Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Nathan O. Jensen
  • Patent number: 7481954
    Abstract: A composition for a filter material includes a dye and possibly a polymer host. The dye includes a Co(II) compound, a Ni(II) compound or a mixture thereof. Filter material can have a transmittance at 500 nanometers of at least 80% and a steep cutoff absorption band with a transmittance between 600 and 700 nanometers of no more than 10%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Leslie F. Warren, Jr., Hong-Son Ryang
  • Patent number: 7477164
    Abstract: The flight display includes a vertical terrain profile display having a format that includes a side-on vertical terrain profile comprising a plurality of color filled vertical alerting bands representing areas of terrain that are within defined limits above and below the airplane altitude. A symbol is positioned relative to the side-on vertical terrain profile for representing an altitude and position of the aircraft. Displays of range and altitude are positioned relative to the symbol and side-on vertical terrain profile in predetermined increments. In another broad aspect the side-on vertical terrain profile includes a plurality of color filled horizontal absolute altitude bands representing the absolute altitude of the terrain. These displays may be accompanied by nested color filled blocks representing weather hazards and/or terrain alerting prediction icons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventor: Sarah Barber
  • Patent number: 7474989
    Abstract: Presently disclosed are a method and apparatus for predicting a failure in an electronic assembly by detecting an incremental change exhibited by a sacrificial sensor that is integrated into the electronic assembly and by monitoring environmental conditions that the electronic assembly is exposed to. A failure prediction is that made according to the detected incremental change exhibited by the sacrificial sensor and according to the monitored environmental conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventor: Ross K. Wilcoxon
  • Patent number: 7452258
    Abstract: A method of attaching a protective cover to an Organic Light-Emitting Diode (OLED) assembly is disclosed. According to the method, a liquid adhesive is applied to a substantial portion of a face one of the OLED assembly and the protective cover. The protective cover is substantially transparent. A face of the other of the OLED assembly and the protective cover is positioned upon the liquid adhesive. The liquid adhesive is cured to adhere the protective cover to the OLED assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Vincent P. Marzen, James D. Sampica, Paul R. Nemeth
  • Patent number: 7450512
    Abstract: A method of retransmitting a data cell is disclosed. The method comprises providing a transmit queue having a head and a tail and providing a retransmit queue having a head and a tail. The method also comprises transmitting a first data cell from the head of the transmit queue. The method further comprises inserting the first data cell at the tail of the retransmit queue and retransmitting a second data cell at the head of the retransmit queue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles David Young, Brad A. Parke
  • Patent number: 7451258
    Abstract: The present invention is a rotating priority queue manager. A rotating priority queue manager in accordance with the present invention may include a plurality of source data channels, a corresponding plurality of processing resources, and an arbitrating interface directing the flow of data from the source channels to the processing resources where the data must flow over a shared data path. The plurality of processing resources may comprise any system of parallel processors where the servicing of input data must be carried out in a manner where there the maximum latency for processing a given data channel is determinable, the arbitration between channels is equal, no input channel may prevent another channel from being serviced, and lower priority processing resources are not prohibited from receiving input data if higher priority processing resources are not currently available or if higher priority data is not currently available.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: T. Douglas Hiratzka, Philippe M. Limondin, Mark A. Bortz
  • Patent number: 7450523
    Abstract: A method, a device, and a system for reconfiguring communication transmission characteristics in response to a changing communication environment is provided. An environment at a communication device is characterized to determine if a transmission parameter associated with processing of a communication signal at a physical layer or a network interface layer should change based on current conditions at the communication device. If a need is identified, a second transmission parameter is selected based on the environment monitoring. A request identifying the second transmission parameter is sent to a manager device using an existing communication link. A response from the manager device is received indicating acceptance or rejection of use of the second transmission parameter in communicating with a second communication device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard L. Robertson, Robert J. Frank
  • Patent number: 7440592
    Abstract: A secure content near eye display apparatus includes a microdisplay device. A user verification system of the secure content near eye display apparatus is configured to verify whether a user is an authorized user. A controller coupled to the microdisplay device and to the user verification system controls the microdisplay device to display secure content information to the user only if the user verification system has verified that the user is the authorized user. In some embodiments, a display-eye interface detector is included in the secure content near eye display apparatus to detect when the display-eye interface is broken. In response, the controller controls the microdisplay device to stop displaying the secure content information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark J. Nimmer
  • Patent number: 7440591
    Abstract: A method of identifying errors in information describing terrain features is disclosed. According to the method, a first set of data is obtained which describes an area of terrain. The first set of data has a first type of error. A second set of data is obtained which describes the area of terrain. The second set of data has a second type of error. The second type of error is characteristically different from the first type of error. A subset of the first set of data corresponding to a first portion of the area of terrain is compared with a subset of the second set of data corresponding to the first portion to identify information not present in one of the first and second sets of data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventor: Patrick D. McCusker
  • Patent number: 7436368
    Abstract: An antenna for a military ground vehicle having a radio includes a whip element and a base plate attached to the whip element. The base plate has a first set of dimensions. The antenna also includes an antenna adapter that is attached to the base plate. The antenna adapter has a housing having a second set of dimensions and a filter circuit coupled to the whip element and the radio. The filter circuit is configured to tune the frequency of the antenna. Alternatively, the filter circuit may be disposed within an antenna mount used to mount the antenna to a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy E. Snodgrass
  • Patent number: 7437180
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for retrofitting to an existing radio, the radio not having built in over-the-air signaling capabilities. The device and method include using an interface configured to interface to the radio and providing electrical signals to the radio. Further, using a signal generating device that is configured to generate a signal representative of a communication connection to be set up. And still further, using a user interface that is configured to receive input from a user and communicate the input to the signal generating device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventor: James A. Stevens
  • Patent number: 7435311
    Abstract: A method of adhering a first panel, such as an OLED assembly, to a second panel, such as a protective cover plate, is disclosed. An adhesive is applied to a face of at least one of the first and second panels. The first panel is positioned to be responsive to movement of any of a plurality of independently controlled expandable elements. The second panel is held adjacent the first panel. At least one of the expandable elements is selectively expanded so that a first edge of the first panel contacts a first edge of the second panel. The expandable elements are further selectively expanded so that the adhesive fully contacts the first and second panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Vincent P. Marzen, Paul R. Nemeth, James D. Sampica
  • Patent number: 7437225
    Abstract: The present invention is a system and method for providing flight management to one or more aircraft via a communication link between a fight management system located outside the aircraft and a flight management system located inside the aircraft. Remote flight management system may monitor and control navigation functions, substantially reducing pilot or crewmember workload. Optimized simultaneous flight management of multiple aircraft located within a specified area or within a specified fleet may be provided. Remote flight management system may be suitable for monitoring and controlling navigation functions for multiple aircraft from a single location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventor: Sethu R. Rathinam
  • Patent number: 7436921
    Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus for determining the phase difference between a reference frequency signal and an input signal. The frequency sampling phase detector of the present invention may include a phase detector coupled with sample and hold circuitry. The frequency sampling phase detector of the present invention may reduce the frequency of an input signal suitable for proportional and linear phase detection by the phase detector. Advantageously, the frequency sampling phase detector of the present invention may reduce power consumption over conventional phase detectors in combination with frequency dividers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark M. Mulbrook, Robert A. Newgard
  • Patent number: 7436361
    Abstract: The present invention is a low-loss polarized antenna for satellite communications and polarimetric weather radar. The antenna may comprise: (a) a microstrip patch antenna, (b) a waveguide, and (c) a coupling interface between the antenna and waveguide. The microstrip patch antennas may individually comprise: (i) a patch radiator having a defined area, and (ii) an associated microstrip. In a further embodiment of the invention, an antenna array is presented. The antenna array may comprise: (a) a plurality of microstrip antennas, and (b) a plurality of waveguides. The antenna array may further comprise: (c) a waveguide combiner. The microstrip patch antennas may individually comprise: (i) a patch radiator having a defined area, and (ii) an associated microstrip. In still a further embodiment of the invention, a method for the manufacturing of an antenna is presented. The method may comprise the step: (a) operably coupling a microstrip patch antenna to a waveguide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Lee M. Paulsen, Daniel N. Chen, James B. West, Brian J. Herting
  • Patent number: 7436371
    Abstract: A low-loss, low-profile dual-polarization slotted waveguide antenna includes one or more waveguides having a characteristic wavelength. Radiation apertures comprised of a waveguide slot pairs are formed in each or the waveguides of the antenna. Each waveguide slot pair includes a first waveguide slot and a second waveguide slot which are configured for inducing a circularly polarized (CP) radiated field in the waveguide. The waveguide slots of each waveguide slot pair may be generally crescent-shaped and spaced a distance of at least approximately one-fourth of the characteristic wavelength from each other. The waveguide slots may further be positioned for allowing the antenna to receive and/or radiate both left-hand and right-hand circularly polarized fields (LHCP and RHCP) and for providing control of the sense of a circularly polarized (CP) field radiated by the antenna by changing the direction of incidence of an electromagnetic source wave propagated in the waveguide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventor: Lee M. Paulsen
  • Patent number: 7436350
    Abstract: The present invention is a combined aircraft TCAS/Transponder with common antenna system and transmitter. Common TCAS/Transponder multi-monopole top and bottom antennas may be connected to a top and bottom antenna modules, the top and bottom antenna modules being electrically coupled to the combined TCAS/Transponder transmitter/receiver block through connection lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Leo G. Maloratsky, Andrew M. Vesel
  • Patent number: 7430192
    Abstract: A method of utilizing communication channel resources between nodes in a network of nodes is provided. Communication between a set of nodes in a communication network uses a time division multiple access protocol that includes a plurality of time slots. A set of time slots is allocated from the plurality of time slots to a first node of the set of nodes for transmission of a communication signal. At the first node, a time slot of the allocated set of time slots is identified that is no longer needed for transmission of the communication signal. Instead, the first node tunes to a network synchronization frequency during the identified time slot and receives a synchronization signal transmitted by a second node. The second node is not one of the set of nodes in the communication network. The first node synchronizes with the second node using the synchronization signal thereby allowing communication between the second node and the set of nodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2008
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy E. Snodgrass, James A. Stevens
  • Patent number: 7427943
    Abstract: A method of displaying real-time, three-dimensional weather information is disclosed. A first representation of a weather event along a first plane is generated from data obtained from a first radar scan. A second representation of the weather event along a second plane is generated from data obtained from a second radar scan. The first and second planes are non-coplanar. The first and second representations are combined to form a three-dimensional model of the weather event. A three-dimensional shape of the three-dimensional model is constructed. The three-dimensional shape is displayed on an avionics display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2008
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin M. Kronfeld, Mathew S. Chackalackal
  • Patent number: 7418343
    Abstract: A follower aircraft is guided to a lead aircraft using a datalink that determines range between the two. The lead aircraft has an antenna array and processing system for determining azimuth/elevation of the follower aircraft. The lead aircraft transmits a ranging message to the follower aircraft and stores a lead aircraft time of transmit (TOT) time. The ranging message is received at the follower aircraft and a follower aircraft time of reception (TOR) time is stored. A second ranging message is transmitted from the follower aircraft to the lead aircraft and a follower aircraft TOT time is stored. The second ranging message is received at the lead aircraft and a lead aircraft TOR is stored. A message is sent from the follower aircraft when follower aircraft TOT and TOR. The range and time offset is determined by the lead aircraft using follower aircraft TOT/TOR and stored lead aircraft TOT/TOR.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary A. McGraw, Robert J. Frank, Kenneth M. Peterson, Richard S. Haendel, Scott J. F. Zogg