Patents by Inventor John Michael Spall
John Michael Spall 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).
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Publication number: 20240025339Abstract: A digital license plate includes a display system capable of showing a license number readable by camera systems even under poor external lighting conditions. A light redistribution element is positioned near the display system and a lighting system is positioned to direct light from the light redistribution element and toward the display system. In some embodiments the lighting system includes a narrowband lighting element such as can be provided by a narrowband light source, and the display system includes an electrophoretic or LCD display.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 2, 2023Publication date: January 25, 2024Applicant: ReviverMx, Inc.Inventors: John Michael Spall, Matthias Thomas Peter Pfeiffer
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Patent number: 11801787Abstract: A digital license plate includes a display system capable of showing a license number readable by camera systems even under poor external lighting conditions. A light redistribution element is positioned near the display system and a lighting system is positioned to direct light from the light redistribution element and toward the display system. In some embodiments the lighting system includes a non-visible lighting element such as can be provided by an infrared source, and the display system includes an electrophoretic or LCD display.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2021Date of Patent: October 31, 2023Inventors: John Michael Spall, Matthias Thomas Peter Pfeiffer
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Publication number: 20220410797Abstract: A digital license plate includes a display system capable of showing a license number readable by camera systems even under poor external lighting conditions. A light redistribution element is positioned near the display system and a lighting system is positioned to direct light from the light redistribution element and toward the display system. In some embodiments the lighting system includes a non-visible lighting element such as can be provided by an infrared source, and the display system includes an electrophoretic or LCD display.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 28, 2021Publication date: December 29, 2022Inventors: John Michael Spall, Matthias Thomas Peter Pfeiffer
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Publication number: 20220344799Abstract: An antenna system of an unmanned aerial vehicle, the antenna system including a first loop antenna system, a second loop antenna system, and a feed line. The second loop antenna system is spaced apart from the first loop antenna system. The feed line extends between and connects the first loop antenna system and the second loop antenna system.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 29, 2022Publication date: October 27, 2022Inventors: John Michael Spall, Adrian Matthew Cooke
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Patent number: 11387546Abstract: Disclosed is a cross loop antenna system for an aerial vehicle. In one embodiment, the cross loop antenna system includes a cross bar antenna and a ground plane. The cross bar antenna includes two thin coplanar perpendicular bars that intersect in the middle and are parallel to the ground plane. Each bar couples to the ground plane at each end, comprising an antenna loop. Thus, the cross loop antenna system comprises two intersecting single-fed loops. The antenna can operate at a wavelength that is approximately twice the length of the bars. In such an embodiment, the antenna system may be resonant. The distance between the bars and the ground plane may be relatively small, thus minimalizing the vertical profile of the antenna. The antenna may be operated as a dual-band antenna and may produce an omnidirectional radiation pattern. An aerial vehicle may include two such antennas.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2020Date of Patent: July 12, 2022Assignee: GoPro, Inc.Inventors: John Michael Spall, Adrian Matthew Cooke
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Publication number: 20210119326Abstract: Disclosed is a cross loop antenna system for an aerial vehicle. In one embodiment, the cross loop antenna system includes a cross bar antenna and a ground plane. The cross bar antenna includes two thin coplanar perpendicular bars that intersect in the middle and are parallel to the ground plane. Each bar couples to the ground plane at each end, comprising an antenna loop. Thus, the cross loop antenna system comprises two intersecting single-fed loops. The antenna can operate at a wavelength that is approximately twice the length of the bars. In such an embodiment, the antenna system may be resonant. The distance between the bars and the ground plane may be relatively small, thus minimalizing the vertical profile of the antenna. The antenna may be operated as a dual-band antenna and may produce an omnidirectional radiation pattern. An aerial vehicle may include two such antennas.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 2, 2020Publication date: April 22, 2021Inventors: John Michael Spall, Adrian Matthew Cooke
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Patent number: 10854962Abstract: Disclosed is a cross loop antenna system for an aerial vehicle. In one embodiment, the cross loop antenna system includes a cross bar antenna and a ground plane. The cross bar antenna includes two thin coplanar perpendicular bars that intersect in the middle and are parallel to the ground plane. Each bar couples to the ground plane at each end, comprising an antenna loop. Thus, the cross loop antenna system comprises two intersecting single-fed loops. The antenna can operate at a wavelength that is approximately twice the length of the bars. In such an embodiment, the antenna system may be resonant. The distance between the bars and the ground plane may be relatively small, thus minimalizing the vertical profile of the antenna. The antenna may be operated as a dual-band antenna and may produce an omnidirectional radiation pattern. An aerial vehicle may include two such antennas.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2019Date of Patent: December 1, 2020Assignee: GoPro, Inc.Inventors: John Michael Spall, Adrian Matthew Cooke
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Publication number: 20200006843Abstract: Disclosed is a cross loop antenna system for an aerial vehicle. In one embodiment, the cross loop antenna system includes a cross bar antenna and a ground plane. The cross bar antenna includes two thin coplanar perpendicular bars that intersect in the middle and are parallel to the ground plane. Each bar couples to the ground plane at each end, comprising an antenna loop. Thus, the cross loop antenna system comprises two intersecting single-fed loops. The antenna can operate at a wavelength that is approximately twice the length of the bars. In such an embodiment, the antenna system may be resonant. The distance between the bars and the ground plane may be relatively small, thus minimalizing the vertical profile of the antenna. The antenna may be operated as a dual-band antenna and may produce an omnidirectional radiation pattern. An aerial vehicle may include two such antennas.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 17, 2019Publication date: January 2, 2020Inventors: John Michael Spall, Adrian Matthew Cooke
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Patent number: 10396443Abstract: Disclosed is a cross loop antenna system for an aerial vehicle. In one embodiment, the cross loop antenna system includes a cross bar antenna and a ground plane. The cross bar antenna includes two thin coplanar perpendicular bars that intersect in the middle and are parallel to the ground plane. Each bar couples to the ground plane at each end, comprising an antenna loop. Thus, the cross loop antenna system comprises two intersecting single-fed loops. The antenna can operate at a wavelength that is approximately twice the length of the bars. In such an embodiment, the antenna system may be resonant. The distance between the bars and the ground plane may be relatively small, thus minimalizing the vertical profile of the antenna. The antenna may be operated as a dual-band antenna and may produce an omnidirectional radiation pattern. An aerial vehicle may include two such antennas.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2016Date of Patent: August 27, 2019Assignee: GoPro, Inc.Inventors: John Michael Spall, Adrian Matthew Cooke
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Publication number: 20170179582Abstract: Disclosed is a cross loop antenna system for an aerial vehicle. In one embodiment, the cross loop antenna system includes a cross bar antenna and a ground plane. The cross bar antenna includes two thin coplanar perpendicular bars that intersect in the middle and are parallel to the ground plane. Each bar couples to the ground plane at each end, comprising an antenna loop. Thus, the cross loop antenna system comprises two intersecting single-fed loops. The antenna can operate at a wavelength that is approximately twice the length of the bars. In such an embodiment, the antenna system may be resonant. The distance between the bars and the ground plane may be relatively small, thus minimalizing the vertical profile of the antenna. The antenna may be operated as a dual-band antenna and may produce an omnidirectional radiation pattern. An aerial vehicle may include two such antennas.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 16, 2016Publication date: June 22, 2017Inventors: John Michael Spall, Adrian Matthew Cooke
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Publication number: 20170168481Abstract: Disclosed is a configuration for displaying a user interface on a device (e.g., a remote controller) to assist a user in correctly orienting the device for improved communication with an aerial vehicle. Position information is received by device from the aerial vehicle. The remote controller detects its own position and orientation. Based on the orientation of the remote controller and the relative position of the remote controller and aerial vehicle, the remote controller displays an indication to the user to assist the user in orienting the remote controller so that one or more directional antennas of the remote controller are oriented for effective communication between the device and the aerial vehicle. Also disclosed is an antenna configuration within a housing of a remote controller. The antenna configuration includes two ceramic patch antennas.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 8, 2016Publication date: June 15, 2017Inventors: Sean Michael Flanigan, Joseph Anthony Enke, Adrian Matthew Cooke, John Michael Spall
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Patent number: 6204816Abstract: An antenna assembly has a shaft element with first and second ends. The antenna assembly also has a tube-like element disposed about the first end of the shaft element which tube-like element acts as a matching structure for the antenna assembly and strengthens and rigidifies the antenna assembly to resist bending of the shaft element proximate to the first end thereof. The antenna assembly further has a dielectric material disposed between the tube-like element and the shaft element at the first end. Moreover, the antenna assembly may be combined with a housing to form a radio-communication assembly, the housing having a surface with an edge, the tube-like element acting as a matching structure and strengthening and rigidifying the antenna assembly to resist bending of the shaft element at a fulcrum defined by the edge. Furthermore, a method reconfiguring an antenna on a radio-communication assembly is provided.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 1998Date of Patent: March 20, 2001Assignee: Ericsson, Inc.Inventors: James D. MacDonald, Jr., Gerard James Hayes, John Michael Spall
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Patent number: 6061036Abstract: A thin flexible antenna has radiating elements made of thin nickel-titanium, a highly flexible and rigid alloy. The radiating elements are covered with silicone elastomer dielectric layers that have suitable elongation properties to withstand extreme bending stresses outer jackets cover the antenna. The outer jackets have a textured exterior surface that evenly distributes the bending stresses across the antenna.Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 1998Date of Patent: May 9, 2000Assignee: Ericsson, Inc.Inventors: James D. MacDonald, Jr., Walter M. Marcinkiewicz, Gerard James Hayes, John Michael Spall
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Patent number: 6046708Abstract: A termination contact for an antenna that has a Ni--Ti radiating element is formed by a layer of electrically conductive carbon filler disposed on the Ni--Ti radiating element. A conductive element is positioned on the layer of conductive carbon filler to provide electrical interface between the Ni--Ti radiating element and external RF circuitry. In to prevent contamination, a protective layer of silicon elastomer covers the conductive layer and the Ni--Ti radiating element such that a portion of the conductive element is exposed to provide a RF feed point.Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 1998Date of Patent: April 4, 2000Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM EricssonInventors: James D. MacDonald, Jr., Gerard James Hayes, John Michael Spall, Walter M. Marcinkiewicz
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Patent number: 6005524Abstract: Flexible diversity antennas having gain and bandwidth capabilities suitable for use within small communications devices such as radiotelephones are provided. A core of flexible material has an electrical conductor embedded therewithin in a meandering pattern and is surrounded by a first layer of flexible dielectric material. At one end of the antenna, the first layer of dielectric material is surrounded by flexible conductive material. The flexible conductive material is surrounded by a second layer of flexible dielectric material. The portion of the antenna surrounded by conductive material serves as a tuning element, and the portion of the antenna not surrounded by conductive material serves as a radiating element. A flexible signal feed is integral with the antenna and extends outwardly from the flexible core.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 1998Date of Patent: December 21, 1999Assignee: Ericsson Inc.Inventors: Gerard James Hayes, James D. MacDonald, Jr., John Michael Spall