Patents by Inventor John E. Littlefield

John E. Littlefield 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).

  • Airborne widefield airspace imaging and monitoring
    Patent number: 8494760
    Abstract: A Widefield Airspace Imaging and Navigation System to provide UASs with wide field airspace imaging and collision avoidance capabilities. An array of optical lenses are distributed throughout the aircraft to provide an unobstructed view in all directions around the aircraft. Each collection lens is coupled through an optical fiber to a camera that multiplexes the several images. A processing system is connected to the wide array imaging system, and it runs an image interpolation program for resolving a background image and for distinguishing objects that are not moving with the background. In addition, a navigation control program reads the image interpolation software and, upon detection of an approaching object, implements a rule-based avoidance maneuver by sending an appropriate signal to the existing UAS autopilot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: American Aerospace Advisors, Inc.
    Inventors: David William Yoel, John E. Littlefield, Robert Duane Hill
  • AIRBORNE WIDEFIELD AIRSPACE IMAGING AND MONITORING
    Publication number: 20110184647
    Abstract: A Widefield Airspace Imaging and Navigation System to provide UASs with wide field airspace imaging and collision avoidance capabilities. An array of optical lenses are distributed throughout the aircraft to provide an unobstructed view in all directions around the aircraft. Each collection lens is coupled through an optical fiber to a camera that multiplexes the several images. A processing system is connected to the wide array imaging system, and it runs an image interpolation program for resolving a background image and for distinguishing objects that are not moving with the background. In addition, a navigation control program reads the image interpolation software and, upon detection of an approaching object, implements a rule-based avoidance maneuver by sending an appropriate signal to the existing UAS autopilot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2010
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Inventors: David Yoel, John E. Littlefield, Robert Duane Hill