Patents by Inventor R. Lee Thompson
R. Lee Thompson 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).
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Patent number: 8964507Abstract: Acoustic arrays transmitting and/or receiving multiple, angularly dispersed acoustic beams are used to generate 2D and 3D images. The acoustic arrays may comprise frequency-steered acoustic arrays provided in one-dimensional linear and two dimensional planar and curvilinear configurations, which may be operated as single order or multiple order arrays, may employ periodic or non-periodic transducer element spacing, and may be mechanically scanned to generate 2D and 3D volumetric data. Methods and systems for operating acoustic arrays in a frequency-steered mode in combination a mechanical beam steering mode, electronic time-delay and phase shift beam forming modes, and phase comparison angle estimation modes are also provided. Methods for generating two and three dimensional images of underwater target scenes using multi-beam acoustic imaging systems are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 2009Date of Patent: February 24, 2015Assignee: Teledyne Blueview, Inc.Inventors: Scott T. Bachelor, R. Lee Thompson, Jason L. Seawall
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Patent number: 8811120Abstract: Frequency-steered acoustic arrays transmitting and/or receiving multiple, angularly dispersed acoustic beams are used to generate 2D and 3D images. Input pulses to the arrays are generally non-linear, frequency-modulated pulses. Frequency-steered acoustic arrays may be provided in one-dimensional linear and two dimensional planar and curvilinear configurations, may be operated as single order or multiple order arrays, may employ periodic or non-periodic transducer element spacing, and may be mechanically scanned to generate 2D and 3D volumetric data. Multiple imaging fields of view may generated in different directions by switching the polarity of phase-shifted array transducer elements. Multiple frequency-steered arrays arranged in an X-configuration provide a wide, contiguous field of view and multiple frequency steered arrays arranged in a T-configuration provide orthogonally oriented fields of view.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2004Date of Patent: August 19, 2014Assignee: Teledyne Blueview, Inc.Inventors: Scott Thomas Bachelor, R. Lee Thompson, Jason Seawall
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Patent number: 8638362Abstract: An acoustic video camera system uses acoustic data acquisition systems to produce digital video imagery capable of interfacing with host equipment that operates using standard video formats compatible with video images obtained using optical systems. The acoustic video camera comprises an Acoustic Imager, a Digital Image Compression Component, an I/O and Processing component, and, optionally, an Image Analytics Component. System analytics may provide automated target identification and tracking. All of these components may be incorporated in a submersible acoustic imaging unit having communications capability for interfacing with a host display and control system.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2008Date of Patent: January 28, 2014Assignee: Teledyne Blueview, Inc.Inventors: R. Lee Thompson, Jason L. Seawall, Scott T. Bachelor
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Patent number: 7889600Abstract: A vessel-mountable integrated sonar system is provided. The vessel-mountable integrated sonar system comprises at least one imaging sonar data acquisition device and at least one processing system electronically and removably connected to the at least one imaging sonar data acquisition device, wherein the sonar data acquisition device preferably provides acoustic data to the processing system, producing sonar imageries utilizing the acoustic data, and wherein the system provides digital tilt and azimuth direction feedback for accurate geo-referencing of data to localize targets of interest.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2009Date of Patent: February 15, 2011Assignee: BlueView Technologies, Inc.Inventors: R. Lee Thompson, Jason L. Seawall, Scott T. Bachelor
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Publication number: 20100074057Abstract: Frequency-steered acoustic arrays transmitting and/or receiving multiple, angularly dispersed acoustic beams are used to generate 2D and 3D images. Input pulses to the arrays are generally non-linear, frequency-modulated pulses. Frequency-steered acoustic arrays may be provided in one-dimensional linear and two dimensional planar and curvilinear configurations, may be operated as single order or multiple order arrays, may employ periodic or non-periodic transducer element spacing, and may be mechanically scanned to generate 2D and 3D volumetric data. Multiple imaging fields of view may generated in different directions by switching the polarity of phase-shifted array transducer elements. Multiple frequency-steered arrays arranged in an X-configuration provide a wide, contiguous field of view and multiple frequency steered arrays arranged in a T-configuration provide orthogonally oriented fields of view.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 1, 2009Publication date: March 25, 2010Applicant: BLUE VIEW TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Scott T. BACHELOR, R. Lee THOMPSON, Jason L. SEAWALL
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Patent number: 7606114Abstract: Frequency-steered acoustic arrays transmitting and/or receiving multiple, angularly dispersed acoustic beams are used to generate 2D and 3D images. Input pulses to the arrays are generally non-linear, frequency-modulated pulses. Frequency-steered acoustic arrays may be provided in one-dimensional linear and two dimensional planar and curvilinear configurations, may be operated as single order or multiple order arrays, may employ periodic or non-periodic transducer element spacing, and may be mechanically scanned to generate 2D and 3D volumetric data. Multiple imaging fields of view may generated in different directions by switching the polarity of phase-shifted array transducer elements. Multiple frequency-steered arrays arranged in an X-configuration provide a wide, contiguous field of view and multiple frequency steered arrays arranged in a T-configuration provide orthogonally oriented fields of view.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2008Date of Patent: October 20, 2009Assignee: Blueview Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Scott Thomas Bachelor, R. Lee Thompson, Jason Seawall
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Publication number: 20090149751Abstract: Systems and methods for determining ICP based on parameters that can be measured using non-invasive or minimally invasive techniques are provided. Systems for acquiring acoustic data from a desired target site in a subject's body using various types of acoustic source and detector elements are also provided, including single use acoustic source/detector combinations are also provided. Acoustic arrays for use with these systems may include multiple capacitive micro-machined ultrasound transducer (cMUT) elements, and may include a combination of different types of acoustic arrays. Methods of targeting localized sites within a broad target area based on acoustic data having various properties are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 1, 2008Publication date: June 11, 2009Applicants: PHYSIOSONICS, INC., UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTONInventors: Pierre D. Mourad, Brandt Mohr, Michel Kliot, Robert C.A. Frederickson, R. Lee Thompson, Jason L. Seawall
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Patent number: 6366887Abstract: A method transforms non-speech input signals into the temporal, spectral and redundancy patterns resembling that of human speech.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 1998Date of Patent: April 2, 2002Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the NavyInventors: William J. Zehner, R. Lee Thompson
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Patent number: 5923617Abstract: A sonar system includes a pulse generator that produces an electrical signal having a plurality of frequencies. An acoustic radiator formed as a first blazed acoustic array is arranged to be driven by the electrical signal from the pulse generator. The blazed acoustic array includes a plurality of acoustic elements rotated away from the general plane of the array. The acoustic elements are arranged to be driven by the electrical signal from the pulse generator so that they radiate a sonic field that includes a plurality of sonic frequencies with each frequency being radiated at a characteristic angle. An acoustic receiver formed as a second blazed acoustic array is arranged such that components of the acoustic field reflected from the target toward the acoustic receiver produce acoustic waves having frequencies that correspond to the angles of incidence of the reflected acoustic field components. The signals indicative of the reflected frequencies are processed to form an image of the target.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 1997Date of Patent: July 13, 1999Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the NavyInventors: R. Lee Thompson, W. J. Zehner