Patents by Inventor Robert Rinker
Robert Rinker 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: 9490873Abstract: Methods and apparatus for a near-field signal system to generate signals underwater for navigation and/or communication. In one embodiment, a system includes a signal processing module coupled to a first antenna to transmit near-field signals underwater and a second antenna to receive near-field signals underwater transmitted by the first antenna. In one embodiment, a wetsuit includes an integrated near-field signal system.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2014Date of Patent: November 8, 2016Assignee: Raytheon CompanyInventors: Frederick B. Koehler, Thomas P. Mccreery, Robert Rinker, Darrell R. Rogers, Ross D. Rosenwald, Terry M. Sanderson, David R. Sar, Ernest D. Fasse
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Patent number: 9423277Abstract: An optical position sensing system and method for sensing a gimbal position in a gimbal-based optical system. One example of an optical position sensing system includes an off-gimbal light source that generates a position sensing light beam and transmits the position sensing light beam along an optical coude path of the optical system, and an on-gimbal optical element that causes a change in an intensity of the position sensing light beam based on rotation of the gimbal about the axis. The system further includes an off-gimbal detector configured to receive the position sensing light beam returned from the optical element and to detect the change in the intensity of the position sensing light beam, and a controller coupled to the detector and configured to determine the gimbal position based on a correlation between the change in the intensity of the position sensing light beam and the gimbal position.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2014Date of Patent: August 23, 2016Assignee: RAYTHEON COMPANYInventors: David G. Anthony, Elka E. Koehler, Byron B. Taylor, Robert Rinker
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Publication number: 20160161293Abstract: An optical position sensing system and method for sensing a gimbal position in a gimbal-based optical system. One example of an optical position sensing system includes an off-gimbal light source that generates a position sensing light beam and transmits the position sensing light beam along an optical coude path of the optical system, and an on-gimbal optical element that causes a change in an intensity of the position sensing light beam based on rotation of the gimbal about the axis. The system further includes an off-gimbal detector configured to receive the position sensing light beam returned from the optical element and to detect the change in the intensity of the position sensing light beam, and a controller coupled to the detector and configured to determine the gimbal position based on a correlation between the change in the intensity of the position sensing light beam and the gimbal position.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2014Publication date: June 9, 2016Inventors: David G. Anthony, Elka E. Koehler, Byron B. Taylor, Robert Rinker
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Publication number: 20160099751Abstract: Methods and apparatus for a near-field signal system to generate signals underwater for navigation and/or communication. In one embodiment, a system includes a signal processing module coupled to a first antenna to transmit near-field signals underwater and a second antenna to receive near-field signals underwater transmitted by the first antenna. In one embodiment, a wetsuit includes an integrated near-field signal system.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 2, 2014Publication date: April 7, 2016Applicant: Raytheon CompanyInventors: Frederick B. Koehler, Thomas P. Mccreery, Robert Rinker, Darrell R. Rogers, Ross D. Rosenwald, Terry M. Sanderson, David R. Sar, Ernest D. Fasse
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Patent number: 8829404Abstract: Embodiments of a multi-mode seeker are provided for use in conjunction with a predetermined laser designator. In one embodiment, the multi-mode seeker includes a focal plane array and a bi-modal processing system. The focal plane array includes a detector array and a Read-Out Integrated Circuit (ROIC) operatively coupled to the detector array. The bi-modal processing system is operatively coupled to ROIC and is switchable between: (i) an imaging mode wherein the bi-modal processing system generates video data as a function of signals received from ROIC indicative of irradiance across the detector array, and (ii) a semi-active laser guidance mode wherein the bi-modal processing system generates line-of-sight data as a function of signals received from ROIC indicative of laser pulses detected by the detector array and qualified as corresponding to the predetermined laser designator.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2011Date of Patent: September 9, 2014Assignee: Raytheon CompanyInventor: Robert Rinker
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Publication number: 20140231514Abstract: An infrared-based scope configured to obtain and display video imagery that allows a user to estimate wind speed and direction over a trajectory to a target based on observed air motion in the video imagery. In certain examples, the scope further includes electronics configured to calculate the wind speed using video image processing techniques.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 15, 2013Publication date: August 21, 2014Applicant: RAYTHEON COMPANYInventors: Michael K. Burkland, Christopher E. Thomas, Robert Rinker, Darrell R. Rogers, Byron B. Taylor
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Publication number: 20140231576Abstract: Embodiments of a multi-mode seeker are provided for use in conjunction with a predetermined laser designator. In one embodiment, the multi-mode seeker includes a focal plane array and a bi-modal processing system. The focal plane array includes a detector array and a Read-Out Integrated Circuit (ROIC) operatively coupled to the detector array. The bi-modal processing system is operatively coupled to ROIC and is switchable between: (i) an imaging mode wherein the bi-modal processing system generates video data as a function of signals received from ROIC indicative of irradiance across the detector array, and (ii) a semi-active laser guidance mode wherein the bi-modal processing system generates line-of-sight data as a function of signals received from ROIC indicative of laser pulses detected by the detector array and qualified as corresponding to the predetermined laser designator.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 7, 2011Publication date: August 21, 2014Applicant: RAYTHEON COMPANYInventor: Robert Rinker
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Patent number: 8800870Abstract: An infared-based scope configured to obtain and display video imagery that allows a user to estimate wind speed and direction over a trajectory to a target based on observed air motion in the video imagery. In certain examples, the scope further includes electronics configured to calculate the wind speed using video image processing techniques.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2013Date of Patent: August 12, 2014Assignee: Raytheon CompanyInventors: Michael K. Burkland, Christopher E. Thomas, Robert Rinker, Darrell R. Rogers, Byron B. Taylor
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Publication number: 20130021474Abstract: Embodiments of a rolling-shutter imaging system with synchronized scanning illumination and methods for higher-resolution imaging are generally described herein. In some embodiments, the imaging system includes a focal plane array (FPA) and a read-out integrated circuit (ROIC) configured to activate only a portion of the FPA during an integration time. The imaging system also includes a scanner synchronized with the ROIC to illuminate only a portion of a sensor field-of-view (FOV) of the FPA within a scene that corresponds to at least the activated portion of the FPA. The imaging system may also include beamforming optics to generate a beam of light to illuminate the portion of the sensor FOV corresponding to portion of the FPA that is activated.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 20, 2011Publication date: January 24, 2013Applicant: Raytheon CompanyInventors: Byron B. Taylor, Robert Rinker, Ted Lynch, Robert A. Stein
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Patent number: 7929125Abstract: Embodiments of a gimbaled system with an optical coudé path and method for transferring data are generally described herein. In some embodiments, the gimbaled system includes optical coudé path to provide a data communication path with a gimbaled payload, an on-gimbal communication laser to transmit modulated camera data via the coudé path, and an off-gimbal communication detector to detect the camera data received via the coudé path. In some embodiments, the optical coudé path may include at least two mirrors to provide a bi-directional communication path through an azimuth axis and an elevation axis of the gimbaled payload.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2008Date of Patent: April 19, 2011Assignee: Raytheon CompanyInventors: Frederick B. Koehler, William D. Werries, David J. Markason, David G. Anthony, Robert Rinker, Thomas E. Roberts
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Publication number: 20100128244Abstract: Embodiments of a gimbaled system with an optical coudé path and method for transferring data are generally described herein. In some embodiments, the gimbaled system includes optical coudé path to provide a data communication path with a gimbaled payload, an on-gimbal communication laser to transmit modulated camera data via the coudé path, and an off-gimbal communication detector to detect the camera data received via the coudé path. In some embodiments, the optical coudé path may include at least two mirrors to provide a bi-directional communication path through an azimuth axis and an elevation axis of the gimbaled payload.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 26, 2008Publication date: May 27, 2010Inventors: Frederick B. Koehler, William D. Werries, David J. Markason, David G. Anthony, Robert Rinker, Thomas E. Roberts