Patents by Inventor R. A. Gill

R. A. Gill 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: 10386788
    Abstract: An infrared imaging system includes a phase grating overlying a two-dimensional array of thermally sensitive pixels. The phase grating comprises a two-dimensional array of identical subgratings that define a system of Cartesian coordinates. The subgrating and pixel arrays are sized and oriented such that the pixels are evenly distributed with respect to the row and column intersections of the subgratings. The location of each pixel thus maps to a unique location beneath a virtual archetypical subgrating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick R. Gill, David G. Stork, John Eric Linstadt
  • Patent number: 10356313
    Abstract: Image-sensing devices include odd-symmetry gratings that cast interference patterns over a photodetector array. Grating features offer considerable insensitivity to the wavelength of incident light, and also to the manufactured distance between the grating and the photodetector array. Photographs and other image information can be extracted from interference patterns captured by the photodetector array. Efficient extraction algorithms based on Fourier deconvolution introduce barrel distortion, which can be removed by resampling using correction functions. The sensing devices can be made to minimize distortion that results from efficient extraction algorithms based on Fourier deconvolution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventor: Patrick R. Gill
  • Publication number: 20190191993
    Abstract: A sensing device with an odd-symmetry grating projects near-field spatial modulations onto an array of closely spaced pixels. Due to physical properties of the grating, the spatial modulations are in focus for a range of wavelengths and spacings. The spatial modulations are captured by the array, and photographs and other image information can be extracted from the resultant data. Pixels responsive to infrared light can be used to make thermal imaging devices and other types of thermal sensors. Some sensors are well adapted for tracking eye movements, and others for imaging barcodes and like binary images. In the latter case, the known binary property of the expected images can be used to simplify the process of extracting image data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2018
    Publication date: June 27, 2019
    Inventors: Patrick R. Gill, David G. Stork
  • Publication number: 20190180424
    Abstract: An optical method of measuring motion employs a phase grating that produces a diffraction pattern responsive to light from an imaged scene. First and second images of the diffraction pattern are captured and compared to produce an image comparison. Apparent motion is then calculated from the image comparison.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2018
    Publication date: June 13, 2019
    Inventors: Patrick R. Gill, David G. Stork, Patrick R. Johnstone
  • Patent number: 10317205
    Abstract: Binocular depth-perception systems use binary, phase-antisymmetric gratings to cast point-source responses onto an array of photosensitive pixels. The gratings and arrays can be manufactured to tight tolerances using well characterized and readily available integrated-circuit fabrication techniques, and can thus be made small, cost-effective, and efficient. The gratings produce point-source responses that are large relative to the pitch of the pixels, and that exhibit wide ranges of spatial frequencies and orientations. Such point-source responses make it easy to distinguish the point-source responses from fixed-pattern noise the results from spatial frequencies of structures that form the array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventor: Patrick R. Gill
  • Patent number: 10261584
    Abstract: A user interface includes both a touchscreen for tactile input and one or more lensless optical sensors for sensing additional, remote gestures. Users can interact with the user interface in a volume of space near the display, and are thus not constrained to the relatively small area of the touchscreen. Remote hand or face gestures can be used to turn on or otherwise alter the tactile user interface. Shared user interfaces can operate without touch, and thus avoid cross-contamination of e.g. viruses and bacteria.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick R. Gill, David G. Stork, Thomas Vogelsang
  • Patent number: 10222742
    Abstract: An optical phase grating produces an interference pattern rich in intensity and spatial-frequency information from the external scene. The grating includes an odd number of repeated sets of adjacent horizontal portions, separated by steps, that fill an area that radiates outward from a central region. At a given distance from the central region and within the area of the phase grating, each of the first horizontal portions is of a first width that differs from a second width of the adjacent second horizontal portions. The interference patterns produced by the grating can be processed to extract images and other information of interest about an imaged scene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick R. Gill, David G. Stork, Mehjabin Sultana Monjur, Luke A. Pfister
  • Publication number: 20190061849
    Abstract: Lock mounting assemblies are disclosed for storing and mounting a locking apparatus to a transportation device. The mounting assemblies include one or more straps or connectors for securing the mounting assembly to the transportation device. The mounting assemblies having a structure to securely retain the locking apparatus on the transportation device and provide easy access to and release of the locking apparatus from the mounting assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2018
    Publication date: February 28, 2019
    Inventors: Robert D. Zuraski, Daniel H. Kindstrand, David B. Miller, Alison J. Donlan, Donald H. Warren, Michael Tintsman, John D. Fiegener, Caitlin A. Thompson, Gregory R. Meyer, Thomas A. Gernetzke, William J. Vespa, Matthew R. Gill, William Liteplo
  • Patent number: 10188289
    Abstract: A sensing device with an odd-symmetry grating projects near-field spatial modulations onto an array of closely spaced pixels. Due to physical properties of the grating, the spatial modulations are in focus for a range of wavelengths and spacings. The spatial modulations are captured by the array, and photographs and other image information can be extracted from the resultant data. Pixels responsive to infrared light can be used to make thermal imaging devices and other types of thermal sensors. Some sensors are well adapted for tracking eye movements, and others for imaging barcodes and like binary images. In the latter case, the known binary property of the expected images can be used to simplify the process of extracting image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick R. Gill, David G. Stork
  • Patent number: 10175396
    Abstract: Described are imaging systems that employ diffractive structures as focusing optics optimized to detect visual edges (e.g., slits or bars). The diffractive structures produce edge responses that are relatively insensitive to wavelength, and can thus be used to precisely measure edge position for panchromatic sources over a wide angle of view. Simple image processing can improve measurement precision. Field-angle measurements can be made without the aid of lenses, or the concomitant cost, bulk, and complexity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: David Geoffrey Stork, Mehjabin Sultana Monjur, Leonidas Spinoulas, Patrick R. Gill
  • Patent number: 10176562
    Abstract: An optical method of measuring motion employs a phase grating that produces a diffraction pattern responsive to light from an imaged scene. First and second images of the diffraction pattern are captured and compared to produce an image comparison. Apparent motion is then calculated from the image comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick R. Gill, David G. Stork, Patrick R. Johnstone
  • Patent number: 10161788
    Abstract: A sensing device projects near-field spatial modulations onto a closely spaced photodetector array. Due to physical properties of the grating, the point-spread response distributes spatial modulations over a relatively large area on the array. The spatial modulations are captured by the array, and photographs and other image information can be extracted from the resultant data. An image-change detector incorporating such a sensing device uses very little power because only a small number of active pixels are required to cover a visual field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: David Geoffrey Stork, Evan Lawrence Erickson, Patrick R. Gill, James Tringali
  • Publication number: 20180329185
    Abstract: An imaging system includes a phase grating overlying a two-dimensional array of pixels, which may be thermally sensitive pixels for use in infrared imaging. The phase grating comprises a two-dimensional array of identical subgratings that define a system of Cartesian coordinates. The subgrating and pixel arrays are sized and oriented such that the pixels are evenly distributed with respect to the row and column intersections of the subgratings. The location of each pixel thus maps to a unique location beneath a virtual archetypical subgrating. Portions of the phase grating extend beyond the edges of the pixels array to interference pattern in support of Fourier-domain imaging.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2016
    Publication date: November 15, 2018
    Inventors: Patrick R. Gill, David G. Stork, John Eric Lindstadt
  • Publication number: 20180299604
    Abstract: Image-sensing devices include odd-symmetry gratings that cast interference patterns over a photodetector array. Grating features offer considerable insensitivity to the wavelength of incident light, and also to the manufactured distance between the grating and the photodetector array. Photographs and other image information can be extracted from interference patterns captured by the photodetector array. Images can be captured without a lens, and cameras can be made smaller than those that are reliant on lenses and ray-optical focusing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2018
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Inventors: Patrick R. Gill, David G. Stork
  • Patent number: 10087004
    Abstract: A material handling hopper includes an integrally formed handling body that defines an inlet, an outlet, and an axis. The handling body has a seamless sidewall extending between the inlet and the outlet. The sidewall is circular in cross section in a plane perpendicular to the axis. The sidewall is curvilinear and defines a first height between an axial location of a first inner diameter and an axial location of a second inner diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Inventor: David R. Gill
  • Publication number: 20180275323
    Abstract: An optical smart sensor combines a phase grating with a rolling shutting to distinguish between modulated point sources. Employing a phase grating in lieu of a lens dramatically reduces size and cost, while using timing information inherent to imaging techniques that used a rolling shutter allows the smart sensor to distinguish point sources quickly and easily using a single frame of image data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2018
    Publication date: September 27, 2018
    Inventors: Alexander C. Schneider, Patrick R. Gill
  • Patent number: 10057510
    Abstract: An infrared imaging system combines a low-resolution infrared camera with a high-resolution visible-light camera. Information extracted from images taken using the visible-light camera is combined with the low-resolution infrared images to produce an infrared image with enhanced spatial details. The process of extracting the information from the visible image adjusts the quantization level of the visible-light image to scale visible objects to match objects identified in the infrared image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: David G. Stork, Patrick R. Gill
  • Patent number: 10022556
    Abstract: A light system can simultaneously emulate more than one different diurnal cycle to individually improve circadian rhythm control for more than one observer by having each light fixture autonomously self-controlled. Each light fixture is mountable in respective locations to individually treat respective observers. Each light fixture includes one or more light elements mounted to a housing and are controllable to emit a selected light intensity at a selected light temperature. A micro controller is contained in the housing and includes memory containing instructions for one or more automatic diurnal cycle protocols. The micro controller is in communication with the memory and the one or more light elements to execute the instructions to configure the light fixture to vary the light intensity and the light temperature of the emitted light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Administrator of NASA
    Inventors: Eirik Holbert, Adam G. Dokos, Kelly J. Gattuso, Tracy R. Gill
  • Publication number: 20180197909
    Abstract: An array of diffraction-pattern generators employ phase anti-symmetric gratings to projects near-field spatial modulations onto a closely spaced array of photoelements. Each generator in the array of generators produces point-spread functions with spatial frequencies and orientations of interest. The generators are arranged in an irregular mosaic with little or no short-range repetition. Diverse generators are shaped and placed with some irregularity to reduce or eliminate spatially periodic replication of ambiguities to facilitate imaging of nearby scenes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2018
    Publication date: July 12, 2018
    Inventors: Patrick R. Gill, David G. Stork
  • Publication number: 20180191953
    Abstract: An imaging system includes multiple diffractive optical gratings disposed over a two-dimensional array of photosensitive pixels. The different gratings present different patterns and features that are tailored to produce point-spread responses that emphasize different properties of an imaged scene. The different responses are captured by the pixels, and data captured from the responses can be used separately or together to analyze aspects of the scene. The imaging systems can include circuitry to analyze the image data, and to support modes that select between point-spread responses, selections of the pixels, and algorithms for analyzing image data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2016
    Publication date: July 5, 2018
    Inventors: David G. Stork, Patrick R. Gill, Evan L. Erickson, Mark D. Kellam, Alexander C. Schneider, Jay Endsley, Salman Kabir