Patents by Inventor Richard B. Upper

Richard B. Upper 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: 5602656
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for monitoring wavelength shift in a holographic light protection filter to determine if the hologram has been damaged by moisture. The hologram is provided with first, second and third areas. The first area is an extra moisture protected area covered by a moisture resistant material. The second area is adjacent to the first area and is recorded at a different wavelength than the bulk of the hologram. The third area is the remainder of the hologram. The user compares light reflections at these specific areas of the hologram and observes color variations to determine if the hologram has been damaged by moisture. In another embodiment, scribe lines are drawn in the hologram through the three areas. The user detects moisture damage by observing the apparent displacement of these scribe lines in the three areas when viewed through a diffraction grating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 11, 1997
    Assignee: Hughes Electronics
    Inventors: John E. Wreede, Richard B. Upper, Darrell F. Hatch, Lane W. Cosner, Stephen T. Babbitt
  • Patent number: 5499116
    Abstract: An encoded hologram that produces a first image and a second image pursuant to playback illumination, wherein the first image is resolvable by human vision while the second image is not resolvable by human vision when the playback illumination comprises non-coherent broad band illumination, and wherein the second image is machine readable when the hologram is illuminated with playback illumination that is based on the original reference beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 12, 1996
    Assignee: Hughes Aircraft Company
    Inventors: John E. Wreede, John E. Gunther, Michael J. Virgadamo, Kevin Yu, Lillian Yin, Jerry L. Mulder, Richard B. Upper, James E. Scott
  • Patent number: 5497251
    Abstract: A hologram structure for use in a holographic center high mounted stoplight system for a vehicle. The hologram structure includes an illumination source for providing a reconstruction beam, a first array of non-overlapping hologram cells and non-hologram cells, and a second array of non-overlapping hologram and non-hologram cells. Each hologram cell of the first array produces a specular image that is viewable in a first predetermined angular field pursuant to diffraction of a portion of the reconstruction beam, and each hologram cell of the second array produces a diffuse image that is viewable in a second predetermined angular field pursuant to diffraction of a portion of the reconstruction beam. The specular images and diffuse images produced by the first and second holograms form stoplight illumination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 5, 1996
    Assignee: Hughes Aircraft Company
    Inventors: John E. Wreede, Michael J. Virgadamo, Richard B. Upper, Ronald T. Smith
  • Patent number: 5495227
    Abstract: A hologram structure for use in a holographic center high mounted stoplight system for a vehicle. The hologram structure includes first and second hologram layers laminarly secured to each other, each having a plurality of holographic lenses formed therein, each holographic lens being configured to diffract light into a predetermined solid angular region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 27, 1996
    Assignee: Hughes Aircraft Company
    Inventors: John E. Wreede, Michael J. Virgadamo, Richard B. Upper, Ronald T. Smith
  • Patent number: 5155605
    Abstract: A disk cover is provided with a reflection-type hologram assembly having multiple exposure images therein. The sun or an artificial light source illuminates the hologram assembly as it rotates as a result of the body moving. The exposure images are successively reconstructed to produce a single image that may be remotely positioned from and stationary relative to the rotating disk cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1992
    Assignee: Hughes Aircraft Company
    Inventors: John E. Wreede, James E. Scott, Richard B. Upper
  • Patent number: 4878719
    Abstract: A vehicle wheel cover is provided with a reflection-type hologram assembly having multiple exposure images therein. The sun or an artificial light source illuminates the hologram assembly as it rotates as a result of the vehicle moving. The exposure images are successively reconstructed to produce a single image that may be remotely positioned from and stationary relative to the rotating wheel cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1988
    Date of Patent: November 7, 1989
    Assignee: Hughes Aircraft Company
    Inventors: John E. Wreede, James E. Scott, Richard B. Upper