Patents by Inventor Philip J. Ballou
Philip J. Ballou 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: 9772403Abstract: Methods and computer-readable media are described herein for providing an automated validation of vehicle positioning and corresponding error notification. According to various aspects, a first position of a vehicle may be determined using a first positioning system. A second position of the vehicle may be determined using a second positioning system. An offset between the first and second positions of the vehicle may be determined. If the offset exceeds a threshold offset, a notification may be provided to indicate a potential error in the position of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 2013Date of Patent: September 26, 2017Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventor: Philip J. Ballou
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Patent number: 9223310Abstract: An unmanned aquatic surface vehicle for detecting and locating hazards is disclosed. The vehicle includes a propulsion system configured to impart a propulsive force to the vehicle and a steering system configured to impart a change in the direction of travel of the vehicle. A navigation system may be included to detect the location, direction, and motion of the vehicle. A hazard detection system is configured to detect and locate at least one of a subsurface, surface or above-water hazard. A communications device configured to transmit hazard data associated with a detected hazard to a remote receiver. A control station is able to control the vehicle, and receive and display information about hazards detected by the unmanned aquatic surface vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2013Date of Patent: December 29, 2015Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventor: Philip J. Ballou
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Patent number: 9109895Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer program product are present for generating a route for a ship. A start point and an end point are identified for the ship. A number of forecasts of weather conditions is obtained for a period of time to travel from the start point to the end point. A probability of reaching the end point from the start point is generated for a number of routes from the start point to the end point for the ship within the period of time using the number of forecasts of weather conditions to form a number of probabilities.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2009Date of Patent: August 18, 2015Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANYInventors: Henry Chen, Philip J. Ballou, Lang Deng, Jonathan David Elkin
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Publication number: 20150054674Abstract: Methods and computer-readable media are described herein for providing an automated validation of vehicle positioning and corresponding error notification. According to various aspects, a first position of a vehicle may be determined using a first positioning system. A second position of the vehicle may be determined using a second positioning system. An offset between the first and second positions of the vehicle may be determined. If the offset exceeds a threshold offset, a notification may be provided to indicate a potential error in the position of the vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 23, 2013Publication date: February 26, 2015Applicant: The Boeing CompanyInventor: Philip J. Ballou
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Patent number: 8935174Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer program product are present for analyzing voyage efficiency. Historical data for a completed voyage of a ship is obtained. A baseline voyage solution for a completed voyage is generated with a software application executing on a processor unit using a model of the ship and the historical data. The baseline voyage solution is compared to an actual voyage solution used for the completed voyage to form a comparison.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2009Date of Patent: January 13, 2015Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Henry Chen, Philip J. Ballou, John R. Murk
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Patent number: 8658882Abstract: Concepts and technologies described herein provide for providing power to an electronic device mounted to a moving apparatus. According to various aspects, a flexible solar panel is detachably mounted to the moving apparatus. A light emitting diode (LED) array is mounted on a flexible circuit board and is configured to emit light at a color temperature range that matches the effective response of the solar panel. The LED array is shaped according to the surface of the moving apparatus and is positioned a uniform gap width apart from the solar panel. When the moving apparatus is activated, light from the fixed LED array is received by the moving solar panel and converted into electricity for powering the electronic device that is electrically connected to the solar panel. Data from the electronic device may be wirelessly transmitted from the moving apparatus to a fixed receiver for storage or use.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2009Date of Patent: February 25, 2014Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventor: Philip J. Ballou
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Patent number: 8643509Abstract: A method is described for providing an alert when the motion of a ship indicates a potential of sloshing damage from liquid cargo being transported by the ship. The method includes calculating, with a processing device, a natural period for the tanks holding the liquid cargo based on the configuration and fill levels of the tanks, receiving, at the processing device, data describing the actual or predicted motion of the ship with respect to three orthogonal axes, determining, with the processing device, a proximity of the natural period of the tanks to a period defined by the actual or predicted motion of the ship, and providing an alert to a user if the proximity in periods is within a threshold value.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2011Date of Patent: February 4, 2014Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Henry Chen, Jonathan David Elkin, Lang Deng, Willie Z. Cheng, Philip J. Ballou, John R. Murk, Joel S. Meltzner
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Patent number: 8634975Abstract: The different advantageous embodiments provide an apparatus comprising a sensor system, a computer system, and a satellite transceiver. The sensor system is configured to generate data about a vessel and an environment around the vessel. The computer system is connected to the sensor system. The computer system is configured to receive the data from the sensor system, generate vessel information about the data, and send the vessel information to a remote location. The satellite transceiver is connected to the computer system. The satellite transceiver is configured to send the vessel information to and receive other information from the remote location.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2010Date of Patent: January 21, 2014Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Henry Chen, Philip J Ballou, Lang Deng, Willie Z. Cheng, Jonathan David Elkin
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Patent number: 8594866Abstract: The different advantageous embodiments provide an apparatus comprising a sensor system, a computer system, and a satellite transceiver. The sensor system is configured to monitor time, position, heading, motions, environmental conditions, and performance data for a vessel and generate data about the vessel and an environment around the vessel. The computer system is connected to the sensor system. The computer system is configured to receive the data from the sensor system, generate vessel information about the data, and send the vessel information to a remote location. The satellite transceiver is connected to the computer system. The satellite transceiver is configured to send the vessel information to and receive other information from the remote location.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2010Date of Patent: November 26, 2013Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Henry Chen, Philip J Ballou, Lang Deng, Willie Z. Cheng, Jonathan David Elkin
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Patent number: 8494697Abstract: A ship motion prediction system is described that includes a plurality of surface platforms and a central computer having a communications interface. The platforms each include a propulsion system for movement of the platform, a plurality of sensors operable for gathering sensor data relating to an environment proximate the platform, a processing device communicatively coupled to the propulsion system and the plurality of sensors, and a transceiver communicatively coupled to the processing device. The central computer includes a communications interface, and the processing device is programmed to transmit sensor data to the central computer via the transceiver and the communications interface. The central computer is programmed to transmit commands for operation of the propulsion system to the processing device via the communications interface and transceiver.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2011Date of Patent: July 23, 2013Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Philip J. Ballou, Henry Chen
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Publication number: 20120253566Abstract: A ship motion prediction system is described that includes a plurality of surface platforms and a central computer having a communications interface. The platforms each include a propulsion system for movement of the platform, a plurality of sensors operable for gathering sensor data relating to an environment proximate the platform, a processing device communicatively coupled to the propulsion system and the plurality of sensors, and a transceiver communicatively coupled to the processing device. The central computer includes a communications interface, and the processing device is programmed to transmit sensor data to the central computer via the transceiver and the communications interface. The central computer is programmed to transmit commands for operation of the propulsion system to the processing device via the communications interface and transceiver.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 28, 2011Publication date: October 4, 2012Inventors: Philip J. Ballou, Henry Chen
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Publication number: 20110257819Abstract: The different advantageous embodiments provide an apparatus comprising a sensor system, a computer system, and a satellite transceiver. The sensor system is configured to generate data about a vessel and an environment around the vessel. The computer system is connected to the sensor system. The computer system is configured to receive the data from the sensor system, generate vessel information about the data, and send the vessel information to a remote location. The satellite transceiver is connected to the computer system. The satellite transceiver is configured to send the vessel information to and receive other information from the remote location.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 16, 2010Publication date: October 20, 2011Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANYInventors: Henry Chen, Philip J. Ballou, Lang Deng, Willie Z. Cheng, Jonathan David Elkin
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Publication number: 20100280750Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer program product are present for generating a route for a ship. A start point and an end point are identified for the ship. A number of forecasts of weather conditions is obtained for a period of time to travel from the start point to the end point. A probability of reaching the end point from the start point is generated for a number of routes from the start point to the end point for the ship within the period of time using the number of forecasts of weather conditions to form a number of probabilities.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 30, 2009Publication date: November 4, 2010Applicant: THE Boeing CompanyInventors: Henry Chen, Philip J. Ballou, Lang Deng, Jonathan David Elkin
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Publication number: 20100185471Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer program product are present for analyzing voyage efficiency. Historical data for a completed voyage of a ship is obtained. A baseline voyage solution for a completed voyage is generated with a software application executing on a processor unit using a model of the ship and the historical data. The baseline voyage solution is compared to an actual voyage solution used for the completed voyage to form a comparison.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 16, 2009Publication date: July 22, 2010Inventors: Henry Chen, Philip J. Ballou, John R. Murk