Patents by Inventor Robert E. Tracy

Robert E. Tracy 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: 10459008
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for triggering upon signal events occurring in frequency domain signals. The method includes repeatedly sampling a time-varying signal and generating a plurality of digital frequency domain spectrums based on the samples of the time-varying signal. A frequency domain bitmap for the time-varying signal is repeatedly updated via application of the digital frequency domain spectrums. The method further includes selecting a portion of the frequency domain bitmap, determining a signal occupancy in the selected portion, and triggering a capture of the time-varying signal based on and in response to the occupancy determination for the selected portion of the bitmap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: Tektronix, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert E. Tracy, Kathryn A. Engholm, Alfred K. Hillman, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10198835
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for continuous RF signal visualization with high resolution acquires RF signal data within a specified frequency bandwidth seamlessly to produce digitized time domain data. The digitized time domain data is processed in both the frequency and time domains to form high resolution spectral and time traces which are stored. To match human visualization abilities, the high resolution traces are combined to form low resolution traces which are displayed. With the spectral traces, spectrum bitmaps may be generated and stored so that the spectrum bitmap for any displayed spectral trace may be recalled and displayed. The high resolution traces for any specified low resolution trace may be recalled for display. Finally multiple trigger event types may be generated and displayed with the displayed traces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: Tektronix, Inc.
    Inventors: Kyle L. Bernard, Edward C. Gee, David H. Eby, Julian B. Sessions, Steven W. Stanton, Robert E. Tracy
  • Publication number: 20170069119
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for continuous RF signal visualization with high resolution acquires RF signal data within a specified frequency bandwidth seamlessly to produce digitized time domain data. The digitized time domain data is processed in both the frequency and time domains to form high resolution spectral and time traces which are stored. To match human visualization abilities, the high resolution traces are combined to form low resolution traces which are displayed. With the spectral traces, spectrum bitmaps may be generated and stored so that the spectrum bitmap for any displayed spectral trace may be recalled and displayed. The high resolution traces for any specified low resolution trace may be recalled for display. Finally multiple trigger event types may be generated and displayed with the displayed traces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2016
    Publication date: March 9, 2017
    Inventors: Kyle L. Bernard, Edward C. Gee, David H. Eby, Julian B. Sessions, Steven W. Stanton, Robert E. Tracy
  • Publication number: 20150066410
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for triggering upon signal events occurring in frequency domain signals. The method includes repeatedly sampling a time-varying signal and generating a plurality of digital frequency domain spectrums based on the samples of the time-varying signal. A frequency domain bitmap for the time-varying signal is repeatedly updated via application of the digital frequency domain spectrums. The method further includes selecting a portion of the frequency domain bitmap, determining a signal occupancy in the selected portion, and triggering a capture of the time-varying signal based on and in response to the occupancy determination for the selected portion of the bitmap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventors: Robert E. Tracy, Kathryn A. Engholm, Alfred K. Hillman, JR.
  • Patent number: 8880369
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for triggering upon signal events occurring in frequency domain signals. The method includes repeatedly sampling a time-varying signal and generating a plurality of digital frequency domain spectrums based on the samples of the time-varying signal. A frequency domain bitmap for the time-varying signal is repeatedly updated via application of the digital frequency domain spectrums. The method further includes selecting a portion of the frequency domain bitmap, determining a signal occupancy in the selected portion, and triggering a capture of the time-varying signal based on and in response to the occupancy determination for the selected portion of the bitmap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Tektronix, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert E. Tracy, Kathryn A. Engholm, Alfred K. Hillman, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20120306886
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for continuous RF signal visualization with high resolution acquires RF signal data within a specified frequency bandwidth seamlessly to produce digitized time domain data. The digitized time domain data is processed in both the frequency and time domains to form high resolution spectral and time traces which are stored. To match human visualization abilities, the high resolution traces are combined to form low resolution traces which are displayed. With the spectral traces, spectrum bitmaps may be generated and stored so that the spectrum bitmap for any displayed spectral trace may be recalled and displayed. The high resolution traces for any specified low resolution trace may be recalled for display. Finally multiple trigger event types may be generated and displayed with the displayed traces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2011
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Applicant: TEKTRONIX, INC
    Inventors: KYLE L. BERNARD, EDWARD C. GEE, DAVID H. EBY, JULIAN B. SESSIONS, STEVEN W. STANTON, ROBERT E. TRACY
  • Publication number: 20100235124
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for triggering upon signal events occurring in frequency domain signals. The method includes repeatedly sampling a time-varying signal and generating a plurality of digital frequency domain spectrums based on the samples of the time-varying signal. A frequency domain bitmap for the time-varying signal is repeatedly updated via application of the digital frequency domain spectrums. The method further includes selecting a portion of the frequency domain bitmap, determining a signal occupancy in the selected portion, and triggering a capture of the time-varying signal based on and in response to the occupancy determination for the selected portion of the bitmap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2009
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Applicant: TEKTRONIX, INC.
    Inventors: ROBERT E. TRACY, KATHRYN A. ENGHOLM, ALFRED K. HILLMAN, JR.
  • Publication number: 20090290793
    Abstract: A method for automated searching of signal characteristics represented in a bitmap of an RF test and measurement device is provided. The bitmap is populated via sampling of a time-varying signal, where a first signal characteristic is reflected by an X-axis of the bitmap, a second signal characteristic is reflected by a Y-axis of the bitmap, and a third signal characteristic is reflected by a Z-axis of the bitmap. The method includes: selecting a region of the bitmap. The method further includes generating, for the region, a histogram of Z-values of the bitmap versus Y-values of the bitmap, searching the histogram for any portion in the histogram that meets a predetermined search criteria, and identifying a location of the bitmap corresponding to each portion of the histogram that meets the predetermined search criteria.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2009
    Publication date: November 26, 2009
    Applicant: TEKTRONIX, INC.
    Inventors: Kathryn A. Engholm, Robert E. Tracy
  • Patent number: 4122521
    Abstract: A plurality of sensors of various types each initiating a marker signal as it produces a "frame" of information sensed, such as a camera film frame for example. A computer in the navigation system of the reconnaissance craft receives the marker signals and generates respective successive frame count numbers which are fed back to the proper respective sensors and recorded directly on the individual frames to whch they pertain while the frames are still being taken or sensed by the sensors. At essentially the same time as the frame count number is being processed, the computer outputs a block of information to be stored and recorded for that one frame (sensor product), this information including the identifying frame count number, the sensor which took it, the time of occurrence, and the geographical location of the event as provided by the navigation system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1977
    Date of Patent: October 24, 1978
    Assignee: Northrop Corporation
    Inventors: Horst Rick, Richard A. Keppel, Harvey A. Mitchell, Lowell V. Olsen, James K. Colas, Robert E. Tracy