Patents Assigned to Rockwell Collins, Inc.
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Patent number: 12293671Abstract: Whenever an avionics computer system receives a flight plan, the avionics computer system performs rules-based conformity checks with respect to a predefine set of rules/thresholds. The rules may be general aviation best practices (no rate of elevation change beyond some threshold, no single change in direction beyond some threshold, etc.) or specific to the aircraft (no violation of an operational ceiling, no violation of some defined fuel reserve, etc.). Violations of the rules and criteria are communicated to crew members via visual indicia of such violations, including the relative severity.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2022Date of Patent: May 6, 2025Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.Inventors: Michael J. Krenz, Eric N. Anderson
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Patent number: 12291224Abstract: An aircraft-based system for tracking and verifying control inputs from potentially incapacitated pilot stores to memory expected control input sets, e.g., control procedures for controlling an aircraft through segments of a flight plan. When pilot monitors indicate a state of potential incapacitation of a pilot (e.g., fatigue, unresponsiveness, hypoxia), the control input tracking system records any control inputs submitted via the flight deck controls by the incapacitated pilot, reviewing each recorded control input compared to expected control inputs (e.g., for the current flight segment). When a recorded control input sufficiently deviates from the corresponding expected control input (e.g., such that aircraft safety or mission criticality may be affected), the pilot and/or flight crew may receive feedback alerting to the deviant control input (e.g., which may be overridden or which may require confirmation prior to execution).Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 2022Date of Patent: May 6, 2025Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.Inventors: Weston J. Lahr, Cheyenne B. Matthews
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Patent number: 12293674Abstract: A system and method are provided for selecting features from a digital chart, and entering corresponding flight plan amendments into a flight plan by direct transfer to an FMS. Based on the selection, the system may prompt the user for subsequent selections. Digital charts are generated in dynamically or in real-time according to a set of databases, including the databased used by the FMS. Elements within the databases are characterized so that the flight crew can select which elements are displayed. Features in the digital chart may be made selectable or unselectable based on a filtering process. The filtering process may be based on environmental variables, aircraft capabilities, safety tolerances, etc.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2023Date of Patent: May 6, 2025Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.Inventors: Collin D Ogden, Ellen L. McGaughy, Michael J. Krenz
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Patent number: 12289697Abstract: The US DoD is moving to incorporate 5G, particularly for sidelinks networks. 5G sidelink network are desired to operate at company, platoon, and squad levels independent of connection to 5G base stations (gNB). The 5G sidelink standards, as defined by 3GPP, cannot operate under active jamming at expected threat levels. The sidelink standards are defined for commercial use and cannot withstand active jamming. Various prior art uses beamforming, directionally beamformed MIMO, and even distributed MIMO as potential options to address active jamming. The SWAP-C and standards of the 5G UEs are not conducive to these anti-jamming techniques. A solution is described that uses the 5G sidelink physical layer with modifications at the control layer to avoid denial of the S-SSB. Intra-, inter-squad, and squad-to-command post communications may use the solution to avoid denial of the 5G sidelink.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2022Date of Patent: April 29, 2025Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.Inventors: John V. Thommana, Jeffrey D. Grundmeyer
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Patent number: 12289237Abstract: A system and method for performing cross-domain communication between a first domain and a second domain is disclosed. The system includes a controller configured to receive a data packet and output an approved data packet. The system includes processors and memory that instruct the processors to receiving a data packet from the first domain, deconstruct the data packet into subcomponents, apply a subcomponent-specific guard rule to a corresponding subcomponent, determine if each of the subcomponents have been approved by an application of the subcomponent specific guard rules, and upon a determination that each of the subcomponents have been approved, merge the subcomponents into the approved data packet. The system and method also include transmitting the approved data packet.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2022Date of Patent: April 29, 2025Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.Inventors: Sean D. Howard, Meghan K. Anderson, Gabriel W. Schive
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Patent number: 12287418Abstract: A system may include a transmitter node and a receiver node. Each node may include a communications interface including at least one antenna element and a controller operatively coupled to the communications interface, the controller including one or more processors, wherein the controller has information of own node velocity and own node orientation. Each node of the transmitter node and the receiver node may be in motion. Each node may be time synchronized to apply Doppler corrections associated with said node's own motions relative to a common reference frame. The common reference frame may be known to the transmitter node and the receiver node prior to the transmitter node transmitting signals to the receiver node and prior to the receiver node receiving the signals from the transmitter node.Type: GrantFiled: July 5, 2022Date of Patent: April 29, 2025Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.Inventors: Eric J. Loren, William B. Sorsby, Tj T. Kwon, James A. Stevens
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Patent number: 12286233Abstract: A parachute assembly may comprise a canopy and one or more reefing lines. The one or more reefing lines may limit inflation of the canopy to attenuate impulse load or otherwise mitigate forces exerted by the parachute assembly on cargo or an occupant during deployment of the canopy. The one or more reefing lines may be broken in stages to selectively limit inflation of the canopy followed by selectively permitting inflation of the canopy in stages.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 2022Date of Patent: April 29, 2025Assignee: ROCKWELL COLLINS, INC.Inventors: Jeff Benjamin, Kassidy L Carson
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Publication number: 20250132959Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for communicating using both analog and digital transmissions on the same bandwidth. The method may include receiving a digital transmission and an analog transmission using a same/shared bandwidth. The method may include playing a digital audio of the digital transmission and an analog audio of the analog transmission using a same audio output. The digital transmission may include an identification code. The playing of the digital audio may include selectively playing the digital audio based on a match of the identification code with a stored identification code of the system and selectively squelching the digital audio based on a mismatch of the identification code with the stored identification code.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 18, 2023Publication date: April 24, 2025Applicant: Rockwell Collins, Inc.Inventors: Kenneth K. Hamby, James M. Mitchell
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Publication number: 20250128820Abstract: An equipment cabinet for an aircraft cockpit or aircraft test cockpit is provided. The equipment cabinet includes at least one of a plurality of sliders or a plurality of rollers coupled to the equipment cabinet. The at least one of the plurality of sliders or the plurality of rollers are configured to engage with at least one rail assembly of a removed ejection seat. The at least one rail assembly defining a channel configured to receive the at least one of the plurality of sliders or the plurality of rollers.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 24, 2024Publication date: April 24, 2025Applicant: Rockwell Collins, Inc.Inventor: Dustin J. Wimmer
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Patent number: 12282650Abstract: A cabin management control device is disclosed. In embodiments, the cabin management control device includes a touchscreen (e.g., either a fixed panel or a mobile computing device) and processors. The computing device is in communication with aircraft-based networks or controllers configured for control of cabin features or functions. The computing device displays, via the touchscreen, an interactive graphical user interface (GUI) in the form of a high resolution “virtual cabin”, e.g., a graphical representation of the aircraft cabin or a zone thereof. The GUI incorporates active touch areas (ATA) corresponding to visible cabin features (e.g., lighting, windows, inflight entertainment systems (IFE)). Similarly, the GUI displays direct access controls (DAC) allowing for similar control of non-visible cabin features (e.g.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2019Date of Patent: April 22, 2025Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.Inventors: Rojith P. Gunaratnage, Levi D. Van Oort, Maureen A. Veith, Christopher P. Gehrke
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Patent number: 12276895Abstract: One embodiment provides an apparatus for displaying an image comprising: a first optical substrate comprising at least one waveguide layer configured to propagate light in a first direction, wherein the at least one waveguide layer of the first optical substrate comprises at least one grating lamina configured to extract the light from the first substrate along the first direction; and a second optical substrate comprising at least one waveguide layer configured to propagate the light in a second direction, wherein the at least one waveguide layer of the second optical substrate comprises at least one grating lamina configured to extract light from the second substrate along the second direction; wherein the at least one grating lamina of at least one of the first and second optical substrates comprises an SBG in a passive mode.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 2023Date of Patent: April 15, 2025Assignees: Rockwell Collins, Inc., Digilens Inc.Inventors: Robert D. Brown, Alastair John Grant, Wyatt L. Hendrick, Milan Momcilo Popovich, James H. Stanley, Jonathan David Waldern
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Patent number: 12272254Abstract: A system and method for offloading Future Air Navigation System (FANS) and Automated Dependent Surveillance-Contract (ADS-C) functionality from the flight management system (FMS) to an aircraft-based communications management unit (CMU) receives intent data outputs from the FMS, each intent data output including aircraft state and trajectory intent data. Based on the received intent data outputs, the CMU generates a dynamic route representation approximating the aircraft route, inferring and connecting waypoints without otherwise querying the FMS or the pilot for additional data. The CMU receives inbound messages related to ADS-C contracts established with the aircraft by air traffic control (ATC) ground stations and, based on the dynamic route, generates and transmits any necessary ADS-C reports to the ATC ground stations. Further, the CMU queries aircraft-based absolute and relative navigational systems to verify navigational system availability and accuracy status with each ADS-C report.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2022Date of Patent: April 8, 2025Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.Inventors: Eric N. Anderson, Timothy R. Fannin
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Patent number: 12266864Abstract: An ESA includes radiating elements having a normal mode radiating element and a superimposed end-fire mode radiating element. The combined normal mode radiating element and and-fire mode radiating element attenuators or variable gain amplifiers for amplitude adjustment, phase shifting, and time delay circuitry and algorithms to drive the normal mode radiating element and end-fire mode radiating element simultaneously to produce radiation patterns that constructively interfere. Alternatively, the radiating elements are fed by a radio frequency (RF) feed and switching integrated circuitry timed to drive the normal mode radiating element and end-fire mode radiating element to effectively produce hemispherical radiation patterns as a function or time/scan angle.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2022Date of Patent: April 1, 2025Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.Inventors: James B. West, Jiwon L Moran
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Patent number: 12265174Abstract: A radar system including an AESA illuminates a target with a first pulse for a desired beam pointing angle (azimuth and elevation). The AESA then illuminates the target with a second pulse for the desired pointing angle, the second pulse defining a radiation pattern with a main beam in phase with the first pulse, but side lobes that are out of phase. The radar system receives return signals and combines the return signals to null the side lobes by the principle of superposition. The radar processing unit is time synced such that the pulse-pair is interpreted as a single ultra-low level side lobe return radiation pattern.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2021Date of Patent: April 1, 2025Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.Inventors: James B. West, Venkata A. Sishtla, Jiwon L Moran, Jacob G. Teague
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Patent number: 12260766Abstract: A method for heads-up control and interactive display of traffic targets via a heads-up display (HUD) includes: receiving position data from proximate aircraft (e.g., within a threshold range); arranging the aircraft into an ordered sequence based on proximity or other criteria; overlaying interactive symbology onto the HUD synthetic display corresponding to the proximate aircraft (including any aircraft within range but outside the HUD field of view, e.g., behind the aircraft or pilot); accepting control input from a user via a heads-up controller (e.g., manual control or voice command) and focusing a cursor on each proximate aircraft in sequence based on the control input; selecting, via the heads-up controller, focused aircraft via the heads-up controller; and designating, via the heads-up controller, selected aircraft for CDTI Assisted Visual Separation (CAVS) or other traffic applications.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2020Date of Patent: March 25, 2025Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.Inventors: Bradley R. Thompson, Sarah Barber, Felix B. Turcios
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Patent number: 12254282Abstract: A method for correlating a first item to a second item is disclosed. The method includes detecting a first identifier associated with the first item and detecting a second identifier associated with the second item. The method further includes simplifying the first identifier, and executing a matching procedure configured to match the first identifier to the second identifier and generating a match value, which includes comparing the first identifier to the second identifier and generating the match value between the first identifier and the second identifier. The method also includes reporting a correlation between the first item and the second item based on the match value. The method may be performed by a system that includes a controller, one or more processors, and memory.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2021Date of Patent: March 18, 2025Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.Inventor: Jeff M. Henry
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Patent number: 12252258Abstract: A parachute retention system may include a container and a replaceable flap. The container can be attached to a vehicle and can hold a parachute. The container may have a first attachment member. A replaceable flap may have a second attachment member that connects to the first attachment member and that has a flexible barrier portion for enclosing at least a portion of the container to retain the parachute therein.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 2022Date of Patent: March 18, 2025Assignee: ROCKWELL COLLINS, INC.Inventors: Christopher Thistlethwaite, Ronald John McCumber, John Fox
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Publication number: 20250087595Abstract: Neutron single effect events are mitigated using gadolinium. Layers of gadolinium are fully encapsulated as part of an airborne electronic hardware, in circuit boards, in heat sinks, and as part of the device packaging. The gadolinium layers are designed to shield semiconductor chips from neutrons. Shielding the semiconductor chips from the neutrons reduces the upset rate of device packages using the semiconductor ships.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2023Publication date: March 13, 2025Applicant: Rockwell Collins, Inc.Inventors: Eric N. Anderson, Timothy R. Fannin, Brent J Nelson, Matthew P. Corbett
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Patent number: 12250771Abstract: A capacitor bank includes a printed circuit board adapted for a first capacitor disposed on a first surface of the printed circuit board and a second capacitor disposed on a second, opposing surface of the printed circuit board. The first and second capacitor are connected to the printed circuit board at surface mounts pads on opposing sides of the printed circuit board that may be in electronic communication with each other. The capacitors may be connected in series or parallel. Multiple printed circuit boards with capacitors on opposing surfaces may include flexible printed circuit board portions to allow the capacitor bank to be folded into an available space.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2022Date of Patent: March 11, 2025Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.Inventors: Martin J. Jennings, Justin R. Dewald
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Patent number: 12248077Abstract: A system and method for interference detection. The system and method receives flight data comprising a plurality of flights. The system and method identifies a plurality of signal drop events based on at least the flight data. The system and method determines one or more co-located signal drop event subsets based on at least the plurality of signal drop events and filter criteria. The system and method determines one or more interference events based on the one or more co-located signal drop event subsets, wherein each of the one or more co-located signal drop event subsets is based on at least two or more of the plurality of signal drop events.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2021Date of Patent: March 11, 2025Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.Inventors: Jeremy R. Kazmierczak, Angelo J. Joseph, George Cook