Patents by Inventor William A Kennedy

William A Kennedy 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: 8604976
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to techniques and systems for modifying the transmit beam of a phased array antenna in order to effect a shape change in the beam that pre-compensates for platform motion and clutter considerations in the local environment. The techniques and systems herein disclosed take advantage of the phase controlling capability of phased array antennas to adjust the performance of each element in a way that de-focuses or spoils the transmit beam. This spoiling, in turn, enables the transmission of a broader, tailored beam that provides illumination over an area that would otherwise require multiple scans from narrow transmit beams. The techniques described provide a closed-form solution that sacrifices some antenna pattern efficiency in exchange for greatly reduced computational complexity over prior art, optimal search techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Kaichiang Chang, William Kennedy
  • Publication number: 20130282931
    Abstract: A device includes an interface configured to receive an indication of a second device on a network, and a processor configured to determine if the indication is one of an expected set of indications and generate a permanent node address for assignment to the second device if the indication is one of an expected set of indications. The permanent node address places the second device into an active mode as a permanent node addressed device. The processor is further configured to receive at least one device parameter from the permanent node addressed device, determine if the at least one device parameter matches an expected device parameter for the permanent node addressed device, and generate a second permanent node address for assignment to the device if the at least one device parameter matches the expected device parameter for the permanent node addressed device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2012
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: John Alexander Petzen, Andre Steven DeMaurice, Dana Robert Kreft, William Kennedy Galt, William Robert Pettigrew
  • Patent number: 8401334
    Abstract: A method for customizing media is provided. The method comprises obtaining an image including at least one image of a portion of a person. The method further comprises extracting the at least one image of a portion of a person from the image based on object finding and generating customized media including the at least one image of a portion of a person extracted from the scene image. An amusement park attraction is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: William Kennedy Neville, Donald Kravits, Barbara Ann Groth, Maya Cohan, Jason Andrew Carpenter, Michael Andrew Carpenter, Robert Rindfuss, Lars Erich Norpchen
  • Publication number: 20130062420
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for encoding and decoding sequential index numbers to pseudo-random Personal Identification Codes (PINs) of varying word size in disclosed. The word size is defined by a word size control variable. The encoding and decoding process utilizes a symmetric, secret key, block encryption/decryption method. The index numbers are encrypted and the output result produces the PIN numbers. The encryption process may be reversed to a decryption process using a mode control input. When reversed to decryption, the PIN numbers are translated back into the original index numbers utilizing the same secret key for encryption. The block size of the encryption/decryption method is matched to the word size control variable. The word size defines the maximum number of index number/PIN code pairs. There is a one-to-one correspondence between a single index number and the resulting PIN number, thus forming a unique ordered pair.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2012
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: SCA Promotions
    Inventors: Robert D. Hamman, William Kennedy, III, Jay B. Ross
  • Publication number: 20130053987
    Abstract: An industrial process control system includes a field device having a first plurality of device parameter values corresponding to a plurality of device parameters. The industrial process control system also includes a processor configured to determine a second plurality of device parameter values, corresponding to the plurality of device parameters, from a device definition (DD) file. The processor is also configured to present a reconciliation tool comprising a first portion of the plurality of device parameters, the corresponding first plurality of device parameter values, and the corresponding second plurality of device parameter values. The processor is also configured to set a second portion of the plurality of device parameters to the corresponding second plurality of device parameter values based on instructions received from the reconciliation tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: William Kennedy Galt, David Richard Socky, David Evans McMillan, Dana Robert Kreft
  • Publication number: 20120290991
    Abstract: Systems and methods for block instantiation are provided. In one embodiment, a system includes a processor and a visual instantiation facility executable by the processor. The visual instantiation facility is configured to read a device definition (DD) file including at least one function block and to visually display function block instantiation information of the at least one function block in a visual display. The visual instantiation facility is further configured to instantiate the at least one function block in a field device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2011
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Pradyumna Ojha, Abhik Banerjee, David Evans McMillan, William Kennedy Galt, Andre Steven DeMaurice
  • Publication number: 20120290114
    Abstract: The embodiments described herein include a system and a method. In one embodiment, an industrial process control system includes a processor and a link active scheduler. The link active scheduler is configured to schedule execution of a macrocycle. The macrocycle includes an application timeslot and an asynchronous timeslot. The link active scheduler is further configured to schedule execution of scheduled instructions for a plurality of field devices of the industrial process control system in the application timeslot. The link active scheduler is further configured to schedule execution of unscheduled instructions for the plurality of field devices of the industrial process control system in the asynchronous timeslot. The industrial process control system further includes a macrocycle viewer executable by the processor. The macrocycle viewer is configured to display the macrocycle in a visual format.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2011
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Pradyumna Ojha, Abhik Banerjee, John Alexander Petzen, III, William Kennedy Galt, Andre Steven DeMaurice, Guruprasad Karkala Vishwanath
  • Patent number: 8272597
    Abstract: A potable water system capable of being drained in flight. The system provides positive separation between the potable and gray water systems. The design of the system will allow draining of components such as water tanks or interconnect lines that are below the level of the drain point. The systems will allow draining of components such as water tanks or interconnect lines that would not gravity drain due to the routing of their interconnect lines. This invention would apply to aircraft that need the capability to drain their potable water system in flight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Inventor: Thomas William Kennedy
  • Patent number: 8200423
    Abstract: An apparatus for mobile autonomous updating of GIS maps is provided, comprising an autonomous mobile data collecting platform with a map identifying one or more GIS features. The platform has at least one data collecting sensor for collecting data for at least one of the GIS features and patrols at least a portion of a region included in the map while updating its GIS position as it patrols. The autonomous mobile data collecting platform applies the at least one data collecting sensor during patrolling to collect data for at least one of the GIS features and updates the GIS map to reflect differential data collected for at least one GIS feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Adept Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeanne Dietsch, William Kennedy, Matthew LaFary
  • Publication number: 20120142421
    Abstract: A user participates in a real-life event wherein the results of the user's participation are displayed in a virtual environment. Said user can move in response to a real-life event, and those movements can be detected and processed to create a result.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2010
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Inventor: Thomas William Kennedy, JR.
  • Publication number: 20120048405
    Abstract: A potable water system capable of being drained in flight. The system provides positive separation between the potable and gray water systems. The design of the system will allow draining of components such as water tanks or interconnect lines that are below the level of the drain point. The systems will allow draining of components such as water tanks or interconnect lines that would not gravity drain due to the routing of their interconnect lines. This invention would apply to aircraft that need the capability to drain their potable water system in flight.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2010
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Inventor: Thomas William Kennedy
  • Publication number: 20110208745
    Abstract: An apparatus for mobile autonomous updating of GIS maps is provided, comprising an autonomous mobile data collecting platform with a map identifying one or more GIS features. The platform has at least one data collecting sensor for collecting data for at least one of the GIS features and patrols at least a portion of a region included in the map while updating its GIS position as it patrols. The autonomous mobile data collecting platform applies the at least one data collecting sensor during patrolling to collect data for at least one of the GIS features and updates the GIS map to reflect differential data collected for at least one GIS feature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2011
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Applicant: ADEPT TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Jeanne Dietsch, William Kennedy, Matthew LaFary
  • Patent number: 7912633
    Abstract: A method for mobile autonomous updating of GIS maps is provided. In the method, an autonomous mobile data collecting platform is provided with a map identifying one or more GIS features. The platform has at least one data collecting sensor for collecting data for at least one of the GIS features and patrols at least a portion of a region included in the map while updating its GIS position as it patrols. The autonomous mobile data collecting platform applies the at least one data collecting sensor during patrolling to collect data for at least one of the GIS features and updates the GIS map to reflect differential data collected for at least one GIS feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Adept MobileRobots LLC
    Inventors: Jeanne Dietsch, William Kennedy, Matthew LaFary
  • Publication number: 20100208129
    Abstract: There is provided a method for capturing images of subjects having a first subject placed a distance in front of a second subject, comprising shining a first light on the subjects during a first period of time, wherein the first light is shone with more intensity on the first subject than the second subject; capturing a first image of the subjects during the first period of time; terminating the shining of the first light on the subjects after the capturing of the first image; shining a second light on the subjects during a second period of time after the terminating, wherein the second light is shone with more intensity on the second subject than the first subject; and capturing a second image of the subjects during the second period of time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Applicant: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: Robert Rindfuss, William Kennedy Neville, Lars Erich Norpschen
  • Publication number: 20100158380
    Abstract: A method for customizing media is provided. The method comprises obtaining an image including at least one image of a portion of a person. The method further comprises extracting the at least one image of a portion of a person from the image based on object finding and generating customized media including the at least one image of a portion of a person extracted from the scene image. An amusement park attraction is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Applicant: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: William Kennedy Neville, Donald Kravits, Barbara Ann Groth, Maya Cohan, Jason Andrew Carpenter, Michael Andrew Carpenter, Robert Rindfuss, Lars Erich Norpchen
  • Publication number: 20100161538
    Abstract: An electronic device receives text inputs. The device predicts the user's intended input by analyzing text previously and subsequently entered. The device compares the previous and subsequent input to the current input to ensure that the inputs are compatible. The device may also be capable of comparing previous input to predict current input. The device also may contain a keyboard designed to minimize user input error. Examples to which this invention applies include predictive text and autocorrect features of word processors and mobile phones.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2008
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Inventors: Thomas William Kennedy, JR., Thomas William Kennedy, SR.
  • Patent number: 7728769
    Abstract: An adaptive processing method of and system for clutter rejection in a phased array beam pattern. The amplitude distribution of the transmit elements of a two-dimensional phased array is determined. A desired pattern with low side lobes for a linear array is synthesized. The amplitude distribution of the transmit elements of the two-dimensional phased array is compared with the synthesized pattern. Select elements of the two-dimensional array are disabled to best fit the determined amplitude distribution of the transmit elements of the two-dimensional phased array to the synthesized beam pattern. Phase only pattern synthesis is performed to produce a desired two-dimensional beam pattern with low side lobes to minimize any best fit errors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Kaichiang Chang, William Kennedy
  • Patent number: 7693654
    Abstract: A method for generating maps of a desired area that are referenced to a universal uniform spatial reference frame includes a mobile platform having a mapping processor and at least one mapping sensor is provided. The mapping sensor is applied to determine the location of features to be mapped relative to the mobile platform. The mobile platform is moved to a new location, and the mapping sensor is further applied to determine the location of features to be mapped relative to the mobile platform. These steps are repeated until the desired area is mapped. The at least one mapping sensor is also applied to locate at least one position on the map of the desired area on a universal uniform spatial reference frame. Positions on the map of the desired area are transformed into the universal uniform spatial reference frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: ActivMedia Robotics/MobileRobots
    Inventors: Jeanne Dietsch, William Kennedy
  • Patent number: D657991
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Sunbeam Products, Inc.
    Inventors: William Kennedy, Eric O'Neill
  • Patent number: D662760
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Sunbeam Products, Inc.
    Inventors: William Kennedy, Joy Ragsdale