Patents by Inventor Mark McDowell

Mark McDowell 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: 6603535
    Abstract: A system and a method is provided for measuring three-dimensional velocities at a plurality of points in a fluid employing at least two cameras positioned approximately perpendicular to one another. Image frames captured by the cameras may be filtered using background subtraction with outlier rejection with spike-removal filtering. The cameras may calibrated to accurately represent image coordinates in a world coordinate system using calibration grids modified using warp transformations. The two-dimensional views of the cameras may be recorded for image processing and particle track determination. The tracer particles may be tracked on a two-dimensional basis and then stereo matched to obtain three-dimensional locations of the particles as a function of time so that velocities can be measured therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2003
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventor: Mark McDowell
  • Publication number: 20020086672
    Abstract: The present invention provides for a system and method for sharing user event information (such as, and without limitation, presence on a network) among mobile (wireless) devices and those connected to fixed IP networks such as the Internet. In accordance with embodiments of the invention, the system and method support instant messaging between wireless devices and fixed IP network devices and between wireless devices and other wireless devices. The term wireless device is used broadly to include cell phones, laptop computers with wireless modems, wireless PDAs, and any other remote wireless devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2001
    Publication date: July 4, 2002
    Inventors: Mark McDowell, Joseph Khalil, Steven Zweifach, Graham Stead, Steven Chafe
  • Publication number: 20020035605
    Abstract: Presence determination, location determination, instant messaging, and mobile commerce are integrated into a functionally seamless system, which may be implemented as an added component of a wireless provider's network. Alternatively, the integrated system enables instant messaging and mobile commerce as a centralized gateway attached to the networks of a large number of wireless providers. The gateway facilitates a business model that advances beyond today's practices, in which individual wireless carriers enter into bi-lateral agreements with specific Internet content providers. The functionally integrated gateway disclosed empowers Internet services that require real-time information about wireless subscribers in order to conduct m-commerce or offer advanced messaging services. Optimization of a wireless network is also facilitated by taking network performance measurements, without using a special drive test team, via devices that are regularly using the network during standard network operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2001
    Publication date: March 21, 2002
    Inventors: Mark McDowell, Joseph Khalil, Steven Zweifach, Graham Stead, David LeJeune
  • Publication number: 20010041566
    Abstract: The present invention provides for a method and system for measuring data quality of service in a wireless network using multiple peripatetic (i.e. mobile) and/or stationary, unattended, position, and performance instruments (PUPPIs) that are remotely controlled by a back end processor. In some embodiments of the invention, the data service whose quality is measured relates to wireless Internet access, e-commerce transactions, wireless messaging, or push technologies. In other embodiments of the invention, the system includes an element that is located within the wireless network infrastructure, for example, at the WAP gateway to monitor the wireless data protocol and to perform benchmarking measurements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2001
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Inventors: James Xanthos, Mark McDowell, Graham Stead, Joseph Khalil, David Helinski, Joseph Kitchell
  • Publication number: 20010034224
    Abstract: The present invention provides for a system and method for sharing user event information (such as, and without limitation, presence on a network) among mobile (wireless) devices and those connected to fixed IP networks such as the Internet. In accordance with embodiments of the invention, the system and method support instant messaging between wireless devices and fixed IP network devices and between wireless devices and other wireless devices. The term wireless device is used broadly to include cell phones, laptop computers with wireless modems, wireless PDAs, and any other remote wireless devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2001
    Publication date: October 25, 2001
    Inventors: Mark McDowell, Joseph Khalil, Steven Zweifach, Graham Stead
  • Patent number: 5905568
    Abstract: A system and a method for measuring three-dimensional velocities at a plurality of points in a fluid employing at least two cameras positioned approximately perpendicular to one another. The cameras are calibrated to accurately represent image coordinates in world coordinate system. The two-dimensional views of the cameras are recorded for image processing and centroid coordinate determination. Any overlapping particle clusters are decomposed into constituent centroids. The tracer particles are tracked on a two-dimensional basis and then stereo matched to obtain three-dimensional locations of the particles as a function of time so that velocities can be measured therefrom. The stereo imaging velocimetry technique of the present invention provides a full-field, quantitative, three-dimensional map of any optically transparent fluid which is seeded with tracer particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1999
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Mark McDowell, Thomas K. Glasgow