Patents by Inventor Paul Prucnal

Paul Prucnal 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: 20240080573
    Abstract: Convolutional neural networks have, over the last decade, risen to state-of-the-art for computer vision tasks such as image classification. Oftentimes these are implemented on specialized digital processors, which target high throughput operation. This is efficient when analyzing batches of images loaded from memory but is lacking when analyzing freshly-captured images on a sensor. Latency is an issue since image acquisition alone can take as long as the processing. Second, streams of images captured from sensors can result in highly redundant processing if only specific signatures needs to be recognized, leading to a high amount of wasted power. Disclosed is a way to perform convolutional processing on the image plane where the image is captured, which allows the device to only complete readout and processing when required. This reduces latency and power consumption, enabling new applications such as augmented reality and edge processing that are not possible with current technology.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2023
    Publication date: March 7, 2024
    Inventors: Simon Bilodeau, Eli A. Doris, Michael Hack, Paul Prucnal
  • Publication number: 20230157061
    Abstract: A reconfigurable thin-film photonic filter weight bank comprises at least one photodetector and at least one optical filtering device comprising a pair of reflective thin film stacks with an interstitial medium cavity therebetween forming an optical cavity. Operation of a bank occurs when the reflective film is more selectively reflective to a range of frequencies and is more translucent to frequencies outside the range. The bank can reconfigurably weight signals by varying the cavity sizes or complex indices of refraction, with one photodetector integrating the weighted signals. Detectors can also be embedded inside the individual cavities to output unweighted, but demultiplexed, electrical signals. A neuromorphic opto-electronic system comprises a plurality of interconnected artificial optical neurons, each including at least one thin film neuromorphic opto-electronic device with a reconfigurable thin-film photonic filter weight bank. Related methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2022
    Publication date: May 18, 2023
    Inventors: Simon Bilodeau, Eli A. Doris, Thomas Ferreira de Lima, Michael HACK, Paul Prucnal
  • Publication number: 20210406668
    Abstract: A hybrid neuromorphic computing device is provided, in which artificial neurons include light-emitting devices that provide weighted sums of inputs as light output. The output is detected by a photodetector and converted to an electrical output. Each neuron may receive output from one or more other neurons as initial input. Interconnects between neurons may be optical, electrical, or a combination thereof. The neurons also may provide imaging sensor and/or display capabilities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2021
    Publication date: December 30, 2021
    Inventors: Michael HACK, Paul Prucnal, Thomas Ferreira de Lima, Michael S. WEAVER, Simon Bilodeau
  • Publication number: 20210192330
    Abstract: A processing device comprises a plurality of artificial neurons comprising first and second artificial neurons, at least one optical connection between an optical output of the first artificial neuron and an optical input of the second artificial neuron, the optical input comprising a photosensitive element, at least one weighting element connected to the optical input of the second artificial neuron, configured to modify a gain of the optical input of the second artificial neuron, and at least one nonlinear element having an input and connected to the optical output of the first artificial neuron, configured to activate the optical output when a signal received at the input of the at least one nonlinear element rises above a threshold, wherein the optical output of the first artificial neuron comprises at least one thin film light-generating component. An LED neuron is also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2020
    Publication date: June 24, 2021
    Inventors: Simon Bilodeau, Paul Prucnal, Michael Hack, Thomas Ferreira de Lima, Hsuan-Tung Peng, Eric Blow
  • Patent number: 9838125
    Abstract: A photonic beamformer is disclosed andh is configured to transmit or receive a plurality of RF input signals from a plurality of antennas. The beamformer receiver includes a plurality of optical modulators, each optical modulator being configured to modulate each of the RF input signals onto an optical carrier, each carrier having a different wavelength. The beamformer receiver also includes a plurality of optical amplifiers, each optical amplifier being configured to vary the optical power of one optical carrier based on a weighting input and generate a weighted optical carrier. The beamformer receiver also includes a plurality of multi-beam optical true-time delays (TTD), each TTD being configured to receive all of the weighted optical carriers and generate a plurality time delayed optical carriers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: The Trustees of Princeton University
    Inventors: Paul Prucnal, Matthew Chang, John Chang
  • Patent number: 9831901
    Abstract: An interference cancellation system (ICS) may be used with a communication system to prevent or minimize interference from one or more sources. The ICS may receive radio frequency (RF) signals comprised of one or more signals of interest (SOI) and multiple interfering signals. An interference estimation processor (IEP) may be used to estimate the one or more interfering signals. The interfering signals may be estimated using spatial and/or time diversity, which may be combined with statistical methods. The estimated interfering signals may be sent to the ICS, which may use the estimated interference signal to cancel the interference and output the SOI.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: L3 TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Elias Bonaventure Kpodzo, Robert Holland, Paul Dourbal, Yanhua Deng, Paul Prucnal, Andrew McCandless
  • Patent number: 9748987
    Abstract: Systems and methods for cancelling interference from a received signal in order to properly detect a signal of interest are disclosed. A combined signal of interest plus interference signal may be received. A copy or sample of the interference signal may be determined. The interference signal and the combined signal of interest plus interference signal may be converted to the optical domain. The interference signal may be optically phase shifted by ?180 degrees, which may result in an optically inverted interference signal. The optically inverted interference signal may be variably optically attenuated and/or variably optically time delayed, for example based on a detected output power of an optical subsystem of the interference cancellation system. As a result, interference cancellation of the interference signal from the combined signal of interest plus interference signal may be achieved, resulting in 50 dB or more of cancellation of the interference signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: L3 TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Elias Bonaventure Kpodzo, Robert Holland, Yanhua Deng, Paul Prucnal, Andrew McCandless, Paul Dourbal
  • Publication number: 20170063461
    Abstract: A photonic beamformer is disclosed and is configured to transmit or receive a plurality of RF input signals from a plurality of antennas. The beamformer receiver includes a plurality of optical modulators, each optical modulator being configured to modulate each of the RF input signals onto an optical carrier, each carrier having a different wavelength. The beamformer receiver also includes a plurality of optical amplifiers, each optical amplifier being configured to vary the optical power of one optical carrier based on a weighting input and generate a weighted optical carrier. The beamformer receiver also includes a plurality of multi-beam optical true-time delays (TTD), each TTD being configured to receive all of the weighted optical carriers and generate a plurality time delayed optical carriers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2015
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Applicant: The Trustees of Princeton University
    Inventors: Paul Prucnal, Matthew Chang, John Chang
  • Publication number: 20170026126
    Abstract: Systems and methods for cancelling interference from a received signal in order to properly detect a signal of interest are disclosed. A combined signal of interest plus interference signal may be received. A copy or sample of the interference signal may be determined. The interference signal and the combined signal of interest plus interference signal may be converted to the optical domain. The interference signal may be optically phase shifted by ?180 degrees, which may result in an optically inverted interference signal. The optically inverted interference signal may be variably optically attenuated and/or variably optically time delayed, for example based on a detected output power of an optical subsystem of the interference cancellation system. As a result, interference cancellation of the interference signal from the combined signal of interest plus interference signal may be achieved, resulting in 50 dB or more of cancellation of the interference signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2016
    Publication date: January 26, 2017
    Applicant: L-3 Communications Corporation
    Inventors: Elias Bonaventure Kpodzo, Robert Holland, Yanhua Deng, Paul Prucnal, Andrew McCandless, Paul Dourbal
  • Patent number: 9444502
    Abstract: Systems and methods for cancelling interference from a received signal in order to properly detect a signal of interest are disclosed. A combined signal of interest plus interference signal may be received. A copy or sample of the interference signal may be determined. The interference signal and the combined signal of interest plus interference signal may be converted to the optical domain. The interference signal may be optically phase shifted by ?180 degrees, which may result in an optically inverted interference signal. The optically inverted interference signal may be variably optically attenuated and/or variably optically time delayed, for example based on a detected output power of an optical subsystem of the interference cancellation system. As a result, interference cancellation of the interference signal from the combined signal of interest plus interference signal may be achieved, resulting in 50 dB or more of cancellation of the interference signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: L-3 Communications Corporation
    Inventors: Elias Bonaventure Kpodzo, Robert Holland, Yanhua Deng, Paul Prucnal, Andrew McCandless, Paul Dourbal
  • Publication number: 20160241354
    Abstract: An interference cancellation system (ICS) may be used with a communication system to prevent or minimize interference from one or more sources. The ICS may receive radio frequency (RF) signals comprised of one or more signals of interest (SOI) and multiple interfering signals. An interference estimation processor (IEP) may be used to estimate the one or-more interfering signals. The interfering signals may be estimated using spatial and/or time diversity, which may be combined with statistical methods. The estimated interfering signals may be sent to the ICS, which may use the estimated interference signal to cancel the interference and output the SOI.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2016
    Publication date: August 18, 2016
    Inventors: Elias Bonaventure Kpodzo, Robert Holland, Paul Dourbal, Yanhua Deng, Paul Prucnal, Andrew McCandless
  • Patent number: 9344125
    Abstract: An interference cancellation system (ICS) may be used with a communication system to prevent or minimize interference from one or more sources. The ICS may receive radio frequency (RF) signals comprised of one or more signals of interest (SOI) and multiple interfering signals. An interference estimation processor (IEP) may be used to estimate the one or more interfering signals. The interfering signals may be estimated using spatial and/or time diversity, which may be combined with statistical methods. The estimated interfering signals may be sent to the ICS, which may use the estimated interference signal to cancel the interference and output the SOI.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: L-3 Communications Corporation
    Inventors: Elias Bonaventure Kpodzo, Robert Holland, Paul Dourbal, Yanhua Deng, Paul Prucnal, Andrew McCandless
  • Patent number: 8917960
    Abstract: An optical switch using a Michelson interferometer and differential onset of optical nonlinearity. Modulation of optical signals can occur at speeds that exceed that of electronic devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Access Optical Networks, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul Prucnal
  • Patent number: 8682170
    Abstract: Radio frequency transmission systems often suffer from the problem of co-site interference, where the frequency band of a strong radio transmitter overlaps with the frequency band of a co-located and/or remote radio receiver, such that the transmitter interferes with the ability of the receiver to detect a weak signal of interest. There is a need for a device that can process both the transmitted radio signal and the received radio signal to eliminate such interference. Previous attempts to solve this problem have been unable to cancel in-band interference in excess of 20 to 40 dB stronger than the signal of interest over a broad bandwidth, with large dynamic range, and with a high degree of linearity. Disclosed is a robust system and method for cancelling broadband in-band RF interference that operates in a dynamically changing multipath environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: The Trustees of Princeton University
    Inventor: Paul Prucnal
  • Publication number: 20130308732
    Abstract: An interference cancellation system (ICS) may be used with a communication system to prevent or minimize interference from one or more sources. The ICS may receive radio frequency (RF) signals comprised of one or more signals of interest (SOI) and multiple interfering signals. An interference estimation processor (IEP) may be used to estimate the one or more interfering signals. The interfering signals may be estimated using spatial and/or time diversity, which may be combined with statistical methods. The estimated interfering signals may be sent to the ICS, which may use the estimated interference signal to cancel the interference and output the SOI.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2013
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Inventors: Elias Bonaventure Kpodzo, Robert Holland, Paul Dourbal, Yanhua Deng, Paul Prucnal, Andrew McCandless
  • Publication number: 20130309975
    Abstract: Systems and methods for cancelling interference from a received signal in order to properly detect a signal of interest are disclosed. A combined signal of interest plus interference signal may be received. A copy or sample of the interference signal may be determined. The interference signal and the combined signal of interest plus interference signal may be converted to the optical domain. The interference signal may be optically phase shifted by ?180 degrees, which may result in an optically inverted interference signal. The optically inverted interference signal may be variably optically attenuated and/or variably optically time delayed, for example based on a detected output power of an optical subsystem of the interference cancellation system. As a result, interference cancellation of the interference signal from the combined signal of interest plus interference signal may be achieved, resulting in 50 dB or more of cancellation of the interference signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2013
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicant: L-3 Communications Corporation
    Inventors: Elias Bonaventure Kpodzo, Robert Holland, Yanhua Deng, Paul Prucnal, Andrew McCandless, Paul Dourbal
  • Patent number: 8456730
    Abstract: A directly modulated spatial light modulator (DM-SLM) may be formed using a semiconductor optical amplifier. The directly modulated spatial light modulator may also be formed with a vertical cavity surface emitting laser having an output side; and an anti-reflection coating located on the output side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Access Optical Networks, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Prucnal, Glenn A. Gladney
  • Publication number: 20120294608
    Abstract: Radio frequency transmission systems often suffer from the problem of co-site interference, where the frequency band of a strong radio transmitter overlaps with the frequency band of a co-located and/or remote radio receiver, such that the transmitter interferes with the ability of the receiver to detect a weak signal of interest. There is a need for a device that can process both the transmitted radio signal and the received radio signal to eliminate such interference. Previous attempts to solve this problem have been unable to cancel in-band interference in excess of 20 to 40 dB stronger than the signal of interest over a broad bandwidth, with large dynamic range, and with a high degree of linearity. Disclosed is a robust system and method for cancelling broadband in-band RF interference that operates in a dynamically changing multipath environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2012
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Applicant: THE TRUSTEES OF PRINCETON UNIVERSITY
    Inventor: Paul Prucnal
  • Patent number: 8315489
    Abstract: A switching array is disclosed that has a plurality of vertical cavity surface emitting lasers having phase shifting mirrors. The switching array may be used for providing a device and system that has optical signal processing of sensing, a serialization and protocol interface, that has increased gray scale levels and sensitivities, pixel polarization detection, higher speed, lower power requirements and provides optical or electrical output for holographic optical storage to a bus or network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Inventors: Paul Prucnal, Glenn A. Gladney
  • Publication number: 20100321759
    Abstract: A directly modulated spatial light modulator (DM-SLM) may be formed using a semiconductor optical amplifier. The directly modulated spatial light modulator may also be formed with a vertical cavity surface emitting laser having an output side; and an anti-reflection coating located on the output side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2010
    Publication date: December 23, 2010
    Inventors: PAUL PRUCNAL, GLENN A. GLADNEY