Patents by Inventor Geoffrey Bland

Geoffrey Bland 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).

  • Patent number: 11806636
    Abstract: Embodiments may provide a kite system that incorporates a highly efficient lifting surface combined with aerodynamic control surfaces while using only a single tether. Such a kite having a lifting surface combined with aerodynamic control surfaces while using only a single tether may be referred to as a “controllable kite”. Embodiments may include a controllable kite configured to operate aloft connected to only a single tether, the kite including a lifting surface that is heavier-than-air, an aerodynamic surface control system configured to adjust an attitude of the lifting surface while the kite is aloft, and an attachment point connecting the single tether to the kite.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: United States of America as represented by the Administrator of NASA
    Inventors: Geoffrey Bland, Joseph Bretthauer, Ted Miles, Kay Rufty, Douglas Stout, Richard Cairncross
  • Patent number: 8176834
    Abstract: A method is provided for determining fratricide probability of projectile collision from a projectile launcher on a platform and an interception hazard that can be ejected or launched from a deployment position. The platform can represent a combat vessel, with the projectile launcher being a gun, the interception hazard being a missile, and the deployment position being a vertical launch cell. The projectile launcher operates within an angular area called the firing zone of the platform. The method includes determining the firing zone, calculating an angular firing area, quantifying a frontal area of the interception hazard, translating the resulting frontal area across a flight trajectory, sweeping the projectile launcher to produce a slew angle, combining the slew and trajectory, and dividing the combined interception area by the firing area. The firing and interception areas are calculated using spherical projection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Michelle R Arevalo, Geoffrey Bland
  • Publication number: 20100131558
    Abstract: A system and method for storing and managing copyright licensing. There is provided a device for monitoring a business's performance of music or other copyrighted works to determine if the business has a license for performing the works. The device is generally employed by a user to record a sample of the work, as well as identifying information about the business, to assist in determining the licensing status of the business. A business location identification process obtains the information gathered from the device to identify the business where the device is located. A copyrighted work identification process obtains the recording of the copyrighted work from the device and identifies the particular copyrighted work. The business information is transmitted to a copyright license database that determines the licensing status of the business. If the business is not on the list, the business name is transmitted to a database of unlicensed businesses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2008
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Inventors: James D. Logan, Geoffrey Blanding, Daniel Opalacz
  • Patent number: H2255
    Abstract: A method is provided for determining fratricide probability of projectile collision from a projectile launcher on a platform and an interception hazard that can be ejected or launched from a deployment position. The platform can represent a combat vessel, with the projectile launcher being a gun, the interception hazard being a missile, and the deployment position being a vertical launch cell. The projectile launcher operates within an angular area called the firing zone of the platform. The method includes determining the firing zone, calculating an angular firing area, quantifying a frontal area of the interception hazard, translating the resulting frontal area across a flight trajectory, sweeping the projectile launcher to produce a slew angle, combining the slew and trajectory, and dividing the combined interception area by the firing area. The firing and interception areas are calculated using spherical projection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Michelle R. Arevalo, Geoffrey Bland