Patents by Inventor Donald L. Cullen
Donald L. Cullen 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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Publication number: 20090237761Abstract: A method and apparatus particularly useful for telecommunications applications, such as switching (Add/Drop), multiplexing and demultiplexing, is disclosed. The method commences by directing a source of input optical signal(s) (10) onto a movable diffractive optical element or MDOE. Each of the optical signals is associated with a particular wavelength. Next, one or more output stations are supplied. Finally, the MDOE generates and distributes output optical signals among the output station(s). The corresponding system for treating the optical signals from a source thereof includes a source carrying two or more input optical signals, each of the signals being associated with a particular wavelength. Also included is a movable diffractive optical element positioned to intercept the source optical signals for producing and distributing one or more diffracted output optical signals. Finally, one or more output stations are positioned to receive the diffracted optical signal(s) from the MDOE.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 29, 2009Publication date: September 24, 2009Inventors: Jefferson E. Odhner, Eliott S. Luckoff, Donald L. Cullen, Ken G. Wasson
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Patent number: 6898009Abstract: The present invention is directed to an improvement in a diffractive display suitable for presenting graphic and the like displays. Broadly, a novel embodiment is realized from a holographic diffraction pattern carried by a magnet or element and an electrically energizable coil magnetically coupled with said magnet that is energizable for movement of the magnet. Rotation of the holographic diffraction pattern generates a display using the diffracted light from the holographic diffraction grating. Another novel embodiment is realized from a faceted rotatable element (FRE) having an array of facets each bearing a diffraction grating and a source energizable for rotation of the FRE from a resting station to a viewing station. Rotation of the FRE generates a display using the diffracted light from the diffraction gratings.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2003Date of Patent: May 24, 2005Assignee: Luckoff Display CorporationInventors: Jefferson E. Odhner, Donald L. Cullen, Ken G. Wasson, James E. Dvorsky
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Publication number: 20040017597Abstract: The present invention is directed to an improvement in a diffractive display suitable for presenting graphic and the like displays. Broadly, a novel embodiment is realized from a holographic diffraction pattern carried by a magnet or element and an electrically energizable coil magnetically coupled with said magnet that is energizable for movement of the magnet. Rotation of the holographic diffraction pattern generates a display using the diffracted light from the holographic diffraction grating. Another novel embodiment is realized from a faceted rotatable element (FRE) having an array of facets each bearing a diffraction grating and a source energizable for rotation of the FRE from a resting station to a viewing station. Rotation of the FRE generates a display using the diffracted light from the diffraction gratings.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 17, 2003Publication date: January 29, 2004Inventors: Jefferson E. Odhner, Donald L. Cullen, Ken G. Wasson, James E. Dvorsky
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Publication number: 20030184829Abstract: Disclosed is a curved surface element (e.g., light bulb, ornament, light pipe, etc.) which has at least a portion thereof (inner or outer surface) covered with a holographic diffraction grating which was constructed to be essentially distortion free on said curved surface, whereby such diffraction grating diffracts light to emit color to the observer. The diffraction grating can take for form of a holographic optical element (HOE) attached to the curved surface or a diffractive holographic optical pattern (HOP) embossed into the curved surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 19, 2003Publication date: October 2, 2003Inventors: Jefferson E. Odhner, Donald L. Cullen
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Patent number: 6621607Abstract: The present invention is directed to an improvement in a diffractive display suitable for presenting graphic and the like displays. Broadly, a novel embodiment is realized from a holographic diffraction pattern carried by a magnet or element and an electrically energizable coil magnetically coupled with said magnet that is energizable for movement of the magnet. Rotation of the holographic diffraction pattern generates a display using the diffracted light from the holographic diffraction grating. Another novel embodiment is realized from a faceted rotatable element (FRE) having an array of facets each bearing a diffraction grating and a source energizable for rotation of the FRE from a resting station to a viewing station. Rotation of the FRE generates a display using the diffracted light from the diffraction gratings.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2000Date of Patent: September 16, 2003Assignee: Luckoff Display CorporationInventors: Jefferson E. Odhner, Donald L. Cullen, Ken G. Wasson, James E. Dvorsky
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Patent number: 6552831Abstract: Disclosed is a curved surface element (e.g., light bulb, ornament, light pipe, etc.) which has at least a portion thereof (inner or outer surface) covered with a holographic diffraction grating which was constructed to be essentially distortion free on said curved surface, whereby such diffraction grating diffracts light to emit color to the observer. The diffraction grating can take for form of a holographic optical element (HOE) attached to the curved surface or a diffractive holographic optical pattern (HOP) embossed into the curved surface.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2001Date of Patent: April 22, 2003Assignee: Luckoff Display CorporationInventors: Jefferson E. Odhner, Donald L. Cullen
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Publication number: 20010033419Abstract: A method and apparatus particularly useful for telecommunications applications, such as switching (Add/Drop), multiplexing and demultiplexing, is disclosed. The method commences by directing a source of input optical signal(s) (10) onto a movable diffractive optical element or MDOE. Each of the optical signals is associated with a particular wavelength. Next, one or more output stations are supplied. Finally, the MDOE generates and distributes output optical signals among the output station(s). The corresponding system for treating the optical signals from a source thereof includes a source carrying two or more input optical signals, each of the signals being associated with a particular wavelength. Also included is a movable diffractive optical element positioned to intercept the source optical signals for producing and distributing one or more diffracted output optical signals. Finally, one or more output stations are positioned to receive the diffracted optical signal(s) from the MDOE.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 17, 2001Publication date: October 25, 2001Inventors: Jefferson E. Odhner, Elliott S. Luckoff, Donald L. Cullen, Ken G. Wasson
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Publication number: 20010024303Abstract: Disclosed is a curved surface element (e.g., light bulb, ornament, light pipe, etc.) which has at least a portion thereof (inner or outer surface) covered with a holographic diffraction grating which was constructed to be essentially distortion free on said curved surface, whereby such diffraction grating diffracts light to emit color to the observer. The diffraction grating can take for form of a holographic optical element (HOE) attached to the curved surface or a diffractive holographic optical pattern (HOP) embossed into the curved surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 5, 2001Publication date: September 27, 2001Inventors: Jefferson E. Odhner, Donald L. Cullen
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Patent number: 6285472Abstract: Disclosed is a curved surface element (e.g., light bulb, ornament, light pipe, etc.) which has at least a portion thereof (inner or outer surface) covered with a holographic diffraction grating which was constructed to be essentially distortion free on said curved surface, whereby such diffraction grating diffracts light to emit color to the observer. The diffraction grating can take for form of a holographic optical element (HOE) attached to the curved surface or a diffractive holographic optical pattern (HOP) embossed into the curved surface.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 1999Date of Patent: September 4, 2001Assignee: Luckoff Display CorporationInventors: Jefferson E. Odhner, Donald L. Cullen
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Patent number: 5613022Abstract: The present invention is directed to a diffractive display suitable for presenting graphic and the like displays. Broadly, the novel display is realized from a diffraction pattern (132) carried by (e.g. embossed) a film or element (138) connected to an energy source which is energizable for movement of the film (138). Movement of the patterned film (138) generates a display using the diffracted light from the embossed pattern (132). Electroactive films are known in the art, including, for example, piezoelectric films, electrostrictive films, electromotive films, and electrostatic films. Magnetoactive films also are known in the art. Any of these films (138) can carry the diffraction pattern (132) and be energized for movement to generate from the resulting diffracted light.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 1995Date of Patent: March 18, 1997Assignee: Luckoff Display CorporationInventors: Jefferson E. Odhner, Daniel J. Smith, Shailesh S. Bhat, Donald L. Cullen, Ken G. Wasson
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Patent number: 4794726Abstract: The invention comprises a mulch sheet to be placed on the soil around the stalk of a plant. The mulch comprises aluminum flakes bonded to a woven mesh which aluminum flakes will reflect rays of the sun upward to the underside of the leaves and the mat will hold moisture in the ground which has seeped into the ground through the porous mat. The aluminum flakes are applied to the upper tacky surface of a thermoplastic woven mat and are pressed into the tacky surface to hold them in position after the thermoplastic, fibrous mat cools to freeze the flake in place. In additional embodiments, it is sometimes appropriate to make a pod containing a seed which will be secured to the underside of the matting in the open hole. A layer on the underside of the mat could include a layer of fertilizer.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 1987Date of Patent: January 3, 1989Assignee: Transmet CorporationInventors: Sherwood L. Fawcett, Martha S. Fawcett, Donald L. Cullen
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Patent number: 4438402Abstract: A non-contacting electrostatic mark/sense length measurement gauge is used to place discrete areas of electrostatic charge at very accurately spaced intervals along a relatively moving material surface. Special construction of both the electrostatic marking and sensing transducers is employed. To compensate for expected unreliability of the mark/sense length gauge, a conventional highly reliable but less accurate contacting length gauge (such as a tachometer in rolling contact with the relatively moving material) is employed. The output from the electrostatic mark/sense length gauge and from the tachometer length gauge are combined by special electronic circuits to provide a length measurement of the passing material which is both highly accurate and reliable under all expected measurement conditions.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 1981Date of Patent: March 20, 1984Assignee: Autech CorporationInventors: Donald L. Cullen, John A. Robertson