Patents by Inventor Scott A. McFarland

Scott A. McFarland 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: 10613559
    Abstract: A method described herein includes describing a load current with a discrete time function. The method includes using a first frequency and a second frequency to provide an approximation of the described load current, wherein a transform applied to the discrete time function identifies the first frequency and the second frequency. The method includes estimating a loop inductance and a loop resistance of a wire loop by exciting a transmit circuit with a voltage reference step waveform, wherein the transmit circuit includes the wire loop. The method includes scaling the approximated load current to a level sufficient to generate a minimum receive voltage signal in a receiver at a first distance between the wire loop and the receiver. The method includes generating a first voltage signal using the scaled load current, estimated loop inductance, and estimated loop resistance. The method includes exciting the transmit circuit with the first voltage signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: RADIO SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Scott A McFarland, Keith R. Griffith
  • Publication number: 20190204860
    Abstract: A method described herein includes describing a load current with a discrete time function. The method includes using a first frequency and a second frequency to provide an approximation of the described load current, wherein a transform applied to the discrete time function identifies the first frequency and the second frequency. The method includes estimating a loop inductance and a loop resistance of a wire loop by exciting a transmit circuit with a voltage reference step waveform, wherein the transmit circuit includes the wire loop. The method includes scaling the approximated load current to a level sufficient to generate a minimum receive voltage signal in a receiver at a first distance between the wire loop and the receiver. The method includes generating a first voltage signal using the scaled load current, estimated loop inductance, and estimated loop resistance. The method includes exciting the transmit circuit with the first voltage signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2019
    Publication date: July 4, 2019
    Inventors: Scott A. McFarland, Keith R. Griffith
  • Patent number: 10268220
    Abstract: A method described herein includes describing a load current with a discrete time function. The method includes using a first frequency and a second frequency to provide an approximation of the described load current, wherein a transform applied to the discrete time function identifies the first frequency and the second frequency. The method includes estimating a loop inductance and a loop resistance of a wire loop by exciting a transmit circuit with a voltage reference step waveform, wherein the transmit circuit includes the wire loop. The method includes scaling the approximated load current to a level sufficient to generate a minimum receive voltage signal in a receiver at a first distance between the wire loop and the receiver. The method includes generating a first voltage signal using the scaled load current, estimated loop inductance, and estimated loop resistance. The method includes exciting the transmit circuit with the first voltage signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: Radio Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Scott A McFarland, Keith R Griffith
  • Publication number: 20180017981
    Abstract: A method described herein includes describing a load current with a discrete time function. The method includes using a first frequency and a second frequency to provide an approximation of the described load current, wherein a transform applied to the discrete time function identifies the first frequency and the second frequency. The method includes estimating a loop inductance and a loop resistance of a wire loop by exciting a transmit circuit with a voltage reference step waveform, wherein the transmit circuit includes the wire loop. The method includes scaling the approximated load current to a level sufficient to generate a minimum receive voltage signal in a receiver at a first distance between the wire loop and the receiver. The method includes generating a first voltage signal using the scaled load current, estimated loop inductance, and estimated loop resistance. The method includes exciting the transmit circuit with the first voltage signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2016
    Publication date: January 18, 2018
    Inventors: Scott A. McFarland, Keith R. Griffith
  • Publication number: 20130127658
    Abstract: A method, and an apparatus to perform the method, of tracking a mobile subject based on Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) data, the method including detecting motion of the mobile subject independently of the GNSS data with a motion detector, receiving the GNSS data and determining an actionable position and speed of the mobile subject, with an actionable position and speed unit, according to GNSS position and speed, detection results of the motion detector, and at least one of, or any combination of, GNSS solution metrics, GNSS signal metrics, or a prior actionable position and speed, and evaluating, with a boundary test unit, the actionable position and speed of the mobile subject relative to a predetermined boundary.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Applicant: Radio Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Scott A. MCFARLAND, Keith Griffith, Rick Seltzer
  • Patent number: 7647545
    Abstract: A transmitter for a dog training system, the transmitter having a command input device for inputting a training command input into the transmitter, and a transmitter controller connected to the command input device. The transmitter controller translates the training command input into identification data and command data. The transmitter controller also generates at least one forward error correction codeword from the identification data and the command data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Radio Systems Corporation
    Inventor: Scott A. McFarland
  • Patent number: 7609157
    Abstract: Described is an antenna proximity determining system for determining the location of an animal with respect to a transmitting antenna utilizing the bit error rate corresponding to a signal transmitted by the transmitting antenna and received by a receiver unit carried by the animal and for delivering a stimulus to the animal based on its location with respect to the antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: Radio Systems Corporation
    Inventor: Scott A. McFarland
  • Publication number: 20090051547
    Abstract: Described is an antenna proximity determining system for determining the location of an animal with respect to a transmitting antenna utilizing the bit error rate corresponding to a signal transmitted by the transmitting antenna and received by a receiver unit carried by the animal and for delivering a stimulus to the animal based on its location with respect to the antenna.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2007
    Publication date: February 26, 2009
    Applicant: Radio Systems Corporation
    Inventor: Scott A. McFarland
  • Patent number: 5689808
    Abstract: Apparatus for effecting simulcast data broadcasting includes a source of information, a network control unit, and a plurality of transmitters. The network control unit includes a high-stability timebase which is coupled to the source of information to produce a signal clocked from the high-stability timebase and containing data and digital identifying information. Each of the plurality of transmitters is coupled to the network control unit to receive the signal, and each has a modulation-generating timebase. Each modulation-generating timebase is phase locked to the high-stability timebase by way of synchronization information included in the signal, and each is adjusted by a corresponding correction value provided by the network control unit, thereby providing a highly accurate coincident modulation of the plurality of transmitters during a radio broadcast containing the signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 18, 1997
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: Joel E. Sandahl, Scott A. McFarland, John F. Nagel
  • Patent number: 4737731
    Abstract: Amplitude modulation apparatus is provided having means for providing a radio frequency carrier signal, and means for receiving an audio frequency signal to be used to amplitude modulate the RF carrier signal. Amplitude modulator means is provided responsive to the AF signal and to the RF carrier signal for amplitude modulating the RF carrier signal in accordance with the AF signal so as to thereby provide an amplitude modulated RF carrier signal. A power supply provides at least one DC power signal for powering the amplitude modulator means. Correction means is included for sensing variations in the DC power signal and for gain adjusting the audio frequency signal in accordance with the variations in the DC power signal, whereby modulation distortion of the amplitude modulated RF carrier signal is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1986
    Date of Patent: April 12, 1988
    Assignee: Harris Corporation
    Inventors: Hilmer I. Swanson, Scott A. McFarland