Patents by Inventor Christopher David Burgess

Christopher David Burgess 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: 11920978
    Abstract: A method of detecting pulsed radiation comprising the steps of irradiating at least a portion of an array of sensor elements with pulsed radiation (71); addressing the array using a rolling shutter operation (72); reading the array to obtain a radiation image (73); and then applying a pulse detection operation (74) to the radiation image. The rolling shutter operation (72) is configured to address each element line of the array for a predetermined integration period. The predetermined integration period being calculated using an integration period function, itself a function of an anticipated pulse repetition interval of the pulsed radiation. The method and apparatus for the same enable low cost camera arrays to be used for pulse detection and for wider application in the field of low cost communications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: The Secretary of State for Defence
    Inventors: Sean Michael Tsi-Ong Tipper, Christopher David Burgess
  • Publication number: 20210247231
    Abstract: A method of detecting pulsed radiation comprising the steps of irradiating at least a portion of an array of sensor elements with pulsed radiation (71); addressing the array using a rolling shutter operation (72); reading the array to obtain a radiation image (73); and then applying a pulse detection operation (74) to the radiation image. The rolling shutter operation (72) is configured to address each element line of the array for a predetermined integration period. The predetermined integration period being calculated using an integration period function, itself a function of an anticipated pulse repetition interval of the pulsed radiation. The method and apparatus for the same enable low cost camera arrays to be used for pulse detection and for wider application in the field of low cost communications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2019
    Publication date: August 12, 2021
    Inventors: SEAN MICHAEL TSI-ONG TIPPER, CHRISTOPHER DAVID BURGESS
  • Patent number: 10859435
    Abstract: A laser detector apparatus (1) is provided, where a pixel array (3) is arranged behind a lens arrangement (4) such that distant objects (9) (in general, those at infinity) are out of focus at the pixel array. The image from the pixel array is evaluated by a computer processor (6) to detect such out of focus images which will be of a known size and shape (generally circular spots of known width). This can enable distant laser threats to be readily distinguished from nearby bright objects (10), whilst also protecting the pixel array from powerful laser sources (because the laser energy is not focussed to a point, on the pixel array it is less likely to damage the pixel array). It can also enable the wavelength of the laser to be accurately determined from the ratio of colours in the image of the laser spot, because it will typically not be a saturated image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: The Secretary of State for Defence
    Inventors: Christopher David Burgess, Sean Michael Tsi-Ong Tipper
  • Publication number: 20200064185
    Abstract: A laser detector apparatus (1) is provided, where a pixel array (3) is arranged behind a lens arrangement (4) such that distant objects (9) (in general, those at infinity) are out of focus at the pixel array. The image from the pixel array is evaluated by a computer processor (6) to detect such out of focus images which will be of a known size and shape (generally circular spots of known width). This can enable distant laser threats to be readily distinguished from nearby bright objects (10), whilst also protecting the pixel array from powerful laser sources (because the laser energy is not focussed to a point, on the pixel array it is less likely to damage the pixel array). It can also enable the wavelength of the laser to be accurately determined from the ratio of colours in the image of the laser spot, because it will typically not be a saturated image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2017
    Publication date: February 27, 2020
    Applicant: THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR DEFENCE
    Inventors: CHRISTOPHER DAVID BURGESS, SEAN MICHAEL TSIONG SEAN
  • Publication number: 20140239157
    Abstract: This invention relates to a low light imaging sensors and particularly image intensification and CMOS sensors. To overcome issues of dazzle and halo when operating in areas where the scene encompasses bright light sources, the invention provides material layers in contact with the detector material to spatially limit the generation or subsequent diffusion of electrons in said detector material. This allows the imaging sensor to perform as normal under bright conditions, maintaining the operator's scene awareness and spatial acuity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2012
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Inventors: Christopher David Burgess, Lee Hill
  • Publication number: 20140231880
    Abstract: An imaging sensor of the charge transfer type that limits the transmission of radiation from high intensity light sources. The invention addresses potential saturation levels during exposure or stare time and so saturation is never achieved, this provides for a wider dynamic range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2012
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Inventor: Christopher David Burgess
  • Patent number: 8736778
    Abstract: An optically addressed light valve suitable for selectively limiting the transmission of radiation from high intensity light sources comprising an electro-optical modulator sandwiched by two photoconductive layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: The Secretary of State for Defence in Her Britannic Majesty's Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Nothern Ireland
    Inventor: Christopher David Burgess
  • Patent number: 8525943
    Abstract: An optically addressed light valve suitable for selectively limiting the transmission of radiation from high intensity light sources independent of wavelength using a TN liquid crystal cell and a photoconductive material (vanadium doped silicon carbide).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: The Secretary of State for Defence in Her Brittanic Majesty's Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
    Inventor: Christopher David Burgess
  • Publication number: 20120105773
    Abstract: An optically addressed ligth valve suitable for selectively limiting the transmission of radiation from high intensity light sources comprising an electro-optical modulator sandwiched by two photoconductive layers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2010
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Inventor: Christopher David Burgess
  • Publication number: 20120099035
    Abstract: An optically addressed light valve suitable for selectively limiting the transmission of radiation from high intensity light sources independent of wavelength using a TN liquid crystal cell and a photoconductive material (vanadium doped silicon carbide).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2010
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Applicant: THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR DEFENCE
    Inventor: Christopher David Burgess