Patents by Inventor Eric J. Black
Eric J. Black 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: 11750305Abstract: Empirically modulated antenna systems and related methods are disclosed herein. An empirically modulated antenna system includes an antenna and a controller programmed to control the antenna. The antenna includes a plurality of discrete scattering elements arranged in a one- or two-dimensional arrangement. A method includes modulating operational states of at least a portion of a plurality of discrete scattering elements of the antenna in a plurality of different modulation patterns. The plurality of different modulation patterns includes different permutations of the discrete scattering elements operating in different operational states. The method also includes evaluating a performance parameter of the antenna responsive to the plurality of different empirical one- or two-dimensional modulation patterns. The method further includes operating the antenna in one of the plurality of different one- or two-dimensional empirical modulation patterns selected based, at least in part, on the performance parameter.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2021Date of Patent: September 5, 2023Assignee: THE INVENTION SCIENCE FUND I, LLCInventors: Eric J. Black, Brian Mark Deutsch, Alexander Remley Katko, Melroy Machado, Jay Howard Mccandless, Yaroslav A. Urzhumov
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Publication number: 20220038191Abstract: Empirically modulated antenna systems and related methods are disclosed herein. An empirically modulated antenna system includes an antenna and a controller programmed to control the antenna. The antenna includes a plurality of discrete scattering elements arranged in a one- or two-dimensional arrangement. A method includes modulating operational states of at least a portion of a plurality of discrete scattering elements of the antenna in a plurality of different modulation patterns. The plurality of different modulation patterns includes different permutations of the discrete scattering elements operating in different operational states. The method also includes evaluating a performance parameter of the antenna responsive to the plurality of different empirical one- or two-dimensional modulation patterns. The method further includes operating the antenna in one of the plurality of different one- or two-dimensional empirical modulation patterns selected based, at least in part, on the performance parameter.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 12, 2021Publication date: February 3, 2022Inventors: ERIC J. BLACK, BRIAN MARK DEUTSCH, ALEXANDER REMLEY KATKO, MELROY MACHADO, JAY HOWARD MCCANDLESS, YAROSLAV A. URZHUMOV
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Patent number: 11075702Abstract: Empirically modulated antenna systems and related methods are disclosed herein. An empirically modulated antenna system includes an antenna and a controller programmed to control the antenna. The antenna includes a plurality of discrete scattering elements arranged in a one- or two-dimensional arrangement. A method includes modulating operational states of at least a portion of a plurality of discrete scattering elements of the antenna in a plurality of different modulation patterns. The plurality of different modulation patterns includes different permutations of the discrete scattering elements operating in different operational states. The method also includes evaluating a performance parameter of the antenna responsive to the plurality of different empirical one- or two-dimensional modulation patterns. The method further includes operating the antenna in one of the plurality of different one- or two-dimensional empirical modulation patterns selected based, at least in part, on the performance parameter.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 2020Date of Patent: July 27, 2021Assignee: The Invention Science Fund I LLCInventors: Eric J. Black, Brian Mark Deutsch, Alexander Remley Katko, Melroy Machado, Jay Howard McCandless, Yaroslav A. Urzhumov
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Publication number: 20200274625Abstract: Empirically modulated antenna systems and related methods are disclosed herein. An empirically modulated antenna system includes an antenna and a controller programmed to control the antenna. The antenna includes a plurality of discrete scattering elements arranged in a one- or two-dimensional arrangement. A method includes modulating operational states of at least a portion of a plurality of discrete scattering elements of the antenna in a plurality of different modulation patterns. The plurality of different modulation patterns includes different permutations of the discrete scattering elements operating in different operational states. The method also includes evaluating a performance parameter of the antenna responsive to the plurality of different empirical one- or two-dimensional modulation patterns. The method further includes operating the antenna in one of the plurality of different one- or two-dimensional empirical modulation patterns selected based, at least in part, on the performance parameter.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 21, 2020Publication date: August 27, 2020Inventors: ERIC J. BLACK, BRIAN MARK DEUTSCH, ALEXANDER REMLEY KATKO, MELROY MACHADO, JAY HOWARD MCCANDLESS, YAROSLAV A. URZHUMOV
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Patent number: 10741913Abstract: A determined object wave can be approximately formed by applying a modulation pattern to metamaterial elements receiving RF energy from a feed network. For example, a desired object wave at a surface of an antenna is selected to be propagated into a far-field pattern. A computing system can compute an approximation of the object wave by calculating a modulation pattern to apply to metamaterial elements receiving RF energy from a feed network. The approximation can be due to a grid size of the metamaterial elements. Once the modulation pattern is determined, it can be applied to the metamaterial elements and the RF energy can be provided in the feed network, causing emission of the approximated object wave from the antenna.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2018Date of Patent: August 11, 2020Assignee: The Invention Science Fund I, LLCInventors: Eric J. Black, Brian Mark Deutsch, Alexander Remley Katko, Melroy Machado, Jay Howard McCandless, Yaroslav A. Urzhumov
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Patent number: 10630398Abstract: Empirically modulated antenna systems and related methods are disclosed herein. An empirically modulated antenna system includes an antenna and a controller programmed to control the antenna. The antenna includes a plurality of discrete scattering elements arranged in a one- or two-dimensional arrangement. A method includes modulating operational states of at least a portion of a plurality of discrete scattering elements of the antenna in a plurality of different modulation patterns. The plurality of different modulation patterns includes different permutations of the discrete scattering elements operating in different operational states. The method also includes evaluating a performance parameter of the antenna responsive to the plurality of different empirical one- or two-dimensional modulation patterns. The method further includes operating the antenna in one of the plurality of different one- or two-dimensional empirical modulation patterns selected based, at least in part, on the performance parameter.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2018Date of Patent: April 21, 2020Assignee: The Innovation Science Fund I, LLCInventors: Eric J. Black, Brian Mark Deutsch, Alexander Remley Katko, Melroy Machado, Jay Howard McCandless, Yaroslav A. Urzhumov
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Patent number: 10602373Abstract: Holographic beamforming antennas may be utilized for adaptive routing within communications networks, such as wireless backhaul networks. Holographic beamforming antennas may be further utilized for discovering and/or addressing nodes in a communication network with steerable, high-directivity beams. Holographic beamforming antennas may be further utilized for extending the range of communications nodes and providing bandwidth assistance to adjacent nodes via dynamic adjacent cell assist. In some approaches, MIMO is used in concert with holographic beamforming for additional channel capacity.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2016Date of Patent: March 24, 2020Assignee: The Invention Science Fund I, LLCInventors: Eric J. Black, Brian Mark Deutsch, Russell J. Hannigan, Alexander Remley Katko, Melroy Machado, Jay Howard McCandless, Yaroslav A. Urzhumov
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Patent number: 10595210Abstract: Holographic beamforming antennas may be utilized for adaptive routing within communications networks, such as wireless backhaul networks. Holographic beamforming antennas may be further utilized for discovering and/or addressing nodes in a communication network with steerable, high-directivity beams. Holographic beamforming antennas may be further utilized for extending the range of communications nodes and providing bandwidth assistance to adjacent nodes via dynamic adjacent cell assist. In some approaches, MIMO is used in concert with holographic beamforming for additional channel capacity.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2016Date of Patent: March 17, 2020Assignee: The Invention Science Fund I, LLCInventors: Eric J. Black, Brian Mark Deutsch, Russell J. Hannigan, Alexander Remley Katko, Melroy Machado, Jay Howard McCandless, Yaroslav A. Urzhumov
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Patent number: 10535923Abstract: The present disclosure provides a system and methods for mitigating, or reducing, the intermodulation of an adaptive antenna array's radiating elements. A tunable element or tunable material, such as a phase change material or a state change material, may be used to increase linearity of the RF transmission properties. These phase or state change materials may modify a radiating element's electromagnetic response. In some embodiments, variable couplers may further be added to a system to reduce intermodulation. An adaptive antenna array using the techniques described herein may have all or some of the elements co-located.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2016Date of Patent: January 14, 2020Assignee: Elwha LLCInventors: Eric J. Black, Brian Mark Deutsch, Alexander Remley Katko, Melroy Machado, Jay Howard McCandless, Yaroslav A. Urzhumov
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Patent number: 10446903Abstract: Surface scattering antennas on curved manifolds provide adjustable radiation fields by adjustably coupling scattering elements along a wave-propagating structure.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2015Date of Patent: October 15, 2019Assignee: The Invention Science Fund I, LLCInventors: Eric J. Black, Pai-Yen Chen, Brian Mark Deutsch, Tom Driscoll, Siamak Ebadi, John Desmond Hunt, Alexander Remley Katko, Nathan Ingle Landy, Melroy Machado, Milton Perque, Jr., David R. Smith, Yaroslav A. Urzhumov
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Patent number: 10447392Abstract: Disclosed are antenna systems and related methods. An antenna system includes one or more feeds configured to receive an electromagnetic (EM) signal and propagate the EM signal as an EM reference wave. The antenna system also includes a plurality of tunable EM scattering elements spaced at sub-wavelength distances, and a controller operably coupled to the plurality of tunable EM scattering elements. A method includes operating the plurality of tunable EM scattering elements in at least two different operational states to selectively scatter the EM reference wave as a radiated wave, and modulating the radiated wave over time to deliver a plurality of different information streams to a plurality of different far-end locations by modulating the plurality of tunable EM scattering elements between the plurality of different operational states over time.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2016Date of Patent: October 15, 2019Assignee: Elwha LLCInventors: Eric J. Black, Brian Mark Deutsch, Alexander Remley Katko, Melroy Machado, Jay Howard McCandless, Yaroslav A. Urzhumov
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Patent number: 10439715Abstract: Disclosed are antenna systems, wireless antenna controllers, and related methods. An antenna system includes a configured to receive an electromagnetic (EM) signal and propagate the EM signal as an EM reference wave. The antenna system also includes a tunable EM scattering elements, and a wireless controller. A wireless antenna controller includes an EM emitter configured to emit EM radiation to EM filters. The EM filters are configured to pass different sub-ranges of a frequency range of the EM radiation to the tunable EM scattering elements. A method includes wirelessly controlling the tunable EM scattering elements to deliver a different information streams to different far-end locations. A method includes controlling the EM emitter to modulate frequency content of the EM radiation to cause the tunable EM scattering elements to operate collectively according to different modulation patterns.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2017Date of Patent: October 8, 2019Assignee: Elwha LLCInventors: Eric J. Black, Brian Mark Deutsch, Alexander Remley Katko, Melroy Machado, Jay Howard McCandless, Yaroslav A. Urzhumov
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Patent number: 10439299Abstract: Antenna systems and related methods are disclosed. An antenna system includes an antenna controller configured to operably couple to control inputs of an antenna including an array of electromagnetic (EM) scattering elements. A method includes controlling an array of EM scattering elements to operate according to holographic modulation patterns, and modulating at least one effective EM property of the antenna over space, time, or a combination thereof to, in the average and/or the aggregate, cause side lobes of an antenna gain of the antenna to be reduced.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2017Date of Patent: October 8, 2019Assignee: The Invention Science Fund I, LLCInventors: Eric J. Black, Brian Mark Deutsch, Alexander Remley Katko, Melroy Machado, Jay Howard McCandless, Yaroslav A. Urzhumov
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Patent number: 10431901Abstract: A surface scattering antenna with a tightly-coupled or tightly-connected array of radiators provides an adjustable antenna with broadband instantaneous bandwidth.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2016Date of Patent: October 1, 2019Assignee: The Invention Science Fund, LLCInventors: Eric J. Black, Brian Mark Deutsch, Alexander Remley Katko, Melroy Machado, Jay Howard McCandless, Yaroslav A. Urzhumov
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Patent number: 10411349Abstract: The present disclosure provides a system and methods for mitigating, or reducing, the intermodulation of an adaptive antenna array's radiating elements. A tunable element may be used with a bias component to increase linearity of the system. These tunable elements may modify a radiating element's capacitance or damping rate. Adjusting the shape of the radiating element or using switches may also modify the resonance strength. Variable couplers may further be added to a system to reduce intermodulation. An adaptive antenna array using the techniques described herein may have all or some of the elements co-located.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2016Date of Patent: September 10, 2019Assignee: Elwha LLCInventors: Eric J. Black, Brian Mark Deutsch, Alexander Remley Katko, Melroy Machado, Jay Howard McCandless, Yaroslav A. Urzhumov
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Patent number: 10361481Abstract: Inter-element couplings between radiative elements of an antenna can be reduced by increasing resonant frequencies for first selected radiative elements and decreasing resonant frequencies for second selected radiative elements. In some approaches, the radiative elements are coupled to a waveguide and the antenna configuration is a hologram that relates a reference wave of the waveguide to a radiated wave of the antenna. In some approaches, the antenna configuration is modified by identifying stationary points of the hologram and then staggering resonant frequencies for radiative elements within neighborhoods of the stationary points.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2016Date of Patent: July 23, 2019Assignee: The Invention Science Fund I, LLCInventors: Eric J. Black, Brian Mark Deutsch, Alexander Remley Katko, Melroy Machado, Jay Howard McCandless, Yaroslav A. Urzhumov
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Patent number: 10333219Abstract: Antenna systems and related methods are disclosed. An antenna system includes an antenna controller configured to operably couple to an array of electromagnetic (EM) scattering elements. The controller is configured to determine a performance parameter of the antenna system for a plurality of different combinations of different spatial holographic phases and effective mode indices having different modulation patterns corresponding thereto, and select one of the modulation patterns based on the performance parameter corresponding thereto. A method includes storing data indicating a modulation pattern determined based on a spatial holographic phase and an effective mode index for each of a plurality of different main beam angles from the antenna, and controlling the antenna to operate with a main beam pointed in each of the plurality of different main beam angles by controlling the antenna to operate in each modulation pattern corresponding to the plurality of main beam angles.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2016Date of Patent: June 25, 2019Assignee: The Invention Science Fund I, LLCInventors: Eric J. Black, Brian Mark Deutsch, Alexander Remley Katko, Melroy Machado, Jay Howard McCandless, Yaroslav A. Urzhumov
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Publication number: 20190097460Abstract: The present disclosure provides system and methods for optimizing the tuning of impedance elements associate with sub-wavelength antenna elements to attain target radiation and/or field patterns. A scattering matrix (S-Matrix) of field amplitudes for each of a plurality of modeled lumped ports, N, may be determined that includes a plurality of lumped antenna ports, Na, with impedance values corresponding to the impedance values of associated impedance elements and at least one modeled external port, Ne, located external to the antenna system at a specified radius vector. Impedance values may be identified through an optimization process, and the impedance elements may be tuned (dynamically or statically) to attain a specific target radiation pattern.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 28, 2018Publication date: March 28, 2019Inventors: Eric J. Black, Brian Mark Deutsch, Alexander Remley Katko, Melroy Machado, Jay Howard McCandless, Yaroslav A. Urzhumov
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Patent number: 10236576Abstract: The present disclosure provides system and methods for optimizing the tuning of impedance elements associate with sub-wavelength antenna elements to attain target radiation and/or field patterns. Both static and variable (tunable) antenna systems may be manufactured. Static embodiments may be entirely passive in some embodiments. A scattering matrix (S-Matrix) of field amplitudes for each of a plurality of modeled lumped ports, N, may be determined that includes a plurality of lumped antenna ports, Na, with impedance values corresponding to the impedance values of associated impedance elements and at least one modeled external port, Ne, located external to the antenna system at a specified radius vector. Impedance values may be identified through an optimization process, and the impedance elements may be tuned (dynamically or statically) to attain a specific target radiation pattern.Type: GrantFiled: December 31, 2015Date of Patent: March 19, 2019Assignee: Elwha LLCInventors: Eric J. Black, Brian Mark Deutsch, Alexander Remley Katko, Melroy Machado, Jay Howard McCandless, Yaroslav A. Urzhumov
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Publication number: 20190074587Abstract: A determined object wave can be approximately formed by applying a modulation pattern to metamaterial elements receiving RF energy from a feed network. For example, a desired object wave at a surface of an antenna is selected to be propagated into a far-field pattern. A computing system can compute an approximation of the object wave by calculating a modulation pattern to apply to metamaterial elements receiving RF energy from a feed network. The approximation can be due to a grid size of the metamaterial elements. Once the modulation pattern is determined, it can be applied to the metamaterial elements and the RF energy can be provided in the feed network, causing emission of the approximated object wave from the antenna.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 13, 2018Publication date: March 7, 2019Inventors: Eric J. Black, Brian Mark Deutsch, Alexander Remley Katko, Melroy Machado, Jay Howard McCandless, Yaroslav A. Urzhumov