Patents by Inventor Ronald P. Earhart
Ronald P. Earhart 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: 11949456Abstract: A system for communication is provided. The system includes an emitter transmitting a first code of a first wavelength. The system includes a filter or variable waveplate receiving the first code. The system includes a receiver sensor receiving the filtered first code. The system includes the emitter transmitting a second code of a second wavelength. The system includes the variable waveplate or other filter receiving the second signal. The system includes the receiver sensor receiving the filtered second code. The first and second codes may be used for communication, synchronizing the emitter, and other purposes.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2022Date of Patent: April 2, 2024Assignee: Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp.Inventors: Ronald P. Earhart, Kevin L. Whiteaker
-
Patent number: 11796827Abstract: A Lidar system is provided. The Lidar system includes a laser emitter transmitting a first signal of a first wavelength. The Lidar system includes a filter receiving the first signal. The Lidar system includes a first dichroic filter switch filtering the first signal received by the variable waveplate or other filter. The Lidar system includes a receiver sensor receiving the filtered first signal. The Lidar system includes the laser emitter transmitting a second signal of a second wavelength. The Lidar system includes the variable waveplate or other filter receiving the second signal. The Lidar system includes the first dichroic filter switch filtering the second signal. The Lidar system includes the receiver sensor receiving the filtered second signal. A processor determines a distance of a target based on the received filtered first and second signals.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2020Date of Patent: October 24, 2023Assignee: Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp.Inventors: Ronald P. Earhart, Kevin L. Whiteaker
-
Patent number: 11770627Abstract: Sensor systems and methods that provide an output in the form of a rate at which light is received by unit pixels within a sensor array are provided. Each unit pixel includes a photodetector that generates an electrical charge in response to receiving light, a charge accumulation area, and a comparator. Once the amount of charge in the accumulation area has reached some threshold amount, a counter is incremented. After the counter has been incremented a selected number of times, an output signal is generated, and the time at which the output signal is generated is marked or recorded. Different unit pixels receiving light at different rates therefore generate output signals at different times.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2020Date of Patent: September 26, 2023Assignee: Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp.Inventors: Mark Myers, Ronald P. Earhart
-
Publication number: 20220376793Abstract: A system for communication is provided. The system includes an emitter transmitting a first code of a first wavelength. The system includes a filter or variable waveplate receiving the first code. The system includes a receiver sensor receiving the filtered first code. The system includes the emitter transmitting a second code of a second wavelength. The system includes the variable waveplate or other filter receiving the second signal. The system includes the receiver sensor receiving the filtered second code. The first and second codes may be used for communication, synchronizing the emitter, and other purposes.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 22, 2022Publication date: November 24, 2022Applicant: Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp.Inventors: Ronald P. Earhart, Kevin L. Whiteaker
-
Patent number: 10325465Abstract: Visual and aural emitters and methods of providing a building security system distracting to an armed assailant are provided. More particularly, a permanent and fixed installation of stroboscopic lights and aural sirens that operate at sufficient and appropriate frequency, duration and intensity to potentially impair an armed assailant while remaining non-injurious and nonlethal. The system may deliver sufficient sensory distraction such that all occupants of the space are impaired in their ability to perform certain tasks employing vision or hearing with cognitive clarity, including targeting victims with a firearm. The system may be activated manually by authorized personnel, automatically by one or more sensor triggers, or remotely by law enforcement officials.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2017Date of Patent: June 18, 2019Assignee: WACARI GROUP, LLCInventors: John Svoboda, Kerry Driggers, Ronald P. Earhart
-
Publication number: 20180102033Abstract: Visual and aural emitters and methods of providing a building security system distracting to an armed assailant are provided. More particularly, a permanent and fixed installation of stroboscopic lights and aural sirens that operate at sufficient and appropriate frequency, duration and intensity to potentially impair an armed assailant while remaining non-injurious and nonlethal. The system may deliver sufficient sensory distraction such that all occupants of the space are impaired in their ability to perform certain tasks employing vision or hearing with cognitive clarity, including targeting victims with a firearm. The system may be activated manually by authorized personnel, automatically by one or more sensor triggers, or remotely by law enforcement officials.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 13, 2017Publication date: April 12, 2018Inventors: John Svoboda, Kerry Driggers, Ronald P. Earhart
-
Patent number: 9886831Abstract: Visual and aural emitters and methods of providing a building security system distracting to an armed assailant are provided. More particularly, a permanent and fixed installation of stroboscopic lights and aural sirens that operate at sufficient and appropriate frequency, duration and intensity to potentially impair an armed assailant while remaining non-injurious and nonlethal. The system may deliver sufficient sensory distraction such that all occupants of the space are impaired in their ability to perform certain tasks employing vision or hearing with cognitive clarity, including targeting victims with a firearm. The system may be activated manually by authorized personnel, automatically by one or more sensor triggers, or remotely by law enforcement officials.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2016Date of Patent: February 6, 2018Inventors: John Svoboda, Kerry Driggers, Ronald P. Earhart
-
Patent number: 9041915Abstract: The present invention pertains to systems and methods for the capture of information regarding scenes using single or multiple three-dimensional LADAR systems. Where multiple systems are included, those systems can be placed in different positions about the imaged scene such that each LADAR system provides different viewing perspectives and/or angles. In accordance with further embodiments, the single or multiple LADAR systems can include two-dimensional focal plane arrays, in addition to three-dimensional focal plane arrays, and associated light sources for obtaining three-dimensional information about a scene, including information regarding the contours of the objects within the scene. Processing of captured image information can be performed in real time, and processed scene information can include data frames that comprise three-dimensional and two-dimensional image data.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2011Date of Patent: May 26, 2015Assignee: BALL AEROSPACE & TECHNOLOGIES CORP.Inventors: Ronald P. Earhart, Rex M. Craig, Christian J. Grund, Bevan Staple, Carl S. Weimer
-
Publication number: 20120044476Abstract: The present invention pertains to systems and methods for the capture of information regarding scenes using single or multiple three-dimensional LADAR systems. Where multiple systems are included, those systems can be placed in different positions about the imaged scene such that each LADAR system provides different viewing perspectives and/or angles. In accordance with further embodiments, the single or multiple LADAR systems can include two-dimensional focal plane arrays, in addition to three-dimensional focal plane arrays, and associated light sources for obtaining three-dimensional information about a scene, including information regarding the contours of the objects within the scene. Processing of captured image information can be performed in real time, and processed scene information can include data frames that comprise three-dimensional and two-dimensional image data.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 2, 2011Publication date: February 23, 2012Applicant: BALL AEROSPACE & TECHNOLOGIES CORP.Inventors: Ronald P. Earhart, Rex M. Craig, Christian J. Grund, Bevan Staple, Carl S. Weimer
-
Patent number: 7961301Abstract: The present invention pertains in general to a single, integrated flash LADAR system and method. The system includes data processing hardware and software, a passive two-dimensional camera, a three-dimensional camera, a light source, and a common optical path. One or more star trackers can also be included. In addition, auxiliary components, such as an inertial measurement unit and a global positioning system receiver can be included. The system can be closely integrated with a critical algorithm suite that operates in multiple modes, in real-time to enable landing, docking, and navigation functions, such as Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC), Altimetry, Velocimetry, Terrain Relative Navigation (TRN), Hazard Detection and Avoidance (HDA), and dust penetration.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2009Date of Patent: June 14, 2011Assignee: Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp.Inventors: Ronald P. Earhart, Rex M. Craig, Christian J. Grund, Ian J. Gravseth, Xiaopei Huang, Carl S. Weimer
-
Publication number: 20100208244Abstract: The present invention pertains in general to a single, integrated flash LADAR system and method. The system includes data processing hardware and software, a passive two-dimensional camera, a three-dimensional camera, a light source, and a common optical path. One or more star trackers can also be included. In addition, auxiliary components, such as an inertial measurement unit and a global positioning system receiver can be included. The system can be closely integrated with a critical algorithm suite that operates in multiple modes, in real-time to enable landing, docking, and navigation functions, such as Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC), Altimetry, Velocimetry, Terrain Relative Navigation (TRN), Hazard Detection and Avoidance (HDA), and dust penetration.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 11, 2009Publication date: August 19, 2010Applicant: BALL AEROSPACE & TECHNOLOGIES CORP.Inventors: Ronald P. Earhart, Rex M. Craig, Christian J. Grund, Ian J. Gravseth, Xiaopei Huang, Carl S. Weimer