Patents Assigned to Rockwell Collins
  • Patent number: 11377877
    Abstract: A collinear latching and locking system is disclosed. In embodiments, the system includes a strike with a lock bolt disposed at or defined by an end of the strike. The system further includes a latch pawl configured to surround at least a portion of the strike. The strike and the latch pawl are configured to actuate linearly along the same axis. In this regard, the strike and the latch pawl have a collinear configuration and actuation path. The system further includes a latch cam configured to actuate the latch pawl from a latched position to an unlatched position when the latch cam is turned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventor: Logan Butler
  • Publication number: 20220209852
    Abstract: A system may include an ad hoc satellite network including multiple satellites, a first terminal, and a second terminal. Each of the first satellite and a second satellite of the multiple satellites may include: a receive high frequency (HF) antenna configured to receive HF signals; a transmit HF antenna configured to transmit HF signals; an inter-satellite transmitter configured to transmit signals to another satellite of the ad hoc satellite network; an inter-satellite receiver configured to receive signals from another satellite of the ad hoc satellite network; and a processor. The first terminal may include an HF transmit antenna configured transmit an HF communication payload to the ad hoc satellite network. The second terminal may include an HF receive antenna configured receive the HF communication payload from the ad hoc satellite network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2020
    Publication date: June 30, 2022
    Applicant: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: John V. Thommana, Joseph Splean, II
  • Patent number: 11371840
    Abstract: A radio altimeter includes an electronically scanned array antenna. Orthogonal sweeps by the electronically scanned array antenna are used to identify a highest point in a region beneath the aircraft without the need for strong reflection. The electronically scanned array antenna may be reconfigured to scan a subregion including the highest point with a higher frequency beam and/or integrate multiple sweeps over time for a more accurate measurement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Jacob Teague, James B. West
  • Patent number: 11373977
    Abstract: A system-in-package (SiP) incorporating] is disclosed. In embodiments, the host die defines a substantially horizontal plane (e.g., via its active side). One or more vertical dielets are attached to, and interconnected with, the active side of the host die in a substantially vertical configuration (e.g., perpendicular to the host die). Due to the perpendicular orientation of the dielets, the SiP incorporates thermal spreaders in thermal contact with the active side of the host die as well as the inactive sides of the dielets, allowing for thermal dissipation from the host dies and dielets without the need for through silicon vias.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventor: Reginald D. Bean
  • Patent number: 11372476
    Abstract: A low-profile eye-tracking system for an off-visor helmet-mounted display (HMD) includes annular illuminators clipped to, and aligned with, the terminal component (e.g., the emitter or combiner) of the HMD optical chain. The illuminators include visible-light or IR light sources mounted around the circumference of the illuminator for bouncing light off the visor's inner surface and into the pilot's left or right eye (the HMD may include separate eye-tracking systems for each eye). Image sensors are positioned to sequentially capture images of the illuminated eyes reflected off the visor surface. HMD onboard electronics analyze the captured image sequence to determine the azimuth and elevation of the pilot's eye relative to the centerline of the HMD optics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Bobby D. Foote, Brock A. Macknick, Jeffrey E. Crow
  • Patent number: 11374636
    Abstract: An antenna system may include an antenna array configured to receive one or more signals. In embodiments, the antenna system further includes one or more signal processors configured to: determine a beamforming weight vector (Wbf) for the antenna array; determine a first seeding weight vector (Wseed1) for the antenna array, wherein the first seeding weight vector (Wseed1) comprises a first nulling weight vector (Wnul1) or a second beamforming weight vector (Wbf); determine a first nullforming adjustment factor (?1) for the antenna array; calculate a first nullforming weight vector (Wnf1) based on at least the beamforming weight vector (Wbf), the first seeding weight vector (Wseed1) and the first nullforming adjustment factor (?1); and form a first antenna pattern based on the first nullforming weight vector (Wnf1) to generate a first antenna electronics (AE) output signal, wherein the first antenna pattern generates a first set of one or more nulls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Ying Cho Lai, Jeffrey B. Bishop, Brian J. Herting, Michael H. Stockmaster
  • Patent number: 11373976
    Abstract: A method for fabricating semiconductor die with die-attach preforms is disclosed. In embodiments, the method includes: applying an uncured die-attach paste material to a surface of a forming substrate to form one or more die-attach preforms, the surface of the forming substrate formed from a hydrophobic material; curing the one or more die-attach preforms; performing one or more planarization processes on the one or more die-attach preforms; coupling a first surface of a semiconductor die to a handling tool; and bonding a second surface of the semiconductor die to at least one die-attach preform of the one or more die-attach preforms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan P. Lower, Haley M. Steffen, Ross K. Wilcoxon, David L. Westergren, Brian K. Otis, Pete Sahayda
  • Patent number: 11372981
    Abstract: A redundant processing system with profile-based monitoring is disclosed. In embodiments, the redundant system includes two or more redundant lanes, each lane having equivalent processing components. In a testing state, template processors and hardware monitoring sensors are connected to a selected trusted lane and input vectors submitted thereto; the hardware sensors characterize the response of the selected lane and the resulting testing data compiled into system templates. In an operational environment, the template processors send challenges based on the input vectors to each of the redundant lanes in real time, collecting response data from each lane via identical sets of monitoring sensors. The template processors correlate the response data with the corresponding system templates, identifying anomalous lanes and system anomalies based on discorrelations between the response data and the system templates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Reginald D. Bean, Carl J. Henning, Gregory S. Droba, Carlen R. Welty
  • Patent number: 11373567
    Abstract: A light-modulated photodiode-based monitor for detecting a control signal of a display is disclosed. The monitor includes an emitter configured to emit a control signal, a polarizer configured to linearly polarize the pulsed signal, one or more fold mirrors configured to reflect the pulsed signal from the emitter onto a test portion and/or reflect the pulsed signal that has reflected off of the test portion. The monitor further includes an analyzer configured to block or transmit the polarized pulse signal reflected from at least one of the fold mirror or the test portion, and a detector configured to receive the pulsed signal transmitted from the analyzer and convert the pulsed signal into an electrical signal. The monitor further includes a controller that includes one or more processors and is configured to receive the electrical signal, filter and rectify the electrical signal, and determine a functional state of the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua Gerdes, Eric P. Stratton, Jefferey R. Bader
  • Patent number: 11373011
    Abstract: A security module is disclosed. In embodiments, the security module includes a common host platform configured to co-host a plurality of certified functions via a plurality of interconnected hardware resources. The common host platform may be configured to host a first certified function independently certified via a first certifying authority, and a second certified function independently certified via a second certifying authority. The first certified function may be hosted on a first sub-set of dedicated hardware resources and a first sub-set of shared hardware resources. The second certified function may hosted on a second sub-set of dedicated hardware resources and the first sub-set of shared hardware resources including one or more hardware resources shared with the first certified function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: James A. Marek, Sarah A. Miller, Adriane R. Van Auken
  • Publication number: 20220197236
    Abstract: A hierarchical high integrity system is disclosed. The system may include one or more operator input interfaces configured to receive one or more operator commands from an operator. The system may further include a hierarchy of a plurality of functional layers configured to perform one or more functions in response to the one or more operator commands. The hierarchy of the plurality of functional layers may include one or more upper functional layers and one or more lower functional layers. The one or more upper functional layers may configured to provide a greater level of automation than the one or more lower functional layers. Each functional layer may include a plurality of applications; an arbitrator configured to dynamically select the appropriate input source; an application selector configured to dynamically select an application; and a default safe fallback module configured to selectively provide a substantially safe operation for each functional layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2020
    Publication date: June 23, 2022
    Applicant: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan M. Krawiec, Alexander V. Roup
  • Publication number: 20220198939
    Abstract: A rehosted flight operation system is disclosed. The system comprises one or more controllers configured to execute program instructions. The program instructions include a rehosted flight operation module configured to generate one or more emulated flight operation subsystems, and a host flight operation module configured to generate flight operation data and flight operation commands.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2020
    Publication date: June 23, 2022
    Applicant: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Jessica Updegrove, Andrew Jeffrey, Bruce Spurgeon, Joseph Bender, David Swenzinski, Randy Dick, Elie Bardawil
  • Publication number: 20220197436
    Abstract: A method of touch detection for a projected capacitive (PCAP) touch sensor includes generating a set of unique signal frequencies, energizing each row with a unique frequency according to a rotating frequency scheme, receiving column signals as a summation of the row frequencies, processing the column signals using an algorithm such as a fast Fourier transform (FFT) algorithm to deconstruct each column signal, and analyzing the relative magnitudes of the unique row frequencies to identify a change in magnitude to indicate a touch event on the sensor. The method may be implemented in a touch display device, for instance in aircraft avionics displays requiring redundancy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2020
    Publication date: June 23, 2022
    Applicant: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: William G. Perreault, Jakub Hladik
  • Patent number: 11368232
    Abstract: A surface wave launcher surrounds and provides structure complimentary to an antenna and converts (transforms) a near field produced by the antenna into a cylindrical surface wave structure with a strong electric or magnetic field component parallel to a launching interface and propagating two-dimensionally from the launcher. The surface wave launcher leverages the interface found along ocean-air or ground-air to increase a field strength transmitted for a given antenna size and power available. The surface wave launcher maintains a relatively small structure compared to wavelength offering mobility to a very low frequency transmitter. Due to localization of the surface wave energy near the interface, communications using the surface wave retain a desirable low probability of detection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventor: Alexander B. Kozyrev
  • Patent number: 11366327
    Abstract: A system for interactive heads-up display (HUD) and control of traffic targets is disclosed. In embodiments, the HUD receives and decodes traffic information from onboard surveillance systems to identify proximate aircraft within a threshold range and the relative positions of each aircraft. The HUD arranges the proximate aircraft into an ordered sequence based on distance from ownship or other priority criteria. When the HUD is active, interactive symbols are displayed at the relative positions of the proximate aircraft (e.g., or at the edges of the display for air traffic within range but outside the HUD field of view). A heads-up controller is operable by the pilot and allows the pilot to highlight each interactive symbol in sequence with a displayable cursor, selecting and designating the associated proximate aircraft for spacing or traffic applications without taking pilot focus off the HUD.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley R. Thompson, Sarah Barber, Felix B. Turcios
  • Patent number: 11366316
    Abstract: A head up display can be used in compact environments. The head up display includes a combiner system including at least one light pipe and a waveguide. The at least one light pipe includes a turning grating or mirror array for providing light into the waveguide from the light pipe. An additional light pipe can also be provided. The combiner system can be headworn or stand-alone and can provide dual axis pupil expansion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Ming Yu, Eric P. Stratton, Robert D. Brown
  • Patent number: 11367499
    Abstract: A computing system is disclosed. The computing system includes a computation unit, one or more processors, a volatile memory, and a non-volatile memory communicatively coupled to the one or more processors and having instructions stored thereon, which when executed by the one or more processors, causing the one or more processor to instantiate a container and perform at least one of a volatile memory checking procedure or a non-volatile memory checking procedure. The volatile memory checking procedure includes checking the first physical address space for errors, loading a container into volatile memory containing the first physical address space if an error is determined, rechecking the first physical address space for error, loading the container to a second physical address space and updating a memory management unit if an error in the first physical address space is determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: John V. Thommana, Chris K. Ridgway, Joseph Kaemmer
  • Patent number: 11367961
    Abstract: A system of spiral antennas is incorporated into aircraft body panels. The spiral antennas may be slot or printed material antennas, cavity backed for unidirectional communication, or open for bi-directional communication. The spiral antennas are operated in concert as a steerable array. The spiral antennas are utilized for various signal functions including ultra-wideband communications and electronic support measures interferometry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph T. Graf, James B. West
  • Patent number: 11367954
    Abstract: An antenna system and method includes or uses a set of M antenna structures and a cross bar beam former. The analog (or digital) cross bar beam former includes a set of M N to 1 (M(N×1)) interfaces, each of the M N to 1 interfaces having a first line coupled to a respective one of the set of the M antenna structures. The cross bar beam former also includes a set of N 1 to M (N(1×M)) interfaces, each of the N 1 to M interfaces having a set of M second lines, each of the M second lines being coupled to a respective one of the M N to 1 interfaces. Each of the N 1 to M interfaces includes a third line for a respective one of N independent beams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: James B. West, Jiwon L. Moran
  • Publication number: 20220189327
    Abstract: A system may include a display and a processor communicatively coupled to the display. The processor may be configured to: generate a synthetic vision system (SVS) taxi mode exocentric view of an aircraft when the aircraft is performing taxi operations and when the aircraft is on ground, wherein the SVS taxi mode exocentric view includes at least one range ring centered around a depiction of the aircraft, each of the at least one range ring providing a visual indication of a given range between the aircraft and a given range ring; and output, to the display, the SVS taxi mode exocentric view. The display may be configured to: display the SVS taxi mode exocentric view.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2020
    Publication date: June 16, 2022
    Applicant: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason Davis, Marcin Kolesinski