Robert J Keller

US Patent:

6690888, Feb 10, 2004

Filed:

Jul 21, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/621385

Inventors:

Robert Keller - Plano TX
Jose Melendez - Plano TX

Assignee:

Texas Instruments Incorporated - Dallas TX

International Classification:

H04B 1010

US Classification:

398129, 398201

Abstract:

A method for controlling an optical, path-to-sight link, the optical link including a source of light having a beam of light, a controllable beam steering device and an actuator to permit steering the light beam, the beam steering device being controllable by predetermined control signals. The method includes the following steps. The beam steering device is controlled so as to scan the beam of light in a first predetermined pattern. First direction is received data from a remote receiver including a light detector, the direction data corresponding to a direction of the beam at which the scanned beam of light is detected by the light detector. Responsive to the first direction data, a first beam direction is determined for data communication from the link to the receiver. The beam steering device is controlled to maintain a communications beam direction corresponding to the first beam direction. The beam of light is modulated with electronic signals.

US Patent:

6697184, Feb 24, 2004

Filed:

Jan 29, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/060949

Inventors:

Robert C. Keller - Plano TX
Luisa Angelica Zepeda - Dallas TX

Assignee:

Texas Instruments Incorporated - Dallas TX

International Classification:

G02B 2608

US Classification:

359212, 359198, 359199, 359213, 359214, 359223, 359226, 359641

Abstract:

An optical system includes a light source , such as a laser diode. A rotatable mirror is positioned to receive a light beam from the light source. A collimating lens is positioned to receive a reflected light beam from the rotatable mirror. The collimating lens preferably has a focal length that is about equal to the sum of the distance between the light source and the mirror and the mirror and the lens.

US Patent:

6714336, Mar 30, 2004

Filed:

Sep 20, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/957476

Inventors:

John W. Orcutt - Richardson TX
Robert C. Keller - Plano TX
Jose L. Melendez - Plano TX
Dwight Bartholomew - Dallas TX

Assignee:

Texas Instruments Incorporated - Dallas TX

International Classification:

G02B 2600

US Classification:

359290, 359238, 359225

Abstract:

A packaged micromirror assembly ( â) is disclosed. The assembly ( â) includes a mirror element ( ) having a mirror surface ( ) that can rotate in two axes. Magnets ( ) are attached to the mirror element ( ), to permit rotation of the mirror surface ( ) responsive to the energizing of coil drivers ( ). A sensor ( ) is disposed under the mirror surface ( ) to detect mirror orientation. In one aspect of the invention, the sensor ( ) includes a light source such as an LED ( ) that imparts light through an aperture ( ) at the underside of the mirror surface ( ). Light detectors ( ) are arranged at varying angles, and detect relative intensity of light reflected from the underside of the mirror surface ( ), from which the rotational position of the mirror ( ) can be derived. According to another aspect of the invention, a conical sensor ( ) with multiple insulated segmented capacitor plates are arranged under the mirror surface ( ). Variations in the capacitance between the mirror ( ) and the various segments of the sensor ( ) indicate the position of the mirror ( ).

US Patent:

6813446, Nov 2, 2004

Filed:

Apr 18, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/124997

Inventors:

Jose L. Melendez - Plano TX
Robert C. Keller - Plano TX

Assignee:

Texas Instruments Incorporated - Dallas TX

International Classification:

H04B 1000

US Classification:

398131, 398156, 398162

Abstract:

Disclosed is apparatus and method for establishing and maintaining optical data transfer between a first optical communications device ( ) and a second optical communications device ( ). The devices have a feedback communications link ( ) therebetween. An optical signal ( ), having a predetermined signal profile ( ), is transmitted from a transmission source ( ) within the first optical communications device to an optical receiver ( ) within the second optical communications device. The predetermined signal profile is transmitted from the first device, via the feedback communications link, to the second device. The signal profile ( ) of the optical signal as received by the optical receiver is determined, and compared with the predetermined signal profile to quantify any misalignment or movement of the optical signal with respect to the optical receiver. The transmission of the optical signal is then adjusted by a directing member ( ) responsive to the results of the compared profiles to align and center the optical signal with respect to the optical receiver. Once properly align, the optical signal may be utilized for high speed, high bandwidth data transmission.

US Patent:

7035546, Apr 25, 2006

Filed:

Jun 29, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/895712

Inventors:

Robert C. Keller - Plano TX, US
Jose Luis Melendez - Plano TX, US

Assignee:

Texas Instruments Incorporated - Dallas TX

International Classification:

H04B 10/00

US Classification:

398131, 378118, 378170, 378169

Abstract:

An optical communication transmitter (), receiver (), and transceiver () having distinctive retro-reflective elements () and/or reflectivity that can be modulated. In one embodiment, the retro-reflective elements () can have different shapes or patterns (), irrespective of rotation or size. In another embodiment, the retro-reflective elements can have their reflectivity modulated () to have a distinctive pattern in time. The solution also provides the capability to direct a remote optical receiver () to an available port () with an appropriate FOV. In the case where retro-reflective elements are only shape distinctive, a method may be used to direct the remote OWLink () to an appropriate port () of the hub (). In addition to the hub ports () used for data links, additional hub ports called command ports () are added that are only used during the initial link setup of remote units. The hub () contains enough command ports () such that one command port covers each possible FOV.

US Patent:

7149427, Dec 12, 2006

Filed:

Dec 14, 2001

Appl. No.:

10/024321

Inventors:

Andrew S. Dewa - Plano TX, US
Robert C. Keller - Plano TX, US

Assignee:

Texas Instruments Incorporated - Dallas TX

International Classification:

H04J 14/00

US Classification:

398 52, 398 55, 398 56, 385 18

Abstract:

A micromirror array assembly () for use in optical modules () in a wireless network system is disclosed. The micromirror array assembly () includes a plurality of mirrors () monolithically formed with a frame (), attached by way of hinges () and gimbal portions (). Permanent magnets () are attached to each of the gimbal portions () associated with the mirrors (). The resulting frame () is then mounted to a coil driver assembly () so that coil drivers () can control the rotation of each mirror (), under separate control from control circuitry (). The micromirror array assembly () is thus able to support higher signal energy at larger spot sizes, and also enables multiplexed transmission and receipt, as well as sampling of the received beam for quality sensing. A method of manufacturing the micromirror array assembly () is also disclosed, in which a support wafer () is temporarily bonded to the mirror wafer () while the permanent magnets () are attached.

US Patent:

7203425, Apr 10, 2007

Filed:

Jul 21, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/620943

Inventors:

Robert Keller - Plano TX, US
Jose Melendez - Plano TX, US

Assignee:

Texas Instruments Incorporated - Dallas TX

International Classification:

H04B 10/00

US Classification:

398123, 398124

Abstract:

An optical, line-of-sight modem. The modem includes a micro-mirror assembly including a micro-mirror and including an actuator for providing rotational movement to the micro-mirror, the micro-mirror being controllable by predetermined control signals. The modem includes a source of electronic data signals, and a source of light having a narrow beam of light directed at the micro-mirror. Means are provided for converting the electronic data signals to optical signals modulating the beam of light. Means are also provided for controlling the micro-mirror so as to maintain the micro-mirror in a predetermined position for data communication.

US Patent:

8090702, Jan 3, 2012

Filed:

Sep 12, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/531089

Inventors:

Steven Howard - Irving TX, US
Robert S. Keller - Colleyville TX, US
Michael S. Nichols - Southlake TX, US
Travis M. Woodruff - Roanoke TX, US

Assignee:

International Business Machines Corporation - Armonk NY

International Classification:

G06F 7/00
G06F 17/30

US Classification:

707707, 707710, 707712

Abstract:

Methods and arrangements to analyze web traffic of a portal are contemplated. Embodiments include transformations, code, state machines or other logic to analyze web traffic of a portal by a portlet receiving a request for web page content from the portal and generating a fragment of a web page. The fragment may include code to collect data from clients on web traffic of the portlet and to transmit the data to a facility for the collection of data on web traffic of the portal and the portlet. Some embodiments may involve a portal requesting web page content from a portlet, and the portal receiving a fragment of a web page from the portlet. The fragment may include code to collect data from clients on web traffic of the portlet and to transmit the data to the data collection facility.