Patents by Inventor Kirby J. Keller
Kirby J. Keller 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: 9725187Abstract: A method includes receiving first vehicle data from a sensor on a vehicle at one or more processors executing a first software module. The method includes determining a risk value, a confidence value associated with whether the first vehicle data matches a validated vehicle state, and a benefit value associated with providing the first vehicle data to a second software module. The method includes calculating a health score associated with the first vehicle data based on the risk value, the confidence value, and the benefit value. The method includes, in response to the health score meeting a threshold value, determining whether the first vehicle data is internally consistent, externally consistent, and stable over time. The method further includes, in response to the first vehicle data being internally consistent, externally consistent, and stable over time, providing the first vehicle data to a vehicle flight control system.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2014Date of Patent: August 8, 2017Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Kevin Swearingen, Kirby J. Keller
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Publication number: 20160347470Abstract: A method includes receiving first vehicle data from a sensor on a vehicle at one or more processors executing a first software module. The method includes determining a risk value, a confidence value associated with whether the first vehicle data matches a validated vehicle state, and a benefit value associated with providing the first vehicle data to a second software module. The method includes calculating a health score associated with the first vehicle data based on the risk value, the confidence value, and the benefit value. The method includes, in response to the health score meeting a threshold value, determining whether the first vehicle data is internally consistent, externally consistent, and stable over time. The method further includes, in response to the first vehicle data being internally consistent, externally consistent, and stable over time, providing the first vehicle data to a vehicle flight control system.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 10, 2014Publication date: December 1, 2016Inventors: Kevin Swearingen, Kirby J. Keller
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Patent number: 8942882Abstract: Systems and methods for managing the exchange of vehicle information between software modules with different safety importance. In one embodiment, a vehicle health management system includes a mission critical software module, a flight critical software module and a gatekeeper. The mission critical software module receives vehicle state information and provides it to the flight critical software module if the gatekeeper confirms the validity of the vehicle information.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2007Date of Patent: January 27, 2015Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Kevin Swearingen, Kirby J. Keller
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Patent number: 8116940Abstract: A data collection system for a vehicle is provided. The data collection system includes a first data collection node configured to obtain data from a vehicle subsystem, and a processor communicatively coupled to the data collection node via a wiring system, wherein the wiring system includes a plurality of conductors and an overbraid surrounding said plurality of conductors, said overbraid comprising at least one fiber optic cable integrally woven therein and configured for the transmission of data related to an operational status of the vehicle subsystem.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2008Date of Patent: February 14, 2012Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventor: Kirby J. Keller
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Apparatus and method for establishing an optical path spanning a discontinuity in an optical channel
Patent number: 8023794Abstract: An apparatus for establishing an optical circuit path spanning a discontinuity in an optical channel supported by a first cable oriented about a first axis on a first side of the discontinuity and supported by a second cable section oriented about a second axis on a second side of the discontinuity includes: (a) a first coupling member coupled with the optical channel on the first side; (b) a first supporting member fixed with the first coupling member in an installed orientation in a clamping relation with the first cable section; (c) a second coupling member coupled with the optical channel on the second side; (d) a second supporting member fixed with the second coupling member in an installed orientation clamped with the second cable section; and (e) a connecting member optically coupling the first coupling member with the second coupling member to establish the optical circuit path.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2009Date of Patent: September 20, 2011Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Charles Eugene Morris, Thomas L. Weaver, Kirby J. Keller -
Patent number: 7999667Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer program product for processing health management data for a vehicle. A plurality of modulated signals is received on a bus system in the vehicle. The plurality of modulated signals contains health management data from a plurality of data acquisition units. Each modulated signal has a different frequency from another modulated signal in the plurality of modulated signals to form a plurality of frequencies. The plurality of frequencies is selected to avoid interference with other data transmitted over the bus system by a plurality of data processing systems in the vehicle. The plurality of modulated signals is processed based on the plurality of frequencies used to transmit the plurality of modulated signals.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 2009Date of Patent: August 16, 2011Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Michael Alexander Carralero, Kirby J. Keller, Charles E. Morris
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APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR ESTABLISHING AN OPTICAL PATH SPANNING A DISCONTINUITY IN AN OPTICAL CHANNEL
Publication number: 20110033153Abstract: An apparatus for establishing an optical circuit path spanning a discontinuity in an optical channel supported by a first cable oriented about a first axis on a first side of the discontinuity and supported by a second cable section oriented about a second axis on a second side of the discontinuity includes: (a) a first coupling member coupled with the optical channel on the first side; (b) a first supporting member fixed with the first coupling member in an installed orientation in a clamping relation with the first cable section; (c) a second coupling member coupled with the optical channel on the second side; (d) a second supporting member fixed with the second coupling member in an installed orientation clamped with the second cable section; and (e) a connecting member optically coupling the first coupling member with the second coupling member to establish the optical circuit path.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 10, 2009Publication date: February 10, 2011Applicant: Boeing Company, a corporation of the state of Delaware, USAInventors: Charles Eugene Morris, Thomas L. Weaver, Kirby J. Keller -
Publication number: 20100171630Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer program product for processing health management data for a vehicle. A plurality of modulated signals is received on a bus system in the vehicle. The plurality of modulated signals contains health management data from a plurality of data acquisition units. Each modulated signal has a different frequency from another modulated signal in the plurality of modulated signals to form a plurality of frequencies. The plurality of frequencies is selected to avoid interference with other data transmitted over the bus system by a plurality of data processing systems in the vehicle. The plurality of modulated signals is processed based on the plurality of frequencies used to transmit the plurality of modulated signals.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 7, 2009Publication date: July 8, 2010Inventors: Michael Alexander Carralero, Kirby J. Keller, Charles E. Morris
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Patent number: 7689383Abstract: Apparatus and methods for assessing component health for reconfigurable control are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of operating a product includes monitoring a first diagnostic information of a component of the product, and monitoring a second diagnostic information of a system that includes the component. The first and second diagnostic informations are then combined, and based at least partially on the combined first and second diagnostic information at least one of the component and the system are reconfigured.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2003Date of Patent: March 30, 2010Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Scott E. Black, Kirby J. Keller, Kevin Swearingen
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Publication number: 20100017049Abstract: Systems and methods for managing the exchange of vehicle information between software modules with different safety importance. In one embodiment, a vehicle health management system includes a mission critical software module, a flight critical software module and a gatekeeper. The mission critical software module receives vehicle state information and provides it to the flight critical software module if the gatekeeper confirms the validity of the vehicle information.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 12, 2007Publication date: January 21, 2010Applicant: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Kevin Swearingen, Kirby J. Keller
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Publication number: 20090319116Abstract: A data collection system for a vehicle is provided. The data collection system includes a first data collection node configured to obtain data from a vehicle subsystem, and a processor communicatively coupled to the data collection node via a wiring system, wherein the wiring system includes a plurality of conductors and an overbraid surrounding said plurality of conductors, said overbraid comprising at least one fiber optic cable integrally woven therein and configured for the transmission of data related to an operational status of the vehicle subsystem.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 18, 2008Publication date: December 24, 2009Inventor: Kirby J. Keller