Patents by Inventor Francis Lawrence Leard

Francis Lawrence Leard 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).

  • Publication number: 20240105410
    Abstract: An optical device includes a first optically dimmable switch for providing a first transmittance while the first optically dimmable switch is in a first state and providing a second transmittance distinct from the first transmittance while the first optically dimmable switch is in a second state distinct from the first state. The optical device also includes a dynamic heat source thermally coupled with the first optically dimmable switch. The dynamic heat source is at a first temperature at a first time and is at a second temperature distinct from the first temperature at a second time mutually exclusive from the first time. The optical device may operate as an optical dimming device, which may be used in head-mounted display devices or as dimmable windows or shutters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2023
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Inventors: Afsoon Jamali, Arman Boromand, Gareth John Valentine, Martin Schubert, Paul Murray LeFebvre, Francis Lawrence Leard, Olga Vladimirovna Barykina-Tassa
  • Publication number: 20230359030
    Abstract: A system for eye tracking is disclosed. The system may detect illumination including a first wavelength emitted from one or more illumination sources. The illumination may propagate along a waveguide(s) to a termination node(s) associated with the waveguide(s). The system may detect the illumination propagating a remote fluorophore located at the termination node(s). The system may determine that the remote fluorophore shifted the first wavelength to a second wavelength such that the illumination includes the second wavelength.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2022
    Publication date: November 9, 2023
    Inventors: Francis Lawrence Leard, Alfredo Bismuto
  • Publication number: 20230359029
    Abstract: A tunable fluorescent quantum dot may be utilized for illumination of artificial reality displays or waveguides. The tunable quantum dot may include a core fluorescence quantum dot and multiple coatings that may activate based on different wavelengths of one or more activation energies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2022
    Publication date: November 9, 2023
    Inventors: Alfredo Bismuto, Francis Lawrence Leard, Sascha Hallstein
  • Patent number: 8934048
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for using infra-red light provide for enhanced operation in camera applications. In an embodiment, a safety camera includes an optical filter that provides an input to an imager from received light having wavelengths in the infra-red spectrum. Output from the imager can be analyzed to determine safety hazard events in an area viewed by the safety camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Francis Lawrence Leard, James Edward Dogul
  • Publication number: 20130015358
    Abstract: A variety of methods and systems are described that relate to reducing optical noise. In at least one embodiment, the method includes, emitting a first light having a selected wavelength from a light source, receiving a reflected first light onto a phosphor-based layer positioned inside a receiver, the reflected first light being at least some of the emitted first light that has been reflected by an object positioned outside of a desired target location. The method further includes, shifting the wavelength of the received reflected first light due to an interaction between the received reflected first light and the phosphor-based layer, and passing the received reflected first light with respect to which the wavelength has been shifted through a light detector without detection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2011
    Publication date: January 17, 2013
    Applicant: ROCKWELL AUTOMATION TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: Francis Lawrence Leard
  • Publication number: 20120314410
    Abstract: A variety of methods and systems are described that relate to reducing optical noise. In at least one embodiment, the method includes, emitting a first light having a selected wavelength from a light source, receiving a reflected first light onto a phosphor-based layer positioned inside a receiver, the reflected first light being at least some of the emitted first light that has been reflected by an object positioned outside of a desired target location. The method further includes, shifting the wavelength of the received reflected first light due to an interaction between the received reflected first light and the phosphor-based layer, and passing the received reflected first light with respect to which the wavelength has been shifted through a light detector without detection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2011
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Applicant: ROCKWELL AUTOMATION TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: Francis Lawrence Leard
  • Patent number: 8325245
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for using infra-red light provide for enhanced operation in camera applications. In an embodiment, a safety camera includes an optical filter that provides an input to an imager from received light having wavelengths in the infra-red spectrum. Output from the imager can be analyzed to determine safety hazard events in an area viewed by the safety camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Francis Lawrence Leard, James Edward Dogul
  • Patent number: 8175427
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for using a tunable optical source in safety curtain applications provide for enhanced operation of the safety curtain. In an embodiment, a safety curtain includes a transmit unit and a receive unit to operate as the safety curtain, where a single tunable light source generates different wavelengths of light and a single detector is used to detect the generated light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Francis Lawrence Leard, Hassan R. Manjunath, James Edward Dogul
  • Patent number: 7812951
    Abstract: Embodiments include an apparatus including a color sensor including a transmitter portion and a receiver portion, the transmitter portion including a light source operable to generate and transmit a light having a particular range of wavelengths, the receiver portion including a first detector operable to receive a first portion of the light emitted from the transmitter portion and to measure a luminance of the received first portion of the emitted light, and a second detector including a polarization filter, the second detector operable to receive a second portion of the light emitted from the transmitter after the second portion has passed through the polarization filter, and operable to measure a pure color of the received second portion of transmitted light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Francis Lawrence Leard, Nelson D. Sheppard, Patrick J. Delaney, III, Shaun Paul Hentchel
  • Publication number: 20090141343
    Abstract: Embodiments of spectral filters with dye-impregnated nano-spheres are described herein. Other embodiments may be described and claimed. In some embodiments, a spectral filter comprises a host material that includes a plurality of nano-particles embedded within. The particles include a dye having an absorption band of wavelengths and have a size selected to resonate at a range of wavelengths that is within the absorption band. The particles may be selected to resonate in either a plasmon mode or a whispering-gallery mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Publication date: June 4, 2009
    Inventor: Francis Lawrence Leard
  • Patent number: 7538335
    Abstract: Embodiments of spectral filters with dye-impregnated nano-spheres are described herein. Other embodiments may be described and claimed. In some embodiments, a spectral filter comprises a host material that includes a plurality of nano-particles embedded within. The particles include a dye having an absorption band of wavelengths and have a size selected to resonate at a range of wavelengths that is within the absorption band. The particles may be selected to resonate in either a plasmon mode or a whispering-gallery mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Francis Lawrence Leard
  • Publication number: 20090087191
    Abstract: Embodiments include n apparatus including a color sensor including a transmitter portion and a receiver portion, the transmitter portion including a light source operable to generate and transmit a light having a particular range of wavelengths, the receiver portion including a first detector operable to receive a first portion of the light emitted from the transmitter portion and to measure a luminance of the received first portion of the emitted light, and a second detector including a polarization filter, the second detector operable to receive a second portion of the light emitted from the transmitter after the second portion has passed through the polarization filter, and operable to measure a pure color of the received second portion of transmitted light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2007
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Inventors: Francis Lawrence Leard, Nelson D. Sheppard, Patrick J. Delaney, III, Shaun Paul Hentchel
  • Publication number: 20090087192
    Abstract: Example embodiments of a near-Infrared (NIR) sensor system and methods for detecting changes in polarization are generally described herein. Other example embodiments may be described and claimed. In some example embodiments, the sensor system includes a transmit optical element to transmit optical signals with a polarization, and a receive optical element to receive optical signals with an orthogonal polarization. The transmit and receive optical elements may include nano-imprinted wire-grid polarizers configured to polarize at least infrared IR wavelengths. In some example embodiments, birefringent filter layers may be used to induce an additional polarization state on the transmitted and received optical signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Inventors: Francis Lawrence Leard, James Edward Dogul
  • Publication number: 20090079841
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for using infra-red light provide for enhanced operation in camera applications. In an embodiment, a safety camera includes an optical filter that provides an input to an imager from received light having wavelengths in the infra-red spectrum. Output from the imager can be analyzed to determine safety hazard events in an area viewed by the safety camera.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2007
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Inventors: Francis Lawrence Leard, James Edward Dogul
  • Publication number: 20090073533
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for using a tunable optical source in safety curtain applications provide for enhanced operation of the safety curtain. In an embodiment, a safety curtain includes a transmit unit and a receive unit to operate as the safety curtain, where a single tunable light source generates different wavelengths of light and a single detector is used to detect the generated light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2007
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Inventors: Francis Lawrence Leard, Hassan R. Manjunath, James Edward Dogul