Patents by Inventor Robert P. Higgins
Robert P. Higgins 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: 11957577Abstract: Embodiments of delivery systems, devices and methods for delivering a prosthetic heart valve device to a heart chamber for expanded implementation are disclosed. More specifically, methods, systems and devices are disclosed for delivering a self-expanding prosthetic mitral valve device to the left atrium, with no engagement of the left ventricle, the native mitral valve leaflets or the annular tissue downstream of the upper annular surface during delivery, and in some embodiments with no engagement of the ventricle, mitral valve leaflets and/or annular tissue located downstream of the upper annular surface by the delivered, positioned and expanded prosthetic mitral valve device.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2020Date of Patent: April 16, 2024Assignee: 4C Medical Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey W. Chambers, Gregory G. Brucker, Joseph P. Higgins, Saravana B. Kumar, Jason S. Diedering, Karl A. Kabarowski, Robert J. Thatcher, James E. Flaherty, Jeffrey R. Stone
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Publication number: 20210392317Abstract: An aircraft includes a fuselage, a first wing coupled to the fuselage and including a first wingtip that is movable relative to the fuselage during flight, and a second wing coupled to the fuselage, opposite the first wing, and including a second wingtip that is movable relative to the fuselage and relative to the first wingtip during flight. The aircraft also includes a first camera mounted to the first wingtip of the first wing and a second camera mounted to the second wingtip of the second wing. The aircraft further includes a processing unit configured to determine a real-time distance between the first camera and the second camera as the first camera and the second camera move relative to each other and relative to the fuselage during flight.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2020Publication date: December 16, 2021Applicant: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Andy Armatorio, Richard J. Loftis, Gary A. Ray, Tuan A. Nguyen, Robert P. Higgins
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Patent number: 10649087Abstract: A method and apparatus comprising a group of passive sensor systems, an active sensor system, and a processor unit. The group of passive sensor systems is configured to generate first sensor information from light in an environment around the group of passive sensor systems. The active sensor system is configured to send signals, receive responses from the signals, and generate second sensor information from the responses. The processor unit is configured to control the active sensor system to send the signals in a direction toward an object using the first sensor information and generate information about the object using the second sensor information.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2012Date of Patent: May 12, 2020Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Jonathan Martin Saint Clair, William D. Sherman, Mitchell D. Voth, Ronald N. Murata, Bentley Edwin Northon, James Ridgeway Gillis, Robert P. Higgins, David Christien Soreide, Robert R. Keever, Ordie Dean Butterfield
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Publication number: 20180091797Abstract: A method is provided of compensating for variations in distance and orientation between first and second wing-mounted cameras of an aircraft due to flexing of at least one aircraft wing. The method comprises determining a first distance and orientation between the first wing-mounted camera and the second wing-mounted camera during a neutral wing condition of the aircraft. The method further comprises determining a second distance and orientation between the first wing-mounted camera and the second wing-mounted camera during a flexed wing condition of the aircraft. The method also comprises processing the difference between the first and second distances and orientations to provide a real-time varying distance and orientation for use in providing a compensated distance between the first and second wing-mounted cameras.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 27, 2016Publication date: March 29, 2018Inventors: Andy Armatorio, Richard J. Loftis, Gary A. Ray, Tuan A. Nguyen, Robert P. Higgins
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Patent number: 9583012Abstract: A system for detection and avoidance may include an image capture system configured to be connected to a vehicle, the image capture system being configured to obtain and transmit images, and a detection system configured to communicate with the vehicle and/or an operator of the vehicle, the detection system being configured to receive the images, process the images to identify an object, determine whether the object will potentially strike the vehicle, generate a strike avoidance report including information indicating that a potential strike will occur and an avoidance command to avoid the potential strike in response to a determination that the potential strike will occur, and send the strike avoidance report to a vehicle management system.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 2013Date of Patent: February 28, 2017Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Richard J. Loftis, Andrew Armatorio, Robert P. Higgins, Tuan Anh Chau Nguyen
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Patent number: 9513606Abstract: Safety systems and methods for production environments are disclosed. Safety systems include at least one sensing device configured to detect presence of an unauthorized human and/or an authorized human at least partially within a defined safety zone, and a controller configured to automatically alter at least one aspect of the production environment responsive to the presence of the unauthorized human and/or the authorized human. Safety methods include detecting presence of an unauthorized human and/or an authorized human at least partially within a defined safety zone, and automatically altering at least one aspect of the production environment responsive to the detecting.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2013Date of Patent: December 6, 2016Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Ty A. Larsen, Robert R. Keever, Harold E. Hager, Robert P. Higgins
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Patent number: 9427867Abstract: A method and apparatus for guiding a mobile platform within an environment may be provided. A number of first type of data streams and a number of second type of data streams may be generated using a plurality of data systems. A probability distribution may be applied to each of the number of second type of data streams to form a number of modified data streams. The number of first type of data streams and the number of modified data streams may be fused to generate a pose estimate with a desired level of accuracy for the mobile platform with respect to an environment around the mobile platform.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2014Date of Patent: August 30, 2016Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANYInventors: Peter F. Trautman, Hui Li, Robert P. Higgins
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Patent number: 9167972Abstract: A non-contact biometric sensing device is described. The device includes a processing device, a user interface communicatively coupled to the processing device, a display communicatively coupled to the processing device, a laser doppler vibrometer sensor communicatively coupled to the processing device, and an infrared camera communicatively coupled to the processing device. The processing device is programmed to utilize mechanical motion data received from the laser doppler vibrometer sensor and thermal distributions data from the infrared camera to calculate biometric data, when signals originating from the laser doppler vibrometer sensor and the infrared camera are reflected back towards the device from a target.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2013Date of Patent: October 27, 2015Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Jonathan Martin Saint Clair, David C. Soreide, Robert P. Higgins, Gary A. Ray, Tyler M. Anderson, Donald Allen Spurgeon, Mitchell D. Voth, Paul F. Sjoholm
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Publication number: 20150283700Abstract: A method and apparatus for guiding a mobile platform within an environment may be provided. A number of first type of data streams and a number of second type of data streams may be generated using a plurality of data systems. A probability distribution may be applied to each of the number of second type of data streams to form a number of modified data streams. The number of first type of data streams and the number of modified data streams may be fused to generate a pose estimate with a desired level of accuracy for the mobile platform with respect to an environment around the mobile platform.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 2, 2014Publication date: October 8, 2015Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANYInventors: Peter F. Trautman, Hui Li, Robert P. Higgins
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Patent number: 9111361Abstract: A method and apparatus for an image processing system is provided. A first image and a second image in a sequence of images are registered to a reference image in the sequence of images to form a first registered image and a second registered image, respectively. A double differenced image is formed using the reference image, the first registered image, and the second registered image. A number of moving target signatures in the double differenced image is identified. A moving target signature in the number of moving target signatures comprises a spot of a first type and at least one spot of a second type adjacent to the spot of the first type.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2013Date of Patent: August 18, 2015Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANYInventor: Robert P. Higgins
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Patent number: 9055195Abstract: A system for bi-directional data content transfer between a plurality of mobile platforms, such as aircraft or cruise ships, and a ground-based control segment. The system includes the ground-based control segment, a space segment and a mobile system disposed on each mobile platform. The ground-based control segment includes an antenna which is used to transmit encoded RF signals representative of data content to the space segment. The space segment includes a plurality of satellite transponders, with one of the transponders being designated by the ground-based control segment to transpond the encoded RF signals to the mobile system. The mobile system includes steerable receive and transmit antennas. The receive antenna receives the encoded RF signals from the satellite transponder, which are thereafter decoded, demodulated, D/A converted by a communications subsystem and transmitted to a server. The server filters off that data content not requested by any occupants on the mobile system.Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 2014Date of Patent: June 9, 2015Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Greg A. Bengeult, Jeffrey P. Harrang, William R. Richards, Michael G. Lynch, Michael De La Chapelle, Paulus J. Martens, Ronald S. Carson, Richard D. Williams, II, Daniel F. Miller, Geoffrey O. White, George Fitzsimmons, Russell Berkheimer, Robert P. Higgins, Arthur F. Morrison
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Publication number: 20140150033Abstract: A system for bi-directional data content transfer between a plurality of mobile platforms, such as aircraft or cruise ships, and a ground-based control segment. The system includes the ground-based control segment, a space segment and a mobile system disposed on each mobile platform. The ground-based control segment includes an antenna which is used to transmit encoded RF signals representative of data content to the space segment. The space segment includes a plurality of satellite transponders, with one of the transponders being designated by the ground-based control segment to transpond the encoded RF signals to the mobile system. The mobile system includes steerable receive and transmit antennas. The receive antenna receives the encoded RF signals from the satellite transponder, which are thereafter decoded, demodulated, D/A converted by a communications subsystem and transmitted to a server. The server filters off that data content not requested by any occupants on the mobile system.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 3, 2014Publication date: May 29, 2014Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANYInventors: Greg A. Bengeult, Jeffrey P. Harrang, William R. Richards, Michael G. Lynch, Michael De La Chapelle, Paulus J. Martens, Ronald S. Carson, Richard D. Williams, II, Daniel F. Miller, Geoffrey O. White, George Fitzsimmons, Russell Berkheimer, Robert P. Higgins, Arthur F. Morrison
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Patent number: 8666661Abstract: A system and method for video navigation are disclosed. Motion analysis can be performed upon camera images to determine movement of a vehicle, and consequently present position of the vehicle. Feature points can be identified upon a video image. Movement of the feature points between video frames is indicative of movement of the vehicle. Video navigation can be used, for example, in those instances wherein GPS navigation is unavailable.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2006Date of Patent: March 4, 2014Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventor: Robert P. Higgins
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Patent number: 8646010Abstract: A system for bi-directional data content transfer between a plurality of mobile platforms, such as aircraft or cruise ships, and a ground-based control segment. The system includes the ground-based control segment, a space segment and a mobile system disposed on each mobile platform. The ground-based control segment includes an antenna which is used to transmit encoded RF signals representative of data content to the space segment. The space segment includes a plurality of satellite transponders, with one of the transponders being designated by the ground-based control segment to transpond the encoded RF signals to the mobile system. The mobile system includes steerable receive and transmit antennas. The receive antenna receives the encoded RF signals from the satellite transponder, which are thereafter decoded, demodulated, D/A converted by a communications subsystem and transmitted to a server. The server filters off that data content not requested by any occupants on the mobile system.Type: GrantFiled: July 5, 2011Date of Patent: February 4, 2014Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Greg A. Bengeult, Jeffrey P. Harrang, William R. Richards, Michael G. Lynch, Michael De La Chapelle, Paulus J. Martens, Ronald S. Carson, Richard D. Williams, II, Daniel F. Miller, Geoffrey O. White, George Fitzsimmons, Russell Berkheimer, Robert P. Higgins, Arthur F. Morrison
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Publication number: 20130271590Abstract: A non-contact biometric sensing device is described. The device includes a processing device, a user interface communicatively coupled to the processing device, a display communicatively coupled to the processing device, a laser doppler vibrometer sensor communicatively coupled to the processing device, and an infrared camera communicatively coupled to the processing device. The processing device is programmed to utilize mechanical motion data received from the laser doppler vibrometer sensor and thermal distributions data from the infrared camera to calculate biometric data, when signals originating from the laser doppler vibrometer sensor and the infrared camera are reflected back towards the device from a target.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 11, 2013Publication date: October 17, 2013Inventors: Jonathan Martin Saint Clair, David C. Soreide, Robert P. Higgins, Gary A. Ray, Tyler M. Anderson, Donald Allen Spurgeon, Mitchell D. Voth, Paul F. Sjoholm
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Publication number: 20130201052Abstract: A method and apparatus comprising a group of passive sensor systems, an active sensor system, and a processor unit. The group of passive sensor systems is configured to generate first sensor information from light in an environment around the group of passive sensor systems. The active sensor system is configured to send signals, receive responses from the signals, and generate second sensor information from the responses. The processor unit is configured to control the active sensor system to send the signals in a direction toward an object using the first sensor information and generate information about the object using the second sensor information.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 6, 2012Publication date: August 8, 2013Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANYInventors: Jonathan Martin Saint Clair, William D. Sherman, Mitchell D. Voth, Ronald N. Murata, Bentley Edwin Northon, James Ridgeway Gillis, Robert P. Higgins, David Christien Soreide, Robert R. Keever, Ordie Dean Butterfield
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Patent number: 8483806Abstract: A non-contact biometric sensing device is described. The device includes a processing device, a user interface communicatively coupled to the processing device, a display communicatively coupled to the processing device, a laser doppler vibrometer sensor communicatively coupled to the processing device, and an infrared camera communicatively coupled to the processing device. The processing device is programmed to utilize mechanical motion data received from the laser doppler vibrometer sensor and thermal distributions data from the infrared camera to calculate biometric data, when signals originating from the laser doppler vibrometer sensor and the infrared camera are reflected back towards the device from a target.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2010Date of Patent: July 9, 2013Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Jonathan Martin Saint Clair, David C. Soreide, Robert P. Higgins, Gary A. Ray, Tyler M. Anderson, Donald Allen Spurgeon, Mitchell D. Voth, Paul F. Sjoholm
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Patent number: 8254362Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provide methods, apparatus, and articles allowing two nodes to communicate in a slot-based direct sequencing spreading communication system. Both a preamble sequence and a payload data spreading PN sequence are generated from the Time of Day and a given user code. Generated sequences are synchronized between two communicating nodes to allow slot-based DSSS communication to take place. Generated sequences also change dynamically from slot to slot to provide waveform security.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2008Date of Patent: August 28, 2012Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Xinyu Wang, Igor Elgorriaga, Marcus R. Gahler, Robert P. Higgins, Yefim Poberezhskiy, Paul R. Norris, Brian J. Hatley, Michael S. Foster
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Patent number: 8194925Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program product are provided for recognizing a gesture in which one or more relationships are determined between a plurality of body parts and the gesture is then determined based upon these relationships. Each relationship may be determined by determining an angle associated with at least one joint, determining one or more states of a body part based upon the angle associated with at least one joint, and determining a probability of a body part being in each respective state. The gesture may thereafter be determined based upon the one or more states and the probability associated with each state of the body part. Directions may be provided, such as to an unmanned vehicle, based upon the gesture to, for example, control its taxiing and parking operations.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2011Date of Patent: June 5, 2012Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventor: Robert P. Higgins
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Patent number: 8111734Abstract: A device for fast transition from preamble synchronization of a received baseband signal to demodulation of the received baseband signal may include a baseband chip tracking loop to generate an offset tracking value to track any initial chip phase offset and Doppler-caused baseband chip frequency drift associated with the received baseband signal. The device may also include a numerical controlled oscillator to correct any Doppler-caused phase rotation associated with the received signal. The device may additionally include a preamble synchronization unit to detect a preamble of the received baseband signal, and to measure a chip phase offset and a baseband Doppler frequency shift associated with the received baseband signal. The chip phase offset may be used to set an initial chip phase offset value of the chip tracking loop so that the chip tracking loop starts with approximately a zero pull-in error.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2008Date of Patent: February 7, 2012Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Xinyu Wang, Marcus Gahler, Robert P. Higgins, Paul R. Norris