Patents by Inventor Lee C. Johnson

Lee C. Johnson 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: 12189141
    Abstract: A multi-order diffractive Fresnel lens (MOD-DFL) that is suitable for use in a space telescope for studying transiting earth-like planets of distant stars is provided. The MOD-DFL may comprise a MOD-DFL array comprising a plurality of MOD-DFL segments that are secured to a mounting surface of a deployment device, such as a balloon, for example, in a preselected arrangement to form the MOD-DFL. An array telescope may be formed of an array of deployment devices, such as an array of balloons, for example, each having a MOD-DFL secured to a mounting surface of the respective deployment device, an optics system disposed inside of the respective deployment device, and a camera disposed inside of the respective deployment device. Each MOD-DFL comprises a plurality of MOD-DFL segments arranged in a preselected arrangement to form the respective MOD-DFL.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2025
    Assignee: ARIZONA BOARD OF REGENTS ON BEHALF OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA
    Inventors: Thomas D. Milster, Daniel Apai, Lee C. Johnson
  • Patent number: 11671706
    Abstract: An optical device is provided that comprises a multi-order diffractive Fresnel lens (MOD-DFL) and an achromatizing compensation mechanism that reduces refractive dispersion created by the MOD-DFL, thereby reducing the focal range of the MOD-DFL. A method is also provided of using the optical device in an image processing system to obtain images of an object and processing the images to perform image enhancement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: ARIZONA BOARD OF REGENTS ON BEHALF OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA
    Inventors: Thomas D. Milster, Lee C. Johnson, Daniel Apai
  • Publication number: 20210297601
    Abstract: An optical device is provided that comprises a multi-order diffractive Fresnel lens (MOD-DFL) and an achromatizing compensation mechanism that reduces refractive dispersion created by the MOD-DFL, thereby reducing the focal range of the MOD-DFL. A method is also provided of using the optical device in an image processing system to obtain images of an object and processing the images to perform image enhancement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2019
    Publication date: September 23, 2021
    Inventors: Thomas D. Milster, Lee C. Johnson, Daniel Apai
  • Publication number: 20210271102
    Abstract: An optical device comprising a freeform optical surface having a diffractive pattern formed thereon and a method and system for forming a diffractive pattern on a freeform optical surface are provided. The diffractive pattern can be formed with sufficient precision that the optical device is suitable for use in a telescope used in astrometry for exoplanet sub-micro-arcsecond resolution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2019
    Publication date: September 2, 2021
    Inventors: Thomas D. Milster, Lee C. Johnson, Eduardo Bendek
  • Publication number: 20210190998
    Abstract: A multi-order diffractive Fresnel lens (MOD-DFL) that is suitable for use in a space telescope for studying transiting earth-like planets of distant stars is provided. The MOD-DFL may comprise a MOD-DFL array comprising a plurality of MOD-DFL segments that are secured to a mounting surface of a deployment device, such as a balloon, for example, in a preselected arrangement to form the MOD-DFL. An array telescope may be formed of an array of deployment devices, such as an array of balloons, for example, each having a MOD-DFL secured to a mounting surface of the respective deployment device, an optics system disposed inside of the respective deployment device, and a camera disposed inside of the respective deployment device. Each MOD-DFL comprises a plurality of MOD-DFL segments arranged in a preselected arrangement to form the respective MOD-DFL.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2019
    Publication date: June 24, 2021
    Inventors: Thomas D. Milster, Daniel Apai, Lee C. Johnson