Patents by Inventor Frank J. Blackwell

Frank J. Blackwell 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).

  • Continuous aimpoint tracking system
    Patent number: 6997716
    Abstract: The Continuous Aimpoint Tracking System is comprised of a position detection device (PDD) and a laser pointing device (LPD) that projects an infrared crosshair onto the PDD. The PDD is coupled to a computer and comprises a multitude of photodiodes and associated circuits, the photodiodes being evenly spaced and arranged to form a frame that can be mounted on the computer so as to surround the computer video display. When a “shot” is fired from the LPD, the crosshair projection is interrupted briefly. The PDD determines the position of the four crosshair intersections and reports them to the computer which, in response, generates the video signals that form the resolved aimpoint on the screen, matching the LPD aimpoint to the video image. Further, the tracking system determines the rotation of the LPD over a range of at least 10 degrees clockwise or counter-clockwise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: James A. Skala, Frank J. Blackwell, Patrick W. Jungwirth
  • Continuous aimpoint tracking system
    Publication number: 20030180692
    Abstract: The Continuous Aimpoint Tracking System is comprised of a position detection device (PDD) and a laser pointing device (LPD) that projects an infrared crosshair onto the PDD. The PDD is coupled to a computer and comprises a multitude of photodiodes and associated circuits, the photodiodes being evenly spaced and arranged to form a frame that can be mounted on the computer so as to surround the computer video display. When a “shot” is fired from the LPD, the crosshair projection is interrupted briefly. The PDD determines the position of the four crosshair intersections and reports them to the computer which, in response, generates the video signals that form the resolved aimpoint on the screen, matching the LPD aimpoint to the video image. Further, the tracking system determines the rotation of the LPD over a range of at least 10 degrees clockwise or counter-clockwise.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2002
    Publication date: September 25, 2003
    Inventors: James A. Skala, Frank J. Blackwell, Patrick W. Jungwirth