Patents by Inventor Charles H. Merk

Charles H. Merk 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).

  • Modulating retroreflector using multiple quantum well technology
    Patent number: 6154299
    Abstract: A system for remote optical communications includes a base station and a remote station. The remote station includes a retroreflector, a multiple quantum well modulator (MQW), and drive circuitry that drives the MQW. A base station transmitter sends an interrogating light beam to the MQW, which modulates the light beam based on the information in the electrical signal from the drive circuitry. The retroreflector reflects the modulated light beam to the base station for detection by a receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2000
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: G. Charmaine Gilbreath, Steven R. Bowman, William S. Rabinovich, Charles H. Merk, H. E. Senasack