With Spectral Analysis Patents (Class 356/303)
  • Patent number: 7839498
    Abstract: To determine spectra, integrated multiple illuminant measurements from a non-fully illuminant populated color sensor may be converted into a fully populated spectral curve using a reference database. The reference database is partitioned into a plurality of clusters, and an appropriate centroid is determined for each cluster by, for example, vector quantization. Training samples that form the reference database may be assigned to the clusters by comparing the Euclidean distance between the centroids and the sample under consideration, and assigning each sample to the cluster having the centroid with the shortest Euclidean distance. When all training samples have been assigned, the resulting structure is stored as the reference database. When reconstructing the spectra for new measurements from the sensor, the Euclidean distances between actual color samples under measurement and each cluster centroid are measured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Lalit K. Mestha, Sohail A. Dianat, Francesca G. Polo, Gary W. Skinner
  • Publication number: 20100290231
    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: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2010
    Publication date: November 18, 2010
    Inventor: Carl W. Dirk
  • Patent number: 7834999
    Abstract: A multivariate optical computing and analysis system includes a light source configured to radiate a first light along a first ray path; a modulator disposed in the first ray path, the modulator configured to modulate the first light to a desired frequency; a spectral element disposed proximate the modulator, the spectral element configured to filter the first light for a spectral range of interest of a sample; a cavity disposed in communication with the spectral element, the cavity configured to direct the first light in a direction of the sample; a tube disposed proximate the cavity, the tube configured to receive and direct a second light generated by a reflection of the first light from the sample, the tube being further configured to separate the first and second lights; a beamsplitter configured to split the second light into a first beam and a second beam; an optical filter mechanism disposed to receive the first beam, the optical filter mechanism configured to optically filter data carried by the firs
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: University of South Carolina
    Inventors: Michael L. Myrick, Jonathan H. James, John C. Blackburn, Robert P. Freese
  • Patent number: 7813406
    Abstract: An optical pulse stretcher and a mathematical algorithm for the detailed calculation of its design and performance is disclosed. The optical pulse stretcher has a plurality of optical cavities, having multiple optical reflectors such that an optical path length in each of the optical cavities is different. The optical pulse stretcher also has a plurality of beam splitters, each of which intercepts a portion of an input optical beam and diverts the portion into one of the plurality of optical cavities. The input optical beam is stretched and a power of an output beam is reduced after passing through the optical pulse stretcher and the placement of the plurality of optical cavities and beam splitters is optimized through a model that takes into account optical beam divergence and alignment in the pluralities of the optical cavities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Quang-Viet Nguyen, Jun Kojima
  • Patent number: 7756342
    Abstract: A method for exploiting the nonlinear structure of hyperspectral imagery employs a manifold coordinate system that preserves geodesic distances in the high-dimensional hyperspectral data space. Data representing physical parameters such as a scene is divided into a set of smaller tiles. The manifolds derived from the individual tiles are then aligned and stitched together to complete the scene. Coordinates are derived for a very large although not complete representative subset of the data termed the “backbone”. Manifold coordinates are derived for this representative backbone and then the remaining samples inserted into the backbone using a reconstruction principle using the property of local linearity everywhere on the manifold to reconstruct the manifold coordinates for the samples not originally belonging to the backbone. The output is a global manifold coordinate system, which for topographical image data depicts clearer detail of land and water portions of a scene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Charles M Bachmann, Thomas L Ainsworth
  • Publication number: 20100165337
    Abstract: Computer program products comprising tangible computer-readable media having instructions that are executable by a computer to generate a customized spectral profile, which can be used to generate a corresponding filter. The instructions can comprise: generating a trial source spectrum; determining an uncorrected lamp source spectrum; calculating one or more optical indices using the trial source spectrum or the uncorrected lamp source spectrum; and optimizing one or more of the optical indices by varying the trial source spectrum to generate the customized spectral profile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2009
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Applicant: The Board of Regents of the University of Texas System
    Inventor: Carl W. Dirk
  • Patent number: 7715019
    Abstract: A method is provided for determining an actual profile of an object printed on a substrate. The method can include receiving an actual spectrum signal associated with the object, selecting a first model profile, and generating a first model spectrum signal associated with the first model profile. The method can further include comparing the first model spectrum signal with the actual spectrum signal. If the first model spectrum signal and the actual spectrum signal do not match a desired tolerance, the aforementioned selecting, generating, and comparing can be repeated with a second model profile. The second model profile can be selected based on the first model spectrum signal having undergone an optimization process based on a number of variable parameters of the first model profile, where the number of variable parameters is reduced by approximating the first model profile to a single shape with a reduced number of variable parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: ASML Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Antoine Gaston Marie Kiers, Goce Naumoski
  • Publication number: 20100106456
    Abstract: An addressable micromirror array is employed in conjunction with circuit topology navigation software to rapidly wavelength sample selected measurement points in an integrated circuit region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2009
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: EDGAR GENIO, Edward W. Budiarto
  • Publication number: 20100103411
    Abstract: Light reflected from respective image elements of a workpiece is channeled through respective light channeling elements to respective locations of a spectrographic light disperser. Spectral distributions of the respective image elements produced by the spectrographic light disperser are recorded. A processor groups similar spectral distributions into respective groups of mutually similar distributions, and classifies the groups by the number of distributions contained in each group.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2009
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: JAMES Matthew HOLDEN, Edgar Genio, Todd J. Egan
  • Publication number: 20100106444
    Abstract: In a spectrographic workpiece metrology system having an optical viewing window, the viewing window is calibrated against a reference sample of a known absolute reflectance spectrum to produce a normalized reflectance spectrum of the reference sample, which is combined with the absolute reflectance spectrum to produce a correction factor. Successive production workpieces are measured through the window and calibrated against the viewing window reflectance, and transformed to absolute reflectance spectra using the same correction factor without having to re-load the reference sample.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2009
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: EDGAR GENIO, EDWARD W. BUDIARTO
  • Patent number: 7663739
    Abstract: Methods for generating a customized spectral profile, which can be used to generate a corresponding filter. A trial source spectrum is generated. An uncorrected lamp source spectrum is determined. One or more optical indices are calculated using the trial source spectrum or the uncorrected lamp source spectrum, and one or more of the optical indices are optimized by varying the trial source spectrum to generate the customized spectral profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventor: Carl W. Dirk
  • Patent number: 7657387
    Abstract: A data compression technique is disclosed for Fourier Transform Mass Spectrometry (FTMS). A statistical analysis is applied to the data in the frequency domain since most of this data is a result of randomly distributed electronic noise. A fit of the whole frequency dataset to the distribution is made to determine preliminary moments of the distribution. The data in the tail of that distribution (which is mainly the peak data) is then removed and the remaining data points are re-fitted to the distribution, to identify the moments of distribution of that remaining noise data. A noise threshold for the mass spectrum is then applied using the calculated moments. The data above the threshold is kept. The whole spectrum can be reconstituted by storing the moments of distribution along with the peak data and then regenerating the noise from those moments and adding it to the peak data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Thermo Finnigan LLC
    Inventors: Robert Malek, Oliver Lange
  • Publication number: 20100020168
    Abstract: A non-destructive method capable of real-time or on-line measurement of a wood or pulp fiber without sample pretreatment for the microfibril angle and the path difference. A circular polariscope in combination with a line spectral camera generating a micrograph insensitive to the orientation of a fiber and determined only by the fiber's properties related to polarized light. A line image across the fiber is captured and dispersed it into a spectral image to perform a real-time spectral analysis of the fiber's image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2007
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Inventor: Chun Ye
  • Publication number: 20100014079
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to enable a change in a frequency for which an electric signal based on an optical signal is measured by a spectrum analyzer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2009
    Publication date: January 21, 2010
    Applicant: ADVANTEST Coporation
    Inventors: Tomoyu YAMASHITA, Motoki IMAMURA
  • Publication number: 20100004887
    Abstract: Apparatus for registering the spectral signature of a dynamic source event include an imaging-sensor array configured to register electromagnetic energy over a predetermined range of electromagnetic wavelengths and an optical system configured for imaging onto the imaging-sensor array a dispersion pattern of electromagnetic energy emitted from a source event external to the optical system. The optical system includes (i) a focusing element and (ii) a selected set of optical dispersion apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2009
    Publication date: January 7, 2010
    Inventor: Johnathan Martin Mooney
  • Publication number: 20090316146
    Abstract: A portable spectrograph including a primary mirror, a secondary mirror, and a tertiary mirror forming a TMA having a common vertex axis, a diffraction grating, and a dispersive prism, where the portable spectrograph can detect wavelengths between 150 nm and 1.1 ?m. The portable spectrograph also may include a collimating mirror and an entrance aperture, which form an interchangeable module. Radiation received through the entrance aperture is reflected in a collimated pattern towards an aperture stop. The diffraction grating, located between the collimating mirror and prism, diffracts radiation passed through the aperture stop into multiple beams directed onto the prism. A flat mirror, located to one side of the vertex axis receives and reflects the multiple beams exiting the prism onto the primary mirror, where they are reflected onto the secondary mirror. The secondary mirror reflects the beams to the tertiary mirror where they are reflected onto an image plane located on the other side of the vertex axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2009
    Publication date: December 24, 2009
    Inventors: BURT JAY BEARDSLEY, WENDY LYNN BEARDSLEY
  • Patent number: 7627141
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus and method for measuring spatial and spectral information from an image of a printed substrate. The image processing apparatus processes the spatial and spectral information from the same acquired image using first and second processors. In some embodiments, the image processing apparatus processes the spatial information from a first acquired image and the spectral information from a second acquired image, the first and second acquired images being of the same point on the printed substrate, acquired at separate times during the travel of the printed substrate. In other embodiments, the image processing apparatus processes the spatial and spectral information from the same acquired image using the same processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Quad/Tech, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick James Noffke, Patrick Younk, Bradly S. Moersfelder
  • Patent number: 7623233
    Abstract: Multivariate optical analysis systems employ multivariate optical elements and utilize multivariate optical computing methods to determine information about a product carried by light reflected from or transmitted through the product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: Ometric Corporation
    Inventors: Robert P. Freese, Ryan J. Priore, John C. Blackburn, Jonathan H. James, David L. Perkins
  • Patent number: 7616306
    Abstract: An optical wavemeter includes a slit, a diffraction grating, a mask, a complementary grating, and a detector. A monochromatic source is incident on the slit. The diffraction grating produces an image of the slit in an image plane at a horizontal position that is wavelength dependent. The mask has a two-dimensional pattern of transmission variations and produces different vertical intensity channels for different spectral channels. The complementary grating produces a stationary image of the slit independent of wavelength. The detector measures vertical variations in intensity of the stationary image, and the mask is created so that the number of measurements made by the detector is less than the number of spectral channels sampled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: Duke University
    Inventors: David J. Brady, Nikos Pitsianis, Xiaobai Sun, Prasant Potuluri
  • Patent number: 7570357
    Abstract: A visible/near-infrared spectrometry and its device for determining the components of a sample and the characteristics of the components of the sample by using visible light and/or near-infrared light in the wavelength range from 400 nm to 2500 nm. This spectrometry and device enable measurement that has been conventionally difficult, including high-accuracy determination of many components, detection of components present in ultra-low concentrations, and real-time determination of component characteristics, including determination of the structure or function of bio-macromolecules and their variations. The spectrum of a sample is measured while exposing the sample to water-activating perturbations (WAP), thereby causing the response spectrum to change, and by detecting transitions of the response spectrum. With this, by conducting spectrum analysis and/or multivariate analysis, the components of the sample and/or the characteristics of the components can be determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: Kyokko Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Roumiana Tsenkova
  • Patent number: 7570988
    Abstract: An iterative process calculates the absorption and scattering coefficients of tissue from a set of diffuse reflectance measurements made with an optical spectrometer operating in the UV-VIS spectral range. The relationship between measured diffuse reflectance and the absorption and scattering coefficients is modeled using a Monte Carlo simulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
    Inventors: Nirmala Ramanujam, Gergory M. Palmer
  • Patent number: 7554572
    Abstract: An image pickup apparatus has a construction in which a diffraction element is provided in an observation optical system. Zero-order light that is transmitted straight through the diffraction element and one of the +1st-order diffracted light and the ?1st-order diffracted light that is diffracted by the diffraction element are imaged onto an image pickup surface of an image pickup apparatus. The imaging areas of the zero-order light and one of the +1st-order diffracted light and the ?1st-order diffracted light that is diffracted by the diffraction element do not overlap on the image pickup surface of the image pickup apparatus. With this construction, a small image pickup apparatus that provides a high-resolution spectral image and a color image of an object can be obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventor: Susumu Takahashi
  • Publication number: 20090161102
    Abstract: Methods and assemblies are provided for evaluating plants for presence of pests. Methods may include separating pests from a plant to produce a sample of pests for analysis, illuminating the sample to produce emitted light from the sample, and comparing the emitted light from the sample to a model to discriminate pests within the sample. Assemblies may include a separating unit operable to separate pests from a plant to produce a sample comprising pests, a light source for illuminating at least part of the sample, and an imaging device adjacent the light source for receiving light from the illuminated sample and creating an image of the sample.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2008
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Applicant: Monsanto Technology LLC
    Inventors: Kevin L. Deppermann, Steven H. Modiano, Cynthia L. Ludwig, Brad D. White, Beth J. Calabotta
  • Patent number: 7533000
    Abstract: A method of analyzing a dataset of spectra is provided in which each spectrum has a count value for each of a number of parameter values within a parameter range. The method is for identifying one or more parameter values that exhibit a significant variation within the dataset. A dataset of spectra is obtained and a statistical analysis is applied to the count values for each of the parameter values. The result of the analysis for each parameter value is a function of the variation in the count values. A spectrum that is representative of at least part of the dataset of spectra is then displayed together with the results of the statistical analysis. A corresponding computer program and system for performing the method are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: Oxford Instruments Analytical Limited
    Inventors: Peter John Statham, Charles Penman
  • Publication number: 20090097024
    Abstract: An optical analysis system and method for determining information carried by light include a multivariate optical element disposed in the system to receive a source light from an illumination source; filtering the source light through a spectral element in the optical element analysis system; reflecting the filtered light through an inner region of a cavity in a first direction of a sample to be measured, the cavity defining a second region disposed about the inner region; focusing the reflected light proximate the sample; reflecting the focused light from the sample through the second region in a second direction of a beamsplitter, the light being reflected from the sample carrying data from the sample; splitting the sample carrying light with the beamsplitter into a first light and a second light; optically filtering the data of the first light with the multivariate optical element into an orthogonal component; directing the first light filtered by the multivariate optical element onto a first photodetector
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2006
    Publication date: April 16, 2009
    Inventors: John C. Blackburn, Robert P. Freese, David L. Perkins
  • Patent number: 7505608
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for target detection in hyperspectral images are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of detecting a target in a hyperspectral image includes spectrally unmixing the hyperspectral image into segments, each segment having at least one of similar spectral composition, similar textural composition, and similar variation, and spectrally unmixing at least one of the segments. The method further includes creating a clutter rejection filter for at least one segment, filtering at least one segment, and calculating target abundances in at least one segment. In alternate embodiments, channel reduction can be performed on the hyperspectral image and also on at least one segment. In further embodiments, data associated with the location of possible targets in the segments may be compiled. In yet another embodiment, this data may be compressed by cross referencing data from all segments and eliminating redundancies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Fred Portigal, Dennis Yelton
  • Patent number: 7505131
    Abstract: Methods and systems for expanding the dynamic range of a system are provided. One method includes splitting fluorescent light emitted by a particle into multiple light paths having different intensities, detecting the fluorescent light in the multiple light paths with different channels to generate multiple signals, and determining which of the channels is operating in a linear range based on the multiple signals. The method also includes altering the signal generated by the channel operating in the linear range to compensate for the different intensities. Another method includes illuminating a particle in multiple illumination zones with light having different intensities and separately detecting fluorescent light emitted by the particle while located in the multiple illumination zones to generate multiple signals. The method also includes determining which of the signals is located in a linear range and altering the signal located in the linear range to compensate for the different intensities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignee: Luminex Corporation
    Inventor: Wayne D. Roth
  • Patent number: 7499836
    Abstract: A remote sensor for detection of the initiation of combustion includes a broad-band sensor, associated signal processing and an interface to the user. The sensor uses the signature formed by the temporal evolution of the spectral emission intrinsic to combustion as a fingerprint for detecting the combustion. The sensor can autonomously monitor a scene and issue an alert as warranted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: Solid State Scientific Corporation
    Inventor: Jonathan Martin Mooney
  • Publication number: 20090009759
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses of elastic light scattering spectroscopy and low-coherence enhanced backscattering spectroscopy are described here.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2007
    Publication date: January 8, 2009
    Inventors: Vadim Backman, Hemant Roy, Brand Randall, Yang Liu, Jeremy Rogers, Vladimir Turzaitsky
  • Patent number: 7463179
    Abstract: An optical signal is compressively sampled using an optical component to encode multiplex measurements. A mapping from the optical signal to a detector array is created using spatial and/or spectral dispersion. Signals transmitted by a plurality of transmissive elements of the optical component are detected at each sensor of a plurality of sensors of the detector array dispersed spatially with respect to the optical component. Each sensor of a plurality of sensors produces a measurement resulting in a number of measurements. A number of estimated optical signal values is calculated from the number of measurements and a transmission function. The transmission function is selected so that the number of measurements is less than the number of estimated optical signal values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Assignee: Duke University
    Inventors: David J. Brady, Nikos Pitsianis, Xiaobai Sun, Prasant Potuluri
  • Patent number: 7463174
    Abstract: An optical signal is compressively sampled. An optical component with a plurality of transmissive elements and a plurality of opaque elements is created. The location of the plurality of transmissive elements and the plurality of opaque elements is determined by a transmission function. A spectrum of the optical signal is dispersed across the optical component. Signals transmitted by the plurality of transmissive elements are detected in a single time step at each sensor of a plurality of sensors dispersed spatially with respect to the optical component. Each sensor of the plurality of sensors produces a measurement resulting in a number of measurements for the single time step. A number of estimated optical signal values is calculated from the number of measurements and the transmission function. The transmission function is selected so that the number of measurements is less than the number of estimated optical signal values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Assignee: Duke University
    Inventors: David J. Brady, Nikos Pitsianis, Xiaobai Sun, Prasant Potuluri
  • Publication number: 20080297790
    Abstract: Apparatus suitable for use in conjunction with a container in which one or more plants is growing and having associated with it a device for receiving an enquiry signal and automatically responding by transmitting an unique identifier signal the apparatus comprising (a) transporter means by which a container may be supported for moving the container, (b) means for transmitting the enquiry signal, (c) means for recording the identifier signal as a digital output and (d) computer means to which the digital output is supplied for storage of the data in prescribed format in a database for manipulation to afford comparison of data related to the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2008
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Applicant: CropDesign N.V.
    Inventors: Frederik Leyns, Willy Dillen
  • Patent number: 7457721
    Abstract: Without using an interferometer, small displacement and/or three-dimensional shape of an object is detected in a noncontact way with high accuracy using pseudo-phase information calculated from e.g., a speckle pattern having a spatially random structure. A speckle image of the test object of the before displacement is obtained, and a spatial frequency spectrum is calculated by executing an N-dimensional Fourier transform for this. The complex analytic signal is obtained by setting the amplitude of frequency spectrum in the half plane including zero frequency in this amplitude distribution to zero, and executing the frequency spectrum amplitude in the half plane of the remainder in the inverse Fourier transform. And then, the amplitude value of this complex analytic signal is replaced with the constant value, a part of the obtained analytic signal domain is clipped, the phase information is calculated by the phase-only correlation function, and the cross-correlation peak in N-dimension is obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: The University of Electro-Communications
    Inventors: Mitsuo Takeda, Wei Wang, Nobuo Ishii, Yoko Miyamoto
  • Publication number: 20080278720
    Abstract: A digital spectrophotometer and a spectrologial method for determining spectrum wavelength of an unknown illuminant, and the digital spectrophotometer has a base, an operating assembly and a photographic assembly. The operating assembly is attached to the base and has an operating pedestal, a rotating frame and a spectrometer. The rotating frame is connected rotatably to the operating pedestal. The spectrometer is connected solidly to the rotating frame. The photographic assembly is connected to the operating assembly. The spectrologial method is calculated the diffraction angle ? i and the wavelength of the unknown illuminant by putting the parameters into the into the first and second functions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2007
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Inventors: Jwh Lee, Shih-Fang Wu, Zi-Yu Liu, Zhe-Rui Zhang
  • Patent number: 7428434
    Abstract: A technique for measuring broadband near-infrared absorption spectra of turbid media that uses a combination of frequency-domain and steady-state reflectance methods. Most of the wavelength coverage is provided by a white-light steady-state measurement, whereas the frequency-domain data are acquired at a few selected wavelengths. Coefficients of absorption and reduced scattering derived from the frequency-domain data are used to calibrate the intensity of the steady-state measurements and to determine the reduced scattering coefficient at all wavelengths in the spectral window of interest. The absorption coefficient spectrum is determined by comparing the steady-state reflectance values with the predictions of diffusion theory, wavelength by wavelength. Absorption spectra of a turbid phantom and of human breast tissue in vivo, derived with the combined frequency-domain and steady-state technique, agree well with expected reference values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2008
    Assignee: The Regents of the Univeristy of California
    Inventors: Bruce J. Tromberg, Andrew J. Berger, Albert E. Cerussi, Frederic Bevilacqua, Dorota Jakubowski
  • Patent number: 7427932
    Abstract: An optical signal is copressively sampled using an imaging system. The imaging system is created from a plurality of subimaging systems. Each subimaging system comprises a subaperture and a plurality of sensors. The optical signal is collected at each subaperture of the plurality of subimaging systems at a single time step. The optical signal is transformed into a subimage at each subimaging system of plurality of subimaging systems. The subimage includes at least one measurement from a plurality of sensors of each subimaging systems. An image of the optical signal is calculated from the sampling function and each subimage, spatial location, pixel sampling function, and point spread function of each subimaging system of the plurality of subimaging systems. The sampling function is selected so that the number of measurements from a plurality of subimages is less than a number of estimated optical signal values in the image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2008
    Assignee: Duke University
    Inventors: David J. Brady, Nikos Pitslanis, Xiaobai Sun, Prasant Potuluri
  • Publication number: 20080225289
    Abstract: A fluorescence spectrophotometer system may be implemented in scanning fluorescence polarization detection applications. A wavelength and area scanning fluorescence spectrophotometer system may include a light source, an excitation double monochromator, an excitation/emission light transfer module, an emission double monochromator, a high speed timer-counter circuit board, a precision positioning apparatus for positioning a sample relative to the focal plane of the excitation light, and polarizing filters at the excitation side and the emission side. The system may be operative to analyze more than one fluorescent compound in the sample; additionally or alternatively, the system enables analysis of samples from selected ones of a plurality of samples.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Publication date: September 18, 2008
    Applicant: CHROMAGEN, INC.
    Inventors: Gene Gould, Michael J. Conrad
  • Patent number: 7426446
    Abstract: An encoder spectrograph is used to analyze radiation from one or more samples in various configurations. The radiation is analyzed by spatially modulating the radiation after it has been dispersed by wavelength or imaged along a line. Dual encoder spectrographs may be used to encode radiation using a single modulator. A spectra sorting algorithm is used to determine calibration training spectra for a spectrometer in a spectrometer calibration training mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2008
    Assignee: Aspectrics, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas W. Hagler
  • Publication number: 20080204744
    Abstract: High speed, optically-multiplexed, hyperspectral imagers and methods for producing multiple, spectrally-filtered image information of a scene. In a preferred embodiment, an array of imaging lenslets project multiple images of a scene along parallel optical paths which are then collimated, filtered into distinct wavelengths, and focused onto an array of image sensors. A digital image formatter converts output data from the image sensors into hyperspectral image information of the scene.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2006
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Inventors: Jose Mir, R. Mark Boysel
  • Patent number: 7399445
    Abstract: A sensor device is formed from a metal film having a plurality of openings, a sensor material positioned within each of the openings, a light source that emits light having a first wavelength, and a light detector that detects light emitted from the light source and transmitted through or reflected from the openings. The plurality of openings are arranged periodically in a first direction in the metal film, and both a size of each of the plurality of openings and an interval thereof in the first direction are equal to or less than the wavelength of the light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2008
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ryo Kuroda, Natsuhiko Mizutani, Takako Yamaguchi, Yasuhisa Inao, Tomohiro Yamada
  • Patent number: 7368292
    Abstract: A system and method for identifying explosive or other target materials includes the steps of irradiating a first location and a second location spaced apart from the first location from a sample suspected of including explosives with ultraviolet, visible or infrared light, measuring reflected light emanated from the first sample location (R1) and reflected light emanated from the second sample location (R2), and calculating a normalized difference in reflectivity (?R/ R), wherein R=(R1+R2)/2 is an average reflectivity. A differential reflection spectrum (DRS) is then generated for the sample where ?R=R2?R1 is the difference of the reflectivities of the first and the second sample location. One or more explosives if present are identified in the sample based on comparing the DRS for said sample to at least one reference DRS.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: University of Florida Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Rolf E. Hummel, Ann Marie Fuller, Claus Schollhorn, Paul H. Holloway
  • Patent number: 7366326
    Abstract: A Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGA) design uses a Coordinate Rotation DIgital Computer (CORDIC) algorithm that can convert a Givens rotation of a vector to a set of shift-add operations. The CORDIC algorithm can be easily implemented in hardware architecture, therefore in FPGA. Since the computation of the inverse of the data correlation matrix involves a series of Givens rotations, the utility of the CORDIC algorithm allows a causal Constrained Energy Minimization (CEM) to perform real-time processing in FPGA. An FPGA implementation of the causal CEM is described and its detailed architecture is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: University of Maryland, Baltimore County
    Inventors: Chein-I Chang, Jianwei Wang
  • Patent number: 7330305
    Abstract: The invention provides a confocal microscope or endoscope, having a source of coherent light for illuminating a sample, and an imaging optical fibre bundle (82) for receiving return light, whereby the fibre bundle (82) provides a return channel for fluorescent return light (78). The optical fibre bundle (82) preferably preserves, between entry and exit ends of the bundle, the relative spatial coordinates of the cores of individual fibres constituting the bundle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: Optiscan Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Martin Harris
  • Publication number: 20080024778
    Abstract: A detector for detecting a different kind of object among objects being carried with high resolution using a plane spectrometer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2004
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Applicant: ASTELLAS PHARMA INC.
    Inventors: Takayoshi Honda, Taichirou Nishiyama, Yasuyuki Suga
  • Patent number: 7283231
    Abstract: A transmission mask or cooled aperture is used in spectroscopy to compressively sample an optical signal. The locations of transmissive and opaque elements of the mask are determined by a transmission function. The optical signal transmitted by the mask is detected at each sensor of a plurality of sensors dispersed spatially with respect to the mask. A number of estimated optical signal values is calculated from sensor measurements and the transmission function. The optical signal is compressed by selecting the transmission function so that the number of measurements is less than the number of estimated optical signal values. A reconstructed optical signal is further calculated using signal inference. An imaging system created from plurality of encoded subimaging systems compressively samples an optical signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2007
    Assignee: Duke University
    Inventors: David J. Brady, Nikos Pitsianis, Xiaobai Sun, Prasant Potuluri
  • Patent number: 7283241
    Abstract: The disclosure generally relates to a multimode imaging apparatus for simultaneously obtaining multiple wavelength-discriminative spectral images of a sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2007
    Assignee: Chemimage Corp.
    Inventors: Xinghua Wang, Thomas C. Voigt, David Tuschel, Chenhui Wang, Patrick J. Treado
  • Patent number: 7260544
    Abstract: Of the “four C's,” cut has historically been the most complex to understand and assess. This application presents a three-dimensional mathematical model to study the interaction of light with a fully faceted, colorless, symmetrical round-brilliant-cut diamond. With this model, one can analyze how various appearance factors (brilliance, fire, and scintillation) depend on proportions. The model generates images and a numerical measurement of the optical efficiency of the round brilliant—called DCLR—which approximates overall fire. DCLR values change with variations in cut proportions, in particular crown angle, pavilion angle, table size, star facet length, culet size, and lower girdle facet length. The invention describes many combinations of proportions with equal or higher DCLR than “Ideal” cuts, and these DCLR ratings may be balanced with other factors such as brilliance and scintillation to provide a cut grade for an existing diamond or a cut analysis for prospective cut of diamond rough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: Gemological Institute of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Ilene M. Reinitz, Mary L. Johnson, James E. Shigley, Thomas S. Hemphill
  • Patent number: 7248360
    Abstract: A system for laser scanning provides spectral flexibility needed for the spectroscopic monitoring of highly multiplexed samples, such as cellular and particle assays in whole blood or other suspensions. In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, the system comprises a scanner to direct an excitation laser through a sample, an objective to collect light emitted by the sample in response to the excitation laser, a spectrograph to disperse the emitted light over a plurality of wavelengths as a spectrum, and a charge coupled device for detecting the spectrum. The system can be used with samples having a variety of reporter tags, including one or more SERS tags, fluorescent organic and protein tags, and quantum dot tags. A laser scanning apparatus and method of using the same is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: PPD Biomarker Discovery Sciences, LLC
    Inventors: Uwe Horchner, Aaron B. Kantor
  • Patent number: 7219038
    Abstract: The invention described herein details a protocol to improve analysis and peak identification in spectroscopic data. Bayesian methods are used to automatically identify peaks in data sets. After identifying peak shapes, the method tests the hypothesis that a given number of peaks is found within any given data window. If a peak is identified within a given window, then the likelihood function is maximized in order to estimate peak position and amplitude. This process yields a spectrum with high resolution and minimal artifacts. The method described herein is particularly useful for identifying peaks in data sets obtained from spectroscopy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: College of William and Mary
    Inventors: Eugene R Tracy, Haijian Chen, William E Cooke
  • Patent number: 7155354
    Abstract: A method of analyzing the spectral signature of a point-like dynamic source event in order to approximate the location of the source event within a predetermined field of view is implemented by a spectral analysis system including (i) a data processing system; (ii) an imaging-sensor array communicatively linked to the data processing system and (iii) an optical system adapted for imaging a dispersion pattern of electromagnetic energy emitted from a source event onto the imaging-sensor array. A dispersion-pattern data set associating the optical system with data indicative of a set of pre-contrived electromagnetic-energy dispersion patterns attributed to the optical system is created based on at least one of (i) theoretically and (ii) experimentally determined characteristics of the optical system and maintained in computer memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: Solid State Scientific Corporation
    Inventor: Jonathan Martin Mooney