Patents by Inventor Marc R. Schuman

Marc R. Schuman 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: 7031045
    Abstract: A micro-mirror strip assembly having a plurality of two-dimensional micro-mirror structures with improved deflection and other characteristics is presented. In the micro-mirror structures, electrodes for electrostatic deflection are disposed on conical or quasi-conical entities that are machined, attached or molded into a substrate. The electrodes are quartered approximately parallel to or offset by 45 degrees from rotational axes to form quadrants. Torsion sensors are provided along the axes of rotation to control deflection of the quadrant deflection electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Inventors: Armand P. Neukermans, Timothy G. Slater, Marc R. Schuman, Jack D. Foster, Sam Calmes, Sateesh S. Bajikar, Arun Malhotra, Jane Ang, Jerry Hurst, John Green
  • Patent number: 6795602
    Abstract: A fiber optic switch (400) includes a fiber optic switching module (100) that receives and fixes ends (104) of optical fibers (106). The module (100) includes numerous reflective light beam deflectors (172) which may be selected as pairs for coupling a beam of light (108) between a pair of optical fibers (106). The module (100) also produces orientation signals from each deflector (172) which indicate its orientation. A portcard (406) included in the switch (400) supplies drive signals to the module (100) for orienting at least one deflector (172). The portcard (406) also receives the orientation signals produced by that deflector (172) together with coordinates that specify an orientation for the deflector (172). The portcard (406) compares the received coordinates with the orientation signals received from the deflector (172) and adjusts the drive signals supplied to the module (100) to reduce any difference between the received coordinates and the orientation signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Inventors: Armand P. Neukermans, Timothy G. Slater, Tyler L. Baughman, James P. Downing, John S. Forker, Gregory A. Reznick, Sam Calmes, Steven M. Clark, Jack D. Foster, Marc R. Schuman, Rajiv Ramaswami
  • Publication number: 20040150872
    Abstract: A micro-mirror strip assembly having a plurality of two-dimensional micro-mirror structures with improved deflection and other characteristics is presented. In the micro-mirror structures, electrodes for electrostatic deflection are disposed on conical or quasi-conical entities that are machined, attached or molded into a substrate. The electrodes are quartered approximately parallel to or offset by 45 degrees from rotational axes to form quadrants. Torsion sensors are provided along the axes of rotation to control deflection of the quadrant deflection electrodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2003
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Applicant: Xros, Inc., a California corporation
    Inventors: Armand P. Neukermans, Timothy G. Slater, Marc R. Schuman, Jack D. Foster, Sam Calmes, Sateesh S. Bajikar, Arun Malhotra, Jane Ang, Jerry Hurst, John Green
  • Patent number: 6744550
    Abstract: A micro-mirror strip assembly having a plurality of two-dimensional micro-mirror structures with improved deflection and other characteristics is presented. In the micro-mirror structures, electrodes for electrostatic deflection are disposed on conical or quasi-conical entities that are machined, attached or molded into a substrate. The electrodes are quartered approximately parallel to or offset by 45 degrees from rotational axes to form quadrants. Torsion sensors are provided along the axes of rotation to control deflection of the quadrant deflection electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Assignee: Xros, Inc.
    Inventors: Armand P. Neukermans, Timothy G. Slater, Marc R. Schuman, Jack D. Foster, Sam Calmes, Sateesh S. Bajikar, Arun Malhotra, Jane Ang, Jerry Hurst, John Green
  • Patent number: 6694072
    Abstract: A fiber optic switch (400) includes a fiber optic switching module (100) that receives and fixes ends (104) of optical fibers (106). The module (100) includes numerous reflective light beam deflectors (172) arranged in a V-shape which may be selected as pairs for coupling a beam of light (108) between a pair of optical fibers (106). The module (100) also produces orientation signals from each deflector (172) which indicate its orientation. A portcard (406) supplies drive signals to the module (100) for orienting at least one deflector (172). The portcard (406) also receives the orientation signals produced by that deflector (172) together with coordinates that specify an orientation for the deflector (172). The portcard (406) compares the received coordinates with the orientation signals and adjusts the drive signals supplied to the module (100) to reduce any difference between the received coordinates and the orientation signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Inventors: Armand P. Neukermans, Steven M. Clark, Marc R. Schuman, Timothy G. Slater, Jack D. Foster, Sam Calmes
  • Publication number: 20030076576
    Abstract: A micro-mirror strip assembly having a plurality of two-dimensional micro-mirror structures with improved deflection and other characteristics is presented. In the micro-mirror structures, electrodes for electrostatic deflection are disposed on conical or quasi-conical entities that are machined, attached or molded into a substrate. The electrodes are quartered approximately parallel to or offset by 45 degrees from rotational axes to form quadrants. Torsion sensors are provided along the axes of rotation to control deflection of the quadrant deflection electrodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2002
    Publication date: April 24, 2003
    Applicant: Xros, Inc.
    Inventors: Armand P. Neukermans, Timothy G. Slater, Marc R. Schuman, Jack D. Foster, Sam Calmes, Sateesh S. Bajikar, Arun Malhotra, Jane Ang, Jerry Hurst, John Green
  • Publication number: 20020164110
    Abstract: A fiber optic switch (400) includes a fiber optic switching module (100) that receives and fixes ends (104) of optical fibers (106). The module (100) includes numerous reflective light beam deflectors (172) which may be selected as pairs for coupling a beam of light (108) between a pair of optical fibers (106). The module (100) also produces orientation signals from each deflector (172) which indicate its orientation. A portcard (406) included in the switch (400) supplies drive signals to the module (100) for orienting at least one deflector (172). The portcard (406) also receives the orientation signals produced by that deflector (172) together with coordinates that specify an orientation for the deflector (172). The portcard (406) compares the received coordinates with the orientation signals received from the deflector (172) and adjusts the drive signals supplied to the module (100) to reduce any difference between the received coordinates and the orientation signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2000
    Publication date: November 7, 2002
    Inventors: Arnold P. Neukermans, Timothy G. Slater, Tyler L. Baughman, James P. Dowing, John S. forker, Gregory A. Reznick, Sam Calmes, Steven M. Clark, Jack D. Foster, Marc R. Schuman, Rajiv Ramaswami
  • Patent number: 6445844
    Abstract: A fiber optic switch includes a fiber optic switching module that receives and fixes ends of optical fibers. The module includes numerous reflective light beam deflectors which may be selected as pairs for coupling a beam of light between a pair of optical fibers. The module also produces orientation signals from each deflector which indicate its orientation. A portcard included in the switch supplies drive signals to the module for orienting at least one deflector. The portcard also receives the orientation signals produced by that deflector together with coordinates that specify an orientation for the deflector. The portcard compares the received coordinates with the orientation signals received from the deflector and adjusts the drive signals supplied to the module to reduce any difference between the received coordinates and the orientation signals. The switch also employs optical alignment to precisely orient pairs of deflectors coupling a beam of light between optical fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: XROS, Inc.
    Inventors: Armand P. Neukermans, Timothy G. Slater, Tyler L. Baughman, James P. Downing, John S. Forker, Gregory A. Reznick, Sam Calmes, Steven M. Clark, Jack D. Foster, Marc R. Schuman, Rajiv Ramaswami
  • Patent number: 5507179
    Abstract: The synchronous sampling scanning force microscope includes a reflective cantilever arm having a free end which is oscillated at a frequency different from the resonance frequency of the cantilever arm. The motion of the oscillating cantilever arm is measured, to generate a deflection signal indicative of the amplitude of deflection or phase shift of the cantilever arm. Selected portions of cycles of the output signal are sampled, for generating output signal data indicative of deflection of the near and far excursions of the probe. The method and apparatus permit monitoring of compliance of the surface of the specimen by multiple sampling at a rate greater than the period of oscillation of the cantilever probe of the microscope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 16, 1996
    Assignee: Topometrix
    Inventors: Ronald C. Gamble, Paul E. West, Marc R. Schuman
  • Patent number: 5469734
    Abstract: The scanning apparatus linearization and calibration system includes an electromechanical scanner having a sample stage portion, and a deflecting member, mounted between the scanning means and a fixed mounting member, that undergoes deflection in response to displacement of the scanner sample stage portion in at least one dimension of displacement. Strain gauges are mounted to the deflecting member for measuring the deflection of the deflecting member and for generating a deflection output signal indicative of an amount of deflection of the deflecting member, to provide a highly sensitive indication of actual displacement of the sample stage of the scanning apparatus. Control circuitry also provides for open loop displacement correction and for closed loop feedback correction of the position of the scanner sample stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 28, 1995
    Assignee: Topometrix
    Inventor: Marc R. Schuman
  • Patent number: 5406832
    Abstract: The synchronous sampling scanning force microscope includes a reflective cantilever arm having a free end which is oscillated at a frequency different from the resonance frequency of the cantilever arm. The motion of the oscillating cantilever arm is measured, to generate a deflection signal indicative of the amplitude of deflection or phase shift of the cantilever arm. Selected portions of cycles of the output signal are sampled, for generating output signal data indicative of deflection of the near and far excursions of the probe. The method and apparatus permit monitoring of compliance of the surface of the specimen by multiple sampling at a rate greater than the period of oscillation of the cantilever probe of the microscope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 18, 1995
    Assignee: Topometrix Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald C. Gamble, Paul E. West, Marc R. Schuman