Trichromatic Examination Patents (Class 356/406)
  • Patent number: 12140532
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a spectrometer. A housing is attached to a substrate and defines an illumination channel and a receiving channel. The illumination channel includes an illumination source mounted on the substrate and operable to produce light in a particular part of the spectrum. A light pipe is disposed over the illumination source so as to direct light from the illumination source out of the illumination channel toward a target. The receiving channel includes a sensor chip mounted on the substrate. The sensor chip includes light sensitive elements, each of which is selectively sensitive to a respective region of the particular part of the spectrum. The sensor chip further includes an electronic control unit operable to analyze signals from the light sensitive elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Assignee: ams Sensors Singapore Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Elisa Parola, Bassam Hallal
  • Patent number: 12100147
    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provide an image fitting method. The method includes: providing a chip plate and a plurality of photographing assemblies, where the chip plate is used to place a chip tray, and the photographing assemblies are used to capture images of the chip plate; acquiring a chip plate image captured by each photographing assembly, where the chip plate image is an image of the chip plate with a partial area and the chip tray placed on the chip plate; acquiring a chip tray image included in each chip plate image, where the chip tray image is an image of the chip tray with a partial area; and fitting the plurality of chip tray images to acquire a chip image, where the chip image is an image of an entire chip tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2024
    Assignee: CHANGXIN MEMORY TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: Yui-Lang Chen
  • Patent number: 12100331
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of compensating for a color shift of a display panel, a display module, and an electronic device, in which the method includes: in the case where a color shift occurs in a white screen of the display panel, determining a position where the color shift occurs; changing a timing of sub-pixels lighting the white screen in the position to a timing of red, green and blue pixels; adjusting brightness of the red pixel, brightness of the green pixel and brightness of the blue pixel to compensate for the color shift in the position. The present disclosure solves the technical problem that a color shift repairing technology in the related art can only solve unevenness of brightness within a certain range, resulting in poor repairing effect of the display panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2024
    Assignees: CHANGSHA HKC OPTOELECTRONICS CO., LTD., HKC CORPORATION LIMITED
    Inventors: Kerong Wu, Baohong Kang
  • Patent number: 12077884
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for optimizing a yarn production process in which foreign materials (90) are monitored in a textile fiber formation (9). The textile fiber formation (9) is illuminated with electromagnetic radiation from at least two color ranges. The foreign materials (90) are classified into different color classes according to their colors. If a sufficiently large random sample with classified foreign materials (90) is available, a frequency distribution of the foreign materials is determined for the color classes and compared with a reference frequency distribution. If the determined frequency distribution deviates from the reference frequency distribution, at least one of a set of multiple optimization actions is performed, e.g., a warning signal is output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2024
    Assignee: Uster Technologies AG
    Inventors: Ulf Schneider, Mario Siegenthaler
  • Patent number: 11619583
    Abstract: Building blocks are provided for on-chip chemical sensors and other highly-compact photonic integrated circuits combining interband or quantum cascade lasers and detectors with passive waveguides and other components integrated on a III-V or silicon. A MWIR or LWIR laser source is evanescently coupled into a passive extended or resonant-cavity waveguide that provides evanescent coupling to a sample gas (or liquid) for spectroscopic chemical sensing. In the case of an ICL, the uppermost layer of this passive waveguide has a relatively high index of refraction that enables it to form the core of the waveguide, while the ambient air, consisting of the sample gas, functions as the top cladding layer. A fraction of the propagating light beam is absorbed by the sample gas if it contains a chemical species having a fingerprint absorption feature within the spectral linewidth of the laser emission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: The Government of the United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Jerry R. Meyer, Igor Vurgaftman, Chadwick Lawrence Canedy, William W. Bewley, Chul Soo Kim, Charles D. Merritt, Michael V. Warren, R. Joseph Weiblen, Mijin Kim
  • Patent number: 11526122
    Abstract: A method of converting a CMYW toner printer to a CMYK printer that prints with black toner, comprising the steps: providing a CMYW toner printer; wherein the CMYW toner printer has four starting toner printing cartridges; wherein the four starting toner printing cartridges comprise a white toner printing cartridge, a cyan toner printing cartridge, a magenta toner printing cartridge, and a yellow toner printing cartridge; removing one or more of the four starting toner printing cartridges from the CMYW toner printer, such that there are one or more empty toner cartridge slots; providing a black toner printing cartridge that are each filled with black toner; and installing the black toner printing cartridge into the one or more empty toner cartridge slots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: UI Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Raymond Josiah, Joseph Dovi
  • Patent number: 11418770
    Abstract: A device for determining the surface topology and associated color of a structure, such as a teeth segment, includes a scanner for providing depth data for points along a two-dimensional array substantially orthogonal to the depth direction, and an image acquisition means for providing color data for each of the points of the array, while the spatial disposition of the device with respect to the structure is maintained substantially unchanged. A processor combines the color data and depth data for each point in the array, thereby providing a three-dimensional color virtual model of the surface of the structure. A corresponding method for determining the surface topology and associate color of a structure is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: ALIGN TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventor: Noam Babayoff
  • Patent number: 11221252
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a processor and a memory. The processor obtains a group of original specification data of an ambient light sensor, obtains a group of testing data of the ambient light sensor, combines the group of original specification data with the group of testing data to obtain a group of combined data, and analyzes the group of combined data according to a source of the plurality of data and a corresponding wavelength of the plurality of data to obtain a spectral hand table and a channel distribution table of the ambient light sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignees: HONGFUJIN PRECISION ELECTRONICS (ZHENGZHOU) CO., LTD., HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yi-Peng Wang, Jun-Wei Zhang
  • Patent number: 11199450
    Abstract: An optical sensor comprises at least four detection channels, where each detection channel comprises a photodetector and a filter with a respective transmission spectrum. The transmission spectra of the at least four filters are different from one another, and the transmission spectra are set such that each of the three CIE color matching functions is a linear combination of the transmission spectra of at least two of the filters. Furthermore, a method for detecting electromagnetic radiation is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: AMS AG
    Inventor: Gunter Siess
  • Patent number: 10959305
    Abstract: A method may include supplying electric power to a first light source and a second light source of at least two light sources by at least one ballast so that the first light source and the second light source emit a first source light and a second source light with a first and second spectral light distribution, respectively. The method further includes superimposing the first and second source light using an optical unit such that the lighting device outputs light with a spectral superposition light distribution. The method further includes detecting the light outputted from the lighting device using a light distribution sensor that provides a sensor signal corresponding to a spectral light distribution of the detected light. The method further includes comparing the sensor signal to a predefined spectral light distribution and adjusting the electric power supplied to the respective light source by the ballast based on the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: Osram GmbH
    Inventors: Mourad Boulouednine, Ulrich Binder, Michael Steyer
  • Patent number: 10806986
    Abstract: A device and method for aiding in the practice of basketball and other games that require a ball to be returned to a player in order to perform repetitive practice routines. The device generally includes a ball catching component and a ball ejection component. The ball catching component catches balls thrown by the player and delivers them to the ball ejection component so that the ball ejection component has a continuous supply of balls. The invention includes a means for tracking a predetermined color worn by a player on the court and returning the ball toward the player's current position after a predetermined triggering event has occurred.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: APQS, LLC
    Inventors: Nathaniel Moore, Mike Moore
  • Patent number: 10738493
    Abstract: Sheet material, for example for a swimming pool cover 12, comprises an upper layer 14 of mid-IR absorbing material and a lower layer 16, with bubbles 18, which absorbs visible light. The material passes at least 25% of radiation in the near-IR region, thus promoting heating of the water while suppressing growth of algae. Inorganic particles are used to block visible radiation and pigments are used to block mid-IR radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: Plastipack Limited
    Inventors: Timothy James Fielder, Peter Anthony Adlington, Remi Wache, Steven Kenneth Clowes, Stephen Sweeney
  • Patent number: 10726196
    Abstract: The technology disclosed is generally directed to massively multivariate testing, conversion rate optimization, and product recommendation and, in particular, directed to automatically and autonomously placing conversion code (e.g., scripts) in webpages of a host website without requiring any affirmative action on the part of the host. The conversion code modifies display and functionality of a particular portion of a host webpage without modifying other portions of the host webpage. The conversion code is placed by a website modification service which is limitedly authorized by the host to modify only the particular portion of the host webpage under a product recommendation and/or conversion rate optimization scheme.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: Evolv Technology Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Severn
  • Patent number: 10090131
    Abstract: An electron-optical system for performing electron microscopy is disclosed. The system includes an electron beam source configured to generate a primary electron beam. The system includes a source lens, a condenser lens and an objective lens disposed along an optical axis. The system includes a first Wien filter disposed along the optical axis and a second Wien filter disposed along the optical axis. The first Wien filter and the second Wien filter are disposed between the source lens and the objective lens. The first Wien filter is configured to correct chromatic aberration in the primary beam. The system also includes a detector assembly configured to detect electrons emanating from the surface of the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: KLA-Tencor Corporation
    Inventors: Xinrong Jiang, Christopher Sears
  • Patent number: 9819837
    Abstract: A color management system includes a measurement unit and a controller. The measurement unit measures a color difference between multiple colorimeters by using at least one detection color patch in accordance with colorimetry conditions used for the colorimeters. The controller generates, in a case where the color difference between the colorimeters is equal to or higher than a threshold for the detection color patch, a correction profile for correcting the color difference between the colorimeters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Pauvi Sulistio, Shinya Takaishi
  • Patent number: 9729761
    Abstract: A color management system includes a memory and a controller. The memory stores a correction profile for a first medium, the correction profile being provided for correcting a difference between multiple colorimeters. The controller uses, as an evaluation index and on a basis of a result of colorimetry performed on a second medium that is different from the first medium, at least one of a color difference, a hue difference, or a lightness difference between the first medium and the second medium and uses the correction profile for the first medium as a correction profile for the second medium in a case where the evaluation index is equal to or lower than a corresponding one of thresholds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shinya Takaishi, Pauvi Sulistio
  • Patent number: 9723784
    Abstract: A crop quality sensor, comprising an illumination source, an imaging device, and a processor executing application software. The illumination source is shone onto a crop sample, and an image is taken with the imaging device of the illuminated crop sample. The software executing on the processor is used to analyze the image to identify the outlines of individual kernels and to identify which of those outlines contain a specular highlight, indicative that the kernel is whole and unbroken, while the absence of such a specular highlight is indicative of a broken kernel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: Appareo Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Marshall T. Bremer, Nicholas L. Butts
  • Patent number: 9568432
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods may provide for determining a value of chemical parameter. One or more light emitters may be positioned within a housing to emit light through an aperture of the housing. The emitted light may illuminate a color area of a structure that is separable from the housing, such as a test strip, a printed color reference, and so on. A color sensor may be positioned within the housing to capture reflected light and to convert the reflected light to an initial digitized color space that may be usable to determine a color shade of a color area. The reflected light may, for example, be captured independently at least of a dimension (e.g., predetermined size, shape, etc.) of the color area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Amit S. Baxi, Vincent S. Mageshkumar
  • Patent number: 9488519
    Abstract: The present invention provides a light beam measuring instrument that can securely receive light reflected by a sample. The light beam measuring instrument 1 includes an optical axis tilting mechanism 13 that includes a first tilting mechanism 131 and a second tilting mechanism 132. From the optical axis A1 of irradiation light beam emitted from a light beam source 112, the first tilting mechanism 131 tilts the optical axis A1 about the first tilting axis T1. The second tilting mechanism 132 tilts the optical axis A1 about the second tilting axis T2. The light beam measuring instrument 1 can receive the light reflected by the semiconductor chip C by means of operation of the optical axis tilting mechanism 13 even if the light reflected by the semiconductor chip C is tilted. Accordingly, this apparatus can securely perform measurement or inspection using the light beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: SAMCO INC.
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Hasegawa, Hiroshi Kawamura, Peter Wood
  • Patent number: 9417131
    Abstract: A toy playset with a colorimeter and method of calibration is provided. The colorimeter may include the combination of a microcontroller with multiple switchable output ports, a light source connected to three of the output ports, and a photo transistor for sensing reflected light. The colorimeter may include four different resistors, each of the resistors connected to a corresponding additional one of the output ports, with the four different resistors connected in parallel to the photo transistor. The colorimeter may be programmed to cycle through the resistors and select a calibration based on a low predefined voltage target for reflection from a black surface and a higher predefined voltage target for reflection from a white surface. The light source is a RGB light source having a tri-band wavelength light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Koon Cheong Wong, Yiu Keung Man
  • Patent number: 9327255
    Abstract: By situating a mixing pot in a junction of a first solution and a second solution or after the junction in a channel to temporarily retain these solutions, and situating an analysis sensor downstream from the mixing pot to detect the result of reaction of the first solution and second solution, heterogeneous solutions are mixed so as to react within the channel, and chemical analysis of one of the solutions is performed. According to this system, before the solutions have fully flowed through the remainder of the channel following the junction, the solutions are mixed uniformly at once by the turbulent and vortex flow generated within the mixing pot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Naoko Ito, Shoichi Kanayama
  • Patent number: 9134173
    Abstract: A radiation failure inspecting method includes acquiring read data when a scanner reads a radiation surface of a radiation unit in a state where a reading surface of the scanner faces the radiation surface of the radiation unit and the radiation unit emits light; acquiring a value corresponding to a radiation energy of the light from the radiation unit by integrating the read data in a direction corresponding to a predetermined direction on the read data; and determining that a radiation failure occurs in the radiation unit when the value corresponding to the radiation energy of the light is equal to or less than a threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Mikito Nakajima
  • Publication number: 20150116714
    Abstract: An authenticating device is used for optically authenticating a testing area of a first surface of a valuable document. The valuable document defines a normal perpendicular to the first surface and a datum penetrating the normal and two sides of the valuable document. The datum and the first surface collectively define a first area and a second area adjacent to the first area. The authenticating device includes a first light emitting unit, a second light emitting unit, and a light receiving component. The first light emitting unit is arranged within the first area. The second light emitting unit is arranged within the first area. The light receiving component is arranged within the second area. The first light emitting unit and the second light emitting unit emit light to the testing area in sequence for authenticating the variable document.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2013
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Applicant: International Currency Technologies Corp.
    Inventors: Yi-Jen PAN, Terng-Chiong YOU, Hung-Fu WAN, Ling-Ta SU, Tien-Yuan CHIEN
  • Patent number: 8917394
    Abstract: In a color imaging system, multiple rendering devices are provided at different nodes along a network. Each rendering device has a color measurement instrument for calibrating the color presented by the rendering device. A rendering device may be a printer in which the measuring of color samples on a sheet rendered by the printer is provided by a sensor coupled to a transport mechanism which moves the sensor and sheet relative to each other, where the sensor provides light from the samples to a spectrograph. A rendering device may also be a display having a member supporting a color measuring instrument for receiving light from an area of the screen. The color measuring instruments provide for non-contact measurements of color samples rendered on a display or a sheet, and are self-calibrating by the use of calibration references.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: RAH Color Technologies LLC
    Inventor: Richard A. Holub
  • Patent number: 8885166
    Abstract: An analyzer for biochemical analysis includes a seat for receiving a recipient. A first light source and a second light source illuminate the recipient with a luminous radiation, respectively, in a first excitation band and in a second excitation band, including a first excitation wavelength and a second excitation wavelength of fluorophores of a first type and of a second type. A first image sensor and a second image sensor are oriented so as to receive light emitted by fluorophores contained in the recipient and are, respectively, provided with a first detection filter and a second detection filter, having, respectively, a first detection passband and a second detection passband, including, respectively, a first emission wavelength and a second emission wavelength of the fluorophores of the first type and of the second type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.R.L.
    Inventors: Marco Angelo Bianchessi, Maria Eloisa Castagna, Federica Guerinoni, Alessandro Cocci
  • Patent number: 8867043
    Abstract: A method of determining optical properties of textured surfaces by irradiation of the surface to be investigated. At least part of the radiation irradiated onto the surface and reflected by the latter is detected by a detector device which permits a location-resolved evaluation of the radiation striking it. A first characteristic value from the radiation detected, characteristic of a texture of the surface is detected. A second characteristic value from the radiation detected, characteristic of a further optical property of the surface is detected. And, a result value is determined on the basis of the first characteristic value and the second characteristic value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: BYK-Gardner GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Schwarz, Uwe Sperling
  • CA
    Publication number: 20140285806
    Abstract: The instant invention relates to methods and means for calibrating and matching colors and light. Some embodiments of the methods and means of the invention also incorporate additional functionality including, but not limited to communication, sensing, display and data processing elements. Various embodiments of the methods and means of the invention may be performed by and/or implemented in hardware, in software, by one or more entities, and/or by some combination of hardware, software and/or one or more entities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2014
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Inventor: Alfred M. Haas
  • Patent number: 8823937
    Abstract: Products and methods for identifying rock samples based on an average color value for each rock sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Ellington & Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: William Eugene Ellington, Jr., Jacob Cecil Moore, Mark Alan Smith, Grigory Leonidovich Dubinsky
  • Patent number: 8780350
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing an article having a fine concave-convex structure on a surface thereof, the structure having pores in which a pore interval is less than or equal to a wavelength of visible light, including: irradiating a surface of the article having the fine concave-convex structure on the surface, with light from an illumination device; capturing an image of reflected light from the surface of the article having the fine concave-convex structure on the surface using imaging device; acquiring color information from an image captured by the imaging device; and inspecting the article having the fine concave-convex structure based on the color information. According to the present invention, it is possible to easily inspect the depth of the pores of anodized alumina and the pitch between the pores, and to provide a method of manufacturing anodized alumina having a stable pore shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Rayon Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitsufumi Fukuyama, Yuji Matsubara
  • Publication number: 20140185048
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for detecting a defect of a display panel and related defect detecting device. The method includes: utilizing lights having different colors to illuminate the display panel; obtaining a plurality of corresponding grey-scale diagrams when the lights illuminate the display panel; and determining whether the display panel has a defect. If the grey-scale diagrams indicate a grey-scale difference, determining that the display panel has a defect. In this way, the present invention is able to raise defect detecting ability for the display panel and prevent from missing the defects.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2013
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: Shenzhen China Star Optoelectronics Technology Co. Ltd.
    Inventor: Yung-Yu Lin
  • Publication number: 20140152990
    Abstract: A hand-held measurement device for appearance analyses includes a measurement array which comprises a number of illumination means for applying illumination light to a measurement field in at least three illumination directions and a number of pick-up means for capturing the measurement light in at least one observation direction. The illumination directions and the observation directions lie in a common system plane. At least one pick-up means is embodied to spectrally gauge the measurement light in a locally integral way, and at least one imaging pick-up means is embodied to gauge the measurement light in terms of colour in a locally resolved way. The spectral pick-up means and the locally resolving pick-up means are arranged such that they receive the measurement light reflected by the measurement field under the same observation conditions and in particular from the same observation direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2013
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: X-RITE EUROPE GMBH
    Inventors: Peter Ehbets, Beat Frick, Mark Wegmuller, Jorg Hunkemeier, Guido Niederer
  • Patent number: 8692996
    Abstract: A system and method for determining a state of a traffic signal. In one embodiment, a traffic signal state detector includes a lens, a color sensor, and a processor. The color sensor is configured to identify a plurality of colors of light directed to the color sensor by the lens, and a field of view of the color sensor is restricted based on dimensions of a traffic signal. The processor is coupled to the color sensor. The processor is configured to determine a color of light emitted by the traffic signal based on the colors of light identified by the color sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Mesa Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Clint A. Davis
  • Patent number: 8659762
    Abstract: An optical measuring element measures forces in at least one direction. The measuring element has a single-piece structure. There is an outside wall with notches introduced therein. Each notch defines parallel edges, and the notches define more or less elastically flexible zones in the structure and constitute the only connection between a first region and a second region of the structure. For optical distance measurements between the two regions of the structure, one or more optical fibers are each attached with one end thereof to a region of the structure such that reflective surfaces are located close to the ends. The reflective surfaces are firmly connected to another region. The optical fibers are disposed on the outside wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Sensoptic SA
    Inventors: Axel Bertholds, Pere Llosas, Simon Henein
  • 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
  • Patent number: 8416413
    Abstract: Products and methods for identifying rock samples based on an average color value for each rock sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Inventors: William Eugene Ellington, Jr., Jacob Cecil Moore, Mark Alan Smith, Grigory Leonidovich Dubinsky
  • Patent number: 8325344
    Abstract: At least some aspects of the disclosure are directed towards densitometers and methods of determining optical density of printed images upon media. According to one example, an optical density determination apparatus includes a first light source configured to emit a first light beam in a first direction towards a substrate; a second light source configured to emit a second light beam in a second direction towards the substrate, the second direction being different than the first direction; a first sensor configured to sense light of the first light beam reflected from the substrate; a second sensor configured to sense light of the second light beam reflected from the substrate; and wherein the first and second sensors are configured to provide signals indicative of the light sensed by the first and second sensors and which are useable to determine optical density of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Michael H. Lee, Daihua Zhang, Omer Gila, William D. Holland
  • Patent number: 8203713
    Abstract: A method and device to determine quantitatively the surface optical characteristics of an object of reference made up of a plurality of optically differentiable layers. The device includes lighting and image capture means, connected to analysing means which execute the method to obtain the parameters of the repair material components best fitting the optical characteristics of the dental environment of the subject under treatment. The result of the analysis through the method in the invention consists mainly in the identification of each one of the various materials which should constitute the different layers, as well as their respective thicknesses, and which are to lead to a dental repair with optimum optical characteristics. It is thus achieved that the repair be visually imperceptible, both under natural light and under ultraviolet light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Aplik, S.A.
    Inventors: Jaime Ramirez Mancilla, Rodrigo Rubio Aguilar, Daniel Serpell Carriquiry, Nicolas Slusarenko Fernandez, Guillermo Vidal Quevedo
  • Patent number: 8199324
    Abstract: The optical assemblies disclosed herein advantageously utilize a beamsplitting apparatus in association with either (i) the illumination path or (ii) the collection path of a color measurement instrument. For implementations involving the illumination path, the beamsplitting apparatus may be configured to spectrally divide one or more initial beams of light so as to emit a plurality of resultant beams of light, wherein the optical assembly is configured to illuminate a target using at least a first and a second of the plurality of resultant beams of light. Similarly, for implementations involving the collection path, the beamsplitting apparatus may be configured to spectrally divide light received from a target so as to emit a plurality of resultant beams of light, wherein the optical assembly is configured to detect at least a first and a second of the plurality of resultant beams of light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: X-Rite, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Henry Peterson, Harold VanAken
  • Patent number: 8159673
    Abstract: A light amount detector includes a light emitter, a light receiver, and a light amount detection unit. The light emitter emits light on a detection pattern formed on a detection surface of an image carrier. The light receiver detects diffused light reflected from the detection pattern. The light amount detection unit detects an amount of light received by the light receiver based on detection output of the light receiver. One of the light emitter and the light receiver is provided at a position directly opposite to the detection surface, such that a distribution of sensitivity of the light receiver detecting the diffused light is substantially symmetrical with respect to a detection output peak when the detection surface is substantially parallel to a hypothetical line connecting the light emitter with the light receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Katsuyuki Kitao
  • Patent number: 8082015
    Abstract: An embodiment of the invention includes a device, system and method for determining the characteristics of deep tissue. The novel method includes measuring blood flow rate and oxygenation characteristics of the tissue, and determining oxygen metabolism of the tissue as a function of the measure blood flow rate and measure oxygenation. The blood flow rate characteristics are measured as a function of light fluctuations caused by the tissue, while the oxygenation characteristics are measured as a function of transmission of light through the tissue with respect to the wavelength of light. The tissue may be layered tissue, for example, a portion of a brain. The tissue characteristics may be measured during times of varying levels of exercise intensity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: The Trustees Of The University Of Pennsylvania
    Inventors: Arjun G. Yodh, Joel H. Greenberg, Guoqiang Yu, John A Detre, Turgut Durduran, Mark G. Burnett, Emile R. Mohler, III, Harry Quon, Stephen M. Hahn
  • Patent number: 8049892
    Abstract: A method includes receiving light from a material at a digital imaging device. The method also includes filtering the light into at least three spectral bands using a filter, where different regions of the filter pass different spectral bands. The method further includes measuring the light in each of the spectral bands and determining at least one color associated with the material using the measured light in the spectral bands. The different regions of the filter could include multiple masks (where each mask passes one of the spectral bands), different areas of a linear variable filter, and/or individual filters (where each individual filter passes one of the spectral bands). The digital imaging device could include a digital camera. The filter could be formed on a detector in the digital camera, and/or a component of the digital camera could be replaced with the filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Tarja T. Shakespeare, John F. Shakespeare
  • Patent number: 8045142
    Abstract: A polishing end point detection method is to detect a polishing end point of a workpiece having a multilayer structure. The method is performed by emitting a first light and a second light to a surface of the workpiece at a first angle of incidence and a second angle of incidence, respectively, receiving the first light and the second light reflected from the surface through a polarizing filter, performing a first analyzing process of analyzing a brightness and a saturation of the surface from the first light received, performing a second analyzing process of analyzing a brightness and a saturation of the surface from the second light received, and determining removal of the upper layer based on changes in the brightness and the saturation of the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Ebara Corporation
    Inventor: Toshifumi Kimba
  • Patent number: 8004668
    Abstract: A fluorescent color calibrator for calibrating RGB pixel values is provided. The fluorescent color calibrator includes a plurality of fluorogenic compounds adapted to fluoresce in a visible color spectrum; and a second plurality of fluorogenic compounds adapted to fluoresce in multiple visible gray spectrums. Also provided is a method for using the fluorescent color calibrator to standardize fluorescent colors when viewing with an RGB monitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Inventors: Jiuan-Jiuan Chen, Paul Messier
  • Publication number: 20110102809
    Abstract: An apparatus detecting the position of the functional layer of the electrode plate includes a first electrode plate sensor disposed at a side of a material to sense start points of electrode plates continuously formed on the material at uniform intervals, a second electrode plate sensor disposed at an other side of the material to sense a length of the electrode plate, a functional layer sensor provided behind the first electrode plate sensor and the second electrode plate sensor above a material traveling direction to sense position and length of the functional layer formed on the electrode by sensing a difference in color, and a controller feeding back a feedback result indicating whether the functional layer is correctly coated through values sensed by the first electrode plate sensor, the second electrode plate sensor, and the functional layer sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2010
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Applicant: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: So-Il MOON, Jae-Sang Hwang, Su-Hwan Kim
  • Patent number: 7933017
    Abstract: A method for characterizing a color reproduction device. A first output color measure responding to a first reference input color value is measured under normal measurement conditions. The measurement conditions are modified and a second output color measure responding to the first reference input color value is measured under the modified measurement conditions. A transformation rule, enabling transformation between the second output color measure and the first output color measure, is calculated from the first color value and the second color value. A first set of output color measures responding to a set of input color values is measured under modified measurement conditions, and the first set of output color measures is converted, using the transformation rule, to a second set of output color measures. A system and a control device are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing
    Inventors: Laurent Blondé, Sylvain Thiebaud, Julien Thollot
  • Publication number: 20110090503
    Abstract: An apparatus for detecting arc that can monitor inside of process chamber sensitively and promptly can be provided, and abnormal condition of plasma in process chamber can be detected. And, by installing RGB sensor portion independently or installing the RGB sensor portion in master board, flexibility in configuration can be provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2010
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Inventors: Kang LEE, Sang Jeen HONG, Sang Youl LEE, Jong Hwan Ahn
  • Patent number: 7907780
    Abstract: A method for providing an intensity or brightness measurement using a digital image-capturing device comprising: selecting a target area within a field of view of the image-capturing device, the target area containing pixels; measuring the intensity or brightness of pixels in a target area; accumulating the intensity or brightness values of the pixels in the target area; and determining a pixel value representative of the intensity or brightness of the pixels in the target area. A device for making color measurements comprising an image-capture device, a processor or logic device, and a memory location for accumulating color data, and the processor or logic device is programmed to perform color measurements by accumulating the data for pixels located in the target area in memory, and determining a representative color value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: Color Savvy Systems Limited
    Inventors: Christopher H. Pearson, Gary N. Bodnar, Karl F. Seibert, Ronald J. Duke
  • Patent number: 7898664
    Abstract: A method measures chromaticity values using a colorimeter to solve the drawbacks of conventional technologies, such as an inaccurate illuminant, the filter of color-matching function being difficult to be deposited and manufactured within a filter mod colorimeter, and using an expensive spectrometer within a spectrum mode colorimeter. The spectrometer and the filter of color-matching function is not needed, and an accurate chromaticity value of an object by using a multi-band illuminant illuminating the object and a power meter. Further, the multi-band illuminant can adjust the illumination condition of a standard illuminator under different color temperatures, and the chromaticity values of the object can be measured under different color temperatures. The accuracy of the measured chromaticity values is up to the level of the spectrum mode colorimeter, and the price is less than the spectrum mode colorimeter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: National Central University
    Inventors: Tsung-Hsun Yang, Wei-Ping Lin
  • Patent number: 7899623
    Abstract: Methods and computer program products for evaluating and optimizing one or more markers for use in establishing a prognosis for a patient suffering from a disease are provided. More particularly, the methods include steps for systematically evaluating a number of features that may be extracted from an image of a body sample, such as a histological slide, that has been exposed to one or more biomarkers so as to establish a prognostic decision rule based on one or more of the extracted features such that the decision rule yields a prognosis that is optimally predictive of actual patient outcome. Thus, the methods and computer program products provided yield optimally predictive prognoses to assist clinicians in developing strategies for effective patient care management.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: TriPath Imaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Raphael Marcelpoil, Clark Merrill Whitehead, Timothy J. Fischer
  • Publication number: 20110043789
    Abstract: A method for marking and authenticating a security article, such as a banknote, a document, a ticket, a foil, a thread, a label, a card, or a commercial good, so as to provide for an easy authentication of said article by a machine, such as a currency acceptor, a ticket validator, or a hand-held authentication device. The security article is marked with a user-defined design, wherein said marking comprises dyes or pigments belonging to an extended, or hyperchromic color space which is not reproducible by commercially available, 4-color desktop reproduction equipment. The marking is authenticated by mathematically transforming crude spectral information to statistically independent hyper-color coordinates, and comparing selected hyper-color coordinates with corresponding reference values.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2010
    Publication date: February 24, 2011
    Applicant: SICPA HOLDING S.A.
    Inventors: Pierre Degott, Claude-Alain Despland, Edgar Müller