Patent classifications
G01J5/40
Apparatus and method to adjust sensitivity in measuring electromagnetic radiation using micro mirrors
Systems, methods, and apparatuses having an array of micro mirrors that rotate according to absorbed radiation and reflect light to generate light spots. In a first setting, a processor obtains an image of the light spots, determines positions of the light spots using a computationally efficient but less accurate method to calculate the intensities of radiation directed at the micro mirrors, and provides the calculated radiation. In a second setting, the processor does not determines the position; and the image is transmitted to a separate computing device to determine positions of the light spots using a computationally intensive but more accurate method to calculate the intensities of radiation directed at the micro mirrors. The system can dynamically switch between the first setting and second setting without a need to adjust hardware.
Apparatus and method to adjust sensitivity in measuring electromagnetic radiation using micro mirrors
Systems, methods, and apparatuses having an array of micro mirrors that rotate according to absorbed radiation and reflect light to generate light spots. In a first setting, a processor obtains an image of the light spots, determines positions of the light spots using a computationally efficient but less accurate method to calculate the intensities of radiation directed at the micro mirrors, and provides the calculated radiation. In a second setting, the processor does not determines the position; and the image is transmitted to a separate computing device to determine positions of the light spots using a computationally intensive but more accurate method to calculate the intensities of radiation directed at the micro mirrors. The system can dynamically switch between the first setting and second setting without a need to adjust hardware.
BOLOMETER PIXEL TRIGGER
A bolometer pixel trigger array includes a substrate, an electrically conductive contact pad formed on the substrate, and bolometer formed on the substrate. The bolometer includes at least one thermally conductive trigger arm having a fixed end coupled to a portion of the bolometer and an electrically conductive free end configured to deflect with respect to the fixed end. At least one trigger arm establishes different operating states of the bolometer pixel trigger in response to the at least one trigger arm realizing different temperatures. The different operating states are configured to change an electrical connection between the at least one trigger arm and the contact pad.
Sequential beam splitting in a radiation sensing apparatus
Systems, methods, and apparatuses for providing electromagnetic radiation sensing using sequential beam splitting. The apparatuses can include a micro-mirror chip having a plurality of light reflecting surfaces, an image sensor having an imaging surface, and a beamsplitter unit located between the micro-mirror chip and the image sensor. The beamsplitter unit includes a plurality of beamsplitters aligned along a horizontal axis that is parallel to the micro-mirror chip and the imaging surface. The beamsplitters implement the sequential beam splitting. Because of the structure of the beamsplitter unit, the height of the arrangement of the micro-mirror chip, the beamsplitter unit, and the image sensor is reduced such that the arrangement can fit within a mobile device. Within a mobile device, the apparatuses can be utilized for human detection, fire detection, gas detection, temperature measurements, environmental monitoring, energy saving, behavior analysis, surveillance, information gathering and for human-machine interfaces.
Sequential beam splitting in a radiation sensing apparatus
Systems, methods, and apparatuses for providing electromagnetic radiation sensing using sequential beam splitting. The apparatuses can include a micro-mirror chip having a plurality of light reflecting surfaces, an image sensor having an imaging surface, and a beamsplitter unit located between the micro-mirror chip and the image sensor. The beamsplitter unit includes a plurality of beamsplitters aligned along a horizontal axis that is parallel to the micro-mirror chip and the imaging surface. The beamsplitters implement the sequential beam splitting. Because of the structure of the beamsplitter unit, the height of the arrangement of the micro-mirror chip, the beamsplitter unit, and the image sensor is reduced such that the arrangement can fit within a mobile device. Within a mobile device, the apparatuses can be utilized for human detection, fire detection, gas detection, temperature measurements, environmental monitoring, energy saving, behavior analysis, surveillance, information gathering and for human-machine interfaces.
Micromechanical photothermal spectroscopy system and method
The micromechanical photothermal spectroscopy system and method includes a cantilever assembly having at least one cantilever thermal sensor extending from a support. The sensors may be simple bimetallic sensors, or may include microchannels made from two materials having different thermal expansion coefficients for analysis of microfluids. A beam of infrared light is separated out from solar radiation by gratings and filters, and is at least partially projected on the cantilever sensor(s). Heat released from the analyte by absorbance of infrared light results in deflection of the cantilever sensor(s), which is measured by a deflection detector. A filter wheel permits tuning of the sunlight-based infrared light beam to plot a spectrum of absorbance as a function of wavelength or wave number characteristic of the analyte. The deflection detector may be optical (using a laser and position sensitive detector(s)), or may use piezo-resistive material embedded in the sensor(s).
On-Board Radiation Sensing Apparatus
Systems, methods, and apparatuses for providing on-board electromagnetic radiation sensing using beam splitting in a radiation sensing apparatus. The radiation sensing apparatuses can include a micro-mirror chip including a plurality of light reflecting surfaces. The apparatuses can also include an image sensor including an imaging surface. The apparatuses can also include a beamsplitter unit located between the micro-mirror chip and the image sensor. The beamsplitter unit can include a beamsplitter that includes a partially-reflective surface that is oblique to the imaging surface and the micro-mirror chip. The apparatuses can also include an enclosure configured to enclose at least the beamsplitter and a light source. With the apparatuses, the light source can be attached to a printed circuit board (PCB). Also, the enclosure can include an inner surface that has an angled reflective surface that is configured to reflect light from the light source in a direction towards the beamsplitter.
Sequential Beam Splitting in a Radiation Sensing Apparatus
Systems, methods, and apparatuses for providing electromagnetic radiation sensing using sequential beam splitting. The apparatuses can include a micro-mirror chip having a plurality of light reflecting surfaces, an image sensor having an imaging surface, and a beamsplitter unit located between the micro-mirror chip and the image sensor. The beamsplitter unit includes a plurality of beamsplitters aligned along a horizontal axis that is parallel to the micro-mirror chip and the imaging surface. The beamsplitters implement the sequential beam splitting. Because of the structure of the beamsplitter unit, the height of the arrangement of the micro-mirror chip, the beamsplitter unit, and the image sensor is reduced such that the arrangement can fit within a mobile device. Within a mobile device, the apparatuses can be utilized for human detection, fire detection, gas detection, temperature measurements, environmental monitoring, energy saving, behavior analysis, surveillance, information gathering and for human-machine interfaces.
Sequential Beam Splitting in a Radiation Sensing Apparatus
Systems, methods, and apparatuses for providing electromagnetic radiation sensing using sequential beam splitting. The apparatuses can include a micro-mirror chip having a plurality of light reflecting surfaces, an image sensor having an imaging surface, and a beamsplitter unit located between the micro-mirror chip and the image sensor. The beamsplitter unit includes a plurality of beamsplitters aligned along a horizontal axis that is parallel to the micro-mirror chip and the imaging surface. The beamsplitters implement the sequential beam splitting. Because of the structure of the beamsplitter unit, the height of the arrangement of the micro-mirror chip, the beamsplitter unit, and the image sensor is reduced such that the arrangement can fit within a mobile device. Within a mobile device, the apparatuses can be utilized for human detection, fire detection, gas detection, temperature measurements, environmental monitoring, energy saving, behavior analysis, surveillance, information gathering and for human-machine interfaces.
Infrared pixel structure, manufacturing method thereof and hybrid image device
The present invention provides an infrared pixel structure and a hybrid imaging device which use comb-shaped top plates and bottom plates to form capacitors. The upper electrode has a non-fixed end such that the infrared sensitive element in the upper electrode generates thermal stress and deforms when absorbing the infrared light, which changes the capacitance of the capacitors formed by the top plates and the bottom plates to achieve infrared detection and increase the device sensitivity. Furthermore, the infrared pixel structure can be used in an infrared light and visible light hybrid imaging device to achieve visible light imaging and infrared imaging in a same silicon substrate, so as to increase the imaging quality.