Patents Assigned to Rockwell Collins
  • Patent number: 11405795
    Abstract: A large scale hierarchical and heterogeneous network, and specifically mobile ad-hoc networks (MANETs), derive content elements from a plurality of informational data points via spectrum fusion at each hierarchical level. Content elements may be derived via fusion of information data from peer nodes and from content elements from lower hierarchical levels. Content elements are propagated up for further abstraction at higher hierarchical levels. Each content element is tagged with a node location and external reference direction. The node location and external reference direction facilitate fusion are each hierarchical level where the deriving node is receiving content elements from a plurality of different nodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: George F. Elmasry, Thomas L. Tapp, James A. Stevens
  • Patent number: 11402913
    Abstract: A system for aircraft display device feedback may include a personal electronic device. The personal electronic device may be configured to generate a feedback response based on a signal received from an aircraft controller of an aircraft. In addition or in the alternative, the system may include a personal electronic device configured to generate a feedback response, where the feedback response may be generated by an aircraft controller via the personal electronic device. The feedback response may be based on an input received via an aircraft touchscreen display device coupled to the aircraft controller. The feedback response may at least include a haptic feedback response. The input received via the touchscreen aircraft display device may be directed to at least one of adjusting, troubleshooting, or updating one or more components of an avionics system installed within the aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph L. Tchon, Tracy J. Barnidge
  • Publication number: 20220238986
    Abstract: A system of high-frequency (HF) antennas is disposed on various aircraft body panels. The antennas are configured for orthogonal polarization such that NVIS may be operable no matter the state of the ionosphere. The antennas are disposed on substantially perpendicular body panels so that, when operated in concert, the resulting signals have opposite polarization and at least one signal will bounce off the ionosphere.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2021
    Publication date: July 28, 2022
    Applicant: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph T. Graf, James B. West
  • Patent number: 11398847
    Abstract: A system may include a first radio comprising a first radio processor, a first radio modem, and a first radio transmitter configured to transmit non-hopping transmissions and hopping transmissions. The system may further include a second radio comprising a second radio processor, a second radio modem, and a second radio hopping receiver, wherein the second radio hopping receiver is a non-staring second radio receiver. The first radio may be configured to: receive a message and a destination for the message, the destination being the second radio; upon a determination that the destination has a non-staring receiver, store the message; determine a time interval start time for a cyclical hop pattern associated with the second radio; output the message from the memory to the first radio modem; output the message from the first radio modem to the first radio transmitter; and/or transmit the message to the second radio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Angelo Ruggeri, David A. Gribble
  • Patent number: 11397192
    Abstract: An acoustic airspeed sensor system can include at least one acoustic transmitter configured to provide an acoustic pulse, a plurality of acoustic receivers including at least a first acoustic receiver, a second acoustic, receiver, and a third acoustic receiver, each positioned at a first radial distance from the at least one acoustic transmitter. The first acoustic receiver, the second acoustic receiver, and the third acoustic receiver are each configured to receive the acoustic pulse at a first time, a second time, and a third time, respectively, and output a first receiver signal, a second receiver signal, and a third receiver signal respectively. The system can include a computation unit operatively connected to the acoustic receivers and configured to generate a propagation function. The computation unit is further configured to determine true air speed based upon a receiver signals and the propagation function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel W. Shannon, Sudarshan N. Koushik, Todd Anthony Ell
  • Patent number: 11390385
    Abstract: An extension mechanism for a passenger oxygen mask includes a guide block with defined channels to guide the rotation of a telescoping extension arm mechanism. After rotation, a rotating sleeve latch releases an internal telescoping arm that extends a pull flag for the passenger to grab and release the oxygen mask. A pull flag release mechanism releases the pull flag when the extension arm mechanism is fully extended. Combined spring biasing elements keep the pull flag secured in place while stowed and retract a pull flag retention pin at full extension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerrit Krause, Detlev Degenhardt, Jan Sebastian Brandes
  • Patent number: 11395353
    Abstract: A method for 4G Automatic Link Establishment protocol enhancement may include, but is not limited to, determining a first signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) value with a called participating unit (called PU) from a first protocol data unit (PDU) including a first number of transmit level control (TLC) blocks transmitted by a calling participating unit (calling PU), determining a second SNR value corresponding to the first SNR value from a lookup table stored on the called PU, determining a third SNR value with the calling PU from a second PDU including a second number of TLC blocks transmitted by the called PU, determining a fourth SNR value corresponding to the third SNR value from a lookup table stored on the calling PU, and determining a fifth SNR value with the called PU from a third PDU including a third number of TLC blocks transmitted by the calling PU.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventor: Ho Ting Cheng
  • Patent number: 11392514
    Abstract: A data processing apparatus is specified, having multiple processor devices (4), multiple interface devices (5), to which external devices (E) are respectively connectable, and having connections (8, 10) between the interface devices (5) and the processor devices (4), via which data are transportable between the interface devices (5) and the processor devices (4). In the connections (8, 10), there is provision for at least one data management device (20) for handling data flows between the interface devices (5) and the processor devices (4). The data management device (20) is in the form of a hardware component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: ROCKWELL COLLINS DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
    Inventor: Timo Reubold
  • Publication number: 20220224065
    Abstract: A structural connector system for providing an electrical connection between electronic componentry is disclosed. The structural connector system includes a structural member, including an electrically insulating matrix, an electrically conducting path, a first end surface, a second end surface, and a first component engaging surface. The first component engaging surface includes a first mechanical coupler configured to mechanically couple a first electronic component or a first chassis component to the structural member and a first electrical coupler configured to electrically couple the first electronic component or the first chassis component to a first end of the electrically conducting path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2021
    Publication date: July 14, 2022
    Applicant: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Ross K. Wilcoxon, Russell C. Tawney, Reginald D. Bean, Peter M. Sahayda
  • Patent number: 11387863
    Abstract: A system-in-package or multi-chip module architecture that includes a field programmable neural array, that instantiates an instance of a neural network model trained to receive internal observation signals from a digitally controlled integrated circuit, and rapidly generate corresponding system settings to optimize desired characteristics. The system continuously adapts system settings to environmental conditions via a feedback loop of observation signals. The field programmable neural array may also receive observation signals external to the module to generate system settings based on factors not otherwise definable by internal signal characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Orion Davies, Russell D. Wyse
  • Patent number: 11385738
    Abstract: A touchscreen device utilizes digital scan to resolve a touch location with high precision. The touchscreen device includes touchells of about 3.175 mm by 3.175 mm (0.125 inches by 0.125 inches). An integrated circuit detects contacts in the touchells that resolve to touches on the touchscreen, and communicates those touches to a micro-controller via a serial bus. Silver epoxy interconnects for the tracks are reduced or eliminated. Multiple touchscreens having distinct touchell networks may be disposed to create a larger touchscreen area. Similarly, a single touchscreen may be divided quadrants, each with a distinct touchell network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald E Mosier, Thomas B. Campbell, Stan Sandoval, Alan M Kuefler, Brian Grunewaldt, Clint L. Gosch
  • Patent number: 11386835
    Abstract: In a display with subpixel LEDs, each pixel includes two subpixel LEDs controlled via a shared control circuit and switching element. Switching element logic allows one set of brightness control transistors to alternatively control two subpixels. The driving and control elements of a display backplane are organized into pixels units of four driving elements and three control elements. Each pixel may comprise two green subpixels controlled via the switching element. Alternatively, each pixel may comprise a white subpixel that only illuminates when the colored pixels are off; the green and white subpixels are controlled via the switching element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald E. Mosier, Michael A. Ropers, Jana Wills
  • Patent number: 11387558
    Abstract: A system and method for adjusting polarization of a loop antenna includes a loop antenna with a high impedance autotransformer. The high impedance autotransformer may be connected to the middle of the horizontal leg of a delta loop or the middle of either horizontal leg of a square loop. The feed-point impedance of the loop antenna may be adjusted between about one hundred ohms and ten thousand ohms. The feed-point impedance is adjusted automatically to maximize signal gain. A neural network may be trained to set the feed-point impedance based on environmental conditions and observed periodicity, with a feedback loop based on actual gain or signal strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventor: George Cooley
  • Publication number: 20220214793
    Abstract: A touchscreen device utilizes digital scan to resolve a touch location with high precision. The touchscreen device includes touchells of about 3.175 mm by 3.175 mm (0.125 inches by 0.125 inches). An integrated circuit detects contacts in the touchells that resolve to touches on the touchscreen, and communicates those touches to a micro-controller via a serial bus. Silver epoxy interconnects for the tracks are reduced or eliminated. Multiple touchscreens having distinct touchell networks may be disposed to create a larger touchscreen area. Similarly, a single touchscreen may be divided quadrants, each with a distinct touchell network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2021
    Publication date: July 7, 2022
    Applicant: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald E. Mosier, Thomas B. Campbell, Stan Sandoval, Alan M. Kuefler, Brian Grunewaldt, Clint L. Gosch
  • Patent number: 11379034
    Abstract: A mixed reality (MR) system is disclosed. The MR system may determine a first predicted head pose corresponding to a time that virtual reality imagery is rendered, determine a second predicted head pose corresponding to a selected point in time during a camera shutter period, and combine the virtual reality imagery with the stereoscopic imagery based on the first predicted head pose and the second predicted head pose. A simulator that employs remote (e.g., cloud) rendering is also disclosed. The simulator/client device may determine a first pose (e.g., vehicle pose and/or head pose), receive video imagery rendered by a remote server based on the first pose, and apply a timewarp correction to the video imagery based on a comparison of the first pose and a second pose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason C. Wenger, Peter R. Bellows, Danilo P. Groppa, Jeanette M. Ling, Richard M. Rademaker
  • 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
  • Patent number: 11378645
    Abstract: A system for determining a geographical position of a transmitting device is disclosed. In embodiments, the system includes a concentrator device and a plurality of sensors. In embodiments, each sensor may be configured to: receive an emitter signal from a transmitting device; generate a demodulated sequence of the emitter signal; generate a time-of-arrival (TOA) estimate of the emitter signal; and transmit the demodulated sequence and the TOA estimate to the concentrator device. In embodiments, the concentrator may be configured to: receive a first demodulated sequence and a first TOA estimate (TOA1) from a first sensor; receive a second demodulated sequence and a second TOA estimate (TOA2), from a second sensor; determine a first arbitrary timing offset (ATO1) between the first demodulated sequence and the second demodulated sequence; and determine a first differential TOA estimate (TOADiff1) between the first sensor and the second sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventor: Carlos J. Chavez
  • Patent number: 11382143
    Abstract: A multi-node communication network and a method. The multi-node communication network may include a plurality of nodes, wherein the multi-node communication network may be configured to use beaconless allocation of slots to reserve transmission resources. The method may include: providing a multi-node communication network comprising a plurality of nodes; and using beaconless allocation of slots to reserve transmission resources for the multi-node communication network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: James A. Stevens, T J T. Kwon
  • 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