Patents by Inventor Robert P. Francis

Robert P. Francis 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: 9622662
    Abstract: A hyperspectral imaging system having an optical path. The system including an illumination source adapted to output a light beam, the light beam illuminating a target, a dispersing element arranged in the optical path and adapted to separate the light beam into a plurality of wavelengths, a digital micromirror array adapted to tune the plurality of wavelengths into a spectrum, an optical device having a detector and adapted to collect the spectrum reflected from the target and arranged in the optical path and a processor operatively connected to and adapted to control at least one of: the illumination source; the dispersing element; the digital micromirror array; the optical device; and, the detector, the processor further adapted to output a hyperspectral image of the target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventors: Karel J. Zuzak, Jeffrey A. Cadeddu, Rafael Ufret-Vincenty, Robert P. Francis, Edward Livingston
  • Patent number: 9198578
    Abstract: A hyperspectral imaging system having an optical path. The system including an illumination source adapted to output a light beam, the light beam illuminating a target, a dispersing element arranged in the optical path and adapted to separate the light beam into a plurality of wavelengths, a digital micromirror array adapted to tune the plurality of wavelengths into a spectrum, an optical device having a detector and adapted to collect the spectrum reflected from the target and arranged in the optical path and a processor operatively connected to and adapted to control at least one of: the illumination source; the dispersing element; the digital micromirror array; the optical device; and, the detector, the processor further adapted to output a hyperspectral image of the target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventors: Karel J. Zuzak, Jeffrey A. Cadeddu, Rafael Ufret-Vincenty, Robert P. Francis, Edward Livingston
  • Patent number: 8988663
    Abstract: Using a hand-held range finding device to range an object in a field of view is difficult due to user-induced jitter. In particular, user-induced jitter introduces uncertainty as to which object in a field of view is actually ranged. Current approaches attempt to mitigate user-induced jitter by requiring a user to mount the hand-held range finding device onto a stabilizing device (e.g., a tripod). However, such approaches require the user to carry additional equipment. Embodiments of the present disclosure enable the user to visually confirm which object in a field of view is actually ranged during a range finding event by generating a composite image that includes a visual representation of a laser pulse emitted by the range finding device reflecting off an object in the field of view. Advantageously, disclosed embodiments provide true hand-held range finding capabilities without requiring the use of stabilization assistance techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Brent L. Sisney, Bryan K. Hawk, Robert P. Francis, James A. McIntosh
  • Publication number: 20140204361
    Abstract: Using a hand-held range finding device to range an object in a field of view is difficult due to user-induced jitter. In particular, user-induced jitter introduces uncertainty as to which object in a field of view is actually ranged. Current approaches attempt to mitigate user-induced jitter by requiring a user to mount the hand-held range finding device onto a stabilizing device (e.g., a tripod). However, such approaches require the user to carry additional equipment. Embodiments of the present disclosure enable the user to visually confirm which object in a field of view is actually ranged during a range finding event by generating a composite image that includes a visual representation of a laser pulse emitted by the range finding device reflecting off an object in the field of view. Advantageously, disclosed embodiments provide true hand-held range finding capabilities without requiring the use of stabilization assistance techniques.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2013
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: RAYTHEON COMPANY
    Inventors: Brent L. Sisney, Bryan K. Hawk, Robert P. Francis, James A. McIntosh
  • Publication number: 20130296708
    Abstract: A hyperspectral imaging system having an optical path. The system including an illumination source adapted to output a light beam, the light beam illuminating a target, a dispersing element arranged in the optical path and adapted to separate the light beam into a plurality of wavelengths, a digital micromirror array adapted to tune the plurality of wavelengths into a spectrum, an optical device having a detector and adapted to collect the spectrum reflected from the target and arranged in the optical path and a processor operatively connected to and adapted to control at least one of: the illumination source; the dispersing element; the digital micromirror array; the optical device; and, the detector, the processor further adapted to output a hyperspectral image of the target.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2013
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Inventors: Karel J. ZUZAK, Jeffrey A. CADEDDU, Rafael UFRET-VINCENTY, Robert P. FRANCIS, Edward LIVINGSTON
  • Publication number: 20130296710
    Abstract: A hyperspectral imaging system having an optical path. The system including an illumination source adapted to output a light beam, the light beam illuminating a target, a dispersing element arranged in the optical path and adapted to separate the light beam into a plurality of wavelengths, a digital micromirror array adapted to tune the plurality of wavelengths into a spectrum, an optical device having a detector and adapted to collect the spectrum reflected from the target and arranged in the optical path and a processor operatively connected to and adapted to control at least one of: the illumination source; the dispersing element; the digital micromirror array; the optical device; and, the detector, the processor further adapted to output a hyperspectral image of the target.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2013
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Inventors: Karel J. ZUZAK, Jeffrey A. CADEDDU, Rafael UFRET-VINCENTY, Robert P. FRANCIS, Edward LIVINGSTON
  • Publication number: 20130296709
    Abstract: A hyperspectral imaging system having an optical path. The system including an illumination source adapted to output a light beam, the light beam illuminating a target, a dispersing element arranged in the optical path and adapted to separate the light beam into a plurality of wavelengths, a digital micromirror array adapted to tune the plurality of wavelengths into a spectrum, an optical device having a detector and adapted to collect the spectrum reflected from the target and arranged in the optical path and a processor operatively connected to and adapted to control at least one of: the illumination source; the dispersing element; the digital micromirror array; the optical device; and, the detector, the processor further adapted to output a hyperspectral image of the target.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2013
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Inventors: Karel J. ZUZAK, Jeffrey A. CADEDDU, Rafael UFRET-VINCENTY, Robert P. FRANCIS, Edward LIVINGSTON
  • Patent number: 8406859
    Abstract: A hyperspectral imaging system having an optical path. The system including an illumination source adapted to output a light beam, the light beam illuminating a target, a dispersing element arranged in the optical path and adapted to separate the light beam into a plurality of wavelengths, a digital micromirror array adapted to tune the plurality of wavelengths into a spectrum, an optical device having a detector and adapted to collect the spectrum reflected from the target and arranged in the optical path and a processor operatively connected to and adapted to control at least one of: the illumination source; the dispersing element; the digital micromirror array; the optical device; and, the detector, the processor further adapted to output a hyperspectral image of the target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventors: Karel Zuzak, Jeffrey A. Cadeddu, Rafael Ufret-Vincenty, Robert P. Francis, Edward Livingston
  • Publication number: 20100056928
    Abstract: A hyperspectral imaging system having an optical path. The system including an illumination source adapted to output a light beam, the light beam illuminating a target, a dispersing element arranged in the optical path and adapted to separate the light beam into a plurality of wavelengths, a digital micromirror array adapted to tune the plurality of wavelengths into a spectrum, an optical device having a detector and adapted to collect the spectrum reflected from the target and arranged in the optical path and a processor operatively connected to and adapted to control at least one of: the illumination source; the dispersing element; the digital micromirror array; the optical device; and, the detector, the processor further adapted to output a hyperspectral image of the target.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2009
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Inventors: Karel ZUZAK, Jeffrey A. CADEDDU, Rafael UFRET-VINCENTY, Robert P. FRANCIS, Edward LIVINGSTON