Patents by Inventor Michael L. Myrick

Michael L. Myrick 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).

  • Publication number: 20090299946
    Abstract: A method of classifying information in an optical analysis system includes obtaining calibration data defining a plurality of data points, each data point representing values for two or more detectors when sampling a material used to construct a multivariate optical element. Based on the calibration data, one or more validation models can be developed to indicate one or more ranges of expected results. Validation data comprising the models can be used to compare data points representing values for two or more detectors when performing a measurement of a material to determine if the data points fall within an expected range. Classification data can be generated based on the comparison and, in some embodiments, one or more indicators, such as a confidence level in a measurement, can be provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2007
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Inventors: Michael L. Myrick, Ryan J. Priore, Robert P. Freese, John C. Blackburn
  • Publication number: 20090250613
    Abstract: In accordance with certain embodiments of the present disclosure, a method for adjusting the spectral detectivity of a thermal detector is described. The method includes coating the light sensitive portion of a thermal detector with a first material to reduce the response of the detector. The first material is coated with a second material that is thermally thin and has spectral absorption characteristics. The second material is coated with a third material that is thermally thick, whereby the spectral absorbance of the second material as filtered by the third material primarily determines the thermal conversion of the thermal detector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2009
    Publication date: October 8, 2009
    Applicant: University of South Carolina
    Inventors: Michael L. Myrick, Heather Brooke, Stephen L. Morgan
  • Publication number: 20090219539
    Abstract: A method of real-time processing and monitoring comprises the steps of blending a material of interest (e.g., an active pharmaceutical material), with a secondary material, (e.g., an excipient), illuminating the blended materials with light, reflecting light carrying information about the blended materials through at least one multivariate optical element (148) and detecting said light with a first detector (152), detecting a deflected portion of the information carrying light with a second detector (156), and determining in real-time at least one selected property of the blended materials based on the detector outputs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2006
    Publication date: September 3, 2009
    Applicant: University of South Carolina
    Inventors: Michael L. Myrick, Robert P. Freese, Ryan J. Priore, John C. Blackburn, Jonathan H. James, David L. Perkins
  • Publication number: 20090219512
    Abstract: A method of selecting components for a multivariate optical computing and analysis system to isolate a spectral region includes selecting a spectral region of interest; selecting a spectral element with a predetermined transmission characteristic to control a spectral range of an illumination source; illuminating a sample with the illumination source; and analyzing an optical frequency returned by the sample relative to the spectral region of interest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2006
    Publication date: September 3, 2009
    Applicant: University of South Carolina
    Inventors: Michael L. Myrick, Robert P. Freese, Luisa Profeta, Jonathan H. James, John C. Blackburn, Ryan J. Priore
  • Publication number: 20090219538
    Abstract: A method of high-speed processing and monitoring of a product, such as a pharmaceutical powder or tablet, comprises: moving the product (C) past an inspection station; illuminating at least a portion of the product with light; spectrally filtering a first portion of light carrying information about the product, o.g., transmitted or reflected light, by passing said first portion through at least one multivariate optical element (148) and detecting said filtered light with a first detector (152), —detecting a deflected second portion of said light with a second detector (156); and determining at least one selected property of the product based on the detector outputs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2006
    Publication date: September 3, 2009
    Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA
    Inventors: Michael L. Myrick, Robert P. Freese, Ryan J. Priore, John C. Blackburn, Jonathan H. James, David L. Perkins
  • Publication number: 20090219597
    Abstract: A multivariate optical computing and analysis system includes a light source configured to radiate a first light along a first ray path; a modulator disposed in the first ray path, the modulator configured to modulate the first light to a desired frequency; a spectral element disposed proximate the modulator, the spectral element configured to filter the first light for a spectral range of interest of a sample; a cavity disposed in communication with the spectral element, the cavity configured to direct the first light in a direction of the sample; a tube disposed proximate the cavity, the tube configured to receive and direct a second light generated by a reflection of the first light from the sample, the tube being further configured to separate the first and second lights; a beamsplitter configured to split the second light into a first beam and a second beam; an optical filter mechanism disposed to receive the first beam, the optical filter mechanism configured to optically filter data carried by the firs
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2006
    Publication date: September 3, 2009
    Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA
    Inventors: Michael L. Myrick, Jonathan H. James, John C. Blackburn, Robert P. Freese
  • Publication number: 20090216504
    Abstract: Methods of selecting spectral elements and system components for a multivariate optical analysis system include providing spectral calibration data for a sample of interest; identifying a plurality of combinations of system components; modeling performance of a pilot system with one of the combinations of system components; determining optimal characteristics of the pilot system; and selecting optimal system components from among the combinations of system components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2006
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Applicant: University of South Carolina
    Inventors: Ryan J. Priore, Robert P. Freese, Michael L. Myrick, John C. Blackburn
  • Publication number: 20090140144
    Abstract: Disclosed is apparatus and methodology for producing thermal detectors with spectral responsivities that mimic the absorptions of chemical analytes, and whose detector characteristics approach those of conventional broad-band thermal detectors. In an exemplary arrangement, the methodology provides for modification of a known Si-based thermal detector by adding a near-infrared dye absorbing film above a reflector deposited directly on the thermal detector element. The method is general to all types of thermal detectors that can be divided into separate absorber and thermal sensor components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2008
    Publication date: June 4, 2009
    Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA
    Inventors: Michael L. Myrick, Michael N. Simcock
  • Publication number: 20090073433
    Abstract: A method of arranging and utilizing a multivariate optical computing and analysis system includes transmitting a o first light from a light source; generating a second light by reflecting the first light from the sample; directing a portion of the second light with a beamsplitter; and arranging an optical filter mechanism in a normal incidence orientation to receive the portion of the second light, the optical filter mechanism being configured to optically filter data carried by the portion of the second light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2006
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Applicant: Univeristy of South Carolina
    Inventors: Michael L. Myrick, Robert P. Freese, John C. Blackburn, Ryan J. Priore
  • Publication number: 20090033933
    Abstract: A method of developing a multivariate optical element for an optical analysis system includes forming an optically absorptive spectral element having an optically absorptive material, the optically absorptive material being absorbing in a predetermined spectral region; and utilizing the optically absorptive spectral element in the optical analysis system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2006
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Inventors: Michael L. Myrick, Robert P. Freese, Jonathan James, Ryan J. Priore, John C. Blackburn
  • Publication number: 20080276687
    Abstract: A method of using photoacoustic spectroscopy to determine chemical information about an analyte includes the steps of emitting a light ray for interaction with a sample of an analyte; transmitting the light ray through a fill fluid disposed in a detection cell, the fill fluid having molecules substantially similar to molecules of the analyte to absorb the light ray; producing a thermal wave and oscillation in the fill fluid proportional to an intensity of the light ray; including a pressure oscillation in the fill fluid by the thermal wave; and detecting the pressure oscillation by a microphone to determine information about the analyte sample
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2005
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA
    Inventors: Michael L. Myrick, David L. Perkins, Ryan J. Priore
  • Publication number: 20080231849
    Abstract: A gas sensor uses optical interferents in a porous thin film cell to measure the refractive index of the pore medium. As the medium within the pores changes, spectral variations can be detected. For example, as the pores are filled with a solution, the characteristic peaks exhibit a spectral shift in one direction. Conversely, when tiny amounts of gas are produced, the peaks shift in the opposite direction. This can be used to measure gas evolution, humidity and for applications for other interferometric-based sensing devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2004
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Inventors: Michael L. Myrick, Paul G. Miney, Maria V. Schiza
  • Patent number: 7138156
    Abstract: Within a method of making an optical interference filter, sample spectra and measurements of a predetermined characteristic associated with respective spectra are provided. Upon selection of an initial number of filter layers and a thickness for each layer, a transmission spectrum is determined. Each sample spectrum is applied to a regression formula that relates interaction of light with the transmission spectrum to a regression value. A comparison relationship between the calculated regression values and the sample measurements is defined and optimized, wherein thickness of each layer is an optimization variable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2006
    Inventors: Michael L. Myrick, Olusola O. Soyemi, Paul J. Gemperline
  • Patent number: 7123844
    Abstract: In optical filter systems and optical transmission systems, an optical filter compresses data into and/or derives data from a light signal. The filter way weight an incident light signal by wavelength over a predetermined wavelength range according to a predetermined function so that the filter performs the dot product of the light signal and the function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Inventor: Michael L. Myrick
  • Patent number: 6529276
    Abstract: In optical filter systems and optical transmission systems, an optical filter compresses data into and/or derives data from a light signal. The filter way weight an incident light signal by wavelength over a predetermined wavelength range according to a predetermined function so that the filter performs the dot product of the light signal and the function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: University of South Carolina
    Inventor: Michael L. Myrick
  • Publication number: 20020154315
    Abstract: In optical filter systems and optical transmission systems, an optical filter compresses data into and/or derives data from a light signal. The filter way weight an incident light signal by wavelength over a predetermined wavelength range according to a predetermined function so that the filter performs the dot product of the light signal and the function.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2002
    Publication date: October 24, 2002
    Inventor: Michael L. Myrick
  • Patent number: 6198531
    Abstract: An optical analysis system includes an optical filter mechanism disposed to receive light from a light source and configured to optically compress data carried by the light into at least one orthogonal component of the light. A detector mechanism in operative communication with the optical filter mechanism measures a property of the at least one orthogonal component to measure the data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: University of South Carolina
    Inventors: Michael L. Myrick, Matthew P. Nelson, Karl S. Booksh
  • Patent number: 5194913
    Abstract: A dual fiber forward scattering optrode for Raman spectroscopy with the remote ends of the fibers in opposed, spaced relationship to each other to form a analyte sampling space therebetween and the method of measuring Raman spectra utilizing same. One optical fiber is for sending an exciting signal to the remote sampling space and, at its remote end, has a collimating microlens and an optical filter for filtering out background emissions generated in the fiber. The other optical fiber is for collecting the Raman scattering signal at the remote sampling space and, at its remote end, has a collimating microlens and an optical filter to prevent the exciting signal from the exciting fiber from entering the collection fiber and to thereby prevent the generation of background emissions in the collecting fiber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1993
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventors: Michael L. Myrick, Stanley M. Angel