Patents by Inventor Brad Smoot

Brad Smoot 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).

  • Steerable directional antenna system for autonomous air vehicle communication
    Patent number: 7764229
    Abstract: A system and method for communication with an autonomous air vehicle are provided. The system comprises a steerable antenna array including a plurality of directional antenna elements each selectable to receive a video signal from the air vehicle. An antenna control unit is operatively coupled to the antenna elements and includes a magnetometer for determining an orientation for each of the antenna elements. A ground control station is in operative communication with the antenna array and comprises a ground data terminal in operative communication with the antenna control unit, and an operator control unit in operative communication with the data terminal and the antenna control unit. The operator control unit is configured to obtain positions of the air vehicle and the ground control station from the data terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Brad Smoot, Erik Erben
  • STEERABLE DIRECTIONAL ANTENNA SYSTEM FOR AUTONOMOUS AIR VEHICLE COMMUNICATION
    Publication number: 20090295635
    Abstract: A system and method for communication with an autonomous air vehicle are provided. The system comprises a steerable antenna array including a plurality of directional antenna elements each selectable to receive a video signal from the air vehicle. An antenna control unit is operatively coupled to the antenna elements and includes a magnetometer for determining an orientation for each of the antenna elements. A ground control station is in operative communication with the antenna array and comprises a ground data terminal in operative communication with the antenna control unit, and an operator control unit in operative communication with the data terminal and the antenna control unit. The operator control unit is configured to obtain positions of the air vehicle and the ground control station from the data terminal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2008
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Brad Smoot, Erik Erben