Patents by Inventor Alan E. Bruce

Alan E. Bruce has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 9157746
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for routing a vessel from a start point to an end point. Routes are generated from the start point to the end point based on a number of objectives. A group of waypoints is added between the two waypoints with respect to the region of interest in response to a segment between two waypoints in a route in the routes crossing a region of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Alan E. Bruce, Trevor C. Blanarik, Henry Chen, Kyle Nakamoto, Daniel J. Gadler
  • Publication number: 20130124088
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for routing a vessel from a start point to an end point. Routes are generated from the start point to the end point based on a number of objectives. A group of waypoints is added between the two waypoints with respect to the region of interest in response to a segment between two waypoints in a route in the routes crossing a region of interest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2011
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Alan E. Bruce, Trevor C. Blanarik, Henry Chen, Kyle Nakamoto, Daniel J. Gadler
  • Patent number: 7949465
    Abstract: A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer usable program code for generating a route for a vessel to travel from a start point to an end point. A start point and an end point for the vessel are identified. A forecast of wave conditions during a period of time is obtained. A model of the vessel is obtained, wherein the model includes parameters used to calculate a response of the vessel to the wave conditions. A route is generated from the start point to the end point for the vessel to travel on using the model of the vessel and the forecast of the wave conditions, wherein the route avoids conditions that may cause a treacherous environment and meets a set of goals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Alan E. Bruce, Daniel J. Gadler, Kyle M. Nakamoto, Ken Cobleigh
  • Patent number: 7860646
    Abstract: A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer usable program code for generating a route for a vessel to travel from a start point to an end point. A start point and an end point for the vessel are identified. A forecast of wave conditions during a period of time is obtained. A model of the vessel is obtained, wherein the model includes parameters used to calculate a response of the vessel to the wave conditions. A route is generated from the start point to the end point for the vessel to travel on using the model of the vessel and the forecast of the wave conditions, wherein the route avoids conditions that may cause a treacherous environment and meets a set of goals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Alan E. Bruce, Daniel J. Gadler, Kyle M. Nakamoto, Ken Cobleigh
  • Publication number: 20100324811
    Abstract: A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer usable program code for generating a route for a vessel to travel from a start point to an end point. A start point and an end point for the vessel are identified. A forecast of wave conditions during a period of time is obtained. A model of the vessel is obtained, wherein the model includes parameters used to calculate a response of the vessel to the wave conditions. A route is generated from the start point to the end point for the vessel to travel on using the model of the vessel and the forecast of the wave conditions, wherein the route avoids conditions that may cause a treacherous environment and meets a set of goals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Publication date: December 23, 2010
    Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Alan E. Bruce, Daniel J. Gadler, Kyle M. Nakamoto, Ken Cobleigh
  • Patent number: 7623957
    Abstract: Embodiments provide systems, methods, and computer program products for optimizing cruise altitudes for multiple aircraft. The embodiments may be used for optimizing cruise altitudes of multiple aircraft on multiple flight paths and/or system capacity by an operator and/or an air navigation service provider. According to exemplary embodiments, a first set of optimum initial cruise altitudes are established for a plurality of aircraft. Weather conditions at the first set of optimum initial cruise altitudes are accounted for to establish a second set of optimum initial cruise altitudes. Direction of flight at the second set of optimum initial cruise altitudes is accounted for to establish a third set of optimum initial cruise altitudes. Any conflicts between aircraft at the third set of optimum initial cruise altitudes are detected. When a conflict is detected, the conflict is resolved to establish a fourth set of optimum initial cruise altitudes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Vu P. Bui, Dian G. Alyea, Alan E. Bruce, Kenneth S. Chun, Marissa K. Singleton, Steve Kalbaugh
  • Publication number: 20090281850
    Abstract: A system, method and user terminal are provided to facilitate common situational awareness including, for example, awareness of evacuation and emergency vehicle routes. The system includes a plurality of user terminals in communication with a computing device, such as one or more servers. Each user terminal may include a processor and an associated display. The user terminals are configured to receive the evacuation routes and/or the routes for the emergency vehicles, as well as optionally other information regarding the underlying situation, from the computing device for display thereat. The user terminals may provide a field incident report to a computing device that provides the user terminals with information regarding the emergency situation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2008
    Publication date: November 12, 2009
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Alan E. Bruce, Daniel J. Gadler, Kyle M. Nakamoto
  • Publication number: 20090187449
    Abstract: A system for managing unscheduled maintenance and repair decisions may include a maintenance swap options prioritizer. The maintenance swap options prioritizer may include a data access and transformation module to find and assemble information from different sources for computing performance data and generating a list of prioritized swap options. The maintenance swap options prioritizer may also include an options selection module to generate the list of prioritized swap options based on the information found and assembled by the data access and transformation module and based on any user preferences. The maintenance swap options prioritizer may also include means to present the performance data and list of prioritized swap options to at least one user. The maintenance swap options prioritizer may further include means to permit collaborative decision making and planning by multiple users to manage shared maintenance and repair resources.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2008
    Publication date: July 23, 2009
    Inventors: Paul A. van Tulder, Dian Gail Alyea, William D. Kelsey, Alan E. Bruce, Robert L. Berg
  • Publication number: 20080255757
    Abstract: A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer usable program code for generating a route for a vessel to travel from a start point to an end point. A start point and an end point for the vessel are identified. A forecast of wave conditions during a period of time is obtained. A model of the vessel is obtained, wherein the model includes parameters used to calculate a response of the vessel to the wave conditions. A route is generated from the start point to the end point for the vessel to travel on using the model of the vessel and the forecast of the wave conditions, wherein the route avoids conditions that may cause a treacherous environment and meets a set of goals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2007
    Publication date: October 16, 2008
    Inventors: Alan E. Bruce, Daniel J. Gadler, Kyle M. Nakamoto, Ken Cobleigh
  • Patent number: 7349768
    Abstract: A GIS-based system that determines evacuation routes for specific areas requiring evacuation. Evacuation and safe areas are determined, and evacuation routes plotted, based on emergency-specific information as well as road flow and estimated time of travel for each section of road between the evacuation area and safe area. Routes, evacuation areas, and safe areas are dynamically calculated and recalculated based on additional data, either real-time, historical, or other data added to the system, to compute optimal initial routes and redirect evacuees if changes in the emergency situation occur.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Alan E. Bruce, Kenneth A. Cobleigh, Pauline Joe
  • Publication number: 20080059052
    Abstract: Embodiments provide systems, methods, and computer program products for optimizing cruise altitudes for multiple aircraft. The embodiments may be used for optimizing cruise altitudes of multiple aircraft on multiple flight paths and/or system capacity by an operator and/or an air navigation service provider. According to exemplary embodiments, a first set of optimum initial cruise altitudes are established for a plurality of aircraft. Weather conditions at the first set of optimum initial cruise altitudes are accounted for to establish a second set of optimum initial cruise altitudes. Direction of flight at the second set of optimum initial cruise altitudes is accounted for to establish a third set of optimum initial cruise altitudes. Any conflicts between aircraft at the third set of optimum initial cruise altitudes are detected. When a conflict is detected, the conflict is resolved to establish a fourth set of optimum initial cruise altitudes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2006
    Publication date: March 6, 2008
    Inventors: Vu P. Bui, Dian G. Alyea, Alan E. Bruce, Kenneth S. Chun, Marissa K. Singleton, Steve Kalbaugh