For Spectrographic (i.e., Photographic) Investigation Patents (Class 356/302)
  • Patent number: 11925328
    Abstract: Hyperspectral imaging with reduced fixed pattern noise is disclosed. A method includes actuating an emitter to emit a plurality of pulses of electromagnetic radiation and sensing reflected electromagnetic radiation resulting from the plurality of pulses of electromagnetic radiation with a pixel array of an image sensor to generate a plurality of exposure frames. The method includes applying edge enhancement to edges within an exposure frame of the plurality of exposure frames. The method is such that at least a portion of the plurality of pulses of electromagnetic radiation emitted by the emitter comprises one or more of electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength from about 513 nm to about 545 nm, from about 565 nm to about 585 nm, or from about 900 nm to about 1000 nm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Joshua D. Talbert, Donald M. Wichern
  • Patent number: 11889205
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes a lens on which light from one subject is incident, a spectral prism including a first surface reflecting, at a first reflectance, first light having a first wavelength, and a second surface reflecting, at a second reflectance, having a second wavelength, a first imaging unit capturing a first image of the subject at a first depth of field based on the first light reflected by the first surface, a second imaging unit capturing a second image of the subject at a second depth of field based on the second light reflected by the second surface, a third imaging unit capturing a third image of the subject at a third depth of field based on third light transmitted through the first surface or the second surface, and a signal processing unit synthesizing the first image, the second image, and the third image, and outputting the synthesized image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: I-PRO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jyouji Wada, Yota Hashimoto, Hayato Wachi, Yuuichi Takenaga
  • Patent number: 11786115
    Abstract: Improved fluorescent imaging and other sensor data imaging processes, including hyperspectral imaging, devices, and systems are provided to enhance endoscopes with multiple wavelength capabilities and providing sequential imaging and display. A first optical device is provided for endoscopy imaging in a white light and a fluoresced light mode with an imaging unit including one or more image sensors. A mechanism in the first optical device to automatically adjust the focus of the first optical device using one or more deformable, variable-focus lenses, wherein the automatic focus adjustment compensates for a chromatic focal difference between the light collected at distinct wavelength bands caused by the dispersive or diffractive properties of the optical materials or optical design employed in the construction of the first or second optical devices, or both. Further variable spectrum imaging is enhanced with the use of adjustable spectral filters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: KARL STORZ SE & Co KG
    Inventors: Harald Baumann, Christin Baumann
  • Patent number: 11690500
    Abstract: A stereo-endoscope for observation and analysis of an object, comprising a shaft with distal and proximal ends, illuminating means for illuminating the object, and stereoscopic imaging means which transfer light radiated by the object from the distal end to the proximal end. Light of a first imaging channel is fed into a first sensor, and light of a second imaging channel is fed into a second sensor. Both sensors contain mutually different beam splitters, which split the light into four light beams. One light beam from each of the sensors is deflected onto one sensor each; these two sensors are identical. The signals detected there are assembled to form a stereoscopic image. The stereo-endoscope comprises mutually different manipulating means for the other two light beams; by means of suitably-tuned image-processing algorithms, two different monoscopic images containing information complementary to each other and to the stereoscopic image are generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: avateramedical GmbH
    Inventors: Fabian Weise, Stefan Beyer
  • Patent number: 11177109
    Abstract: The present invention addresses a problem of providing a specimen holder capable of observing phenomena on the surface and in the inner part of a specimen, the phenomena being generated in different gas spaces, and a charged particle beam device provided with the specimen holder. In order to solve this problem, a specimen holder for a charged particle beam device which observes a specimen using a charged particle beam is configured such that the specimen holder includes a first gas injection nozzle capable of injecting a first gas to a first portion of a specimen, a second gas injection nozzle capable of injecting a second gas to a second portion of the specimen, the second portion being different from the first portion, and a partition part provided between the first gas injection nozzle and the second gas injection nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: Hitachi High-Tech Corporation
    Inventors: Toshie Yaguchi, Yasuhira Nagakubo
  • Patent number: 11133150
    Abstract: The present invention addresses a problem of providing a specimen holder capable of observing phenomena on the surface and in the inner part of a specimen, the phenomena being generated in different gas spaces, and a charged particle beam device provided with the specimen holder. In order to solve this problem, a specimen holder for a charged particle beam device which observes a specimen using a charged particle beam is configured such that the specimen holder includes a first gas injection nozzle capable of injecting a first gas to a first portion of a specimen, a second gas injection nozzle capable of injecting a second gas to a second portion of the specimen, the second portion being different from the first portion, and a partition part provided between the first gas injection nozzle and the second gas injection nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: Hitachi High-Tech Corporation
    Inventors: Toshie Yaguchi, Yasuhira Nagakubo
  • Patent number: 10962413
    Abstract: A freeform surface imaging spectrometer system including a primary mirror, a secondary mirror, a tertiary mirror, and a detector is provided. The secondary mirror is a grating having a freeform surface shape, and the grating having the freeform surface shape is obtained by intersecting a set of equally spaced parallel planes with a freeform surface. A plurality of feature rays exiting from a light source is successively reflected by the primary mirror, the secondary mirror and the tertiary mirror to form an image on an image sensor. A reflective surface of each of the primary mirror, the tertiary mirror surface and the tertiary mirror is an xy polynomial freeform surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignees: Tsinghua University, HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jun Zhu, Ben-qi Zhang, Guo-Fan Jin, Shou-Shan Fan
  • Patent number: 10801953
    Abstract: Methods and systems for performing semiconductor measurements based on hyperspectral imaging are presented herein. A hyperspectral imaging system images a wafer over a large field of view with high pixel density over a broad range of wavelengths. Image signals collected from a measurement area are detected at a number of pixels. The detected image signals from each pixel are spectrally analyzed separately. In some embodiments, the illumination and collection optics of a hyperspectral imaging system include fiber optical elements to direct illumination light from the illumination source to the measurement area on the surface of the specimen under measurement and fiber optical elements to image the measurement area. In another aspect, a fiber optics collector includes an image pixel mapper that couples a two dimensional array of collection fiber optical elements into a one dimensional array of pixels at the spectrometer and the hyperspectral detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: KLA-Tencor Corporation
    Inventors: David Y. Wang, Alexander Buettner, Stilian Ivanov Pandev, Emanuel Saerchen, Andrei V. Shchegrov, Barry Blasenheim
  • Patent number: 10718667
    Abstract: A reflective relay spectrometer design based on reflective optical relay systems, which is more compact in physical size and superior in spectral imaging quality than previous designs, is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: Wavefront Research, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas A. Mitchell
  • Patent number: 10664716
    Abstract: A portable complete analysis solution that integrates computer vision, spectrometry, and artificial intelligence for providing self-adaptive, real time information and recommendations for objects of interest. The solution has three major key components: (1) a camera enabled mobile device to capture an image of the object, followed by fast computer vision analysis for features and key elements extraction; (2) a portable wireless spectrometer to obtain spectral information of the object at areas of interest, followed by transmission of the data (data from all built in sensors) to the mobile device and the cloud; and (3) a sophisticated cloud based artificial intelligence model to encode the features from images and chemical information from spectral analysis to decode the object of interest. The complete solution provides fast, accurate, and real time analyses that allows users to obtain clear information about objects of interest as well as personalized recommendations based on the information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: VISPEK INC.
    Inventors: Wei Liu, Ran Zhao, Huamin Li, Jinqing Huang
  • Patent number: 9885662
    Abstract: Methods and systems are presented for analyzing semiconductor materials as they progress along a production line, using photoluminescence images acquired using line-scanning techniques. The photoluminescence images can be analyzed to obtain spatially resolved information on one or more properties of said material, such as lateral charge carrier transport, defects and the presence of cracks. In one preferred embodiment the methods and systems are used to obtain series resistance images of silicon photovoltaic cells without making electrical contact with the sample cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: BT IMAGING PTY LTD
    Inventors: Thorsten Trupke, Juergen Weber
  • Publication number: 20150133751
    Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for distinguishing tissue types are described herein. Such devices and systems may use dual polarization, conformal filters to acquire image data from target tissues and a processor to create an image in which the contrast between tissues has been enhanced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2014
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventors: Shona STEWART, Serena AUGUSTINE, Jeffrey COHEN, Ryan PRIORE
  • Patent number: 8929642
    Abstract: A three-dimensional scanner according to one aspect of the embodiments includes an irradiation unit, an imaging unit, a position detecting unit, and a scanning-region determining unit. The irradiation unit emits a slit-shaped light beam while changing an irradiation position with respect to a measuring object. The imaging unit sequentially captures images of the measuring object irradiated with the light beam. The position detecting unit detects a position of the light beam in an image captured by the imaging unit by scanning the image. The scanning-region determining unit determines a scanning region in an image as a scanning target by the position detecting unit based on a position of the light beam in an image captured by the imaging unit before the image as a scanning target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Yasakawa Denki
    Inventor: Yuji Ichimaru
  • Patent number: 8897571
    Abstract: Provided is a process and system for detection of sparse or otherwise weak targets in a hyperspectral image. A hyperspectral image is received having a multitude of pixels, with each pixel having a respective spectrum. In some embodiments, multiple mean spectra are selectively determined for respective sub-regions of the hyperspectral image. The subset mean spectra can be selectively removed from respective pixels, thereby improving image fidelity due to sensor artifacts. Additionally, target detection of such an adjusted image can be determined by one or more of matched filter techniques or by partial un-mixing. In at least some embodiments target detection is enhanced by combining a measure of target match with a residual spectrum determined as a measure of un-match. Target detection can be further improved by application of rules, for example, related to target detection threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Ian S. Robinson, James J. Dwulit, C. Ralph Waters, Bradley A. Flanders
  • Patent number: 8897570
    Abstract: Provided is a process and system for detection of sparse or otherwise weak targets in a hyperspectral image. A hyperspectral image is received having a multitude of pixels, with each pixel having a respective spectrum. In some embodiments, multiple mean spectra are selectively determined for respective sub-regions of the hyperspectral image. The subset mean spectra can be selectively removed from respective pixels, thereby improving image fidelity due to sensor artifacts. Additionally, target detection of such an adjusted image can be determined by one or more of matched filter techniques or by partial un-mixing. In at least some embodiments target detection is enhanced by combining a measure of target match with a residual spectrum determined as a measure of un-match. Target detection can be further improved by application of rules, for example, related to target detection threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Ian S. Robinson, James J. Dwulit, C. Ralph Waters, Bradley A. Flanders
  • Publication number: 20140333927
    Abstract: A spectral characteristic acquisition device includes a member configured to have a plurality of openings arrayed in a predetermined direction, each of the plurality of openings inclined with respect to the predetermined direction, the plurality of openings being configured to pass light beams from a plurality of positions on an object therethrough, a spectrally dispersing part configured to spectrally disperse the light beams having passed through the plurality of openings in a direction orthogonal to the predetermined direction, and a plurality of one-dimensional image capturing parts provided at a predetermined interval in a plurality of lines and configured to be irradiated with the light beams having been spectrally dispersed by the spectrally dispersing part, a plurality of pixels of the plurality of one-dimensional image capturing parts being arrayed in a direction parallel to the predetermined direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2014
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Applicant: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Kohei SHIMBO, Naohiro Kamijo, Yoichi Kubota
  • Publication number: 20140285799
    Abstract: A spectroscopic camera includes a light incident section provided with an incident angle limiter and first alignment marks, a wavelength tunable interference filter provided with second alignment marks, and a circuit substrate provided with an imaging device and third alignment marks. The amount of deviation of a mechanical central axis of each of the components from an ideal central axis thereof and the angle of rotation indicating the direction of the deviation are measured, and the positions of the first alignment marks and the second alignment marks relative to each other and the positions of the second alignment marks and the third alignment marks relative to each other are so adjusted that the ideal central axes coincide with one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2014
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Applicant: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Kazunori SAKURAI
  • Publication number: 20140233027
    Abstract: An imaging system comprises a wide field of view (FOV) telescope, a narrow FOV telescope, a spectrometer, an imaging detector, an image slicer, and a selection mechanism. The wide FOV telescope is configured to produce a one-dimensional optical image of a broad field of view (FOV) F. The narrow FOV telescope is configured to produce a two-dimensional optical image of a narrow FOV f. The spectrometer is configured to produce a spectrum of a one-dimensional image, and the imaging detector is configured to capture that spectrum. The image slicer is configured to break the two-dimensional optical image into a series of one-dimensional segments. The selection mechanism operable in either of two modes: a wide FOV mode transmitting the one-dimensional optical image to the spectrometer, and a zoom mode transmitting a one-dimensional concatenation of the series of one-dimensional segments to the spectrometer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2012
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: Hamilton Sundstrand Space Systems International, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian M. Sutin, Richard A. Heppner
  • Patent number: 8804115
    Abstract: Systems and methods for performing optical spectroscopy using a self-calibrating fiber optic probe are disclosed. One self-calibrating fiber optic probe includes a sensing channel for transmitting illumination light to a specimen and for collecting spectral data of the specimen. The spectral data includes the illumination light diffusely reflected from the specimen at one or more wavelengths. The self-calibrating fiber optic probe may also include a calibration channel for transmitting calibration light. The calibration light and the illumination light are generated simultaneously from a common light source. The calibration channel collects calibration spectral data associated with the calibration light contemporaneously with the collection of the spectral data of the specimen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Duke University
    Inventors: Bing Yu, Nirmala Ramanujam
  • Patent number: 8787752
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes an optically powered transducer with a photovoltaic collector. An optical fiber power delivery method and system and a free space power delivery method are also provided. A fabrication process for making an optically powered transducer is further described, together with an implantable transducer system based on optical power delivery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Axel Scherer, Aditya Rajagopal, Seheon Kim, Andrew P. Homyk
  • Patent number: 8773659
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for producing spectrographic images free of SI, SII, and SIII field aberrations. The apparatus includes a focusing element placed at a distance from a dispersing element equal to the radius of curvature of the focusing element. The apparatus further includes at least one correcting plate for adding or subtracting abberations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Roper Scientific Inc.
    Inventor: Jason McClure
  • Publication number: 20140152983
    Abstract: An apparatus or system of estimating a spectrum of an object includes a plurality of filters or a plurality of filter areas that respectively have spectral characteristics different from one another, wherein at least two filters or filter areas have transmittance greater than a predetermined value throughout a wavelength range subject for estimation. The image capturing apparatus or system estimates a line spectrum of an object using spectral images of the at least two filters or filter areas having transmittance greater than the predetermined value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2013
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Inventors: Kensuke MASUDA, Go Maruyama, Yuji Yamanaka
  • Patent number: 8742334
    Abstract: A spinning cell device is described for fast and convenient standardization and analysis of constituents and isotopes in solid samples by laser ablation inductively coupled plasma (LA-ICP) spectrometry. The method and apparatus for performing the method require the sample under test and a standard to be spun during ablation allowing the quasi-simultaneous ablation of both materials. The aerosols resulting from the ablation of sample and standard are mixed in the ablation cell allowing quantification of the ablated metals by the method of standard addition or isotope dilution. The relative proportion of standard verses sample ablated can be changed by altering the trajectory of the laser beam. The ablated aerosol is swept into an inductively coupled plasma by a carrier gas and analyzed by mass spectrometry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of Commerce, the National Institute of Standards and Technology
    Inventors: John L. Molloy, Naomi Bier, Fanny Claverie, Julien F. C. Malherbe
  • Publication number: 20140055784
    Abstract: An spectrometer having a first lens, a perforated focal plane mask having a front surface and rear surface and a plurality of perforations, the first lens configured to focus incoming radiation onto a front surface of the focal plane mask, each of the perforations of the focal plane mask causing a radiation beam that is emitted from the rear surface of the focal plane mask, a dispersing element receiving the radiation beams and configured to disperse each of the radiation beams into dispersed radiation beams, a second lens, and a focal plane array, the second lens configured to focus the dispersed radiation beams onto the focal plane array.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2013
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Applicant: Logos Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Richard M. KREMER, Mark SALVADOR
  • Patent number: 8654326
    Abstract: Apparatus for performing Raman spectroscopy may include a first laser source having a first emission wavelength and a second laser source having a second emission wavelength. A separation between the first and second emission wavelengths may correspond to a width of a Raman band of a substance of interest. A switch may provide switching between the first and second laser sources. An ensemble of individually addressable laser emitters may be provided. A Bragg grating element may receive laser light from the ensemble. An optical system may direct light from the Bragg grating element into an optical fiber. A combined beam through the optical fiber may contain light from each of the emitters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: PD-LD, Inc.
    Inventors: Boris Leonidovich Volodin, Vladimir Sinisa Ban
  • Patent number: 8599388
    Abstract: Methods and computer program products for super-resolution mapping of nanoprobes having spectrally distinguishable coherent scattering properties. A sample containing a plurality of nanoprobes is illuminated with broadband light, and coherent scattering by the nanoprobes is detected. Scattered light is spectrally associated with respective nanoprobes, allowing a position associated with each nanoprobe to be mapped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois
    Inventors: Thpomas van Dijk, David Mayerich, Rohit Bhargava, Paul Scott Carney
  • Patent number: 8593630
    Abstract: Described herein are spectrometers comprising one or more wavelength-selective filters, such as guided mode resonance filters. Some of the spectrometers described herein are configured for obtaining absorbance spectra in a discrete fashion by measuring absorbances of a sample at multiple discrete wavelengths or wavelength bands. In another aspect, methods are also provided for obtaining spectra, images and chemical maps of samples in a discrete fashion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois
    Inventors: Rohit Bhargava, Brian T. Cunningham
  • Patent number: 8553221
    Abstract: Apparatus for performing Raman spectroscopy may include a first laser source having a first emission wavelength and a second laser source having a second emission wavelength. A separation between the first and second emission wavelengths may correspond to a width of a Raman band of a substance of interest. An optical switch may provide switching between the first and second laser sources. An ensemble of individually addressable laser emitters may be provided. A Bragg grating element may receive laser light from the ensemble. An optical system may direct light from the Bragg grating element into an optical fiber. A combined beam through the optical fiber may contain light from each of the emitters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: PD-LD, Inc.
    Inventors: Boris Leonidovich Volodin, Vladimir Sinisa Ban
  • Patent number: 8553224
    Abstract: Optical fibers are utilized to provide high efficiency, spatially resolved coupling of light from collection optics to an imaging spectrometer. In particular, a micro lens array may be utilized to couple light from multiple spatial locations into individual optical fibers. At the opposite end of the fiber bundle, the fibers are packed tightly together to send the light into an imaging spectrograph. The light that enters this spectrograph maintains its spatial separation, for instance, along the array dimension and is spectrally dispersed, for instance, along a dimension orthogonal to the array dimension. This spatially separated, wavelength resolved light can then be recorded on a two dimensional detector such as a CCD camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute
    Inventors: C. Alexander Morrow, Theodore J. Ronningen
  • Publication number: 20130201475
    Abstract: A spectroscopic measuring apparatus with monitoring capability includes a first optical path that extends from a measuring object through an optical system and a slit of a slit-mirror block to a spectroscope main body and a second optical path that extends from the measuring object through the optical system and a mirror face of the slit-mirror block to a two-dimensional photographing unit. The slit and spectroscope main body are integrated into a spectroscopic unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2011
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Applicant: MITAKA KOHKI CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Toshio Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 8502972
    Abstract: A method for sensing a target object using optical mode excitations in microresonators, comprises: preparing at least one cluster including at least two microresonators; obtaining some first spectra of the cluster; adsorbing the target object on a surface of the cluster; obtaining some second spectra of the cluster; and sensing the target object by comparing a lineshape of the first spectra with a lineshape of the second spectra.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Fujirebio Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Himmelhaus, Alexandre Francois
  • Publication number: 20130182251
    Abstract: A spectral characteristic measuring device includes an illuminating unit that illuminates a medium; a light dividing unit that divides reflection light from the medium into reflection light beams; a first imaging unit that includes first lenses and second lenses arranged alternately in a staggered pattern and focuses the respective reflection light beams; a diffraction unit that includes a first diffraction region and a second diffraction region and diffracts the focused reflection light beams to form diffraction images; and a light receiving unit that includes plural pixels for receiving the diffraction images. The reflection light beams focused by the first lenses enter the first diffraction region to form first diffraction images, the reflection light beams focused by the second lenses enter the second diffraction region to form second diffraction images, and the first and second diffraction images are arranged alternately on the light receiving unit in a pixel arrangement direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2013
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Inventors: Kohei Shimbo, Naohiro Kamijo, Manabu Seo, Yoichi Kubota
  • Publication number: 20130182250
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for producing spectrographic images free of SI, SII, and SIII field aberrations. The apparatus includes a focusing element placed at a distance from a dispersing element equal to the radius of curvature of the focusing element. The apparatus further includes at least one correcting plate for adding or subtracting abberations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2012
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Applicant: ROPER SCIENTIFIC, INC.
    Inventor: Jason McClure
  • Patent number: 8487979
    Abstract: The invention is a detection system that provides for background removal from a field of view (FOV) of spectra. A panoramic field of regard may be partitioned into a large number of FOV's. An FOV may include spectra including that of a target substance. Such detection may require removing the spectra other than that of the target. This may amount to removal of the background with an estimated background developed from spectra of one or more FOV's which may be similar to the background of the FOV with the target. An estimation of the background may be a sum of a number of FOV spectra where each spectrum is assigned a weight, the total amount of the weights being one.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Darryl Busch, Kwong Wing Au
  • Patent number: 8446458
    Abstract: A miniaturized Holographic Fourier transform imaging spectrometer HFTIS, made from simple all-reflective components and with no moving parts, is provided. This HFTIS includes an all-reflective two beam interferometer, which provides two interfering beams; a two-dimensional detector array to detect the interference pattern created by the beams; a computing machine for correcting the distortions in the pattern and calculating the spectrum from the corrected interferogram. The same principle can be used to build spot spectrometers, line-scan imaging spectrometers (also called array spectrometers or line-scan hyperspectral cameras) as well as two-dimensional instantaneous imaging spectrometers (also called staring hyperspectral cameras). In all variants of HFTIS that can be built using this invention, the wave-signal collecting element can also be built of all-reflective components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Inventor: Hamed Hamid Muhammed
  • Patent number: 8441644
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for the photo-acoustic identification and quantification of one or more analyte species present in a gaseous or liquid medium in low concentration utilizing a laser and a resonant optical cavity containing the medium and having within the cavity at least two partially transparent mirrors, one of which is a cavity coupling mirror and one of which is moveably mounted on an assembly responsive to an input signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: LI-COR, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander Kachanov, Serguei Koulikov
  • Publication number: 20130093936
    Abstract: The invention provides an energy dispersion device, spectrograph and method that can be used to evaluate the composition of matter on site without the need for specialized training or expensive equipment. The energy dispersion device or spectrograph can be used with a digital camera or cell phone. A device of the invention includes a stack of single- or double-dispersion diffraction gratings that are rotated about their normal giving rise to a multiplicity of diffraction orders from which meaningful measurements and determinations can be made with respect to the qualitative or quantitative characteristics of matter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2012
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Applicant: SPECTROCLICK, INC.
    Inventors: Alexander Scheeline, Bui Anh Thu
  • Patent number: 8411928
    Abstract: An inspection region is specified using the design information to perform region division for measurement through a scatterometry method. The obtained detection data is classified by pattern into a periodic region and a non-periodic region. A spectroscopic characteristic is detected by an optical sensor to extract features. The extracted features are compared with features stored in a feature map database for each region to evaluate a state of a patterned medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Hitachi High-Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Hideaki Sasazawa, Takenori Hirose, Minoru Yoshida, Keiya Saito, Shigeru Serikawa
  • Patent number: 8406469
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable storage media for progressive band selection for hyperspectral images. A system having module configured to control a processor to practice the method calculates a virtual dimensionality of a hyperspectral image having multiple bands to determine a quantity Q of how many bands are needed for a threshold level of information, ranks each band based on a statistical measure, selects Q bands from the multiple bands to generate a subset of bands based on the virtual dimensionality, and generates a reduced image based on the subset of bands. This approach can create reduced datasets of full hyperspectral images tailored for individual applications. The system uses a metric specific to a target application to rank the image bands, and then selects the most useful bands. The number of bands selected can be specified manually or calculated from the hyperspectral image's virtual dimensionality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventor: Kevin Fisher
  • Publication number: 20130027699
    Abstract: An imaging assembly for a spectrometer includes a substrate with first and second modules thereon containing respective arrays of detector elements positioned so the arrays are elongated along a first axis with a gap therebetween. A third module including a third array of detector elements is also thereon, spaced from the first axis, at least as long as the gap, and smaller than the elongation of either of the first or second arrays. Further thereon are first and second slits elongated along a second axis spaced from and generally parallel to the first axis, each being at least as long as the respective arrays. A third slit at least as long as the gap is also therein, spaced from the first axis, second axis, and third array such that the gap, third slit, and third array are generally along a third axis generally perpendicular to the first and second axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2011
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: RAYTHEON COMPANY
    Inventors: Ian S. ROBINSON, Lacy G. COOK, Yifal J. SHAHAM
  • Patent number: 8346031
    Abstract: A micro-resonator sensor uses an evanescent wave of a total reflection mirror. The sensor includes an input waveguide for guiding inspection light incidented on one end section to the other section. A total reflection mirror is disposed at the other section of the input waveguide such that an incident angle made with the input waveguide is larger than a total reflection threshold angle at which the inspection light is totally reflected, and includes a receptor provided on the other side from the side on which the inspection light is incidented and combined with a measurement-subject material. An output waveguide is disposed at a certain output angle relative to the total reflection mirror for outputting a reflection light whose intensity changes according to the measurement-subject material due to an interaction between the evanescent wave generated by the inspection light incidented to the total reflection mirror and the measurement-subject material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Chung-Ang University Industry-Academy Cooperation Foundation
    Inventors: Young-Wan Choi, Doo Gun Kim
  • Publication number: 20120327409
    Abstract: A spectrograph including light beam reformatting element(s), beam expander(s), dispersive element(s) and light receiving element(s). The light beam reformatting element(s) reformat a received light beam into a reformatted light beam having a first dimension along a first axis that is larger than a dimension of the received light beam along the first axis and a second dimension along a second axis substantially orthogonal to the first axis that is smaller than a dimension of the received light beam along the second axis. The beam expander(s) anamorphically expand the reformatted light beam along the second axis into an expanded light beam. The dispersive element(s) disperse the expanded light beam along the second axis, resulting in a dispersed light beam. The light receiving element(s) receive the dispersed light beam. The light receiving element(s) may include one or more detectors to measure spectral intensity of the dispersed light beam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2012
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: ARJAE SPECTRAL ENTERPRISES, LTD.
    Inventors: Bradford B. BEHR, Jeffrey T. MEADE
  • Publication number: 20120287430
    Abstract: A compact field spectrograph is described that provides a resolution of 500 or more with no entrance aperture, providing for substantial gain in light throughput, ideal for viewing multiple distant objects with or without telescopic aid, and providing the ability to observe and distinguish a multiplex of objects simultaneously, even if in motion, with minimal or no mechanical tracking required. Spectra may be viewed directly with the unaided eye, or photographed with common consumer cameras.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2011
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Inventor: Ronald Anthony Masters
  • Patent number: 8301229
    Abstract: A biological observation apparatus comprises a color image signal creating section that performs signal processing on either a first image pickup signal for which a subject to be examined illuminated by white illumination light is picked up by a color filter having a transmitting characteristic of a plurality of broadband wavelengths or a second image pickup signal for which a subject to be examined is picked up under illumination of frame sequential illumination lights which cover a visible range, and creates a color image signal. The biological observation apparatus comprises a spectral image signal creating section that creates a spectral image signal corresponding to a narrowband image signal through signal processing on a color image signal based on the first or second image pickup signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Olympus Medical Systems Corp.
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Gono, Shoichi Amano, Tomoya Takahashi, Mutsumi Ohshima
  • Publication number: 20120250014
    Abstract: The disclosure provides a spectrophotometer, including a light source for irradiating light into a sample gas, a photodetector for detecting light transmitted through the sample gas, an optical filter, and an operation device for calculating a concentration of an actual gas to be measured, contained in the sample gas based on a detection signal value obtained from the photodetector. The operation device calculates the concentration of the actual gas based on function a for associating a concentration of a substitute gas with the actual gas obtained from a reference instrument, function ? for associating a relation between a light absorption of the actual gas and the substitute gas in the reference instrument, with a relation between a light absorption of the actual gas the substitute gas in a calibration instrument, and a function indicating a relation between the concentration of the substitute gas and the detection signal value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2012
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicant: HORIBA STEC, Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Daisuke Hayashi, Katsumi Nishimura
  • Patent number: 8269965
    Abstract: A method for characterizing samples having units, by monitoring fluctuating intensities of radiation emitted, scattered and/or reflected by said units in at least one measurement volume, the monitoring being performed by at least one detection means, said method comprising the steps of: a) measuring in a repetitive mode a number of photon counts per time interval of defined length, b) determining a function of the number of photon counts per said time interval, c) determining a function of specific brightness of said units on basis of said function or the number of photon counts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventor: Peet Kask
  • Patent number: 8183548
    Abstract: A field use optical grain characterising system (101) includes a generally rectangular prismatic composite body (102) that defines a component cavity (103). A substantially vertical elongate channel (104) extends within cavity (103) for housing a grain sample (not shown). An electromagnetic radiation source, in the form of a 12 Volt halogen lamp (105), is disposed within cavity (103.) for directing NIR light into channel (104). An optical detection system (107) is disposed within cavity (103) for sensing selected light emerging from channel (104) and for providing a sensor signal. A processor, which is included within detection system (107), is also disposed within cavity (103) and is responsive to the sensor signal for providing data indicative of a characteristic parameter of the grain sample. A display device, in the form of a 5.7-inch touch screen LCD display (108), is connected with body (102) for selectively presenting the data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: BRI Australia Limited
    Inventors: John Kalitsis, Ian John Wesley, William Carpenter
  • Publication number: 20120120394
    Abstract: A microscanning system including a microscope, a relay lens device, a stepping motor and a hyper-spectrometer is disclosed. The microscope is adapted to acquire and enlarge an image of an object to generate an enlarged image which is a 2D image distributed along the first direction and second direction. The relay lenses device disposed behind the microscope receives and transfers the enlarged image outputted by the microscope. The stepping motor electrically connected to the relay lens device reciprocates the relay lens linearly in the first direction device in a stepwise manner along the second direction. . The hyper-spectrometer disposed behind the rely lens device receives the partial enlarged images of the object along the first direction that are transferred by the relay lens device sequentially along the second direction, and transform the partially enlarged images into the corresponding spectrum information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2011
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: CHINA MEDICAL UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Jin-Chern Chiou, Ming-Sui Tsai, Mang Ou-Yang, Shuen-De Wu, Yao-Fang Hsieh, Ting-Wei Huang, Yung-Jiun Lin
  • Patent number: 8169612
    Abstract: A method for calibrating an apparatus for ellipsometric measurements performed on an arbitrarily large or continuously moving sample, using a visible sample reference frame, and one or more laser sources in order to calibrate the ellipsometer for variations in the distance between the ellipsometer apparatus and the sample of interest. Included are techniques for projecting a first laser beam spot from an incident laser source onto a sample, then analyzing the position of the first laser beam spot relative to the center of the sample reference frame using human-aided measurements and confirmations and/or computer vision techniques. Then adjusting pivot points and/or apparatus-to-sample distance to achieve a first beam spot being located about the center of the sample reference frame, and concurrently intersecting the plane of the sample. Other techniques include changing the incidence and reflectance angle using a semi-circular track arc design with a stepping motor activating each goniometer arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: KooSur Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Chao Gao
  • Patent number: 8154722
    Abstract: Even when only a few antigens exist in a specimen, a change in a dielectric constant and a change in an optical spectrum accompanied thereto in the periphery of a conductive member are made larger, so that sensing at high sensitivity can be performed. A structure including a protrusion including a dielectric material protruded on a substrate and a conductive member provided on a first surface of the protrusion, in which the maximum value of the cross-sectional area in the cross-section in parallel with a first surface of the conductive member is larger than the area of the first surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tomohiro Yamada, Yoichiro Handa