Patents by Inventor Phillip C. Topping

Phillip C. Topping 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: 6035710
    Abstract: A method exploits the spectral signature of cloud bases in microwave moisture sounder data to determine cloud base heights. This signature requires the accurate specification of cloud top height, which in a preferred embodiment, comes from the analysis of data provided by an electro-optical sensor (EO) such as the Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) instrument flown on operational NOAA satellites. The method includes a receiving step in which satellite EO (visible through infrared) and microwave radiance data of a view of the earth's atmosphere is received. The view has both location and time information. In a determining step, cloud top height is determined based on the EO and infrared radiance data. Moisture profiles of the view are retrieved in a retrieving step based on the microwave radiance data. Subsequently, in a determining step, cloud base heights of clouds in the view are determined using cloud top heights as a constraint in the retrieval of moisture profiles with tile microwave data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignees: Lockheed Martin Missiles & Space Co., Brazos Earth System Science
    Inventors: Keith D. Hutchison, Phillip C. Topping, Thomas Turner Wilheit, Jr.