Patents by Inventor Jeffrey F. Bull

Jeffrey F. Bull 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).

  • Publication number: 20120032854
    Abstract: A Wide Area Sensor Network (WASN) is disclosed that utilizes wideband software defined radios (SDRs) to monitor RF energy over a wide frequency range, detect when critical frequencies are being jammed or otherwise interfered with, and locate the source of the interference so that the interference can be eliminated. The WASN may use one or more geolocation techniques In addition, the WASN may detect and locate unauthorized transmitters as well as estimate the transmitted power of authorized transmitters to assure they are not transmitting more power than authorized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2008
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Inventors: Jeffrey F. Bull, Matthew L. Ward
  • Publication number: 20110285589
    Abstract: Transmitters are located with a network of sensors by measuring signal characteristics at multiple known locations and processing these measurements at a central node. The sensors communicate their location to the central node along with measured characteristics of the transmitter's signal, and may be required to synchronize with other sensors. Often, GNSS receivers are utilized to locate and synchronize the sensors. However, the GNSS signals may be attenuated by obstructions. In this case, the sensors determine their location by making ranging measurements with sensors that can receive the GNSS signals. The waveform for the wireless backhaul permits this ranging. Additionally, many sensors can determine their location and time synchronize with the geolocation network through reception of signals from other sensors even if they do not have a direct connection to sensors that know their location and are time synchronized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2010
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Applicant: TRUEPOSITION, INC.
    Inventor: Jeffrey F. Bull
  • Publication number: 20110151839
    Abstract: Collection and analysis of network transaction information which includes the mobile device's usage, location, movements coupled with data from non-wireless network sources allow for the automation of analysis for the detection of anti-social behaviors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Applicant: TRUEPOSITION, INC.
    Inventors: Brian R. Bolon, Jeffrey F. Bull, Matthew L. Ward
  • Patent number: 7848733
    Abstract: A wireless location system may include geolocation of a wireless device connected to Voice-over-Internet-Protocol (VoIP) adapter. The VoIP adapter may include a wireless transceiver or a wireless location determining receiver that facilitates the location of a wireless device connected to the VoIP adapter. The wireless transceiver or the location determining receiver may provide location information to an emergency dispatcher.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: TruePosition, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey F. Bull, Rashidus S. Mia, Robert J. Anderson, Matthew L. Ward
  • Publication number: 20100273504
    Abstract: A Network Autonomous Wireless Location System (NAWLS) is designed to allow for precise location of a mobile device (e.g., a cell phone) without interconnection to, and with minimal disruption of, the local wireless communications network. Using distributed radio network monitors (RNM) and a managed network emulator (NE); mobile devices are sampled, acquired or captured. Once triggered by the RNM or NE, an untethered wireless location system (U-WLS) is used to calculate a precise location. The U-WLS; comprising mobile receiver sites, each capable of self location, exchanging information with other components of the NAWLS, and receiving or exchanging signals from the mobile device; utilizes various network-based and handset-based wireless location techniques dependent on the deployed options. In addition, the NAWLS includes data links interconnecting the U-WLS, NE and RNM.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2009
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Applicant: TruePosition, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey F. Bull, Matthew L. Ward
  • Patent number: 7804448
    Abstract: Iterative geolocation of a stationary RF emitter through the use of TDOA may include the use of a single portable geolocation (e.g., TDOA) sensor, a pair of portable geolocation sensors and three of more portable geolocation sensors. Adding portable geolocation sensors to the iterative process reduces the constraints on the signals to be located as well as providing a reduction in the number of iterations required to obtain improved location accuracy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: TruePosition, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey F. Bull, Robert J. Anderson, Ronald Lefever
  • Publication number: 20100227628
    Abstract: Methods and systems are employed by a wireless location system (WLS) for locating a wireless device operating in a geographic area served by a wireless communications system. An exemplary method includes monitoring a set of signaling links of the wireless communications system, and detecting at least one predefined signaling transaction occurring on at least one of the predefined signaling links. Then, in response to the detection of the at least one predefined network transaction, at least one predefined location service is triggered.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2010
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Applicant: TRUEPOSITION, INC.
    Inventors: Robert J. Anderson, Jeffrey F. Bull, Paul Matthew Czarnecki, Thomas Stephen Ginter, Matthew L. Ward
  • Patent number: 7783299
    Abstract: Method and systems are employed by a wireless location system (WLS) for locating a wireless device operating in a geographic area served by a wireless communications system. An exemplary method includes monitoring a set of signaling links of the wireless communications system, and detecting at least one predefined signaling transaction occurring on at least one of the predefined signaling links. Then, in response to the detection of the at least one predefined network transaction, at least one predefined location service is triggered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: TruePosition, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Anderson, Jeffrey F. Bull, Paul Czarnecki, Thomas Stephan Ginter, Matthew L. Ward
  • Publication number: 20100052990
    Abstract: Iterative geolocation of a stationary RF emitter through the use of TDOA may include the use of a single portable geolocation (e.g., TDOA) sensor, a pair of portable geolocation sensors and three of more portable geolocation sensors. Adding portable geolocation sensors to the iterative process reduces the constraints on the signals to be located as well as providing a reduction in the number of iterations required to obtain improved location accuracy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2009
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Applicant: TRUEPOSITION, INC.
    Inventors: Jeffrey F. Bull, Robert J. Anderson, Ronald S. Lefever
  • Patent number: 7616155
    Abstract: Iterative geolocation of a stationary RF emitter through the use of TDOA may include the use of a single portable geolocation (e.g., TDOA) sensor, a pair of portable geolocation sensors and three of more portable geolocation sensors. Adding portable geolocation sensors to the iterative process reduces the constraints on the signals to be located as well as providing a reduction in the number of iterations required to obtain improved location accuracy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Inventors: Jeffrey F. Bull, Robert J. Anderson, Ronald S. Lefever
  • Publication number: 20090170528
    Abstract: A method for use in controlling a mobile device's access to one or more wireless communications networks (WCNs) with an overlaid wireless location system (WLS) includes monitoring a set of one or more predefined signaling links of at least one WCN, and detecting an event associated with the mobile device. Next, using a low-accuracy location function of the WLS, the system determines that the mobile device is within a defined area of interest and is potentially within a defined quiet zone. Next, using a high-accuracy location function of the WLS, the system determines a precise geographic location of the mobile device and based thereon confirms that the mobile device is within the quiet zone or at least within an area of ambiguity around the quiet zone. Finally, the mobile device's access to the wireless communications network is limited, e.g., according to a pre-defined rule established by the carrier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2007
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Applicant: TruePosition, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey F. Bull, Matthew L. Ward
  • Patent number: 7497241
    Abstract: A tire belt machine comprises an extruder, a cooling drum, and a cutting station, such that the cooling drum draws a strip from the extruder. The cutting station is adapted to cut the strip into a plurality of plies that are laid adjacent one another to form a splice therebetween. A strip width sensor, a strip tracking system, and a strip temperature sensor are coupled to a central control unit to monitor the characteristics of the strip as it is processed. Based upon the monitored characteristics, the central control unit adjusts the operation of one or more of the components of the tire belt machine to maintain uniform splices between the strips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: The Steelastic Company, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey F. Bull, Evan Smith
  • Patent number: 7427952
    Abstract: Mobile LMUs can be used in a Wireless Location System to provide detection coverage in areas lacking adequate receiver coverage. The mobile LMUs can be used to detect the radio frequency (RF) transmissions from wireless handsets and devices over a period of time to permit determination of their location. The mobile LMU's time, position, and velocity is calculated and transmitted to a SMLC along with any transmissions received from wireless devices. The SMLC analyzes and resolves the Doppler component of the wireless device while compensating for the Doppler component of the mobile LMU. The position and velocity of the wireless device can be compared with real-time imagery taken by the mobile LMU platform to accurately determine the location of the wireless device. To enhance the mobile LMU's ability to detect a signal of interest, which may be very weak and/or corrupted by noise, a process may be employed whereby the low power mobile terminals' signals are received at receiving sites and stored in memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2008
    Assignee: TruePosition, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey F. Bull, Robert J. Anderson, Thomas Stephan Ginter, Matthew L. Ward
  • Publication number: 20080158059
    Abstract: Iterative geolocation of a stationary RF emitter through the use of TDOA may include the use of a single portable geolocation (e.g., TDOA) sensor, a pair of portable geolocation sensors and three of more portable geolocation sensors. Adding portable geolocation sensors to the iterative process reduces the constraints on the signals to be located as well as providing a reduction in the number of iterations required to obtain improved location accuracy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2006
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Applicant: TruePosition, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey F. Bull, Robert J. Anderson, Ronald S. Lefever
  • Publication number: 20080160952
    Abstract: A wireless location system may include geolocation of a wireless device connected to Voice-over-Internet-Protocol (VoIP) adapter. The VoIP adapter may include a wireless transceiver or a wireless location determining receiver that facilitates the location of a wireless device connected to the VoIP adapter. The wireless transceiver or the location determining receiver may provide location information to an emergency dispatcher.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2006
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Applicant: TruePosition, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey F. Bull, Rashidus S. Mia, Robert J. Anderson, Matthew L. Ward
  • Patent number: 6388618
    Abstract: A signal collection system (SCS) is used in a wireless location system that determines the geographical locations of mobile wireless transmitters. The SCS includes a first receiver module, a first digital signal processing (DSP) module, a control and communications module, a timing signal generator including an enhanced GPS receiver, and a bus coupling the DSP module to the communications and control module. The receiver module receives RF signals from the mobile transmitters via a plurality of antennas and digitizes said RF signals, and provides digitized RF data to the first DSP module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: TruePosition, Inc.
    Inventors: Louis A. Stilp, Joseph W. Sheehan, Jeffrey F. Bull, Robert J. Anderson
  • Patent number: 6266013
    Abstract: A signal collection system (SCS) for use in a Wireless Location System is disclosed. The SCS performs wideband energy detection and reporting at the front end of the SCS receiver. Other aspects of the SCS include a protocol for efficiently setting levels for wideband energy detection, DSP sharing within an SCS, and recursive location processing using progressively greater bandwidth from temporarily stored wideband data. The disclosed SCS includes antennas, a wideband receiver, a DSP for wideband energy detection, a memory for temporarily storing digital samples of received signals, a digital drop receiver, demodulation and normalization processors, and a communications processor. The wideband energy detection and the demodulation and normalization processors are implemented with DSP's that detect energy in a particular band, demodulate selected signals, and extract signals of interest for forwarding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Assignee: TruePosition, Inc.
    Inventors: Louis A. Stilp, Joseph W. Sheehan, Tim J. Harris, Jeffrey F. Bull, Robert J. Anderson
  • Patent number: 5989374
    Abstract: The assembly applies an apex filler to the outer circumferential surface of an annular bead ring. The apex filler applying assembly incorporates an apex filler applicator that is preferably operable in conjunction with a plurality of server mechanisms. One server mechanism is a conveyor that receives a bead ring. A locator operates in conjunction with the conveyor to position the annular bead ring precisely on the conveyor so that it may be engaged by a transfer mechanism. The transfer mechanism removes the bead ring from the conveyor and mounts it on a chuck turret assembly. A chuck head in the chuck turret assembly engages the bead ring and accurately positions the bead ring relative to applying rollers in the apex filler applicator, in which position the apex filler--which has been directed from an extruder through an orienting mechanism, into an in-feed mechanism and severed to length by an in-flight guillotine cutter--is applied to the annular bead ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: The Steelastic Company, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Jeffrey F. Bull, Thomas D. Cartwright, Mark Marabito, Thomas D. Miller, Ty Rager, Evan J. Smith
  • Patent number: 5735995
    Abstract: The assembly applies an apex filler to the outer circumferential surface of an annular bead ring. The apex filler applying assembly incorporates an apex filler applicator that is preferably operable in conjunction with a plurality of server mechanisms. One server mechanism is a conveyor that receives a bead ring. A locator operates in conjunction with the conveyor to position the annular bead ring precisely on the conveyor so that it may be engaged by a transfer mechanism. The transfer mechanism removes the bead ring from the conveyor and mounts it on a chuck turret assembly. A chuck head in the chuck turret assembly engages the bead ring and accurately positions the bead ring relative to applying rollers in the apex filler applicator, in which position the apex filler--which has been directed from an extruder through an orienting mechanism, into an in-feed mechanism and severed to length by an in-flight guillotine cutter--is applied to the annular bead ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1998
    Assignee: The Steelastic Company, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Jeffrey F. Bull, Thomas D. Cartwright, Mark Marabito, Thomas D. Miller, Ty Rager, Evan J. Smith
  • Patent number: 5300885
    Abstract: An electromagnetically complete field vector field probe has a set of three dipoles extending along three mutually perpendicular axes, and three loops situated in mutually orthogonal planes defined by different pairs of said axes. The dipoles and loops are all disposed about a common center. Each dipole has a central element and two end elements, separated by gaps. Each loop has four conducting elements each extending from a point adjacent to one of the three axes to a point adjacent to another of the three axes. The conducting elements of each loop are separated from one another by gaps at the axes, so that each gap of each loop is substantially coincident with a gap of another loop and with a gap of a dipole. Coaxial lines extending through the central conducting elements of the dipoles are connected directly to the ends of the loop elements and need not extend through parts of the loop elements themselves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 5, 1994
    Assignee: Flam & Russell, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey F. Bull