Rodney L Williams

US Patent:

51967146, Mar 23, 1993

Filed:

May 12, 1992

Appl. No.:

7/884296

Inventors:

Felix Garcia - Round Rock TX
Rodney D. Williams - Plano TX

Assignee:

Texas Instruments Incorporated - Dallas TX

International Classification:

G01N 2186

US Classification:

250561

Abstract:

A system and method for X-Y alignment and tracking of moving targets having angular displacement with a fiber optic sensing surface comprising a sensor (5, 6, 17) comprising a sensing array (5) for providing an indication of the position of a beam of radiation incident on the sensing array, a radiation source for providing a beam of radiation (laser), means for simultaneously directing said beam of radiation along two separate paths (4), inhibiting circuitry for alternately inhibiting travel of the beam of radiation in each of the separate paths (13, 14), reflecting means (3, 15) in each path deflecting the beam of radiation in each path to the sensing array and responsive to the position of a beam of radiation incident on the sensing array for altering the position of the beam relative to the sensing array and circuitry responsive to the position of the beam for providing a desired object parameter indication (18, 19).

US Patent:

51722666, Dec 15, 1992

Filed:

Jul 18, 1991

Appl. No.:

7/732261

Inventors:

Felix Garcia - Round Rock TX
Rodney D. Williams - Plano TX

Assignee:

Texas Instruments Incorporated - Dallas TX

International Classification:

G02B 2722
G02B 2710
G02B 2714

US Classification:

359478

Abstract:

A three dimensional display system is shown wherein a scanned light beam is displayed upon a continuously rotating display member rotating about a fixed axis. A first embodiment provides that the display member be comprised of a pair of intersecting display surfaces. In a further version the display member is fixedly positioned in a spherical enclosure which is rotatable in two different directions. In a second embodiment, the display member is formed by a bundle of fiber optic elements extending from an image projector to a viewing surface. The optical fiber bundle can be formed so that the image receiving portion has a smaller cross section than the image transmitting portion. In a third embodiment, the angle formed between the display member and the axis about which it rotates is adjusted, on or off line, by changing the length of an adjustable rod secured to the display member and a member rotating with the display member. In a fourth embodiment, a three dimensional display and two dimensional display are combined in conjunction with an optical combiner. In a fifth embodiment, the light is transmitted to the rotating disc through a pair of changeable rotating apertured disks wherein the apertures are aligned.

US Patent:

56064543, Feb 25, 1997

Filed:

Feb 17, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/019998

Inventors:

Rodney D. Williams - Plano TX
Felix Garcia - Roundrock TX

Assignee:

Texas Instruments Incorporated - Dallas TX

International Classification:

G02B 2722
G02B 2608

US Classification:

359462

Abstract:

A system wherein the observer can be positioned at the interior of a three dimensional display and observe the display looking outwardly therefrom. In accordance with a first embodiment of the invention, the rotating disk of the prior art is made sufficiently large and at sufficient angle, preferably 45 degrees with respect to the shaft rotating the disk, so that the observer or a camera can be located in a conical portion of the cylinder swept out by the disk wherein the disk does not travel. In accordance with a second embodiment of the invention, the rotating shaft onto which the disk is anchored is a hollow, transparent cylinder and is sufficiently large to retain a viewer or a camera within the cylinder. In this way, the observer can rotate 360 degrees within the cylinder to view the entire display looking outwardly from the interior thereof.

US Patent:

51226561, Jun 16, 1992

Filed:

Dec 13, 1990

Appl. No.:

7/626939

Inventors:

Rodney D. Williams - Dallas TX
John Slaughter - Richardson TX
Felix Garcia - Roundrock TX

Assignee:

Texas Instruments Incorporated - Dallas TX

International Classification:

H01J 516

US Classification:

25022711

Abstract:

A sensor which comprises a light transmitting body having first and second opposing surfaces, the first surface having a first plurality of parallel grooves therein and wall members spacing the first grooves from each other, the second surface having a second plurality of parallel grooves therein extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the first grooves, each of the second grooves optically coupled to one of the wall members, a first array of photoresponsive devices disposed at one end portion of the first grooves, the first array having a photoresponsive device associated with each groove of the first grooves and a second array of photoresponsive devices disposed at one end portion of the second grooves, the second array having photoresponsive device associated with each groove of the second grooves.

US Patent:

50429094, Aug 27, 1991

Filed:

Sep 17, 1990

Appl. No.:

7/584413

Inventors:

Felix Garcia - Williamson TX
Rodney D. Williams - Plano TX

Assignee:

Texas Instruments Incorporated - Dallas TX

International Classification:

G02B 2722
H04N 1304

US Classification:

359478

Abstract:

A three dimensional display wherein a scanned light beam is displayed upon a rotating display member rotating about a fixed axis for receiving and displaying the scanned light beam on a first surface thereof, fixed points in the display impinging upon the display member to display a harmonic motion along an axis passing through the scanned light beam in response to rotation of the display means. In accordance with a second embodiment of the invention, the display member is translucent and a second scanned light beam is displayed upon an opposing surface of the display member for receiving and displaying the second scanned light beam on the opposing surface thereof to display a harmonic motion along an axis passing through the second scanned light beam in response to rotation of the display means.

US Patent:

51610540, Nov 3, 1992

Filed:

Dec 19, 1990

Appl. No.:

7/629794

Inventors:

Rodney D. Williams - Plano TX
Felix Garcia - Roundrock

Assignee:

Texas Instruments Incorporated - Dallas TX

International Classification:

G02B 2722

US Classification:

359462

Abstract:

A method of viewing a three dimensional display and structure therefor which comprises providing a three dimensional display, providing a projection surface which is a sector of a substantial spheroid, providing projection optics projecting the three dimensional display onto the projection surface and placing an observer within the substantial spheroid. In accordance with a second embodiment there is provided a method of viewing a three dimensional display comprising providing a double parabolic mirror, providing a three dimensional display within the double parabolic mirror, projecting an image of the three dimensional display external of the parabolic mirror and viewing the image from a location external of the double parabolic mirror.

US Patent:

51575469, Oct 20, 1992

Filed:

Dec 19, 1990

Appl. No.:

7/629806

Inventors:

Rodney D. Williams - Plano TX
Felix Garcia - Roundrock TX

Assignee:

Texas Instruments Incorporated - Dallas TX

International Classification:

G02B 2722
H04N 1304

US Classification:

359462

Abstract:

A system wherein the observer can be positioned at the interior of a three dimensional display and observe the display looking outwardly therefrom. In accordance with a first embodiment of the invention, the rotating disk of the prior art is made sufficiently large and at sufficient angle, preferably 45 degrees with respect to the shaft rotating the disk, so that the observer or a camera can be located in a conical portion of the cylinder swept out by the disk wherein the disk does not travel. In accordance with a second embodiment of the invention, the rotating shaft onto which the disk is anchored is a hollow, transparent cylinder and is sufficiently large to retain a viewer or a camera within the cylinder. In this way, the observer can rotate 360 degrees within the cylinder to view the entire display looking outwardly from the interior thereof.

US Patent:

49115278, Mar 27, 1990

Filed:

Jul 25, 1989

Appl. No.:

7/385941

Inventors:

Felix Garcia - Round Rock TX
Rodney D. Williams - Plano TX

Assignee:

Texas Instruments Incorporated - Dallas TX

International Classification:

G02B 604

US Classification:

350 9624

Abstract:

A fiber optics input device receives a light beam from a movable light source relative to the input device for providing input signals to a terminal. The device includes a single plane of parallel, clad optical fibers forming columns of a matrix and another similar single plane forming rows, the two planes being placed together to form the matrix. The cladding is removed from the top surface of each fiber to form a window therein to permit the light beam to directly contact the selected window in the column plane and to permit the light beam that passes the column plane optical fibers to enter the window of the row plane. Light sensors are connected to the ends of the optical fibers in both the column and row planes so that a first signal is generated indicating a column position and a second signal is generated indicating a row position, thereby fixing the intersection of the column and row optical fibers at the point where the light beam impinges. At least one more similar single vertical position plane may be positioned adjacent and below the row plane. This vertical position plane has at least one light detector connected to the ends of the optical fibers and provides a signal responsive to the light beam that passes the column and row planes indicative of the vertical position of the light source with respect to the input device.