Patents by Inventor Alex Harwit
Alex Harwit 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).
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Patent number: 11606549Abstract: Image sensor systems and methods that mitigate the effects of electronic image sensor persistence are provided. The mitigation of persistence is achieved by flooding the pixels of the image sensor with light, saturating all of the pixels, prior to the collection of desired image data. Moreover, after saturating the pixels, but prior to collecting the desired image, the image sensor is reset and operated to take an image of a black scene. Due to persistence from the prior saturation step, the image of the black scene appears as a gray image. The image sensor is then optionally reset and is again saturated. After another reset operation, a desired image is obtained. The gray image is then subtracted from the desired image, to substantially correct for the effects of persistence in that image.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2020Date of Patent: March 14, 2023Assignee: Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp.Inventor: Alex Harwit
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Patent number: 9069061Abstract: LIDAR systems and methods are provided. More particularly, a distributed focal plane assembly is provided in which light collected by optical fibers is delivered to detectors on a separate substrate. Moreover, signals from detectors can be stored in analog memory on a different substrate from the detectors. Alternatively, light may be imaged onto detectors on one substrate and stored in analog memory on a different substrate. The detectors can be provided in a linear or one-dimensional array. A laser source can comprise a multiplexed laser source which provides a sequence of pulses separated in time and having different directions of propagation.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2012Date of Patent: June 30, 2015Assignee: BALL AEROSPACE & TECHNOLOGIES CORP.Inventor: Alex Harwit
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Patent number: 7796174Abstract: The present invention relates to imaging systems that generally include at least a first substrate, on which a charge coupled device imaging sensor array is formed, and a second substrate on which readout circuitry is formed. Information related to the amount of light incident on pixels included in the imaging sensor array is passed to the readout circuitry as a voltage signal over an interconnection between the imaging sensor array and the readout circuitry. Accordingly, the readout circuitry may sample the output of the imaging sensor array multiple times. The system allows different processes to be used for forming the imaging sensor array and the readout circuitry, while also supporting multiple samples of information provided by the imaging sensor array.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2007Date of Patent: September 14, 2010Assignee: Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp.Inventors: Alex Harwit, David A. Dorn, Christopher Lynn Mears, Morley M. Blouke, Robert H. Philbrick, Theresa J. Axenson
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Patent number: 7116866Abstract: The present invention is directed towards a back-reflection reduction device that is disposed between a support structure containing a plurality of optical waveguides and a bulk media. The support structure containing the optical waveguides has a substantially flat end face at which the optical waveguides terminate. Where the optical waveguides intersect the end face, they are substantially perpendicular to it. The back-reflection reduction device comprises a window disposed between the bulk media and the support structure. The window has a refractive index that is substantially identical to that of the optical waveguides. The window has an inner side that is affixed to the support structure and an opposing outer side. A gap exists between the window outer side and the bulk media. The gap provides an index of refraction substantially equal to unity.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2003Date of Patent: October 3, 2006Assignee: Intel CorporationInventor: Alex Harwit
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Patent number: 7076146Abstract: A method of controllably attenuating a beam of light coupled into a port includes directing the beam of light against a mirror, and controlling an orientation of the mirror such that a predetermined fraction of the beam of light is coupled into the port. The predetermined fraction is less than a maximum fraction corresponding to optimal coupling of the beam of light into the port. The method may be implemented with a variable optical attenuator including a first port, a second port, a mirror located to direct light output by the first port to the second port, and a controller coupled to the mirror to align it such that the predetermined fraction of light is coupled into the second port. The method may also be implemented with an optical switch.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2004Date of Patent: July 11, 2006Assignee: Intel CorporationInventors: Zbigniew Sufleta, Janusz Bryzek, Alex Harwit, James Higgins Smith, Cheng-Chung Huang, Dmitry Vasily Bakin, Steven Saeed Nasiri
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Patent number: 6980712Abstract: Methods of calibrating and operating optical switches as well as optical switches in which the orientations of mirrors are measured and controlled using control light beams and position sensing detectors are described. The present invention may provide high resolution control of a plurality of mirrors in an optical switch and thus allow the optical switch to cross-connect a large number of input and output ports with a low insertion loss.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2004Date of Patent: December 27, 2005Assignee: Intel CorporationInventors: Cheng-Chung Huang, Steven Saeed Nasiri, Randall Brian Sprague, Alex Harwit, Dmitry Vasily Bakin, Janusz Bryzek
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Patent number: 6922500Abstract: An optical fiber switch in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention includes a first plurality of ports, a second plurality of ports, a first plurality of mirrors disposed on a first surface, and a second plurality of mirrors disposed on a second surface. Each one of the first plurality of mirrors is individually controllable to direct light output from a corresponding one of the first plurality of ports to any one of the second plurality of mirrors. Each one of the second plurality of mirrors is individually controllable to direct to a corresponding one of the second plurality of ports light incident on it from any one of the first plurality of mirrors. Advantageously, optical fiber switches in accordance with embodiments of the present invention may couple more than a thousand input ports to more than a thousand output ports with an insertion loss of less than about 3 decibels.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2001Date of Patent: July 26, 2005Assignee: Intel CorporationInventors: Cheng-Chung Huang, Steven Saeed Nasiri, Randall Brian Sprague, Alex Harwit, Dmitry Vasily Bakin, Janusz Bryzek
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Patent number: 6898341Abstract: Methods of calibrating and operating optical switches as well as optical switches in which the orientations of mirrors are measured and controlled using control light beams and position sensing detectors are described. The present invention may provide high resolution control of a plurality of mirrors in an optical switch and thus allow the optical switch to cross-connect a large number of input and output ports with a low insertion loss.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2001Date of Patent: May 24, 2005Assignee: Intel CorporationInventors: Cheng-Chung Huang, Steven Saeed Nasiri, Randall Brian Sprague, Alex Harwit, Dmitry Vasily Bakin, Janusz Bryzek
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Patent number: 6867921Abstract: The present invention is directed towards a focus-position compensator for reducing focus variations on a microlens array. The focus-position compensator comprises a plurality of tiles that are affixed to a structure disposed between the lenslets of the microlens array and the target of the collimated light from the lenslets. Each tile refractive index and tile thickness is chosen to obtain a tile focus-position correction that will apply to a region of the microlens array.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2004Date of Patent: March 15, 2005Assignee: Intel CorporationInventors: Alex Harwit, Paul Robb, Janusz Liberkowski
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Publication number: 20050048513Abstract: An apparatus for rapid hybridization of molecules and its methods of use is provided. The apparatus generates cyclical electric fields for electrically moving molecules to specifically enhance the binding efficiency of the molecules with other molecules. The apparatus includes an electrode pair that is in direct contact with a buffer, which includes the molecules. The electrodes and/or a lid could be used to vent generated gases. A temperature controlling means could be used to control the temperature of the buffer. The apparatus is amenable to use with a wide variety of microarrays making it cost-effective.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 28, 2003Publication date: March 3, 2005Inventors: Alex Harwit, Junhong Wang
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Patent number: 6856474Abstract: An assembled optical component has a support structure with a reference surface at which a number of individual optical elements are bonded at predetermined positions. The curvature of the reference surface is selected such that optical surfaces of the optical elements are in a predetermined orientation at their assembly positions. The optical elements are preferably planar mirrors simultaneously fabricated from a wafer. An adhesive film attached to the wafer prior to separation of the optical elements assists in temporarily positioning the elements on a temporary fixture, which holds the elements in position, while they are bonded to the support structure.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2003Date of Patent: February 15, 2005Assignee: Intel CorporationInventor: Alex Harwit
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Publication number: 20050018958Abstract: Methods of calibrating and operating optical switches as well as optical switches in which the orientations of mirrors are measured and controlled using control light beams and position sensing detectors are described. The present invention may provide high resolution control of a plurality of mirrors in an optical switch and thus allow the optical switch to cross-connect a large number of input and output ports with a low insertion loss.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 26, 2004Publication date: January 27, 2005Inventors: Cheng-Chung Huang, Steven Saeed Nasiri, Randall Sprague, Alex Harwit, Dmitry Vasily Bakin, Janusz Bryzek
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Publication number: 20040233539Abstract: The present invention is directed towards a focus-position compensator for reducing focus variations on a microlens array. The focus-position compensator comprises a plurality of tiles that are affixed to a structure disposed between the lenslets of the microlens array and the target of the collimated light from the lenslets. Each tile refractive index and tile thickness is chosen to obtain a tile focus-position correction that will apply to a region of the microlens array.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 16, 2004Publication date: November 25, 2004Inventors: Alex Harwit, Paul Robb, Janusz Liberkowski
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Publication number: 20040208468Abstract: A method of controllably attenuating a beam of light coupled into a port includes directing the beam of light against a mirror, and controlling an orientation of the mirror such that a predetermined fraction of the beam of light is coupled into the port. The predetermined fraction is less than a maximum fraction corresponding to optimal coupling of the beam of light into the port. The method may be implemented with a variable optical attenuator including a first port, a second port, a mirror located to direct light output by the first port to the second port, and a controller coupled to the mirror to align it such that the predetermined fraction of light is coupled into the second port. The method may also be implemented with an optical switch.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 7, 2004Publication date: October 21, 2004Inventors: Zbigniew Sufleta, Janusz Bryzek, Alex Harwit, James Higgins Smith, Cheng-Chung Huang, Dmitry Vasily Bakin, Steven Saeed Nasiri
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Patent number: 6791759Abstract: The present invention is directed towards a focus-position compensator for reducing focus variations on a microlens array. The focus-position compensator comprises a plurality of tiles that are affixed to a structure disposed between the lenslets of the microlens array and the target of the collimated light from the lenslets. Each tile refractive index and tile thickness is chosen to obtain a tile focus-position correction that will apply to a region of the microlens array.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2002Date of Patent: September 14, 2004Assignee: Intel CorporationInventors: Alex Harwit, Paul Robb, Janusz Liberkowski
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Publication number: 20040145820Abstract: An assembled optical component has a support structure with a reference surface at which a number of individual optical elements are bonded at predetermined positions. The curvature of the reference surface is selected such that optical surfaces of the optical elements are in a predetermined orientation at their assembly positions. The optical elements are preferably planar mirrors simultaneously fabricated from a wafer. An adhesive film attached to the wafer prior to separation of the optical elements assists in temporarily positioning the elements on a temporary fixture, which holds the elements in position, while they are bonded to the support structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 29, 2003Publication date: July 29, 2004Inventor: Alex Harwit
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Publication number: 20040146245Abstract: The present invention is directed towards a back-reflection reduction device that is disposed between a support structure containing a plurality of optical waveguides and a bulk media. The support structure containing the optical waveguides has a substantially flat end face at which the optical waveguides terminate. Where the optical waveguides intersect the end face, they are substantially perpendicular to it. The back-reflection reduction device comprises a window disposed between the bulk media and the support structure. The window has a refractive index that is substantially identical to that of the optical waveguides. The window has an inner side that is affixed to the support structure and an opposing outer side. A gap exists between the window outer side and the bulk media. The gap provides an index of refraction substantially equal to unity.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 28, 2003Publication date: July 29, 2004Inventor: Alex Harwit
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Publication number: 20040120047Abstract: The present invention is directed towards a focus-position compensator for reducing focus variations on a microlens array. The focus-position compensator comprises a plurality of tiles that are affixed to a structure disposed between the lenslets of the microlens array and the target of the collimated light from the lenslets. Each tile refractive index and tile thickness is chosen to obtain a tile focus-position correction that will apply to a region of the microlens array.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2002Publication date: June 24, 2004Inventors: Alex Harwit, Paul Robb, Janusz Liberkowski
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Patent number: 6754431Abstract: A method of controllably attenuating a beam of light coupled into a port includes directing the beam of light against a mirror, and controlling an orientation of the mirror such that a predetermined fraction of the beam of light is coupled into the port. The predetermined fraction is less than a maximum fraction corresponding to optimal coupling of the beam of light into the port. The method may be implemented with a variable optical attenuator including a first port, a second port, a mirror located to direct light output by the first port to the second port, and a controller coupled to the mirror to align it such that the predetermined fraction of light is coupled into the second port. The method may also be implemented with an optical switch.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2001Date of Patent: June 22, 2004Assignee: Intel CorporationInventors: Zbigniew Sufleta, Janusz Bryzek, Alex Harwit, James Higgins Smith, Cheng-Chung Huang, Dmitry Vasily Bakin, Steven Saeed Nasiri
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Publication number: 20030206685Abstract: An optical fiber switch in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention includes a first plurality of ports, a second plurality of ports, a first plurality of mirrors disposed on a first surface, and a second plurality of mirrors disposed on a second surface. Each one of the first plurality of mirrors is individually controllable to direct light output from a corresponding one of the first plurality of ports to any one of the second plurality of mirrors. Each one of the second plurality of mirrors is individually controllable to direct to a corresponding one of the second plurality of ports light incident on it from any one of the first plurality of mirrors. Advantageously, optical fiber switches in accordance with embodiments of the present invention may couple more than a thousand input ports to more than a thousand output ports with an insertion loss of less than about 3 decibels.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 24, 2001Publication date: November 6, 2003Inventors: Cheng-Chung Huang, Steven Saeed Nasiri, Randall Brian Sprague, Alex Harwit, Dmitry Vasily Bakin, Janusz Bryzek