Gerald J Brown

US Patent:

7196300, Mar 27, 2007

Filed:

Jul 11, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/179047

Inventors:

Cory Watkins - Chanhassen MN, US
Mark Harless - Plymouth MN, US
David Vaughnn - Edina MN, US
Pat Simpkins - Edina MN, US
Shaileshkumar Goyal - Rajasthan, IN
Gerald Brown - Plano TX, US
Brian Delsey - Frisco TX, US

Assignee:

Rudolph Technologies, Inc. - Flanders NJ

International Classification:

G02B 7/04
G01N 21/86

US Classification:

2502012, 25055905, 25055907, 25055929, 25055939, 356601, 356614, 356394

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for dynamically focusing an imaging mechanism on a moving target surface having a variable geometry is herein disclosed. Apparatus for focusing an imaging mechanism may include an objective, a prism, or another optical device that forms part of an optical train of an imaging mechanism, a sensor for measuring a distance to the target surface, and a mechanism for modifying the depth of focus of the objective, prism or other optical device. Data from the sensor may be used to create a predictive model of the target surface. Data from the sensor is also used to fit or correlate the generated model to an exemplary target. Data from the correlated model is used to drive the mechanism for modifying the depth of focus of the objective, prism, or other optical device to maintain the surface of the exemplary target in focus.

US Patent:

7321108, Jan 22, 2008

Filed:

Jan 22, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/625640

Inventors:

Cory Watkins - Eden Prairie MN, US
Mark Harless - Plymouth MN, US
David Vaughnn - Edina MN, US
Pat Simpkins - Edina MN, US
Shaileshkumar Goyal - Rajasthan, IN
Gerald Brown - Plano TX, US
Brian Delsey - Frisco TX, US

Assignee:

Rudolph Technology, Inc. - Flanders NJ

International Classification:

G02B 7/04
G02B 27/40
G02B 21/36
G01N 21/00

US Classification:

2502012, 2502013, 2502014, 25055905, 25055907, 25055908, 25055929, 356601, 356609, 356614, 356624, 359368, 359379, 359380, 359678, 359694, 359698, 359823, 359432

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for dynamically focusing an imaging mechanism on a moving target surface having a variable geometry is herein disclosed. Apparatus for focusing an imaging mechanism may include an objective, a prism, or another optical device that forms part of an optical train of an imaging mechanism, a sensor for measuring a distance to the target surface, and a mechanism for modifying the depth of focus of the objective, prism or other optical device. Data from the sensor may be used to create a predictive model of the target surface. Data from the sensor is also used to fit or correlate the generated model to an exemplary target. Data from the correlated model is used to drive the mechanism for modifying the depth of focus of the objective, prism, or other optical device to maintain the surface of the exemplary target in focus.

US Patent:

47590203, Jul 19, 1988

Filed:

Sep 25, 1985

Appl. No.:

6/780129

Inventors:

Dennis L. Amundson - Bloomington MN
Gerald L. Brown - Savage MN
Raymond C. Hedin - Apple Valley MN
Samuel A. Meddaugh - Eagan MN

Assignee:

Unisys Corporation - Blue Bell PA

International Classification:

G06F 1110

US Classification:

371 10

Abstract:

A block replicate magnetic bubble memory organization is disclosed in which a number of storage loops are arranged between write and read tracks. Data in the read track is supplied to a deskewing circuit under the control of one section of an EAPROM so that the deskewing circuit outputs one page at a time, where each bit of the page is derived from a different storage loop, to a buffer and error correcting circuit which supplies corrected information to a data processing system as long as only one error bit has occurred on a page. If an error does occur in a page, the processor which has stored in it information relating to all of the used and unused loops of the system, controls another section of the EAPROM so that the defective loop will be exchanged for a good loop after a predetermined number of failures have occurred for the particular bad loop. The write side of the EAPROM is subsequently updated by the processor or remote processor that utilizes the read-out data. Data which is stored in the buffer and has been corrected by the error correcting circuitry is supplied to the skewing circuit under the control of the write side of the EAPROM so it may be written back into the loops of the bubble memory.

US Patent:

RE334618, Nov 27, 1990

Filed:

May 18, 1989

Appl. No.:

7/353414

Inventors:

Katherine A. Splett - Burnsville MN
Steven H. Karban - Apple Valley MN
Gerald L. Brown - Savage MN

Assignee:

Unisys Corporation - Blue Bell PA

International Classification:

G06F 1100

US Classification:

371 251

Abstract:

A timing generator and verifier is provided in which a PROM stores the timing constants that are employed by the generator. An address counter, which is driven by a clock timer, cycles through an associated portion of the PROM to provide a sequence of output signals which represent timing for a particular mode. If a different mode is selected, the address counter selects a different sequence of output bits. During Normal mode the address counter operates on a cyclic basis driven by a fixed frequency free running master clock. In Verify mode the address counter is stepped by the Host computer. The outputs of the PROM are coupled through a buffer and logic section, where the outputs may be modified before being coupled to an adder which accumulates a checksum based on the outputs of all of the bits for a particular selected timing. The checksum provided by the adder is compared in a comparator with a stored checksum that indicates whether the correct operation of the complex timing cycle for the selected mode has been verified.

US Patent:

47260254, Feb 16, 1988

Filed:

Oct 16, 1985

Appl. No.:

6/787853

Inventors:

Katherine A. Splett - Burnsville MN
Steven H. Karban - Apple Valley MN
Gerald L. Brown - Savage MN

Assignee:

Sperry Corporation - Blue Bell PA

International Classification:

G06F 1100

US Classification:

371 25

Abstract:

A timing generator and verifier is provided in which a PROM stores the timing constants that are employed by the generator. An address counter, which is driven by a clock timer, cycles through an associated portion of the PROM to provide a sequence of output signals which represent timing for a particular mode. If a different mode is selected, the address counter selects a different sequence of output bits. During Normal mode the address counter operates on a cyclic basis driven by a fixed frequency free running master clock. In Verify mode the address counter is stepped by the Host computer. The outputs of the PROM are coupled through a buffer and logic section, where the outputs may be modified before being coupled to an adder which accumulates a checksum based on the outputs of all of the bits for a particular selected timing. The checksum provided by the adder is compared in a comparator with a stored checksum that indicates whether the correct operation of the complex timing cycle for the selected mode has been verified.

US Patent:

20170334578, Nov 23, 2017

Filed:

May 23, 2016

Appl. No.:

15/161696

Inventors:

- Burnsville MN, US
Gerald L. Brown - Savage MN, US

International Classification:

B64D 47/08
G06T 7/60
G06T 3/60
G06K 9/62
G06K 9/52
H04N 17/00
G06K 9/46

Abstract:

Apparatus and associated methods relate to aligning a taxi-assist camera such that each image frame of real-time video that the camera generates has a standard presentation format. The taxi-assist camera is configured to be mounted on an aircraft and oriented such that each image frame includes both a specific feature of the aircraft and of nearby objects external to the aircraft. The specific feature of the aircraft is detected and a location within the image frame of the specific feature is determined. The determined location within the image frame is compared with a reference location. A transformation operator is generated to transform the image frame such that the specific feature of the aircraft will be located within the image at a location corresponding to the reference location. The transformation operator is then applied to each of the image frames of the real-time video that the camera generates.