Patents by Inventor John C. Blackburn

John C. Blackburn 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: 7920258
    Abstract: A method of selecting components for a multivariate optical computing and analysis system to isolate a spectral region includes selecting a spectral region of interest; selecting a spectral element with a predetermined transmission characteristic to control a spectral range of an illumination source; illuminating a sample with the illumination source; and analyzing an optical frequency returned by the sample relative to the spectral region of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael L. Myrick, Robert P. Freese, Luisa T. M. Profeta, Jonathan H. James, John C. Blackburn, Ryan J. Priore
  • Patent number: 7911605
    Abstract: A method of developing a multivariate optical element for an optical analysis system includes forming an optically absorptive spectral element having an optically absorptive material, the optically absorptive material being absorbing in a predetermined spectral region; and utilizing the optically absorptive spectral element in the optical analysis system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael L. Myrick, Robert P. Freese, Jonathan H. James, Ryan J. Priore, John C. Blackburn
  • Patent number: 7834999
    Abstract: A multivariate optical computing and analysis system includes a light source configured to radiate a first light along a first ray path; a modulator disposed in the first ray path, the modulator configured to modulate the first light to a desired frequency; a spectral element disposed proximate the modulator, the spectral element configured to filter the first light for a spectral range of interest of a sample; a cavity disposed in communication with the spectral element, the cavity configured to direct the first light in a direction of the sample; a tube disposed proximate the cavity, the tube configured to receive and direct a second light generated by a reflection of the first light from the sample, the tube being further configured to separate the first and second lights; a beamsplitter configured to split the second light into a first beam and a second beam; an optical filter mechanism disposed to receive the first beam, the optical filter mechanism configured to optically filter data carried by the firs
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: University of South Carolina
    Inventors: Michael L. Myrick, Jonathan H. James, John C. Blackburn, Robert P. Freese
  • Publication number: 20100073666
    Abstract: A method of using multivariate optical computing in real-time to collect instantaneous data about a process stream includes installing an optical analysis system proximate a process line, the process line being configured to move a material past a window of the optical analysis system; illuminating a portion of the material with a light from the optical analysis system; directing the light carrying information about the portion through at least one multivariate optical element in the optical analysis system to produce an instantaneous measurement result about the portion; and continuously averaging the instantaneous measurement result over a period of time to determine an overall measurement signal of the material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2008
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Inventors: David L. Perkins, Robert P. Freese, John C. Blackburn, Jonathan H. James
  • Publication number: 20090299946
    Abstract: A method of classifying information in an optical analysis system includes obtaining calibration data defining a plurality of data points, each data point representing values for two or more detectors when sampling a material used to construct a multivariate optical element. Based on the calibration data, one or more validation models can be developed to indicate one or more ranges of expected results. Validation data comprising the models can be used to compare data points representing values for two or more detectors when performing a measurement of a material to determine if the data points fall within an expected range. Classification data can be generated based on the comparison and, in some embodiments, one or more indicators, such as a confidence level in a measurement, can be provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2007
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Inventors: Michael L. Myrick, Ryan J. Priore, Robert P. Freese, John C. Blackburn
  • Patent number: 7623233
    Abstract: Multivariate optical analysis systems employ multivariate optical elements and utilize multivariate optical computing methods to determine information about a product carried by light reflected from or transmitted through the product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: Ometric Corporation
    Inventors: Robert P. Freese, Ryan J. Priore, John C. Blackburn, Jonathan H. James, David L. Perkins
  • Publication number: 20090219538
    Abstract: A method of high-speed processing and monitoring of a product, such as a pharmaceutical powder or tablet, comprises: moving the product (C) past an inspection station; illuminating at least a portion of the product with light; spectrally filtering a first portion of light carrying information about the product, o.g., transmitted or reflected light, by passing said first portion through at least one multivariate optical element (148) and detecting said filtered light with a first detector (152), —detecting a deflected second portion of said light with a second detector (156); and determining at least one selected property of the product based on the detector outputs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2006
    Publication date: September 3, 2009
    Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA
    Inventors: Michael L. Myrick, Robert P. Freese, Ryan J. Priore, John C. Blackburn, Jonathan H. James, David L. Perkins
  • Publication number: 20090219597
    Abstract: A multivariate optical computing and analysis system includes a light source configured to radiate a first light along a first ray path; a modulator disposed in the first ray path, the modulator configured to modulate the first light to a desired frequency; a spectral element disposed proximate the modulator, the spectral element configured to filter the first light for a spectral range of interest of a sample; a cavity disposed in communication with the spectral element, the cavity configured to direct the first light in a direction of the sample; a tube disposed proximate the cavity, the tube configured to receive and direct a second light generated by a reflection of the first light from the sample, the tube being further configured to separate the first and second lights; a beamsplitter configured to split the second light into a first beam and a second beam; an optical filter mechanism disposed to receive the first beam, the optical filter mechanism configured to optically filter data carried by the firs
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2006
    Publication date: September 3, 2009
    Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA
    Inventors: Michael L. Myrick, Jonathan H. James, John C. Blackburn, Robert P. Freese
  • Publication number: 20090219539
    Abstract: A method of real-time processing and monitoring comprises the steps of blending a material of interest (e.g., an active pharmaceutical material), with a secondary material, (e.g., an excipient), illuminating the blended materials with light, reflecting light carrying information about the blended materials through at least one multivariate optical element (148) and detecting said light with a first detector (152), detecting a deflected portion of the information carrying light with a second detector (156), and determining in real-time at least one selected property of the blended materials based on the detector outputs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2006
    Publication date: September 3, 2009
    Applicant: University of South Carolina
    Inventors: Michael L. Myrick, Robert P. Freese, Ryan J. Priore, John C. Blackburn, Jonathan H. James, David L. Perkins
  • Publication number: 20090219512
    Abstract: A method of selecting components for a multivariate optical computing and analysis system to isolate a spectral region includes selecting a spectral region of interest; selecting a spectral element with a predetermined transmission characteristic to control a spectral range of an illumination source; illuminating a sample with the illumination source; and analyzing an optical frequency returned by the sample relative to the spectral region of interest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2006
    Publication date: September 3, 2009
    Applicant: University of South Carolina
    Inventors: Michael L. Myrick, Robert P. Freese, Luisa Profeta, Jonathan H. James, John C. Blackburn, Ryan J. Priore
  • Publication number: 20090216504
    Abstract: Methods of selecting spectral elements and system components for a multivariate optical analysis system include providing spectral calibration data for a sample of interest; identifying a plurality of combinations of system components; modeling performance of a pilot system with one of the combinations of system components; determining optimal characteristics of the pilot system; and selecting optimal system components from among the combinations of system components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2006
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Applicant: University of South Carolina
    Inventors: Ryan J. Priore, Robert P. Freese, Michael L. Myrick, John C. Blackburn
  • Publication number: 20090097024
    Abstract: An optical analysis system and method for determining information carried by light include a multivariate optical element disposed in the system to receive a source light from an illumination source; filtering the source light through a spectral element in the optical element analysis system; reflecting the filtered light through an inner region of a cavity in a first direction of a sample to be measured, the cavity defining a second region disposed about the inner region; focusing the reflected light proximate the sample; reflecting the focused light from the sample through the second region in a second direction of a beamsplitter, the light being reflected from the sample carrying data from the sample; splitting the sample carrying light with the beamsplitter into a first light and a second light; optically filtering the data of the first light with the multivariate optical element into an orthogonal component; directing the first light filtered by the multivariate optical element onto a first photodetector
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2006
    Publication date: April 16, 2009
    Inventors: John C. Blackburn, Robert P. Freese, David L. Perkins
  • Publication number: 20090073433
    Abstract: A method of arranging and utilizing a multivariate optical computing and analysis system includes transmitting a o first light from a light source; generating a second light by reflecting the first light from the sample; directing a portion of the second light with a beamsplitter; and arranging an optical filter mechanism in a normal incidence orientation to receive the portion of the second light, the optical filter mechanism being configured to optically filter data carried by the portion of the second light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2006
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Applicant: Univeristy of South Carolina
    Inventors: Michael L. Myrick, Robert P. Freese, John C. Blackburn, Ryan J. Priore
  • Publication number: 20090033933
    Abstract: A method of developing a multivariate optical element for an optical analysis system includes forming an optically absorptive spectral element having an optically absorptive material, the optically absorptive material being absorbing in a predetermined spectral region; and utilizing the optically absorptive spectral element in the optical analysis system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2006
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Inventors: Michael L. Myrick, Robert P. Freese, Jonathan James, Ryan J. Priore, John C. Blackburn
  • Publication number: 20090002697
    Abstract: Multivariate optical analysis systems employ multivariate optical elements and utilize multivariate optical computing methods to determine information about a product carried by light reflected from or transmitted through the product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2007
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Applicant: OMETRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Robert P. Freese, Ryan J. Priore, John C. Blackburn, Jonathan H. James, David L. Perkins
  • Publication number: 20070294094
    Abstract: Methods of licensing state-of-the-art technology, such as an optical analysis system and components thereof, include assessing a technology requirement of a customer, such as a pharmaceutical, food or chemical industry customer; pricing the optical analysis system to meet the technology requirement; testing the optical analysis system to meet the technology requirement; licensing the optical analysis system based on the pricing thereof for a predetermined period of time; and maintaining the optical analysis system for the predetermined period of time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2006
    Publication date: December 20, 2007
    Inventors: Walter Alessandrini, George Larry Wilson, Robert P. Freese, Jason W. Williamson, John C. Blackburn, Robert T. Fletcher
  • Publication number: 20070282647
    Abstract: Methods of assessing feasibility of a project include receiving a datum from a customer; designing an application specific system based on the datum; analyzing the datum; evaluating a set of input parameters to determine an applicability of the application specific system to a customer process; and providing feedback for the customer process with the application specific system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2006
    Publication date: December 6, 2007
    Inventors: Robert P. Freese, John C. Blackburn, Ryan J. Priore, David L. Perkins