Patents by Inventor David M. Shemwell

David M. Shemwell 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: 7980720
    Abstract: A shield produces a “dazzling” effect: disorientation and temporary and fully reversible blindness in subjects for the purpose of threat deterrence. The apparatus is comprised of a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) capable of intense illumination. Light emitted by each LED is further pulsed and focused by reflective optics to produce a dazzling effect. The shield further provides ballistic protection, chemical or electrical crowd control functionality, safety-glass breaking capability, optically propagated communications and an arm strap to further secure the shield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Stellar Photonics, LLC
    Inventors: David M. Shemwell, Weihao Alexander Long, Michael Perry Challeneger, Robert Lee Fuhriman, Jr., Donald Limuti
  • Patent number: 7794102
    Abstract: An apparatus produces a “dazzling” effect: disorientation and temporary and fully reversible blindness in subjects for the purpose of threat deterrence in both civilian law enforcement and military engagements without the use of lasers. A plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) capable of intense illumination is provided. Light emitted by each LED is pulsed and focused by reflective optics to produce a pulsed beam of sufficient intensity that the combined effect of the beams from the LEDs induces dazzling in subject viewers in the target range. Further included in or ancillary to the invention are a power source for powering the LEDs a signal source and controller for controlling their illumination and pulsing, and a shield suitable for protecting a user against projectiles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Inventors: David M. Shemwell, Weihao Alexander Long, Michael Perry Challenger, Robert Lee Fuhriman, Jr., Donald Limuti
  • Publication number: 20100107859
    Abstract: A method and apparatus triggers motion triggered improvised explosive devices (IEDs) from a distance outside the device's zone of destruction. IEDs having infrared motion detection trigger mechanisms are detonated by passing remotely generated laser beams over the area within which the IED is located. The moving reflected background scattering of light from the passing laser beams as well as possible direct passing laser illumination of the IED infrared motion detector activate the IED trigger mechanism, causing the IED to detonate. Operation of the invention is remote from the destruction zone of the IED, thereby preserving personnel and materiel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2008
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Applicant: Stellar Photonics, L.L.C.
    Inventors: David L. Cunningham, Stephen E. Moody, Ingrid Fuhriman, Robert Fuhriman, JR., Donald Limuti, Weihao Long, Michael Challenger, David M. Shemwell
  • Publication number: 20090284961
    Abstract: An apparatus produces a “dazzling” effect: disorientation and temporary and fully reversible blindness in subjects for the purpose of threat deterrence in both civilian law enforcement and military engagements without the use of lasers. The apparatus is comprised of a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) capable of intense illumination. Light emitted by each LED is further pulsed and focused by reflective optics to produce a pulsed beam of sufficient intensity that the combined effect of the beams from the LEDs induces dazzling in subject viewers in the target range. Further included in or ancillary to the invention are a power source for powering the LEDs and a signal source and controller for controlling their illumination and pulsing. Embodiments of the invention include riot shield, hand held and vehicle-mounted dazzlers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2008
    Publication date: November 19, 2009
    Applicant: Stellar Photonics, L.L.C.
    Inventors: David M. Shemwell, Robert Fuhriman, Donald Limuti, Weihao Long, Michael Challenger
  • Publication number: 20090284957
    Abstract: A shield produces a “dazzling” effect: disorientation and temporary and fully reversible blindness in subjects for the purpose of threat deterrence. The apparatus is comprised of a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) capable of intense illumination. Light emitted by each LED is further pulsed and focused by reflective optics to produce a dazzling effect. The shield further provides ballistic protection, chemical or electrical crowd control functionality, safety-glass breaking capability, optically propagated communications and an arm strap to further secure the shield.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2009
    Publication date: November 19, 2009
    Applicant: Stellar Photonics, L.L.C.
    Inventors: David M. Shemwell, Robert Fuhriman, Donald Limuti, Weihao Alexander Long, Michael Challenger
  • Patent number: 6095974
    Abstract: An apparatus for transferring two frequencies of electromagnetic energy to and from a portion of a living body for the purpose of blood oxygen saturation measurements. The two frequencies of electromagnetic energy are transferred to the portion of the living body through a single optical fiber cable (which could be a bundle) to a coupler and then through a short section of optical cable to an optical element adjacent to the portion of the living body. After the two frequencies of electromagnetic energy are transmitted through the portion of the living body they are received by another optical element and transported away from the portion of the living body to a coupler through a short section of optical cable where they may be converted to electrical signals. Alternatively, the two frequencies of electromagnetic energy are carried away from the coupler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Assignee: Respironics, Inc.
    Inventors: David M. Shemwell, George R. Ryan
  • Patent number: 6026312
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for transferring two frequencies of electromagnetic energy to and from a portion of a living body for the purpose of blood oxygen saturation measurements. The two frequencies of electromagnetic energy are transferred to the portion of the living body through a single optical fiber cable (which could be a bundle) to a coupler and then through a short section of optical cable to an optical element adjacent to the portion of the living body. After the two frequencies of electromagnetic energy are transmitted through the portion of the living body they are received by another optical element and transported away from the portion of the living body to a coupler through a short section of optical cable where they may be converted to electrical signals. Alternatively, the two frequencies of electromagnetic energy are carried away from the coupler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2000
    Assignee: Respironics, Inc.
    Inventors: David M. Shemwell, George R. Ryan
  • Patent number: 5982299
    Abstract: In this application are disclosed a variety of improvements to the original system. These improvements provide for greater utility, effectiveness, and ease of manufacturing of the laser visual landing aid system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: Cafaro Laser, Ltd.
    Inventor: David M. Shemwell
  • Patent number: 5287104
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for aiding a landing aircraft. Three differently-colored beams of laser light are produced and transmitted, one of the beams of laser light being transmitted in a plane containing the direction from which the aircraft is approaching. Another of the beams of light is transmitted on one side of the plane, and the third of the beams of light is transmit on the other side of the plane. The pilot of the aircraft can determine whether the aircraft is on the plane or to the one side or the other by the color of the light the pilot receives. If desired, at least one of the colored laser beams that is transmitted toward one side of the plane can be broken into a plurality of adjacent fan-shaped beams, the light in at least one of the fan-shaped beams being interrupted intermittently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 15, 1994
    Inventor: David M. Shemwell
  • Patent number: 4926050
    Abstract: A distance-measurement system and method for its use. The system includes a transmitter located at one location and a receiver, at least portions of which are located at the second location. The transmitter produces a scanning beam of laser light that is narrow in its scanned direction and broad in the orthogonal direction. The beam is scanned at a substantially constant angular velocity. The receiver has at least a pair of apertures and associated photodiodes held in a predetermined configuration. The receiver measures the time interval between the times at which the apertures are illuminated by the scanning beam. Based on these time intervals, the receiver can calculate the distance from the first location to the second location. The scanned beam can also be polarized and the receiver can include polarization detection and a lateral effect cell to account for relative rotation and tilt of the transmitter and receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 15, 1990
    Assignee: Spectra-Physics, Inc.
    Inventor: David M. Shemwell
  • Patent number: 4879532
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for phase conjugate optical modulation involves creating a phase hologram within a nonlinear medium by overlapping, within the nonlinear medium, a pair of laser beams, travelling along paths angled slightly with respect to one another. A third beam reads this hologram to produce the phase conjugate wave. An electric field is generated through the medium transversely to the overlapping laser beams within the medium. The intensity of the output conjugate beam is modulated according to the field strength of the applied electric field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1984
    Date of Patent: November 7, 1989
    Assignee: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventors: David M. Shemwell, Cyrus D. Cantrell
  • Patent number: 4536086
    Abstract: Methods and means are provided for making measurements of the optical figure of a remote thin deformable mirror (16). Relatively small holographic elements (24) are formed on portions of the mirror (16). A laser beam is transmitted to illuminate the elements (22). Diffracted laser beam signals from the elements (22) are used to produce a hologram or corrector plate (34) which is subsequently used to produce reference signals representative of the original shape of the mirror. When the holographic elements (22) of the mirror are subsequently illuminated by a laser beam, the diffracted signals reconstruct the reference signals recorded or stored on the corrector plate (34). The output signal represents the deviations of the mirror from its original shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1982
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1985
    Assignee: The Perkin-Elmer Corporation
    Inventor: David M. Shemwell