Robert M Gibbons

US Patent:

6437332, Aug 20, 2002

Filed:

Apr 24, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/841772

Inventors:

Robert C. Gibbons - Richardson TX
Samuel R. McKenney - Dallas TX
S. Charles Baber - Richardson TX
Richard R. Chang - McKinney TX
Michael C. Bell - Garland TX

Assignee:

Raytheon Company - Lexington MA

International Classification:

B29D 1100

US Classification:

250340, 250330

Abstract:

A method uses an infrared imaging system to produce an image of a scene. Actual infrared radiation from the scene is detected to form a biased signal representing the radiances of objects wiithin the scene, and the biased signal is diffracted by causing rays of the radiation to pass through an array of lenslets at angles devitated from their normal path. The array includes an infrared transmissive deformable film which retains a pattern stamped into it, the pattern including a plurality of the diffracting lenslets. The diffracted and defocused radiation is detected to form a reference signal, the reference signal is subtracted from the biased signal to obtain an unbiased signal, and an image is generated and displayed in reponse to the unbiased signal.

US Patent:

8294103, Oct 23, 2012

Filed:

Oct 24, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/280061

Inventors:

Robert C. Gibbons - Richardson TX, US
Stephen H. Black - Buellton CA, US
Richard N. Mullins - Goleta CA, US

Assignee:

Raytheon Company - Waltham MA

International Classification:

G01J 5/04

US Classification:

25033903

Abstract:

According to one embodiment of the present invention, a system for viewing an area includes a dewar and an optical system positioned within the dewar. The dewar permits operation of the flux detector at cryogenic temperatures, in some embodiments. The optical system includes an infrared radiation system capable of focusing one or more light beams. The inclusion of the optical system within the cryogenic space of the dewar allows reduction of the overall system length and weight, if desired.

US Patent:

8314814, Nov 20, 2012

Filed:

Dec 18, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/338624

Inventors:

Robert C. Gibbons - Richardson TX, US

Assignee:

Raytheon Company - Waltham MA

International Classification:

G09G 5/00
G09G 5/391

US Classification:

345619, 345 8, 345 9, 345 33, 345428, 345581, 345627, 345628, 385116, 385120

Abstract:

According to one embodiment, an imaging system includes a processing system and a display generator. The processing system is operable to process a signal received from a camera to yield foveal data for a foveal display region and outer data for an outer display region. The outer data have a reduced pixel density with respect to the pixel density of the foveal data. The display generator is operable to generate the foveal display region from the foveal data according to a 1:n mapping ratio, and generate the outer display region from the outer data according to a 1:m mapping ratio, where m is greater than n.

US Patent:

8044355, Oct 25, 2011

Filed:

Jul 12, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/777020

Inventors:

Robert C. Gibbons - Richardson TX, US
Stephen H. Black - Buellton CA, US
Richard N. Mullins - Goleta CA, US

Assignee:

Raytheon Company - Waltham MA

International Classification:

G01J 5/02
G01J 5/04

US Classification:

250353, 2503381, 2503384, 250347

Abstract:

According to one embodiment of the present invention, a system for viewing an area includes a dewar and an optical system positioned within the dewar. The dewar permits operation of the flux detector at cryogenic temperatures, in some embodiments. The optical system includes an infrared radiation system capable of focusing one or more light beams. The inclusion of the optical system within the cryogenic space of the dewar allows reduction of the overall system length and weight, if desired.

US Patent:

62320440, May 15, 2001

Filed:

Nov 30, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/159879

Inventors:

Robert C. Gibbons - Richardson TX
Samuel R. McKenney - Dallas TX
S. Charles Baber - Richardson TX
Richard R. Chang - McKinney TX
Michael C. Bell - Garland TX

Assignee:

Raytheon Company - Lexington MA

International Classification:

B29D 1100
G02B 502
G02B 2604

US Classification:

430321

Abstract:

A chopper and method of making same, the chopper being fabricated by initially generating a photomask in conjunction with software. The software provides the lens design to be finally stamped onto the chopper element. A silicon wafer is then etched by reactive ion etching using the photomask to provide the pattern and resulting in a silicon wafer master of the chopper pattern with regions in the shape oflenslets to be formed of desired dimension. The chopper pattern on the silicon wafer is then replicated with a hard material which can be easily stripped from the silicon wafer without damaging either the wafer or the hard material, preferably deposited nickel. The separated nickel replication is then used in conjunction with a heavy press to stamp out sheets of an infrared transmissive flexible film, preferably polyethylene, with the lens pattern in the replication The film with the lens pattern thereon is the chopper element. The system is designed to operate in the 8 to 13. 5 micron range.

US Patent:

48773174, Oct 31, 1989

Filed:

Feb 27, 1987

Appl. No.:

7/002061

Inventors:

Robert C. Gibbons - Richardson TX
Wilbur W. Cottle - Plano TX

Assignee:

Texas Instruments Incorporated - Dallas TX

International Classification:

G02B 1502
G02B 2304

US Classification:

350559

Abstract:

A dual field of view catadioptric optical system is disclosed which includes a narrow field of view (FOV) and a wide FOV. The narrow field of view includes an apertured stationary primary reflector and a secondary reflector which may be pivoted into a common optical path for blocking radiant energy for the wide field of view during operation in the narrow field of view and pivoted out of the common optical path for operation in the wide field of view. In another embodiment, the secondary reflector is replaced by a transparent/reflector which is always located in the common optical path. The element is transparent to radiant energy until heated at which time it becomes reflective. Thus, when transparent, the system operates in the wide field of view mode and when reflective, the system operates in the narrow field of view mode.

US Patent:

44319177, Feb 14, 1984

Filed:

Nov 27, 1981

Appl. No.:

6/325459

Inventors:

Robert C. Gibbons - Richardson TX

Assignee:

Texas Instruments Incorporated - Dallas TX

International Classification:

H01J 3149
G01J 100

US Classification:

250332

Abstract:

An optical system is disclosed for use with a radiant energy receiver which provides high cold shield efficiency and is compact; further the optical system is temperature tolerant to maintain focus with changes in temperature and wavelength without operator intervention. The optical system has primary utility in the infrared region of the spectrum and where a two dimensional array of detectors senses the infrared radiant energy or flux from the scene of interest. The optical system is comprised of a window for environmental protection and two objective mirrors for folding and focusing the scene of interest on a first focal plane. Relay optical means, which may be comprised of one or more optical elements, relays and relocates the first focal plane to a second focal plane which is coincident with the surface of the two dimensional detector array; the relay optical means also forms an exit pupil (the image of the aperture stop) around which the aperture of a cold shield is positioned to minimize extraneous radiant energy falling on the detector array. Using a positive and negative refractive lens and judicious selection of materials allows the relay optical means to automatically compensate for variation in its index of refraction as a function of temperature and wavelength.

US Patent:

44712227, Sep 11, 1984

Filed:

Jun 4, 1982

Appl. No.:

6/385145

Inventors:

Eugene F. Fowler - Richardson TX
Robert C. Gibbons - Richardson TX

Assignee:

The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army - Washington DC

International Classification:

G01J 336
G02B 1314

US Classification:

250350

Abstract:

A bifunctional sensor is disclosed for an optical seeking system which utzes a single focussing lens arrangement for focussing light of two distinct wavelength ranges. A first detector for detecting light of the first wavelength range is provided nearest the lens system and transmits light of the second wavelength range. A second detector for detecting light of the second wavelength range is provided behind the first detector with a modulating apparatus for modulating the light of the second wavelength range before it reaches the second detector.