Patents Represented by Attorney Donna P. Suchy
  • Patent number: 8344923
    Abstract: A digital signal power amplification apparatus with multiple digital amplification cells connected in series, each amplification cell processing a separate bit of the digital signal. The apparatus additively combines the output from each amplifier into a single amplified signal without the use of separate signal combining circuitry. The apparatus has high linearity, high efficiency, high bandwidth and high power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventor: David W. Cripe
  • Patent number: 8344961
    Abstract: The present invention is Broad Area Maritime Surveillance (BAMS) radiating element which includes a plurality of dipole layers, a stripline feed layer and a cover portion. The radiating element is low-profile and may have a thickness of 180 mils. Further, the radiating element may have an operating frequency range from 5.35 GHz to 5.46 GHz and a depth of 0.083 free space wavelengths at the high end of the operating frequency range. Still further, the dipoles of the dipole layers of the BAMS radiating element vary in width from layer to layer to maximize match at the edge of the scan volume. The BAMS radiating element may be at least partially constructed of printed circuit board material, such as Rogers 4003. The BAMS radiating element may have a return loss of less than ?10 decibels over its entire scan volume and frequency band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael J. Buckley
  • Patent number: 8344933
    Abstract: A radar system has an antenna. The system includes electronics configured to facilitate communication using radar returns received and transmitted by the antenna. The electronics is configured to extract communications data from a received radar return. The electronics is further configured to provide communications data with an outgoing radar pulse for data transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin M. Kronfeld, Daniel L. Woodell, Roy E. Robertson, Venkata A. Sishtla
  • Patent number: 8344911
    Abstract: Present novel and non-trivial system, module, and method for generating non-linearly spaced graduations for a symbolic linear scale are disclosed. Symbology data representative of a scale having non-linear graduations is generated as a function of a graduation reference assigned to each graduation, navigation reference data provided from an appropriate source, and a constant. Navigation reference data comprises pitch attitude data and/or aircraft heading data, from which a symbolic pitch attitude scale and/or heading scale is generated. Current attitude and/or heading may be used as a central reference from which spacing is measured, and the value of the constant is dependent on the size of the scale occupied on the screen of a display unit. Each symbolic linear scale may be merged with data representative of the scene outside the aircraft and presented on the screen along with a flight path predictor mapped to the non-linear scale.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason C. Wenger, Sarah Barber
  • Patent number: 8346411
    Abstract: An integrated system for providing a reporting point journey log display in an aircraft and for providing the automatic transfer and installation of a reporting point journey log in a ground retention application. The integrated system includes means for procuring and aggregating reporting point on-board aircraft data from aircraft systems. Means are provided for generating a reporting point cockpit message and readback script from the aggregated reporting point onboard aircraft data. The aggregated reporting point onboard aircraft data is automatically transmitted to a receiving ground application for assembling the data into the form of a reporting point journey log. The reporting point journey log is installed into a ground storage application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles B. Dirks, Michael J. Krenz, Kevin Delaney, James L. Scheer, Joseph M. Costello
  • Patent number: 8345726
    Abstract: A method of receiving a plurality of simultaneously transmitted data streams is disclosed. Each data stream is divided into portions and transmitted at predetermined frequencies and times according to a frequency-hopping pattern. The portions are received using a plurality of receivers. Each receiver is configured to receive portions transmitted on one of the predetermined frequencies. The received portions are temporarily stored in a memory such that the received portions are stored as a function of receiver and time. The stored portions are compared to the frequency-hopping pattern. It is determined if any combination of the stored portions corresponds to the predetermined frequencies and times of the frequency-hopping pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard S. Haendel, Scott J. Zogg
  • Patent number: 8344935
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an avionics system. The avionics system may include a plurality of multi-function antennas. Each multi-function antenna includes a plurality of antenna elements and an antenna electronics system, the antenna electronics system being communicatively coupled with the plurality of antenna elements. The multi-function antennas are configured for being mounted to an exterior surface of a pressure vessel (ex—an exterior surface of an aircraft). The avionics system may further include a plurality of LRUs connected to the antennas via fiber optical cables, the LRUs being located in an interior of the aircraft. The LRUs receive communication control inputs from a communication system and establish settings of the LRUs based upon the received communication control inputs. The multi-function antennas are configured for performing operations (exs.—transmit operations, receive operations) based upon the settings established by the LRUs and based upon the communication control inputs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Ted J. Hoffmann, Andrew M. Vesel, Roger A. Dana, Mark A. Mulbrook, William C. Jennings
  • Patent number: 8332083
    Abstract: A method for calculating a safe extraction path from a terrain-challenged airport that does not depend upon published procedures. The method includes the steps of: a) defining at least one containment zone for a circling climb departure path relative to a reference location; b) receiving aircraft performance data from an on-board flight management system; c) receiving air mass parameters from on-board aircraft sensors; d) calculating the maximum allowable climb altitude (MACA) utilizing the at least one containment zone, the received aircraft performance data, and the received air mass parameters; and, e) comparing the MACA to at least one selected safe departure altitude (SDA) to calculate the lowest possible descent altitude that can be achieved while ensuring that at least one safe extraction path exists.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventor: Patrick D. McCusker
  • Patent number: 8331818
    Abstract: A fuser and receiver release system and method are provided for improving the release of receivers in high speed of printing systems. This system controls the release of a receiver in conjunction with a fuser in a printing system, and specifically the efficiency and accuracy of the release system. One embodiment of this method includes a belt fuser that allows the separating of the heat transfer and release functions of the fuser such that fuser roller could be made of hard metal core that can be heated to high temperatures without the fear of delaminating elastomeric coatings which are common in roller fusing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Richard H. Berg, Muhammed Aslam, James D. Shifley
  • Patent number: 8326240
    Abstract: An apparatus for identifying a specific emitter in the presence of noise and/or interference is disclosed. The apparatus includes a sensor configured to sense radio frequency signal data, the signal data containing noise and signal from at least one emitter, a reference estimation unit configured to estimate a reference signal relating to the signal transmitted by one emitter, a feature estimation unit configured to generate one or more estimates of one or more feature from the reference signal and the signal transmitted by that particular emitter, and an emitter identifier configured to identify the signal transmitted by that particular emitter as belonging to a specific device using one or more feature estimates. The emitter identifier identifies the signal transmitted by that particular emitter as belonging to a specific device using Gaussian Mixture Models and the Bayesian decision engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Shubha L. Kadambe, Jason A. Fuemmeler, Carlos J. Chavez, W. Sam Spencer, Gina M. Reyes, Robert J. Frank, Michael N. Newhouse
  • Patent number: 8321074
    Abstract: Present novel and non-trivial system, device, and method for generating altitude data and/or height data are disclosed. A processor receives navigation data from an external source such as a global positioning system (“GPS”); receives navigation data from multiple internal sources; receives object data representative of terrain or surface feature elevation; determines an instant measurement of aircraft altitude as a function of these inputs; and generates aircraft altitude data responsive to such determination. In an additional embodiment, the processor receives reference point data representative of the elevation of the stationary reference point (e.g., a landing threshold point); determines an instant measurement of aircraft height as a function of this input and the instant measurement of aircraft altitude; and generates aircraft height data responsive to such determination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Inventors: Douglas A. Bell, James H. Doty
  • Patent number: 8320556
    Abstract: An improved architecture is disclosed of a crypto engine, such as a Janus Crypto Engine (JCE) having a Programmable Cryptographic Channel (PCC) using a Programmable Cryptographic Processor (PCP). The architecture of the crypto engine does not require zeroizing between messages received by the PCC. Consequently, using the new architecture of the present invention, the crypto engine can allocate PCC resources based on throughput and algorithm needs, reducing latency, and employing fewer PCCs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark A. Bortz, David W. Jensen
  • Patent number: 8314812
    Abstract: A dual image source display system with an anti-aliased textual foreground and graphic image background, where display information from each source is combined, but only after the intensity level for each given pixel color component in the graphical image background is dimmed by an amount which is equal to the highest intensity level of any pixel color component in the same pixel as the given pixel color component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventor: William W. Eckel
  • Patent number: 8310446
    Abstract: A system for positioning a graphical object on an electronic display. A coarse positioning input control element provides a coarse position input signal and a fine positioning input control element provides a fine position input signal. A microprocessor is operatively connected to the coarse positioning input control element and the fine positioning input control element for integrating the coarse position input signal and the fine position input signal. The microprocessor output signal is provided to an electronic display. Manipulation of the coarse positioning input control element provides a rapid and coarse manual positioning of a graphical object and manipulation of the fine positioning input control element provides accurate positioning of the graphical object, thereby optimizing the efficiency for graphical object positioning on the electronic display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary L. Owen, Maureen A. Lehman, Michael J. Krenz
  • Patent number: 8311463
    Abstract: A method for reducing high-frequency banding in an electrophotographic development station having a rotating shell and a photoconductor is disclosed. A rotating speed of the rotating shell is adjusted relative to a photoconductor such that a banding reduction ratio is not a ratio of differing low whole numbers. Another method for reducing high-frequency banding in an electrophotographic development station having a rotating shell and a rotating magnetic core is also disclosed. A rotating speed of the rotating shell is adjusted relative to a rotating speed of the rotating magnetic core such that from the point of view of a spot on a dielectric support member (DSM) in a nip region of the DSM, a similar point on the rotating shell is substantially in alignment with the DSM spot in the nip region when a pole flip occurs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Eric C. Stelter
  • Patent number: 8308329
    Abstract: An image display device may include a fiber optic plate. The fiber optic plate may comprise a plurality of parallel optical fibers, the terminal ends of the optical fibers combining to define a light input surface and an at least partially concave light output surface. An apparatus may include: a fiber optic plate; and a mechanism for affixing the fiber optic plate to a display device. A method for manufacturing a fiber optic plate may include: computing one or more viewing angles between one or more elements of an image display and a focal point; and shaping a fiber optic plate output surface according to the one or more viewing angles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventor: Vijay M. Sethna
  • Patent number: 8310304
    Abstract: A digital power amplifier is disclosed. The digital power amplifier may comprise an amplifying stage configured for applying a first level of attenuation to an RF input signal in response to a desired output power level of the digital power amplifier; a reference loop configured for determining an average power of a sample of the RF input signal and providing a reference value at least partially based upon the average power of the sample of the RF input signal; a feedback loop configured for applying a second level of attenuation to a sample of an output of the amplifying stage and providing a feedback value indicating an average power of the attenuated sample of the output; and an error amplifier configured for providing a gain control adjustment signal to the amplifying stage, the gain control adjustment signal being determined based upon the reference value and the feedback value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael R. Vagher, Clayton Harmon
  • Patent number: 8309210
    Abstract: A laminate for a printed wiring board (PWB) in which the laminate has a resin system containing a binder. The binder is made of ultra-fine binding particles that reinforce the resin system thereby reducing adhesive and cohesive failure of the laminate. The particles in addition to reducing occurrences such as pad cratering, eyebrowing, and tail-cracking, have the benefits of increasing thermal heat transfer and reducing resin shrinkage. The particles are preferably the same material as a reinforcing material contained in the laminate which can be a woven glass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Rockell Collins, Inc.
    Inventor: Roy M. Keen
  • Patent number: 8310305
    Abstract: A distributed power amplifier may include a plurality of switching power amplifier sub-circuits, and a plurality of connection network sub-circuits, each of the plurality connection network sub-circuits having a characteristic impedance, wherein each of the plurality of connection network sub-circuits combines two or more of the plurality of switching power amplifier sub-circuits into a parallel or series configuration, wherein the plurality of switching power amplifier sub-circuits, the plurality of connection network sub-circuits and the characteristic impedance of each of the plurality of connection network sub-circuits are configured to present each of the plurality of switching power amplifier sub-circuits with a substantially equivalent load impedance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: David Cripe, Scott Patten, Don Landt, Forest Dixon
  • Patent number: 8306421
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a passive optical avionics network system and method. A avionics network system may comprise: (a) a passive optical network, the passive optical network comprising an optical repeater; and (b) an avionics module operably coupled to the passive optical network. An integrated modular avionics (IMA) system may comprise: (a) a line-replaceable unit (LRU), the LRU comprising: (i) a processing unit; and (ii) an optical line terminal (OLT); (b) an optical repeater; (c) at least one optical network unit (ONU); and an avionics module operably coupled to the at least one ONU. A method for avionics network communication may comprise: (a) receiving optical avionics data signals; (b) monitoring the optical avionics data signals for compliance with a communications protocol; and (c) regulating transmission of the optical avionics data signals according to compliance with the communications protocol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel E. Mazuk, David A. Miller, Mark A. Kovalan