Patents by Inventor Mark Davidson

Mark Davidson 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: 7656094
    Abstract: An electronic transmitter or receiver employing electromagnetic radiation as a coded signal carrier is described. In the transmitter, the electromagnetic radiation is emitted from ultra-small resonant structures when an electron beam passes proximate the structures. In the receiver, the electron beam passes near ultra-small resonant structures and is altered in path or velocity by the effect of the electromagnetic radiation on structures. The electron beam is accelerated to an appropriate current density without the use of a high power supply. Instead, a sequence of low power levels is supplied to a sequence of anodes in the electron beam path. The electron beam is thereby accelerated to a desired current density appropriate for the transmitter or receiver application without the need for a high-level power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Virgin Islands Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Gorrell, Mark Davidson
  • Publication number: 20100011258
    Abstract: An administrator can specify a script sequence including one or more system scripts and database scripts. A graphical user interface is provided to allow the administrator to specify an execution order of individual scripts in the script sequence and a timeout interval for when the script sequence will complete. Once the script sequence is specified, the script sequence can be run without further intervention by the administrator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2008
    Publication date: January 14, 2010
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Erwin Hom, Jonathan Thatcher, Mark Davidson
  • Patent number: 7646991
    Abstract: An optical transmitter produces electromagnetic radiation (e.g., light) of at least one frequency (e.g., at a particular color frequency) by utilizing a resonant structure that is excited by the presence a beam of charged particles (e.g., a beam of electrons) where the electromagnetic radiation is transmitted along a communications medium (e.g., a fiber optic cable). In at least one embodiment, the frequency of the electromagnetic radiation is higher than that of the microwave spectrum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Virgin Island Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Gorrell, Mark Davidson
  • Publication number: 20090296990
    Abstract: A method of determining a distance to be walked by a delivery vehicle driver including providing a satellite image that has an image of a building to which an item is to be delivered and an image of a street adjacent to the building. The method further includes defining a path, within the image, that corresponds to a path that the delivery vehicle driver will walk when delivering the item to the building. The method also includes the step of determining a length of the path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2008
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Inventors: Charles L. Holland, Jack D. Levis, Stanley A. Engel, Vincent Paul Fiorayante, Steven L. Smith, Kelli M. Franklin-Joyner, Jeffrey L. Winters, John A. Olsen, III, Mark Davidson
  • Patent number: 7626179
    Abstract: We describe an ultra-small structure that produces visible light of varying frequency, from a single metallic layer. In one example, a row of metallic posts are etched or plated on a substrate according to a particular geometry. When a charged particle beam passed close by the row of posts, the posts and cavities between them cooperate to resonate and produce radiation in the visible spectrum (or even higher). A plurality of such rows of different geometries can be etched or plated from a single metal layer such that the charged particle beam will yield different visible light frequencies (i.e., different colors) using different ones of the rows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Virgin Island Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Gorrell, Mark Davidson, Michael E Maines
  • Publication number: 20090290604
    Abstract: A charged particle beam including charged particles (e.g., electrons) is generated from a charged particle source (e.g., a cathode or scanning electron beam). As the beam is projected, it passes between plural alternating electric fields. The attraction of the charged particles to their oppositely charged fields accelerates the charged particles, thereby increasing their velocities in the corresponding (positive or negative) direction. The charged particles therefore follow an oscillating trajectory. When the electric fields are selected to produce oscillating trajectories having the same (or nearly the same) frequency as the emitted radiation, the resulting photons can be made to constructively interfere with each other to produce a coherent radiation source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2006
    Publication date: November 26, 2009
    Applicant: Virgin Islands Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Gorrell, Mark Davidson, Michael E. Maines
  • Patent number: 7619373
    Abstract: We describe an ultra-small resonant structure that produces electromagnetic radiation (e.g., visible light) at selected frequencies. The resonant structure can be produced from any conducting material (e.g., metal such as silver or gold). In one example, a number of rows of posts are etched or plated on a substrate, with each row having a particular geometry associated with the posts and cavities between the posts. A charged particle beam is selectively directed close by one of the rows of posts, causing them to resonate and produce radiation (e.g., in the visible spectrum at a predominant frequency). Directing the charged particle beam at a different row yields radiation at a different predominant frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Assignee: Virgin Islands Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Gorrell, Mark Davidson, Michael E Maines
  • Patent number: 7586167
    Abstract: A sensor device includes a substrate having first and second regions of first and second conductivity types, respectively. A junction having a band-gap is formed between the first and second regions. A plasmon source generates plasmons having fields. At least a portion of the plasmon source is formed near the junction, and the fields reduce the band-gap to enable a current to flow through the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Assignee: Virgin Islands Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Gorrell, Mark Davidson
  • Patent number: 7586097
    Abstract: When using micro-resonant structures, it is possible to use the same source of charged particles to cause multiple resonant structures to emit electromagnetic radiation. This reduces the number of sources that are required for multi-element configurations, such as displays with plural rows (or columns) of pixels. In one such embodiment, at least one deflector is placed in between first and second resonant structures. After the beam passes by at least a portion of the first resonant structure, it is directed to a path such that it can be directed towards the second resonant structure. The amount of deflection needed to direct the beam toward the second resonant structure is based on the amount of deflection, if any, that the beam underwent as it passed by the first resonant structure. This process can be repeated in series as necessary to produce a set of resonant structures in series.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Assignee: Virgin Islands Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Gorrell, Mark Davidson, Michael E Maines
  • Patent number: 7583370
    Abstract: A device for coupling an input signal to an output signal includes a metal transmission line; an ultra-small resonant receiver structure operatively connected to an end of the transmission line constructed and adapted receive the input signal and to cause at least part of the input signal to be passed along the transmission line in the form of plasmons; an ultra-small resonant transmitter structure operatively connected to another end of the transmission line and constructed and adapted to receive at least some of the plasmons corresponding to the input signal on the transmission line and to transmit the received signal as an output signal; a source of charged particles constructed and adapted to deliver a beam of charged particles along a path adjacent the ultra-small resonant receiver structure, wherein the input signal is encoded in the beam of charged particles; and a detector mechanism constructed and adapted to detect the output signal from the ultra-small resonant transmitter structure and to provide a
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: Virgin Islands Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Gorrell, Mark Davidson, Paul Hart
  • Patent number: 7579609
    Abstract: A waveguide conduit is constructed and adapted to capture the light emitted by the at least one nano-resonant structure. The nano-resonant structure emits light in response to excitation by a beam of charged particles, The source of charged particles may be an ion gun, a thermionic filament, a tungsten filament, a cathode, a field-emission cathode, a planar vacuum triode, an electron-impact ionizer, a laser ionizer, a chemical ionizer, a thermal ionizer, or an ion-impact ionizer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Assignee: Virgin Islands Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Gorrell, Mark Davidson, Michael E. Maines
  • Patent number: 7573045
    Abstract: Nanoantennas are formed on a substrate (e.g., silicon) and generate light via interactions with a charged particle beam, where the frequency of the generated light is based in large part on the periodicity of the “fingers” that make up the nanoantennas. Each finger has typical dimensions of less than 100 nm on the shorter side and typically less than 500 nm on the longer, but the size of the optimal longer side is determined by the electron velocity. The charged particle may be an electron beam or any other source of charged particles. By utilizing fine-line lithography on the surface of the substrate, the nanoantennas can be formed without the need for complicated silicon devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: Virgin Islands Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Gorrell, Jean Tokarz, Michael E. Maines, Mark Davidson
  • Patent number: 7560716
    Abstract: A beam of charged particles (e.g., an electron beam) from a charged particle source can be selectively applied to a pair of electrodes. For example, the charged particles can be electrons that are directed toward a first electrode when the charge difference between the electrodes is in one state and directed toward the second electrode when the charge difference between the electrodes is in another state. The electrodes are configured so that the beam of charged particles oscillates between the first and second electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignee: Virgin Islands Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Gorrell, Mark Davidson
  • Patent number: 7558490
    Abstract: An electronic receiver for decoding data encoded into light is described. The light is received at an ultra-small resonant structure. The resonant structure generates an electric field in response to the incident light. An electron beam passing near the resonant structure is altered on at least one characteristic as a result of the electric field. Data is encoded into the light by a characteristic that is seen in the electric field during resonance and therefore in the electron beam as it passes the electric field. Alterations in the electron beam are thus correlated to data values encoded into the light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: Virgin Islands Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Gorrell, Mark Davidson, Jean Tokarz, Lev Gasparov
  • Patent number: 7557365
    Abstract: A device couples energy from an electromagnetic wave to charged particles in a beam. The device includes a micro-resonant structure and a cathode for providing electrons along a path. The micro-resonant structure, on receiving the electromagnetic wave, generates a varying field in a space including a portion of the path. Electrons are deflected or angularly modulated to a second path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: Virgin Islands Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Gorrell, Mark Davidson, Lev V. Gasparov, Michael E. Maines, Paul Hart
  • Patent number: 7557647
    Abstract: An electronic receiver for decoding data encoded into electromagnetic radiation (e.g., light) is described. The light is received at an ultra-small resonant structure. The resonant structure generates an electric field in response to the incident light and light received from a local oscillator. An electron beam passing near the resonant structure is altered on at least one characteristic as a result of the electric field. Data is encoded into the light by a characteristic that is seen in the electric field during resonance and therefore in the electron beam as it passes the electric field. Alterations in the electron beam are thus correlated to data values encoded into the light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: Virgin Islands Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Gorrell, Mark Davidson
  • Patent number: 7554083
    Abstract: A device includes an integrated circuit (IC) and at least one ultra-small resonant structure and a detection mechanism are formed on said IC. At least the ultra-small resonant structure portion of the device is vacuum packaged. The ultra-small resonant structure includes a plasmon detector having a transmission line. The detector mechanism includes a generator mechanism constructed and adapted to generate a beam of charged particles along a path adjacent to the transmission line; and a detector microcircuit disposed along said path, at a location after said beam has gone past said line, wherein the generator mechanism and the detector microcircuit are disposed adjacent transmission line and wherein a beam of charged particles from the generator mechanism to the detector microcircuit electrically couples a plasmon wave traveling along the metal transmission line to the microcircuit. The detector mechanism may be electrically connected to the underlying IC.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignee: Virgin Islands Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Gorrell, Mark Davidson, Jean Tokarz, Lev Gasparov
  • Publication number: 20090149736
    Abstract: Devices disclosed according to various embodiments use one or more arrays of atomic magnetometers to directly detection of relaxation of magnetic field induced subatomic precession within a target specimen. The disclosed devices and methods relate to application of utilization of a magnetic sensor with unique properties requiring changes in design, allowing new functions, and requiring alternative analysis methodologies. Various embodiments are also directed to methods for obtaining and processing magnetic signals. These methods may take advantage of the unique spatial arrangement of the atomic magnetometers and the capacity sensors to be used in either a scalar or a vector mode. Various embodiments have advantages over current techniques utilized for imaging of anatomical and non-anatomical structures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2008
    Publication date: June 11, 2009
    Inventors: Frank M. Skidmore, Mark Davidson
  • Publication number: 20090140178
    Abstract: When using micro-resonant structures, a resonant structure may be turned on or off (e.g., when a display element is turned on or off in response to a changing image or when a communications switch is turned on or off to send data different data bits). Rather than turning the charged particle beam on and off, the beam may be moved to a position that does not excite the resonant structure, thereby turning off the resonant structure without having to turn off the charged particle beam. In one such embodiment, at least one deflector is placed between a source of charged particles and the resonant structure(s) to be excited. When the resonant structure is to be turned on (i.e., excited), the at least one deflector allows the beam to pass by undeflected. When the resonant structure is to be turned off, the at least one deflector deflects the beam away from the resonant structure by an amount sufficient to prevent the resonant structure from becoming excited.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2008
    Publication date: June 4, 2009
    Applicant: Virgin Islands Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan GORRELL, Mark Davidson, Michael E. Maines
  • Publication number: 20090072698
    Abstract: An electronic receiver array for detecting microwave signals. Ultra-small resonant devices resonate at a frequency higher than the microwave frequency (for example, the optical frequencies) when the microwave energy is incident to the receiver. A microwave antenna couples the microwave energy and excites the ultra-small resonant structures to produce Plasmon activity on the surfaces of the resonant structures. The Plasmon activity produces detectable electromagnetic radiation at the resonant frequency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2008
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Applicant: Virgin Islands Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Maines, Narada Bradman, Mark Davidson