Patents by Inventor Mark L. Vigars

Mark L. Vigars 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: 8461989
    Abstract: An in-container monitoring sensor system is based on an UWB radar intrusion detector positioned in a container and having a range gate set to the farthest wall of the container from the detector. Multipath reflections within the container make every point on or in the container appear to be at the range gate, allowing intrusion detection anywhere in the container. The system also includes other sensors to provide false alarm discrimination, and may include other sensors to monitor other parameters, e.g. radiation. The sensor system also includes a control subsystem for controlling system operation. Communications and information extraction capability may also be included. A method of detecting intrusion into a container uses UWB radar, and may also include false alarm discrimination. A secure container has an UWB based monitoring system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC.
    Inventors: Carlos E. Romero, Peter C. Haugen, James M. Zumstein, Richard R. Leach, Jr., Mark L. Vigars
  • Patent number: 8160118
    Abstract: A dual burst transmitter for ultra-wideband (UWB) communication systems generates a pair of precisely spaced RF bursts from a single trigger event. An input trigger pulse produces two oscillator trigger pulses, an initial pulse and a delayed pulse, in a dual trigger generator. The two oscillator trigger pulses drive a gated RF burst (power output) oscillator. A bias driver circuit gates the RF output oscillator on and off and sets the RF burst packet width. The bias driver also level shifts the drive signal to the level that is required for the RF output device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventors: Gregory E. Dallum, Garth C. Pratt, Peter C. Haugen, James M. Zumstein, Mark L. Vigars, Carlos E. Romero
  • Publication number: 20110032167
    Abstract: Ultra-wideband (UWB) antennas for use with UWB transmitters and UWB receivers, that are useful, e.g., for UWB communications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2009
    Publication date: February 10, 2011
    Inventors: Gregory F. Dallum, Carlos E. Romero, Mark L. Vigars, Garth C. Pratt, Peter C. Haugen
  • Publication number: 20100166104
    Abstract: A dual burst transmitter for ultra-wideband (UWB) communication systems generates a pair of precisely spaced RF bursts from a single trigger event. An input trigger pulse produces two oscillator trigger pulses, an initial pulse and a delayed pulse, in a dual trigger generator. The two oscillator trigger pulses drive a gated RF burst (power output) oscillator. A bias driver circuit gates the RF output oscillator on and off and sets the RF burst packet width. The bias driver also level shifts the drive signal to the level that is required for the RF output device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Inventors: Gregory E. Dallum, Garth C. Pratt, Peter C. Haugen, James M. Zumstein, Mark L. Vigars, Carlos E. Romero
  • Publication number: 20100141443
    Abstract: An in-container monitoring sensor system is based on an UWB radar intrusion detector positioned in a container and having a range gate set to the farthest wall of the container from the detector. Multipath reflections within the container make every point on or in the container appear to be at the range gate, allowing intrusion detection anywhere in the container. The system also includes other sensors to provide false alarm discrimination, and may include other sensors to monitor other parameters, e.g. radiation. The sensor system also includes a control subsystem for controlling system operation. Communications and information extraction capability may also be included. A method of detecting intrusion into a container uses UWB radar, and may also include false alarm discrimination. A secure container has an UWB based monitoring system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2009
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Inventors: Carlos E. Romero, Peter C. Haugen, James M. Zumstein, Richard R. Leach, JR., Mark L. Vigars