Patents by Inventor Kevin D. McKinstry

Kevin D. McKinstry 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: 11886057
    Abstract: An optoelectronic system includes a concentration layer, a modulation layer including an array of light modulators, an exit layer that receives the modulation layer output having a modulation layer output spatial distribution and remaps the modulation layer output spatial distribution to a modified spatial distribution. A collector layer receives the modified spatial distribution to produce a collector layer output. A detector receives the collector layer output. A processor controls the modulation layer and receives the detector output to generate an image. The collector layer can receive the modified spatial distribution at a plurality of collector layer inputs and combine the plurality of collector layer inputs at a collector layer output. Modulators can be configured to direct couple modulated light to a collector layer, without using an exit layer. Configurations with spatial light modulator modules and sub-modules are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Syght, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles C. Partee, Kevin D. Mckinstry
  • Patent number: 11777220
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a horn having a horn body including at least one horn sidewall defining a first opening that tapers down to a second opening in a direction of elongation and a port that is tubular and dimensionally uniform transverse to the direction of elongation and extends in the direction of elongation from a first port end that is in communication with the second opening to a second port end that defines an external opening. A dielectric rod includes a rod length extending between a first rod end and a second rod end with the first rod end extending through the external opening of the second port end and into the port cavity such that the first rod end is in a spaced apart relationship from the port sidewall along the light path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Syght, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin D. McKinstry, Charles C. Partee
  • Publication number: 20230185120
    Abstract: An optoelectronic system includes a concentration layer, a modulation layer including an array of light modulators, an exit layer that receives the modulation layer output having a modulation layer output spatial distribution and remaps the modulation layer output spatial distribution to a modified spatial distribution. A collector layer receives the modified spatial distribution to produce a collector layer output. A detector receives the collector layer output. A processor controls the modulation layer and receives the detector output to generate an image. The collector layer can receive the modified spatial distribution at a plurality of collector layer inputs and combine the plurality of collector layer inputs at a collector layer output. Modulators can be configured to direct couple modulated light to a collector layer, without using an exit layer. Configurations with spatial light modulator modules and sub-modules are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2023
    Publication date: June 15, 2023
    Inventors: Charles C. Partee, Kevin D. McKinstry
  • Patent number: 11586062
    Abstract: An optoelectronic system includes a concentration layer, a modulation layer including an array of light modulators, an exit layer that receives the modulation layer output having a modulation layer output spatial distribution and remaps the modulation layer output spatial distribution to a modified spatial distribution. A collector layer receives the modified spatial distribution to produce a collector layer output. A detector receives the collector layer output. A processor controls the modulation layer and receives the detector output to generate an image. The collector layer can receive the modified spatial distribution at a plurality of collector layer inputs and combine the plurality of collector layer inputs at a collector layer output. Modulators can be configured to direct couple modulated light to a collector layer, without using an exit layer. Configurations with spatial light modulator modules and sub-modules are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: Syght, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles C. Partee, Kevin D. McKinstry
  • Publication number: 20220317485
    Abstract: A spatial light modulator system includes a concentration layer including an array of optical concentrators, such that each concentrator concentrates a portion of an input light beam. A modulation layer includes an array of light modulators each in optical communication with one of the optical concentrators for modulating the portion of the input light beam. The light modulators are spaced apart from one another in the modulation layer to form gaps between adjacent ones of the light modulators. A coil of each light modulator can surround a Faraday element or core containing a Faraday material to control a magnetic state of a Faraday material responsive to control signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2022
    Publication date: October 6, 2022
    Inventors: Charles C. Partee, Kevin D. McKinstry, Michael G. Machado
  • Patent number: 11378829
    Abstract: A spatial light modulator system includes a concentration layer including an array of optical concentrators, such that each concentrator concentrates a portion of an input light beam. A modulation layer includes an array of light modulators each in optical communication with one of the optical concentrators for modulating the portion of the input light beam. The light modulators are spaced apart from one another in the modulation layer to form gaps between adjacent ones of the light modulators. A coil of each light modulator can surround a Faraday element or core containing a Faraday material to control a magnetic state of a Faraday material responsive to control signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: Syght, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles C. Partee, Kevin D. McKinstry, Michael G. Machado
  • Publication number: 20210194141
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a horn having a horn body including at least one horn sidewall defining a first opening that tapers down to a second opening in a direction of elongation and a port that is tubular and dimensionally uniform transverse to the direction of elongation and extends in the direction of elongation from a first port end that is in communication with the second opening to a second port end that defines an external opening. A dielectric rod includes a rod length extending between a first rod end and a second rod end with the first rod end extending through the external opening of the second port end and into the port cavity such that the first rod end is in a spaced apart relationship from the port sidewall along the light path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2021
    Publication date: June 24, 2021
    Inventors: Kevin D. McKinstry, Charles C. Partee
  • Publication number: 20210026168
    Abstract: A spatial light modulator system includes a concentration layer including an array of optical concentrators, such that each concentrator concentrates a portion of an input light beam. A modulation layer includes an array of light modulators each in optical communication with one of the optical concentrators for modulating the portion of the input light beam. The light modulators are spaced apart from one another in the modulation layer to form gaps between adjacent ones of the light modulators. A coil of each light modulator can surround a Faraday element or core containing a Faraday material to control a magnetic state of a Faraday material responsive to control signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2020
    Publication date: January 28, 2021
    Inventors: Charles C. Partee, Kevin D. McKinstry, Michael G. Machado
  • Publication number: 20210026166
    Abstract: An optoelectronic system includes a concentration layer, a modulation layer including an array of light modulators, an exit layer that receives the modulation layer output having a modulation layer output spatial distribution and remaps the modulation layer output spatial distribution to a modified spatial distribution. A collector layer receives the modified spatial distribution to produce a collector layer output. A detector receives the collector layer output. A processor controls the modulation layer and receives the detector output to generate an image. The collector layer can receive the modified spatial distribution at a plurality of collector layer inputs and combine the plurality of collector layer inputs at a collector layer output. Modulators can be configured to direct couple modulated light to a collector layer, without using an exit layer. Configurations with spatial light modulator modules and sub-modules are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2020
    Publication date: January 28, 2021
    Inventors: Charles C. Partee, Kevin D. McKinstry
  • Patent number: 10317481
    Abstract: A giant magnetoresistive (GMR) sensor for reading information from a magnetic storage medium has a first non-magnetoresistive layer, a first magnetoresistive layer formed on the first non-magnetoresistive layer, a second non-magnetoresitive layer formed on the first magnetoresistive layer, a second magnetoresistive layer formed on the second non-magnetoresistive layer, and a third non-magnetoresistive layer formed on the second magnetoresistive layer. The first non-magnetoresistive layer is provided with a single step on a surface of the first non-magnetoresistive layer. The step has an edge extending in a direction substantially parallel to a plane of a working surface of the GMR sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: Oracle International Corporation
    Inventor: Kevin D. McKinstry
  • Patent number: 9900981
    Abstract: A head assembly for a magnetic tape storage device includes a head and a flexible circuit connected to the head. The flexible circuit includes a gripping portion, an end including electrical contacts for the head, conductors extending from the electrical contacts, and ink patterned onto the electrical contacts and gripping portion to form electrical paths therebetween. The ink conducts electrostatic charge from the electrical contacts and conductors to a grounded user in response to skin of the user contacting the ink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: Oracle International Corporation
    Inventors: Karl Ziegler, Kevin D. McKinstry
  • Publication number: 20170257947
    Abstract: A head assembly for a magnetic tape storage device includes a head and a flexible circuit connected to the head. The flexible circuit includes a gripping portion, an end including electrical contacts for the head, conductors extending from the electrical contacts, and ink patterned onto the electrical contacts and gripping portion to form electrical paths therebetween. The ink conducts electrostatic charge from the electrical contacts and conductors to a grounded user in response to skin of the user contacting the ink.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2017
    Publication date: September 7, 2017
    Applicant: Oracle International Corporation
    Inventors: Karl Ziegler, Kevin D. McKinstry
  • Patent number: 9681542
    Abstract: A head assembly for a magnetic tape storage device includes a head and a flexible circuit connected to the head. The flexible circuit includes a gripping portion, an end including electrical contacts for the head, conductors extending from the electrical contacts, and ink patterned onto the electrical contacts and gripping portion to form electrical paths therebetween. The ink conducts electrostatic charge from the electrical contacts and conductors to a grounded user in response to skin of the user contacting the ink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Oracle International Corporation
    Inventors: Karl Ziegler, Kevin D. McKinstry
  • Publication number: 20160140987
    Abstract: A head assembly for a magnetic tape storage device includes a head and a flexible circuit connected to the head. The flexible circuit includes a gripping portion, an end including electrical contacts for the head, conductors extending from the electrical contacts, and ink patterned onto the electrical contacts and gripping portion to form electrical paths therebetween. The ink conducts electrostatic charge from the electrical contacts and conductors to a grounded user in response to skin of the user contacting the ink.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2014
    Publication date: May 19, 2016
    Inventors: Karl Ziegler, Kevin D. McKinstry
  • Publication number: 20150348575
    Abstract: A giant magnetoresistive (GMR) sensor for reading information from a magnetic storage medium has a first non-magnetoresistive layer, a first magnetoresistive layer formed on the first non-magnetoresistive layer, a second non-magnetoresitive layer formed on the first magnetoresistive layer, a second magnetoresistive layer formed on the second non-magnetoresistive layer, and a third non-magnetoresistive layer formed on the second magnetoresistive layer. The first non-magnetoresistive layer is provided with a single step on a surface of the first non-magnetoresistive layer. The step has an edge extending in a direction substantially parallel to a plane of a working surface of the GMR sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2015
    Publication date: December 3, 2015
    Inventor: Kevin D. McKinstry
  • Patent number: 9134386
    Abstract: A giant magnetoresistive (GMR) sensor for reading information from a magnetic storage medium has a first non-magnetoresistive layer, a first magnetoresistive layer formed on the first non-magnetoresistive layer, a second non-magnetoresitive layer formed on the first magnetoresistive layer, a second magnetoresistive layer formed on the second non-magnetoresistive layer, and a third non-magnetoresistive layer formed on the second magnetoresistive layer. The first non-magnetoresistive layer is provided with a single step on a surface of the first non-magnetoresistive layer. The step has an edge extending in a direction substantially parallel to a plane of a working surface of the GMR sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: Oracle International Corporation
    Inventor: Kevin D. McKinstry
  • Publication number: 20130003229
    Abstract: A giant magnetoresistive (GMR) sensor for reading information from a magnetic storage medium has a first non-magnetoresistive layer, a first magnetoresistive layer formed on the first non-magnetoresistive layer, a second non-magnetoresitive layer formed on the first magnetoresistive layer, a second magnetoresistive layer formed on the second non-magnetoresistive layer, and a third non-magnetoresistive layer formed on the second magnetoresistive layer. The first non-magnetoresistive layer is provided with a single step on a surface of the first non-magnetoresistive layer. The step has an edge extending in a direction substantially parallel to a plane of a working surface of the GMR sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2011
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Applicant: ORACLE INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kevin D. McKinstry
  • Patent number: 8045290
    Abstract: A tape head assembly for writing data to and reading data from a tape includes a tape head member having an engagement surface that is configured to engage the tape as the tape moves past the tape head member. A plurality of arrays of interactive elements are supported on the engagement surface. Each array is longitudinally offset from each other array. Each individual array includes a read group having only read elements and a write group having only write elements. Each read group is laterally offset from each write group within each array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Oracle America, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin D. McKinstry, Francis Campos
  • Patent number: 7986485
    Abstract: A servo writing method is provided for use with unoriented magnetic tape media. A biasing zone is formed, such as between a pair of permanent block or disk magnets, with a strong DC magnetic field that is substantially free of perpendicular components. The method includes feeding the tape through the magnetic biasing zone to form a longitudinal magnetic bias in the magnetic layer of the tape media. The method includes using a write head to write a servo pattern on the tape media after the forming of the longitudinal magnetic bias in the tape media, and the servo pattern produces an output that is substantially symmetric with high amplitudes. In one embodiment, the biasing zone is formed or defined as the gap between first and second magnetic assemblies oriented with a single direction of magnetization, such as in the same direction as the tape travel through the biasing zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: Oracle America, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin D. Mckinstry, Steven G. Trabert, Steven M. Kientz
  • Patent number: 7848052
    Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus and method for controlling the asymmetrical properties of the response of a magnetic sensor element to a magnetic field produced by the digital data in a magnetic storage device. The present invention also provides an apparatus and method for controlling the bias point of a magnetic field produced by a magnetic sensor element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Storage Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin D. McKinstry, John P. Nibarger