Patents by Inventor Kenneth Dean Stephens, Jr.
Kenneth Dean Stephens, Jr. 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).
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Patent number: 11014670Abstract: A method for the deployment of reconnaissance devices including buoy cameras and robotic devices in a target mission area of a remote location in space utilizing a maneuverable descent de-booster capsule and a buoyant vessel for the deployment is disclosed, including identifying the target area from an orbiting spacecraft; deploying the de-booster into orbit over the target area; initiating gradual descent of the de-booster in the atmosphere of the remote location in space; ejecting the buoyant vessel and its payload from the de-booster; filling the buoyant portion of the buoyant vessel with a lifting gas to cause the buoyant portion to become a large balloon; activating reconnaissance devices on the bay portion of the buoyant vessel, including video and other devices for monitoring and surveiling the target mission area; maneuvering the buoyant vessel to refine mission site selection; opening cargo bay doors at a predetermined altitude to deliver payloads including buoy cameras to the target mission area; caType: GrantFiled: September 20, 2018Date of Patent: May 25, 2021Inventor: Kenneth Dean Stephens, Jr.
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Patent number: 10691121Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling the movements of a proxy robot utilizing electrical signals from the nervous system of a user are presented; including identifying signal pickup points on the body of the user; connecting electrodes to the pickup points; amplifying and processing the signals from each pickup point; aggregating and encoding the processed signals for transmission to a proxy robot; receiving and decoding the processed electrical signals at the location of the proxy robot into their original component electrical signals corresponding to an electrical signal from a particular pickup point on the body of the user; processing each component electrical signal by a driver configured for an individual motion-producing element in the proxy robot; addressing by the component electrical signals each motion-producing element in the motor system of the proxy robot surrogate; and causing the proxy robot surrogate to emulate every movement of the user.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2017Date of Patent: June 23, 2020Inventor: Kenneth Dean Stephens, Jr.
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Publication number: 20190135438Abstract: A method for the deployment of reconnaissance devices including buoy cameras and robotic devices in a target mission area of a remote location in space utilizing a maneuverable descent de-booster capsule and a buoyant vessel for the deployment is disclosed, including identifying the target area from an orbiting spacecraft; deploying the de-booster into orbit over the target area; initiating gradual descent of the de-booster in the atmosphere of the remote location in space; ejecting the buoyant vessel and its payload from the de-booster; filling the buoyant portion of the buoyant vessel with a lifting gas to cause the buoyant portion to become a large balloon; activating reconnaissance devices on the bay portion of the buoyant vessel, including video and other devices for monitoring and surveiling the target mission area; maneuvering the buoyant vessel to refine mission site selection; opening cargo bay doors at a predetermined altitude to deliver payloads including buoy cameras to the target mission area; caType: ApplicationFiled: September 20, 2018Publication date: May 9, 2019Inventor: Kenneth Dean Stephens, JR.
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Publication number: 20180217586Abstract: Methods and a system for controlling the movements of a proxy robot surrogate by utilizing electrical signals from the nervous system of a user are presented.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 26, 2017Publication date: August 2, 2018Inventor: Kenneth Dean Stephens, JR.
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Patent number: 9975248Abstract: A method and system for exploring a remote environment from an environment simulator at a local base is disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2016Date of Patent: May 22, 2018Inventor: Kenneth Dean Stephens, Jr.
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Publication number: 20180036880Abstract: A method for replicating the terrain of a remote environment by a terrain replicator with a plurality of extendable elements is disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 20, 2017Publication date: February 8, 2018Inventor: Kenneth Dean Stephens, JR.
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Patent number: 9821465Abstract: An omnidirectional treadmill environment simulator is disclosed. The omnidirectional treadmill environment simulator includes a circular simulator stage area, a plurality of transport mechanisms that maintain an object at or near the center of a circular simulator stage area and at least one processor. The processor is configured to collect position data of the object and process the position data to control the transport mechanisms. Also included is a receiver for receiving data from a remote location and a terrain analysis computer for processing the data received from the remote location. The terrain analysis computer collects the data received from the remote location to form an accurate simulation of an upcoming condition at the remote location. The omnidirectional treadmill environment simulator includes a transmitter for transmitting the position data to a remote location.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 2014Date of Patent: November 21, 2017Inventor: Kenneth Dean Stephens, Jr.
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Patent number: 9823070Abstract: A system of reconnaissance for the staging of a mission in a target area of a remote location in space is disclosed, including satellite surveillance means; a plurality of radio beacon/video camera transceiver means; communication means connecting the satellite surveillance means with the plurality of radio beacon/video camera transceiver means; communication means connecting the plurality of radio beacon/video camera transceiver means with at least one base station; and analysis means to analyze video, positional and other data from the target area.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2015Date of Patent: November 21, 2017Inventor: Kenneth Dean Stephens, Jr.
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Publication number: 20170129105Abstract: A method and system for exploring a remote environment from an environment simulator or terrain replicator at a local base on Earth is disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2016Publication date: May 11, 2017Inventor: Kenneth Dean Stephens, Jr.
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Patent number: 9623561Abstract: A system and method for guidance of a moving robotic device through an approximated real time (ART) virtual video stream is presented. The system and method includes at least one camera for collecting images of a terrain in a remote location, at least one terrain data collecting device for collecting data from a remote location, a memory for storing images from the plurality of cameras, a communication device for transmitting the images and data over a path and a computer configured to calculate a delay between the cameras and the receiver. The calculated delay causes the computer to retrieve images and data from the receiver and memory and consequently generate an approximate real-time video and data stream for displaying the terrain-just-ahead of a moving robotic device at a distance proportional to the calculated delay and the ART video and data stream is used to guide the moving robotic device.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2013Date of Patent: April 18, 2017Inventor: Kenneth Dean Stephens, Jr.
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Patent number: 9573276Abstract: A system and method of space exploration with a human-controlled proxy robot surrogates is disclosed. The method includes: training the human controlled proxy robot surrogates using human handlers; controlling the human-controlled proxy robot surrogates using the human handlers; and deploying a plurality of human-controlled proxy robot surrogates for extraterrestrial missions, missions on Earth, the Moon, and near-Earth locations. Each of the human-controlled proxy robot surrogates are in communication with each of the human handlers and wherein each one of the plurality of proxy robot surrogates is paired with each one of the plurality of human handlers. The human-controlled proxy robot surrogates further comprise an artificial intelligence (AI). The artificial intelligence of the disclosed method includes learned behavior.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2012Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Inventor: Kenneth Dean Stephens, Jr.
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Publication number: 20160205356Abstract: A system of reconnaissance for the staging of a mission in a target area of a remote location in space is disclosed, including satellite surveillance means; a plurality of radio beacon/video camera transceiver means; communication means connecting the satellite surveillance means with the plurality of radio beacon/video camera transceiver means; communication means connecting the plurality of radio beacon/video camera transceiver means with at least one base station; and analysis means to analyze video, positional and other data from the target area.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 11, 2015Publication date: July 14, 2016Inventor: Kenneth Dean Stephens, JR.
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Publication number: 20150321337Abstract: An omnidirectional treadmill environment simulator is disclosed. The omnidirectional treadmill environment simulator includes a circular simulator stage area, a plurality of transport mechanisms that maintain an object at or near the center of a circular simulator stage area and at least one processor. The processor is configured to collect position data of the object and process the position data to control the transport mechanisms. Also included is a receiver for receiving data from a remote location and a terrain analysis computer for processing the data received from the remote location. The terrain analysis computer collects the data received from the remote location to form an accurate simulation of an upcoming condition at the remote location. The omnidirectional treadmill environment simulator includes a transmitter for transmitting the position data to a remote location.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 6, 2014Publication date: November 12, 2015Inventor: Kenneth Dean Stephens, JR.
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Publication number: 20150057801Abstract: A system and method for guidance of a moving robotic device through an approximated real time (ART) virtual video stream is presented. The system and method includes at least one camera for collecting images of a terrain in a remote location, at least one terrain data collecting device for collecting data from a remote location, a memory for storing images from the plurality of cameras, a communication device for transmitting the images and data over a path and a computer configured to calculate a delay between the cameras and the receiver. The calculated delay causes the computer to retrieve images and data from the receiver and memory and consequently generate an approximate real-time video and data stream for displaying the terrain-just-ahead of a moving robotic device at a distance proportional to the calculated delay and the ART video and data stream is used to guide the moving robotic device.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 20, 2013Publication date: February 26, 2015Inventor: Kenneth Dean Stephens, JR.
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Publication number: 20130211587Abstract: A system and method of space exploration with a human-controlled proxy robot surrogates is disclosed. The method includes: training the human controlled proxy robot surrogates using human handlers; controlling the human-controlled proxy robot surrogates using the human handlers; and deploying a plurality of human-controlled proxy robot surrogates for extraterrestrial missions, missions on Earth, the Moon, and near-Earth locations. Each of the human-controlled proxy robot surrogates are in communication with each of the human handlers and wherein each one of the plurality of proxy robot surrogates is paired with each one of the plurality of human handlers. The human-controlled proxy robot surrogates further comprise an artificial intelligence (AI). The artificial intelligence of the disclosed method includes learned behavior.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 23, 2012Publication date: August 15, 2013Inventor: Kenneth Dean Stephens, JR.
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Publication number: 20130211594Abstract: A system for controlling a human-controlled proxy robot surrogate is presented. The system includes a plurality of motion capture sensors for monitoring and capturing all movements of a human handler such that each change in joint angle, body posture or position; wherein the motion capture sensors are similar in operation to sensors utilized in motion picture animation, suitably modified to track critical handler movements in near real time. A plurality of controls attached to the proxy robot surrogate is also presented that relays the monitored and captured movements of the human handler as “follow me” data to the proxy robot surrogate in which the plurality of controls are configured such that the proxy robot surrogate emulates the movements of the human handler.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 24, 2012Publication date: August 15, 2013Inventor: Kenneth Dean Stephens, JR.
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Publication number: 20120079015Abstract: A web-based computer platform for users of Internet-capable thin client devices is disclosed. The systems and methods bring computer feel and functionality to users of cell phones, smart phones, PDA and other small screen and thin client devices. The system further includes means for storing and converting files, games, and accessing other media presently not available to users of such devices.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 5, 2011Publication date: March 29, 2012Inventor: Kenneth Dean Stephens, JR.
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Patent number: 7974577Abstract: A communication device for supporting wireless communication between a host system and a target system and methods for manufacturing and using same. In one preferred embodiment, the communication device can include a host adapter and a wireless transceiver. When coupled with a communication port of the host system, the host adapter exchanges data signals over a virtual communication port of the host system and supports conversion between the data signals and serial data signals. The wireless transceiver converts the serial data signals received from the host adapter into outgoing wireless signals for broadcast to the target system and incoming wireless signals received from the target system into the serial data signals for transmission to the host adapter. Thereby, the host adapter, when coupled with the host system, operates as a hardware firewall, rendering the wireless transceiver invisible to the host system's operating system.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2007Date of Patent: July 5, 2011Assignee: Tazzle, Inc.Inventor: Kenneth Dean Stephens, Jr.
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Publication number: 20080120539Abstract: A web-based computer platform for users of Internet-capable thin client devices is disclosed. The systems and methods bring computer feel and functionality to users of cell phones, smart phones, PDA and other small screen and thin client devices. The system further includes means for storing and converting files, games, and accessing other media presently not available to users of such devices.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 14, 2007Publication date: May 22, 2008Inventor: Kenneth Dean Stephens, Jr.