Patents by Inventor Joshua C. Hickland

Joshua C. Hickland 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: 8914253
    Abstract: A computer-implemented analysis method is provided for identifying a flight trajectory of a bogey relative to earth's surface. The method includes a first step of obtaining first and second altitudes and velocities of the bogey separated by a first time interval. The second step calculates a first difference between the first and second velocities divided by the first time interval to obtain an acceleration vector. The third step determines the direction of the velocity vector. The fourth step determines whether direction of the second velocity vector exceeds an upward pointing threshold. The fifth step determines whether the acceleration vector is negative and substantially perpendicular to earth's surface as a second result being valid. The sixth step reports that the bogey represents a ballistic projectile in response to the first and second results.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: James H. Africa, Jr., Thomas G. Poley, Joshua C. Hickland
  • Publication number: 20120316824
    Abstract: A computer-implemented analysis method is provided for identifying a flight trajectory of a bogey relative to earth's surface. The method includes a first step of obtaining first and second altitudes and velocities of the bogey separated by a first time interval. The second step calculates a first difference between the first and second velocities divided by the first time interval to obtain an acceleration vector. The third step determines the direction of the velocity vector. The fourth step determines whether direction of the second velocity vector exceeds an upward pointing threshold. The fifth step determines whether the acceleration vector is negative and substantially perpendicular to earth's surface as a second result being valid. The sixth step reports that the bogey represents a ballistic projectile in response to the first and second results.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2010
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Applicant: United States Government, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: James H. Africa, JR., Thomas G. Poley, Joshua C. Hickland