Patents by Inventor Anthony L. Thornton

Anthony L. Thornton 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).

  • System and method for detecting objects and substances
    Patent number: 7637196
    Abstract: A system for detecting and identifying the presence of objects, substances, or other items of interest located above or beneath a surface includes at least one aerial platform capable of powered flight, and a base station including apparatus for launching, storing, and refueling the at least one aerial platform. The base station further includes apparatus for communicating with the aerial platform(s). A control station remote from the base station can be configured to communicating with the base station. A display can be associated with the base station and the control station to receive signals from the aerial platform and indicate the location and identity of the objects, substances, or other items detected by the aerial platforms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Lockheed-Martin Corporation
    Inventor: Anthony L. Thornton
  • Apparatus for detecting, identifying, and validating the existence of buried objects
    Patent number: 6626078
    Abstract: A system for detecting, identifying and validating the existence of ordinance located atop or buried beneath the ground including at least one aerial platform capable of powered flight, a base station including apparatus for launching, storing, and refueling the at least one aerial platform, the base station further including apparatus for communicating with the aerial platform, and a control station remote from the base station and including apparatus for communicating with the base station such that a human operator at the control station is capable of communicating flight path instructions to the base station to be communicated to each of the aerial platforms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventor: Anthony L. Thornton
  • Apparatus for detecting, identifying, and validating the existence of buried objects
    Publication number: 20020062730
    Abstract: A system for detecting, identifying and validating the existence of ordinance located atop or buried beneath the ground including at least one aerial platform capable of powered flight, a base station including apparatus for launching, storing, and refueling the at least one aerial platform, the base station further including apparatus for communicating with the aerial platform, and a control station remote from the base station and including apparatus for communicating with the base station such that a human operator at the control station is capable of communicating flight path instructions to the base station to be communicated to each of the aerial platforms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2000
    Publication date: May 30, 2002
    Applicant: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventor: Anthony L. Thornton