Patents by Inventor Brian Edward Ward

Brian Edward Ward 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).

  • Methods and systems for communicatively coupling vehicles and ground systems
    Patent number: 10484099
    Abstract: A system configured to communicate with a vehicle on-board system of a vehicle. The system includes a ground sub-system configured to provide power to and to communicate with the vehicle on-board system. The ground sub-system includes an integrated power and communications connector including a socket having a conductive portion and an optical communication portion. The integrated power and communications connector is configured to supply power to the vehicle on-board system via the conductive portion, and is configured to communicate data between the vehicle on-board system and the ground sub-system via the optical communication portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Donald B. Lee, Brian Edward Ward, Timothy M. Mitchell
  • METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR COMMUNICATIVELY COUPLING VEHICLES AND GROUND SYSTEMS
    Publication number: 20180367222
    Abstract: A system configured to communicate with a vehicle on-board system of a vehicle. The system includes a ground sub-system configured to provide power to and to communicate with the vehicle on-board system. The ground sub-system includes an integrated power and communications connector including a socket having a conductive portion and an optical communication portion. The integrated power and communications connector is configured to supply power to the vehicle on-board system via the conductive portion, and is configured to communicate data between the vehicle on-board system and the ground sub-system via the optical communication portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2018
    Publication date: December 20, 2018
    Inventors: Donald B. Lee, Brian Edward Ward, Timothy M. Mitchell
  • Methods and systems for communicatively coupling vehicles and ground systems
    Patent number: 10084550
    Abstract: A vehicle that includes an onboard connector including a conductive portion and an optical communication portion. The vehicle further includes an optical interface coupled in communication with the onboard connector and onboard systems of the vehicle. The optical interface is configured to at least one of receive or transmit optical signals via the optical communication portion. When a ground-system connector is connected to the onboard connector, data included in the optical signals is communicated between the ground system connector and the onboard systems of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Donald B. Lee, Brian Edward Ward, Timothy M. Mitchell
  • METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR COMMUNICATIVELY COUPLING VEHICLES AND GROUND SYSTEMS
    Publication number: 20160301481
    Abstract: A vehicle that includes an onboard connector including a conductive portion and an optical communication portion. The vehicle further includes an optical interface coupled in communication with the onboard connector and onboard systems of the vehicle. The optical interface is configured to at least one of receive or transmit optical signals via the optical communication portion. When a ground-system connector is connected to the onboard connector, data included in the optical signals is communicated between the ground system connector and the onboard systems of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2016
    Publication date: October 13, 2016
    Inventors: Donald B. Lee, Brian Edward Ward, Timothy M. Mitchell
  • Methods and systems for communicatively coupling vehicles and ground systems
    Patent number: 9436569
    Abstract: Methods and systems for communicating data between a vehicle and a ground system are described. The system includes an integrated power and communications connector that couples to the vehicle so that power is supplied to at least selected systems on-board the vehicle. In addition, data is communicated between the vehicle on-board systems and the ground system via the integrated connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Donald B. Lee, Brian Edward Ward, Timothy M. Mitchell
  • METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR COMMUNICATIVELY COUPLING VEHICLES AND GROUND SYSTEMS
    Publication number: 20150051788
    Abstract: Methods and systems for communicating data between a vehicle and a ground system are described. The system includes an integrated power and communications connector that couples to the vehicle so that power is supplied to at least selected systems on-board the vehicle. In addition, data is communicated between the vehicle on-board systems and the ground system via the integrated connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2013
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Donald B. Lee, Brian Edward Ward, Timothy M. Mitchell