Patents by Inventor Walter D. Clark

Walter D. Clark 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: 8770685
    Abstract: A fluid-ejection device includes physical data lines, a controller, and a fluid-ejection mechanism. The physical data lines communicatively connect the controller and the fluid-ejection mechanism. The controller is to assert a logical and virtual nozzle-fire-restart line to denote that a first data sub-packet of a new data packet of nozzle data for a predetermined sequence of fluid-ejection nozzles of the fluid-ejection mechanism is being transmitted over the physical data lines. The fluid-ejection mechanism is to listen for the controller to assert the logical and virtual nozzle-fire-restart line, to discern that the first data sub-packet of the new data packet is being transmitted over the physical data lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Matthew A. Shepherd, Walter D. Clark, Trudy Benjamin
  • Publication number: 20110316917
    Abstract: A fluid-ejection device includes physical data lines, a controller, and a fluid-ejection mechanism. The physical data lines communicatively connect the controller and the fluid-ejection mechanism. The controller is to assert a logical and virtual nozzle-fire-restart line to denote that a first data sub-packet of a new data packet of nozzle data for a predetermined sequence of fluid-ejection nozzles of the fluid-ejection mechanism is being transmitted over the physical data lines. The fluid-ejection mechanism is to listen for the controller to assert the logical and virtual nozzle-fire-restart line, to discern that the first data sub-packet of the new data packet is being transmitted over the physical data lines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2009
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Inventors: Matthew A. Shepherd, Walter D. Clark, Trudy Benjamin
  • Patent number: 7149356
    Abstract: The present invention includes a method for matching a stored template with an image of an object. This is a final stage identification device in the at least one candidate array is received from a prescreener and/or intermediate discriminator. The candidate array includes a respective plurality of direction values at least partially defining a respective contour of an object within a two-dimensional image containing a possible target. The candidate array is compared with at least one stored template array. The stored template array includes a respective plurality of direction values at least partially defining an outline of a predetermined object of interest. The template array may include a plurality of template segment arrays such that various portions of the overall template are compared one at a time with the entire candidate array. The match between candidate and stored template may be scored based upon how well the template segments correspond to the candidate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Corporation
    Inventors: Walter D. Clark, Richard R. Ramroth
  • Patent number: 7146057
    Abstract: The present invention includes a method for analyzing an image to screen for target candidates wherein an edge-follower detects straight segments within a plurality of longer edges and detects also from the longer edges, contours that go around areas that are the right size. The invention also contemplates starting the edge-follower from seeds on the image and terminating the edge-following process if the edge meanders too much to ever become an acceptable contour. In accordance with another embodiment, the straight segments can be further screened by measuring the gradient direction and then noting the deviation from the mean of those direction values. The highly straight edges thus found, in confluence with each other, or near a correct size contour define likely candidates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Corporation
    Inventors: Walter D. Clark, Richard L. Hoffman
  • Patent number: 7116823
    Abstract: The present invention includes a method for analyzing an image wherein elements defining a path within a two-dimensional image are received from a prescreener. A Sobel operator may be applied to the region around each of the elements of the chain to obtain a corresponding array of gradient directions. An angle correction may be applied to any of the gradient directions that goes beyond the highest value (in radian measure; the Pi ?Pi transition), to obtain an array of gradient directions free of any artificial jumps in value. The gradient direction array (Sobel chaincode) can have its bandwidth taken to determine a single number of straightness so as to identify extremely straight edges, (manmade objects) from less straight edges (natural objects). A similar process can be used to analyze contours for straight sections, which are also parallel. These two and other filters applied to the gradient array can be part of a feature suite, for feature space analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Corporation
    Inventors: Walter D. Clark, Omar Aboutalib, Liya Su
  • Patent number: 7108230
    Abstract: An aircraft with swept back wings and spoilers inlaid into the top surface near the tips of the wings. The aircraft also includes an elevator formed in the center back portion of the aircraft, which is also aft of the spoilers. It is aft to allow an auxiliary control in the elevator signal to cancel the unwanted pitch up moment caused by the spoilers only going up and being aft of the center of gravity of the aircraft. Roll is achieved with these spoilers by the direct action of the lift dumping on one side or the other and by taking advantage of the transformation of yaw into roll by the sweep back of the wings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Corporation
    Inventor: Walter D. Clark
  • Patent number: 7106103
    Abstract: In an implementation, a selectable integrated circuit interface includes selectable integrated circuit interface configurations that can each interface an integrated circuit. A selection circuit generates a selection signal to select an individual selectable integrated circuit interface configuration, and logic couples a clock signal and data to a selected integrated circuit interface configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Glenn Michael Smith, Paul D. Bliley, Bill Eaton, Walter D. Clark
  • Patent number: 6877832
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices are provided for instruction architecture. One embodiment includes a first integrated circuit (IC). The first IC includes at least two instruction stacks and an arbiter coupled to the at least two instruction stacks. A second IC is provided. The first and the second ICs are coupled using a serial interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Glenn M. Smith, Walter D. Clark, William S. Eaton
  • Publication number: 20040245379
    Abstract: An aircraft with swept back wings and spoilers inlaid into the top surface near the tips of the wings. The aircraft also includes an elevator formed in the center back portion of the aircraft, which is also aft of the spoilers. It is aft to allow an auxiliary control in the elevator signal to cancel the unwanted pitch up moment caused by the spoilers only going up and being aft of the center of gravity of the aircraft. Roll is achieved with these spoilers by the direct action of the lift dumping on one side or the other and by taking advantage of the transformation of yaw into roll by the sweep back of the wings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2003
    Publication date: December 9, 2004
    Applicant: Northrop Grumman Corporation
    Inventor: Walter D. Clark
  • Patent number: 6793171
    Abstract: A method for flying an aircraft includes flying the aircraft at a first approximately level position and changing the flight of the aircraft from the first approximately level position to a climbing position. The method includes changing the flight of the aircraft from the climbing position to a second approximately level position to achieve a weightless state during the change to the second approximately level position and rolling the aircraft during the weightless state using one or more rolling control surfaces of the aircraft to establish a bank for a turn without creating adverse yaw. The aircraft does not include a deflectable spoiler, fin or rudder to counter adverse yaw. The rolling control surfaces of the aircraft may comprise elevons of the aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Corporation
    Inventor: Walter D. Clark
  • Publication number: 20040179048
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices are provided for instruction architecture. One embodiment includes a first integrated circuit (IC). The first IC includes at least two instruction stacks and an arbiter coupled to the at least two instruction stacks. A second IC is provided. The first and the second ICs are coupled using a serial interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2003
    Publication date: September 16, 2004
    Inventors: Glenn M. Smith, Walter D. Clark, William S. Eaton
  • Publication number: 20040071346
    Abstract: The present invention includes a method for matching a stored template with an image of an object. This is a final stage identification device in the at least one candidate array is received from a prescreener and/or intermediate discriminator. The candidate array includes a respective plurality of direction values at least partially defining a respective contour of an object within a two-dimensional image containing a possible target. The candidate array is compared with at least one stored template array. The stored template array includes a respective plurality of direction values at least partially defining an outline of a predetermined object of interest. The template array may include a plurality of template segment arrays such that various portions of the overall template are compared one at a time with the entire candidate array. The match between candidate and stored template may be scored based upon how well the template segments correspond to the candidate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2002
    Publication date: April 15, 2004
    Applicant: Northrop Grumman Corporation
    Inventors: Walter D. Clark, Richard R. Ramroth
  • Publication number: 20040008890
    Abstract: The present invention includes a method for analyzing an image to screen for target candidates wherein an edge-follower detects straight segments within a plurality of longer edges and detects also from the longer edges, contours that go around areas that are the right size. The invention also contemplates starting the edge-follower from seeds on the image and terminating the edge-following process if the edge meanders too much to ever become an acceptable contour. In accordance with another embodiment, the straight segments can be further screened by measuring the gradient direction and then noting the deviation from the mean of those direction values. The highly straight edges thus found, in confluence with each other, or near a correct size contour define likely candidates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2002
    Publication date: January 15, 2004
    Applicant: Northrop Grumman Corporation
    Inventors: Walter D. Clark, Richard L. Hoffman
  • Patent number: 6641086
    Abstract: A system for controlling an aircraft includes an airframe, a first airfoil, and a second airfoil. At least a portion of the first airfoil and the second airfoil are controllably deflectable so that, during a roll maneuver, the first airfoil generates increased lift and a consequent increased drag, and the second airfoil generates negative lift and a consequent increased drag, the increased lift and the decreased lift generating a roll moment, and the increased drag of the second airfoil producing a yaw moment that counteracts the yaw moment produced by the increased drag of the first airfoil such that no substantial change in aircraft yaw moment occurs. The drag on the down-going wing may counteract the drag on the up-going wing by having a reduced area providing the down-going force so that it has to deflect to the point that it is producing not only less, but actually negative lift.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Corporation
    Inventor: Walter D. Clark
  • Publication number: 20030034421
    Abstract: A system for controlling an aircraft includes an airframe, a first airfoil, and a second airfoil. At least a portion of the first airfoil and the second airfoil are controllably deflectable so that, during a roll maneuver, the first airfoil generates increased lift and a consequent increased drag, and the second airfoil generates negative lift and a consequent increased drag, the increased lift and the decreased lift generating a roll moment, and the increased drag of the second airfoil producing a yaw moment that counteracts the yaw moment produced by the increased drag of the first airfoil such that no substantial change in aircraft yaw moment occurs. The drag on the down-going wing may counteract the drag on the up-going wing by having a reduced area providing the down-going force so that it has to deflect to the point that it is producing not only less, but actually negative lift.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2001
    Publication date: February 20, 2003
    Applicant: Northrop Grumman Corporation
    Inventor: Walter D. Clark