Patents by Inventor Charles S. Slemon
Charles S. Slemon 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: 8289178Abstract: A system for analyzing smoke has a plurality of units, wherein each unit includes an optical emitter for alternately directing horizontally and vertically polarized light along a beam path, and into a smoke cloud, to generate scattered light. A horizontally polarized detector and a vertically polarized detector are positioned at different locations, but at a same distance and scattering angle relative to the beam path. Each unit has a different wavelength. A computer receives signals from the detectors of all units, in response to each emitter, for analysis of the smoke.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2010Date of Patent: October 16, 2012Assignee: VolutionInventors: Michael S. Slemon, Charles S. Slemon
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Publication number: 20110175741Abstract: A system for analyzing smoke has a plurality of units, wherein each unit includes an optical emitter for alternately directing horizontally and vertically polarized light along a beam path, and into a smoke cloud, to generate scattered light. A horizontally polarized detector and a vertically polarized detector are positioned at different locations, but at a same distance and scattering angle relative to the beam path. Each unit has a different wavelength. A computer receives signals from the detectors of all units, in response to each emitter, for analysis of the smoke.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 18, 2010Publication date: July 21, 2011Inventors: Michael S. Slemon, Charles S. Slemon
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Publication number: 20010005264Abstract: An inspection system for identifying defects on the surface of an item includes an information processor mounted on a base assembly. A tray is used to move the item to an inspection station on the base assembly, and an illuminator is provided at the inspection station to illuminate the item from different visual perspectives. Importantly, the illuminator includes a plurality of different light sources. An N number of cameras and an M number of image processors are operated in concert to collect image data from the illuminated item. This image data is then analyzed using the image processors to compare the image data with a template image to detect defects in the item. In the operation of the inspection system, the tray, the illuminator, the cameras and the image processors are all centrally controlled and coordinated by an central information processor.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 16, 2001Publication date: June 28, 2001Inventors: Charles S. Slemon, W. James Frandsen, Raymond H. Bratton, James John Glover
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Patent number: 6191856Abstract: An optical device for establishing a spatial orientation for a drill bit includes at least three light sources and two cameras. The first light source is used to silhouette the drill bit; a second light source is used to generate a reflection from a primary facet of the drill bit; and a third light source is used to generate a reflection from the margin of the drill bit. In sequence, the first camera responds to the first light source to establish an axial position for the drill bit on the axis. The second camera then responds to the second light source to establish a gross rotational position for the drill bit on its axis. Finally, the first camera is again used. This time it establishes a precise rotational position for the drill bit on its axis to establish the spatial orientation for the drill bit.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2000Date of Patent: February 20, 2001Assignee: VolutionInventors: Charles S. Slemon, W. James Frandsen, James John Glover
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Patent number: 5910765Abstract: A device, and a method for using the device, to generate discrete information about an environmental event includes an array of sensors. All sensors in the array have a determinable detection capability and, preferably, some of these detection capabilities are redundant while others are overlapping. The individual sensors are positioned in the particular environment to detect characteristics of the event from different perspectives. The outputs which are generated by the various sensors in the array are selectively segmented and joined to create a convolved pattern of data which explicitly and implicitly includes information about the characteristics of the event. The convolved pattern is then presented to a pattern recognition unit, such as a neural network, where the characteristics are interpreted from the convolved pattern to generate the desired discrete information about the environmental event.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 1995Date of Patent: June 8, 1999Assignee: Advanced Optical Controls, Inc.Inventors: Charles S. Slemon, William Michael Lafferty, Clark C. Guest
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Patent number: 5818573Abstract: An ophthalmic lens inspection system includes an illumination assembly which generates diffuse light and transmits the diffuse light through an ophthalmic lens disposed in an inspection position, the diffuse light having a diffusivity of between 30.degree. and 50.degree.. An imaging assembly generates a set of signals representing selected portions of the diffuse light transmitted through the ophthalmic lens in the inspection position. A moving mechanism supports the imaging and illumination assemblies for common movement relative to the contact lens, to bring a reference point into alignment with the center of the imaging assembly.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 1997Date of Patent: October 6, 1998Assignee: PBH, Inc.Inventors: W. Michael Lafferty, Charles S. Slemon, W. James Frandsen
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Patent number: 5801822Abstract: An ophthalmic lens inspection system includes an illumination assembly which generates diffuse light and transmits the diffuse light through an ophthalmic lens disposed in an inspection position, the diffuse light having a diffusivity of between 30.degree. and 50.degree.. An imaging assembly generates a set of signals representing selected portions of the diffuse light transmitted through the ophthalmic lens in the inspection position. A moving mechanism supports the imaging and illumination assemblies for common movement relative to the contact lens, to bring a reference point into alignment with the center of the imaging assembly.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 1997Date of Patent: September 1, 1998Assignee: PBH, Inc.Inventors: W. Michael Lafferty, Charles S. Slemon, W. James Frandsen
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Patent number: 5680104Abstract: An optical fiber security system includes an optical emitter connected to one end of an optical fiber and a detector connected to the other end. A random signal generator triggers the emitter to output a light pulse signal through the fiber. This generator also simultaneously triggers the detector to receive the light pulse signal. A comparator compares the light pulse signal that is received by the detector with an optimum reference to adjust and conform the emitter output with the reference. Also, a monitor determines whether a particular identifiable characteristic of the light pulse signal is within a predetermined range of values. Whenever there is not a simultaneous emission and detection of the light pulse signal, or whenever the light pulse characteristic is outside the predetermined range of values, the system alarms.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 1996Date of Patent: October 21, 1997Assignee: VolutionInventors: Charles S. Slemon, William Michael Lafferty, Anthony E. Diamond
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Patent number: 5411500Abstract: A hand-held portable arthroscope has a housing and a disposable cap removably attached to the distal end of the housing. A probe which includes a fiber optic image guide and a plurality of optical illuminating fibers is mounted on the cap, and is insertable into a body for imaging the internal structure of the body. The illuminating fibers extend through the cap and are connected in light communication with a quartz halogen lamp for illuminating the internal body structure being imaged. To gather light from the illuminated internal structure of a body into which the probe has been inserted, a GRIN rod is attached to the distal end of the image guide. Focussing optics are mounted in the housing in light communication with the image guide. These focussing optics are axially movable within the housing for focussing the image from the image guide. Light which passes through the focussing optics enters a camera head which is also mounted in the housing.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 1992Date of Patent: May 2, 1995Assignee: Sofamor Danek Properties, Inc.Inventors: Michael Lafferty, Daniel Kline, Charles S. Slemon
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Patent number: 5400641Abstract: A device is disclosed for extracting dissolved gases from oil in an electrical transformer and for analyzing those gases using a plurality of gas sensors, a signal processor, and a neural network.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 1993Date of Patent: March 28, 1995Assignee: Advanced Optical Controls, Inc.Inventors: Charles S. Slemon, William M. Lafferty, Anthony E. Diamond
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Patent number: 5329936Abstract: A disposable arthroscope for examining the interior of a joint and for carrying out diagnostic and therapeutic procedures within the joint includes an elongated needle and a cap housing which has a base plate. The proximal end of the needle is mounted on the cap opposite the base plate, and the distal end of the needle extends outwardly from the cap. The needle is a hollow tube which surrounds an image guide and a bundle of illuminating fibers that extend through the tube. A lens is attached to the distal end of the image guide and is slightly angled relative to the longitudinal axis of the needle. The proximal ends of both the image guide and the bundle of illuminating fibers extend from the proximal end of the tube and through the cap for exposure at the surface of the base plate.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 1993Date of Patent: July 19, 1994Assignee: Citation Medical CorporationInventors: Michael Lafferty, Daniel Kline, Charles S. Slemon
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Patent number: 5323767Abstract: A disposable arthroscope for examining the interior of a joint and for carrying out diagnostic and therapeutic procedures within the joint includes an elongated needle and a cap housing which has a base plate. The proximal end of the needle is mounted on the cap opposite the base plate, and the distal end of the needle extends outwardly from the cap. The needle is a hollow tube which surrounds an image guide and a bundle of illuminating fibers that extend through the tube. A lens is attached to the distal end of the image guide and is slightly angled relative to the longitudinal axis of the needle. The proximal ends of both the image guide and the bundle of illuminating fibers extend from the proximal end of the tube and through the cap for exposure at the surface of the base plate.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 1992Date of Patent: June 28, 1994Assignee: Citation Medical CorporationInventors: Michael Lafferty, Daniel Kline, Charles S. Slemon
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Patent number: 5191208Abstract: A dual wavelength fiber optic monitoring system utilizes the principle of conservation of throughput to permit the use of a plurality of transducers illuminated by a single source unit. Redundancy is provided by using a plurality of sources and detector units and by the use of optical couplers to transmit the light beams between these elements.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 1991Date of Patent: March 2, 1993Inventors: Charles S. Slemon, William M. Lafferty, Clark C. Guest
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Patent number: 5188093Abstract: A hand-held portable arthroscope has a camera assembly and a disposable scope assembly rotatably attached to the distal end of the camera assembly. A probe which includes a fiber optic image guide and a plurality of optical illuminating fibers is rotatably mounted on the scope assembly, and is insertable into a body for imaging the internal structure of the body. The illuminating fibers extend through the scope assembly and are connected in light communication with a quartz halogen lamp for illuminating the internal body structure being imaged. To gather light from the illuminated internal structure of a body into which the probe has been inserted, a GRIN rod is attached to the distal end of the image guide. The image guide is bent near its distal end to offset the axis of the GRIN rod from the axis of the camera assembly, to enhance the field of view of the arthroscope when the scope assembly, which supports the image guide with GRIN rod, is rotated.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 1991Date of Patent: February 23, 1993Assignee: Citation Medical CorporationInventors: Michael Lafferty, Daniel Kline, Charles S. Slemon
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Patent number: 5051578Abstract: A dual wavelength fiber optic monitoring system utilizes the principle of conservation of throughput to permit the use of a plurality of transducers illuminated by a single source unit. Redundancy is provided by using a plurality of sources and detector units and by the use of optical couplers to transmit the light beams between these elements.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 1989Date of Patent: September 24, 1991Inventors: Charles S. Slemon, William M. Lafferty, Clark C. Guest
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Patent number: 5049855Abstract: A security screen assembly comprises a screen of mesh material with an optical path formed from at least one optical fiber integrally interwoven with the screen material in a generally serpentine path. A light source or transmitter is coupled to the first end of the optical path while a suitable light detector is coupled to detect light emitted from the second end of the optical path. An interface unit connects the screen to a remote alarm control unit for activating an alarm if the detected light signal falls below a predetermined intensity.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 1989Date of Patent: September 17, 1991Inventors: Charles S. Slemon, William M. Lafferty, Clark C. Guest, Anthony E. Diamond, Daniel S. Kline
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Patent number: 4360249Abstract: Each of two optical fibers to be mated is cemented to one end of a respective quarter-pitch segment of graded-index rod, at the axis of the rod. The opposite end of each of the two quarter-pitch segments is polished flat, perpendicular to the axis. The two polished ends are faced toward each other and held in precise parallelism, but not necessarily touching, by a suitable connector housing. An optical signal from one optical fiber is collimated by its attached graded-index rod segment for transmission across the gap to the other rod, which in turn focuses the parallel rays onto the receiving tip of its attached optical fiber.A planar window, such as a pressure window of a deep-underwater craft, may be interposed between the two sides of the connector without disturbing performance.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 1979Date of Patent: November 23, 1982Assignee: Tetra-Tech, Inc.Inventor: Charles S. Slemon
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Patent number: 4268115Abstract: A metal ferrule is attached to the end of an optic fiber, with the ferrule end and fiber tip coplanar. The ferrule and fiber are slidably mounted in a housing which incorporates a quick-release connecting catch, and are abutted by spring-loading against a mating optical device. The catch is adapted to engage a fitting secured to the mating optical device.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 1979Date of Patent: May 19, 1981Assignee: Tetra-Tech, Inc.Inventors: Charles S. Slemon, Steven W. Braun
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Patent number: D342136Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 1991Date of Patent: December 7, 1993Assignee: Citation Medical CorporationInventors: Michael Lafferty, Daniel Kline, Charles S. Slemon