Patents by Inventor Steven E. Koenck

Steven E. Koenck 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: 11144111
    Abstract: A method includes displaying content including an environment, a user entity, and a synthetic entity. The user entity is controllable by a user with respect to the environment and the synthetic entity. The environment and the synthetic entity operate according to a pre-scripted scheme. The method further includes receiving user information. The user information is at least one of a user input and a current physiological state of the user. The method further includes modifying the pre-scripted scheme based on the user information and prior user information. The prior user information comprises at least one of a prior user input and a prior physiological state of the prior user received in response to an interaction of the prior user with the pre-scripted scheme.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Jaclyn A. Hoke, Matthew M. Lorch, Subhashish Chakravarty, Steven E. Koenck
  • Patent number: 10747217
    Abstract: A group or swarm of vehicles may be configured to move together in a predetermined formation. Each vehicle may include a navigation and communication system configured to provide communication and to determine accurate relative position, navigation, and time information for each vehicle in the group. Each vehicle may include a second radio frequency transceiver configured to receive and transmit in the high frequency (HF) or lower radio frequency band, and to measure and control the timing of the reception and transmission of the HF signals in relation to the timing of the reception and transmission of the HF signals with the other vehicles in the group to form an antenna propagation pattern to communicate over beyond line-of-sight distances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven E. Koenck, Anders P. Walker
  • Patent number: 10681316
    Abstract: A system for presentation of visual information to a user includes an image generator operatively coupled to an information source, a projector operatively coupled to the image generator and configured to project light indicative of the image within a defined region of space comprising a head box, a head worn viewing device comprising an optical element configured to receive the light indicative of the image when the optical element is positioned in the head box and to convert the light indicative of the image into a final image viewable by the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Carlo L. Tiana, Robert D. Brown, Steven E. Koenck
  • Patent number: 10382746
    Abstract: Head-worn displays are disclosed. A head-worn display may include at least one processor configured to determine a location of the head-worn display with respect to a real-world environment and to generate a conformal indicator conforming to an element in the real-world environment. The at least one processor may also be configured to generate a non-conformal indicator unconstrained by elements in the real-world environment. The head-worn display may include at least one display in communication with the at least one processor. The at least one display may be configured to display the conformal indicator and/or the non-conformal indicator generated by the at least one processor to a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Geoffrey A. Shapiro, Christopher L. George, Timothy J. Wittkop, Steven E. Koenck
  • Patent number: 10288775
    Abstract: Multiple index optical structures, including doublet and triplet lenses, aspheres, torics, atorics, and other types of freeform multiple-index lenses, may be 3D printed as single components from a variety of optical materials having different indices of refraction. 3D-printed Multiple-index lenses may be printed onto other lenses, optical structures, or light emitting structures, or onto components of an electrical optical system to provide color correction and reduced distortions while reducing system complexity by requiring fewer lenses and reducing production costs by reducing the processing power and memory required to maintain system latency. A related method modifies the radiation pattern of an LED assembly by 3D printing optical material directly onto an LED die or an LED emitter bulb.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Alan Keith, Bobby D. Foote, Steven E. Koenck, Arvid Christopher Berg
  • Patent number: 10288738
    Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for determining azimuth, elevation, or object position relative to a baseline using an integrated sighting device. The integrated sighting device includes a GPS receiver, an inertial measurement unit (IMU), an optical aperture, a microcomputer, and a handheld housing. The integrated sighting device, during transit from a reference position to a sighting position, determines a first angle between the sighting position and the reference position based on carrier phase input received during the transit. Orientation input is received from the IMU at the sighting position as the integrated sighting device is aimed and sighted along a line of sight to the reference position. The baseline is generated based on a second angle of the orientation input correlating with the first angle. The baseline is used as a reference for determining azimuth, elevation, or position of other objects or devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven E. Koenck, James H. Doty, Brad A. Walker, Michael C. Gokay
  • Patent number: 10162410
    Abstract: A head-tracking system for dismounted users comprises an inertial georeferenced head tracker (IGHT) having a time-cumulative drift error, an azimuth-referenced head-tracker (ARHT), and a controller. The ARHT comprises a data link with an angle of arrival antenna, differential global position satellite receivers, and a processor configured to determine the head position of the user and initialize the IGHT. The controller may compare a current drift error of the IGHT with a predetermined drift error threshold. If the current drift error is below the predetermined drift error threshold, the IGHT data may accurately represent the head position of the user. If the current drift error is above the predetermined drift error threshold, the IGHT may be updated with the ARHT data to accurately represent the head position of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven E. Koenck, Brad A. Walker
  • Patent number: 10084283
    Abstract: An optical system is described. The optical system has an optical amplifier array. The optical amplifier array has an array of optical amplifiers. Each optical amplifier has an optical amplifier region including a semiconductor active region having a direct electronic band gap with a conduction band edge. The semiconductor active region is embedded within a photonic crystal having an electromagnetic band gap having photon energies overlapping the energy of the conduction band edge of the electronic band gap such that spontaneous emission of photons in the semiconductor active region is suppressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: ROCKWELL COLLINS, INC.
    Inventors: David W. Jensen, Steven E. Koenck, Robert G. Brown, Matilda G. Livadaru
  • Patent number: 10067560
    Abstract: A head-tracking system for dismounted users comprises an inertial georeferenced head tracker (IGHT) having a time-cumulative drift error, an azimuth-referenced head-tracker (ARHT), and a controller. The ARHT comprises a data link with an angle of arrival antenna, differential global position satellite receivers, and a processor configured to determine the head position of the user and initialize the IGHT. The controller may compare a current drift error of the IGHT with a predetermined drift error threshold. If the current drift error is below the predetermined drift error threshold, the IGHT data may accurately represent the head position of the user. If the current drift error is above the predetermined drift error threshold, the IGHT may be updated with the ARHT data to accurately represent the head position of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven E. Koenck, Brad A. Walker
  • Patent number: 10031229
    Abstract: An object designator system has a laser light source, and image sensor, a display, and a processor coupled with a non-transitory processor-readable medium storing processor-executable code. The image sensor captures an external scene image. The processor determines a range to an object of interest in the external scene and an exposure delay based on the range. The laser light source emits a laser light pulse into the external scene. The image sensor, based on the exposure delay, captures a laser spot image including laser light pulse reflections, and a spot baseline image of the external scene. The processor determines, based on the laser spot image and the spot baseline image, a location of the laser spot in the external scene and generates a symbol indicative of the location of the laser spot. The processor renders the symbol onto the external scene image to display an integrated image to a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven E. Koenck, Mark A. Bortz, T. Douglas Hiratzka, Michael C. Gokay
  • Patent number: 9958583
    Abstract: An optical notch filter includes a particle layer including nano-particles in a substrate material. The nano-particles are arranged in one or more arrays to provide a nano plasmonic absorption of radiation having a wavelength of 532 nm incident on the filter. The filter exhibits a radiation absorption profile with an absorption maxima of at least 99% at 532 nm for an angle of incidence of between +50° and ?50°, and has a full width half maxima transmission of less than 15 nm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert G. Brown, Steven E. Koenck, James E. Melzer, Wyatt L. Hendrick
  • Patent number: 9883348
    Abstract: A system and related method for navigation and orientation determination in an indoor or GPS-denied environment mounts a static reference transceiver (SRT) at a known, fixed position within the environment, the fixed position referenced by a coordinate reference frame (CRF) of the SRT. The SRT communicates its position to mobile dismounted units within the environment, determining a range and orientation angle of each mobile unit relative to the SRT CRF based on response signals received from the mobile units. The SRT provides the determined SRT-CRF-referenced ranges and orientation angles to the mobile units, which may share orientation data with each other or relay the SRT-referenced location data to other mobile units not within line of sight of the SRT.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Brad A. Walker, Steven E. Koenck, Gary A. McGraw
  • Patent number: 9874931
    Abstract: A head-tracking system includes a georeferenced head tracker (GHT) configured to provide georeferenced head position data, and a platform-referenced head-tracker (PRHT) configured to provide platform-referenced head position data. A controller is coupled with the GHT and the PRHT, and configured to be coupled with an avionic system configured to provide georeferenced aircraft position data. The controller includes a processor configured to access the georeferenced head position data, compare a current drift error of the GHT with a predetermined error threshold. When the current drift error is below the threshold, the processor transmits a signal indicative of the georeferenced head position data being a current georeferenced head position data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven E. Koenck, Bobby D. Foote
  • Patent number: 9559495
    Abstract: An optical amplifier includes a plurality of photon amplifying regions. Each photon amplifying region includes a bottom electrode, an insulating layer formed over the bottom electrode, and having a through hole to the bottom electrode, a semiconductor layer and a top electrode formed over the semiconductor layer, wherein the top and bottom electrodes electrically contact the semiconductor layer. The semiconductor layer is formed over the insulating layer and in the through hole, and has a semiconductor active region in the through hole. The semiconductor active region has a direct electronic band gap with a conduction band edge, and is embedded within a photonic crystal having an electromagnetic band gap having photon energies overlapping the energy of the conduction band edge of the electronic band gap such that spontaneous emission of photons in the semiconductor active region is suppressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven E. Koenck, Robert G. Brown, David W. Jensen
  • Patent number: 9548588
    Abstract: An optical pre-amplifier is described. The optical pre-amplifier has an optical amplifier region that has a semiconductor active region having a direct electronic band gap with a conduction band edge. The semiconductor active region is embedded within a photonic crystal having an electromagnetic band gap having photon energies overlapping the energy of the conduction band edge of the electronic band gap such that spontaneous emission of photons in the semiconductor active region is suppressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert G. Brown, David W. Jensen, Steven E. Koenck
  • Patent number: 9502462
    Abstract: An integrated circuit (IC) sensor is described. The IC sensor includes a pixel array and IC components. The pixel array has a plurality of pixels, wherein each pixel includes an EMR absorption region including a detector material having a plurality of nanoparticles embedded in a matrix material and exhibiting a nano-plasmonic property. The IC components are arranged to provide amplification of a voltage signal from the EMR absorption region, and to select the voltage signal from the EMR absorption region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven E. Koenck, David W. Jensen, Robert G. Brown
  • Patent number: 9471125
    Abstract: A microcoded processor that uses microinstructions to reduce power consumption utilizing low power consumption registers to store most recently retrieved data from a high power consumption control store; a control store in combination with an indirect register file to provide the micro-orders necessary for operation of the microcoded processor without extending the size of the microinstruction; and a microcode driven single clock cycle control to turn off circuitry when not needed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: John K. Gee, Steven E. Koenck, David W. Jensen, Allen P. Mass, Jeffrey D. Russell, Bradley A. Walker
  • Patent number: 9380273
    Abstract: Disclosed is a helmet mounted enhanced vision system which includes at least one camera, having a circuit board therein with an array thereon of closely spaced apertures, where each aperture includes an electronic light sensor and a computer die coupled to and associated therewith, such that each aperture behaves much like a digital camera coupled via to the other apertures by a network. The array of apertures each including varied sensor types such sensors having: different resolutions, distance to optimal focus point, and light sensitivity, so as to enable foveal displays, multi-focal point images and dynamic range enhancement, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: David W. Jensen, Steven E. Koenck
  • Patent number: 9269239
    Abstract: A situational awareness system includes a network radio module configured to be coupled with an ad-hoc network. A portable situational awareness unit includes a sensor associated with a user for sensing data indicative of a location of a current field of view of the user in an external scene and to output a signal indicative of the location of the current field of view of the user. A receiver is configured to receive a signal indicative of a location of an object in the external scene and/or identifying information for the object. A display is configured to display a visual indicator in the current field of view of the user. A processing module is configured to generate a visual indicator indicative of identifying information for the object and a location for the object, and to provide the visual indicator to the display for display to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Dana J. Jensen, Steven E. Koenck
  • Patent number: 9223494
    Abstract: A method for operating a wearable computer using a user interface system having a touch pad includes changing the behavior of the wearable computer in direct response to gestures received at the touch pad. The gestures are not used for graphical user interface selections and are not used for cursor operations but rather directly invoke communication, navigation, machinery operation, or other primary device features or operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher D. DeSalvo, Karl M. Becker, John T. Kelly, Steven E. Koenck, David W. Jensen