With Spectral Analysis Patents (Class 356/303)
  • Patent number: 12055436
    Abstract: In general, an imaging system to synchronously record a spatial image and a spectral image of a portion of the spatial image is described. In some examples, a beam splitter of the imaging system splits an optical beam, obtained from a viewing device, into a first split beam directed by the imaging system to a spatial camera and a second split beam directed by the imaging system to the entrance slit of an imaging spectrograph that is coupled to a spectral camera. An electronic apparatus synchronously triggers the spatial camera and the spectral camera to synchronously record a spatial image and a spectral image, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2024
    Assignee: Regents of the University of Minnesota
    Inventors: Robert Vince, Swati Sudhakar More, James Melvin Beach
  • Patent number: 11879889
    Abstract: A test method for testing for presence of a biological agent, a test apparatus and a system to control entry to an event uses particle count and spectrographic data. The present embodiments of the invention provide testing apparatuses, systems and methods. These embodiments may provide for an apparatus, system and method for non-invasive respiratory testing with multiple spectrometers. Also, the embodiments may provide for a system and method for determining test sufficiency for a non-invasive respiratory testing apparatus. Also, the embodiments may provide for a system and method for permitting access to a venue for a subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: Omachron Intellectual Property Inc.
    Inventor: Wayne Ernest Conrad
  • Patent number: 11821836
    Abstract: System and apparatus for robust, portable gas detection. Specifically, this disclosure describes apparatuses and systems for optical gas detection in a compact package using two optical pathways. There is a need for a very compact, low-power, gas detection system for gases such as CO2, NOx, water vapor, methane, etc. This disclosure provides an ultra-compact and highly stable and efficient optical measurement system based on principals of optical absorption spectroscopy using substantially collinear pathways.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: ANALOG DEVICES, INC.
    Inventor: Shrenik Deliwala
  • Patent number: 11800981
    Abstract: A spectroscopic system may include: a probe having a probe tip and an optical coupler, the optical coupler including an emitting fiber group and first and second receiving fiber groups, each fiber group having a first end and a second end, wherein the first ends of the fiber groups are formed into a bundle and optically exposed through the probe tip; a light source optically coupled to the second end of the emitting fiber group, the light source emitting light in at least a first waveband and a second waveband, the second waveband being different from the first waveband; a first spectrometer optically coupled to the second end of the first receiving fiber group and configured to process light in the first waveband; and a second spectrometer optically coupled to the second end of the second receiving fiber group and configured to process light in the second waveband.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Company
    Inventors: Deborah Ann Peru, Hrebesh Molly Subhash
  • Patent number: 11662251
    Abstract: An imaging optical system including a plurality of imaging optical sub-systems, each having at least one optical element and receiving light from a source, and a plurality of spectrometer optical sub-systems, each spectrometer optical sub-system receiving light from at least one of the imaging optical sub-systems, each imaging optical sub-system and spectrometer optical sub-system combination having a spatial distortion characteristic, each spatial distortion characteristic having a predetermined relationship to the other spatial distortion characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: Wavefront Research, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas A. Mitchell
  • Patent number: 11531195
    Abstract: A bijective coded aperture system uses mirror system with a multitude of reflector elements attached to an absorbing, such as black, substrate. Each of the reflector elements is independently placed at a different angle with respect to each other in such a manner that the image of the scene is replicated several times at the focal plane and on the image sensor. Moreover, these replicated images may be overlapping. An image processor can then execute reconstruction methods of the image to faithfully represent the scene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Hoke, Jeffrey Korn
  • Patent number: 11187580
    Abstract: In general, an imaging system to synchronously record a spatial image and a spectral image of a portion of the spatial image is described. In some examples, a beam splitter of the imaging system splits an optical beam, obtained from a viewing device, into a first split beam directed by the imaging system to a spatial camera and a second split beam directed by the imaging system to the entrance slit of an imaging spectrograph that is coupled to a spectral camera. An electronic apparatus synchronously triggers the spatial camera and the spectral camera to synchronously record a spatial image and a spectral image, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: Regents of the University of Minnesota
    Inventors: Robert Vince, Swati Sudhakar More, James Melvin Beach
  • Patent number: 11131657
    Abstract: A system comprising: at least one hardware processor; and a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having stored thereon program instructions, the program instructions executable by the at least one hardware processor to: receive spectral data acquired from a plurality of fruits, wherein the spectral data is obtained within a specified range of wavelengths, at a training stage, train a machine learning model on a training set comprising: (i) the spectral data, and (ii) labels indicating, with respect to each of the fruits, a drop status within a specified time period subsequent to the acquiring, and at an inference stage, apply the machine learning model to target spectral data acquired from a target fruit, to predict the drop status of the target fruit within a specified time range subsequent to the acquiring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: TECHNION RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION LIMITED
    Inventors: Raphael Linker, Boris Spektor, Yevgeniya Orlova
  • Patent number: 10878554
    Abstract: A method of evaluating an article includes measuring a feature of the article using a defect detection device. A set of data points is recorded representing the first feature and the set of data points is analyzed. The analyzing includes constructing a filtered curve by constructing a raw curve by listing the set of data points, constructing a first meanline curve, and finding a first difference between the raw curve and the first meanline curve. The analyzing also includes constructing a reversal curve by calculating a second derivative of a meanline curve constructed from the set of data points. The method also includes deciding the acceptability of the feature of the article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph D. Drescher, Kenneth A. Frisk
  • Patent number: 10837835
    Abstract: The colorimetry apparatus includes a light source for emitting light to a surface of a detected object, a diffraction grating for spectrally separating, for each wavelength, the light emitted from the light source and reflected by the detected object, and a line sensor including multiple pixels, for receiving the light, which is spectrally separated by the diffraction grating, for the each wavelength by the multiple pixels. The light source and the line sensor are arranged on the common substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tomoaki Nakai, Akihiko Uchiyama
  • Patent number: 10768098
    Abstract: A method and a system are provided for obtaining improved spectra recovery results of a measurement of a sample through the use of a calibration matrix obtained from calibration measurement values using at least one illumination source. By calculating the reflectance spectrum of a collection of calibration samples across several rounds of measurements and cascading the results, an improved calibration matrix can be used to convert the sample measurement values to more accurate results.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: DATACOLOR INC.
    Inventor: Zhiling Xu
  • Patent number: 10709334
    Abstract: The current invention pertains to a system and methods of identifying a site in a tissue of a patient as neoplastic or normal. The system comprises a source of electromagnetic signals; an optical probe which delivers the electromagnetic signals to a working end of the probe; a spectrometer which acquires diffuse reflectance electromagnetic signals returned from the site probed by the optical probe. The spectrometer processes the diffuse reflectance signals to produce a diffuse reflectance spectra which is transmitted to a system controller programmed to analyze the diffuse reflectance spectra to calculate hemoglobin concentration, hemoglobin oxygenation, and/or diffuse reflectance intensity of signals having wavelength of about 700 nm. These parameters are used to identify the site as neoplastic or normal. The system of current invention can be used in identifying neoplastic sites in brain in an intraoperative manner, for example, during a pediatric brain surgery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: The Florida International University Board of Trustees
    Inventors: Wei-Chiang Lin, Yinchen Song
  • Patent number: 10651833
    Abstract: A controllable splitting method comprises: electrically connecting a photoconductive switch between input and output ends of a current pulse; connecting a time domain signal of the input current pulse to an external triggering port of a pulse laser; emitting a laser pulse to irradiate the switch; when no current pulse is input, failing to receive an external triggering signal and not outputting the laser pulse, the switch being in an off state without the irradiation of the laser pulse, and no current being output; when the current pulse is input, triggering the pulse laser to synchronously output the laser pulse on a time domain, irradiating the switch so that the switch is in an on state and the current pulse is output; and forming, at the output end, a current pulse signal synchronous with a time domain of the input end and having a split waveform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignees: SHANGHAI INSTITUTE OF CERAMICS, CHINESE ACADEMY OF SCIENCES, R&D CENTER, SHANGHAI INSTITUTE OF CERAMICS
    Inventors: Wei Huang, Erwei Shi
  • Patent number: 10630061
    Abstract: The application relates to a method for determining a property of a fluid component of a fluid present in a compartment of an electrical apparatus by means of a measurement device arranged outside the compartment and comprising a chamber for receiving a quantity of the fluid from the compartment. Amongst other steps of the method, an optical path in the chamber is illuminated by a light source and a first intensity of light is measured by a light detector. Then fluid is released from the compartment into the chamber and a second intensity (Ix) of light is measured. Based on these measurements the property of the fluid component is determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: ABB Schweiz AG
    Inventors: Axel Kramer, Thomas Alfred Paul
  • Patent number: 10255674
    Abstract: Embodiments include method, systems and computer program products for reducing surface reflectance, for example in a photograph. Aspects include receiving an image set containing a plurality of images of an object. Aspects also include determining geometric transformations for the images and constructing a panorama of the object from the images using the geometric transformations. Aspects also include replacing a portion in the panorama with a corresponding replacement portion from the image set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Noel C. Codella, Chung-Ching Lin, Sharathchandra U. Pankanti, Nalini K. Ratha
  • Patent number: 10139346
    Abstract: An optical apparatus for Raman scattering microscopy includes a laser source that emits a laser beam at an excitation wavelength ?, a microscope objective that receives the laser beam and focuses the laser beam in an image plane of the microscope objective, the focused laser beam being intended to illuminate a sample, an optical system for collecting a Raman scattering optical beam, and detection elements suitable for detecting the Raman scattering beam collected. More particularly, the Raman scattering microscopy apparatus further includes an adaptive optics system positioned on an optical path of the Raman scattering beam, the said adaptive optics system is configured to form the image of an energy distribution inside the confocal hole on the entrance slit of the spectrometer in such a way as to obtain an energy distribution in a direction of a height of the slit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: HORIBA JOBIN YVON SAS
    Inventors: Bertrand Dutertre, Denis Cattelan, Emmanuel Fretel
  • Patent number: 10132746
    Abstract: The present invention has as its object the provision of a methane number calculation method that allows for readily acquiring a methane number of a natural gas, which is a sample gas to be measured, with acceptable reliability irrespective of toe gas composition, and as another object the provision of a methane number measurement device that is capable of monitoring the fuel property of a natural gas to be used as a fuel gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: Riken Keiki Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenichi Kojima, Tomoo Ishiguro
  • Patent number: 10101320
    Abstract: A measurement device for measuring a concentration of a component of a gas mixture includes a chamber that contains the gas mixture, a light source that emits light into the chamber, the emitted light having a wavelength between 230 nm and 320 nm, and a light sensor that detects a portion of the light from the light source that has propagated through the gas mixture. A processor is configured to determine the concentration of the component of the gas mixture based on the portion of the light emitted from the light source that is detected by the light sensor. The light source may include one or more LEDs, each having a central wavelength of light emission between 270 nm and 320 nm and a linewidth of less than 50 nm. The device may be employed to determine acetone concentration in exhaled breath, which may be indicative of diabetes or other health conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Samir Rihani, Tim Michael Smeeton
  • Patent number: 10101205
    Abstract: A spectroscopic camera includes a wavelength variable interference filter, and an image sensor that receives light which is transmitted through the wavelength variable interference filter. Measurement is implemented a plurality of times by causing measurement light to be incident to the wavelength variable interference filter and changing the wavelength of light that is transmitted by the wavelength variable interference filter. Reflectance based on the intensity of light when a first pixel of the image sensor receives light of a target wavelength, is predicted in the respective plurality of repetitions of measurement on the basis of a light reception central wavelength of light that the first pixel receives, and reflectance that is calculated on the basis of the intensity of light that is received by the first pixel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Hideaki Kasahara, Masashi Kanai
  • Patent number: 10012585
    Abstract: A sensor for detecting concentration of a component in a breath sample including a gas sampling cell having an inlet, an outlet, a light source, a first light detector, a sampling channel configured to receive gas samples from the inlet; the sampling channel defining a light path between said light source and said first light detector; and a volume occupying material located within the sampling channel, the volume occupying material having an absorption coefficient for mid-infra-red light below 0.5 cm?1 at room temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: ORIDION MEDICAL 1987 LTD.
    Inventors: Alon Goldring, Alon Sasson, Avner Bar-Lev, Gershon Levitsky
  • Patent number: 9970850
    Abstract: A sheet of colloidal crystals immobilized in resin exhibiting intense structural color and allowing easy observation thereof from squarely facing direction against the surface; and application thereof are provided. The sheet includes crystal domains comprising colloidal crystals immobilized in resin. The Bragg reflection intensity resulting from crystal domains according to back reflection spectrum measurement to the sheet surface satisfies the following conditions (1) and (2). (1) When elevation angle from the sheet surface is in a range of at least 60° and less than 90° and measurement is performed at a predetermined azimuth angle on the sheet surface, intensity is not 0 and (2) when elevation angle from the sheet surface is in the range of at least 60° and less than 90° and azimuth dependency on the sheet surface is measured, the intensity exhibits a maximum value at the predetermined azimuth angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignees: NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR MATERIALS SCIENCE, FUJI KAGAKU CORPORATION
    Inventors: Satoshi Kawanaka, Fumio Uchida, Tsutomu Sawada, Seiichi Furumi, Hiroshi Fudoji
  • Patent number: 9788732
    Abstract: An optical measuring device includes: a light source unit; a measurement probe including a fiber bundle, an illumination fiber that illuminates a living tissue with a illumination light, and a plurality of light-receiving fibers that receives return light of the illumination light reflected and/or scattered at the living tissue; a detection unit that receives the return light of the illumination light detected by the plurality of respective light-receiving fibers, and performs photoelectric conversion to detect respective signal intensities; and an association unit that associates the respective signal intensities detected by the detection unit with distances from the illumination fiber to the respective light-receiving fibers on an end face of a distal end portion of the measurement probe, when light having an intensity gradient around the illumination fiber is projected to the end face of the distal end portion of the measurement probe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ryosuke Ito, Kenji Kamimura, Kazuhiro Gono, Takeshi Suga, Masahiro Katakura, Yoshimine Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 9651495
    Abstract: A system and method for characterizing contributions to signal noise associated with charge-coupled devices adapted for use in biological analysis. Dark current contribution, readout offset contribution, photo response non-uniformity, and spurious charge contribution can be determined by the methods of the present teachings and used for signal correction by systems of the present teachings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: APPLIED BIOSYSTEMS, LLC
    Inventors: Austin Tomaney, Mark Oldham
  • Patent number: 9625387
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for analyzing tissue specimens. In one implementation the method involves obtaining a tissue sample and exposing the sample to one or more fluorophores as contrast agents to enhance contrast of subcellular compartments of the tissue sample. The tissue sample is illuminated by an ultraviolet (UV) light having a wavelength between about 200 nm to about 400 nm, with the wavelength being selected to result in penetration to only a specified depth below a surface of the tissue sample. Inter-image operations between images acquired under different imaging parameters allow for improvement of the image quality via removal of unwanted image components. A microscope may be used to image the tissue sample and provide the image to an image acquisition system that makes use of a camera. The image acquisition system may create a corresponding image that is transmitted to a display system for processing and display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventors: Stavros Demos, Richard Levenson
  • Patent number: 9568465
    Abstract: A measurement device for measuring a concentration of a component of a gas mixture includes a chamber that contains the gas mixture, a light source that emits light into the chamber, the emitted light having a wavelength between 230 nm and 320 nm, and a light sensor that detects a portion of the light from the light source that has propagated through the gas mixture. A processor is configured to determine the concentration of the component of the gas mixture based on the portion of the light emitted from the light source that is detected by the light sensor. The light source may include one or more LEDs, each having a central wavelength of light emission between 270 nm and 320 nm and a linewidth of less than 50 nm. The device may be employed to determine acetone concentration in exhaled breath, which may be indicative of diabetes or other health conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Samir Rihani, Tim Michael Smeeton
  • Patent number: 9345429
    Abstract: The present technique relates to an image processing device, an image processing system, an image processing method, and a program that enable simple and accurate detection of regions showing a detection object such as a body hair in images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Masaru Suzuki, Shinichiro Gomi
  • Patent number: 9068883
    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: January 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: PD-LD, Inc.
    Inventors: Boris Leonidovich Volodin, Vladimir Sinisa Ban
  • Publication number: 20150103341
    Abstract: A method of referencing an imaged object includes, among other things, obtaining a series of images, observing key characteristics of the object in each of the series of images, associating the observed key characteristics with the object; and assigning a unique identifier to the object based upon the associated key characteristics. The series of images includes spectral and spatial imagery. Some of the key characteristics are in the spectral imagery and some of the key characteristics are in the spatial imagery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2013
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Applicant: GE Aviation Systems LLC
    Inventors: Eric Daniel Buehler, Benjamin Thomas Occhipinti, Konrad Robert Kuczynski, Thomas Baby Sebastian, Stefano Angelo Mario Lassini, Ana Isabel Del Amo, Richard Shawn Kelly
  • Patent number: 8964176
    Abstract: A spectrometer includes a light source to project a light beam to a target object, an optical element including a plurality of apertures through which the light beam reflected by the target object transmits, a diffraction element to form diffracted images from a plurality of light beams having transmitted through the optical element, and a light receiving element to receive the diffracted images formed by the diffraction element and including an optical shield to block a diffracted image other than a certain-order diffracted image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Naohiro Kamijo, Kohei Shimbo, Yoichi Kubota, Manabu Seo
  • Publication number: 20150022809
    Abstract: An apparatus for spectroscopic Doppler imaging comprises collection and focusing optics, a field splitter configured to form a composite image from multiple fields of view, and a Fabry-Perot etalon configured to spatially modulate the incoming light in order to analyze the spectral content of the light from spatially resolved regions of a scene. Methods for Doppler imaging of a scene comprise split-field imagery and scene scanning techniques to create a spatially resolved spectral profile spectra of a scene, useful for measuring and profiling wind vectors and temperatures within the scene.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2014
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Applicant: UTAH STATE UNIVERSITY RESEARCH FOUNDATION
    Inventors: Alan B. Marchant, Stephanie W. Sullivan
  • Publication number: 20150002843
    Abstract: There is provided an image capture device including a narrow-band optical irradiation system including a light source, a solid-state imaging element including an array of pixels and sensitive to a predetermined range of wavelengths, and a metal thin-film filter provided in an optical path between the optical irradiation system and the solid-state imaging element, and having a periodic microstructural pattern having a period shorter than a wavelength detected by the solid-state imaging element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2014
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventor: Sozo Yokogawa
  • 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
  • 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: 8823954
    Abstract: A low coherence enhanced backscattering tomography (LEBT) method is disclosed for depth-selective sensing of the superficial layer of tissue. 3D images of the microarchitecture and molecular conformation of the superficial layer of tissue are obtained. The method combines the high resolution advantage of low coherence light and the high sensitivity advantage of light scattering to tissue structure and composition. Intact tissue can be examined without the need of excision or processing. The method can be applied in in situ measurements. According to the method, 3D images of the nuclear morphology and cellular structure for the superficial layer of the tissue are generated; this is particularly useful in detecting cancer and precancer at the earliest stage of carcinogenesis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Fairfield University
    Inventor: Min Xu
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20140233028
    Abstract: Techniques for hyperspectral imaging using a spatial light modulator having a plurality of pixels, including encoding electromagnetic radiation incident a first pixel at a first location and a second pixel at a second location into a first modulated signal having a first modulation frequency and a second modulated signal having a second modulation frequency, the first modulation frequency being different than the second modulation frequency. A sum of intensities of at least the first modulated signal and the second modulated signal is measured at a plurality of optical frequencies and a transform is applied to the sum to obtain an intensity of electromagnetic radiation incident each of the first location and the second location for each of the plurality of optical frequencies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2013
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Inventor: Dirk R. Englund
  • Patent number: 8774469
    Abstract: A system and method for obtaining multispectral images of fresh meat at predetermined wavelength bands at a first time, subjecting the images to analysis in an image analysis system comprising a computer programmed to perform such analysis, and outputting a forecast of meat tenderness at a later point in time. Predetermined key wavelength bands are precorrelated with a high degree of prediction of meat tenderness and/or other properties of meat and are used in the multispectral system and method. A system and method for determining the key wavelengths is also disclosed. The multispectral imaging system and method is suitable for use in an industrial setting, such as a meat processing plant. The system and method is useful in a method for determining quality and yield grades at or near the time of imaging in lieu of visual inspection with the unaided human eye, increasing efficiency and objectivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Goldfinch Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Jeyamkondan Subbiah, Chris Richard Calkins, Ashok Kumor Samal, Govindarajan Konda Naganathan
  • 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: 20140137877
    Abstract: Provided is a method for blending of agricultural product utilizing hyperspectral imaging. At least one region along a sample of agricultural product is scanned using at least one light source of different wavelengths. Hyperspectral images are generated from the at least one region. A spectral fingerprint for the sample of agricultural product is formed from the hyperspectral images. A plurality of samples of agricultural product is blended based on the spectral fingerprints of the samples according to parameters determined by executing a blending algorithm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2013
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: ALTRIA CLIENT SERVICES INC.
    Inventors: Seetharama C. Deevi, Henry M. Dante, Qiwei Liang, Samuel Timothy Henry
  • Patent number: 8729455
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for the detection and identification of objects, wherein an illumination device emits polychromatic light in the infrared range, creating a light curtain, or an essentially two-dimensional area of light in the X and Z axis. The light from the light curtain and light reflected or transmitted by an object in the light curtain is imaged, via aperture-imaging optics, onto an aperture that is in the optical path and behind the aperture-imaging optics. The aperture is an elongated opening extending along the Z axis. A wavelength-dispersive device, such as a grating, diffracts light admitted by the aperture wavelength-dispersively in a diffraction direction along the Y axis. An image sensor detects the diffraction image and generates image signals which are analyzed to identify the materials comprising the object. An output signal may be generated in response to the material identified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Envipco Holding NV
    Inventors: Axel Kulki, Frank Holstein, Bert Handschick, Gerhard Stanzel
  • Patent number: 8705953
    Abstract: Provided in accordance with the invention is a method for measuring the distance of an object in which a transmitted signal (S) with a pulse train having a prescribed pulse repetition frequency (fw) is generated such that the transmitted signal has a frequency comb in the frequency domain, the transmitted signal is directed onto the object, and a reflected signal (R) reflected from the object is received, the phase difference (?MESS,1) between the transmitted signal and the reflected signal is determined for a prescribed spectral line of the frequency comb, and the distance is determined with the aid of the phase difference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss AG
    Inventor: Bernhard Schriefer
  • Patent number: 8699021
    Abstract: A system for through silicon via (TSV) structure measurement comprises a reflectometer, and a computing unit. The reflectometer emits a broadband light beam to at least a TSV structure and receives a reflection spectrum of at least a TSV structure. The computing unit is coupled with the reflectometer and determines the depth of the TSV structure in accordance with the reflection spectrum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Yi Sha Ku, Wei Te Hsu
  • Patent number: 8675189
    Abstract: A method for characterizing a primary radiant spectra of a projector includes projecting primary colors with a projector having a projector lamp and color filters. Measurements of each primary color are taken with a multi-band camera. Spectra of the color filters are estimated using the measurements from the multi-band camera. The primary radiant spectra of the projector are estimated using spectral data of the projector lamp and the estimated spectra of the color filters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Joel Trussell
  • Patent number: 8583216
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for objectively measuring skin phototype by reflectance spectrophotometry. The improved method correlates well with clinician-based assessments and is non-invasive, rapid and accurate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: University of Utah Research Foundation
    Inventors: Lynn K. Pershing, Sancy A. Leachman, Laurence J. Meyer
  • Patent number: 8570498
    Abstract: Customized spectral profiles, and filters and illuminants having a customized spectral profile, optimized to reduce light in one or more wavelength regions for which one or more pigments are relatively more susceptible to perceptible changes in appearance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventor: Carl W. Dirk
  • Patent number: 8564770
    Abstract: A system detects a plant's exposure to trichloroethylene (TCE) through plant leaf imaging. White light impinging upon a plant's leaf interacts therewith to produce interacted light. A detector is positioned to detect at least one spectral band of the interacted light. A processor coupled to the detector performs comparisons between photonic energy of the interacted light at the one or more spectral bands thereof and reference data defining spectral responses indicative of leaf exposure to TCE. An output device coupled to the processor provides indications of the comparisons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Mark David Lewis, Daniel J. Anderson, Lee A. Newman, Amy G. Keith
  • Patent number: 8514378
    Abstract: A method and device for optical teledetection of compounds in a medium includes a detection measurement carried out by emitting into the medium, short pulses of light at least 3 nm wide, and detecting a part of the light back-scattered by the medium by means of a detection unit with temporal resolution. A reference measurement in which the light emitted or the light back-scattered is filtered by virtue of addressable filters, simulating the optical spectrum of the light at the working wavelengths of at least one given compound to be searched for. A comparison of the detection and reference measurements is made to deduce therefrom the possible presence of the compound or compound(s) searched for in the medium. The addressable filters are modified dynamically, and a series of reference measurements and corresponding comparisons are performed for a series of various compounds liable to be present in the medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignees: Universite Claude Bernard Lyon I, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique
    Inventors: Jérôme Kasparian, Jean-Pierre Wolf
  • Patent number: 8508729
    Abstract: Apparatus for performing Raman analysis may include a laser source module, a beam delivery and signal collection module, a spectrum analysis module, and a digital signal processing module. The laser source module delivers a laser beam to the beam delivery and signal collection module. The beam delivery and signal collection module delivers the laser source beam to a sample, collects Raman scattered light scattered from the sample, and delivers the collected Raman scattered light to the spectrum analysis module. The spectrum analysis module demultiplexes the Raman scattered light into discrete Raman bands of interest, detects the presence of signal energy in each of the Raman bands, and produces a digital signal that is representative of the signal energy present in each of the Raman bands. The digital signal processing module is adapted to perform a Raman analysis of the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: PD-LD, Inc.
    Inventors: Vladimir Sinisa Ban, Boris Leonidovich Volodin, Neal R. Stoker
  • Patent number: 8502974
    Abstract: An apparatus for placement on or in a body of water for hyperspectral imaging of material in the water comprises an artificial light source and a hyperspectral imager. These are arranged so that in use light exits the apparatus beneath the surface of the water and is reflected by said material before re-entering the apparatus beneath the surface of the water and entering the hyperspectral imager. The hyperspectral imager is adapted to produce hyperspectral image data having at least two spatial dimensions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Ecotone AS
    Inventor: Geir Johnsen
  • 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