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: 10459008Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 14, 2014Date of Patent: October 29, 2019Assignee: Tektronix, Inc.Inventors: Robert E. Tracy, Kathryn A. Engholm, Alfred K. Hillman, Jr.
-
Patent number: 10198835Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 17, 2016Date of Patent: February 5, 2019Assignee: Tektronix, Inc.Inventors: Kyle L. Bernard, Edward C. Gee, David H. Eby, Julian B. Sessions, Steven W. Stanton, Robert E. Tracy
-
Publication number: 20170069119Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 17, 2016Publication date: March 9, 2017Inventors: Kyle L. Bernard, Edward C. Gee, David H. Eby, Julian B. Sessions, Steven W. Stanton, Robert E. Tracy
-
Publication number: 20150066410Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 14, 2014Publication date: March 5, 2015Inventors: Robert E. Tracy, Kathryn A. Engholm, Alfred K. Hillman, JR.
-
Patent number: 8880369Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 2, 2009Date of Patent: November 4, 2014Assignee: Tektronix, Inc.Inventors: Robert E. Tracy, Kathryn A. Engholm, Alfred K. Hillman, Jr.
-
Publication number: 20120306886Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 9, 2011Publication date: December 6, 2012Applicant: TEKTRONIX, INCInventors: KYLE L. BERNARD, EDWARD C. GEE, DAVID H. EBY, JULIAN B. SESSIONS, STEVEN W. STANTON, ROBERT E. TRACY
-
Publication number: 20100235124Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 2, 2009Publication date: September 16, 2010Applicant: TEKTRONIX, INC.Inventors: ROBERT E. TRACY, KATHRYN A. ENGHOLM, ALFRED K. HILLMAN, JR.
-
Publication number: 20090290793Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 22, 2009Publication date: November 26, 2009Applicant: TEKTRONIX, INC.Inventors: Kathryn A. Engholm, Robert E. Tracy
-
Patent number: 4122521Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 13, 1977Date of Patent: October 24, 1978Assignee: Northrop CorporationInventors: Horst Rick, Richard A. Keppel, Harvey A. Mitchell, Lowell V. Olsen, James K. Colas, Robert E. Tracy