Patents by Inventor Harold Woodruff Tomlinson

Harold Woodruff Tomlinson has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 10096252
    Abstract: A method, medium, and system to receive flight parameter data relating to a plurality of flights, the flight parameter data including indications of aircraft performance based navigation (PBN) capabilities, flight plan information, an aircraft configuration, and an airport configuration for the plurality of flights; assign probabilistic properties to the flight parameter data; receive accurate and current position and predicted flight plan information for a plurality of aircraft corresponding to the flight parameter data; determine a probabilistic trajectory for two of the plurality of aircraft based on a combination of the probabilistic properties of the flight parameter data and the position and predicted flight plan information, the probabilistic trajectory being specific to the two aircraft and including a target spacing specification to maintain a predetermined spacing between the two aircraft at a target location with a specified probability; and generate a record of the probabilistic trajectory for the
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Liling Ren, Harold Woodruff Tomlinson, Vincent Paul Staudinger, Jeffrey Russell Bult, Mauricio Castillo-Effen, Szabolcs Andras Borgyos, Stephen Koszalka
  • Patent number: 9872643
    Abstract: A non-intrusive physiological data measurement system and method, as well as an optically induced treatment system, are described. The measurement system includes a monitoring mechanism that includes light emitter modules capable of emitting light at at least two wavelengths. The light emitted from the light emitter modules is transmitted through a subject and to a light receiving mechanism, such as an optical sensor. Physiological data is taken from the received light. The system also can ascertain movement of the subject by obtaining an initial outline of the subject and comparing that outline with a subsequently obtained outline. A therapeutic optic system includes a non-adhering light emitting mechanism for providing light at therapeutic wavelengths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Michael Joseph Mahony, John Erik Hershey, Glenn Alan Forman, Harold Woodruff Tomlinson, Jr., William Eugene Powell, III
  • Publication number: 20180005532
    Abstract: A method, medium, and system to receive flight parameter data relating to a plurality of flights, the flight parameter data including indications of aircraft performance based navigation (PBN) capabilities, flight plan information, an aircraft configuration, and an airport configuration for the plurality of flights; assign probabilistic properties to the flight parameter data; receive accurate and current position and predicted flight plan information for a plurality of aircraft corresponding to the flight parameter data; determine a probabilistic trajectory for two of the plurality of aircraft based on a combination of the probabilistic properties of the flight parameter data and the position and predicted flight plan information, the probabilistic trajectory being specific to the two aircraft and including a target spacing specification to maintain a predetermined spacing between the two aircraft at a target location with a specified probability; and generate a record of the probabilistic trajectory for the
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2016
    Publication date: January 4, 2018
    Inventors: Liling REN, Harold Woodruff TOMLINSON, Vincent Paul STAUDINGER, Jeffrey Russell BULT, Mauricio CASTILLO-EFFEN, Szabolcs Andras BORGYOS, Stephen KOSZALKA
  • Publication number: 20170011326
    Abstract: According to some embodiments, a system and method include an event module operative to receive a schedule and transmit an event; a crew tracking module to receive an output from the event module, the crew tracking module operative to: track and update a status of individual crew members assigned to each event, and transmit a crew status update to the event module; a crew analytics module to receive an output from the crew tracking module, the crew analytics module operative to: predict work disruptions; a memory for storing program instructions; at least one work disruption platform processor, coupled to the memory, and in communication with the event module, the crew tracking module, the crew analytics module, and operative to execute program instructions to: estimate, via the crew analytics module, a fatigue level of at least one of the individual crew members and a group of the individual crew members; analyze, via the crew analytics module, the data associated with at least one of the fatigue level of at
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2015
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Inventors: Hongwei Liao, David So Keung Chan, Harold Woodruff Tomlinson, Mark Thomas Harrington, Reejo Mathew, Han Yu
  • Patent number: 9346556
    Abstract: A method for providing one or more aircraft with weather data during flight includes generating a weather model using a source of weather data. The weather model incorporates flight operations information and performance requirements. The method includes generating a weather message from the weather model. The weather message is generated in a format that is compatible with the aircraft. The method also includes transmitting the weather message to the aircraft during flight of the aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Liling Ren, Joel Kenneth Klooster, Harold Woodruff Tomlinson, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9177479
    Abstract: A method for identifying variations in aircraft operational parameters includes processing a four-dimensional (4D) aircraft trajectory for a flight along a defined route. The method also includes determining an aircraft intent corresponding to the flight along the defined route based at least in part on an aircraft performance model from a trajectory predictor. The aircraft intent includes multiple segments and corresponding intent parameters. In addition, the method includes adjusting the intent parameters such that a computed 4D trajectory substantially corresponds to the 4D aircraft trajectory. The method further includes determining a computed operational parameter based at least in part on the computed 4D trajectory and the aircraft performance model from the trajectory predictor. In addition, the method includes identifying variations between the computed operational parameter and a corresponding measured operational parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Mauricio Castillo-Effen, Harold Woodruff Tomlinson, Liling Ren, Benjamin Eric Shanks
  • Patent number: 9014880
    Abstract: A trajectory-based sense-and-avoid system for use on an aircraft is provided that utilizes 4-D constructs, such as 4-D trajectories or 4-D polytopes, to maintain separation from other aircraft and/or to avoid collisions with other aircraft. In certain embodiments the trajectory-based sense-and-avoid system utilizes 4-D trajectories provided from an external source and/or 4-D trajectories estimated based on a variety of data sources during operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Michael Richard Durling, Harold Woodruff Tomlinson, Jr., Nikita Visnevski, Craig Alan Hoover, Glenn Alan Forman, Thomas Baby Sebastian, Mauricio Castillo-Effen, Steven Richard Hansen, Douglas Stuart Abernathy
  • Patent number: 8798898
    Abstract: A method and system suitable for inferring trajectory predictor parameters of aircraft for the purpose of predicting aircraft trajectories. The method and system involve receiving trajectory prediction information regarding an aircraft, and then using this information to infer (extract) trajectory predictor parameters of the aircraft that are otherwise unknown to a ground automation system. The trajectory predictor parameters can then be applied to one or more trajectory predictors of the ground automation system to predict a trajectory of the aircraft. In certain embodiments, the method and system can utilize available air-ground communication link capabilities, which may include data link capabilities available as part of trajectory-based operations (TBO).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Mauricio Castillo-Effen, David So Keung Chan, Harold Woodruff Tomlinson, Jr., Joel Kenneth Klooster, Sergio Torres
  • Patent number: 8717146
    Abstract: An integrated interrogator for a RFID sensor is provided. The integrated interrogator comprises a digital reader in communication with the RFID sensor, an impedance reader in communication with the RFID sensor, and one or more controllers that coordinate actions of the digital reader and the impedance reader.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Radislav Alexandrovich Potyrailo, Harold Woodruff Tomlinson, Jr., William Guy Morris
  • Publication number: 20140039733
    Abstract: A method for providing one or more aircraft with weather data during flight includes generating a weather model using a source of weather data. The weather model incorporates flight operations information and performance requirements. The method includes generating a weather message from the weather model. The weather message is generated in a format that is compatible with the aircraft. The method also includes transmitting the weather message to the aircraft during flight of the aircraft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2012
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Liling Ren, Joel Kenneth Klooster, Harold Woodruff Tomlinson, JR.
  • Patent number: 8483240
    Abstract: Systems and/or methods for relaying messages between nodes in a network (e.g. a wireless network) are provided. In accordance with certain exemplary embodiments, substantially simultaneous communications between nodes may be accomplished. At least one secondary message may be piggybacked onto a primary message. Messages in the network may be queued and sent from a transmitter to at least one receiver based at least in part on the signal-to-noise ratio(s) of the receiver nodes with respect to the transmitter. The queuing of the messages may be performed in dependence on a link set that indicates which messages are capable of piggyback communications. Thus, it may be possible to realize a network that reduces collision problems, reduces delays in communications, and/or increases throughput.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: John Anderson Fergus Ross, Michael James Hartman, Harold Woodruff Tomlinson, Jr., John Erik Hershey
  • Publication number: 20130110387
    Abstract: A method and system suitable for inferring trajectory predictor parameters of aircraft for the purpose of predicting aircraft trajectories. The method and system involve receiving trajectory prediction information regarding an aircraft, and then using this information to infer (extract) trajectory predictor parameters of the aircraft that are otherwise unknown to a ground automation system. The trajectory predictor parameters can then be applied to one or more trajectory predictors of the ground automation system to predict a trajectory of the aircraft. In certain embodiments, the method and system can utilize available air-ground communication link capabilities, which may include data link capabilities available as part of trajectory-based operations (TBO).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2011
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Applicants: LOCKHEED MARTIN CORPORATION, GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Mauricio Castillo-Effen, David So Keung Chan, Harold Woodruff Tomlinson, JR., Joel Kenneth Klooster, Sergio Torres
  • Patent number: 8315241
    Abstract: A method and apparatus that provides quality of service in wireless or sensor networks is disclosed. The method may include determining a class of service for transmission of one or more messages, adjusting a maximum packet length based on the determined class of service, allocating message time slots based on the determined class of service, setting a guard band size and frequency of resynchronization, and transmitting one or more messages using the adjusted maximum packet length, the allocated message time slots, and the set guard band size and frequency of resynchronization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Suresh K. Iyer, Scott Charles Evans, Harold Woodruff Tomlinson, Jr., Budhaditya Deb, Giri Kuthethoor, Ishan P. Weerakoon
  • Patent number: 8259753
    Abstract: A method transmitting a message over at least one of a plurality of channels of a communications network is provided. The method comprises the steps of detecting a presence of jamming pulses in the at least one of the plurality of channels. The characteristics of the jamming pulses in the at least one of the plurality of channels is determined wherein the determined characteristics define at least interstices between the jamming pulses. The message is transmitted over the at least one of the plurality of channels wherein the message is transmitted within the interstices of the jamming pulse determined from the step of determining characteristics of the jamming pulses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: John Anderson Fergus Ross, Harold Woodruff Tomlinson, Daniel White Sexton, John Erik Hershey, Richard Anthony DeCristofaro
  • Publication number: 20120158219
    Abstract: A trajectory-based sense-and-avoid system for use on an aircraft is provided that utilizes 4-D constructs, such as 4-D trajectories or 4-D polytopes, to maintain separation from other aircraft and/or to avoid collisions with other aircraft. In certain embodiments the trajectory-based sense-and-avoid system utilizes 4-D trajectories provided from an external source and/or 4-D trajectories estimated based on a variety of data sources during operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Inventors: Michael Richard Durling, Harold Woodruff Tomlinson, JR., Nikita Visnevski, Craig Alan Hoover, Glenn Alan Forman, Thomas Baby Sebastian, Mauricio Castillo-Effen, Steven Richard Hansen, Douglas Stuart Abernathy
  • Publication number: 20120001730
    Abstract: An integrated interrogator for a RFID sensor is provided. The integrated interrogator comprises a digital reader in communication with the RFID sensor, an impedance reader in communication with the RFID sensor, and one or more controllers that coordinate actions of the digital reader and the impedance reader.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Radislav Alexandrovich Potyrailo, Harold Woodruff Tomlinson, JR., William Guy Morris
  • Patent number: 8089846
    Abstract: The present techniques provide systems and methods for modulation coding of data on optical disks, such as holographic data disks, and techniques for reading that data back from the disks. The techniques involve parsing a bit stream into a sequence of individual bit-patterns, and then using the individual bit patterns to select a symbol, or matrix, from a lookup table of previously selected matrices. The symbols are selected according to predetermined criteria that may help make the disk more resistant to interferences and errors, such as surface scratches, and the like. For example, criteria that may be used to select the symbols are the number of reflective and non-reflective regions within each matrix, and the number of sequential reflective regions, among others. The symbols may be written to the disk in a two-dimensional fashion, e.g., across adjacent tracks, or in a three-dimensional fashion, e.g., across adjacent data layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: John Erik Hershey, Nick Andrew Van Stralen, Harold Woodruff Tomlinson, Jr., John Anderson Fergus Ross, Zhiyuan Ren, Zexin Pan, Victor Petrovich Ostroverkhov, Xiaolei Shi
  • Publication number: 20110285382
    Abstract: Methods and systems are described for determining a phase of transmitted voltage. In one embodiment, a power distribution system may operate to transmit voltage and an injected signal. The system may also include a power meter that may receive the voltage and injected signal. The power meter may determine a phase of the received voltage based on the received voltage and the injection signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2010
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Amol Rajaram Kolwalkar, Harold Woodruff Tomlinson, Bhaskar Sen, John Erik Hershey, Glen Peter Koste
  • Patent number: 8050879
    Abstract: A method to identify phase is presented. The method includes obtaining electrical parameters at a node and a substation of an electrical grid, processing the electrical parameters of the node and the substation into processed electrical parameters comprising at least one of a voltage harmonic amplitude, a current harmonic amplitude, a geometric harmonic modulated signal, and a noise pattern. The method further includes comparing the processed electrical parameters from the node and the substation and identifying phase information of the node with respect to the substation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Glen Peter Koste, John Erik Hershey, Harold Woodruff Tomlinson, Jr., Pierino Gianni Bonanni, Amol Rajaram Kolwalkar
  • Patent number: 7954770
    Abstract: In a jointless track system, passive signaling devices (“PSDs”) are coupled to a railroad track. The PSDs are used to optimize the amplitude, modulation, coding, and frequency of waveforms that are applied to the track (by signaling points) for at least three track circuit functions: detecting trains, detecting broken rails, and communicating between the signaling points and PSDs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Harold Woodruff Tomlinson, Jr., John Erik Hershey, Jeffrey Michael Fries