Patents by Inventor Kirk J Swanson

Kirk J Swanson 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: 6927701
    Abstract: Techniques are described for monitoring runway occupancy and providing an indication of occupancy of a runway to an airplane on final approach the runway. A system, for example, defines and monitors one or more zones on the runway to determine whether the runway is occupied. Such a system includes sensors, such as inductive loop sensors, that may be located proximate to or on the runway, and the system may monitor ingress and egress of objects, such as airplanes or other vehicles on the ground, into and out of the zone in order to determine whether the zone is activated. The sensors may be located at points of entry and exit for the zone. The zones may be located at take-off hold areas of the runway and intersections of the runway with taxiways. A ground-based approach light array of the system may provide the indication of runway occupancy to the airplane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: Architecture Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Noel E Schmidt, Kirk J Swanson, Eric R Chartier
  • Publication number: 20040145499
    Abstract: Techniques are described for monitoring runway occupancy and providing an indication of occupancy of a runway to an airplane on final approach the runway. A system, for example, defines and monitors one or more zones on the runway to determine whether the runway is occupied. Such a system includes sensors, such as inductive loop sensors, that may be located proximate to or on the runway, and the system may monitor ingress and egress of objects, such as airplanes or other vehicles on the ground, into and out of the zone in order to determine whether the zone is activated. The sensors may be located at points of entry and exit for the zone. The zones may be located at take-off hold areas of the runway and intersections of the runway with taxiways. A ground-based approach light array of the system may provide the indication of runway occupancy to the airplane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2003
    Publication date: July 29, 2004
    Inventors: Noel E. Schmidt, Kirk J. Swanson, Eric R. Chartier