Patents by Inventor Bradley Foreman
Bradley Foreman 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).
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Patent number: 8147080Abstract: A personal control unit (PCU) for a transportation-based entertainment system comprises a number of buttons. Illumination is provided for the buttons by illuminating a border region that is rounded containing some of the keys, and is provided for some of the buttons themselves. A light diffusion mechanism is provided between the illumination source and the illuminated regions related to the keys so that the illumination appears even across the entire PCU. A controller may adjust the illumination level and color of the illumination source. A system may be provided for matching at least one of color and brightness of the PCU lighting with cabin lighting.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2009Date of Patent: April 3, 2012Assignee: Thales Avionics, Inc.Inventors: Bradley Foreman, Hagop Sakadjian, Derek Nguyen
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Patent number: 8116797Abstract: A system and method for wirelessly transferring content to and from a vehicle, in particular, an aircraft. The content includes, for example, data, voice, video and multimedia, that can be wirelessly exchanged over a wireless communication link between an aircraft and a ground station while the aircraft is at or near a parking gate, or between aircraft. In an example, the system employs long distance metropolitan area technology, such as IEEE Standard 802.16 wireless technology, to increase transfer range. The parameter of the wireless communication link can be adjusted based on, for example, the location of the link. The content can further be provided between the vehicle and ground station based on priorities, such as the available link speed, importance of the information, and/or anticipated connection time between the vehicle and ground station. A media creation center can be networked to a plurality of base stations.Type: GrantFiled: December 24, 2008Date of Patent: February 14, 2012Assignees: Thales Avionics, Inc., Proximetry, Inc.Inventors: Kenneth A. Brady, Jr., Dan Reed, Bradley Foreman, Wladyslaw Jan Buga, Tracy Raymond Trent
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Patent number: 8082569Abstract: An in-flight entertainment system with hand-out terminals is described. An embodiment of the invention comprises a server having digital content, which is communicatively linked to a communications network, a connector located proximate to each passenger seat of an aircraft, each connector being communicatively linked to the network, and hand-out terminals. Each hand-out terminal is configured to be coupled to one of the connectors to permit a passenger at the seat to which the connector is proximate to access the digital content.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2005Date of Patent: December 20, 2011Assignee: Thales Avionics, Inc.Inventors: Kenneth A. Brady, Jr., Dan Reed, Mark Thompson, Bradley Foreman
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Publication number: 20110028178Abstract: A system and method for wirelessly transferring content to and from a vehicle, in particular, an aircraft. The content includes, for example, data, voice, video and multimedia, that can be wirelessly exchanged over a wireless communication link between an aircraft and a ground station while the aircraft is at or near a parking gate, or between aircraft. In an example, the system employs long distance metropolitan area technology, such as IEEE Standard 802.16 wireless technology, to increase transfer range. The parameter of the wireless communication link can be adjusted based on, for example, the location of the link. The content can further be provided between the vehicle and ground station based on priorities, such as the available link speed, importance of the information, and/or anticipated connection time between the vehicle and ground station. A media creation center can be networked to a plurality of base stations.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 24, 2008Publication date: February 3, 2011Applicant: Thales Avionics, Inc.Inventors: Kenneth A. Brady, JR., Dan Reed, Bradley Foreman
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Publication number: 20100262748Abstract: A USB repeater assembly is provided for connecting a vehicle passenger entertainment system to a seat electronics box that may be at some distance from the entertainment system. The assembly comprises a host connector that connects with the seat electronics box and a device connector that connects with the passenger entertainment system. The passenger entertainment system comprises a USB personal control unit. The repeater assembly is housed within a shell, preferably a hardened one, enclosing a portion of the connectors as well as USB repeater circuitry and through-connects for connections associated with other components of the passenger entertainment system.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 10, 2009Publication date: October 14, 2010Applicant: Thales Avionics, Inc.Inventors: Joshua Stumpf, Bradford B. Billings, Bradley Foreman
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Publication number: 20100253230Abstract: A personal control unit (PCU) for a transportation-based entertainment system comprises a number of buttons. Illumination is provided for the buttons by illuminating a border region that is rounded containing some of the keys, and is provided for some of the buttons themselves. A light diffusion mechanism is provided between the illumination source and the illuminated regions related to the keys so that the illumination appears even across the entire PCU. A controller may adjust the illumination level and color of the illumination source. A system may be provided for matching at least one of color and brightness of the PCU lighting with cabin lighting.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 1, 2009Publication date: October 7, 2010Applicant: Thales Avionics, Inc.Inventors: Bradley Foreman, Hagop Sakadjian, Derek Nguyen
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Patent number: 7805559Abstract: A USB repeater assembly is provided for connecting a vehicle passenger entertainment system to a seat electronics box that may be at some distance from the entertainment system. The assembly comprises a host connector that connects with the seat electronics box and a device connector that connects with the passenger entertainment system. The passenger entertainment system comprises a USB personal control unit. The repeater assembly is housed within a shell, preferably a hardened one, enclosing a portion of the connectors as well as USB repeater circuitry and through-connects for connections associated with other components of the passenger entertainment system.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2009Date of Patent: September 28, 2010Assignee: Thales Avionics, Inc.Inventors: Joshua Stumpf, Bradford B. Billings, Bradley Foreman
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Patent number: 7486960Abstract: A system and method for wirelessly transferring content to and from a vehicle, in particular, an aircraft. The content includes, for example, data, voice, video and multimedia, that can be wirelessly exchanged over a wireless communication link between an aircraft and a ground station while the aircraft is at or near a parking gate, or between aircraft. In an example, the system employs long distance metropolitan area technology, such as IEEE Standard 802.16 wireless technology, to increase transfer range. The parameter of the wireless communication link can be adjusted based on, for example, the location of the link. The content can further be provided between the vehicle and ground station based on priorities, such as the available link speed, importance of the information, and/or anticipated connection time between the vehicle and ground station.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2007Date of Patent: February 3, 2009Assignee: Thales Avionics, Inc.Inventors: Kenneth A. Brady, Jr., Dan Reed, Bradley Foreman
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Patent number: 7405773Abstract: A display retract mechanism for moving a display between a retracted position and a deployed position is disclosed and explained. The display retract mechanism is useful, for example, in mounting a liquid crystal display within the cabin of a passenger vehicle, such as an aircraft or bus. A geared chain drive supplies torque necessary for rotating a pivot shaft on which the display is attached. The display is biased toward a retracted position by a gas spring with a substantially linear force curve between the retracted position and the deployed position. Also disclosed are an infrared sensor for detecting when the display is in the deployed position, a solenoid latch for holding the display in the retracted position, and an electromechanical clutch for maintaining the display in a particular position.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2006Date of Patent: July 29, 2008Assignee: Thales Avionics, Inc.Inventors: Gerald E. Lester, Bradley Foreman, Mauricio J. Mirand, Doris McQuaid
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Publication number: 20080142585Abstract: A system and method for tendering payment for products and/or services that are provided to passengers on a transportation vehicle, such as a commercial aircraft. More particularly, the present invention provides a system and method that employ a rewritable radio frequency identification device (RFID), or smart card technology, as an electronic wallet to which charges can be wirelessly debited and credited.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2006Publication date: June 19, 2008Applicant: Thales Avionics, Inc.Inventors: Bradley Foreman, Kenneth A. Brady
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Publication number: 20080070517Abstract: A system and method for wirelessly transferring content to and from a vehicle, in particular, an aircraft. The content includes, for example, data, voice, video and multimedia, that can be wirelessly exchanged over a wireless communication link between an aircraft and a ground station while the aircraft is at or near a parking gate, or between aircraft. In an example, the system employs long distance metropolitan area technology, such as IEEE Standard 802.16 wireless technology, to increase transfer range. The parameter of the wireless communication link can be adjusted based on, for example, the location of the link. The content can further be provided between the vehicle and ground station based on priorities, such as the available link speed, importance of the information, and/or anticipated connection time between the vehicle and ground station.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2007Publication date: March 20, 2008Applicant: Thales Avionics, Inc.Inventors: Kenneth A. Brady, Dan Reed, Bradley Foreman
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Publication number: 20080036924Abstract: A display retract mechanism for moving a display between a retracted position and a deployed position is disclosed and explained. The display retract mechanism is useful, for example, in mounting a liquid crystal display within the cabin of a passenger vehicle, such as an aircraft or bus. A geared chain drive supplies torque necessary for rotating a pivot shaft on which the display is attached. The display is biased toward a retracted position by a gas spring with a substantially linear force curve between the retracted position and the deployed position. Also disclosed are an infrared sensor for detecting when the display is in the deployed position, a solenoid latch for holding the display in the retracted position, and an electromechanical clutch for maintaining the display in a particular position.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 28, 2006Publication date: February 14, 2008Applicant: Thales Avionics, Inc.Inventors: Gerald Lester, Bradley Foreman, Mauricio Mirand, Doris McQuaid
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Publication number: 20060179457Abstract: A system for providing in-flight entertainment with data redundancy is described. In an embodiment of the invention, the system includes a first server and a second server disposed within an aircraft, each having stored thereon digital content. The system also includes a network switch that is communicatively linked to both the first and the second servers, and video display units, each being located proximate to a passenger seat within the aircraft, communicatively linked to the network switch, and having a user interface that permits a passenger to request digital content. Both the first and second servers are configured to transmit their respective stored digital content to the video display units via the network switch. Each of the plurality of video display units decodes and displays the video content upon receiving it.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 4, 2005Publication date: August 10, 2006Applicant: Thales Avionics, Inc.Inventors: Kenneth Brady, Dan Reed, Mark Thompson, Bradley Foreman
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Publication number: 20060174285Abstract: An in-flight entertainment system with hand-out terminals is described. An embodiment of the invention comprises a server having digital content, which is communicatively linked to a communications network, a connector located proximate to each passenger seat of an aircraft, each connector being communicatively linked to the network, and hand-out terminals. Each hand-out terminal is configured to be coupled to one of the connectors to permit a passenger at the seat to which the connector is proximate to access the digital content.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 4, 2005Publication date: August 3, 2006Applicant: Thales Avionics, Inc.Inventors: Kenneth Brady, Dan Reed, Mark Thompson, Bradley Foreman
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Patent number: 7042528Abstract: A display retract mechanism for moving a display between a retracted position and a deployed position is disclosed and explained. The display retract mechanism is useful, for example, in mounting a liquid crystal display within the cabin of a passenger vehicle, such as an aircraft or bus. A geared chain drive supplies torque necessary for rotating a pivot shaft on which the display is attached. The display is biased toward a retracted position by a gas spring with a substantially linear force curve between the retracted position and the deployed position. Also disclosed are an infrared sensor for detecting when the display is in the deployed position, a solenoid latch for holding the display in the retracted position, and an electromechanical clutch for maintaining the display in a particular position.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2002Date of Patent: May 9, 2006Assignee: Thales Avionics, Inc.Inventors: Gerald E. Lester, Bradley Foreman, Mauricio J. Mirand, Doris McQuaid
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Publication number: 20060016574Abstract: Apparatus for removing debris from a fluidized sand bed. One or more troughs extend radially from a vertical shaft. Associated with each trough is a perforated chute. The apparatus is placed into the fluidized bed of sand, and rotated. As the apparatus rotates, the perforated chute sifts, or separates, debris from the fluidized sand. That is, the fluidized sand flows through the perforations, but the debris does not. When the apparatus is removed from the fluidized bed, the debris tumbles down the chute, into the troughs, if it has not already done so, and is captured.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 22, 2005Publication date: January 26, 2006Inventors: Rick Burnett, Bradley Foreman
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Publication number: 20040075639Abstract: A display retract mechanism for moving a display between a retracted position and a deployed position is disclosed and explained. The display retract mechanism is useful, for example, in mounting a liquid crystal display within the cabin of a passenger vehicle, such as an aircraft or bus. A geared chain drive supplies torque necessary for rotating a pivot shaft on which the display is attached. The display is biased toward a retracted position by a gas spring with a substantially linear force curve between the retracted position and the deployed position. Also disclosed are an infrared sensor for detecting when the display is in the deployed position, a solenoid latch for holding the display in the retracted position, and an electromechanical clutch for maintaining the display in a particular position.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 17, 2002Publication date: April 22, 2004Applicant: Thales Avionics In-Flight Systems, LLCInventors: Gerald E. Lester, Bradley Foreman, Mauricio J. Mirand, Doris McQuaid