area including a bone portion and a second DRR image showing the bone portion, by performing, for a set of CT image data of an area including the bone portion of a subject, a virtual fluoroscopic projection simulating a geometric fluoroscopy condition of an X-ray irradiator and an X-ray detector for the subject; a training section 82 configured to generate a machine learning model for recognizing the bone portion, by performing machine learning using the first DRR image and the second DRR image serving as a training image; an image converter 83 configured to perform conversion of the X-ray image of the area including the bone portion of the subject, using the machine learning model trained in the training section 82, to generate an image showing the bone portion;
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: Shimadzu Corporation
    Inventors: Wataru Takahashi, Shota Oshikawa
  • Patent number: 11618490
    Abstract: A method apparatus are directed to identify items disposed on the bottom shelf of a shopping cart bottom of basket (BoB). Certain aspects envision a distance measurement sensor and computing system connected to the shopping cart. A first set of distance measurements of the bottom shelf when empty is obtained via the distance measurement sensor. Next, at a checkout stand, a second set of distance measurements of the shelf are taken, which can be used to compare with the first set of distance measurements to identify if there is an object on the BoB. An alert can be provided to a checkout attendant if there is an object on the BoB.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: Bob Profit Partners LLC.
    Inventors: Dale Lee Yones, Scott David Dalgleish, Craig W. Moyer
  • Patent number: 11592475
    Abstract: Abstract of Disclosure A method for testing radiation susceptibility includes transmitting radiation wave to a device under test, measuring the device under test to generate a first voltage according to the radiation wave, outputting a reference voltage to a coupling device so that the coupling device generates a second voltage according to the reference voltage, adjusting the reference voltage so that the second voltage approximates the first voltage, storing the adjusted reference voltage, outputting the second voltage to the device under test according to the adjusted reference voltage to simulate an impact of the radiation wave to the device under test, the device under test accordingly transmitting a control signal to the coupling device after receiving the second voltage, and determining a status of the device under test according to the control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignees: Inventec (Pudong) Technology Corp., Inventec Corporation
    Inventors: Yung-Sen Lee, I-Lin Tsai
  • Patent number: 11483877
    Abstract: A user terminal (UT) for a mobile satellite communications system, and an associated method for managing tracking areas for such a UT is provided. When initiating establishment of a radio connection, the UT transmits a connection request message to a satellite gateway (SGW) of the mobile satellite communications system, where the connection request message includes position information identifying a current location of the UT. The UT processes a connection setup message received in response to the connection request message, where the connection setup message includes a first tracking area identifier (TAID) that identifies a one of a plurality of tracking areas that is associated with the current location of the UT. The UT transmits a connection complete message to the SGW, together with an attach request message for a core network of the mobile satellite communications system, which includes the first TAID.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: Hughes Network Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Channasandra Ravishankar, John Corrigan, Rajeev Gopal, Nassir Benammar, Gaguk Zakaria, Deepak Arur
  • Patent number: 11444979
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes event detection and management for quantum communications in a communication network. The event detection and management for quantum communications in a communication network may be provided based on event-based interaction between quantum nodes of the communication network and a network controller of the communication network, such as where the quantum nodes detect events associated with quantum communications and report the events associated with quantum communications to the network controller and where the network controller receives the events associated with quantum communications from the quantum nodes and initiates event management operations based on the events associated with quantum communications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Moshiur Rahman, William Trost
  • Patent number: 11221323
    Abstract: A system and method for objective and real-time measurable indicator for calculating distribution uniformity of water, salinity, conductivity, or temperature in turf are disclosed. In one embodiment, a system and method may be directed to collecting turf condition data using a compact, portable turf analysis device having one or more sensors and Global Positioning System (GPS) module configured to collect location data to a server database. The server assimilates the turf condition data and location data into the server database to determine distribution uniformity of measurements and to calculate turf performance indicators of the turf conditions in a plurality of locations to determine turf performance, turf stress, and turf management best practices. By tracking and analyzing the turf condition data for one or more turf locations as well as location data, the turf quality is objectively measured and managed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: Stevens Water Monitoring Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Chun Kit Chan, Michael Kuvelas, Carmen Magro, Scott South
  • Patent number: 10795047
    Abstract: There is provided a method for assigning an attribute to an unknown object overlapping with a predetermined background object. The unknown object is scanned overlapping with the background object within an x-ray scanning device to obtain a plurality of dual-energy attenuation images having attenuation information representing the background object and an overlap region wherein the background object and the unknown object overlap. The dual-energy attenuation images are decomposed into reference material equivalent path length images. The reference material equivalent path lengths representing the background object in the overlap region are determined and eliminated from the overlap region to provide reference material equivalent path length images having first and second reference material equivalent path lengths through only the unknown object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: VOTI INC.
    Inventors: Emmanuel St-Aubin, Philippe Desjeans-Gauthier, Ola El Bakry, Simon Archambault, William Awad
  • Patent number: 10768284
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for enclosure alignment. An enclosure can be translated along a fixture. A signal can be detected, during the translation of the enclosure, from a signal transmitter to a signal receiver. An intensity of the signal can be determined. An audio cue can be emitted based on the intensity of the signal. The enclosure may be aligned along the fixture based on the emitted audio cue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: Pony AI Inc.
    Inventors: Peter G. Diehl, Cheng Jin
  • Patent number: 10750471
    Abstract: An antenna monitoring system includes a cloud based server, and sensor devices, with each sensor device including a portable housing to be mounted on a respective directional antenna, and at least one alignment sensor carried by the portable housing and configured to sense alignment of the respective directional antenna. Each sensor also includes a cellular telephone transceiver carried by the portable housing, and a controller carried by the portable housing, and configured to collect alignment data from the at least one alignment sensor, and communicate with the cloud based server via the cellular telephone transceiver. The cloud based server may include a processor and a memory coupled thereto and configured to provide at least one user interface associated with the alignment data for the sensor devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: SUNSIGHT HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventors: James A. Wattwood, Evan Beeton
  • Patent number: 10734838
    Abstract: A process/method is provided, which facilitates achieving and obtaining realistic, accurate voltage observability of end customer service delivery points within the secondary distribution level using the alarming capability of intelligent data gathering and communication technology devices such as, but not necessarily limited to SCADA systems, distribution system RTU or SCADA, smart meters, smart gateways, and Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) meters, or any device known in the art capable of sending alarm signals when voltage is detected above or below a predetermined threshold (generally herein defined as “Advanced Meters”). Such system and methods can be applied for many uses comprised of monitoring the energy grid, energy demand management and other energy industry applications, while minimizing operating and infrastructure/hardware costs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Open Access Technology International, Inc.
    Inventors: Ilya Roytelman, Jose Medina Palomo, Ali Ipakchi, Sasan Mokhtari, Farrokh Albuyeh, Farrokh Rahimi
  • Patent number: 10467773
    Abstract: A print system and a method for detecting inline failure of a curing light source of a 3D object printer are disclosed. For example, the print system includes a plurality of printheads, a curing light source, an inline failure detection (IFD) system, a movable member to hold an object, a heat resistant member coupled to the movable member that holds a thermal paper for testing operation of the curing light source and a controller to control movement of the movable member to move the object past the array of printheads, to operate the plurality of printheads to eject the marking material onto the object as the object passes the two-dimensional array of printheads, to operate the curing light source to apply energy to the thermal paper and to cure the marking material, and to operate the IFD system to read the thermal paper to detect a failure of the curing light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Seemit Praharaj, Michael Jon Levy, Jason Matthew LeFevre, Paul McConville, Douglas K. Herrmann
  • Patent number: 10419117
    Abstract: There is provided a monitor device for monitoring a transmission line including a memory, and a processor coupled to the memory and configured to compensate for a portion of chromatic dispersion on electric signals indicating an electric field component of an optical signal, compensate for deterioration due to a nonlinear optical effect on the electric signals on which the portion of chromatic dispersion is compensated, compensate for a remaining chromatic dispersion except for the portion of chromatic dispersion on the electric signals on which the deterioration due to the nonlinear optical effect is compensated, evaluate quality of the electric signals on which remaining chromatic dispersion except for the portion of chromatic dispersion are compensated, and acquire a first compensation amount of the portion of chromatic dispersion and a second compensation amount of the deterioration due to the nonlinear optical effect, when the evaluated quality satisfies a predetermined condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventors: Takahito Tanimura, Takeshi Hoshida
  • Patent number: 10391936
    Abstract: A first photosensor is sensitive to the wavelength of excitation light, insensitive to the wavelength of fluorescent light, and receives a portion of the output light to generate a first current corresponding to the amount of light received. A second photosensor is sensitive to the fluorescent light wavelength, insensitive to excitation light wavelength, and receives a portion of the output light to generate a second current corresponding to the received light amount. A first current/voltage conversion circuit outputs a first detection voltage corresponding to the voltage drop across a first resistor. A second current/voltage conversion circuit outputs a second detection voltage corresponding to the voltage drop across a second resistor. If (i) a relation between the magnitudes of the first detection voltage and the second detection voltage has reversed, or (ii) if the first detection voltage deviates from a normal voltage range, a judgment unit asserts an abnormality detection signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Tomoyuki Ichikawa
  • Patent number: 10236942
    Abstract: An electronic device is provided that includes a housing having a first surface facing a first direction, and a second surface facing a second direction opposite to the first direction. The electronic device also includes a conductive pattern having a first conductive coil with an axis that is substantially perpendicular to the first direction or the second direction. The electronic device additionally includes a communication circuit configured to cause the first conductive coil to generate a magnetic flux. The second surface includes a first region made of a conductive material and a second region made of a nonconductive material. When viewed from the second surface, the first conductive coil is disposed mostly under the first region. The first conductive coil is configured to include a first section disposed near or on the second region to cause the magnetic flux to pass through the second region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Woosup Lee, Jungsik Park, Sehwan Choi
  • Patent number: 10193710
    Abstract: A method for transmitting control systems over twisted pair cabling. The method includes: receiving a first single-ended transmission signal; converting the first single-ended transmission signal to a first differential transmission signal; transmitting the first differential transmission signal over a first two pairs of wires via a common mode of a transformer; receiving a first differential reception signal over a second two pairs of wires via the common mode of the transformer; and converting the first differential reception signal to a first single-ended reception signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: ADVOLI LIMITED
    Inventor: Clas Gerhard Sivertsen
  • Patent number: 10174897
    Abstract: An illumination device includes a laser element, a fluorescent material, a light projection lens, a laser light reflector, a detection element, and a control unit connected to the detection element. The fluorescent material is disposed in a direction of propagation of laser light from the laser element, and converts the laser light into illumination light. The light projection lens and the laser light reflector are disposed in a direction of propagation of the illumination light from the fluorescent material. The detection element can detect the laser light reflected on the laser light reflector and external light. The control unit calculates a comparison value by comparing the amount detected by the detection element when the laser element is emitting the laser light and the amount detected by the detection element when the laser element is not emitting the laser light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Makoto Atoji
  • Patent number: 10101376
    Abstract: Some embodiments are directed to an electromagnetic interference (EMI) indicator includes an ultra-wideband detector, preferably having a bandwidth of at least 30 MHz to 6 GHz. At least one antenna is provided for receiving EMI. Each antenna has receiver protection, a logarithmic receiver to convert the EMI signal into a direct voltage proportional to the magnitude of the EMI signal, a peak/average detector, and a controller connected to the output of the receiver for generating a signal when the direct voltage developed in the detector exceeds a pre-set threshold voltage using, for example, a carefully defined algorithm. The peak/average detector and controller are connectable to an indicator, which is activatable by the controller, which stores EMI event data in a non-volatile memory store.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: QINETIQ LIMITED
    Inventors: Richard Hoad, David Louis Herke
  • Patent number: 10101014
    Abstract: The invention proposes a lighting module for a motor vehicle, including a modulated intensity source of coherent light. The features of the invention make it possible to increase the safety of a device of this kind by employing more robust fault detection than the prior art. A method for controlling a device of this kind is also proposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: VALEO VISION
    Inventor: Sebastian Krick
  • Patent number: 9970619
    Abstract: A vehicle lamp includes a semiconductor laser element configured to emit laser light; a condenser lens configured to condense the laser light, a phosphor configured to form white light by converting wavelength of at least a portion of the laser light condensed, and a reflector configured to reflect the white light. A scattered light forming part is formed on a surface of the reflector, which is a surface at which a path obtained by extending an optical path of the laser light before the laser light hits the phosphor is intersected with the reflector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Akihiro Nomura, Tsukasa Tokida, Yuichi Shibata, Yukihiro Onoda, Takayuki Yagi, Satoshi Yamamura, Toshiaki Tsuda
  • Patent number: 9761077
    Abstract: A bank note processing system having a combined florescence and phosphorescence detection system. The bank note processing system includes a detection module which has a detector housing having a first compartment and a second compartment separated by a light baffle. An illumination source and a first sensor module are disposed in the first compartment of the detector housing and a second sensor module is disposed in the second compartment of the detector housing. The illumination source directs light to the bank note and the first sensor module measures the bank note's florescence at a first point in time. The second sensor module measures the bank note's phosphorescence at a second point in time and the detection module determines whether the bank note is a counterfeit bank note using the measured florescence and the measured phosphorescence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: Toshiba International Corporation
    Inventor: Sohail Kayani
  • Patent number: 9753148
    Abstract: A radiation sensor can include a body configured to capture targeted radiation. In an embodiment, the body can include a topological insulator material. In another embodiment, the radiation sensor can further include a controllable magnetic source configured to generate a magnetic field that is received by the body. The radiation sensor can be used to detect the targeted radiation. In an embodiment, detecting the targeted radiation can be done in not greater than 100 ns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: SAINT-GOBAIN CERAMICS & PLASTICS, INC.
    Inventor: Peter R. Menge
  • Patent number: 9523761
    Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for using two or more currently installed antenna elements on a vehicle for geolocation of a remote emitter. Redundant antenna elements initially installed for a non-geolocation purpose are employed to receive signals from the remote emitter. A splitter is used to tap from the received signal where the content of the received signal, if desired, is available to a non-geolocation receiver for which the antenna element was originally designed. The splitter transmits the split portion of the signal to a geolocation sensing receiver for signal processing based on a two or more antenna element geolocation solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Theodore J. Hoffmann, Mark M. Mulbrook, James A. Stevens
  • Patent number: 9459300
    Abstract: Various embodiments for detecting a high Intensity radiated field (HIRF) in a line replaceable unit are provided. For example, an internal detector includes at least one antenna attached to a chassis. The at least one antenna is configured and dimensioned to pick up an electromagnetic field. The electromagnetic field induces a current in the at least one antenna proportional to a magnitude of the electromagnetic field. The internal detector also includes a circuit configured to generate a DC signal based on the induced current in the at least one antenna and a processing section configured to compare the DC signal with a threshold and output a result of the comparison to a built-in test section. The internal detector may be used to test EMI filter pin connectors of a closed line replaceable unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: BAE Systems Controls Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Hart Heiland, Jr., Richard P. Quinlivan, Thomas Edward Guth, Zain Adam Horning, Peter Joseph Watson, Gustavo Enrique Melendez Velazquez
  • Patent number: 9103517
    Abstract: A vehicle light can prevent color variations of the projected image. The vehicle light can include a laser diode, a wavelength conversion member including a phosphor configured to receive blue light emitted from the laser diode and then emitting white light, a projection lens configured to project the white light emitted from the wavelength conversion member to provide forward illumination for a vehicle, and a diffusing portion provided to the projection lens, configured to diffuse the excitation light which is incident on the projection lens from the wavelength conversion member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: Stanley Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Nakazato, Yoshiaki Nakaya
  • Patent number: 9030327
    Abstract: A method includes receiving radiation sensor data from two radiation sensors that are positioned separately from each other about a path. Position information identifying a source of radiation as it passes by the two radiation sensors is received. The sensor data from the two radiation sensors is time shifted to correlate the sensor data to the identified source of radiation. The time shifted sensor signals are summed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Edward L. Cochran, Kwong Wing Au
  • Patent number: 9019108
    Abstract: A system includes a radiation sensor configured to direct a field of view toward a conduit within a heat recovery steam generator, and to output a signal indicative of a temperature of the conduit. The system also includes a controller communicatively coupled to the radiation sensor. The controller is configured to determine the temperature based on the signal, and to compare the temperature to a threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Rahul Jaikaran Chillar, Eric J. Kauffman, Adil Ansari
  • Patent number: 8977501
    Abstract: Provided are a system and method for identifying planned markers while drilling a borehole. In one example, the method includes obtaining a plan containing planned markers that each corresponds to a baseline marker from an existing well. Each of the baseline markers corresponds to a waveform from a log file obtained from the existing well and is associated with a waveform representation of the corresponding waveform. Each of the planned markers is associated with an estimated true vertical depth (TVD) value. A second log file corresponding to the borehole is obtained that contains waveforms representing formation information detected within the borehole. The second log file is scanned for a planned marker based on the estimated TVD value and the waveform representation of the baseline marker corresponding to the planned marker. At least one match may be identified and reported for the planned marker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Hunt Advanced Drilling Technologies, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Todd W. Benson, Brian Eugene Stokeld, Dwight A. Lockhart
  • Patent number: 8935960
    Abstract: A kit for detecting the presence of an explosive includes a pulsed focused energy source located at a target distance away from a substrate, the energy having a magnitude sufficient to release the internal energy of an explosive if present on the substrate and thereby generate an acoustic wave. The kit also includes a detector adapted to detect the acoustic wave at a detection distance away from the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Charles M. Wynn, Robert W. Haupt, Sumanth Kaushik, Stephen T. Palmacci
  • Patent number: 8928485
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the acquisition of tilted series images of a minute sample in a short time. The present invention relates to: measuring in advance the relation between an amount of focus shift and a degree of coincidence at the time of acquiring tilted series images; calculating backwards a focus shift from the degree of coincidence on the basis of this relation; correcting the focus shift by controlling a stage, an objective lens, and the like; and thus acquiring the tilted series images. In addition, the present invention relates to: acquiring a reference image in advance at the time of photographing the tilted series images; obtaining the correlation between an acquired image and the reference image; and performing, if the degree of coincidence is equal to or smaller than a set value, processing such as the transmission of a warning message and the stop of an image acquisition sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Hitachi High-Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Hideki Kikuchi, Isao Nagaoki, Katsuyuki Minakawa
  • Publication number: 20150002299
    Abstract: A food safety device for placement on a product is disclosed. The food safety device comprises one or more sensors that measure at least one condition of the product and/or its environment, one or more visual indicators that are configured to display a visual indication of freshness and/or safety of the product. An antenna transmits and receives data regarding the at least one measured condition of the product and the freshness and/or safety of the product. A logic module executes programmable logic to determine the freshness and/or safety of the product from the at least one measured condition of the product, to cause the one or more visual indicators to display a visual indication of the freshness and/or safety it determines, and to transmit and receive data regarding the at least one measured condition of the product and the freshness and/or safety of the product via the antenna.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2014
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventor: Warren SANDVICK
  • Patent number: 8922335
    Abstract: A weapons container for releasing a defense weapon includes a cabinet, a cabinet door, and an interior securing the defense weapon. Upon detection of a fingerprint input by a biometric sensor, a surveillance camera captures video and an audio intercom provides communication with a central command center. A recording system saves the video and audio to a storage database. A delay release lock secures the defense weapon for an amount of time and releases the defense weapon depending on a signal from the central command center. A communications system is connected over a network to the central command center, a local authority, and an emergency responder. The communications system notifies the local authority or the emergency responder upon detection of the fingerprint input and streams the video and audio to the central command center and at least one of the local authority and the emergency responder over the Internet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Inventors: Timothy Deweese, Brandon Delibro
  • Patent number: 8896454
    Abstract: To examine a contamination state of a worker having worked in a radiation controlled zone, a first unit detects contamination of a front or back surface of the worker and outputs a first signal indicating a contamination state of the surface. A second unit detects contamination of an arm's inner side surface of the worker and outputs a second signal indicating a contamination state of the arm's side surface. A third unit detects contamination of a trunk's side surface of the worker and outputs a third signal indicating a contamination state of the trunk's side surface. A processing unit detects the presence of contamination of the front or back surface and the armpit's both sides based on the outputted first signal, on the second signal output when the second unit moves up together with the third unit, and on the third signal output when the third unit moves up.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Fuji Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryohei Yanagishima, Katsuhito Ito, Ryoichi Saito, Satoshi Takano
  • Patent number: 8890696
    Abstract: A fire detector includes a sensor (4) for, in use, detecting electromagnetic radiation emitted by a flame and generating an electronic signal corresponding to the detected electromagnetic radiation. The detector further includes a processing device (2) configured to select a portion of the electronic signal corresponding to a first time period and compare the selected signal portion with at least one parameter to determine an initial presence or absence of a flame, the processing device being further configured, upon determining the initial presence of the flame, to select a further portion of the electronic signal corresponding to a further time period and comparing the further selected signal portion with at least one parameter to determine a definite presence or absence of the flame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Inventor: James Sinclair Popper
  • Patent number: 8890697
    Abstract: Mobile devices may minimize the radiation exposure to users by controlling the distance between the user, specifically the groin area, and the mobile device to a minimum distance. The reduction in exposure is realized due to the operation of the Inverse Square Rule on electromagnetic signal from the mobile device recognizing there is a steep fall off of signal strength resultant from increased distance between the head of the user and the source of the signal. Embodiments alert the user to a mobile device in the users pocket is in a transmission mode and thus should be removed from the users pocket to maintain operational distance between the user and the device to reduce signal absorption of the users reproductive organs. Enabled mobile devices detect the transmission mode and the acceleration of the device in determining whether to alert the user. Embodiments influence the user to maintain a minimum distance via alerts, interruptions and warnings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Green Swan, Inc.
    Inventor: Harry V. Lehmann
  • Patent number: 8854218
    Abstract: Systems and methods for creating a detector network across one or more existing communications systems. In one implementation, a system is provided. The system includes a plurality of hosts, each host hosting one or more detectors operable to detect an occurrence of an event, the hosts including functionality that is not related to the detectors and including communication functionality. The system also includes a management device for managing the detectors and one or more communications networks linking the detectors and the management device using the communication functionality of the respective host.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Public Wireless, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Michael Reagan, Roger T. Haas, Kim Blake Peterson, Simon Westbrook
  • Patent number: 8847830
    Abstract: A radiation detector disposed on a microwave antenna assembly is disclosed. The radiation detector includes a receiving antenna adapted to receive errant microwave energy and a rectifier coupled to the receiving antenna that is adapted to rectify at least a portion of the errant microwave energy. A filter is coupled to the rectifier and is adapted to convert the rectified microwave energy into a detection signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Joseph D. Brannan
  • Patent number: 8842015
    Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, the present invention relates to a hand-held or “gun/firearm mounted” electromagnetic transceiver acting as a pulsed RADAR (i.e., “Radio Detection and Ranging”) or LIDAR (i.e., “Light Detection and Ranging”) device that can detect the presence of one or many passive retro-reflectors attached to or worn by people or objects that are close or distant in a preferred angle of detection. In a preferred embodiment this device could be mounted on a gun and would alert the user if a retro-reflector is detected in the direction of fire. Additional sensors can be used to change the effective field of detection, to save energy or to provide multiple parallel sensors for these and other reasons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Safety Lab Holdings Limited
    Inventor: Michael Scott
  • Patent number: 8822895
    Abstract: A fiber fuse detecting apparatus provides early detection of a fiber fuse generation in an optical fiber that propagates laser light, preventing the damage from expanding. It comprises light input means arranged on a laser light incidence side of the optical fiber that inputs at least a portion of reverse direction propagation light propagating in a reverse direction to light incidenting the optical fiber, light receiving means that photo-electrically converts light input by the light input means, electric filter means that extracts from an output signal of the light receiving means a prescribed frequency band component that contains a periodic signal due to fiber fuse, detecting means that detects change of or a prescribed value in output level of the electric filter means, and warning means that emits a warning signal in response to a detection output of the detecting means. The laser light to the optical fiber is stopped or reduced by means of the warning means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: National Institute of Information and Communications Technology
    Inventors: Kazi Sarwar Abedin, Toshio Morioka
  • Publication number: 20140240134
    Abstract: It is a system and method for the monitoring of the illicit traffic of fissile materials that can be used for the construction of nuclear bombs or not fissile that can be used for the construction of radiological dispersion devices; characterized by reducing the rate of spurious detection and increase the probability of detection compared with equivalent devices of the prior art. Some of its embodiments include the use of a radiation detector/telemeter ensemble with manual or automatic pointing and an ensemble of radiation detector/camera with an automatic object tracker along with data acquisition and processing electronics; which allow the calculation of the correlation between the characteristic profile produced by the MO and a predicted reference profile. The detection electronics includes a gamma spectrometer and processing electronics for compensating for the shadow shielding effects.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2013
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: INVAP S.E.
    Inventor: Roberto M. Cibils
  • Patent number: 8810416
    Abstract: An assembly (13) for monitoring ionising radiation comprises a detector substrate (2) for generating electronic charge responsive to incident ionising radiation, the detector substrate (2) having an array of ionising radiation sense volumes (12) formed in it. A circuit substrate (14) supporting an array of read-out circuits (16) corresponding to the array of sense volumes is mechanically and electrically coupled to the detector substrate (14). Each of the read-out circuits (16) is switchable between first and second charge integration modes for receiving charge from a corresponding sense volume. A charge integration circuit (30) is configured in the first charge integration mode to integrate charge corresponding to sensing of a single ionising radiation detection event in a corresponding sense volume and in the second charge integrating mode to integrate charge corresponding to sensing a plurality of ionising radiation detection events in the corresponding sense volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Radiation Watch Limited, LLC
    Inventors: Peter Trevor Doughty, Michael John Anderson, David Jeremy Prendergast, Ian Benson
  • Patent number: 8803685
    Abstract: A method for scanning and securing a container including a plurality of at least partially composite panels defining an interior volume is disclosed. The method includes: storing unique identification information in an identification element within container; sealing the container; monitoring the container for intrusion; without breaching the seal of the container, remotely identifying the container based on the unique identity information without breaching the seal of the container; without breaching the seal of the container; scanning the identified container to determine the presence or absence of a nuclear weapon in the interior volume; and if the scan determines no nuclear weapon is present remotely storing certificate information associated with the identity of the container in a remote monitor unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Angel Secure Networks, Inc.
    Inventor: Fred Hewitt Smith
  • Patent number: 8686865
    Abstract: Exemplary methods, systems and components enable detection and/or monitoring and/or control of electromagnetic radiation (EMR) exposure of target body-related portions of a user operating a telecommunication device. In some embodiments a risk-assessment output is provided based on a safety threshold or predetermined intrusion level of EMR exposure. A further aspect may include interaction with external EMR sources regarding possible modification of emissions as well as possible arrangements for other types of remedial action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: The Invention Science Fund I, LLC
    Inventors: Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Jordin T. Kare, Clarence T. Tegreene, Thomas A. Weaver, Lowell L. Wood, Jr., Victoria Y. H. Wood
  • Publication number: 20140055271
    Abstract: Apparatuses, systems and methods for tracking medical equipment, or one or more medical devices, such as radio-opaque shields, are disclosed. Use of the medical device(s) may be tracked. Withdrawal of the medical device(s) from service for maintenance, other service and/or validation may be tracked. When a tracked medical device comprises a radio-opaque shield, the cumulative exposure of the medical device or an individual or object shielded by the medical device to ionizing radiation may be tracked, as may the cumulative amount of ionizing radiation attenuated by the medical device. Methods for actively or passively tracking one or more medical devices until the arrival of a time for a predetermined, or scheduled, event are also disclosed, as are methods for performing predetermined events.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2013
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Applicant: BloXR Corporation
    Inventors: Prataprai Chowdhary, Ashok C. Khandkar
  • Patent number: 8659437
    Abstract: A flame sensing system having a flame rod, a signal generator, a signal measurement circuit, and a controller, where the frequency and/or amplitude of the excitation signal may be variable. The signal measurement circuit may include a bias circuitry that references the flame signal to a voltage, a capacitor that varies the filtration, an AC coupling capacitor, a current limiting resistor, and a low-pass filter. The system may determine the flame-sensing rod contamination, the stray capacitance of the flame sensing system, and compensate for stray capacitance in the flame sensing system. The flame model may include a circuit that simulates a flame in the presence of the sensing rod, and another circuit that simulates a contact surface between the flame and the sensing rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Brent Chian
  • Patent number: 8642960
    Abstract: A flux detection apparatus can include a radioactive sample having a decay rate capable of changing in response to interaction with a first particle or a field, and a detector associated with the radioactive sample. The detector is responsive to a second particle or radiation formed by decay of the radioactive sample. The rate of decay of the radioactive sample can be correlated to flux of the first particle or the field. Detection of the first particle or the field can provide an early warning for an impending solar event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Purdue Research Foundation
    Inventors: Ephraim Fischbach, Jere Jenkins
  • Patent number: 8633823
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an inspection system that has a radiation source, a detector array, an inspection region, and a processing unit, where the processing unit a) obtains a radiographic image, b) segments the radiographic image based on radiation attenuation or transmission, c) identifies at least one segmented area on the radiographic image, d) filters the at least one segmented area using at least one geometric filter, e) generates feature vectors using the filtered segmented area; and f) compares the feature vectors against predefined values to determine whether a high-atomic-number object is present.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Rapiscan Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert A. Armistead, Jr., William Chang, Edward D. Franco, Joseph Bendahan, Jolyon A. Browne
  • Patent number: 8633827
    Abstract: A patient table system for medical applications is provided. The table system comprises: a table top; at least one sensor configured to measure information representative of a pressure exerted by a patient on the table top when the patient is in a lying position; and a safety detector configured to compare the measured information with reference data of the table top mechanical resistance and to provide an alert depending on the result of the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Ramanan Lakshminarayanan