Patents by Inventor Scot Olson

Scot Olson 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: 8130215
    Abstract: A logarithmic amplifier produces a logarithmic output signal as a function of an input signal. The amplifier comprises a reference signal, first and second function generators, and a low-pass filter. The first function generator produces a periodic exponential waveform from the reference signal based upon a resistor-capacitor time constant, wherein the exponential waveform exponentially increases from a minimum to a maximum in each period. The second function generator produces a pulsed waveform from the exponential waveform, wherein the pulsed waveform comprises a first portion having a first amplitude for a first time period and a second portion having a different amplitude for the remainder of the signal period, and wherein the duration of the first time period is determined in response to the exponential waveform. The low pass filter produces the logarithmic output signal as a function of the pulsed waveform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Scot Olson
  • Patent number: 8085359
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display is provided. The liquid crystal display includes a liquid crystal display panel having pixels configured to form an image; and a backlight system proximate to the liquid crystal display panel and configured to illuminate the pixels of the liquid crystal display panel. The backlight system includes a light guide including a plate portion generally parallel to the liquid crystal display panel and a first side portion extending generally perpendicularly from the plate portion, a light source configured to emit light into the light guide via the first side portion, and a heat sink coupled to the light source and configured to remove heat generated by the light source during operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Scot Olson, Brent D. Larson
  • Patent number: 8044558
    Abstract: A dimmable arc lamp assembly comprises a lamp enclosure comprising a chamber enclosing a light-emitting material, first and second electrodes extending into the chamber of the lamp enclosure, and a heating element proximate the chamber configured to heat at least a portion of the lamp enclosure to a temperature greater than the boiling point of the light-emitting material such that the light-emitting material remains in a gaseous state. Because the light-emitting material remains above its boiling point during lamp operation, dimming is not susceptible to control issues that can result from condensation of the light-producing material. Such lamps may be used in various applications such as in flat panel displays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Scot Olson
  • Patent number: 7949198
    Abstract: An infinite impulse response (IIR) filter provides fast response time without significant effects of ringing or overshoot. In a first step, an input signal is received and a preliminary output signal is computed based upon at least the input signal and a prior output signal. The preliminary output signal is compared to the input signal, and if the preliminary output signal and the input signal differ by more than a significant amount, the input signal is provided as the output signal. Otherwise, the preliminary output signal can be provided as the output signal. Such a filter be readily implemented in software or other programmable logic, and may have particular utility in preserving the contrast in a filtered video image represented by discrete digital data within a display system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Scot Olson
  • Patent number: 7928665
    Abstract: A driver circuit provides a drive current from a power source to an arc lamp to produce a light. The circuit includes a transformer having primary and secondary windings, with the ends of the secondary winding providing the lamp drive current to the arc lamp. A current steering module provides a drive output from the power source to the transformer in response to a current steering input, and a current control loop adjusts the current steering input in response to the current in one of the windings of the transformer. A luminance control loop adjusts the current steering input in response to the brightness of the light and a luminance command. A power control module may be further provided to generate a boost command in response to a difference between the brightness of the arc lamp and a luminance command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Scot Olson, Bruce Pitman
  • Patent number: 7888917
    Abstract: Systems and methods for producing a substantially constant output voltage in a power source boost system are provided. A power supply boost circuit includes an output node for supplying an output voltage, a feed forward loop configured to be coupled to a load and a power source, and a feedback loop including a voltage limiter coupled to the feed forward loop and the output node. One power source boost system includes the above power source boost coupled to a load and a power source. A method includes the steps of comparing, via a feedback loop, a constant voltage to a reference voltage, and stabilizing a power source boost system over a range of input voltages and load variations. The stabilizing step includes the step of limiting, via a limiter, a voltage supplied to a feed forward loop to a predetermined range of voltages based on the comparing step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Scot Olson
  • Patent number: 7773081
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for improving the efficiency of a fluorescent lamp suitable for use as a backlight in an avionics or other liquid crystal display (LCD). The apparatus includes a channel configured confine a vaporous material that produces an ultra-violet light when electrically excited. A first electrode and a second electrode assembly disposed within the channel and configured to apply an electrical potential across at least a portion of the channel to electrically excite the vaporous material. Control circuitry is configured to provide control signals to the first and second electrodes to apply the electrical potential in a manner that produces a mean electron energy that substantially maximizes probabilities of collisions between electrons and particles that that produce more emissions in the light-producing channel having wavelengths substantially less than 400 nm than emissions having wavelengths greater than 800 nm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Scot Olson
  • Patent number: 7692388
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for increasing the life of a fluorescent lamp suitable for use as a backlight in an avionics or other liquid crystal display (LCD). The apparatus includes a channel configured confine a vaporous material that produces an ultra-violet light when electrically excited. A layer of light-emitting material is disposed within at least a portion of the channel is responsive to the ultra-violet light to produce the visible light emitted from the lamp. An electrode assembly that electrically excites the vaporous material includes a first post, a second post, a conductive filament suspended between the first post and the second post and having a tail portion extending therebeyond, and a benign insulating material such as glass frit substantially covering the tail portion to prevent radio frequency (RF) emissions from the tail portion of the filament.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Scot Olson
  • Publication number: 20090267574
    Abstract: Systems and methods for producing a substantially constant output voltage in a power source boost system are provided. A power supply boost circuit includes an output node for supplying an output voltage, a feed forward loop configured to be coupled to a load and a power source, and a feedback loop including a voltage limiter coupled to the feed forward loop and the output node. One power source boost system includes the above power source boost coupled to a load and a power source. A method includes the steps of comparing, via a feedback loop, a constant voltage to a reference voltage, and stabilizing a power source boost system over a range of input voltages and load variations. The stabilizing step includes the step of limiting, via a limiter, a voltage supplied to a feed forward loop to a predetermined range of voltages based on the comparing step.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2008
    Publication date: October 29, 2009
    Applicant: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Scot Olson
  • Publication number: 20090262283
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display is provided. The liquid crystal display includes a liquid crystal display panel having pixels configured to form an image; and a backlight system proximate to the liquid crystal display panel and configured to illuminate the pixels of the liquid crystal display panel. The backlight system includes a light guide including a plate portion generally parallel to the liquid crystal display panel and a first side portion extending generally perpendicularly from the plate portion, a light source configured to emit light into the light guide via the first side portion, and a heat sink coupled to the light source and configured to remove heat generated by the light source during operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2008
    Publication date: October 22, 2009
    Applicant: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Scot Olson, Brent D. Larson
  • Patent number: 7545197
    Abstract: An anti-exponential amplifier produces an output signal that is an exponential/anti-logarithmic function of an input signal. The amplifier includes three function generators and a low-pass filter. The first function generator produces a periodic exponential waveform based upon a resistor-capacitor time constant, with the magnitude of the periodic exponential waveform exponentially increasing to a maximum value in each period. A second function generator produces a ramp waveform from the exponential waveform. The ramp waveform has a period and maximum amplitude substantially equal to those of the exponential signal. The third function generator produces a hybrid waveform with a first portion and a second portion, with the duration of the first period determined in response to the ramp waveform. A low pass filter produces the anti-logarithmic output signal as a function of the hybrid waveform. The resulting amplifier could be useful in a brightness or other parameter control for a display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Scot Olson
  • Publication number: 20090002557
    Abstract: An infinite impulse response (IIR) filter provides fast response time without significant effects of ringing or overshoot. In a first step, an input signal is received and a preliminary output signal is computed based upon at least the input signal and a prior output signal. The preliminary output signal is compared to the input signal, and if the preliminary output signal and the input signal differ by more than a significant amount, the input signal is provided as the output signal. Otherwise, the preliminary output signal can be provided as the output signal. Such a filter be readily implemented in software or other programmable logic, and may have particular utility in preserving the contrast in a filtered video image represented by discrete digital data within a display system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2007
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventor: Scot Olson
  • Publication number: 20080315939
    Abstract: An anti-exponential amplifier produces an output signal that is an exponential/anti-logarithmic function of an input signal. The amplifier includes three function generators and a low-pass filter. The first function generator produces a periodic exponential waveform based upon a resistor-capacitor time constant, with the magnitude of the periodic exponential waveform exponentially increasing to a maximum value in each period. A second function generator produces a ramp waveform from the exponential waveform. The ramp waveform has a period and maximum amplitude substantially equal to those of the exponential signal. The third function generator produces a hybrid waveform with a first portion and a second portion, with the duration of the first period determined in response to the ramp waveform. A low pass filter produces the anti-logarithmic output signal as a function of the hybrid waveform. The resulting amplifier could be useful in a brightness or other parameter control for a display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2007
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventor: Scot Olson
  • Publication number: 20080297225
    Abstract: A logarithmic amplifier is configured to produce a logarithmic output signal that is an logarithmic function of an input signal. The amplifier comprises a reference signal, first and second function generators, and a low-pass filter. The first function generator is configured to produce a periodic exponential waveform from the reference signal based upon a resistor-capacitor time constant, wherein the exponential waveform exponentially increases from a minimum value to a maximum value in each period. The second function generator is configured to produce a pulsed waveform from the exponential waveform, wherein the pulsed waveform has a signal period, and wherein the pulsed waveform comprises a first portion having a first amplitude for a first time period and a second portion having a different amplitude for the remainder of the signal period, and wherein the duration of the first time period is determined in response to the exponential waveform.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2007
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventor: Scot Olson
  • Patent number: 7436129
    Abstract: A driver circuit provides electrical energy from a power source to a fluorescent lamp such as that used in a flat-panel or other liquid crystal display (LCD). The circuit includes a transformer having a primary winding and a secondary winding, with the ends of the secondary winding coupled to the fluorescent lamp. A first switch switchably provides a drive output signal to the transformer based upon a switch input signal. A current control loop adjusts the switch input in response to the current in one of the windings of the transformer, and a luminance control loop adjusts the switch input in response to the brightness of the light. A lamp current frequency control loop adjusts the polarity of the primary winding in response to a signal received from the transformer to thereby adjust the frequency of the lamp drive current applied to the fluorescent lamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Scot Olson
  • Publication number: 20080143262
    Abstract: A dimmable arc lamp assembly comprises a lamp enclosure comprising a chamber enclosing a light-emitting material, first and second electrodes extending into the chamber of the lamp enclosure, and a heating element proximate the chamber configured to heat at least a portion of the lamp enclosure to a temperature greater than the boiling point of the light-emitting material such that the light-emitting material remains in a gaseous state. Because the light-emitting material remains above its boiling point during lamp operation, dimming is not susceptible to control issues that can result from condensation of the light-producing material. Such lamps may be used in various applications such as in flat panel displays.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2006
    Publication date: June 19, 2008
    Inventor: Scot Olson
  • Publication number: 20080129210
    Abstract: An assembly for heating a fluorescent lamp (such as the lamp used in a flat panel display) includes a circuit card having a plurality of transistors each configured to produce heat disposed thereon. A thermally-conductive layer is disposed proximate to the plurality of transistors, and the fluorescent lamp is disposed proximate the thermally-conductive layer such that the heat from the transistors is transmitted to the fluorescent lamp via the thermally conductive layer. By controlling the heat applied to the fluorescent lamp, microclimates in the lamp can be reduced or eliminated, thereby improving the performance of the lamp.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2006
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Inventors: Scot Olson, Bruce Pitman
  • Patent number: 7372208
    Abstract: An assembly for heating a fluorescent lamp (such as the lamp used in a flat panel display) includes a circuit card having a plurality of transistors each configured to produce heat disposed thereon. A thermally-conductive layer is disposed proximate to the plurality of transistors, and the fluorescent lamp is disposed proximate the thermally-conductive layer such that the heat from the transistors is transmitted to the fluorescent lamp via the thermally-conductive layer. By controlling the heat applied to the fluorescent lamp, microclimates in the lamp can be reduced or eliminated, thereby improving the performance of the lamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Scot Olson, Bruce Pitman
  • Publication number: 20080036399
    Abstract: A driver circuit provides a drive current from a power source to an arc lamp to produce a light. The circuit includes a transformer having primary and secondary windings, with the ends of the secondary winding providing the lamp drive current to the arc lamp. A current steering module provides a drive output from the power source to the transformer in response to a current steering input, and a current control loop adjusts the current steering input in response to the current in one of the windings of the transformer. A luminance control loop adjusts the current steering input in response to the brightness of the light and a luminance command. A power control module may be further provided to generate a boost command in response to a difference between the brightness of the arc lamp and a luminance command.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2007
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Scot Olson, Bruce Pitman
  • Patent number: 7312780
    Abstract: A lamp driver system is provided that facilitates improved efficiency and brightness control for an optical display system. The lamp driver system provides this improved efficiency and brightness control through the precise control of the plasma in the lamp. The lamp driver system excites the electrons in the plasma such that their obtained velocity is optimized to increase the probability of collision with the mercury atoms in the lamp. Collisions with mercury atoms release ultra-violet photons, which in turn excites the phosphor coating in the lamp. The resulting relaxation of the phosphor atoms releases photons in the visible spectrum, thus providing light with the required frequency components to illuminate the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Honeywell International, Inc.
    Inventors: Scot Olson, Bruce Pitman