Transmitting Intelligence Patents (Class 342/60)
  • Patent number: 11892554
    Abstract: A method for implementing radar-communication integration of a vehicle, where the method includes obtaining, by a radar device of a first vehicle, a first communication message, modulating the first communication message into a first carrier signal, where an operating frequency of the first carrier signal is in an operating band of the radar device, sending a periodic radar signal, and sending the first carrier signal to a second vehicle within a time gap between sending of a radar signal in a current period and sending of a radar signal in a next period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: HUAWEI TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shaofeng Xu, Zhiwei Zhang, Botao Zhai, Xueming Peng
  • Patent number: 11881927
    Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling satellites are provided. In one example embodiment, a computing system can obtain a request for image data. The request can be associated with a priority for acquiring the image data. The computing system can determine an availability of a plurality of satellites to acquire the image data based at least in part on the request. The computing system can select from among a plurality of communication pathways to transmit an image acquisition command to a satellite based at least in part on the request priority. The plurality of communication pathways can include a communication pathway via which the image acquisition command is indirectly communicated to the satellite via a geostationary satellite. The computing system can send the image acquisition command to the selected satellite via the selected communication pathway. Data from the satellite can be relayed to ground-based stations via one or more relay satellites.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: PLANET LABS PBC
    Inventor: Kiruthika Devaraj
  • Patent number: 11734975
    Abstract: A transportation system for identifying an object using a short range radar at a transportation gate. The transportation system includes one or more short range radars and a cloud server. The radars detect the object within a predetermined distance from the transportation gate and sense the object to generate a point cloud. An identification of the object is determined based on sensed data of the object using a machine learning algorithm from the cloud server. The identification is determined based on matching the point cloud with a plurality of profiles. The plurality of profiles includes matching information for a plurality of predetermined objects. The object is selected from the plurality of predetermined objects using the matching information. An authorization for the object is determined using another machine learning algorithm. Based on the authorization, either the passage through the transportation gate is authorized or the object is flagged as unauthorized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: Cubic Corporation
    Inventors: Tom Vilhelmsen, Richard Rowlands, Thomas Barrack, Steffen Reymann
  • Patent number: 11726198
    Abstract: An illustrative example embodiment of a detector device includes a plurality of transmitters and a controller that controls the transmitters to transmit respective signals defined at least in part by a sequence of 2N pulses within a period. N is an integer greater than 1. A first one of the transmitters transmits 2N first signal pulses within the period. Each of the 2N first signal pulses have a first phase. A second one of the transmitters transmits 2N second signal pulses within the period. Each of the 2N first signal pulses is simultaneous with one of the 2N second signal pulses. N second signal pulses have a phase shift of 180° relative to the first phase. Others of the second signal pulses have the first phase. The N second signal pulses having the phase shift are immediately adjacent each other in the sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: Aptiv Technologies Limited
    Inventors: Zhengzheng Li, Kurt J. Oster
  • Patent number: 11641303
    Abstract: An orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) based radar signal comprising Q sub-carriers adapted to push an IQ-imbalance component out of a subset of L contiguous range bins of range profiles derived out of the received radar signal and wherein L is at most Q/2, is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: IMEC vzw
    Inventors: Andre Bourdoux, Marc Bauduin, Claude Desset
  • Patent number: 11513233
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes systems and methods for escorting small unmanned aircraft (herein drones). An escorting drone approaches the escorted drone and transmits to it an escort signal. In an embodiment, the escort signal is a GNSS signal fashioned to be the same as the GNSS signal that would be received by the escorted drone, other than being slightly stronger in signal strength and having slightly altered component delays. In another embodiment, the escort signal is a radio frequency control channel signal. Escorting may be utilized to guide a drone from a preprogrammed point to a docking zone in a droneport; to guide a drone though an urban canyon or inside a building where GNSS signals are not reliably received; to retrieve a drone with which communications has been lost; or to escort a drone to safety out of a no-flight zone such as around an airport.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: Adam Wajnberg et al.
    Inventors: Adam Wajnberg, Aviv Bachar, Yaakov Stein
  • Patent number: 11479208
    Abstract: A locking system (3) has a first device (4), with at least two states and configured as a control system for releasing and/or locking the car doors (6), the ignition lock, the steering wheel lock, for releasing and/or blocking the immobilizer, the motor control device or the like. An associated second device (5) is in the form of an electronic key, an ID transmitter, a chip card or the like. Both devices (4, 5) have transmission and/or receiving units (10) for the transmission of an electromagnetic signals (7). The transmission and/or receiving unit (10) has an antenna for transmitting the signals (7). At least one of the signals (7) transmitted between the second device (5) and the first device (4) is a coded operating signal for authenticating the second device (5). Thus, once the transmitted operating signal has been positively identified for the authorized second device (5), the state of the first device (4) can be modified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: Marquardt GmbH
    Inventor: Andreas Becher
  • Patent number: 11474197
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for integrated communication and sensing. For example, an electronic device may transmit a radio frequency (RF) pulse signal in the active phase of a periodic sensing cycle, and sense in the passive phase of the sensing cycle, a reflection of the RF pulse signal reflected from an object. The RF pulse signal is defined by a waveform for carrying communication data between electronic devices. The sensed RF pulse signal is at least a portion of the transmitted or reflected RF pulse signal, wherein the portion is equal to or greater than a threshold value for the object being within a sensing range of the first electronic device. The electronic device may also receive a communication signal from another electronic device during the passive phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: HUAWEI TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Alireza Bayesteh, Mohammadhadi Baligh, Jianglei Ma
  • Patent number: 10534077
    Abstract: A proximity sensor measures the distance of a target and a method operates the proximity sensor. The proximity sensor emits a transmission signal as a free-field transmission wave, which is reflected at the target and as a free-field reflection signal is received by the proximity sensor as a reflection signal, wherein the determining of the distance is provided from the phasing of the reflection signal in relation to the phasing of the transmission signal. The proximity sensor shifts the phasing of the transmission signal chronologically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: Balluff GmbH
    Inventors: Sorin Fericean, Mark Eberspaecher
  • Patent number: 10516558
    Abstract: A transmitter is configured to transmit a radio frequency (RF) signal to a receiver. The receiver is configured to receive the RF signal and decode data. Furthermore, a method of wireless communication is provided between the transmitter and the receiver, in which the transmitter transmits to the receiver the RF signal. A carrier phase of the RF signal is randomly converted. The receiver detects an envelope of the RF signal, and extracts data from the RF signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chang Soon Park, Young Jun Hong, Joon Seong Kang
  • Patent number: 10243677
    Abstract: A network node of a wireless communications network is provided in a means of transportation, for an aircraft, for ascertaining sources of interference, to a system with such a network node, to an associated method for ascertaining sources of interference of a wireless communications network provided in a means of transportation, for the aircraft, and to a computer program for executing the method. The network node includes an interference-power-ascertaining component, for ascertaining an interference power of an interfering radiation emitted from a source of interference, and a transmitting component for wireless or wirebound transmission of the ascertained interference power to a control device for determining at least one of a direction of the interfering radiation and a distance of the source of interference, including the position of the source of interference, on the basis of the ascertained interference power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: AIRBUS OPERATIONS GMBH
    Inventors: Jan Mueller, Uwe Schwark
  • Patent number: 9977122
    Abstract: A multi-function radio frequency (RF) system may include a shared phased array antenna subsystem for transmitting and receiving radar signals and communications signals. The system may also include an integrated electronics package configured for controlling operation of the shared phased array antenna subsystem. The integrated electronics package may include a modulator/demodulator subsystem. The modulator/demodulator subsystem may include a radar module that is selectively coupled to the shared phased array antenna subsystem for transmitting and receiving radar signals. The radar module is configured to transmit and receive radar signals through the shared phased array antenna subsystem. The modulator/demodulator subsystem may also include a communications module that is selectively coupled to the shared phased array antenna subsystem for transmitting and receiving communications signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Marty Allen Pitts, Julio A. Navarro, Lixin Cai
  • Patent number: 9140782
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a video encoder, a camera and radio frequency modulation circuitry. The radio frequency modulation circuitry is operative to modulate a radar signal to include video data. A radar transmitter is operatively coupled to the radio frequency modulation circuitry, and is operative to transmit a radar signal including the video data. The apparatus may also include radio frequency demodulation circuitry and a video decoder. The video decoder is operative to decode video data contained in a radar signal demodulated by the radio frequency demodulation circuitry. An inter-vehicle alert system controls the camera to initiate capturing video data which includes the video data. A method of operation modulates a radar signal to include at least a portion of the video data captured in response to detecting an obstruction, and transmits the radar signal to a second vehicle via an antenna array oriented at the moving vehicle's rear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: Google Technology Holdings LLC
    Inventors: William P. Alberth, Jr., Dean E. Thorson
  • Publication number: 20150123837
    Abstract: Method for providing flight information data for a passenger in an aircraft, wherein the flight information data are transmitted from a cockpit system in the aircraft to at least one passenger information system in the same aircraft, wherein the flight information data are transmitted as a secondary radar signal and/or monitoring signal and received by the at least one passenger information system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2013
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventor: Gerko Wende
  • Publication number: 20140266857
    Abstract: The invention provides, in one aspect, a method for communicating data with a radar signal. The method includes transmitting a radar signal from a first location, the radar signal including data encoded therein. The radar signal is reflected off of a target object (or multiple target objects) at a second location. The method further includes receiving the reflected radar signal at a third location, and decoding the data encoded in the received radar signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventors: Peter Mayer, James T. Demers
  • Patent number: 8823577
    Abstract: A distance separation tracking process is provided that includes the transmission of a periodic radio frequency original signal from a beacon transceiver. The original periodic signal from the beacon transceiver is received at a remote target transceiver as a target received periodic signal. The target retransmits the received periodic signal to the beacon transceiver as a return periodic signal. Data points of the return periodic signal are sampled and used to calculate a phase differential between the original periodic signal and the return periodic signal that correlates to the distance separation range between the beacon transceiver and the target transceiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: iTRACK, LLC
    Inventors: G. Edzko Smid, Thomas P. Stiglich
  • Patent number: 8723721
    Abstract: A multistatic radar surveillance system includes transmitter elements and receiver elements arranged according to a zone to be monitored, and a command and control unit that configures the elements and collects information relating to objects detected by the receiver elements. Each transmitter element transmits a signal, the bandwidth of which is substantially equal to the totality of a frequency band B allocated to the system. Each transmitter element transmits a common waveform to all of the transmitter elements, and the waveform is modulated by a binary signal specific to the element in question, this signal allowing each of the receiver elements receiving a signal to identify the transmitter element at the source of this signal. The coding applied to the waveform is defined so that the spread spectrum caused to the signal transmitted by the latter does not exceed the frequency band B allocated to the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Thales
    Inventors: Michel Moruzzis, Daniel Muller, Jean-Marie Ferrier
  • Publication number: 20140035774
    Abstract: A radar sensor for a motor vehicle has at least one antenna arrangement for transmitting and receiving radar signals and a controller for controlling the operation of the antenna arrangement. The controller evaluates the received radar signals. The controller also operates the antenna arrangement to transmit and/or receive messages in a car-to-car communication.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2013
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: AUDI AG
    Inventor: Rachid Khlifi
  • Patent number: 8610621
    Abstract: A method for transmission and detection in an adaptive-on-transmit (AT) system operating in the electromagnetic spectrum comprising determining a waveform-filter pair; and employing the waveform-filter pair in transmission and detection, wherein two or more are provided of the group consisting of an auto-correlation function sidelobe level reduction proportional to a the filter length, K, or better, an out-of-band spectral suppression of at least about 40 dB, and a frequency spectrum power tail power decay of K?4 or better.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Arrowhead Center, Inc.
    Inventors: Ana Vazquez Alejos, Muhammad Dawood
  • Patent number: 8588351
    Abstract: Apparatus may be provided including a spectrum analyzer and decision circuitry. The spectrum analyzer may be configured to ascertain wireless signal signature data from a wide range of frequency bands. The decision circuitry may be configured to modify operation of one or both of a receiver and a transmitter based on the signal signature data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Motorola Mobility LLC
    Inventors: Kevin J. Bush, John R. Barr, Charles P. Binzel, Ronald F. Buskey, Brian D. Storm
  • Patent number: 8441393
    Abstract: An orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) communication system is adapted for radar ranging and imaging. A radar system includes an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) radio communications transmitter configured to transmit information bits using one or more payload symbols in a transmitted signal; and a receiver configured to: construct the payload symbols from the information bits provided by the transmitter; receive the payload symbols in the transmitted signal reflected from a target; apply a matched filter to the received payload symbols using the constructed payload symbols as a template; and process a magnitude response at an output of the matched filter for estimating location and imaging of the target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Tialinx, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Strauch, Soumya K. Nag, Farrokh Mohamadi
  • Patent number: 8344936
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention disclose systems and methods for providing an avionics overlay data link. Through embodiments of the present invention, existing ATC (or other) modulated signals using existing frequencies (or other frequencies) may be utilized to transmit (e.g., from an aircraft transponder) additional information in a manner that does not render the transmitted signal unrecognizable by legacy ATC equipment. In various embodiments, legacy equipment may demodulate and decode information that was encoded in the transmitted signal in accordance with preexisting standard modulation formats, and updated equipment can also extract the additional information that was overlaid on transmitted signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Aviation Communication & Surveillance Systems LLC
    Inventor: Gregory T. Stayton
  • Publication number: 20120119936
    Abstract: In at least one embodiment, an apparatus for transmitting vehicle information to an occupant communication device (OCD) is provided. The system comprises a communication module positioned within the vehicle. The communication device is configured to receive a transmission status signal indicative of a transmission mode for the vehicle. The communication device is further configured to transmit the transmission status signal over a wireless protocol to the OCD such that the OCD is disabled from being controlled by switches positioned thereon if the transmission mode enables movement of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2010
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Lee Miller, Brian Bennie, David Anthony Hatton, Douglas Paul Walser, Derrick E. Cook
  • Patent number: 8153943
    Abstract: A tornado disarming network includes a command center, tornado detection systems, and tornado busting missile launch sites in communications with the command center. Tornado busting missiles are at the tornado busting missile launch sites. Each tornado busting missile includes a radar, a guidance system and a solid rocket motor for propelling the missile toward the tornado. A thruster control system causes the tornado busting missile to travel upward within the tornado upon reaching the tornado. An explosive discharge system explodes within the tornado to generate heat for causing the air within the tornado to expand, thereby weakening the tornado.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Inventor: Riley H. Nelson
  • Patent number: 8098190
    Abstract: An emergency locator beacon testing and communication system is described. The system uses privately-owned Local User Terminals which provide direct feeds to a privately-operated beacon information processor having dedicated on-line servers for consolidating and providing access to beacon test information. The system receives beacon signals relayed through the Cospas-Sarsat satellite system, correlates the beacons' unique identification numbers (UIN's) in the received signals to the UIN's of beacons known to be undergoing testing, collects the data transmitted by beacons under test, and displays beacon test results in a useful format on a user-friendly website.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: ACR Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald D. Bishop, Gordon W. Johnston, Christopher P. Hoffman, Scott P. Morgan
  • Patent number: 8022860
    Abstract: An Advanced Focal Plane Array (“AFPA”) for parabolic dish antennas that exploits spatial diversity to achieve better channel equalization performance in the presence of multipath (better than temporal equalization alone), and which is capable of receiving from two or more sources within a field-of-view in the presence of multipath. The AFPA uses a focal plane array of receiving elements plus a spatio-temporal filter that keeps information on the adaptive FIR filter weights, relative amplitudes and phases of the incoming signals, and which employs an Interference Cancelling Constant Modulus Algorithm (IC-CMA) that resolves multiple telemetry streams simultaneously from the respective aero-nautical platforms. This data is sent to an angle estimator to calculate the target's angular position, and then on to Kalman filters FOR smoothing and time series prediction. The resulting velocity and acceleration estimates from the time series data are sent to an antenna control unit (ACU) to be used for pointing control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Ryan Mukai, Victor A. Vilnrotter
  • Patent number: 7928895
    Abstract: A system and method wirelessly communicates signals between a device on a gimbal and a stationary transceiver. An exemplary system has a gimbal with a moveable portion, a device affixed to the moveable portion, a gimbal transceiver coupled to the moveable portion, and a stationary transceiver, wherein the gimbal transceiver and the stationary transceiver are configured to communicate with each other using a wireless signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Brian P. Bunch, Steve Mowry, Paul Ferguson
  • Patent number: 7769105
    Abstract: A method for transmitting low data rate symbols from a burst radar transceiver is disclosed. The method includes dividing a symbol having a symbol period into a plurality of symbol sections. Each symbol section has a symbol section interval that is less than or equal to a burst interval of the radar transceiver. At least two symbol sections can be transmitted with the burst radar transceiver. Symbol energy can be accumulated from the at least two symbol sections at the communications terminal. Information in the received symbol sections can be identified based on characteristics of the accumulated symbol energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: L-3 Communications, Corp.
    Inventors: William K. McIntire, Larry S. Thomson, David H. Robbins, James J. Boesch
  • Patent number: 7633427
    Abstract: An active imaging system uses communication satellites to identify the location and physical attributes of a target. A transmitter emits a time-synchronized signal directed to a target. The transmitter radiates L-band RF signals. The transmitter can be positioned on an airborne or ground platform. A constellation of communication satellites receives and time stamps the time-synchronized signal reflected from the target to form an active image of the target. The constellation of communication satellites have multiple roles other than active imaging, such as providing voice and data communications. The time-synchronized signal reflected from the target can be received by multiple satellites within the constellation of communication satellites or by multiple antenna disposed on one satellite within the constellation of communication satellites.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: KinetX, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark D. Nelson
  • Patent number: 7592945
    Abstract: A collision avoidance system for reducing false alerts by estimating the elevation of a target, includes short and long range single-dimensional scanning radar sensors having differing ranges and beam angles of inclination, and a digital fusion processor, and preferably includes a locator device, an inclinometer, and a memory storage device cooperatively configured to further perform trend analysis, and target tracking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph S. Colburn, Osman D. Altan, Kevin Geary, Hui-Pin Hsu
  • Patent number: 7579989
    Abstract: Process and system for the location of emitters in the radar frequency range on the basis of cross position-finding by at least two flying platforms with, in each case, at least one passive HF sensor for ascertaining the geometrical and electronic properties of the emitter beams, whereby the flying platforms mutually exchange data for describing the geometrical and electronic properties of the emitter beams, and whereby from the plurality of the position-finding beams' possible intersection points, which arise from the emitter surveying operation, use is made, in order to determine the emitter position, of those intersection points at which the electronic properties of the intersecting emitter beams are identical.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Assignee: EADS Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Gerhard Winterling, Benjamin Benninghofen
  • Patent number: 7551121
    Abstract: The multi-target tracking and discrimination system (MOST) fuses with and augments existing BMDS sensor systems. Integrated devices include early warning radars, X-band radars, Lidar, DSP, and MOST which coordinates all the data received from all sources through a command center and deploys the GBI for successful interception of an object detected anywhere in space, for example, warheads. The MOST system integrates the optics for rapid detection and with the optical sensor array delivers high-speed, high accuracy positional information to radar systems and also identifies decoys. MOST incorporates space situational awareness, aero-optics, adaptive optics, and Lidar technologies. The components include telescopes or other optical systems, focal plane arrays including high-speed wavefront sensors or other focal plane detector arrays, wavefront sensor technology developed to mitigate aero-optic effects, distributed network of optical sensors, high-accuracy positional metrics, data fusion, and tracking mounts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Assignee: Oceanit Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel G. O'Connell, Ken C. K. Cheung
  • Publication number: 20090137340
    Abstract: Disclosed are a ball for use in a sporting activity, and a tracking system for tracking the ball. The ball comprises a microchip embedded in the ball. The microchip is adapted to transmit an information specific to a location of the ball to the tracking system. The tracking system is configured to locate the ball based on the information specific to the spatial location of the ball.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2007
    Publication date: May 28, 2009
    Inventor: Calvin Small
  • Patent number: 7538713
    Abstract: A method for transmitting bursts of data from a communications terminal to a mobile radar transceiver having inter-burst periods is disclosed. The method includes determining a propagation time between the communications terminal and mobile radar transceiver. A length of inter-burst periods of the mobile radar transceiver having an inter-burst timing can be determined. Bursts of data having a communication burst period that is less than the inter-burst period can be formed. The bursts of data from the communications terminal can be transmitted at a transmission time based on the inter-burst timing and the propagation time to enable each burst of data to be received by the mobile radar transceiver during one of the inter-burst periods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Assignee: L-3 Communications, Corp.
    Inventors: Larry S. Thomson, William K. McIntire, David H. Robbins, James J. Boesch
  • Patent number: 7515091
    Abstract: A method and system for communicating using pulsed radar signal data links is disclosed. The method comprises encoding downlink data with a signature sequence as a secondary function onto a continuous wave pulse signal having a primary function at a master device. The data-encoded pulse signal from the master device is interpreted at one or more slave devices configured to receive the pulse signal within a first communications bandwidth of the primary and secondary functions. The master device synchronizes returning communication transmissions from each of the one or more slave devices for the secondary function within a prescribed return interval of the primary function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: David W. Meyers, Michael R. Franceschini, James A. Freebersyser
  • Patent number: 7504992
    Abstract: A system and method for monitoring topological changes in a defined area. A grid of sensors is arranged in the area, with known distances between them. The sensors communicate wirelessly with a host computer, which individually addresses each sensor to instruct that sensor to be in an interrogate mode or responder mode. When a sensor is in interrogate mode, it measures distance from a neighboring sensor using radar (continuous wave phase difference) measurements. When a sensor is in responder mode, it receives, delays, and returns a signal received from a neighboring sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignee: Southwest Research Institute
    Inventors: Michael Eugene Pilcher, Jr., Brian Earl Campion, Ben Allen Abbott
  • Publication number: 20090045997
    Abstract: A method and system for communicating using pulsed radar signal data links is disclosed. The method comprises encoding downlink data with a signature sequence as a secondary function onto a continuous wave pulse signal having a primary function at a master device. The data-encoded pulse signal from the master device is interpreted at one or more slave devices configured to receive the pulse signal within a first communications bandwidth of the primary and secondary functions. The master device synchronizes returning communication transmissions from each of the one or more slave devices for the secondary function within a prescribed return interval of the primary function.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2007
    Publication date: February 19, 2009
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: David W. Meyers, Michael R. Franceschini, James A. Freebersyser
  • Patent number: 7486221
    Abstract: A method and system are disclosed where transmitted radar pulses are utilized for both a radar sensing function and for data communications. The data communications are performed in a manner that is simultaneous and transparent to the radar sensing function, in terms of non interference or interruption. The method and system are applicable to data communications between multiple pulsed radar devices as well as radar devices that are capable of receiving pulsed transmissions and transmitting continuous wave transmissions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: David W. Meyers, James A. Freebersyser, Harold Vincent Poor, Srivatsan Varadarajan
  • Patent number: 7460059
    Abstract: Interfering clutter in radar pulses received by an airborne radar system from a radar transponder can be suppressed by developing a representation of the incoming echo-voltage time-series that permits the clutter associated with predetermined parts of the time-series to be estimated. These estimates can be used to estimate and suppress the clutter associated with other parts of the time-series.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Richard C. Ormesher, Robert M. Axline
  • Patent number: 7345803
    Abstract: In an optical modulation device (10) having an electrical/optical interaction region (11), an electrical signal line (3) is connected to an electrical signal input terminal (2a), another electrical signal line (4a) is connected to an electrical signal output terminal (2b), and a reflection control circuit (5) is connected to the other electrical signal line (4a). This reflection control circuit (5) is an impedance element which positively reflects an output electrical signal from the interaction region (11) of the optical modulation device (10). This makes it possible to raise the upper-limiting frequency at which the E/O (Electrical-to-Optical) response characteristic can be improved, and improve the flatness of the frequency characteristic of the E/O response without deteriorating the absolute value of the E/O response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroki Nakajima, Takayuki Yamanaka, Hideki Fukano, Yuichi Akage, Munehisa Tamura, Tadashi Saitoh
  • Patent number: 7292822
    Abstract: An IDT produces a SAW when excited by a single electrical pulse and can be fabricated to embody a code, which code provides for a passive autocorrelation of a SAW input to the IDT and thereby lends itself to further application as a signal generator in a communication device. However, internal dimensions of IDTs are inversely proportional to operating frequency, such that high frequency IDTs present significant manufacturing difficulties. Fabrication of IDTs for high frequency applications is simplified by exploiting a harmonic frequency SAW generated by IDTs. An IDT may therefore be designed according to fundamental frequency internal dimension criteria but can operate at a multiple of the fundamental frequency, thereby providing much higher frequency operation than conventional SAW systems. Operation of a second harmonic SAW system at 2.4 GHz based on a fundamental frequency of 1.2 GHz is contemplated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Peter J. Edmonson, Colin K. Campbell
  • Patent number: 7164886
    Abstract: System and method for transparently attaching wireless peripherals to a computer using a Bluetooth wireless network. A preferred embodiment comprises an interface (for example, interface 630), a communications bus (for example, a USB 620), and a Bluetooth wireless network adapter (for example, a master unit 610). The interface translates messages from either the communications bus or the Bluetooth wireless network adapter so that a software stack is not needed to perform the translation at a later time. This helps to maintain the computer's reliability and performance. The system and method also affords wireless connectivity without the presence of a computer system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Keith R. Mowery, William F. Harris, Daniel G. Jensen
  • Patent number: 7158072
    Abstract: A weather radar signal path for an aircraft. The signal path has an antenna, a digital down-converter, a first transceiver, fiber optic cabling, a second transceiver and a processing unit. The antenna is adapted to, in a first mode, receive reflected radar signals from atmosphere ahead. The digital down-converter is adapted to convert the reflected radar signals received by the antenna into digital radar signals at a lower frequency. The first transceiver is adapted to, in the first mode, at least transmit the digital radar signals through said fiber optic cabling. The fiber optic cabling is adapted to, in the first mode, transfer the digital radar signals between the first and second transceivers. The second transceiver is adapted to, in the first mode, receive said digital radar signals from the fiber optic cabling. The processing unit is adapted to, in the first mode, process the digital radar signals to generate weather information based on predetermined algorithm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Ranganath Venkatachalam, Ronald W. Andreatta
  • Patent number: 7158763
    Abstract: A SAW communication device has a main IDT mounted on an SAW substrate to receive an RF signal received by an antenna and convert the RF signal to an acoustic wave which travels along the SAW substrate in opposite directions from the main IDT. At least two secondary IDTs are mounted on the SAW substrate on opposite sides of and spaced from the main IDT to receive and reflect the acoustic wave in a modulated form such that the modulated acoustic wave from one secondary IDT is delayed relatively to the modulated acoustic wave from a secondary IDT on the opposite side of the main IDT to the one secondary IDT. The main IDT is also operable to receive and convert the reflected modulated acoustic waves to a further RF signal with a concatenated waveform corresponding to the two modulated acoustic waves and transmit the further RF signal from the antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: P. J. Edmonson Ltd.
    Inventors: Peter J. Edmonson, Colin K. Campbell
  • Patent number: 7136011
    Abstract: A field unit for warning of a danger of collision between an aircraft and an obstacle, in particular a topographical ground obstacle or an obstacle formed by a mast, building or aerial cable structure, comprises a multi-part tubular mast having devices for fixing a solar panel and a radar antenna; an elongate radar antenna in an environment-protective casing, which, with an electronics unit, forms a radar system for synthesized radar detection of an aircraft in a radar coverage area; a central processing unit for identifying on the basis of information from the radar system an aircraft which is in a zone of the radar coverage area and which on the basis of radar information such as direction, distance and/or speed computes a collision danger area; and a high-intensity light system and radio transmitter system that can be activated by the central processing unit upon detection of an aircraft in a collision danger area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: OCAS AS
    Inventors: Morten Mørk, Rolf Bakken
  • Patent number: 7106244
    Abstract: A system and a method for monitoring a freight container are provided. The method includes the steps of generating a resonant spectrum representative of an initial condition of internal surfaces and contents of the freight container, and saving the resonant spectrum for future comparison purposes. The method further includes generating a second resonant spectrum and comparing the second resonant spectrum with the initial resonant spectrum to determine whether there has been any tampering with the freight container. The method also includes identifying the contents of the freight container and generating loading diagrams of the contents and using polarity configuration characteristics of the internal surfaces of said freight container to determine whether the contents have moved or been shifted during transport.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: Phalanx Group, LLC
    Inventor: Hsiongwei Hsu
  • Patent number: 7075476
    Abstract: A network, sensor and method are provided that utilize the capabilities of impulse radio technology to help monitor and/or control the environment within a building. In particular, the network includes a sensor attached to a first impulse radio unit that is capable of transmitting an impulse radio signal containing sensor related information to a second impulse radio unit. The second impulse radio unit is attached to a control station that uses the sensor related information (e.g., environmental related information, safety related information or surveillance related information) to monitor and/or control the environment within a building. In one aspect of the present invention, the control system can better control and monitor the environment within the building because the sensor may be moved around within the building and reference impulse radio units may interact with the first impulse radio unit to enable the determination of the current position of the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: Time Domain Corp.
    Inventor: Jonnathan H. Kim
  • Patent number: 7039367
    Abstract: A communications system and method utilizes an unmanned surface vehicle (USV) capable of collecting data about an environment in which the USV resides. At least one micro-aerial vehicle (MAV), equipped for unmanned flight after a launch thereof, is mounted on the USV. Each MAV has onboard radio frequency (RF) communications. Each MAV launched into the air transmits the data collected by the USV using the MAV's RF communications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Daniel Kucik
  • Patent number: RE41153
    Abstract: A field unit for warning of a danger of collision between an aircraft and an obstacle, in particular a topographical ground obstacle or an obstacle formed by a mast, building or aerial cable structure, comprises a multi-part tubular mast having devices for fixing a solar panel and a radar antenna; an elongate radar antenna in an environment-protective casing, which, with an electronics unit, forms a radar system for synthesized radar detection of an aircraft in a radar coverage area; a central processing unit for identifying on the basis of information from the radar system an aircraft which is in a zone of the radar coverage area and which on the basis of radar information such as direction, distance and/or speed computes a collision danger area; and a high-intensity light system and radio transmitter system that can be activated by the central processing unit upon detection of an aircraft in a collision danger area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: OCAS AS
    Inventors: Morten Mork, Rolf Bakken
  • Patent number: RE42708
    Abstract: A field unit for warning of a danger of collision between an aircraft and an obstacle, in particular a topographical ground obstacle or an obstacle formed by a mast, building or aerial cable structure, comprises a multi-part tubular mast having devices for fixing a solar panel and a radar antenna; an elongate radar antenna in an environment-protective casing, which, with an electronics unit, forms a radar system for synthesized radar detection of an aircraft in a radar coverage area; a central processing unit for identifying on the basis of information from the radar system an aircraft which is in a zone of the radar coverage area and which on the basis of radar information such as direction, distance and/or speed computes a collision danger area; and a high-intensity light system and radio transmitter system that can be activated by the central processing unit upon detection of an aircraft in a collision danger area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: OCAS AS
    Inventors: Morten Mark, Rolf Bakken