With Merging Colors Or Patterns (e.g., Maxwell Disc) Patents (Class 356/403)
  • Patent number: 9746447
    Abstract: Described herein is an apparatus for inspecting a component includes a first feature inspector with at least one wave transducer configured to inspect a first feature of the component. The first feature inspector further includes at least one displacement sensor configured to detect a displacement of the at least one wave transducer of the first feature inspector relative to the first feature of the component. The apparatus further includes a second feature inspector with at least one wave transducer configured to inspect a second feature of the component. The second feature inspector further includes at least one displacement sensor configured to detect a displacement of the at least one wave transducer of the second feature inspector relative to the second feature of the component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Barry A. Fetzer, Christopher R. Brown, Dennis P. Sarr, Michael J. Duncan
  • Patent number: 8970374
    Abstract: A system for detecting intrusion across a surface, comprising a plurality of light sources projecting an array of illuminating beams along different optical paths in the surface and a detector array system directed such that it detects along a plurality of fields of view in the surface, illumination reflected from the illuminating beams. A signal processing system detects changes along the array of fields of view, in the reflected illumination level detected by the detector system. An increase greater than a predefined level in the reflected illumination level from any field of view provides an indication of an intrusion across the surveilled surface along that field of view, at the crossing point of the direction of that field of view with the optical path whose illuminating beam generated the increase in reflected illumination from that field of view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Shilat Optronics Ltd
    Inventors: Avishay Guetta, Doron Korngut, Gil Blai
  • Patent number: 8665440
    Abstract: A spectral imaging system comprises a plurality of spectral units arranged in an array, each spectral unit of the plurality of spectral units comprising: a microlens having an optical axis; a spectral filter having a center wavelength and aligned with the optical axis; a fiber optic bundle, the fiber optic bundle having a curved light receiving surface and a planar light output surface, wherein the curved light receiving surface is aligned with the optical axis; and a plurality of pixel sensors configured to receive light from the planar light output surface of the fiber optic taper portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Physical Optics Corporation
    Inventors: Iouri V. Kompaniets, Tomasz Jannson, Ranjit Pradhan
  • Patent number: 8603772
    Abstract: This invention provides a novel methods and devices for measurement of particle concentration or changes in particle concentration over a wide linear range. The invention comprises one or more radiation sources and one or more detectors contained in a housing which is interfaced to a medium containing particulate matter. The one or more radiation sources are directed into the medium, scattered or transmitted by the particulate matter, and then some portion of the radiation is detected by the one or more detectors. Methods for confining the measurement to a specific volume within the medium are described. Algorithms are provided for combining the signals generated by multiple source-detector pairs in a manner that results in a wide linear range of response to changes in particle concentration. In one embodiment the sensor provides non-invasive measurements of biomass in a bioreactor. In another embodiment an immersible probe design is described, which may be suited for one-time use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Bug Lab LLC
    Inventors: Martin P. Debreczeny, Jaime Romero, Ethan Petersen
  • Publication number: 20130258343
    Abstract: An optical spectroscopy method and apparatus increases signal to noise ratio of detected signals. Sample light passed through a sample includes attenuated light pulses and characteristic light located between the attenuated light pulses, the characteristic light formed by interaction between light pulses incident the sample and sample molecules. The attenuated light pulses are substantially removed from the sample light emerging from the sample prior to detection, to increase signal to noise ratio of the detected signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: AGILENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Miao ZHU, Robert C. TABER
  • Patent number: 7778786
    Abstract: A method for estimating surface moisture content of wood chips for use in a pulp and paper production process comprises measuring chip surface moisture using an infrared surface moisture sensor, and adjusting a calibration of the surface moisture measured with a model using values of a set of optical parameters representing light reflection characteristics of the wood chips, to estimate their surface moisture content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Centre de Recherche Industrielle du Quebec
    Inventor: Feng Ding
  • Patent number: 7349104
    Abstract: A method for acquiring a surface profile 3D data set of an object includes illuminating a surface of the object with a sequence of multiple rainbow projection (MRP) structural light patterns, capturing light reflected from the object, and calculating 3D data (X, Y, Z) for each visible point on the object based upon triangulation mathematical principles of the captured reflected light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: Technest Holdings, Inc.
    Inventor: Z. Jason Geng
  • Patent number: 7292949
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for estimating surface moisture content of wood chips employing a surface moisture measurement obtained from a non-contact surface moisture sensor, which measurement is calibrated with values of a set of optical parameters, such as HSL color camera signals, representing light reflection characteristics of the wood chips in order to estimate the surface moisture content thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Assignee: Centre de recherche industrielle du Québec
    Inventor: Feng Ding
  • Patent number: 7194361
    Abstract: A method for matching paint on a vehicle, having the steps of receiving in a central computer vehicle identifying information relating to a specific vehicle and a first set of paint color data from a portion of the body of the vehicle. The central computer includes a processor, an electronic storage device in which a database is stored. The database includes vehicle identifying information for a plurality of vehicles, paint color data associated with respective vehicle identifying information, and paint formulations associated with paint color data. Software in the computer determines a best match paint formulation which relates submitted vehicle identifying information and submitted paint data to a paint formulation and compares the matched paint color data to the submitted paint color data so as to establish accuracy data. The accuracy data is applied to the process so as to be implemented in subsequent paint formulation identifications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: PPG Industries Ohio, Inc.
    Inventors: Victor G. Corrigan, Bernard L. Mabrey, Mark D. Lewis
  • Patent number: 6522977
    Abstract: A computer implemented method for matching paint on a vehicle, having the steps of receiving in a central computer, from a remote terminal, vehicle identifying information relating to a specific vehicle and a first set of paint color data from a portion of the body of the vehicle. The central computer includes a processor, an electronic storage device in which a database is stored. The database includes vehicle identifying information for a plurality of vehicles, paint color data associated with respective vehicle identifying information, and paint formulations associated with paint color data. A first process by software in the computer determines a first best match paint formulation which relates submitted vehicle identifying information and submitted paint data to a paint formulation. The software in the computer determines a first best match paint formulation which is transmitted to the remote terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: PPG Industries Ohio, Inc.
    Inventors: Victor G. Corrigan, Bernard L. Mabrey, Mark D. Lewis
  • Patent number: 6393315
    Abstract: A method for detecting and mapping inflamed zones in living tissues and a device for implementing the method. The method includes subjecting the tissues to be analyzed to a luminous excitation with a predetermined spectral domain, acquiring at least the raw fluorescence signal of the porphyrins for a plurality of measurement points, and in determining, for each measurement point, the intensity of the fluorescence for the wavelengths characteristic of endogenous porphyrins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: Communaute Europeenne
    Inventors: Pierre Marc Aprahamian, Francine Heisel, Alfredo Lucia, Joseph-Albert Miehe, Malgorzata Sowinska, Maurice Whelan
  • Patent number: 6163371
    Abstract: A distance measuring apparatus includes a light transmission optical system for transmitting a light beam having intensity distribution with a pair of peaks, and a reception system for measuring a distance to an obstacle on the basis of reflected light from the obstacle. The light transmission optical system has a pair of light transmission units for transmitting two light beams, each having a Gaussian intensity distribution, and composition of the two light beams forms the light beam having the intensity distribution with the pair of peaks. The light transmission units are arranged at positions near both ends of a front portion of an automobile, to transmit the two light beams in parallel from the positions. An interval between the peaks is a distance corresponding to an area in which the degree of danger to life is high in a collision against the obstacle, i.e. about 1 m. And the feet of the light intensity distribution with the pair of peaks fall within the width of the automobile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Assignees: Olympus Optical Co., Ltd., Takata Corporation
    Inventors: Masahiko Kato, Takahiro Yamanishi
  • Patent number: 5986762
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for optically assaying a targeted substance in a sample using a sensor having an optimized groove profile. The optical sensor has a grooved surface defined by a first sinusoidal component superposed with one or more additional sinusoidal components such that a reflectance anomaly occurs at multiple resonance angles. A measure of the targeted substance in the sample can more precisely calculated as a function of a change in angular distance between the resonance angles. Advantages of the present invention include increased sensitivity and less susceptibility to system drifts due to mechanical motion and thermal changes than conventional diffraction grating sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignee: Imation Corp.
    Inventor: William A. Challener
  • Patent number: 5929980
    Abstract: A small-sized precision distance measuring apparatus. When a laser beam 1b reflected from an article is received on a photodetector array (30) through a lens array (20), the effective area of the photodetector array (30) is calculated on the basis of the output from the photodetectors, and the distance from the lens array (20) to the article 11 is calculated from the calculated area and the angle of view of the lenses constituting the lens array (20). If pixels (33a, 33b, 33c) of an image on a sensor array, corresponding to the coordinates of elements in the space (12), are determined on the basis of the positional relationship between the lenses (41a, 41b, 41c) of a lens array and photodetectors (51a, 51b, 51c) of the sensor array, the comparison of image information on the pixels (33a, 33b, 33c) can be made to determine the coordinate positions representing the profile of the article 11 from the coordinate positions of the space (12), thereby determining the distance to the article (11) and its shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Assignee: Komatsu, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyoshi Yamaguchi, Tatsuya Ariga, Tetsuya Shinbo, Osamu Yoshimi
  • Patent number: 5900927
    Abstract: An image pickup frame is divided into a plurality of areas. A contrast at each area is measured. An area where a main subject is located is detected by comparing contrasts at areas. A distance to a subject in the area where the main subject is located is measured. With this range finding technique, even if a main subject is not located at the central area of an image pickup frame, an area where the main subject is located can be identified and range finding can be performed only for that area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1999
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jun Hasegawa
  • Patent number: 5867256
    Abstract: A range estimation system and method which comprises a data base containing data for identification of certain targets and data for estimating the initial range to each of the targets as a function of the observed dimensions of the targets. A sensor (1) observes a scene containing a target a plurality of spaced apart times while the sensor is moving relative to the target to provide data from each observation of the scene relating to the dimensions of the target within the scene. The remaining range to the target is estimated from the observed dimensions of the target from the range traveled since a prior estimation of range and from a prior estimation of the remaining range to the target. The sensor (1) provides electrical signals representing the observed scene (3) and can be a visible light or infrared sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1999
    Assignee: Raytheon TI Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald R. Van Rheeden
  • Patent number: 5777899
    Abstract: In a horizontal position error correction mechanism for an electronic level according to the present invention, a collimation optical system collimates a level rod, and a calculation processing device processes an output signal of a photoelectric converter by calculation to calculate a difference of elevation and so forth. A compensator device formed on a telescope optical system for maintaining a horizontal position corrects an inclination of the electronic level to maintain the horizontal position of the electronic level, and a suspended optical member suspended from the compensator device is rocked in forward and backward directions and leftward and rightward directions in response to an inclination of the compensator device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1998
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha TOPCON
    Inventor: Kaoru Kumagai
  • Patent number: 5629756
    Abstract: A laser beam projection apparatus is capable of supplying laser beams finely converged on an object at all times irrespective of a distance to the object. The laser beam projection apparatus has a laser beam generator, including a focus adjusting device, for supplying laser beams periodically swept within one plane and, at the same time, converged at a controllable distance, a light receiving element for receiving reflected laser beams from a predetermined object and generating an output signal, a distance calculating unit for calculating a distance to the object on the basis of the output signal and a controller for operating the focus adjusting device so that the swept laser beams are converged in a position corresponding to the calculated distance. The controller can change a sweep speed of the laser beam in accordance with a change in the calculated distance. The controller cna change a sweep speed of the laser beam in accordance with a change in the calculated distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 13, 1997
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventor: Eiichi Kitajima
  • Patent number: 5573492
    Abstract: A system for determining a dimension of a detail including an optical scope for producing an image of the detail, an image scaling device for providing a scaled image size, and a processor. The system also includes a video camera which is either within the optical scope or external to the optical scope. The optical scope includes a focusing device for adjusting a focal position of the image of the detail and a device for providing a focus position signal based a position of the focusing device. If the system includes an external video camera, the optical scope also includes a viewer for passing the image of the detail to a plane outside of the optical scope. The video camera optically is coupled with the viewer of the optical scope or with the image of the detail and produces a video signal of the detail from the image of the detail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1996
    Assignee: Olympus America Inc.
    Inventors: Andreas E. Dianna, James G. Costello
  • Patent number: 5537201
    Abstract: An electronic leveling system, which is intended to enhance the efficiency of leveling work, is capable of sending various data generated on the part of the electronic level unit from it to the electronic leveling staff and sending various data generated on the part of the leveling staff from it to the leveling unit. The system includes a function of compensating automatically the tilt of the leveling unit and leveling staff.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1996
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Topcon
    Inventors: Kaoru Kumagai, Shinji Kawashima, Kiichi Furuya, Fumio Ohtomo
  • Patent number: 5537200
    Abstract: An electronic leveling apparatus and associated leveling staff are capable of measuring the height difference of the positions automatically through the opto-electric conversion of the image of a pattern formed on the leveling staff. The apparatus has a turning drive means for turning it on a horizontal plane, a light emission means for emitting a light beam to the outside, a light reception means for receiving a reflected light of the emitted light beam, and a signal processor for controlling the turning drive means in response to the received signal so that the apparatus is oriented to the leveling staff automatically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1996
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha TOPCON
    Inventors: Kaoru Kumagai, Shinji Kawashima, Kiichi Furuya, Fumio Ohtomo
  • Patent number: 5519489
    Abstract: An improved vehicle alignment system includes automatic angle and distance range calibration whereby various vehicle distances such as track width and wheelbase may be measured electro-optically during the alignment process. The system also includes an improved process which results in shorter measurement cycles for the sensors by utilizing an electronic shutter control. The sensors work in pairs, and a novel synchronization scheme is used to ensure that the emitters of one sensor are not radiating at the same time the emitters of the other sensor of that pair are radiating and to determine which emitter of the pair corresponding to a sensor is radiating. Reflections of the emitters from nearby surfaces are discriminated from direct transmissions so that the angle of incidence is accurately determined. Moreover, determination of the angle of incidence is simplified by use of a lens whose image position varies in a specific manner as the imaged object moves radially away from the axis of the lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1996
    Assignee: Hunter Engineering Company
    Inventors: James W. McClenahan, Leigh R. Burns, Michael T. Stieff
  • Patent number: 5491546
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a laser assisted telescopic targeting system, apparatus and method of range finding and aiming a projectile firing weapon. The invention includes a laser light generating source capable of producing a spot of laser light on a target. The invention also includes a shooting scope to view the target. The shooting scope preferably has indicia or a shutter for measuring the approximate size of the laser dot projected on the target. Based upon the size of the spot and the growth rate of the laser targeting source the user can determine, with a substantial degree of accuracy, the relative distance from the target. The method includes steps associated with using the inventive apparatus and system and aiming a projectile firing weapon depending upon the information obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 13, 1996
    Inventors: Rick R. Wascher, Ray Fairbanks, Jr., Roy L. Neuhauser, III
  • Patent number: 5488471
    Abstract: A system for measuring angular relationships of wheels of a vehicle includes a radiation source mounted with respect to a first wheel for providing a radiation signal, an image detector having an active array of pixels mounted with respect to a second wheel for receiving an image from the radiation source and for producing an output in response to the radiation signal, and a radiation detector disposed in the path of the radiation from the radiation source for detecting the presence of the radiation signal. A controller is responsive to the presence of the radiation signal to activate the image detector to receive the image from the radiation source and determine an alignment angle of a wheel of the vehicle from the output of the image detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1996
    Inventors: James W. McClenahan, Leigh R. Burns, Jr., Michael T. Stieff, Daniel B. January
  • Patent number: 5475494
    Abstract: A driving environment surveillance apparatus is provided to specify a region where an obstacle is present depending upon an azimuth detected by an obstacle detecting unit so as to derive a two-dimensional image corresponding to the specified region from an image detecting unit, and to extract the obstacle from the two-dimensional image so as to calculate a size index of the obstacle, thereby detecting a relative distance or the azimuth to the obstacle from a vehicle with high accuracy and at a high speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 12, 1995
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Minoru Nishida, Yoshihiko Utsui, Noriyuki Inoue
  • Patent number: 5253032
    Abstract: An active distance measuring apparatus comprises a projector for projecting modulated light to an object, a photo-sensor for sensing the modulated light reflected by the object to produce a pair of alternating current signals in accordance with a distance to the object, and a signal processor for producing a distance signal in accordance with the pair of alternating current signals. The signal processor includes a detector means for detecting a voltage corresponding to each of the pair of alternating current signals a plurality of times and adding the results of such detection and repeating such detection and addition a plurality of times and a calculation for calculating the distance signal based on the output of the detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1993
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Riichi Higaki, Yoshikazu Iida
  • Patent number: 5040897
    Abstract: The invention relates to the printing industry, and is based on the comparison of a reproduction under inspection with a reference polychrome graphic representation. Respective reference axes (A.sub.1, A.sub.2) are defined for the reference representation and the reproduction under inspection. These axes are normal to and go through an equivalent point of the representation and reproduction, respectively. The two latter are rotated around their reference axes, producing whirling images (D.sub.1, D.sub.2) formed of concentric color rings (a.sub.1, a.sub.2, . . . a.sub.n and a'.sub.1, a'.sub.2, . . . a'.sub.n) each having a set width and shade, and forming a basis for detecting a possible color drift.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1991
    Assignee: Swiss Aluminium Ltd.
    Inventor: Gilbert Dolveck
  • Patent number: 4412059
    Abstract: A polymeric material which is capable of forming high modulus, biaxially orientable structures of a cholesteric mesophase, wherein said polymeric material comprises an optically active monomer which is condensation co-polymerized with at least one p-phenylene containing monomer which is itself capable of forming a polymer exhibiting a nematic mesophase, or which is capable of being copolymerized with a second monomer to form a nematic mesophase, or which is capable of being copolymerized with racemic mixture of said optically active monomers to form a nematic mesophase, wherein the resulting copolymer is characterized by a degree of inflexibility sufficient to form a mesophase and wherein said optically active monomer is present in said polymer after copolymerization in an amount sufficient to impart optical activity to said polymer sufficient to form a cholesteric mesophase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1980
    Date of Patent: October 25, 1983
    Assignee: Duke University
    Inventors: William R. Krigbaum, Alberto Ciferri, Jack Preston
  • Patent number: 4256368
    Abstract: An apparatus for generating patterned images which are variable in color contrast and spatial frequency while retaining a substantially constant, uniform level of photometric luminance. Two broad spectrum beams of luminous energy are individually projected through two orthogonally oriented polarizers and interleaved upon being split. The intensity in one beam is homogeneous while the other contains a spatially periodic pattern. The two beams created by splitting and interleaving are selectively color filtered and combined after one is translated sufficiently to reverse its phase relative to the other. A rotating polarizer in the path of the output combined beam alters the pattern color composition between one extreme where the spatially reversing colors are defined by the color filters and the opposite extreme in which the pattern disappears into a uniform composition of the two colors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1980
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1981
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventor: Harry L. Task