John J Labelle

US Patent:

7053992, May 30, 2006

Filed:

Mar 4, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/793144

Inventors:

John LaBelle - Long Beach CA, US
Steven Szczuka - Cheo Hills CA, US
Kenneth W. Baun - Trabuco Canyon CA, US

Assignee:

Meade Instruments Corporation - Irvine CA

International Classification:

G01C 25/00
G01C 3/08

US Classification:

356 6, 356 501

Abstract:

An apparatus and method for calibrating range measurements are provided wherein calibration data is collected with each range measurement or group of range measurements. The calibration data comprise a plurality of simulated range measurements. In one embodiment, the simulated range measurements are used to analyze errors that vary with time and environmental conditions. Range measurements are calibrated by correlating a measured flight time of a transmitted and reflected laser beam with the simulated range measurements and a relationship between laser beam flight times and target ranges based on the speed of the laser beam.

US Patent:

7414707, Aug 19, 2008

Filed:

May 3, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/417423

Inventors:

John LaBelle - Long Beach CA, US
Steven Szczuka - Cheo Hills CA, US
Kenneth W. Baun - Trabuco Canyon CA, US

Assignee:

Meade Instruments Corporation - Irvine CA

International Classification:

G01C 25/00
G01C 3/08

US Classification:

356 6, 356 501

Abstract:

An apparatus and method for calibrating range measurements are provided wherein calibration data is collected with each range measurement or group of range measurements. The calibration data comprise a plurality of simulated range measurements. In one embodiment, the simulated range measurements are used to analyze errors that vary with time and environmental conditions. Range measurements are calibrated by correlating a measured flight time of a transmitted and reflected laser beam with the simulated range measurements and a relationship between laser beam flight times and target ranges based on the speed of the laser beam.

US Patent:

7508497, Mar 24, 2009

Filed:

Nov 23, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/995687

Inventors:

John LaBelle - Long Beach CA, US

Assignee:

Meade Instruments Corporation - Irvine CA

International Classification:

G01C 3/08

US Classification:

356 501, 356 507

Abstract:

A rangefinder and method are provided for measuring a distance between the rangefinder and a target by measuring the flight time of a beam reflected from the target. In an embodiment, a receiver having reduced noise detects weak reflections from the targets or targets with poor reflectivity. The receiver generates a voltage signal proportional to a reflected beam, clamps the voltage signal to remove a portion of the noise therefrom, and compares the voltage signal to a threshold. In some embodiments, the receiver also filters the voltage signal to remove a portion of the noise therefrom. In an embodiment, the sensitivity of the receiver is increased as a function of time to reduce the likelihood of detecting stray reflections from objects other than the intended target. In some embodiments, the rangefinder collects calibration data with each range measurement or group of range measurements. The calibration data comprise a plurality of simulated range measurements.

US Patent:

20070001103, Jan 4, 2007

Filed:

Aug 29, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/214228

Inventors:

John LaBelle - Long Beach CA, US

International Classification:

G02B 23/00

US Classification:

2502140SW

Abstract:

In various embodiments, a telescope comprises a telescope body, telescope optics, a two-dimensional sensor array, and power supply circuitry. The power supply circuitry comprises a switching power supply configured to provide power to the two-dimensional sensor array and sensing circuitry. During at least a portion of data acquisition, the switching power supply is shut off and the two-dimensional sensor array is powered by a non-switching power source, thereby reducing noise.

US Patent:

44208111, Dec 13, 1983

Filed:

Feb 5, 1981

Appl. No.:

6/231727

Inventors:

Matthew G. Tarnay - Pasadena CA
John T. LaBelle - Long Beach CA

Assignee:

Price-Pfister Brass Mfg. Co. - Pacoima CA

International Classification:

G06F 1546

US Classification:

364510

Abstract:

Apparatus and method for selecting, displaying and automatically controlling water flow rates and temperatures at the outlets of devices used in plumbing fixtures such as sinks, bathtubs, showers, or lavatories; the apparatus includes a temperature sensor at the water output, a control panel for selecting desired output water temperatures and flow rates, a comparator for comparing the selected temperature to the output temperature, and for generating signals to control separate hot and cold water valves to achieve and automatically maintain, within limits, any desired combination of flow rate and temperature. In one embodiment the comparator is embodied in a microprocessor which receives a digital signal representative of the actual water temperature, and generates a modified signal to adjust hot and cold water flow to the output means until the actual output temperature matches the selected temperature within a small error range while maintaining flow rate at a constant level.

US Patent:

46926070, Sep 8, 1987

Filed:

Oct 25, 1985

Appl. No.:

6/791215

Inventors:

John T. LaBelle - Long Beach CA
David A. Pringle - Pacific Palisades CA
Daniel McKenna - Kahuku HI

Assignee:

Optech Inc. - Burbank CA

International Classification:

G01J 132

US Classification:

250205

Abstract:

A controlled color light source including a lamp for projecting a beam of light, a power supply for energizing the lamp and a light conduit for sampling a portion of the light emitted from the lamp. A beam splitter is arranged to split the light from the conduit into two channels, and a pair of photo detectors, one for each channel are arranged to receive the light from the conduit via the beam splitter. A divider circuit has a pair of inputs and an output, the inputs being connected to the two photo detectors and an output circuit is connected to the output of the divider circuit for providing an output signal which is proportional to the color of light captured by the conduit.