Patents by Inventor Kevin L. Lear

Kevin L. Lear 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: 11405105
    Abstract: High power, high speed VCSEL arrays are employed in unique configurations of arrays and sub-arrays. Placement of a VCSEL array behind a lens allows spatial separation and directivity. Diffusion may be employed to increase alignment tolerance. Intensity modulation may be performed by operating groups of VCSEL emitters at maximum bias. Optical communications networks with high bandwidth may employ angular, spatial, and/or wavelength multiplexing. A variety of network topologies and bandwidths suitable for the data center may be implemented. Eye safe networks may employ VCSEL emitters may be paired with optical elements to reduce optical power density to eye safe levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: Lumentum Operations LLC
    Inventors: John R. Joseph, Kevin L. Lear, David Abell
  • Patent number: 11121770
    Abstract: High power, high speed VCSEL arrays are employed in unique configurations of arrays and sub-arrays. Placement of a VCSEL array behind a lens allows spatial separation and directivity. Diffusion may be employed to increase alignment tolerance. Intensity modulation may be performed by operating groups of VCSEL emitters at maximum bias. Optical communications networks with high bandwidth may employ angular, spatial, and/or wavelength multiplexing. A variety of network topologies and bandwidths suitable for the data center may be implemented. Eye safe networks may employ VCSEL emitters may be paired with optical elements to reduce optical power density to eye safe levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: Lumentum Operations LLC
    Inventors: John R. Joseph, Kevin L. Lear, David Abell
  • Publication number: 20210281320
    Abstract: High power, high speed VCSEL arrays are employed in unique configurations of arrays and sub-arrays. Placement of a VCSEL array behind a lens allows spatial separation and directivity. Diffusion may be employed to increase alignment tolerance. Intensity modulation may be performed by operating groups of VCSEL emitters at maximum bias. Optical communications networks with high bandwidth may employ angular, spatial, and/or wavelength multiplexing. A variety of network topologies and bandwidths suitable for the data center may be implemented. Eye safe networks may employ VCSEL emitters may be paired with optical elements to reduce optical power density to eye safe levels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2021
    Publication date: September 9, 2021
    Inventors: John R. JOSEPH, Kevin L. LEAR, David ABELL
  • Patent number: 11075695
    Abstract: High power, high speed VCSEL arrays are employed in unique configurations of arrays and sub-arrays. Placement of a VCSEL array behind a lens allows spatial separation and directivity. Diffusion may be employed to increase alignment tolerance. Intensity modulation may be performed by operating groups of VCSEL emitters at maximum bias. Optical communications networks with high bandwidth may employ angular, spatial, and/or wavelength multiplexing. A variety of network topologies and bandwidths suitable for the data center may be implemented. Eye safe networks may employ VCSEL emitters may be paired with optical elements to reduce optical power density to eye safe levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: Lumentum Operations LLC
    Inventors: John R. Joseph, Kevin L. Lear, David Abell
  • Patent number: 10938476
    Abstract: High power, high speed VCSEL arrays are employed in unique configurations of arrays and sub-arrays. Placement of a VCSEL array behind a lens allows spatial separation and directivity. Diffusion may be employed to increase alignment tolerance. Intensity modulation may be performed by operating groups of VCSEL emitters at maximum bias. Optical communications networks with high bandwidth may employ angular, spatial, and/or wavelength multiplexing. A variety of network topologies and bandwidths suitable for the data center may be implemented. Eye safe networks may employ VCSEL emitters may be paired with optical elements to reduce optical power density to eye safe levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: Lumentum Operations LLC
    Inventors: John R. Joseph, Kevin L. Lear, David Abell
  • Publication number: 20200235811
    Abstract: High power, high speed VCSEL arrays are employed in unique configurations of arrays and sub-arrays. Placement of a VCSEL array behind a lens allows spatial separation and directivity. Diffusion may be employed to increase alignment tolerance. Intensity modulation may be performed by operating groups of VCSEL emitters at maximum bias. Optical communications networks with high bandwidth may employ angular, spatial, and/or wavelength multiplexing. A variety of network topologies and bandwidths suitable for the data center may be implemented. Eye safe networks may employ VCSEL emitters may be paired with optical elements to reduce optical power density to eye safe levels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2020
    Publication date: July 23, 2020
    Inventors: John R. JOSEPH, Kevin L. LEAR, David ABELL
  • Publication number: 20200235809
    Abstract: High power, high speed VCSEL arrays are employed in unique configurations of arrays and sub-arrays. Placement of a VCSEL array behind a lens allows spatial separation and directivity. Diffusion may be employed to increase alignment tolerance. Intensity modulation may be performed by operating groups of VCSEL emitters at maximum bias. Optical communications networks with high bandwidth may employ angular, spatial, and/or wavelength multiplexing. A variety of network topologies and bandwidths suitable for the data center may be implemented. Eye safe networks may employ VCSEL emitters may be paired with optical elements to reduce optical power density to eye safe levels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2020
    Publication date: July 23, 2020
    Inventors: John R. JOSEPH, Kevin L. LEAR, David ABELL
  • Publication number: 20200235810
    Abstract: High power, high speed VCSEL arrays are employed in unique configurations of arrays and sub-arrays. Placement of a VCSEL array behind a lens allows spatial separation and directivity. Diffusion may be employed to increase alignment tolerance. Intensity modulation may be performed by operating groups of VCSEL emitters at maximum bias. Optical communications networks with high bandwidth may employ angular, spatial, and/or wavelength multiplexing. A variety of network topologies and bandwidths suitable for the data center may be implemented. Eye safe networks may employ VCSEL emitters may be paired with optical elements to reduce optical power density to eye safe levels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2020
    Publication date: July 23, 2020
    Inventors: John R. JOSEPH, Kevin L. LEAR, David ABELL
  • Patent number: 10615871
    Abstract: High power, high speed VCSEL arrays are employed in unique configurations of arrays and sub-arrays. Placement of a VCSEL array behind a lens allows spatial separation and directivity. Diffusion may be employed to increase alignment tolerance. Intensity modulation may be performed by operating groups of VCSEL emitters at maximum bias. Optical communications networks with high bandwidth may employ angular, spatial, and/or wavelength multiplexing. A variety of network topologies and bandwidths suitable for the data center may be implemented. Eye safe networks may employ VCSEL emitters may be paired with optical elements to reduce optical power density to eye safe levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: TRILUMINA CORP.
    Inventors: John R. Joseph, Kevin L. Lear, David Abell
  • Patent number: 9891167
    Abstract: A waveguide sensor capable of direct, real-time detection and monitoring of analytes in the vicinity of the waveguide surface without requiring the tagging or labeling of the analyte, is described. Analytic and numerical calculations have predicted that by locally detecting either changes in the evanescent field or changes in the light coupled out of the waveguide as a result of the presence of the analyte, high detection sensitivity will be able to be achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Colorado State University Research Foundation
    Inventors: Kevin L. Lear, David S. Dandy, Matthew D. Stephens, Guangwei Yuan
  • Patent number: 9671334
    Abstract: An analyte-detection system has an optical waveguide with first and second cladding layers adjacent a core; a light source coupled to provide light to the waveguide; a photodetector such as a metal-semiconductor-metal, vertical PIN, or horizontal PIN photodetectors, the photodetector having an absorber configured to detect light escaping from the waveguide through the first cladding layer; multiple, separate, photocurrent collectors, where each photocurrent collector collects current from a separate portion of the photodetector absorber; and at least one current-sensing amplifier for receiving photocurrent. The photodetector absorber is an undivided absorber region for multiple photocurrent collectors. Either separate amplifiers are provided for each of the multiple photocurrent collection lines, or multiplexing logic couples selected photocurrent collectors to amplifiers, while coupling unselected photocurrent collectors to a bias generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY RESEARCH FOUNDATION
    Inventors: Kevin L. Lear, Timothy A. Erickson
  • Publication number: 20160131580
    Abstract: A waveguide sensor capable of direct, real-time detection and monitoring of analytes in the vicinity of the waveguide surface without requiring the tagging or labeling of the analyte, is described. Analytic and numerical calculations have predicted that by locally detecting either changes in the evanescent field or changes in the light coupled out of the waveguide as a result of the presence of the analyte, high detection sensitivity will be able to be achieved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2015
    Publication date: May 12, 2016
    Inventors: Kevin L. Lear, David S. Dandy, Matthew D. Stephens, Guangwei Yuan
  • Publication number: 20160080077
    Abstract: High power, high speed VCSEL arrays are employed in unique configurations of arrays and sub-arrays. Placement of a VCSEL array behind a lens allows spatial separation and directivity. Diffusion may be employed to increase alignment tolerance. Intensity modulation may be performed by operating groups of VCSEL emitters at maximum bias. Optical communications networks with high bandwidth may employ angular, spatial, and/or wavelength multiplexing. A variety of network topologies and bandwidths suitable for the data center may be implemented. Eye safe networks may employ VCSEL emitters may be paired with optical elements to reduce optical power density to eye safe levels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2015
    Publication date: March 17, 2016
    Inventors: John R. JOSEPH, Kevin L. LEAR, David ABELL
  • Patent number: 9232592
    Abstract: An addressable illuminator is disclosed consisting of multiple optical sources used in combination with an electrical circuit so that different combinations of the optical sources can be energized without exceeding eye-safety limits. Operation of multiple optical sources may be proximate, which is eye-safe, regardless of the number of or which ones of the optical sources are energized and regardless of the position of observers. An illuminator with multiple optical sources remains eye-safe when there are single-point electrical failures, such as short circuits, in the driving circuit. Monitoring or a feedback loop for the output power is not required or necessary to control the distance of an observer in order to be eye-safe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: TRILUMINA CORP.
    Inventor: Kevin L. Lear
  • Patent number: 9176059
    Abstract: A waveguide sensor capable of direct, real-time detection and monitoring of analytes in the vicinity of the waveguide surface without requiring the tagging or labeling of the analyte, is described. Analytic and numerical calculations have predicted that by locally detecting either changes in the evanescent field or changes in the light coupled out of the waveguide as a result of the presence of the analyte, high detection sensitivity will be able to be achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY RESEARCH FOUNDATION
    Inventors: Kevin L. Lear, David S. Dandy, Matthew D. Stephens, Guangwei Yuan
  • Publication number: 20150268162
    Abstract: An analyte-detection system has an optical waveguide with first and second cladding layers adjacent a core; a light source coupled to provide light to the waveguide; a photodetector such as a metal-semiconductor-metal, vertical PIN, or horizontal PIN photodetectors, the photodetector having an absorber configured to detect light escaping from the waveguide through the first cladding layer; multiple, separate, photocurrent collectors, where each photocurrent collector collects current from a separate portion of the photodetector absorber; and at least one current-sensing amplifier for receiving photocurrent. The photodetector absorber is an undivided absorber region for multiple photocurrent collectors. Either separate amplifiers are provided for each of the multiple photocurrent collection lines, or multiplexing logic couples selected photocurrent collectors to amplifiers, while coupling unselected photocurrent collectors to a bias generator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2013
    Publication date: September 24, 2015
    Applicant: Colorado State University Research Foundation
    Inventors: Kevin L. Lear, Timothy A. Erickson
  • Patent number: 9065239
    Abstract: A top emitting VCSEL array may be coupled to a separate heat spreading superstrate that may be positioned above the apertures of the array and that may be able to transmit the emitted beams through the heat spreading superstrate. The VCSEL devices in the array may be controlled by an electrical connection to a pattern of conductive elements positioned in close contact with, but electrically isolated from, the heat spreading superstrate. The conductive elements may electrically control one or more of the VCSEL devices to enable sectional control of the light output. The elements may also be arraigned in a ground-signal-ground or coplanar waveguide configuration to improve the frequency response of the array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: TriLumina Corp.
    Inventors: John R. Joseph, Kevin L. Lear
  • Patent number: 8995485
    Abstract: A VCSEL device having a mesa for generating laser light includes a centralized thermal containment area and a thermal discharge area surrounding the centralized thermal containment area. The device includes a thermal lensing structure for enhancing or controlling heat flow within the centralized thermal containment area and the thermal discharge area and creating and maintaining an index of refraction between the centralized thermal containment area and the thermal discharge area. The VCSEL device operates as a multimode device when driven at a first current in a continuous wave and the VCSEL device operates as a single mode device when driven at a second current at a pulse rate shorter than an overall thermal time constant of the VCSEL device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: TriLumina Corp.
    Inventors: John R. Joseph, Rich Carson, Mial E. Warren, Kevin L. Lear, Tom Wilcox
  • Patent number: 8995493
    Abstract: A VCSEL array device formed of a monolithic array of raised VCSELs on an electrical contact and raised inactive regions connected to the electrical contact. The VCSELs can be spaced symmetrically or asymmetrically, in a manner to improve power or speed, or in phase and in parallel. The raised VCSELs and raised inactive regions are positioned between the electrical contact and an electrical waveguide. The VCSELs may be separated into subarrays and each VCSEL may be covered with an integrated or bonded microlens for directing light without external lenses. The microlenses may be offset to collect or collimate light and may be shaped to form various lens profiles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: TriLumina Corp.
    Inventors: John R. Joseph, Richard F. Carson, Mial E. Warren, Kevin L. Lear
  • Publication number: 20150063387
    Abstract: A VCSEL device having a mesa for generating laser light includes a centralized thermal containment area and a thermal discharge area surrounding the centralized thermal containment area. The device includes a thermal lensing structure for enhancing or controlling heat flow within the centralized thermal containment area and the thermal discharge area and creating and maintaining an index of refraction between the centralized thermal containment area and the thermal discharge area. The VCSEL device operates as a multimode device when driven at a first current in a continuous wave and the VCSEL device operates as a single mode device when driven at a second current at a pulse rate shorter than an overall thermal time constant of the VCSEL device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2013
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Applicant: Trilumina Corporation
    Inventors: John R. Joseph, Rich Carson, Mial E. Warren, Kevin L. Lear, Tom Wilcox