Patents by Inventor Robert L. Steadman

Robert L. Steadman 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: 8185343
    Abstract: An explosive device detection system includes sensors and base station that detect and report on suspected improvised explosive device (IED) emplacement activity within the area. When disposed within a geographic area, each sensor forms part of a wireless communications network which allows communication among neighboring sensors. As a sensor detects activity in its proximity, such as activity that indicates emplacement of an IED, the sensor transmits a reporting signal through the network to the base station. The base station is operable to detect if the signals received from the sensors are indicative of IED emplacement activity or some other activity that is not typically associated with IED emplacement activity. In the event that the base station detects activity that is indicative of IED emplacement activity, the base station can direct mobile response units to take immediate responsive action to prevent detonation of the IEDs or apprehend the perpetrators in the act.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Textron Systems Corporation
    Inventors: James Fitzgerald, Robert L. Steadman
  • Patent number: 8031068
    Abstract: An explosive device detection system includes sensors and base station that detect and report on suspected Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) or landmine emplacement activity within a geographic area. When disposed within a geographic area, each sensor forms part of a wireless communications network which allows communication among neighboring sensors. As a sensor detects activity in its proximity, such as activity that indicates emplacement of an IED, the sensor transmits a reporting signal through the network to the base station. The neighboring sensors receive and transmit the reporting signal in a sequential manner toward the base station. Because the reporting signal takes multiple hops toward the base station, the sensors do not require large amounts of power to transmit the signal. Furthermore, the detection system allows detection of IED emplacement within the geographic area as the activity occurs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Textron Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Robert L. Steadman, James Fitzgerald
  • Patent number: 7957225
    Abstract: A surveillance system is configured to detect a rotary-wing aircraft approaching a fixed facility and provide a warning upon detection. The system includes acoustic processing nodes that receive acoustic signals from the environment surrounding the fixed facility. As the nodes receive the acoustic signals, the nodes perform a spectral analysis of the signals to detect if the source of the acoustic signals is a rotary-wing aircraft. Additionally, based upon the acoustic signals, the nodes detect an altitude of the rotary-wing aircraft and a distance between the rotary-wing aircraft and the fixed facility. In the case where the system identifies the rotary-wing aircraft as encroaching a predefined geographical area outside of the facility, based upon the altitude and distance between the rotary-wing aircraft and the facility, the system generates a warning to allow security forces to intercept the rotary-wing aircraft prior to its arrival at the facility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Textron Systems Corporation
    Inventor: Robert L. Steadman
  • Publication number: 20100284249
    Abstract: A surveillance system is configured to detect a rotary-wing aircraft approaching a fixed facility and provide a warning upon detection. The system includes acoustic processing nodes that receive acoustic signals from the environment surrounding the fixed facility. As the nodes receive the acoustic signals, the nodes perform a spectral analysis of the signals to detect if the source of the acoustic signals is a rotary-wing aircraft. Additionally, based upon the acoustic signals, the nodes detect an altitude of the rotary-wing aircraft and a distance between the rotary-wing aircraft and the fixed facility. In the case where the system identifies the rotary-wing aircraft as encroaching a predefined geographical area outside of the facility, based upon the altitude and distance between the rotary-wing aircraft and the facility, the system generates a warning to allow security forces to intercept the rotary-wing aircraft prior to its arrival at the facility.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Applicant: TEXTRON SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Robert L. Steadman
  • Patent number: 7680599
    Abstract: An explosive device detection system includes sensors and base station that detect and report on suspected Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) or landmine emplacement activity within a geographic area. When disposed within a geographic area, each sensor forms part of a wireless communications network which allows communication among neighboring sensors. As a sensor detects activity in its proximity, such as activity that indicates emplacement of an IED, the sensor transmits a reporting signal through the network to the base station. The neighboring sensors receive and transmit the reporting signal in a sequential manner toward the base station. Because the reporting signal takes multiple hops toward the base station, the sensors do not require large amounts of power to transmit the signal. Furthermore, the detection system allows detection of IED emplacement within the geographic area as the activity occurs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Textron Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Robert L. Steadman, James Fitzgerald, Mark Litchfield
  • Patent number: 6980152
    Abstract: Methods, computer-readable media, and systems for externally cued aircraft warning and defense are disclosed. A surveillance system may include a sensor field or array and may include a processor system that processes signals including acoustic signals received by the sensor array. Signals including acoustic signals are processed to determine the presence of indicia, including acoustic signatures, of known surface-to-air missiles including man-portable air defense systems. When the presence of such surface-to-air missiles is indicated, a cue signal is sent to one or more countermeasure systems that include one or more countermeasures such as chaff, expendable decoys and flares. The countermeasure systems may be ground-based or aircraft-based. The countermeasures are deployed in response to the cue signal. The surface-to-air missile may consequently be defeated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: Textron Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Robert L. Steadman, Gary I. Grant, Bruce Edward Parks