Patents by Inventor Robert Michael Pierce

Robert Michael Pierce 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).

  • Mode scrambler
    Patent number: 6895146
    Abstract: A mode scrambler comprises an optical fiber adapter having a diffuser disposed between optical fiber mating ends of the optical fiber adapter. When a single mode optical signal is launched in the mode scrambler, the mode scrambler converts the single mode optical signal to a multimode optical signal that has a substantially even intensity distribution across the modes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: Terabeam Corporation
    Inventors: Jun Shan Wey, Mark Lewis Plett, Steven Andrew Cashion, Gerald Nykolak, Robert Michael Pierce
  • Internal reflection apparatus and method using a holographic optical element for a free space optical communication system
    Patent number: 6724508
    Abstract: An apparatus for a free space optical communication system includes an element having a front surface and a back surface. A holographic optical element (HOE) is disposed to receive a light signal from the free space optical communication system, and to angularly direct the light signal, having a certain wavelength, towards one of the surfaces of the element to allow the light signal to propagate between the front and back surfaces of the element via total internal reflection. The internally reflected light signal eventually converges and is received at an optical detector circuit. At the same time, light having other wavelengths, including visible background light, passes through the HOE, thereby giving the apparatus an appearance of being transparent and unobtrusive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Terabeam Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Michael Pierce, Chace Howard Fadlovich, Nicholas Eichhorn Bratt
  • Internal reflection apparatus and method using a holographic optical element for a free space optical communication system
    Publication number: 20030202227
    Abstract: An apparatus for a free space optical communication system includes an element having a front surface and a back surface. A holographic optical element (HOE) is disposed to receive a light signal from the free space optical communication system, and to angularly direct the light signal, having a certain wavelength, towards one of the surfaces of the element to allow the light signal to propagate between the front and back surfaces of the element via total internal reflection. The internally reflected light signal eventually converges and is received at an optical detector circuit. At the same time, light having other wavelengths, including visible background light, passes through the HOE, thereby giving the apparatus an appearance of being transparent and unobtrusive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2001
    Publication date: October 30, 2003
    Inventors: Robert Michael Pierce, Chace Howard Fadlovich, Nicholas Eichhorn Bratt