Patents by Inventor Neil MacKinnon

Neil MacKinnon 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: 20170370554
    Abstract: A radiation source includes a semiconductor substrate, an array of vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs) formed on the substrate, which are configured to emit optical radiation, and a transparent crystalline layer formed over the array of VCSELs. The transparent crystalline layer has an outer surface configured to diffuse the radiation emitted by the VCSELs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2016
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Inventors: Neil MacKinnon, Weiping Li, Xiaofeng Fan
  • Patent number: 9819144
    Abstract: A method for production of an optoelectronic device includes fabricating a plurality of vertical emitters on a semiconductor substrate. Respective top surfaces of the emitters are bonded to a heat sink, after which the semiconductor substrate is removed below respective bottom surfaces of the emitters. Both anode and cathode contacts are attached to the bottom surfaces so as to drive the emitters to emit light from the bottom surfaces. In another embodiment, the upper surface of a semiconductor substrate is bonded to a carrier substrate having through-holes that are aligned with respective top surfaces of the emitters, after which the semiconductor substrate is removed below respective bottom surfaces of the emitters, and the respective bottom surfaces of the emitters are bonded to a heat sink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Chin Han Lin, Kevin A. Sawyer, Neil MacKinnon, Venkataram R. Raju, Weiping Li, Xiaofeng Fan
  • Publication number: 20170063966
    Abstract: A method and computer product which re-directs sequential data to an off-platform system without modification of the source of the sequential data. An operating system on a first processing system is caused to create a privileged subsystem in the operating system. The privileged subsystem acquires sequential data output by a data producing application directed to a named dataset. An instruction specifies that the sequential data from the data producing application to the named dataset be processed by the privileged subsystem. A data forwarder is created on the first processing system. The data forwarder establishes communication with an external processing system and acquires the sequential data from the privileged subsystem. The data forwarder transmits the sequential data to the external processing system based on the instruction, and the instruction defines the external processing system as a destination for the sequential data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2015
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Applicant: CA, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles J. Kalish, Lubomil Slivka, Gregory Neil MacKinnon
  • Patent number: 9568604
    Abstract: A camera includes a pulse transmitter for transmitting at a transmit time through an aperture and along an optical path to a target a coherent electromagnetic ranging pulse at a first wavelength range outside the visible spectrum. In some embodiments, the camera includes a reflected pulse detector for receiving a reflected electromagnetic pulse reflected by the target back along the optical path and through the aperture at a detect time subsequent to the transmit time. In some embodiments, the camera includes a shutter positioned for shielding the pulse detector from at least transmit time to an intermediate time between the transmit time and the detect time. In some embodiments, the shutter includes a layer of semiconductor material placed in the optical path at a point between the target and the detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Scott T Smith, Iain A. McAllister, Jeffrey N. Gleason, Neil MacKinnon
  • Publication number: 20160336717
    Abstract: A method for production of an optoelectronic device includes fabricating a plurality of vertical emitters on a semiconductor substrate. Respective top surfaces of the emitters are bonded to a heat sink, after which the semiconductor substrate is removed below respective bottom surfaces of the emitters. Both anode and cathode contacts are attached to the bottom surfaces so as to drive the emitters to emit light from the bottom surfaces. In another embodiment, the upper surface of a semiconductor substrate is bonded to a carrier substrate having through-holes that are aligned with respective top surfaces of the emitters, after which the semiconductor substrate is removed below respective bottom surfaces of the emitters, and the respective bottom surfaces of the emitters are bonded to a heat sink.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2016
    Publication date: November 17, 2016
    Inventors: Chin Han Lin, Kevin A. Sawyer, Neil MacKinnon, Venkataram R. Raju, Weiping Li, Xiaofeng Fan
  • Publication number: 20160274990
    Abstract: A system for managing application performance performs a learning phase and a monitoring phase. One embodiment of the learning phase comprises monitoring performance of multiple components of a software system to create first monitored component data for the multiple components and automatically identifying correlation between the components and a performance metric based on the first monitored data. The monitoring phase comprises monitoring performance of the multiple components of the software system to create second monitored component data for the multiple components, using the identified correlation to predict the performance metric, calculating the actual performance metric based on the second monitored component data, and reporting a performance problem if the actual performance metric differs from the predicted performance metric by more than a threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2015
    Publication date: September 22, 2016
    Applicant: CA, INC.
    Inventors: Mark Jacob Addleman, Jay Martin Cohen, Thomas Michael Repede, Gregory Neil MacKinnon
  • Publication number: 20150355326
    Abstract: A camera includes a pulse transmitter for transmitting at a transmit time through an aperture and along an optical path to a target a coherent electromagnetic ranging pulse at a first wavelength range outside the visible spectrum. In some embodiments, the camera includes a reflected pulse detector for receiving a reflected electromagnetic pulse reflected by the target back along the optical path and through the aperture at a detect time subsequent to the transmit time. In some embodiments, the camera includes a shutter positioned for shielding the pulse detector from at least transmit time to an intermediate time between the transmit time and the detect time. In some embodiments, the shutter includes a layer of semiconductor material placed in the optical path at a point between the target and the detector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2014
    Publication date: December 10, 2015
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Scott T. Smith, Iain A. McAllister, Jeffrey N. Gleason, Neil MacKinnon
  • Patent number: 9138140
    Abstract: An iris imaging and illumination system is used to resolve and record the fine musculature features of an iris. The system can improve the quality of an iris image and facilitate the image capturing process by focusing illumination on an ocular area of a subject. By limiting illumination of other parts of a face, reflections from the face are reduced. The system has a compact physical arrangement by placing the illumination sources proximate to one another and splaying them in order to focus illumination on the ocular areas of a subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: LRS Identity, Inc.
    Inventor: Neil MacKinnon
  • Publication number: 20130250085
    Abstract: An iris imaging and illumination system is used to resolve and record the fine musculature features of an iris. The system can improve the quality of an iris image and facilitate the image capturing process by focusing illumination on an ocular area of a subject. By limiting illumination of other parts of a face, reflections from the face are reduced. The system has a compact physical arrangement by placing the illumination sources proximate to one another and splaying them in order to focus illumination on the ocular areas of a subject.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2012
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: AOPTIX TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: Neil MacKinnon
  • Patent number: 7092419
    Abstract: An electric field that changes across space is synthesized, by applying voltage levels independent of one another at several locations. The independence in voltage levels allows the electric field that is synthesized to be made periodic or aperiodic. Such a synthesized electric field may be changed at any time for use in, for example, a tunable laser. In one embodiment, the voltage levels are oversampled, although in other embodiments the voltage levels need not be oversampled, e.g. if the to-be-synthesized electric field is aperiodic. Also, in one embodiment, the electric field is used to change the refractive index of an electro-optic substance (such as lithium niobate) in an optical filter. Such an optical filter can be used as part of a wavelength agile laser or in an optical add drop multiplexer or in an optical switch. Such a filter can also be used for dynamic power balancing and/or for dynamic gain equalization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignee: San Jose Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce R. Woodley, Neil MacKinnon
  • Patent number: 6987784
    Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for synthesizing an electric field. In accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present invention, an electric field that changes across a distance in space is synthesized by applying voltage levels at several locations independently of one another. The independence in voltage levels allows the electric field that is synthesized to be made periodic or aperiodic. Such a synthesized electric field can be changed at any time for use in, for example, a tunable laser. According to an exemplary embodiment, the electric field is used to change the refractive index of an electro-optic substance in an optical filter. Such an optical filter can be used as part of, for example, a wavelength agile laser, an optical add drop multiplexer, an optical switch, or the like. Such an optical filter can also be used for dynamic power balancing, dynamic gain equalization, or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2006
    Assignee: San Jose Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce Robert Woodley, Neil MacKinnon
  • Publication number: 20040062465
    Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for measuring optical power as a function of wavelength. Exemplary embodiments of the present invention comprise a waveguide structure having at least one waveguide. The at least one waveguide is comprised of an electro-optic material. The at least one waveguide includes an input end for receiving a beam of optical energy and an output end. A plurality of electrodes are disposed in close proximity along a longitudinal axis of the at least one waveguide. The voltages on a sub-plurality of the plurality of electrodes are independently controlled to alter the index of refraction of the at least one waveguide at positions adjacent to each sub-plurality of electrodes to pass a selected portion of the beam of optical energy. The output end passes the selected portion of the beam of optical energy to, for example, an apparatus that measures incident optical energy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2002
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventors: Bruce Robert Woodley, Neil MacKinnon
  • Publication number: 20030058900
    Abstract: An electric field that changes across space is synthesized, by applying voltage levels independent of one another at several locations. The independence in voltage levels allows the electric field that is synthesized to be made periodic or aperiodic. Such a synthesized electric field may be changed at any time for use in, for example, a tunable laser. In one embodiment, the voltage levels are oversampled, although in other embodiments the voltage levels need not be oversampled, e.g. if the to-be-synthesized electric field is aperiodic. Also, in one embodiment, the electric field is used to change the refractive index of an electro-optic substance (such as lithium niobate) in an optical filter. Such an optical filter can be used as part of a wavelength agile laser or in an optical add drop multiplexer or in an optical switch. Such a filter can also be used for dynamic power balancing and/or for dynamic gain equalization.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2001
    Publication date: March 27, 2003
    Applicant: San Jose Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce R. Woodley, Neil MacKinnon
  • Publication number: 20030053495
    Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for synthesizing an electric field. In accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present invention, an electric field that changes across a distance in space is synthesized by applying voltage levels at several locations independently of one another. The independence in voltage levels allows the electric field that is synthesized to be made periodic or aperiodic. Such a synthesized electric field can be changed at any time for use in, for example, a tunable laser. According to an exemplary embodiment, the electric field is used to change the refractive index of an electro-optic substance in an optical filter. Such an optical filter can be used as part of, for example, a wavelength agile laser, an optical add drop multiplexer, an optical switch, or the like. Such an optical filter can also be used for dynamic power balancing, dynamic gain equalization, or the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2002
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Inventors: Bruce Robert Woodley, Neil MacKinnon
  • Patent number: 6366373
    Abstract: A method allowing reliable routing of individual optical carriers through an optical network is disclosed. Routing information is impressed on individual carriers by a method known as subband quadrature coding (SQC). The optical carrier is modulated at a first frequency, and at a first intensity to impress application data on the carrier. The carrier is additionally modulated at a second frequency, preferably two orders of magnitude less than the first frequency, and at a second intensity less than the first intensity to impress management data on the carrier for routing the carrier through an optical communications network, from a source to a destination. According to the method, the management data is continuously impressed upon the carrier during transmission of the application data. The optical carrier is multiplexed onto the fiber optic communications line, and upon reaching a first node, the carrier is demultiplexed and an intensity sample of the carrier is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: LuxN, Inc.
    Inventors: Neil MacKinnon, Lee Joseph Zipin
  • Patent number: 6320889
    Abstract: A single mode laser is described including a gain swept configuration. The laser includes an input mirror and an output mirror defining a resonant cavity and a light path within the resonant cavity and between the mirrors. A laser gain material is positioned at a predetermined location along the light path and arranged with a predetermined gain length along the light path for producing light at the desired output wavelength such that a standing wave pattern at the desired output wavelength is formed within the cavity between the mirrors. The gain material is capable of producing light at other, unwanted wavelengths which can potentially form other standing wave patterns. All of the wavelengths are produced with some gain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Assignee: JDS Uniphase Corporation
    Inventor: Neil MacKinnon
  • Patent number: 6154472
    Abstract: As will be described in more detail hereinafter, an intracavity doubled single longitudinal mode laser is disclosed which provides stable (i.e., low amplitude variation in its output beam intensity), efficient operation in conjunction with a highly advantageous decoupled alignment configuration. An associated method is also disclosed. A lasant material is positioned in the light path of the laser for producing light at a desired fundamental wavelength and possibly other, unwanted wavelengths. Polarizing means is also positioned in the light path for polarizing the desired fundamental wavelength and the unwanted wavelengths of light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2000
    Assignee: JDS Uniphase Corporation
    Inventors: Neil MacKinnon, Ping Xie
  • Patent number: 5949802
    Abstract: An intracavity doubled single longitudinal mode laser is disclosed which provides stable (i.e., low amplitude variation in its output beam intensity), efficient operation. An associated method is also disclosed. The laser includes an input mirror and an output mirror defining a resonant cavity and a light path within the resonant cavity and between the mirrors. The output mirror is configured to be substantially transparent to an output wavelength produced within the cavity. A lasant material is positioned in the light path for producing light at a desired fundamental wavelength and possibly other, unwanted wavelengths. Polarizing element and a type I doubling material are also positioned in the light path. During operation of the laser, the polarizing element polarizes the desired fundamental wavelength as well as the unwanted wavelengths of light produced by the lasant material. The type I doubling material then produces output wavelengths at twice the frequency of any wavelengths passing therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Assignee: Uniphase Corporation
    Inventors: Neil MacKinnon, Ping Xie
  • Patent number: 5873913
    Abstract: Optical brightening agents for use in textiles, paper, detergents correspond to the formula ##STR1## where R, R.sub.1 are preferably derived from amino-acids, particularly glutamic and iminodiacetic acids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1999
    Assignee: Clariant Finance (BVI) Limited
    Inventors: John Stuart Cowman, John Martin Farrar, Mark David Graham, Neil Mackinnon
  • Patent number: 5651023
    Abstract: A laser comprising a laser cavity (13) having reflectors at each end of an optical path, a first layer of gain material (15) and a second layer of a second material (14, 16) disposed along the optical path, wherein the first and second layer are directly optically contacted to one another at associated faces. Also, a laser comprising a laser cavity having a layer of gain material (15), and second and third crystals (14,16) having anisotropic refractive indices disposed along an optical path, the laser being oscillatory in a preferred mode having a particular orientation of polarization, the second crystal (16) being oriented with respect to the path to cause no appreciable net depolarisation of the preferred mode, and the third crystal (14) being arranged such that the preferred mode is transmittable therethrough with minimal refraction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 22, 1997
    Assignee: Uniphase Lasers Limited
    Inventor: Neil MacKinnon