Patents by Inventor John C. Tsai
John C. Tsai 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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Patent number: 6795459Abstract: A light frequency locker (10) able to accept a light beam (14) generated by a controllable light source (12) into a light diverter (16) and impart to it a transverse displacement characteristic which can be detected in a light detection unit (20) connected to a processor (22). The processor (22) then controls the light source (12). Optionally, a light diverger (18) may be provided to enhance angular resolution. The light diverter (16) and the light diverger (18) may either transmit or reflect the light. The light diverter (16) may particularly include a diffraction grating (116, 156), Fabry-Perot interferometer (216), multiple slit plate (316), or an acousto-optical unit (416).Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2001Date of Patent: September 21, 2004Assignee: Fibera, Inc.Inventor: John C. Tsai
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Patent number: 6789738Abstract: A data distribution system (10) including an information card (12) and a reader (14). The information card (12) includes visible indicia (20) on its front and stripe zones (34) and a ring zone (36) on its back. The zones (34, 36) are suitable for magnetically recording data, and optional data identifiers. The reader (14) may be a linear reader (14a) or a rotary reader (14b), and optionally may act automatically in response to reading a data identifier. If the reader (14) is a rotary reader (14b) the information card (12) may be loaded into a cartridge (16) which is loaded into the rotary reader (14b).Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2003Date of Patent: September 14, 2004Inventors: Erica Tsai, John C. Tsai
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Publication number: 20040151216Abstract: A system for tuning the wavelength of a beam from a tunable laser. A tunable etalon assembly includes a Fabry-Perot etalon with paired reflectors to filter the laser beam. The tunable etalon also includes a thermal unit to thermally adjust the separation of the paired responsive to an etalon tuning signal. A photodetector receives the laser beam after filtering the etalon and generates a detected signal based on intensity. A controller generates the etalon tuning signal, and receives the detected signal and generates a laser tuning signal based on it. Optionally, additional Fabry-Perot etalons, photodetectors, and one or more beamsplitters permit extending wavelength range and determining relative wavelength difference with a beam from a second laser.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 27, 2004Publication date: August 5, 2004Inventors: John C. Tsai, David W. Wang
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Publication number: 20040149897Abstract: A structure analysis and defect detection system in which a laser light source provides light via optical fiber to fiber Bragg gratings that change resonant frequency as stresses change in the structure. Light at the resonant frequencies of the fiber Bragg gratings is reflected and light of other frequencies is passed. The respective reflected light is directed through a Fabry-Perot interference filter or a fiber interferometer and detected by a photodetector. If the Fabry-Perot interference filter is used, the intensity of the reflected light indicates current stress at a fiber Bragg grating. If the fiber interferometer is used, a beat frequency due to heterodyne interference in the light indicates current stress at the respective fiber Bragg grating. Comparison data for the respective characteristic in the detected light over time permits stress analysis, and comparison of such data with pre-determined limit values permits defect or failure detection.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 12, 2003Publication date: August 5, 2004Applicant: FIBERA, INC.Inventors: John C. Tsai, David W. Wang
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Publication number: 20040123684Abstract: A measurement system including a stage having a first piece and a second piece that are movable with respect to one another. A digital scale is integrated in the first piece and a detector is integrated in the second piece at a position suitable to detect movement with respect to the digital scale. The detector creates a signal based upon relative movement between the digital scale and the detector. A display integrated in the second piece receives the signal from the detector and displays a reading of the relative movement thus measured.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 17, 2003Publication date: July 1, 2004Applicant: Excel Precision CorporationInventor: John C. Tsai
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Publication number: 20040109166Abstract: A wavelength locker having a first beam splitter to receive a light beam and separate out a portion as a sample beam; a confocal etalon to receive the sample beam and filter it into a filterization beam; a filterization photodetector to receive the filterization beam and produce a filterization signal representative of the light intensity in the filterization beam, and thus also of the light frequency in the filterization beam, sample beam, and original light beam; and a link to communicate a control signal, based on the filterization signal, to the light source producing the light beam to lock the wavelength or the frequency.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2002Publication date: June 10, 2004Applicant: Fibera, Inc.Inventors: John C. Tsai, David W. Wang, Joseph Methe
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Patent number: 6748138Abstract: A process (400) to construct single- and multi-dimensional optical gratings (100, 800) of interlayers (110, 230, 310 808) of differing refractive index, either in or atop a non-fiber substrate material (104, 202, 302). The optical gratings (100, 800) may particularly be Bragg type gratings, and thus suitable for receiving a laser beam (102, 240, 802) and forming there from one or more reflected beam portions (118, 248, 810) having one or more narrow wavelengths and a passed beam portion (120, 250, 812) of other wavelengths.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2001Date of Patent: June 8, 2004Assignee: Fibera, Inc.Inventors: David W. Wang, John C. Tsai
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Patent number: 6731659Abstract: A frequency locker (100) for working with external light sources or frequency locked light sources (200, 300, 400) having integrated laser light sources (214, 414). The locker (100) provides multi-channel frequency tuning and stabilization with common components, particularly including common beam splitters (114, 118), an interferometer (128), and a processing circuit (138). The locked light source (200) integrates a light source (214) and single channel frequency tuning and stabilization capabilities. The locked light source (300) integrates multiple instances of the locked light source (200) within a single housing (312) to provide multi-channel capability. And the locked light source (400) provides multi-channel frequency tuning and stabilization with common components, particularly including a single beam splitter (420), an interferometer (426), and a processing circuit (434).Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 2002Date of Patent: May 4, 2004Assignee: Fibera, Inc.Inventors: John C. Tsai, David W. Wang
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Patent number: 6718092Abstract: A frequency processing system for detecting, tuning, or stabilizing light frequency or wavelength in a light beam produced by a light source. A grating block receives the light beam and may produce diffracted beams and a passed beam. The diffracted beams are received by respective detectors which produce measurement signals that are communicated to a processor. The processor then produces control signals that are communicated to the light source where they are usable for detecting, tuning, or stabilizing the light frequency or wavelength. The grating blocks particularly employ planar or cubical gratings, or gradient versions of these, to produce the diffracted beams.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2002Date of Patent: April 6, 2004Assignee: Fibera, Inc.Inventors: David W. Wang, John C. Tsai
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Publication number: 20030152127Abstract: An integrated or hybrid-optical device (10) able to perform the functions of both a beam splitter and an etalon. A splitter interface (72), front-cavity interface (74), and rear-cavity interface (76) are provided and separate regions (78, 80, 82, 84) which may be of “air” (gas or vacuum) or solid materials. The front-cavity interface (74), the rear-cavity interface (76), and the interposed third region (82) define a Fabry Perot etalon, which may be either solid or air-spaced. In particular, the integrated optical device (10) has only the second region (80) interposed between the splitter interface (72) and the front-cavity interface (74).Type: ApplicationFiled: August 5, 2002Publication date: August 14, 2003Applicant: Fibera, Inc.Inventors: John C. Tsai, David W. Wang, George C.K. Chen, Joseph Methe
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Patent number: 6603629Abstract: A servo track writing apparatus (10) for writing servo tracks (16) on a media disk (14) of a disk drive assembly (12) having a Positioning arm (22) with a through hole (28) therein. The writing apparatus (10) has a laser source (29) which directs a source beam (30) through a polarizing beam splitter (32) and a quarter-wave plate (34) to either pass through the through hole (28) and reflect off of the media disk (14) as a reflected beam (38), or to be reflected from regions of the positioning arm (22) proximate to the through hole (28) as a reflected beam (56). The writing apparatus (10) further has a remote tracking arm (42) with two photodiodes (40a, 40b) suitably mounted thereon to receive the reflected beams (38, 56). The tracking arm (42) is caused by a motive means (54) to precisely track the positioning arm (22) of the disk drive assembly (12).Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 1998Date of Patent: August 5, 2003Assignee: Excel Precision, Inc.Inventor: John C. Tsai
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Publication number: 20030127521Abstract: A data distribution system (10) including an information card (12) and a reader (14). The information card (12) includes visible indicia (20) on its front and stripe zones (34) and a ring zone (36) on its back. The zones (34, 36) are suitable for magnetically recording data, and optional data identifiers. The reader (14) may be a linear reader (14a) or a rotary reader (14b), and optionally may act automatically in response to reading a data identifier. If the reader (14) is a rotary reader (14b) the information card (12) may be loaded into a cartridge (16) which is loaded into the rotary reader (14b).Type: ApplicationFiled: February 21, 2003Publication date: July 10, 2003Inventors: Erica Tsai, John C. Tsai
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Patent number: 6561420Abstract: A data distribution system (10) including an information card (12) and a reader (14). The information card (12) includes visible indicia (20) on its front and stripe zones (34) and a ring zone (36) on its back. The zones (34, 36) are suitable for magnetically recording data, and optional data identifiers. The reader (14) may be a linear reader (14a) or a rotary reader (14b), and optionally may act automatically in response to reading a data identifier. If the reader (14) is a rotary reader (14b) the information card (12) may be loaded into a cartridge (16) which is loaded into the rotary reader (14b).Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2001Date of Patent: May 13, 2003Inventors: Erica Tsai, John C. Tsai
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Publication number: 20030057351Abstract: A light wavelength meter (10) able to accept light into a light diverter (16) and impart to it a transverse displacement characteristic which can be detected in a light detection unit (20) connected to a processor (22). Optionally, a light diverger (18) may be provided to enhance angular resolution. The light diverter (16) and the light diverger (18) may either transmit or reflect the light. The light diverter (16) may include a diffraction grating (116, 156), Fabry-Perot interferometer (216), multiple slit plate (316), or an acousto-optical unit (416). The processor (22) may employ wavelength data look-up tables, including addressed based on light intensity and the first defivative of light intensity.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2002Publication date: March 27, 2003Applicant: Fibera, Inc.Inventor: John C. Tsai
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Publication number: 20030053733Abstract: A process (400) to construct single- and multi-dimensional optical gratings (100, 800) of interlayers (110, 230, 310, 808) of differing refractive index, either in or atop a non-fiber substrate material (104, 202, 302). The optical gratings (100, 800) may particularly be Bragg type gratings, and thus suitable for receiving a laser beam (102, 240, 802) and forming there from one or more reflected beam portions (118, 248, 810) having one or more narrow wavelengths and a passed beam portion (120, 250, 812) of other wavelengths.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2001Publication date: March 20, 2003Inventors: David W. Wang, John C. Tsai
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Publication number: 20030053734Abstract: A frequency processing system (1000, 1100, 1200, 1300) for detecting, tuning, or stabilizing light frequency or wavelength in a light beam (1012, 1112, 1212, 1312) produced by a light source (1010, 1110, 1210, 1310). A grating block (1014, 1114, 1214, 1314) receives the light beam (1012, 1112, 1212, 1312) and may produce diffracted beams (1018, 1118, 1218, 1318a-b) and a passed beam (1016, 1116, 1216, 1316). The diffracted beams (1018, 1118, 1218, 1318a-b) are received by respective detectors (1020, 1120, 1220, 1320a-b) which produce measurement signals (1022, 1122, 1322a-b) that are communicated to a processor (1024, 1124, 1224, 1324). The processor (1024, 1124, 1224, 1324) then produces control signals (1026, 1126, 1226, 1326a-b) that are communicated to the light source (1010, 1110, 1210, 1310) where they are usable for detecting, tuning, or stabilizing the light frequency or wavelength.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 9, 2002Publication date: March 20, 2003Inventors: David W. Wang, John C. Tsai
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Patent number: 6522604Abstract: Apparatus (10) and method (100) for inscribing a clock pattern (14), detecting the clock pattern (14) optically, and using the clock pattern (14) to write a sevo pattern in an information storage unit (12), such as a computer hard drive. The clock pattern (14) is inscribed using a marking system (64), which may include a laser (66) or employ other, even non-optical, methods. The clock pattern (14) is inscribable into various locations on a disk platter (16) inside the storage unit (12), including many outside the media surface (26) conventionally used for such in data storage units. While the disk platter (16).is rotating, the clock pattern (14) is on detected using an detection subsystem (46), if desired through a transparent window (36) in a hermetically sealed housing (34) of the storage unit (12), for use in writing the servo pattern with less sector-inconsistency error and off-track error.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2001Date of Patent: February 18, 2003Assignee: Excel Precision CorporationInventor: John C. Tsai
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Publication number: 20020125405Abstract: A light wavelength meter (10) able to accept light into a light diverter (16) and impart to it a transverse displacement characteristic which can be detected in a light detection unit (20) connected to a processor (22). Optionally, a light diverger (18) may be provided to enhance angular resolution. The light diverter (16) and the light diverger (18) may either transmit or reflect the light. The light diverter (16) may particularly include a diffraction grating (116, 156), Fabry-Perot interferometer (216), multiple slit plate (316), or an acousto-optical unit (416).Type: ApplicationFiled: March 1, 2001Publication date: September 12, 2002Inventor: John C. Tsai
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Publication number: 20020122444Abstract: A light frequency locker (10) able to accept a light beam (14) generated by a controllable light source (12) into a light diverter (16) and impart to it a transverse displacement characteristic which can be detected in a light detection unit (20) connected to a processor (22). The processor (22) then controls the light source (12). Optionally, a light diverger (18) may be provided to enhance angular resolution. The light diverter (16) and the light diverger (18) may either transmit or reflect the light. The light diverter (16) may particularly include a diffraction grating (116, 156), Fabry-Perot interferometer (216), multiple slit plate (316), or an acousto-optical unit (416).Type: ApplicationFiled: March 1, 2001Publication date: September 5, 2002Inventor: John C. Tsai
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Publication number: 20020093663Abstract: A position determining system (PDS)(100) or multiple parameters measurement system (MPMS)(300) particularly useful for translation and rotation measurement of objects having up to five degrees of freedom. A light source (122, 302) provides light beams (124, 304) into at least two channels. Each channel may include an interferometer (310), reflective target (110, 314), beam splitter (128, 312), detector (132, 316), and receiver (318). In concert, the detectors (132, 316) sense horizontal, vertical, and roll position and the receivers (318) sense longitudinal and yaw position change. Optionally, modulation can be imposed on the light beams (124, 304) and phase-sensitive synchronous demodulation used to enhance accuracy.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 10, 2001Publication date: July 18, 2002Inventor: John C. Tsai