Patents by Inventor Andrew A. Thompson

Andrew A. Thompson 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: 7388538
    Abstract: A system and method of determining an orientation of a spinning object at a known GPS location comprises radially deploying antennae around a plurality of axes of measurement of the spinning object; determining a spin axis of a first end of the spinning object; measuring, using a frequency domain correlation, a roll angle corresponding to the spin axis in relation to a first plane of the GPS location; repeating the measuring process for multiple planes of the GPS location; and generating the orientation of the spinning object by combining all roll angle measurements. The method further comprises determining a sensing vector orthogonal to the spin axis; identifying at least two known GPS locations corresponding to the spinning object; and rotating the sensing vector about the spin axis until two of the known GPS locations become visible or are in the plane of the sensing vector and the spin axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2008
    Assignee: Th United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Andrew A. Thompson, III
  • Patent number: 6835068
    Abstract: A connector module for connecting a portable electronic device to a power source and a network on-board a mobile platform, for example an aircraft. The connector module is adapted to be integrated into an interior compartment of the aircraft, either adjacent to or disposed within a seat of the aircraft. The connector module provides a networking port disposed within a housing that is adapted to couple the portable electronic device to the aircraft network. A power port is also disposed within the housing of the connector module and is adapted to receive a DC power cable of the portable electronic device for providing power to the portable electronic device. Several embodiments of the connector module provide various configurations for integrating the connector module into the compartment of the aircraft and/or into the seat of the aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2004
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Drew A. Pappas, Andrew A. Thompson, Scott C. Sanner, Stephen J. Moritz
  • Publication number: 20030054686
    Abstract: A connector module for connecting a portable electronic device to a power source and a network on-board a mobile platform, for example an aircraft. The connector module is adapted to be integrated into an interior compartment of the aircraft, either adjacent to or disposed within a seat of the aircraft. The connector module provides a networking port disposed within a housing that is adapted to couple the portable electronic device to the aircraft network. A power port is also disposed within the housing of the connector module and is adapted to receive a DC power cable of the portable electronic device for providing power to the portable electronic device. Several embodiments of the connector module provide various configurations for integrating the connector module into the compartment of the aircraft and/or into the seat of the aircraft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2001
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Inventors: Drew A. Pappas, Andrew A. Thompson, Scott C. Sanner, Stephen J. Moritz
  • Publication number: 20020163776
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for supporting a display device. A bracket includes first and second substantially parallel arms arranged to receive sides of a display device therebetween for attachment thereto. A first cross member is interposed between the first and second arms, and a second cross member is interposed between the first and second arms and extends from the first cross member. The second cross member is arranged to receive a back plane of the display device for attachment thereto. A housing is removably fastened to the bracket. The housing is arranged to surround the bracket and define a window, and the visual display area of a display device attachable to the bracket is viewable within the window.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2002
    Publication date: November 7, 2002
    Inventors: Andrew A. Thompson, John L. Madera