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).
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Patent number: 9622662Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 25, 2013Date of Patent: April 18, 2017Assignee: Board of Regents, The University of Texas SystemInventors: Karel J. Zuzak, Jeffrey A. Cadeddu, Rafael Ufret-Vincenty, Robert P. Francis, Edward Livingston
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Patent number: 9198578Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 25, 2013Date of Patent: December 1, 2015Assignee: Board of Regents, The University of Texas SystemInventors: Karel J. Zuzak, Jeffrey A. Cadeddu, Rafael Ufret-Vincenty, Robert P. Francis, Edward Livingston
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Patent number: 8988663Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 22, 2013Date of Patent: March 24, 2015Assignee: Raytheon CompanyInventors: Brent L. Sisney, Bryan K. Hawk, Robert P. Francis, James A. McIntosh
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Publication number: 20140204361Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 22, 2013Publication date: July 24, 2014Applicant: RAYTHEON COMPANYInventors: Brent L. Sisney, Bryan K. Hawk, Robert P. Francis, James A. McIntosh
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Publication number: 20130296708Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 25, 2013Publication date: November 7, 2013Inventors: Karel J. ZUZAK, Jeffrey A. CADEDDU, Rafael UFRET-VINCENTY, Robert P. FRANCIS, Edward LIVINGSTON
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Publication number: 20130296710Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 25, 2013Publication date: November 7, 2013Inventors: Karel J. ZUZAK, Jeffrey A. CADEDDU, Rafael UFRET-VINCENTY, Robert P. FRANCIS, Edward LIVINGSTON
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Publication number: 20130296709Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 25, 2013Publication date: November 7, 2013Inventors: Karel J. ZUZAK, Jeffrey A. CADEDDU, Rafael UFRET-VINCENTY, Robert P. FRANCIS, Edward LIVINGSTON
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Patent number: 8406859Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 10, 2009Date of Patent: March 26, 2013Assignee: Board of Regents, The University of Texas SystemInventors: Karel Zuzak, Jeffrey A. Cadeddu, Rafael Ufret-Vincenty, Robert P. Francis, Edward Livingston
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Publication number: 20100056928Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 10, 2009Publication date: March 4, 2010Inventors: Karel ZUZAK, Jeffrey A. CADEDDU, Rafael UFRET-VINCENTY, Robert P. FRANCIS, Edward LIVINGSTON