Patents by Inventor Richard G. Hoffman, II

Richard G. Hoffman, II 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).

  • Method and apparatus for detecting a moving projectile
    Patent number: 7307701
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a transmitter portion which transmits a defined beam of eyesafe laser energy, a receiver portion which receives reflected energy from the beam, and a further portion which analyzes information in the received energy so as to detect the presence of a moving projectile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventor: Richard G. Hoffman, II
  • Method and apparatus for providing synthetic vision using reality updated virtual image
    Patent number: 6061068
    Abstract: An airplane (11) includes a system (10) which provides synthetic vision using a reality updated virtual image. The system includes a processor (17) which receives real-time image information regarding a scene of interest from a sensor (12), the sensor being supported on the airplane by a gimbal (13). The processor receives information regarding the orientation of the sensor from the gimbal, and receives navigational information regarding the airplane from a navigation system (14). The processor maintains virtual image information (23) regarding the scene of interest. The processor updates the virtual image information using the real-time image information, in a manner which improves the quality of the representation in the virtual image information of the scene of interest. The processor prepares combined image information (24, 31), by selectively combining information from the real-time and virtual image information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Richard G. Hoffman, II, Gregory S. Hawkins
  • Controllable optical periodic surface filter
    Patent number: 6028692
    Abstract: Generally and in one form of the invention this is a periodic surface filter comprising at least one element at a surface of the filter and electronic controls to change the optical characteristics of the element. Other methods and devices are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2000
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Charles M. Rhoads, Gary Frazier, Richard G. Hoffman, II, Oren B. Kesler, Daniel J. Ryan
  • Controllable optical periodic surface filters
    Patent number: 5661594
    Abstract: Generally and in one form of the invention this is a periodic surface filter comprising at least one element at a surface of the filter and electronic controls to change the optical characteristics of the element. Other methods and devices are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 26, 1997
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Charles M. Rhoads, Gary Frazier, Richard G. Hoffman, II, Oren B. Kesler, Daniel J. Ryan
  • Controllable optical periodic surface filters as a Q-switch in a resonant cavity
    Patent number: 5627672
    Abstract: Generally and in one form of the invention this is a periodic surface filter comprising at least one element at a surface of the filter and electronic controls to change the optical characteristics of the element. The surface filter is used as a switchable filter in a cavity for a Q-switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 6, 1997
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Charles M. Rhoads, Gary Frazier, Richard G. Hoffman, II, Oren B. Kesler, Daniel J. Ryan
  • Controllable surface filter
    Patent number: 5619366
    Abstract: Generally and in one form of the invention this is a periodic surface filter comprising at least one element at a surface of the filter and electronic controls to change the optical characteristics of the element. Other methods and devices are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 8, 1997
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Charles M. Rhoads, Gary Frazier, Richard G. Hoffman, II, Oren B. Kesler, Daniel J. Ryan
  • Elecronically tunable optical periodic surface filters with an alterable resonant frequency
    Patent number: 5619365
    Abstract: Generally and in one form of the invention this is a periodic surface filter comprising at least one element at a surface of the filter and electronic controls to change the optical characteristics of the element. The surface filter comprising and electronically tunable electro-optic material to alter the resonant frequency of the element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 8, 1997
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Charles M. Rhoads, Gary Frazier, Richard G. Hoffman, II, Oren B. Kesler, Daniel J. Ryan