Patents by Inventor Dale C. Flanders
Dale C. Flanders 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: 7875457Abstract: To address counterfeit problems, for example, we propose a secure, flexible, and cost-effective authentication solution that can be integrated into conventional distribution logistic systems. The proposed solution for product authentication and distribution channel validation comprises three major components: 1) machine-readable Raman-active chemical taggant; 2) a taggant reader; and 3) a taggant eraser. The proposed solution is to control and validate the distribution channel by authenticating the origin of products. Authentication is accomplished by verification of distinct taggants associated with the articles, such as on its label, along with other product distribution information in optical, spatial-encoding indicia, such as a barcode. The taggant information is used to identify, validate, and distinguish the origin of the source of the articles, such as goods or products.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 2005Date of Patent: January 25, 2011Assignee: Axsun Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Xiaomei Wang, Dale C. Flanders, Petros Kotidis, Christopher C. Cook
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Patent number: 7671981Abstract: A tunable laser spectroscopic carpet identification system comprises a tunable laser spectroscopy system for generating a tunable signal that is transmitted to a carpet sample. The system detects the tunable signal after interaction with the carpet sample so that an analyzer is able to relate a spectral response of the carpet sample to a chemical composition of the carpet sample. In one example, the spectroscopy system comprises a laser cavity in which the tunable signal is generated, a semiconductor gain medium in the laser cavity, and a tunable element for controlling a wavelength of tunable signal generated in the laser cavity. To deal with variations in water content, the analyzer estimates a water content of the carpet sample using the spectral response of the carpet sample and then determines the chemical composition of the carpet sample in part based on the estimate of the water content.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2007Date of Patent: March 2, 2010Assignee: Axsun Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Walid A. Atia, Dale C. Flanders, Robert K. Jenner, Lawrence P. McDermott, Bartley C. Johnson
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Publication number: 20090290167Abstract: A frequency swept laser source for TEFD-OCT imaging includes an integrated clock subsystem on the optical bench with the laser source. The clock subsystem generates frequency clock signals as the optical signal is tuned over the scan band. Preferably the laser source further includes a cavity extender in its optical cavity between a tunable filter and gain medium to increase an optical distance between the tunable filter and the gain medium in order to control the location of laser intensity pattern noise. The laser also include a fiber stub that allows for control over the cavity length while also controlling birefringence in the cavity.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 2, 2009Publication date: November 26, 2009Applicant: AXSUN TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Dale C. Flanders, Walid A. Atia, Bartley C. Johnson, Mark E. Kuznetsov, Carlos R. Melendez
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Publication number: 20090284749Abstract: Optical coherence tomography (OCT) probe and system designs are disclosed that minimize the effects of mechanical movement and strain to the probe to the OCT analysis. It also concerns optical designs that are robust against noise from the OCT laser source. Also integrated OCT system-probes are included that yield compact and robust electro-opto-mechanical systems along with polarization sensitive OCT systems.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 15, 2009Publication date: November 19, 2009Applicant: AXSUN TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Bartley C. Johnson, Dale C. Flanders
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Patent number: 7564548Abstract: A Raman system uses a semiconductor tunable laser subsystem to generate a tunable signal that is tuned over a scan band of greater than 50 nanometers. A probe system transmits the tunable signal to a sample. Finally a detector system comprises a bandpass filter for filtering a Raman signal from the sample generated by the tunable signal, and a detector for detecting the filtered Raman signal.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2007Date of Patent: July 21, 2009Assignee: Axsun Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Dale C. Flanders, Petros Kotidis, Xiaomei Wang
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Publication number: 20090059970Abstract: A frequency swept laser source that generates an optical signal that is tuned over a spectral scan band at single discrete wavelengths associated with longitudinal modes of the swept laser source. Laser hopping over discrete single cavity modes allows long laser coherence length even under dynamic very high speed tuning conditions. A ramp drive to the laser is used to linearize laser frequency tuning. A beam splitter is used to divide the optical signal between a reference arm leading to a reference reflector and a sample arm leading to a sample. A detector system detects the optical signal from the reference arm and the sample arm for generating depth profiles and images of the sample.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 7, 2008Publication date: March 5, 2009Applicant: AXSUN TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Walid A. Atia, Mark E. Kuznetsov, Dale C. Flanders
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Publication number: 20090059971Abstract: A frequency swept laser source that generates an optical signal that is tuned over a spectral scan band at single discrete wavelengths associated with longitudinal modes of the swept laser source. Laser hopping over discrete single cavity modes allows long laser coherence length even under dynamic very high speed tuning conditions. A ramp drive to the laser is used to linearize laser frequency tuning. A beam splitter is used to divide the optical signal between a reference arm leading to a reference reflector and a sample arm leading to a sample. A detector system detects the optical signal from the reference arm and the sample arm for generating depth profiles and images of the sample.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 7, 2008Publication date: March 5, 2009Applicant: AXSUN TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Walid A. Atia, Mark E. Kuznetsov, Dale C. Flanders
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Patent number: 7482589Abstract: An optical power control system for a semiconductor source spectroscopy system controls power fluctuations in the tunable signal from the spectroscopy system and thus improves the noise performance of the system. This general solution has advantages relative to other systems that simply detect reference power levels during the scan and then correct the detected signal after interaction with the sample by reducing the requirements for coordinating the operation of the sample detectors and power or reference detectors. The spectroscopy system comprises a semiconductor source and a tunable filter. The combination of the semiconductor source and tunable signal illuminate a sample with a tunable signal, being tunable over a scan band. The power control system comprises an amplitude detector system for detecting the power of the tunable optical signal and power control system for regulating the amplitude of the tunable optical signal in response to its detected power.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2006Date of Patent: January 27, 2009Assignee: Axsun Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Dale C. Flanders, Walid A. Atia, Mark E. Kuznetsov
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Patent number: 7450862Abstract: A detector system for a fiber optic component is insensitive to stray light. Specifically, the invention comprises a detector chip, which converts received light into an electric signal. A baffle substrate is positioned over the detector chip. This baffle substrate has a transmission port through which an optical signal is transmitted to the detector chip. As a result, light that is not directed to be transmitted through the port is blocked by the baffle substrate. In this way, it rejects stray light that may be present in the hermetic package. A detector substrate is provided on which the detector chip is mounted. This detector substrate preferably comprises electrical traces to which the detector chip is electrically connected. The detector substrate can further comprise bond pads for wire bonding to make electrical connections to the electrical traces.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2003Date of Patent: November 11, 2008Assignee: Axsun Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Dale C. Flanders, Walid Atia, Eric E. Fitch, Minh Van Le, Randal A. Murdza, Robert L. Payer, Jeffrey A. Korn, Xiaomei Wang, Walter R. Buchwald, L. James Newman, III
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Patent number: 7415049Abstract: An external cavity laser has a mirror-based resonant tunable filter, such as a Fabry Perot tunable filter or Gires-Tournois interferometer tuning element, with the tunable filter being preferably used as a laser cavity mirror. A mirror-based resonant tunable filter is selected in which the spectral response in reflection has an angular dependence. A tilt scheme is used whereby by selecting an appropriate angle between the filter's nominal optical axis and the cavity optical axis, a narrowband peak spectral reflection is provided to the laser cavity. This tunable narrowband spectral reflection from the filter is used to lock and tune the laser output wavelength.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2005Date of Patent: August 19, 2008Assignee: Axsun Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Dale C. Flanders, Mark E. Kuznetsov, Walid A. Atia
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Patent number: 7406107Abstract: An optical power control system for a semiconductor source spectroscopy system controls power fluctuations in the tunable signal from the spectroscopy system and thus improves the noise performance of the system. This general solution has advantages relative to other systems that simply detect reference power levels during the scan and then correct the detected signal after interaction with the sample by reducing the requirements for coordinating the operation of the sample detectors and power or reference detectors. The spectroscopy system comprises a semiconductor source and a tunable filter. The combination of the semiconductor source and tunable signal illuminate a sample with a tunable signal, being tunable over a scan band. The power control system comprises an amplitude detector system for detecting the power of the tunable optical signal and power control system for regulating the amplitude of the tunable optical signal in response to its detected power.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2004Date of Patent: July 29, 2008Assignee: Axsun Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Dale C. Flanders, Xinfa Ma, Walid A. Atia
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Patent number: 7375812Abstract: A spectroscopy system comprises a tunable semiconductor laser, such as an external cavity laser, that generates a tunable signal. A detector is provided for detecting the tunable signal after interaction with a sample. In this way, the system is able to determine the spectroscopic response of the sample by tuning the laser of the scan band and monitoring the detector's response. An integrating device, such as an integrating sphere, is interposed optically between the tunable semiconductor laser and the detector. This integrating device is used to mitigate the effects of parasitic spectral noise, such as noise that is generated by speckle or the combination of single-and multi-mode optical fibers in the transmission link between the tunable semiconductor laser and the detector.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2005Date of Patent: May 20, 2008Assignee: Axsun Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Walid A. Atia, Dale C. Flanders
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Patent number: 7348541Abstract: A monitoring system has the capability to monitor multiple signal bands simultaneously. Specifically, in one embodiment, the monitoring system can simultaneously monitor the C- and L-bands. As a result, the time to scan through the spectral band can be reduced by half. The system comprises a signal source for an optical signal having spectrally separated channels distributed within a first spectral band and a second spectral band. A tunable filter filters this optical signal. A dichroic filter separates the first spectral band from the second spectral band in the optical signal, which has been filtered by the tunable filter. Thereafter, first and second optical detectors detect the respective spectral bands to the filtered optical signal.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2000Date of Patent: March 25, 2008Assignee: Axsun Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey A. Korn, Dale C. Flanders
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Patent number: 7324569Abstract: A multi semiconductor source tunable spectroscopy system has two or more semiconductor sources for generating tunable optical signals that are tunable over different spectral bands. The system enables the combination of these tunable signals to form an output signal that is tunable over a combined band including these individual spectral bands of the separate semiconductor sources. The system further compensates for spectral roll-off associated with the semiconductor sources. Specifically, near the limits of the semiconductor sources' spectral bands, the power in the tunable signal tends to degrade or decrease. The system compensates for this roll-off using drive current control, attenuators, or electronic compensation.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2004Date of Patent: January 29, 2008Assignee: Axsun Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Dale C. Flanders, Walid A. Atia, Mark E. Kuznetsov
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Patent number: 7292344Abstract: Integrated spectroscopy systems are disclosed. In some examples, integrated tunable detectors, using one or multiple Fabry-Perot tunable filters, are provided. Other examples use integrated tunable sources. The tunable source combines one or multiple diodes, such as superluminescent light emitting diodes (SLED), and a Fabry Perot tunable filter or etalon. The advantages associated with the use of the tunable etalon are that it can be small, relatively low power consumption device. For example, newer microelectrical mechanical system (MEMS) implementations of these devices make them the size of a chip. This increases their robustness and also their performance. In some examples, an isolator, amplifier, and/or reference system is further provided integrated.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2006Date of Patent: November 6, 2007Assignee: Axsun Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Walid A. Atia, Dale C. Flanders, Petros Kotidis, Mark E. Kuznetsov
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Patent number: 7249894Abstract: A system and process for tuning the PER of an electronic system during and/or after its manufacture includes fixtures that allow for the axial rotation of the polarization-maintaining optical fiber relative to the optical system after the optical fiber has been installed in the system. The degradation in the PER ratio of the optical system results from mechanical stresses placed on the fiber during the manufacture of the systems. For example, in the case of optical pump manufacturing, the semiconductor laser is installed on a submount. The PM fiber enters a package through a fiber feedthrough in a ferrule and then is secured down onto the submount, such that the endface of the pigtail is held in proximity to the exit facet of the semiconductor laser. In such systems, highly robust fixturing processes are used, typically such as solder bonding, in which the fiber is metallized and solder bonded either directly or indirectly to the submount.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2000Date of Patent: July 31, 2007Assignee: Axsun Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey A. Korn, Peter S. Whitney, Dale C. Flanders
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Patent number: 7242509Abstract: Integrated spectroscopy systems are disclosed. In some examples, integrated tunable detectors, using one or multiple Fabry-Perot tunable filters, are provided. Other examples use integrated tunable sources. The tunable source combines one or multiple diodes, such as superluminescent light emitting diodes (SLED), and a Fabry Perot tunable filter or etalon. The advantages associated with the use of the tunable etalon are that it can be small, relatively low power consumption device. For example, newer microelectrical mechanical system (MEMS) implementations of these devices make them the size of a chip. This increases their robustness and also their performance. In some examples, an isolator, amplifier, and/or reference system is further provided integrated.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2006Date of Patent: July 10, 2007Assignee: Axsun Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Walid A. Atia, Dale C. Flanders, Petros Kotidis, Mark E. Kuznetsov
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Patent number: 7230710Abstract: A semiconductor source spectroscopy system controls optical power variation of the tunable signal due to polarization dependent loss in the system and thus improves the noise performance of the system. It relies on using polarization control between the source and the sample and/or the sample and the detector. In one example, the source has a semiconductor optical amplifier and an intracavity tunable element for generating a tunable optical signal for illuminating a sample. The tunable optical signal is spectrally tuned over a scan band of the spectroscopy system by operation of the intracavity tunable element.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2004Date of Patent: June 12, 2007Assignee: Axsun Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Dale C. Flanders, Walid A. Atia, Mark E. Kuznetsov
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Patent number: 7208333Abstract: An optical membrane device and method for making such a device are described. This membrane is notable in that it comprises an optically curved surface. In some embodiments, this curved optical surface is optically concave and coated, for example, with a highly reflecting (HR) coating to create a curved mirror. In other embodiments, the optical surface is optically convex and coated with, preferably, an antireflective (AR) coating to function as a refractive or diffractive lens.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2004Date of Patent: April 24, 2007Assignee: Axsun Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Dale C. Flanders, Steven F. Nagle, Margaret B. Stern
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Patent number: 7157712Abstract: An optical power control system for a semiconductor source spectroscopy system controls power fluctuations in the tunable signal from the spectroscopy system and thus improves the noise performance of the system. This general solution has advantages relative to other systems that simply detect reference power levels during the scan and then correct the detected signal after interaction with the sample by reducing the requirements for coordinating the operation of the sample detectors and power or reference detectors. The spectroscopy system comprises a semiconductor source and a tunable filter. The combination of the semiconductor source and tunable signal illuminate a sample with a tunable signal, being tunable over a scan band. The power control system comprises an amplitude detector system for detecting the power of the tunable optical signal and power control system for regulating the amplitude of the tunable optical signal in response to its detected power.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2004Date of Patent: January 2, 2007Assignee: Axsun Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Dale C. Flanders, Walid A. Atia, Mark E. Kuznetsov