Patents Assigned to Space Data Corporation
  • Patent number: 10207802
    Abstract: A method and system for separating and releasing component parts of a payload of a floating platform in response to a high collision probability is disclosed. The method includes, determining if an in-flight aircraft is within at least a safety zone associated with a floating platform, wherein the floating platform comprises releasably-coupled component parts; and activating, responsive to a determination that the in-flight aircraft is within at least the safety zone, a release mechanism, wherein the release mechanism is configured to uncouple the component parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: Space Data Corporation
    Inventors: Gerald Mark Knoblach, Eric A Frische
  • Patent number: 8825232
    Abstract: Innovative new methods in connection with lighter-than-air (LTA) free floating platforms, of facilitating legal transmitter operation, platform flight termination when appropriate, environmentally acceptable landing, and recovery of these devices are provided. The new systems and methods relate to rise rate control, geo-location from a LTA platform including landed payload and ground-based vehicle locations, and steerable recovery systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Space Data Corporation
    Inventors: Gerald M. Knoblach, Eric A. Frische, Bruce Alan Barkley
  • Patent number: 8644789
    Abstract: Innovative new methods in connection with lighter-than-air free floating platforms, of facilitating legal transmitter operation, platform flight termination when appropriate, environmentally acceptable landing, and recovery of these devices are provided. Especially, termination of radio transmissions and flight related to regional, governmental and international border requirements, regulations and laws. The new methods comprise specific criteria, detection of the criteria and elements of operation for reducing or preventing illegal transmissions, for producing rapid descend to the ground, for environmentally acceptable landing and for facilitating recovery all with improved safety and enhanced compliance with known regulations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Space Data Corporation
    Inventors: Gerald M. Knoblach, Eric A. Frische
  • Patent number: 7801522
    Abstract: Innovative new methods in connection with lighter-than-air free floating platforms, of facilitating legal transmitter operation, platform flight termination when appropriate, environmentally acceptable landing, and recovery of these devices are provided. Especially, termination of radio transmissions and flight related to regional, governmental and international border requirements, regulations and laws. The new methods comprise specific criteria, detection of the criteria and elements of operation for reducing or preventing illegal transmissions, of producing rapid descend to the ground, for environmentally landing and for facilitating recovery all with improved safety and enhanced compliance with known regulations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Space Data Corporation
    Inventors: Gerald M. Knoblach, Eric A. Frische
  • Publication number: 20080299990
    Abstract: Innovative new methods in connection with lighter-than-air (LTA) free floating platforms, of facilitating legal transmitter operation, platform flight termination when appropriate, environmentally acceptable landing, and recovery of these devices are provided. The new systems and methods relate to rise rate control, geo-location from a LTA platform including landed payload and ground-based vehicle locations, and steerable recovery systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2008
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Applicant: Space Data Corporation
    Inventors: Gerald M. Knoblach, Eric A. Frische, Bruce Alan Barkley
  • Patent number: 7356390
    Abstract: Innovative new methods in connection with lighter-than-air (LTA) free floating platforms, of facilitating legal transmitter operation, platform flight termination when appropriate, environmentally acceptable landing, and recovery of these devices are provided. The new systems and methods relate to rise rate control, geo-location from a LTA platform including landed payload and ground-based vehicle locations, and steerable recovery systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: Space Data Corporation
    Inventors: Gerald M. Knoblach, Eric A. Frische, Bruce A. Barkley
  • Publication number: 20070184810
    Abstract: Innovative new methods in connection with lighter-than-air free floating platforms, of facilitating legal transmitter operation, platform flight termination when appropriate, environmentally acceptable landing, and recovery of these devices are provided. Especially, termination of radio transmissions and flight related to regional, governmental and international border requirements, regulations and laws. The new methods comprise specific criteria, detection of the criteria and elements of operation for reducing or preventing illegal transmissions, for producing rapid descend to the ground, for environmentally acceptable landing and for facilitating recovery all with improved safety and enhanced compliance with known regulations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2007
    Publication date: August 9, 2007
    Applicant: Space Data Corporation
    Inventors: Gerald Knoblach, Eric Frische
  • Publication number: 20070155320
    Abstract: Innovative new methods in connection with lighter-than-air free floating platforms, of facilitating legal transmitter operation, platform flight termination when appropriate, environmentally acceptable landing, and recovery of these devices are provided. Especially, termination of radio transmissions and flight related to regional, governmental and international border requirements, regulations and laws. The new methods comprise specific criteria, detection of the criteria and elements of operation for reducing or preventing illegal transmissions, of producing rapid descend to the ground, for environmentally landing and for facilitating recovery all with improved safety and enhanced compliance with known regulations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2006
    Publication date: July 5, 2007
    Applicant: Space Data Corporation
    Inventors: Gerald Knoblach, Eric Frische
  • Patent number: 7203491
    Abstract: Innovative new methods in connection with lighter-than-air free floating platforms, of facilitating legal transmitter operation, platform flight termination when appropriate, environmentally acceptable landing, and recovery of these devices are provided. Especially, termination of radio transmissions and flight related to regional, governmental and international border requirements, regulations and laws. The new methods comprise specific criteria, detection of the criteria and elements of operation for reducing or preventing illegal transmissions, for producing rapid descend to the ground, for environmentally acceptable landing and for facilitating recovery all with improved safety and enhanced compliance with known regulations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: Space Data Corporation
    Inventors: Gerald M. Knoblach, Eric A. Frische
  • Publication number: 20050014499
    Abstract: Innovative new methods in connection with lighter-than-air (LTA) free floating platforms, of facilitating legal transmitter operation, platform flight termination when appropriate, environmentally acceptable landing, and recovery of these devices are provided. The new systems and methods relate to rise rate control, geo-location from a LTA platform including landed payload and ground-based vehicle locations, and steerable recovery systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2003
    Publication date: January 20, 2005
    Applicant: Space Data Corporation
    Inventors: Gerald Knoblach, Eric Frische, Bruce Barkley
  • Patent number: 6628941
    Abstract: An airborne constellation is disclosed with a plurality of individual lighter-than-air platforms spaced apart above a contiguous geographic area within a predetermined altitude range so that ubiquitous line of sight coverage of the geographic area is provided. Each of the plurality of platforms include an enclosure holding a regulated volume of low density gas for buoyancy of the platforms. Each of the plurality of platforms further includes a signal transmitting device attached to the enclosure by which signals from the platform may be transmitted to the contiguous geographic area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Space Data Corporation
    Inventors: Gerald M. Knoblach, Eric A. Frische