Robert V Owen

US Patent:

7122788, Oct 17, 2006

Filed:

Oct 8, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/961975

Inventors:

Robert A. Owen - Rowlett TX, US
Vicki D. Paul - McKinney TX, US
Humphrey W. Ha - Plano TX, US
Roger C. Knott - Plano TX, US
Mark A. Gohlke - Plano TX, US
Charles M. Hanson - Richardson TX, US

Assignee:

L-3 Communications Corporation - New York NY

International Classification:

G01D 18/00

US Classification:

2502521

Abstract:

Collecting samples to adjust a signal includes providing a shutter in an opened position to allow a detector of an infrared camera to detect infrared radiation and generate a signal corresponding to the infrared radiation. A first touchup iteration is initiated by moving the shutter to a closed position, and samples of a reference frame are collected according to a collection instruction. The shutter is then moved to the opened position. If there is a change in a state of the infrared camera, the collection instruction is adjusted in response to the change. A second touchup iteration is initiated by moving the shutter to the closed position, and samples are collected according to the adjusted collection instruction. A modification of the signal is determined in accordance with at least some of the samples.

US Patent:

20060126085, Jun 15, 2006

Filed:

May 31, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/140840

Inventors:

Robert Owen - Rowlett TX, US
Mark Gohlke - Plano TX, US
Humphrey Ha - Plano TX, US
Alfredo Mendez - Flower Mound TX, US

International Classification:

H04N 1/60

US Classification:

358001900

Abstract:

Systems and methods are disclosed for non-linear colorization in imaging systems. More particularly, colorization of video outputs of thermal imagers (which are typically black and white gray scale imagers) are provided that enhance desired aspects of the displayed image. Specifically, the color in the video output has direct relationship to the measured temperatures of the scene under observation, and color is mapped to temperature through a non-linear relationship that may be changed dynamically depending upon scene content and that exists between temperature and video output.

US Patent:

55720595, Nov 5, 1996

Filed:

Jun 7, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/477718

Inventors:

William K. Walker - Plano TX
Steven N. Frank - McKinney TX
Charles M. Hanson - Richardson TX
Robert J. S. Kyle - Rowlett TX
Edward G. Meissner - Dallas TX
Robert A. Owen - Rowlett TX
Gail D. Shelton - Mesquite TX

Assignee:

Texas Instruments Incorporated - Dallas TX

International Classification:

H01L 27095

US Classification:

257448

Abstract:

A thermal isolation structure (10) is disposed between a focal plane array and an integrated circuit substrate (12). The thermal isolation structure (10) includes a mesa-type formation (16) and a mesa strip conductor (18, 26) extending from the top of the mesa-type formation (16) to an associated contact pad (14) on the integrated circuit substrate (12). After formation of the mesa-type formation (16) and the mesa strip conductor (18, 26), an anisotropic etch using the mesa strip conductor (18, 26) as an etch mask removes excess mesa material to form trimmed mesa-type formation (24) for improved thermal isolation. Bump bonding material (20) may be deposited on mesa strip conductor (18, 26) and can also be used as an etch mask during the anisotropic etch. Thermal isolation structure (100) can include mesa-type formations (102), each with a centrally located via (110) extending vertically to an associated contact pad (104) of integrated circuit substrate (106). A conductor (108) is deposited on top of mesa-type formation (102), along the walls of via (110), and overlaying contact pad (104).

US Patent:

55742823, Nov 12, 1996

Filed:

Jun 30, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/268365

Inventors:

William K. Walker - Plano TX
John P. Long - Garland TX
Robert A. Owen - Rowlett TX
Bert T. Runnels - Garland TX
Gail D. Shelton - Mesquite TX

Assignee:

Texas Instruments Incorporated - Dallas TX

International Classification:

G01J 506

US Classification:

2503383

Abstract:

A hybrid thermal detector (10, 110) includes a focal plane array (20, 120), a thermal isolation structure (40, 140), and an integrated circuit substrate (60, 160). The focal plane array (20, 120) includes thermal sensors (30, 130). The thermal isolation structure (40, 140) includes untrimmed mesa-type formations (44, 146, 148) and mesa strip conductors (42, 142, 144) that provide thermal isolation, signal transport, and structural support of the focal plane array (20, 120) when mounted on the integrated circuit substrate (60, 160). Hybrid thermal detector (10) includes a common electrode (28) which provides a bias voltage to all thermal sensors (30). Hybrid thermal detector (110) has electrically isolated thermal sensors (130), each thermal sensor (130) is supported by mesa strip conductors (142, 144), which provide a bias voltage to and receive a signal voltage from the thermal sensor (130). To improve both pixel-substrate and inter-pixel thermal isolation, mesa strip conductors (42, 142, 144) and common electrode (28) may be formed from a thermally insulating material, such as cermet or a semiconductive material. Untrimmed mesa-type formations (44, 146, 148) may be anisotropically etched to remove excess mesa material and improve pixel-substrate thermal isolation.

US Patent:

54245443, Jun 13, 1995

Filed:

Apr 29, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/235835

Inventors:

Gail D. Shelton - Mesquite TX
James F. Belcher - Plano TX
Steven N. Frank - McKinney TX
Charles M. Hanson - Richardson TX
Edward G. Meissner - Dallas TX
Robert A. Owen - Rowlett TX

Assignee:

Texas Instruments Incorporated - Dallas TX

International Classification:

H04N 533

US Classification:

250332

Abstract:

A thermal detection system (100, 200) includes a focal plane array (102, 202), a thermal isolation structure (104, 204) and an integrated circuit substrate (106, 206). The focal plane array (102, 202) includes thermal sensors (114, 214) formed from a pyroelectric element (116, 216), such as barium strontium titanate (BST). One side of the pyroelectric element (116, 216) is coupled to a contact pad (110, 210) disposed on the integrated circuit substrate (106, 206) through a mesa strip conductor (112, 212) of the thermal isolation structure (104, 204). The other side of the pyroelectric element (116, 216) is coupled to a common electrode (120, 220). In one embodiment, slots (128) are formed in the common electrode (120) intermediate the thermal sensors (114) to improve inter-pixel thermal isolation. In another embodiment, slots (236) are formed in the optical coating (224) to improve inter-pixel thermal isolation. The common electrode (120, 220) may be formed from a thermally insulating material, such as a silicon monoxide and chromium matrix (cermet) or other metal oxide.

US Patent:

56314671, May 20, 1997

Filed:

Jun 13, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/664047

Inventors:

James F. Belcher - Plano TX
Robert A. Owen - Rowlett TX

Assignee:

Texas Instruments Incorporated - Dallas TX

International Classification:

G01J 510

US Classification:

2503383

Abstract:

A novel reticulated array comprises islands of ceramic (e. g. BST 40) which are fabricated from novel materials using unique methods of patterning. A front side optical coating (e. g. transparent metal layer 44, transparent organic layer 46 and conductive metallic layer 48) is elevated above the substrate between the ceramic islands. This allows additional material (e. g. polyimide 38) between the optical coating and the substrate above the regions where cavities are to be etched. Etching of the cavities (72) is performed from the back side of the substrate without damaging the front side optical coating. Novel fabrication methods also provide for the convenient electrical and mechanical bonding of each of the massive number of ceramic islands to a signal processor substrate (e. g. Si 80) containing a massive array of sensing circuits.

US Patent:

54263034, Jun 20, 1995

Filed:

Apr 29, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/235068

Inventors:

Robert A. Owen - Rowlett TX
John P. Long - Garland TX
Bert T. Runnels - Garland TX
Gail D. Shelton - Mesquite TX
William K. Walker - Plano TX

Assignee:

Texas Instruments Incorporated - Dallas TX

International Classification:

H04N 533

US Classification:

250332

Abstract:

A thermal detection system (10, 110, 210) includes a focal plane array (20, 120, 220), a thermal isolation structure (40, 140, 240), and an integrated circuit substrate (60, 160, 260). The focal plane array (20, 120, 220) includes a plurality of thermal sensors (30, 130, 230). The thermal isolation structure (40, 140, 240) includes mesa-type formations (44, 146, 148, 244) and bridge structures (42, 142, 144, 242) that provide thermal isolation, signal transport, and structural support of the focal plane array (20, 120, 220) when mounted on the integrated circuit substrate (60, 160, 260). Thermal detection system (10) includes an infrared absorber and common electrode assembly (22) which provides a bias voltage to all thermal sensors (30). Thermal detection system (110) has a plurality of electrically isolated thermal sensors (130), each thermal sensor (130) is supported by bridge structures (142, 144), which provide a bias voltage to and receive a signal voltage from the thermal sensor (130). Thermal detection system ( 220) has a plurality of electrically isolated thermal sensors (230), each thermal sensor (230) is electrically coupled to a pair of leads (246, 247), which are supported by a reinforcing layer (245).

US Patent:

55324843, Jul 2, 1996

Filed:

Sep 9, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/304001

Inventors:

Kevin N. Sweetser - Garland TX
Howard R. Beratan - Richardson TX
Robert A. Owen - Rowlett TX

Assignee:

Texas Instruments Incorporated - Dallas TX

International Classification:

H04N 533
H04N 718

US Classification:

250332

Abstract:

Thermal imaging system (10) includes a focal plane array (18) having pixels (20). Signals produced by pixels (20) are addressed by integrated circuit substrate (22) and passed to video processor (24). Video processor (24) includes, among other modules, a detection and substitution module (28) that detects defective pixels (21) and substitutes the signals produced by defective pixels (21). The detection and substitution of signals produced by defective pixels (21) may be performed while viewing the thermal scene (12) or while stimulating pixels (20) with a stimulus. A thermal stimulus may be generated by a thermoelectric cooler (50) thermally coupled to integrated circuit substrate (22) and focal plane array (18). An electrical stimulus to identify defective pixels (21) may also be delivered to pixels (20) of focal plane array (18).

Address:

10914 Pecos Ct, Frisco, TX 75033

VIN:

5N1AN0NWXBC508928

Make:

NISSAN

Model:

XTERRA

Year:

2011