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).

  • Patent number: 6795459
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Assignee: Fibera, Inc.
    Inventor: John C. Tsai
  • Patent number: 6789738
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Inventors: Erica Tsai, John C. Tsai
  • Publication number: 20040151216
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2004
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Inventors: John C. Tsai, David W. Wang
  • Publication number: 20040149897
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2003
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Applicant: FIBERA, INC.
    Inventors: John C. Tsai, David W. Wang
  • Publication number: 20040123684
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2003
    Publication date: July 1, 2004
    Applicant: Excel Precision Corporation
    Inventor: John C. Tsai
  • Publication number: 20040109166
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2002
    Publication date: June 10, 2004
    Applicant: Fibera, Inc.
    Inventors: John C. Tsai, David W. Wang, Joseph Methe
  • Patent number: 6748138
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: Fibera, Inc.
    Inventors: David W. Wang, John C. Tsai
  • Patent number: 6731659
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Fibera, Inc.
    Inventors: John C. Tsai, David W. Wang
  • Patent number: 6718092
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: Fibera, Inc.
    Inventors: David W. Wang, John C. Tsai
  • Publication number: 20030152127
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2002
    Publication date: August 14, 2003
    Applicant: Fibera, Inc.
    Inventors: John C. Tsai, David W. Wang, George C.K. Chen, Joseph Methe
  • Patent number: 6603629
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2003
    Assignee: Excel Precision, Inc.
    Inventor: John C. Tsai
  • Publication number: 20030127521
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2003
    Publication date: July 10, 2003
    Inventors: Erica Tsai, John C. Tsai
  • Patent number: 6561420
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Inventors: Erica Tsai, John C. Tsai
  • Publication number: 20030057351
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2002
    Publication date: March 27, 2003
    Applicant: Fibera, Inc.
    Inventor: John C. Tsai
  • Publication number: 20030053733
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2001
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Inventors: David W. Wang, John C. Tsai
  • Publication number: 20030053734
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2002
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Inventors: David W. Wang, John C. Tsai
  • Patent number: 6522604
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: Excel Precision Corporation
    Inventor: John C. Tsai
  • Publication number: 20020125405
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2001
    Publication date: September 12, 2002
    Inventor: John C. Tsai
  • Publication number: 20020122444
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2001
    Publication date: September 5, 2002
    Inventor: John C. Tsai
  • Publication number: 20020093663
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2001
    Publication date: July 18, 2002
    Inventor: John C. Tsai