Patents by Inventor Marc Levesque
Marc Levesque 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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Publication number: 20100042362Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for reducing the response time along with increasing the probability of ranging of optical rangefinders that digitize the signal waveforms obtained from the pulse echoes returned from various types of objects to be ranged, the pulse echoes being too weak to allow successful ranging from a single waveform or the objects being possibly in motion during the capture of the pulse echoes. In a first embodiment of the invention, the response time at close range of a digital optical rangefinder is reduced by using a signal averaging process wherein the number of data to be averaged varies with the distance according to a predetermined function. In a second embodiment of the invention, the probability of ranging objects in motion along the line of sight of a digital optical rangefinder is increased and the object velocity measured by performing a range shift of each acquired signal waveform prior to averaging.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 23, 2009Publication date: February 18, 2010Applicant: Institut National D'OptiqueInventors: Marc Levesque, Francois Babin, Daniel Cantin
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Patent number: 7663749Abstract: A system and method to improve the accuracy of the measure of constituent element(s) in a sample containing domains potentially including the constituent element(s) are described herein. For each domain, the volume of the domain is estimated and the concentration of the constituent element(s) in the domain is determined using LIBS. When all the domains have been analyzed, the volumetric concentration of the domains is summed and divided by the total volume of the sample. Accordingly, by limiting the concentration analysis to separate domains, it is possible to improve the accuracy of the concentration analysis.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2007Date of Patent: February 16, 2010Assignee: Institut National D'OptiqueInventors: Marc Lévesque, Alain Cournoyer
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Patent number: 7640122Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for reducing the response time along with increasing the probability of ranging of optical rangefinders that digitize the signal waveforms obtained from the pulse echoes returned from various types of objects to be ranged, the pulse echoes being too weak to allow successful ranging from a single waveform or the objects being possibly in motion during the capture of the pulse echoes. In a first embodiment of the invention, the response time at close range of a digital optical rangefinder is reduced by using a signal averaging process wherein the number of data to be averaged varies with the distance according to a predetermined function. In a second embodiment of the invention, the probability of ranging objects in motion along the line of sight of a digital optical rangefinder is increased and the object velocity measured by performing a range shift of each acquired signal waveform prior to averaging.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2007Date of Patent: December 29, 2009Assignee: Institut National D'OptiqueInventors: Marc Levesque, François Babin, Daniel Cantin
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Publication number: 20090303576Abstract: An apparatus for suppressing optical power transients includes a variable optical attenuator receiving an input optical signal and outputting an output optical signal; an optical power sensing element coupled to the input optical signal and sensing a portion of the input optical signal; and a feedforward loop controller coupled to the variable optical attenuator and to the optical power sensing element; the feedforward control loop providing feedforward control of the variable optical attenuator to reduce optical power transients of the input optical signal and maintain a substantially constant output power based on the input optical power and a reference value; the variable optical attenuator having a default opaque state in which the input optical signal is substantially attenuated when power is not being supplied to said variable optical attenuator. Variations include feedback loop controllers and a combination feedback and feedforward loop controllers.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 16, 2008Publication date: December 10, 2009Inventors: Paul Lundquist, Marc Levesque, Denis Zaccarin
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Patent number: 7589889Abstract: An apparatus for suppressing optical power transients includes a variable optical attenuator receiving an input optical signal and outputting an output optical signal; an optical power sensing element coupled to the input optical signal and sensing a portion of the input optical signal; and a feedforward loop controller coupled to the variable optical attenuator and to the optical power sensing element; the feedforward control loop providing feedforward control of the variable optical attenuator to reduce optical power transients of the input optical signal and maintain a substantially constant output power based on the input optical power and a reference value; the variable optical attenuator having a default opaque state in which the input optical signal is substantially attenuated when power is not being supplied to said variable optical attenuator. Variations include feedback loop controllers and a combination feedback and feedforward loop controllers.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2008Date of Patent: September 15, 2009Assignee: Ciena CorporationInventors: Paul Lundquist, Marc Levesque, Denis Zaccarin
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Publication number: 20090119044Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for reducing the response time along with increasing the probability of ranging of optical rangefinders that digitize the signal waveforms obtained from the pulse echoes returned from various types of objects to be ranged, the pulse echoes being too weak to allow successful ranging from a single waveform or the objects being possibly in motion during the capture of the pulse echoes. In a first embodiment of the invention, the response time at close range of a digital optical rangefinder is reduced by using a signal averaging process wherein the number of data to be averaged varies with the distance according to a predetermined function. In a second embodiment of the invention, the probability of ranging objects in motion along the line of sight of a digital optical rangefinder is increased and the object velocity measured by performing a range shift of each acquired signal waveform prior to averaging.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 7, 2007Publication date: May 7, 2009Applicant: Institut National D'OptiqueInventors: Marc Levesque, Francois Babin, Daniel Cantin
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Publication number: 20090091745Abstract: A system and method to improve the accuracy of the measure of constituent element(s) in a sample containing domains potentially including the constituent element(s) are described herein. For each domain, the volume of the domain is estimated and the concentration of the constituent element(s) in the domain is determined using LIBS. When all the domains have been analyzed, the volumetric concentration of the domains is summed and divided by the total volume of the sample. Accordingly, by limiting the concentration analysis to separate domains, it is possible to improve the accuracy of the concentration analysis.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 4, 2007Publication date: April 9, 2009Inventors: Marc Levesque, Alain Cournoyer
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Patent number: 7483205Abstract: An apparatus for suppressing optical power transients includes a variable optical attenuator receiving an input optical signal and outputting an output optical signal; an optical power sensing element coupled to the input optical signal and sensing a portion of the input optical signal; and a feedforward loop controller coupled to the variable optical attenuator and to the optical power sensing element; the feedforward control loop providing feedforward control of the variable optical attenuator to reduce optical power transients of the input optical signal and maintain a substantially constant output power based on the input optical power and a reference value; the variable optical attenuator having a default opaque state in which the input optical signal is substantially attenuated when power is not being supplied to said variable optical attenuator. Variations include feedback loop controllers and a combination feedback and feedforward loop controllers.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2004Date of Patent: January 27, 2009Assignee: Ciena CorporationInventors: Paul Lundquist, Marc Levesque, Denis Zaccarin
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Patent number: 7462256Abstract: A clamp holds together at least two superposed, flexible polymeric films while they are optically sealed or cut by at least a laser beam. The clamp is comprised of two jaws wherein at least one of the jaws can be moved to allow a closing and an opening of the clamp. One of the jaws is a contact jaw to bring the films into contact. The other jaw is an optical jaw having an optical window to let at least one laser beam pass through it and wherein the window is wide enough to allow to optically seal or cut the whole width of the films if required. A support mechanism interconnects the jaws and allows a controlled opening and closing of the clamp.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2006Date of Patent: December 9, 2008Assignee: Glopak Inc.Inventors: Roland Basque, Alain Cournoyer, Marc Levesque
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Publication number: 20080273876Abstract: An apparatus for suppressing optical power transients includes a variable optical attenuator receiving an input optical signal and outputting an output optical signal; an optical power sensing element coupled to the input optical signal and sensing a portion of the input optical signal; and a feedforward loop controller coupled to the variable optical attenuator and to the optical power sensing element; the feedforward control loop providing feedforward control of the variable optical attenuator to reduce optical power transients of the input optical signal and maintain a substantially constant output power based on the input optical power and a reference value; the variable optical attenuator having a default opaque state in which the input optical signal is substantially attenuated when power is not being supplied to said variable optical attenuator. Variations include feedback loop controllers and a combination feedback and feedforward loop controllers.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 16, 2008Publication date: November 6, 2008Inventors: Paul LUNDQUIST, Marc Levesque, Denis Zaccarin
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Patent number: 7388662Abstract: An optical system for measuring in real-time the spatial distribution of aerosol particles, such as pesticides or the like, sprayed from a vehicle over an agricultural field. An optical sensor is mounted directly on the vehicle and sends an excitation light beam through the aerosol as it is being sprayed. The resulting scattered light is received and analyzed to deduce therefrom information on the spatial distribution of the particles. This information is relayed to a processing unit, which in turn provides spraying instructions, for example a warning signal, to the operator of the system. The spraying of the aerosol can therefore be controlled in real-time to avoid contamination of sensitive areas.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2005Date of Patent: June 17, 2008Assignee: Institut National D'OptiqueInventors: Daniel Cantin, François Babin, Marc Lévesque
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Publication number: 20080067158Abstract: A method and a system for the ablation of volume elements of a target object such as an optical fiber or the like are presented. A CO2 laser is used to produce a light beam which includes long pulses having a rise time followed by a plateau where the peak power of the laser is attained. The light beam is moved across the target object in such a manner that each of its volume elements is intersected by the light beam during the plateau of a long pulse, so that each volume element is exposed to the peak power of the laser for a short effective pulse.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 19, 2007Publication date: March 20, 2008Applicant: Institut National D'OptiqueInventor: Marc LEVESQUE
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Patent number: 7344671Abstract: The invention is specially directed towards intermittent motion packaging machines where the packages are momentarily immobilized at a forming station for the time duration of the package sealing and cutting. The polymeric sheets or films are sealed and cut after being exposed to a laser beam in a controlled and optimized manner. The laser beam is shaped with appropriate optical elements to provide a desired intensity profile in the section of the films to be sealed or sealed and cut. With this method, a package can be sealed and cut simultaneously in one exposure step. An optical clamp holds the films together while they are being sealed by the laser. The optical clamp can reflect back to the films, partially or totally, the laser beam intensity that has not been previously absorbed. The optical clamp further allows to monitor the sealing and cutting process while the process is being performed.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2003Date of Patent: March 18, 2008Assignee: Glopak Inc.Inventors: Roland Basque, Alain Cournoyer, Marc Levesque
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Patent number: 7324724Abstract: The present invention provides an optical fiber device that takes advantage of the fiber structure to construct mechanically stable devices with components inserted in the optical path. An optical component is inserted in a cavity transversally machined across an optical fiber. The component is secured in the cavity and functionally interrelates with light propagated in the optical fiber. The invention also provides a method for manufacturing an optical fiber device with a component insertion into an optical fiber by machining a cavity in an optical fiber, providing a solid component to be inserted in the optical fiber, positioning the component inside the cavity, and securing the component in the cavity. The component is preferably provided as a glass ribbon and the component is preferably secured in the cavity using laser fusion.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2005Date of Patent: January 29, 2008Assignee: Institut National D'OptiqueInventors: Marc Lévesque, Daniel Cantin, René Beaulieu
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Patent number: 7284396Abstract: A method and an apparatus for laser marking indicia in the volume of gemstones such as diamonds, the indicia being made up of a plurality of microscopic dot-shaped marks whose build-up can be initiated by exposing naturally-occurring internal defects or impurities in the volume of a gemstone to a tightly focused train of laser pulses. Authentication data is encoded in the gemstone from the relative spatial arrangement of the dot-shaped marks that form the indicium. Taking advantage of the presence of otherwise invisible defects in the gemstone allows for inscribing indicia with laser pulses carrying energies substantially lower than the threshold energy required for inscribing in the volume of a perfect gemstone material. The marking process is then much less susceptible to inflict damages to the surface of the gemstone, and the marking can be performed using a broad variety of femtosecond laser systems.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2005Date of Patent: October 23, 2007Assignee: International Gemstone Registry Inc.Inventors: Wes Barron, Bruno Bourliaguet, Marc Levesque, Alain Cournoyer, Daniel Cantin, Yves Champagne
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Patent number: 7274448Abstract: A flat spatial response LIDAR apparatus for detecting particles within a short range is provided. The apparatus includes a light source projecting a light beam which is back-scattered by the particles to be detected. The back-scattered light is received, detected and analyzed. A spatial filter spatially filters the received back-scattered light in order to flatten the spatial response of the apparatus, so that a same concentration of particles at any distance within the short range will generate a signal of substantially the same intensity. This is for example accomplished by a properly profiled mask disposed in front of the detector, or a plurality of spatially distributed waveguides. As a result, the LIDAR apparatus can compensate for the 1/r2 dependence, or other dependences of the back-scattered light on the distance r.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2005Date of Patent: September 25, 2007Assignee: Institut National d'OptiqueInventors: François Babin, Marc Lévesque
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Patent number: 7218858Abstract: Described herein are one or more embodiments of a system and method for managing power in an optical network using a variable optical attenuator (VOA). In one embodiment, the attenuation of the VOA is controlled in a feedback loop in accordance with a plural zone method. In one example, the VOA is a mechanical VOA. In another example, the VOA is a latching VOA.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2002Date of Patent: May 15, 2007Assignee: Ciena CorporationInventors: Paul M. Lundquist, Richard J. Frost, Marc Levesque
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Publication number: 20070104430Abstract: The present invention provides an optical fiber device that takes advantage of the fiber structure to construct mechanically stable devices with components inserted in the optical path. An optical component is inserted in a cavity transversally machined across an optical fiber. The component is secured in the cavity and functionally interrelates with light propagated in the optical fiber. The invention also provides a method for manufacturing an optical fiber device with a component insertion into an optical fiber by machining a cavity in an optical fiber, providing a solid component to be inserted in the optical fiber, positioning the component inside the cavity, and securing the component in the cavity. The component is preferably provided as a glass ribbon and the component is preferably secured in the cavity using laser fusion.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 21, 2005Publication date: May 10, 2007Inventors: Marc Levesque, Daniel Cantin, Rene Beaulieu
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Patent number: 7209605Abstract: The present invention concerns an optical sensor located on a preferred azimuthal portion of the side of an optical fiber. An optical fiber having two opposite ends, a core and a cladding and at least one sensing area is disclosed. Each of the sensing areas is located between the two opposite ends and each has a longitudinal, a radial and an azimuthal portion of the fiber that has been removed and replaced by a sensing material. The sensing collected light is thus representative of a parameter to be measured, such as temperature. Placing the sensing material in a lateral side portion of the fiber increases the sensitivity of the sensor, particularly when it comes to contact temperature measurement in vivo.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2003Date of Patent: April 24, 2007Assignee: Institut National d'OptiqueInventors: Daniel Cantin, Alain Cournoyer, Marc Lévesque, Julie Fréchette, Sylvain Plante
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Publication number: 20070076202Abstract: An optical system for measuring in real-time the spatial distribution of aerosol particles, such as pesticides or the like, sprayed from a vehicle over an agricultural field. An optical sensor is mounted directly on the vehicle and sends an excitation light beam through the aerosol as it is being sprayed. The resulting scattered light is received and analyzed to deduce therefrom information on the spatial distribution of the particles. This information is relayed to a processing unit, which in turn provides spraying instructions, for example a warning signal, to the operator of the system. The spraying of the aerosol can therefore be controlled in real-time to avoid contamination of sensitive areas.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2005Publication date: April 5, 2007Applicant: INSTITUT NATIONAL D'OPTIQUEInventors: Daniel Cantin, Francois Babin, Marc Levesque