Patents by Inventor Michael A. Horton
Michael A. Horton 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: 9217639Abstract: A true north heading is determined by using gyroscopes of differing accuracy and orienting a gyroscope of a higher accuracy to a direction that is more sensitive to azimuth change (e.g., an east/west direction). A gyroscope with a lower accuracy is placed perpendicular to the gyroscope with a higher accuracy and can be oriented towards a north or south direction. The gyroscopes may be placed on a rotatable platform to properly orient the gyroscopes. The higher-accuracy gyroscope may be implemented by using multiple gyroscopes oriented in the same direction.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2012Date of Patent: December 22, 2015Assignee: Moog Inc.Inventors: Qiyue Zhang, Michael A. Horton, Ralph M. Kling, Semen Shtigluz
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Patent number: 8965736Abstract: Embodiments relate to a MEMS IMU having an automatic gain control. The dynamic measurement range of the MEMS IMU is controlled by controlling the gain of a signal amplifier before the analog to digital converter (ADC) to make full use of the ADC range. In one embodiment, two or more MEMS inertial sensor sets are installed in the IMU. One of the sensor sets is for high accuracy with low dynamic range, and the other set or sets is for higher dynamic range with less resolution or accuracy. In one implementation, a digital processor determines which of the sensor sets to be used according to the system dynamic estimation. In another implementation, the system weights the sensor outputs from the sensor sets according to the system dynamics.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2011Date of Patent: February 24, 2015Assignee: Moog Inc.Inventors: Michael A. Horton, Qiyue-John Zhang
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Patent number: 8825436Abstract: A spatially distributed MEMS inertial sensor array is designed to reduce or cancel measurement errors and to increase the signal detection accuracy. By combining the measurements from a pair of sensors having sensing axes in two different, non-orthogonal directions, the correlated error due to the environmental changes are cancelled or reduced and the uncorrelated random noise is also reduced by the square root of two. By sequentially sampling the sensor array in the time domain, the number of the ADC circuits can be largely reduced. A two dimensional signal processing method is used to process the sensor array output data, in order to further reduce the remaining errors. Namely, one dimension uses the outputs from multiple spatially distributed sensor sets and the other dimension is the time domain. The signal to noise ratio is increased by using the signal correlation in both the spatial domain and the time domain.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2011Date of Patent: September 2, 2014Assignee: Moog Inc.Inventors: Qiyue-John Zhang, Ralph M. Kling, Michael A. Horton, Martin A. Williams, David J. Zaziski
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Patent number: 8521428Abstract: A system and method for more accurately and robustly determining the heading of a vehicle by taking measurements of angle rates using rate sensors mounted on a movable mechanical assembly. In a quasi-static state of the vehicle, the mechanical assembly is rotated around axes perpendicular to the tangent plane of the Earth, and angle rates are measured by the rate sensors at different rotational angles of the mechanical assembly. The measurements of the angle rates are then computed to determine the initial heading of the vehicle relative to the true north of the Earth in the quasi-static state of the vehicle. After determining the initial heading, navigation state propagation is performed to determine the heading of the vehicle in non-quasi-static state of the vehicle. By taking measurements of the rate sensors at different rotation angles and performing computation, the heading of the vehicle relative to the Earth's true north can be determined using less accurate angle sensors.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2009Date of Patent: August 27, 2013Assignee: Moog Inc.Inventors: Darren S. Liccardo, John J. James, Walter K. Stockwell, Michael A. Horton
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Publication number: 20120232847Abstract: Embodiments relate to a MEMS IMU having an automatic gain control. The dynamic measurement range of the MEMS IMU is controlled by controlling the gain of a signal amplifier before the analog to digital converter (ADC) to make full use of the ADC range. In one embodiment, two or more MEMS inertial sensor sets are installed in the IMU. One of the sensor sets is for high accuracy with low dynamic range, and the other set or sets is for higher dynamic range with less resolution or accuracy. In one implementation, a digital processor determines which of the sensor sets to be used according to the system dynamic estimation. In another implementation, the system weights the sensor outputs from the sensor sets according to the system dynamics.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 9, 2011Publication date: September 13, 2012Applicant: CROSSBOW TECHNOLOGY, INC.Inventors: Michael A. Horton, Qiyue-John Zhang
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Publication number: 20120232832Abstract: A spatially distributed MEMS inertial sensor array is designed to reduce or cancel measurement errors and to increase the signal detection accuracy. By combining the measurements from a pair of sensors having sensing axes in two different, non-orthogonal directions, the correlated error due to the environmental changes are cancelled or reduced and the uncorrelated random noise is also reduced by the square root of two. By sequentially sampling the sensor array in the time domain, the number of the ADC circuits can be largely reduced. A two dimensional signal processing method is used to process the sensor array output data, in order to further reduce the remaining errors. Namely, one dimension uses the outputs from multiple spatially distributed sensor sets and the other dimension is the time domain. The signal to noise ratio is increased by using the signal correlation in both the spatial domain and the time domain.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 9, 2011Publication date: September 13, 2012Applicant: CROSSBOW TECHNOLOGY, INC.Inventors: Qiyue-John Zhang, Ralph M. Kling, Michael A. Horton, Martin A. Williams, David J. Zaziski
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Patent number: 7978061Abstract: A plurality of modules interact to form an adaptive network in which each module transmits and receives data signals indicative of proximity of objects. A central computer accumulates the data produced or received and relayed by each module for analyzing proximity responses to transmit through the adaptive network control signals to a selectively-addressed module to respond to computer analyses of the data accumulated from modules forming the adaptive network.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2010Date of Patent: July 12, 2011Assignee: Memsic Transducer Systems Co., Ltd.Inventors: Alan S. Broad, Michael A. Horton
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Publication number: 20100157879Abstract: A plurality of modules interact to form an adaptive network in which each module transmits and receives data signals indicative of proximity of objects. A central computer accumulates the data produced or received and relayed by each module for analyzing proximity responses to transmit through the adaptive network control signals to a selectively-addressed module to respond to computer analyses of the data accumulated from modules forming the adaptive network.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 8, 2010Publication date: June 24, 2010Applicant: MEMSIC, INC.Inventors: Alan S. Broad, Michael A. Horton
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Patent number: 7705729Abstract: A plurality of modules interact to form an adaptive network in which each module transmits and receives data signals indicative of proximity of objects. A central computer accumulates the data produced or received and relayed by each module for analyzing proximity responses to transmit through the adaptive network control signals to a selectively-addressed module to respond to computer analyses of the data accumulated from modules forming the adaptive network.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2005Date of Patent: April 27, 2010Assignee: MEMSIC, Inc.Inventors: Alan S. Broad, Michael A. Horton
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Patent number: 7418364Abstract: A method and system senses the attitude of an accelerating object by measuring acceleration with accelerometers in three orthogonal axes and measuring angular rate with angular rate sensors disposed about each such axis to compute attitude of the object accurately relative to a vertical axis. A processor updates a quaternion representation of attitude based upon the angular rate of the object, and a corrective rate signal is determined from level frame acceleration as a reference for a Kalman filter in calculating the attitude of the object. When velocity or airspeed is available from an external source, an aiding algorithm is employed to provide accurate attitude representations throughout all flight regimes.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2006Date of Patent: August 26, 2008Assignee: Crossbow Technology, Inc.Inventors: Michael A. Horton, Jose Rios
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Patent number: 7369047Abstract: A plurality of modules interact to form an adaptive network in which each module transmits and receives data signals indicative of radio-frequency identification signals, and indicative of proximity sensing at the module. A central computer accumulates the data produced or received and relayed by each module for analyzing inventory, pricing and customer responses to transmit through the adaptive network signals representative of information to be displayed at selectively-addresses modules in response to computer analyses of the data accumulated from modules forming an adaptive network.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2005Date of Patent: May 6, 2008Assignee: Crossbow Technology, Inc.Inventors: Alan S. Broad, Michael A. Horton
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Patent number: 7216055Abstract: A method and system senses the attitude of an accelerating object by measuring acceleration with accelerometers in three orthogonal axes and measuring angular rate with angular rate sensors disposed about each such axis to compute attitude of the object accurately relative to a vertical axis. A processor updates a quaternion representation of attitude based upon the angular rate of the object, and a corrective rate signal is determined from level frame acceleration as a reference for a Kalman filter in calculating the attitude of the object. When velocity or airspeed is available from an external source, an aiding algorithm is employed to provide accurate attitude representations throughout all flight regimes.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2004Date of Patent: May 8, 2007Assignee: Crossbow Technology, Inc.Inventors: Michael A. Horton, Jose Rios
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Patent number: 7176808Abstract: A method and system updates a network of sensors remotely through the use of a communication link. The sensors to be updated as well as data files to perform the updating are selected at a base station. The selected sensors are notified of the upcoming update by the base station and may accept or reject the update. The sensors that approve the update then receive data files through the communication link. The sensors notify the base station of any missing data files, which are then retransmitted to all sensors that may be missing data files from the first transmission. After the sensors receive all data files, the update is initiated.Type: GrantFiled: November 11, 2003Date of Patent: February 13, 2007Assignee: Crossbow Technology, Inc.Inventors: Alan S. Broad, Matt Miller, Michael A. Horton
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Patent number: 6853947Abstract: A method and system senses the attitude of an accelerating object by measuring acceleration with accelerometers in three orthogonal axes and measuring angular rate with angular rate sensors disposed about each such axis to compute attitude of the object accurately relative to a vertical axis. A processor updates a quaternion representation of attitude based upon the angular rate of the object, and a corrective rate signal is determined from level frame acceleration as a reference for a Kalman filter in calculating the attitude of the object.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2003Date of Patent: February 8, 2005Assignee: Crossbow TechnologyInventor: Michael A. Horton
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Patent number: 6647352Abstract: A method and system attitude of an accelerating object by measuring acceleration with accelerometers in three orthogonal axes and measuring angular rate with angular rate sensors disposed about each such axis to compute attitude of the object accurately relative to a vertical axis. A processor updates a quaternion representation of attitude based upon the angular rate of the object, and a corrective rate signal is determined from level frame acceleration as a reference for a Kalman filter in calculating the attitude of the object.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2002Date of Patent: November 11, 2003Assignee: Crossbow TechnologyInventor: Michael A. Horton
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Patent number: 6421622Abstract: A method and system senses the attitude of an accelerating object. Attitude sensing is accomplished by measuring acceleration in three orthogonal axes and measuring angular rate about each such axis to compute attitude accurately relative to a vertical axis. The system includes accelerometers and angular rate sensors for sensing the acceleration and the angular rate, respectively, of the object. A processor updates a quarternion representation of attitude based upon the angular rate of the object and a corrective rate signal to obtain the attitude of the object. Temperature compensation and frequency compensation may also be performed to update the quarternion.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 1999Date of Patent: July 16, 2002Assignee: Crossbow Technology, Inc.Inventors: Michael A. Horton, Jose A. Rios, Jin Song
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Patent number: 6369204Abstract: The invention relates to monoclonal antibodies to the &agr;v&bgr;3 integrin receptor known to be expressed in large amounts on the surface of osteoclasts and accordingly, associated with bone resorption. The disclosed monoclonal antibodies are believed to recognize unique epitopes on &agr;v&bgr;3 and are useful in the treatment of conditions associated with excessive bone resorption and/or in the inhibition of tumor cell growth.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2000Date of Patent: April 9, 2002Assignee: Genentech, Inc.Inventors: Kyung Jin Kim, Michael A. Horton, Sarah C. Bodary, Anan Chuntharapai
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Patent number: 6359126Abstract: The invention relates to monoclonal antibodies to the &agr;v&bgr;3 integrin receptor known to be expressed in large amounts on the surface of osteoclasts and accordingly, associated with bone resorption. The disclosed monoclonal antibodies recognize unique epitopes on &agr;v&bgr;3 and are useful in the treatment of conditions associated with excessive bone resorption and/or in the inhibition of tumor cell growth.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 1997Date of Patent: March 19, 2002Assignee: Genentech, Inc.Inventors: Kyung Jin Kim, Michael A. Horton, Sarah C. Bodary, Anan Chuntharapai
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Patent number: 5652110Abstract: The invention relates to monoclonal antibodies to the .alpha.v.beta.3 integrin receptor known to be expressed in large amounts on the surface of osteoclasts and accordingly, associated with bone resorption. The disclosed monoclonal antibodies are believed to recognize unique epitopes on .alpha.v.beta.3 and are useful in the treatment of conditions associated with excessive bone resorption and/or in the inhibition of tumor cell growth.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 1995Date of Patent: July 29, 1997Assignee: Genentech, Inc.Inventors: Kyung Jin Kim, Michael A. Horton, Sarah C. Bodary, Anan Chuntharapai
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Patent number: 5652109Abstract: The invention relates to monoclonal antibodies to the .alpha.v.beta.3 integrin receptor known to be expressed in large amounts on the surface of osteoclasts and accordingly, associated with bone resorption. The disclosed monoclonal antibodies are believed to recognize unique epitopes on .alpha.v.beta.3 and are useful in the treatment of conditions associated with excessive bone resorption and/or in the inhibition of tumor cell growth.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 1995Date of Patent: July 29, 1997Assignee: Genentech, Inc.Inventors: Kyung Jin Kim, Michael A. Horton, Sarah C. Bodary, Anan Chuntharapai