Patents by Inventor Timothy A. Jenness

Timothy A. Jenness 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).

  • Optical-scanning system employing laser and laser safety control
    Patent number: 5665942
    Abstract: An optical-scanning system including a laser, a multi-faceted, rotational scanning mirror, and system-monitoring laser safety structure operatively and informationally connected respectively to the laser and to the mirror and the drive motor for the mirror for altering the effective power output of the laser in response to current operational status of the system as determined by current operational status of the rotating mirror. The safety structure enforces on the laser a duty cycle of operation which is less than 100-percent, causes the laser to power down to a low "sleep" operating level at times other than during a normal scanning sweep, de-powers the laser entirely if either the drive motor for the mirror is not enabled or the rotational speed of the mirror is below full normal operating speed, and also positively de-powers the laser when a user shuts down the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 9, 1997
    Assignee: Microfield Graphics, Inc. (Softboard, Inc.)
    Inventors: Guy L. Williams, Timothy A. Jenness, Scott E. Wilson
  • Optical-scanning system employing laser and laser safety control
    Patent number: 5585605
    Abstract: An optical-scanning system including a laser, a multi-faceted, rotational scanning mirror, and system-monitoring laser safety structure operatively and informationally connected respectively to the laser and to the mirror and the drive motor for the mirror for altering the effective power output of the laser in response to current operational status of the system as determined by current operational status of the rotating mirror. The safety structure enforces on the laser a duty cycle of operation which is less than 100-percent, causes the laser to power down to a low "sleep" operating level at times other than during a normal scanning sweep, de-powers the laser entirely if either the drive motor for the mirror is not enabled or the rotational speed of the mirror is below full normal operating speed, and also positively de-powers the laser when a user shuts down the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1996
    Assignee: Microfield Graphics, Inc.
    Inventors: Guy L. Williams, Timothy A. Jenness, Scott E. Wilson
  • Image distortion correction method and apparatus
    Patent number: 4673986
    Abstract: A method for compensating for video image distortion on a cathode ray tube (CRT) is accomplished by determining the distortion occurring along one axis of deflection of the CRT electron beam. The distortion is determined by predicting the position of the electron beam during a particular scan along the axis of deflection. The rate at which video image information is displayed (pixel rate) via the electron beam is varied according to the predicted position of the electron beam during the scan along the axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1985
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1987
    Assignee: Tektronix, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy A. Jenness
  • Voltage switching circuit for a color display system
    Patent number: 4151444
    Abstract: A power supply for a color display device of the type in which the color of light emitted by a phosphor screen is changed by switching an electron accelerating voltage between different levels, the switching being digitally controlled and being connected so that descending voltage changes are recycled to efficiently drive the supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1977
    Date of Patent: April 24, 1979
    Assignee: Tektronix, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy A. Jenness