Patents by Inventor Alan Purvis

Alan Purvis has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 9046874
    Abstract: A light beam collimated by illumination optics (4) from a radiation source (6) illuminates the surface of a wave front modulator (8) such as an Spatial Light Modulator (SLM) or Computer Generated Hologram photomask (CGH). The resulting wave travels via projection optics (10) to the substrate (12), passing through a projection lens assembly (14). The SLM (8) is programmed or CGH configured with a modulation pattern that is determined by the substrate (12) topography and desired pattern. The substrate topography is provided by Digital Holography (DH) surface profilometery performed by a DH microscope (18), which provides geometrical or topographical input to the CGH calculation routines (16). An arrangement for vertical or sloping surface patterning has a grating (22) superimposed onto the CGH pattern (24) to generate +1 and ?1 orders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignees: University of Durham, University of Sheffield
    Inventors: Peter Anthony Ivey, Richard Peter McWilliam, Alan Purvis, Gavin Lewis Williams, Nicholas Luke Seed, Richard Ian Curry, Jose Juan De Jesus Toriz-Garcia
  • Publication number: 20130120813
    Abstract: An iterative algorithm for hologram design with multiple output image planes arranged in close proximity to create continuous patterns within an imaging volume is disclosed. These may then be used for photolithography on 3D surfaces, or for generation of holograms for use in consumer devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2011
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Inventors: Joshua James Cowling, Richard McWilliam, Alan Purvis, Florian Bryce Soulard, Peter Ivey, Nicholas Luke Seed, Gavin Lewis Williams, Jose Juan De Jesus Toriz-Garcia
  • Patent number: 8386844
    Abstract: An array of logic devices capable of self-determining the program, inputs and outputs from configuration information provided by its nearest neighbors. The rules used by each device to self-determine its behavior are identical to those of every other device in the array. This facilitates the development of robust array configurations and robust behavior of the device as a whole. This system's logic devices utilize three shift-registers, two are programmed before operation, the third is programmed on-the-fly by the other two. This facilitates a fast response to changes in the performance of the array in the event of partial dynamic or static failures of the array. An iterative design algorithm for the array ensures optimum use of the resources of the array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: University of Durham
    Inventors: David Huw Jones, Alan Purvis, Richard Peter McWilliam
  • Publication number: 20110292363
    Abstract: A light beam collimated by illumination optics (4) from a radiation source (6) illuminates the surface of a wave front modulator (8) such as an Spatial Light Modulator (SLM) or Computer Generated Hologram photomask (CGH). The resulting wave travels via projection optics (10) to the substrate (12), passing through a projection lens assembly (14). The SLM (8) is programmed or CGH configured with a modulation pattern that is determined by the substrate (12) topography and desired pattern. The substrate topography is provided by Digital Holography (DH) surface profilometery performed by a DH microscope (18), which provides geometrical or topographical input to the CGH calculation routines (16). An arrangement for vertical or sloping surface patterning has a grating (22) superimposed onto the CGH pattern (24) to generate +1 and ?1 orders.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2009
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Inventors: Peter Anthony Ivey, Richard Peter McWilliam, Alan Purvis, Gavin Lewis Williams, Nicholas Luke Seed, Richard Ian Curry, Jose Juan De Jesus Toriz-Garcia
  • Patent number: 7978386
    Abstract: A method of generating a holographic diffraction pattern and a holographic lithography system. The method involves defining at least one geometrical shape; generating at least one line segment to represent the at least one geometrical shape; calculating a line diffraction pattern on a hologram plane, including calculating the Fresnel diffraction equation for an impulse representing the at least one line segment with a line width control term and a line length control term; and adding vectorially, where there are two or more line segments, the line diffraction patterns to form the holographic diffraction pattern. The method and system enables holographic masks to be generated without creating a physical object to record. The required shapes or patterns are defined in terms of a three-dimensional coordinate space and a holographic pattern is generated at a defined distance from the shapes in the coordinate space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: University of Durham
    Inventors: Alan Purvis, Richard McWilliam, Nicholas Luke Seed, Gavin Lewis Williams, Peter Anthony Ivey, Andrew Maiden, Simon Johnson
  • Publication number: 20110004787
    Abstract: An array of logic devices capable of self-determining the program, inputs and outputs from configuration information provided by its nearest neighbours. The rules used by each device to self-determine its behaviour are identical to those of every other device in the array. This facilitates the development of robust array configurations and robust behaviour of the device as a whole. This system's logic devices utilize three shift-registers, two are programmed before operation, the third is programmed on-the-fly by the other two. This facilitates a fast response to changes in the performance of the array in the event of partial dynamic or static failures of the array. An iterative design algorithm for the array ensures optimum use of the resources of the array.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2009
    Publication date: January 6, 2011
    Inventors: David Huw Jones, Alan Purvis, Richard Peter McWilliam
  • Publication number: 20080129490
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for real time monitoring of cargo in transit from an origin to a destination. The real time monitoring device comprises a master processor for controlling operation of the device; a global positioning system (GPS) circuit for receiving GPS location data and determining a location of the cargo during transit; a sensor in communication with the processor for sensing a condition of the cargo during transit; a data storage for recording a plurality of data received from the sensor and the GPS circuit, including a date and time, the cargo location, and the sensed condition; a wireless communication modem and antenna in communication with the processor for transmitting, in real time, the date and time, the cargo location and the sensor data to a remote web server; and an onboard power supply for providing power to each element of the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2007
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Inventors: Jeffrey E. Linville, Alan Purvis, Simon Johnson
  • Publication number: 20080094674
    Abstract: A method of generating a holographic diffraction pattern and a holographic lithography system are disclosed. The method involves defining at least one geometrical shape; generating at least one line segment to represent the at least one geometrical shape; calculating a line diffraction pattern on a hologram plane, including calculating the Fresnel diffraction equation for an impulse representing the at least one line segment with a line width control term and a line length control term; and adding vectorially, where there are two or more line segments, the line diffraction patterns to form the holographic diffraction pattern. The method and system enables holographic masks to be generated without creating a physical object to record. The required shapes or patterns are defined in terms of a three-dimensional coordinate space and a holographic pattern is generated at a defined distance from the shapes in the coordinate space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2005
    Publication date: April 24, 2008
    Inventors: Alan Purvis, Richard McWilliam, Nicholas Seed, Peter Ivey, Andrew Maiden, Simon Johnson
  • Patent number: 4909626
    Abstract: An optical component comprises a thin film of an electrically controllable birefringent material confined between substantially planar surfaces. A respective electrode structure is provided on each of the surfaces, each electrode structure being patterned such that an electric field applied across the film by means of electrode structures, when a voltage is applied therebetween, causes modulation of the refractive index of the material such that the wavefront of electromagnetic radiation incident of the component and transmitted through the thin film is divided into Fresnel zones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 20, 1990
    Assignee: The General Electric Company, p.l.c.
    Inventors: Alan Purvis, Michael G. Clark