Patents by Inventor Jeffery A. Finley

Jeffery A. Finley 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: 9720082
    Abstract: The hazard warning system that included processing system for detecting a high altitude ice crystal (HAIC) condition. The aircraft warning system can use at least two types of radar returns to detect the HAIC condition. Warnings of high altitude ice crystal conditions can allow an aircraft to avoid threats posed by HAIC conditions including damage to aircraft equipment and engines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger A. Dana, James B. West, Kevin M. Kronfeld, Gregory J. Koenigs, Jeffery A. Finley, Daniel L. Woodell
  • Patent number: 9625577
    Abstract: A method for indicating a weather threat to an aircraft is provided. The method includes inferring a weather threat to an aircraft and causing an image to be displayed on an aviation display in response to a determination by aircraft processing electronics that the inferred weather threat to the aircraft is greater than a measured weather threat to the aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffery A. Finley, Roy E. Robertson, Hubert C. Dyche, Gregory J. Koenigs, Charles J. Dickerson
  • Patent number: 9499278
    Abstract: A aircraft hazard warning system or method can be utilized to determine a location of turbulence, hail or other hazard for an aircraft. A processor can process weather radar data representative of weather conditions. An avionic display can display graphical elements representing the weather conditions in response to the processor. The display can provide at least one first graphical element representing a size and a location of the turbulence at a first level. The display can provide at least one second graphical element representing a size and a location of the turbulence at a second level. The size of the second graphical element can have a minimal displayable size and/or can be determined using an inflation factor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffery A. Finley, Mark C. Fersdahl
  • Patent number: 9459348
    Abstract: A system and method relates to a weather detection system using millimeter wave radar data. Processing electronics receives millimeter wave radar (MMWR) data and senses a presence of weather spatial extent using return strength data associated with the MMWR data. The processing electronics uses spectral width data associated with the MMWR data to assign a level to the weather in the spatial extent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard D. Jinkins, Richard M. Rademaker, Daniel L. Woodell, Jeffery A. Finley
  • Patent number: 9395438
    Abstract: A aircraft hazard warning system or method can be utilized to determine a location of turbulence, hail or other hazard for an aircraft. The aircraft hazard warning system can utilize processing electronics coupled to an antenna. The processing electronics can determine an inferred presence of turbulence in response to lightning sensor data, radar reflectivity data, turbulence data, geographic location data, vertical structure analysis data, and/or temperature data. The system can include a display for showing the turbulence hazard and its location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel L. Woodell, Jeffery A. Finley, Gregory J. Koenigs, John G. Conkling
  • Patent number: 9322914
    Abstract: A method for indicating a weather threat to an aircraft is provided. The method includes inferring a weather threat to an aircraft and causing an image to be displayed on an aviation display in response to a determination by aircraft processing electronics that the inferred weather threat to the aircraft is greater than a measured weather threat to the aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffery A. Finley, Roy E. Robertson, Hubert C. Dyche, Gregory J. Koenigs, Charles J. Dickerson
  • Patent number: 9244166
    Abstract: A hazard warning or weather radar system or method can be utilized to determine a location of ice. The system and method can be used in an aircraft. The aircraft weather radar system can include a radar antenna and a processor. The radar antenna receives radar returns. The processor can: 1. identify on a display a region of potential ice associated with a blow off region in response to the radar returns, temperature data, and wind data; 2. identify on a display a region of potential ice associated with a stratiform region in response to radar returns, temperature data, and a history of convective cells in the stratiform region; or 3. perform both 1 and 2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffery A. Finley, Kevin M. Kronfeld, Gregory J. Koenigs, Roy E. Robertson
  • Patent number: 9057773
    Abstract: Systems and methods for displaying weather data relating to weather near an aircraft are provided. A method includes generating a three-dimensional weather profile of the weather near the aircraft based on reflectivity data from radar returns of a weather radar system of the aircraft. Generating the three-dimensional weather profile includes estimating weather data above a freezing layer height using a function that is based on a rate of reduction in reflectivity above the freezing layer. The method further includes transmitting weather display data to a display device, the weather display data being configured to cause the display device to display a visual representation of the three-dimensional weather profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark C. Fersdahl, Venkata A. Sishtla, Edward A. St. John, Jeffery A. Finley
  • Patent number: 9019146
    Abstract: A method for indicating a weather threat to an aircraft is provided. The method includes inferring a weather threat to an aircraft and causing an image to be displayed on an aviation display in response to a determination by aircraft processing electronics that the inferred weather threat to the aircraft is greater than a measured weather threat to the aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffery A. Finley, Roy E. Robertson, Hubert C. Dyche, Gregory J. Koenigs, Charles J. Dickerson
  • Patent number: 9000972
    Abstract: A system for displaying vertical weather information on an aviation display aboard an aircraft, the aircraft including an aircraft radar system for scanning a target, is provided. The system includes processing electronics configured to receive a target selection from a user input device, to receive an altitude value of an echo top of the target based on radar return data, and to cause the altitude value to be displayed on plan view of weather images on an aviation display in response to the received target selection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: James D. Cahoon, Patricia R. Barbosa, Alexander M. Oranskiy, Mark B. Godfrey, Jeffery A. Finley
  • Patent number: 8994578
    Abstract: A system and method for adjusting a target value for generating a vertical profile view in an aircraft weather radar system is provided. Processing electronics are configured to receive a target value for generating a vertical profile view of weather detected by the radar system. The processing electronics are also configured to adjust the target value to account for the motion of the aircraft and/or the motion of the detected weather.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffery A. Finley, Divya Sishtla Venkata, Venkata A. Sishtla, James D. Cahoon, Mark B. Godfrey, Steven L. Sperling, Mark C. Fersdahl, Gregory J. Koenigs
  • Patent number: 8933836
    Abstract: A multiple beam receiving system provides an angle estimate to targets. The system tracks movements of the targets over time and generates calibration information. The system uses the calibration information to more accurately estimate angle-to-target. The multiple beam receiving system can be part of a monopulse or other radar system, a traffic collision avoidance system, or other electromagnetic sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel L. Woodell, Jeffery A. Finley, David L. Van Dusseldorp
  • Patent number: 8907817
    Abstract: A aircraft hazard warning system or method can be utilized to determine a location of turbulence, hail or other hazard for an aircraft. A processor can process weather radar data representative of weather conditions. An avionic display can display graphical elements representing the weather conditions in response to the processor. The display can provide at least one first graphical element representing a size and a location of the turbulence at a first level. The display can provide at least one second graphical element representing a size and a location of the turbulence at a second level. The size of the second graphical element can have a minimal displayable size or can be determined using an inflation factor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffery A. Finley, Mark C. Fersdahl
  • Patent number: 8907838
    Abstract: A radar system includes an antenna. The radar system comprises a processor for providing an error in ground speed estimate based upon Doppler velocity data, and a transmitter. The frequency of radar signals from the transmitter is adjusted according to a velocity of the aircraft calculated using the error in ground speed estimate or using the error in ground speed estimate. The adjusted frequency can allow ground clutter to be removed by high pass filtering in one embodiment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Venkata A. Sishtla, Jeffery A. Finley, Mark B. Godfrey
  • Patent number: 8902101
    Abstract: A radar system includes an antenna. The radar system comprises a transmitter coupled to the antenna. The transmitter provides a radar signal. The radar signal includes a first set of pulses having a high bandwidth and a second set of pulses having a lower bandwidth. In one embodiment, the radar system is used for wind shear detection and the antenna is a smaller antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Venkata A. Sishtla, Jeffery A. Finley, Mark B. Godfrey, Yoel H. Sonera
  • Patent number: 8902100
    Abstract: A aircraft hazard warning system or method can be utilized to determine a location of a turbulence hazard for an aircraft. The aircraft hazard warning system can utilize processing electronics coupled to an antenna. The processing electronics can determine an inferred presence of turbulence in response to lightning sensor data, radar reflectivity data, turbulence data, geographic location data, vertical structure analysis data, and/or temperature data. The system can include a display for showing the turbulence hazard and its location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel L. Woodell, Jeffery A. Finley, Gregory J. Koenigs, John G. Conkling
  • Patent number: 8723693
    Abstract: A system and method for indicating a predictive windshear transmission status is provided. The method includes determining if the predictive windshear radar system is transmitting. The method also includes providing an indication of the determination to a user interface device. Additional parameters, such as the operational state of the aircraft, may be used to further define when the indication is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: James D. Cahoon, Mark B. Godfrey, Venkata A. Sishtla, Jeffery A. Finley, Jason E. Smithe
  • Patent number: 8723694
    Abstract: A hazard detection system is for use on board an aircraft or other vehicle. The aircraft or other vehicle is disposed in an environment. The hazard detection system includes a circuit for receiving a charge accumulation signal indicative of the electric field associated with the environment. The circuit provides a warning in response to the charge accumulation signal. The warning is indicative of a hazard or potential hazard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffery A. Finley, Terrence P. Wey, Kevin M. Kronfeld, Gregory J. Koenigs
  • Publication number: 20130328715
    Abstract: A system and method relates to a weather detection system using millimeter wave radar data. Processing electronics receives millimeter wave radar (MMWR) data and senses a presence of weather spatial extent using return strength data associated with the MMWR data. The processing electronics uses spectral width data associated with the MMWR data to assign a level to the weather in the spatial extent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2012
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Inventors: Richard D. Jinkins, Richard M. Rademaker, Daniel L. Woodell, Jeffery A. Finley
  • Patent number: 8600587
    Abstract: A vehicle system for determining an object threat level, includes a display and electronics configured to receive mission context data indicating an operational state of the vehicle. The electronics determines a threat level of the object in response to the mission context data. The electronics determines at least one recommended action in response to the threat level. The electronics provides an indication of the threat level and at least one recommended action to the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Kirschen A. Seah, Kevin M. Kronfeld, Jeffery A. Finley