With Aperture Mask Patents (Class 356/310)
  • Patent number: 8553222
    Abstract: The present invention enables snap-shot spectral imaging of a scene at high image generation rates. Light from the scene is processed through an optical system that comprises a coded-aperture. The optical system projects a plurality of images, each characterized by only one of a plurality of spectral components, onto a photodetector array. The plurality of images is interspersed on the photodetector array, but no photodetector receives light characterized by more than one of the plurality of spectral components. As a result, computation of the spatio-spectral datacube that describes the scene is simplified. The present invention, therefore, enables rapid spectral imaging of the scene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignees: Duke University, Applied Quantum Technologies
    Inventors: David Jones Brady, Scott Thomas McCain, Andrew David Portnoy
  • Patent number: 8527226
    Abstract: An apparatus for modulating an incident beam includes a body that is non-transmissive and rotatable about an axis perpendicular to a surface of the body. The body has a first set of features including transmissive features with respect to the incident beam along a first radial path at a first radial distance from the axis and a second set of features including data storage features along a second radial path at a second radial distance from the axis. The apparatus also includes a reference sensor disposed over a first position along the second radial path. In the apparatus. the radial distances are different and the numbers of transmissive features and data storage features are relatively prime. When the body is rotating, the first set of features modulate the incident beam and the reference sensor generates a reference signal based on the data storage features traversing the first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Vanderbilt University
    Inventor: Jesse Shaver
  • Publication number: 20130083315
    Abstract: Devices, systems and methods facilitate analyzing, identifying and sorting particles in fluids, including cytometry devices and techniques. The described techniques can be used in a variety of applications such as in chemical or biological testing and diagnostic measurements. One exemplary flow cytometry device includes a channel that is capable of conducting a fluid containing at least one particle and also capable of allowing light be transmitted to and from the channel. The flow cytometry device also includes a lens that is positioned between the channel and a color filter. The lens directs at least a portion of light transmitted from the channel to the color filter. The color filter includes a plurality of zones, where each zone is adapted to allow transmission of only a particular spectral range of light. The flow cytometry device further includes a detector configured to receive the light that is transmitted through the color filter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2012
    Publication date: April 4, 2013
    Inventors: Yu-Hwa Lo, Sung Hwan Cho, Jose Morachis, Will Alaynick, Kendall Chuang, Nam Kim
  • Publication number: 20130027700
    Abstract: An apparatus for detecting gas concentrations includes a coded filter to oscillate proximate a resonant frequency. A photo detector is positioned below the coded filter such that the coded filter selectively blocks light that is directed at the photo detector. Optics are positioned to project spectral information on to the coded filter. A processor analyzes a signal received from the photo detector. The processor is adapted to weight a harmonic attic signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2012
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Youngner, Yue Liu, Lisa Lust
  • Patent number: 8358418
    Abstract: A method of real-time processing and monitoring comprises the steps of blending a material of interest (e.g., an active pharmaceutical material), with a secondary material, (e.g., an excipient), illuminating the blended materials with light, reflecting light carrying information about the blended materials through at least one multivariate optical element (148) and detecting said light with a first detector (152), detecting a deflected portion of the information carrying light with a second detector (156), and determining in real-time at least one selected property of the blended materials based on the detector outputs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael L. Myrick, Robert P. Freese, Ryan J. Priore, John C. Blackburn, Jonathan H. James, David L. Perkins
  • Publication number: 20120320376
    Abstract: Spectrally filtering at least one input beam includes dispersing spectral components of at least one input beam at different respective angles in a spectral plane; changing at least some of the angles of the propagation axes of the dispersed spectral components so that the maximum angular separation among the propagation axes of the spectral components changes; receiving a plurality of the dispersed spectral components incident on a reflective surface at a location at which the central rays of each of the spectral components are incident at different points on the reflective surface; and tilting the reflective surface to select at least one and fewer than all of the received spectral components to be directed to a selected output path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2012
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Inventors: Christopher S. Koeppen, Steven E. Parks
  • Publication number: 20120307239
    Abstract: A device for detecting gas concentrations includes a movable coded filter. An optical element is positioned to receive gas filtered light and spectrally separate the gas filtered light. A photo detector is positioned to receive the spectrally separated light through slits in the moveable coded filter to provide an AC signal representative of a selected gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2012
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Applicant: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Youngner, Bernard S. Fritz, Yue Liu, James A. Cox
  • Patent number: 8248601
    Abstract: An optical mask positioned on a scintillator array. The optical mask includes a reflective layer. One or more windows can be positioned on the surface of optical mask.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.
    Inventors: James L. Corbeil, Nan Zhang
  • Patent number: 8229294
    Abstract: A camera includes a lens and a sensor. A dynamic mask is arranged at an aperture plane between the lens and the sensor, and a static mask is arranged immediately adjacent to the sensor. Angular, temporal or spatial variations in light rays acquired of a scene by the sensor are mapped to individual pixels of the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Research Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Amit Kumar Agrawal, Ashok Veeraraghavan
  • Publication number: 20120105844
    Abstract: The present invention enables snap-shot spectral imaging of a scene at high image generation rates. Light from the scene is processed through an optical system that comprises a coded-aperture. The optical system projects a plurality of images, each characterized by only one of a plurality of spectral components, onto a photodetector array. The plurality of images is interspersed on the photodetector array, but no photodetector receives light characterized by more than one of the plurality of spectral components. As a result, computation of the spatio-spectral datacube that describes the scene is simplified. The present invention, therefore, enables rapid spectral imaging of the scene.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2011
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: APPLIED QUANTUM TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: David Jones Brady, Scott Thomas McCain, Andrew David Portnoy
  • Patent number: 8144321
    Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present invention, a system for encoding an optical spectrum includes a dispersive element, a digital micromirror device (DMD) array, a detector, and a controller. The dispersive element receives light from a source and disperses the light to yield light components of different wavelengths. The digital micromirror device (DMD) array has micromirrors that modulate the light to encode an optical spectrum of the light. The detector detects the light that has been modulated. The controller generates an intensity versus time waveform representing the optical spectrum of the detected light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Walter M. Duncan, James N. Malina, Rajeev Ramanath
  • Patent number: 8140272
    Abstract: Systems and methods for unmixing spectroscopic data using nonnegative matrix factorization during spectrographic data processing are provided according to various embodiments. In an embodiment, a method of processing spectrographic data may include receiving optical absorbance data associated with a sample and iteratively computing values for component spectra using nonnegative matrix factorization. The values for component spectra may be iteratively computed until optical absorbance data is approximately equal to a Hadamard product of a pathlength matrix and a matrix product of a concentration matrix and a component spectra matrix. The method may also include iteratively computing values for pathlength using nonnegative matrix factorization, in which pathlength values may be iteratively computed until optical absorbance data is approximately equal to a Hadamard product of the pathlength matrix and the matrix product of the concentration matrix and the component spectra matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Nellcor Puritan Bennett LLC
    Inventor: Steven E. Pav
  • Patent number: 8073268
    Abstract: Methods for coded aperture imaging, and processing the data from coded aperture imaging are taught. Several snapshots of an image are acquired, each using a different coded aperture array. The several snapshots are combined together with appropriate weightings to form a single equivalent frame as are the aperture functions for the coded aperture arrays used. Combining several frames of data can improve the signal to noise ratio of the decode image and increase the resolution of the image. Preferably a balanced weighting system is used and image reconstruction is performed by inverting the covariance matrix formed by the covariance of the signals from a number of estimated trial points. Using a balanced weighting system reduces the covariance matrix to a diagonal or near diagonal matrix with a corresponding reduction in computational load. The techniques also reduces additive noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Qinetiq Limited
    Inventor: Philip Edward Haskell
  • Patent number: 8068680
    Abstract: The present invention relates to processing of coded aperture images. Multiple frames of data acquired by the coded aperture imaging system, each with a different coded aperture array, are processed to form an image. The processing incorporates the constraints that the image solution must be positive and that the solution should be zero outside an expected image region. In one embodiment image enhancement may involve dividing the processed image into image regions having a spatially invariant point spread function and solving an inverse problem for each image region to reduce image blurring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Qinetiq Limited
    Inventors: Christopher William Slinger, Geoffrey Derek De Villiers, Douglas Alan Payne
  • Patent number: 7944557
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for analyzing radiation using analyzers and encoders employing the spatial modulation of radiation dispersed by wavelength or imaged along a line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Guidedwave, Inc
    Inventor: Thomas W. Hagler
  • Patent number: 7890280
    Abstract: A method and system for determining a physical property as a function of position. A data series including data point from one or more channels is obtained by frequency modulation continuous wave. A number of data points correspond to Nda different values of frequency of modulation. One or more processing steps are performed including at least part of said primary data series to obtain at least one secondary data series comprising N (N>Nda) data points from the values of frequency of modulation. The secondary data series from frequency domain is transformed to obtain at least one back scattering curve in space domain, and optionally the back scattering curve(s) to one or more physical properties as a function of position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: LIOS Technology GmbH
    Inventor: Martin Fomme
  • Publication number: 20100321686
    Abstract: The disclosure provides a device for optical spectrometry, wherein the reference beam and the measuring beam between the deflector and the detector input, in particular between the deflector output and the detector or between a device connecting the optical paths and the detector exhibit the same (the identical) etendue and the same (the identical) optical axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2010
    Publication date: December 23, 2010
    Applicant: CARL ZEISS MICROIMAGING GMBH
    Inventors: Nico Correns, Felix Kerstan, Doris Jochmann, Werner Hoyme, Hans-Juergen Dobschal, Marcel Seeber, Lutz Freytag
  • Publication number: 20100284003
    Abstract: An optical emission spectroscopic (OES) instrument includes a spectrometer, a processor and an adjustable mask controlled by the processor. The adjustable mask defines a portion of an analytical gap imaged by the spectrometer. The instrument automatically adjusts the size and position of an opening in the mask, so the spectrometer images an optimal portion of plasma formed in the analytical gap, thereby improving signal and noise characteristics of the instrument, without requiring tedious and time-consuming manual adjustment of the mask during manufacture or use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2010
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Inventor: Mark A. Hamilton
  • Publication number: 20100253941
    Abstract: The present invention enables snap-shot spectral imaging of a scene at high image generation rates. Light from the scene is processed through an optical system that comprises a coded-aperture. The optical system projects a plurality of images, each characterized by only one of a plurality of spectral components, onto a photodetector array. The plurality of images is interspersed on the photodetector array, but no photodetector receives light characterized by more than one of the plurality of spectral components. As a result, computation of the spatio-spectral datacube that describes the scene is simplified. The present invention, therefore, enables rapid spectral imaging of the scene.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2009
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Applicants: APPLIED QUANTUM TECHNOLOGIES, INC., DUKE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: David Jones Brady, Scott Thomas McCain, Andrew David Portnoy
  • Patent number: 7773218
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to systems and methods for spectral imaging. Electromagnetic energy emanating from an object is passed through a first dispersive element, a coded aperture, and a second dispersive element to a detector plane. A wavelength-dependent shift is created by the first dispersive element. The coded aperture modulates the image emanating from the first dispersive element. The wavelength-dependent shift is removed from the modulated image by the second dispersive element producing a wavelength-independent image measured by the detector. A spectral image of the object is calculated from the measured image, a wavelength-dependent shift of the first dispersive element, the code of the coded aperture, and a wavelength dependent shift of the second dispersive element. A spectral image can be calculated from measurements obtained in a single time step and from a number of measurements that is less than the number of elements in the spectral image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Duke University
    Inventors: David J. Brady, Michael E. Gehm
  • Publication number: 20100118300
    Abstract: A cylindrical illumination confocal spectroscopy system has a fluidic device having a fluid channel defined therein, an objective lens unit arranged proximate the fluidic device, an illumination system in optical communication with the objective lens unit to provide light to illuminate a sample through the objective lens unit, and a detection system in optical communication with the objective lens unit to receive at least a portion of light that passes through the objective lens unit from the sample. The illumination system includes a beam-shaping lens unit constructed and arranged to provide a substantially planar illumination beam that subtends across, and is longer than, a lateral dimension of the fluid channel, the substantially planar illumination beam having a diffraction limited thickness in a direction substantially orthogonal to the lateral dimension of the fluid channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2009
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Applicant: The Johns Hopkins University
    Inventors: Tza-Huei Wang, Kelvin J. Liu
  • Publication number: 20100103412
    Abstract: Since a spectroscopic module (1) has a plate-shaped body section (2), the spectroscopic module can be reduced in size by reducing the thickness of the body section (2). Moreover, since the body section (2) is plate-shaped, the spectroscopic module (1) can be manufactured, for example, by using a wafer process. More specifically, by providing lens sections (3), diffraction layers (4), reflection layers (6) and light detecting elements (7) in a matrix form on a glass wafer which becomes many body sections (2) and dicing the glass wafer, many spectroscopic modules (1) can be manufactured. This enables easy mass production of spectroscopic modules (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2008
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Applicant: Hamamatsu Photonics K.K.
    Inventors: Katsumi Shibayama, Helmut Teichmann, Takafumi Yokino, Tomofumi Suzuki, Dietmar Hiller, Ulrich Starker
  • Patent number: 7697134
    Abstract: A correlation spectrometer can detect a large number of gaseous compounds, or chemical species, with a species-specific mask wheel. In this mode, the spectrometer is optimized for the direct measurement of individual target compounds. Additionally, the spectrometer can measure the transmission spectrum from a given sample of gas. In this mode, infrared light is passed through a gas sample and the infrared transmission signature of the gasses present is recorded and measured using Hadamard encoding techniques. The spectrometer can detect the transmission or emission spectra in any system where multiple species are present in a generally known volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Michael B. Sinclair, Kent B. Pfeifer, Jeb H. Flemming, Gary D. Jones, Chris P. Tigges
  • Patent number: 7688441
    Abstract: An arrangement for measuring characteristic properties of a plasma beam in a thermal spray process, including a device for introducing spray materials into the plasma, a one-dimensional or two-dimensional array including first optical waveguides for receiving the light radiation emitted by the plasma, and other optical waveguides for distributing the light radiation emitted by the plasma. A device is provided for splitting the light guided in the first optical waveguides into the other optical wave guides, one optical waveguide being connected to the opening diaphragm of a particle flow arrangement, and the other optical waveguide being connected to the opening diaphragm of a spectrometer. A device is also provided for determining the current state of the spray process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: MTU Aero Engines GmbH
    Inventors: Manuel Hertter, Joerg Hoeschele, Stefan Schneiderbanger, Juergen Steinwandel
  • Publication number: 20100067001
    Abstract: An optical mask positioned on a scintillator array. The optical mask includes a reflective layer. One or more windows can be positioned on the surface of optical mask.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2009
    Publication date: March 18, 2010
    Applicant: SIEMENS MEDICAL SOLUTIONS USA, INC.
    Inventors: James L. Corbeil, Nan Zhang
  • Publication number: 20100039641
    Abstract: A spectrometer includes a micro-ring grating device having coaxially-aligned ring gratings for diffracting incident light onto a target focal point, a detection device for detecting light intensity, one or more actuators, and an adjustable aperture device defining a circular aperture. The aperture circumscribes a target focal point, and directs a light to the detection device. The aperture device is selectively adjustable using the actuators to select a portion of a frequency band for transmission to the detection device. A method of detecting intensity of a selected band of incident light includes directing incident light onto coaxially-aligned ring gratings of a micro-ring grating device, and diffracting the selected band onto a target focal point using the ring gratings. The method includes using an actuator to adjust an aperture device and pass a selected portion of the frequency band to a detection device for measuring the intensity of the selected portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2009
    Publication date: February 18, 2010
    Applicant: United States of America as represented by the Adminstrator of the National Aeronautics and Space
    Inventors: Yeonjoon Park, Glen C. King, James R. Elliott, Sang H. Choi
  • Publication number: 20090310133
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for designing a light transmission device, which adjusts a wavelength region of a spectrum of transmitted light without expanding a width of a transmission spectrum and without lowering the transmittance. The method for designing a light transmission device having a metal thin film, and a rectangular aperture which is formed in a plane of the metal thin film, has a long side and a short side and makes light pass therethrough, wherein the short side has a dimension smaller than a wavelength of incident light, and the long side is determined to have such a dimension that a peak wavelength at which the transmittance of light passing through the rectangular aperture is maximal can be a predetermined value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2007
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masaya Ogino, Tomohiro Yamada, Satoru Nishiuma, Natsuhiko Mizutani, Ryo Kuroda
  • Patent number: 7626150
    Abstract: A sensor assembly including a detector; a first arrangement for enhancing the resolution of the detector; and a second arrangement for increasing the field-of-view of the detector. In a specific implementation, the detector is a focal plane array of detectors, the first arrangement is a Hadamard mask and the second arrangement is a telescope array with a field-bias element operationally coupled thereto. The field bias optical element is implemented with a prism and grating such as a grism. An arrangement is included for actuating the mask to selectively enable a desired level of resolution and another arrangement is included for actuating the field bias element to select a desired field of view. An arrangement for effecting image motion compensation is included along with an imager, an image processor and a data processor. The telescope array may include refractive elements, reflective elements, and/or catadioptric elements. Likewise, the imager may be refractive, reflective and/or catadioptric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Chungte W. Chen, J. Steve Anderson
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20090201499
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems that include: (a) an objective lens system configured to collect light from a sample; (b) a first aperture positioned to allow a portion of the collected light received from the objective lens system to pass as input light; (c) a first lens positioned to transmit the input light received from the first aperture; (d) a dispersive element configured to spatially disperse the input light received from the first lens in a first plane; (e) a second lens positioned to transmit the spatially dispersed light; (f) a second aperture positioned to allow a portion of the spatially dispersed light received from the second lens to pass as detection light; and (g) a detector positioned to receive the detection light and configured to form at least one image of the sample.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Publication date: August 13, 2009
    Inventors: David J. Monk, David R. Walt
  • Publication number: 20090201498
    Abstract: An optical system performs agile spectrum imaging. The system includes a first lens for focusing light from a light source. The focused light is dispersed over a spectrum of wavelengths. A second lens focuses the dispersed light onto a mask. The mask selectively attenuates the wavelengths of the spectrum of the light source onto an image plane of the light destination. Depending on the arrangement of the light source and destination, the system can act as a 2. The apparatus of claim 1, in which the light source is a scene and the light destination is sensor, and the apparatus operates as an agile spectrum camera, viewer, spectrum projector, or light source. The arrangement can also be combined to provide a stereo vision system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2008
    Publication date: August 13, 2009
    Inventors: Ramesh Raskar, Ankit Mohan, Jack Tumblin
  • 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
  • Patent number: 7515260
    Abstract: A chemometric analyzer for analyzing a plurality of analytes. The analyzer disperses radiation by wavelength along an encoding axis. The analyzer includes a spatial radiation modulator having a plurality of radiation filters. Each radiation filter modulates the intensity of a corresponding spectral component in the radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: Guided Wave Inc
    Inventor: Thomas W. Hagler
  • Patent number: 7505130
    Abstract: A class of aperture coded spectrometer is optimized for the spectral characterization of diffuse sources. The instrument achieves high throughput and high spatial resolution by replacing the slit of conventional dispersive spectrometers with a spatial filter or mask. A number of masks can be used including Harmonic masks, Legendre masks, and Hadamard masks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignee: Duke University
    Inventors: David J. Brady, Scott T. McCain, Michael E. Gehm, Michael E. Sullivan, Prasant Potuluri
  • Patent number: 7476863
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device limiting the appearance of decoding artefacts for a gamma camera with a coded mask comprising a gamma radiation detector (3) opposite the coded mask (1) and having a field of view with an area partially coded (20) by the coded mask (1). It comprises a recessed part (30), which is opaque to the gamma radiation, to be arranged opposite the detector (3) with respect to the coded mask (1), with said recessed part (30) obscuring the partially coded area (20) of the field of view for the detector (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: Commissariat A l'Energie Atomique
    Inventors: Fabrice Lamadie, Christophe Brenneis, Philippe Girones, Stéphane Barras
  • 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
  • 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: 7430044
    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. An encoder spectrograph may be used wherein the first optics comprises a diffraction grating that is optimized for an annular-shaped intercept between the dispersed image and the radiation filters on a modulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2008
    Assignee: Aspectrics, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas W. Hagler
  • 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
  • Patent number: 7423749
    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. An encoded photometric infrared spectroscopy (“EPIR”) analyzer employs orthogonal encoded components having substantially identical modulation frequencies, which may allow for the multiplexing of up to twice as many encoded components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Assignee: Aspectrics, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas W. Hagler
  • Patent number: 7423748
    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. An encoder spectrograph includes a modulator with radiation filters having non-equal widths and centered at non-equal intervals along the encoding axis of the modulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Assignee: Aspectrics, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas W. Hagler
  • Patent number: 7420673
    Abstract: A method of generating a design pattern for a spatial radiation modulator to encode two or more selected spectral components in one or more spectral ranges for the chemometric analysis of a group of analytes. The method includes obtaining a corresponding spectrum for each of the analytes, defining a set of initial spectral windows, constructing a chemometric matrix to relate concentrations of the analytes to intensities of the spectral components, deriving optimized spectral windows, and translating the center wavelength and the bandwidth of each of the optimized spectral windows into a corresponding optimized annular region on the modulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Aspectrics, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas W. Hagler
  • 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: 7379181
    Abstract: A spatial filter for an optical system, such as an optical spectrometer, collects and spatially filters light using a fiber bundle having a plurality of fibers disposed therein. At an input end of the fiber bundle, the fibers are typically packed tightly together to optimize the collection efficiency. At an output end, the fibers are spread out from the fiber bundle and arranged within a two-dimensional output area according to a two-dimensional pattern corresponding to a coded aperture function. As a result, the two-dimensional pattern of the output end spatially filters the light collected by the input end. Corresponding methods are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: Centice Corporation
    Inventors: David J. Brady, Prasant Potuluri, Michael E. Sullivan
  • Patent number: 7336353
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to systems and methods for spectral imaging. In one embodiment, an image of the scene is formed on a coded aperture of a spectrometer. A coded image from the coded aperture is detected on a two-dimensional detector array of the spectrometer through a spectrally dispersive element of the spectrometer. Data from the two-dimensional detector array is collected as the coded image is varied over time. The spectral image is estimated from the data collected and the variation of the coded image over time. The data collected is varied over time through translation, rotation, and defocus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Duke University
    Inventors: David J. Brady, Michael E. Gehm
  • Patent number: 7330253
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for analyzing radiation using analyzers and encoders employing the spatial modulation of radiation dispersed by wavelength or imaged along a line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: Aspectrics, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas W. Hagler
  • Patent number: 7301625
    Abstract: A class of aperture coded spectrometer is optimized for the spectral characterization of diffuse sources. The instrument achieves high throughput and high spatial resolution by replacing the slit of conventional dispersive spectrometers with a spatial filter or mask. A number of masks can be used including Harmonic masks, Legendre masks, and Hadamard masks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: Duke University
    Inventors: David Brady, Scott T. McCain, Michael E. Gehm, Michael E. Sullivan, Prasant Potuluri
  • Patent number: 7292335
    Abstract: A method and a system for optical measuring in a structure having a pattern in the form of spaced-apart parallel elongated regions of optical properties different from that of spaces between said regions. The system comprises a broadband illuminator (8) for generating incident radiation, a spectrophotometer arrangement (30) for detecting a spectral response of the structure to the incident radiation, and an optical arrangement (2) for directing the incident light to the structure and collecting the response of the structure, said optical arrangement (2) comprising a numerical aperture (32) selectively limiting the range of at least one of light incidence or collecting angles in direction substantially perpendicular to longitudinal axes of said elongated regions of the pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Assignee: Nova Measuring Instruments Ltd.
    Inventors: Boaz Brill, Shachar Gov
  • 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: 7262846
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignee: Aspectrics, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas W. Hagler