Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Nathan O. Jensen
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Patent number: 7481954Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 14, 2003Date of Patent: January 27, 2009Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.Inventors: Leslie F. Warren, Jr., Hong-Son Ryang
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Patent number: 7477164Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 8, 2004Date of Patent: January 13, 2009Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.Inventor: Sarah Barber
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Patent number: 7474989Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 17, 2005Date of Patent: January 6, 2009Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.Inventor: Ross K. Wilcoxon
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Patent number: 7452258Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 30, 2005Date of Patent: November 18, 2008Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.Inventors: Vincent P. Marzen, James D. Sampica, Paul R. Nemeth
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Patent number: 7450512Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 29, 2003Date of Patent: November 11, 2008Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.Inventors: Charles David Young, Brad A. Parke
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Patent number: 7451258Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 23, 2006Date of Patent: November 11, 2008Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.Inventors: T. Douglas Hiratzka, Philippe M. Limondin, Mark A. Bortz
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Patent number: 7450523Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 1, 2005Date of Patent: November 11, 2008Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.Inventors: Richard L. Robertson, Robert J. Frank
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Patent number: 7440592Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 2, 2004Date of Patent: October 21, 2008Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.Inventor: Mark J. Nimmer
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Patent number: 7440591Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 12, 2003Date of Patent: October 21, 2008Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.Inventor: Patrick D. McCusker
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Patent number: 7436350Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 30, 2004Date of Patent: October 14, 2008Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.Inventors: Leo G. Maloratsky, Andrew M. Vesel
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Patent number: 7436368Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 16, 2005Date of Patent: October 14, 2008Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.Inventor: Timothy E. Snodgrass
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Patent number: 7436371Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 31, 2006Date of Patent: October 14, 2008Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.Inventor: Lee M. Paulsen
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Patent number: 7435311Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 30, 2005Date of Patent: October 14, 2008Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.Inventors: Vincent P. Marzen, Paul R. Nemeth, James D. Sampica
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Patent number: 7437225Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 29, 2005Date of Patent: October 14, 2008Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.Inventor: Sethu R. Rathinam
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Patent number: 7436361Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 26, 2006Date of Patent: October 14, 2008Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.Inventors: Lee M. Paulsen, Daniel N. Chen, James B. West, Brian J. Herting
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Patent number: 7436921Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 5, 2004Date of Patent: October 14, 2008Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.Inventors: Mark M. Mulbrook, Robert A. Newgard
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Patent number: 7437180Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 10, 2002Date of Patent: October 14, 2008Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.Inventor: James A. Stevens
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Patent number: 7430192Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 8, 2005Date of Patent: September 30, 2008Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.Inventors: Timothy E. Snodgrass, James A. Stevens
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Patent number: 7427943Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 22, 2003Date of Patent: September 23, 2008Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.Inventors: Kevin M. Kronfeld, Mathew S. Chackalackal
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Patent number: 7417578Abstract: A weather radar detects and removes spurious aircraft from a weather radar display by using one of the methods of differentiating radar return length, estimating a vertical gradient of reflectivity, tracking radar returns into regions that are eliminated from the weather display to provide differentiation, tracking areas of radar returns that allow detection and removal of the spurious aircraft in relative geometries, differentiating Doppler velocity, and differentiating spectral width. The methods may be used individually or in combination to improve performance.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2005Date of Patent: August 26, 2008Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.Inventors: Daniel L. Woodell, Roy E. Robertson, Charles J. Dickerson