Patents Assigned to Blackbird Technologies, Inc.
  • Patent number: 10901094
    Abstract: A multimode tracking device includes a line of site (LOS) antenna; an LOS modem for communicating with other multimode tracking devices and for measuring power of a received signal; a satellite antenna; a satellite modem for communicating with a satellite for receiving and sending text messages, data and commands to and from external devices including a tracking and locating system; a Bluetooth or WiFi Direct interface for communicating with external mobile devices; an inertia measurement unit for providing motion tracking information; a user interface for interfacing with a user; and a processor for generating and displaying a line of bearing to the target on the display, based on the measured power and the motion tracking information. The multimode tracking device tracks assets and personnel and sends/receives text messages, data and commands to/from external devices both over the horizon via the satellite and locally via the LOS modem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: Raytheon Blackbird Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. Koontz, Andrew H. Tran, Eric A. Banwart, Steven T. Hildner
  • Patent number: 8700313
    Abstract: A handheld device and system, in which such device and system include at least one mapping module, at least one tracking module interoperative with the at least one mapping module, at least one communications module interoperative with each of the at least one tracking module and the at least one mapping module, and at least two antennae communicatively connected via the at least one communications module to at least one central processing unit. At least one of the at least two antenna is suitable for communications using at least two distinct to communication modes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Blackbird Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Michael Loftus, Dorian Sergio Araneda, Michael Daniel Koontz, Jr., James Robert Sherman
  • Patent number: 8680988
    Abstract: An asset tracking unit, system, and method may include at least one transceiver having communicative connections with at least one SATCOM network and at least one GPS network via at least one antenna, wherein tracking information for at least one asset associated with the at least one transceiver is received from the GPS network and is communicated to the SATCOM network, a first link that provides a multi-code one of the communicative connections between the at least one transceiver and the at least one SATCOM network, and a second link that provides a multi-channel one of the communicative connections between the at least one transceiver and the at least one GPS network. The unit, system and method may additionally include at least one remote operations center remote from an asset to be tracked, wherein the asset to be tracked is geographically associated with the central processing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Blackbird Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Furey, Louis F. Wise
  • Patent number: 8538373
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a set of network communication modules, a communication control module and an input actuator. Each network communication module from the set of network communication modules is configured to send signals to and receive signals from a remote device via a distinct communication mode from a set of communication modes. The communication control module is configured to periodically send a set of second status signals intended to be sent to the remote device via each communication mode from the set of communication modes when the communication control module is in an emergency operating mode and the communication mode is available. The communication control module is configured to switch from the default operating mode to the emergency operating mode in response to receiving an input signal indicating that the input actuator has been actuated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Blackbird Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Koontz, Andrew Tran, James Sherman, Jake Gunderson
  • Publication number: 20130082828
    Abstract: An asset tracking unit, system, and method may include at least one transceiver having communicative connections with at least one SATCOM network and at least one GPS network via at least one antenna, wherein tracking information for at least one asset associated with the at least one transceiver is received from the GPS network and is communicated to the SATCOM network, a first link that provides a multi-code one of the communicative connections between the at least one transceiver and the at least one SATCOM network, and a second link that provides a multi-channel one of the communicative connections between the at least one transceiver and the at least one GPS network. The unit, system and method may additionally include at least one remote operations center remote from an asset to be tracked, wherein the asset to be tracked is geographically associated with the central processing unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2012
    Publication date: April 4, 2013
    Applicant: Blackbird Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Furey, Louis F. Wise
  • Publication number: 20120302197
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a set of network communication modules, a communication control module and an input actuator. Each network communication module from the set of network communication modules is configured to send signals to and receive signals from a remote device via a distinct communication mode from a set of communication modes. The communication control module is configured to periodically send a set of second status signals intended to be sent to the remote device via each communication mode from the set of communication modes when the communication control module is in an emergency operating mode and the communication mode is available. The communication control module is configured to switch from the default operating mode to the emergency operating mode in response to receiving an input signal indicating that the input actuator has been actuated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2011
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Applicant: Blackbird Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Koontz, Andrew Tran, James Sherman, Jake Gunderson
  • Publication number: 20120209504
    Abstract: A handheld device and system, in which such device and system include at least one mapping module, at least one tracking module interoperative with said at least one mapping module, at least one communications module interoperative with each of said at least one tracking module and said at least one mapping module, at least two antennae communicatively connected via said at least one communications module to at least one central processing unit, wherein at least one of said at least two antenna is suitable for communications using at least two distinct to communication modes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2012
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Applicant: Blackbird Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Michael Loftus, Dorian Sergio Araneda, Michael Daniel Koontz, JR., James Robert Sherman
  • Patent number: 8144008
    Abstract: An asset tracking unit, system, and method. The asset tracking unit, system, and method may include at least one transceiver having communicative connections with at least one SATCOM network and at least one GPS network via at least one antenna, wherein tracking information for at least one asset associated with the at least one transceiver is received from the GPS network and is communicated to the SATCOM network, a first link that provides a multi-code one of the communicative connections between the at least one transceiver and the at least one SATCOM network, and a second link that provides a multi-channel one of the communicative connections between the at least one transceiver and he at least one GPS network. The unit system and method may additionally include at least one remote operations center remote from an asset to be tracked, wherein the asset to be tracked is geographically associated with the central processing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Blackbird Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Furey, Louis F. Wise
  • Patent number: 8099235
    Abstract: A handheld device and system, in which such device and system include at least one mapping module, at least one tracking module interoperative with said at least one mapping module, at least one communications module interoperative with each of said at least one tracking module and said at least one mapping module, at least two antennae communicatively connected via said at least one communications module to at least one central processing unit, wherein at least one of said at least two antenna is suitable for communications using at least two distinct communication modes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Blackbird Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Michael Loftus, Dorian Sergio Araneda, Michael Daniel Koontz, Jr., James Robert Sherman
  • Publication number: 20110257884
    Abstract: A handheld device and system, in which such device and system include at least one mapping module, at least one tracking module interoperative with said at least one mapping module, at least one communications module interoperative with each of said at least one tracking module and said at least one mapping module, at least two antennae communicatively connected via said at least one communications module to at least one central processing unit, wherein at least one of said at least two antenna is suitable for communications using at least two distinct communication modes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2011
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Applicant: Blackbird Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Michael Loftus, Dorian Sergio Araneda, Michael Daniel Koontz, JR., James Robert Sherman
  • Publication number: 20110205023
    Abstract: An asset tracking unit, system, and method. The asset tracking unit, system, and method may include at least one transceiver having communicative connections with at least one SATCOM network and at least one GPS network via at least one antenna, wherein tracking information for at least one asset associated with the at least one transceiver is received from the GPS network and is communicated to the SATCOM network, a first link that provides a multi-code one of the communicative connections between the at least one transceiver and the at least one SATCOM network, and a second link that provides a multi-channel one of the communicative connections between the at least one transceiver and he at least one GPS network. The unit system and method may additionally include at least one remote operations center remote from an asset to be tracked, wherein the asset to be tracked is geographically associated with the central processing unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2011
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Applicant: Blackbird Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Furey, Louis F. Wise
  • Patent number: 7970534
    Abstract: A handheld device and system includes a mapping module, a tracking module interoperative with the mapping module, and a communications module interoperative with the tracking module and the mapping module. At least two antennae are communicatively connected, via the communications module, to at least one central processing unit. At least one of said at least two antenna is suitable for communicating using at least two distinct communication modes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Blackbird Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Michael Loftus, Dorian Sergio Araneda, Michael Daniel Koontz, Jr., James Robert Sherman
  • Publication number: 20110102147
    Abstract: An asset tracking unit, system, and method. The asset tracking unit, system, and method may include at least one transceiver having communicative connections with at least one SATCOM network and at least one GPS network via at least one antenna, wherein tracking information for at least one asset associated with the at least one transceiver is received from the GPS network and is communicated to the SATCOM network, a first link that provides a multi-code one of the communicative connections between the at least one transceiver and the at least one SATCOM network, and a second link that provides a multi-channel one of the communicative connections between the at least one transceiver and he at least one GPS network. The unit system and method may additionally include at least one remote operations center remote from an asset to be tracked, wherein the asset to be tracked is geographically associated with the central processing unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2010
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Applicant: Blackbird Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Furey, Louis F. Wise
  • Patent number: 7924153
    Abstract: An asset tracking unit, system, and method. The asset tracking unit, system, and method may include at least one transceiver having communicative connections with at least one SATCOM network and at least one GPS network via at least one antenna, wherein tracking information for at least one asset associated with the at least one transceiver is received from the GPS network and is communicated to the SATCOM network, a first link that provides a multi-code one of the communicative connections between the at least one transceiver and the at least one SATCOM network, and a second link that provides a multi-channel one of the communicative connections between the at least one transceiver and he at least one GPS network. The unit system and method may additionally include at least one remote operations center remote from an asset to be tracked, wherein the asset to be tracked is geographically associated with the central processing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Blackbird Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Furey, Louis F. Wise
  • Patent number: 7843335
    Abstract: An asset tracking unit, system, and method. The asset tracking unit, system, and method may include at least one transceiver having communicative connections with at least one SATCOM network and at least one GPS network via at least one antenna, wherein tracking information for at least one asset associated with the at least one transceiver is received from the GPS network and is communicated to the SATCOM network, a first link that provides a multi-code one of the communicative connections between the at least one transceiver and the at least one SATCOM network, and a second link that provides a multi-channel one of the communicative connections between the at least one transceiver and the at least one GPS network. The unit system and method may additionally include at least one remote operations center remote from an asset to be tracked, wherein the asset to be tracked is geographically associated with the central processing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: Blackbird Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Furey, Louis F. Wise