Patents by Inventor Dwight Bartholomew

Dwight Bartholomew 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).

  • Packaged micromirror assembly with in-package mirror position feedback
    Patent number: 6714336
    Abstract: A packaged micromirror assembly (21, 21′) is disclosed. The assembly (21, 21′) includes a mirror element (41) having a mirror surface (29) that can rotate in two axes. Magnets (53) are attached to the mirror element (41), to permit rotation of the mirror surface (29) responsive to the energizing of coil drivers (36). A sensor (63, 80) is disposed under the mirror surface (29) to detect mirror orientation. In one aspect of the invention, the sensor (63) includes a light source such as an LED (68) that imparts light through an aperture (66) at the underside of the mirror surface (29). Light detectors (65) are arranged at varying angles, and detect relative intensity of light reflected from the underside of the mirror surface (29), from which the rotational position of the mirror (29) can be derived. According to another aspect of the invention, a conical sensor (80) with multiple insulated segmented capacitor plates are arranged under the mirror surface (29).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: John W. Orcutt, Robert C. Keller, Jose L. Melendez, Dwight Bartholomew
  • Packaged micromirror assembly with in-package mirror position feedback
    Publication number: 20020070335
    Abstract: A packaged micromirror assembly (21, 21′) is disclosed. The assembly (21, 21′) includes a mirror element (41) having a mirror surface (29) that can rotate in two axes. Magnets (53) are attached to the mirror element (41), to permit rotation of the mirror surface (29) responsive to the energizing of coil drivers (36). A sensor (63, 80) is disposed under the mirror surface (29) to detect mirror orientation. In one aspect of the invention, the sensor (63) includes a light source such as an LED (68) that imparts light through an aperture (66) at the underside of the mirror surface (29). Light detectors (65) are arranged at varying angles, and detect relative intensity of light reflected from the underside of the mirror surface (29), from which the rotational position of the mirror (29) can be derived. According to another aspect of the invention, a conical sensor (80) with multiple insulated segmented capacitor plates are arranged under the mirror surface (29).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2001
    Publication date: June 13, 2002
    Inventors: John W. Orcutt, Robert C. Keller, Jose L. Melendez, Dwight Bartholomew