Patents by Inventor R. Lee Thompson

R. Lee Thompson 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: 8964507
    Abstract: Acoustic arrays transmitting and/or receiving multiple, angularly dispersed acoustic beams are used to generate 2D and 3D images. The acoustic arrays may comprise frequency-steered acoustic arrays provided in one-dimensional linear and two dimensional planar and curvilinear configurations, which may be operated as single order or multiple order arrays, may employ periodic or non-periodic transducer element spacing, and may be mechanically scanned to generate 2D and 3D volumetric data. Methods and systems for operating acoustic arrays in a frequency-steered mode in combination a mechanical beam steering mode, electronic time-delay and phase shift beam forming modes, and phase comparison angle estimation modes are also provided. Methods for generating two and three dimensional images of underwater target scenes using multi-beam acoustic imaging systems are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Teledyne Blueview, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott T. Bachelor, R. Lee Thompson, Jason L. Seawall
  • Patent number: 8811120
    Abstract: Frequency-steered acoustic arrays transmitting and/or receiving multiple, angularly dispersed acoustic beams are used to generate 2D and 3D images. Input pulses to the arrays are generally non-linear, frequency-modulated pulses. Frequency-steered acoustic arrays may be provided in one-dimensional linear and two dimensional planar and curvilinear configurations, may be operated as single order or multiple order arrays, may employ periodic or non-periodic transducer element spacing, and may be mechanically scanned to generate 2D and 3D volumetric data. Multiple imaging fields of view may generated in different directions by switching the polarity of phase-shifted array transducer elements. Multiple frequency-steered arrays arranged in an X-configuration provide a wide, contiguous field of view and multiple frequency steered arrays arranged in a T-configuration provide orthogonally oriented fields of view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Teledyne Blueview, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Thomas Bachelor, R. Lee Thompson, Jason Seawall
  • Patent number: 8638362
    Abstract: An acoustic video camera system uses acoustic data acquisition systems to produce digital video imagery capable of interfacing with host equipment that operates using standard video formats compatible with video images obtained using optical systems. The acoustic video camera comprises an Acoustic Imager, a Digital Image Compression Component, an I/O and Processing component, and, optionally, an Image Analytics Component. System analytics may provide automated target identification and tracking. All of these components may be incorporated in a submersible acoustic imaging unit having communications capability for interfacing with a host display and control system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Teledyne Blueview, Inc.
    Inventors: R. Lee Thompson, Jason L. Seawall, Scott T. Bachelor
  • Patent number: 7889600
    Abstract: A vessel-mountable integrated sonar system is provided. The vessel-mountable integrated sonar system comprises at least one imaging sonar data acquisition device and at least one processing system electronically and removably connected to the at least one imaging sonar data acquisition device, wherein the sonar data acquisition device preferably provides acoustic data to the processing system, producing sonar imageries utilizing the acoustic data, and wherein the system provides digital tilt and azimuth direction feedback for accurate geo-referencing of data to localize targets of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: BlueView Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: R. Lee Thompson, Jason L. Seawall, Scott T. Bachelor
  • Publication number: 20100074057
    Abstract: Frequency-steered acoustic arrays transmitting and/or receiving multiple, angularly dispersed acoustic beams are used to generate 2D and 3D images. Input pulses to the arrays are generally non-linear, frequency-modulated pulses. Frequency-steered acoustic arrays may be provided in one-dimensional linear and two dimensional planar and curvilinear configurations, may be operated as single order or multiple order arrays, may employ periodic or non-periodic transducer element spacing, and may be mechanically scanned to generate 2D and 3D volumetric data. Multiple imaging fields of view may generated in different directions by switching the polarity of phase-shifted array transducer elements. Multiple frequency-steered arrays arranged in an X-configuration provide a wide, contiguous field of view and multiple frequency steered arrays arranged in a T-configuration provide orthogonally oriented fields of view.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2009
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Applicant: BLUE VIEW TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Scott T. BACHELOR, R. Lee THOMPSON, Jason L. SEAWALL
  • Patent number: 7606114
    Abstract: Frequency-steered acoustic arrays transmitting and/or receiving multiple, angularly dispersed acoustic beams are used to generate 2D and 3D images. Input pulses to the arrays are generally non-linear, frequency-modulated pulses. Frequency-steered acoustic arrays may be provided in one-dimensional linear and two dimensional planar and curvilinear configurations, may be operated as single order or multiple order arrays, may employ periodic or non-periodic transducer element spacing, and may be mechanically scanned to generate 2D and 3D volumetric data. Multiple imaging fields of view may generated in different directions by switching the polarity of phase-shifted array transducer elements. Multiple frequency-steered arrays arranged in an X-configuration provide a wide, contiguous field of view and multiple frequency steered arrays arranged in a T-configuration provide orthogonally oriented fields of view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Assignee: Blueview Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Thomas Bachelor, R. Lee Thompson, Jason Seawall
  • Publication number: 20090149751
    Abstract: Systems and methods for determining ICP based on parameters that can be measured using non-invasive or minimally invasive techniques are provided. Systems for acquiring acoustic data from a desired target site in a subject's body using various types of acoustic source and detector elements are also provided, including single use acoustic source/detector combinations are also provided. Acoustic arrays for use with these systems may include multiple capacitive micro-machined ultrasound transducer (cMUT) elements, and may include a combination of different types of acoustic arrays. Methods of targeting localized sites within a broad target area based on acoustic data having various properties are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2008
    Publication date: June 11, 2009
    Applicants: PHYSIOSONICS, INC., UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON
    Inventors: Pierre D. Mourad, Brandt Mohr, Michel Kliot, Robert C.A. Frederickson, R. Lee Thompson, Jason L. Seawall
  • Patent number: 6366887
    Abstract: A method transforms non-speech input signals into the temporal, spectral and redundancy patterns resembling that of human speech.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: William J. Zehner, R. Lee Thompson
  • Patent number: 5923617
    Abstract: A sonar system includes a pulse generator that produces an electrical signal having a plurality of frequencies. An acoustic radiator formed as a first blazed acoustic array is arranged to be driven by the electrical signal from the pulse generator. The blazed acoustic array includes a plurality of acoustic elements rotated away from the general plane of the array. The acoustic elements are arranged to be driven by the electrical signal from the pulse generator so that they radiate a sonic field that includes a plurality of sonic frequencies with each frequency being radiated at a characteristic angle. An acoustic receiver formed as a second blazed acoustic array is arranged such that components of the acoustic field reflected from the target toward the acoustic receiver produce acoustic waves having frequencies that correspond to the angles of incidence of the reflected acoustic field components. The signals indicative of the reflected frequencies are processed to form an image of the target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: R. Lee Thompson, W. J. Zehner