Patents by Inventor Scott A. Stephens

Scott A. Stephens 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).

  • Publication number: 20210378172
    Abstract: A user defines a boundary of a mowed area on an image of the mowed area, on a mobile device. An optimization algorithm operates on the bounded mowing area to identify a beacon configuration that identifies a location for each of a plurality of different beacons to be placed about the mowing area. The user can then be guided to the different beacon locations, in order to place a beacon at each of the different beacon locations, using an augmented reality system that provides user assistance on a camera view of the user's mobile device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2020
    Publication date: December 9, 2021
    Inventors: Chad A. Ackerman, Nathan Ogden, Mark D. Moran, Scott A. Stephens
  • Patent number: 10939606
    Abstract: A scouting system can include an autonomous ground vehicle having a perception sensor and a motion sensor to construct an occupancy grid referenced to a coordinate system of the autonomous ground vehicle. The autonomous ground vehicle is configured to use information from the occupancy grid to detect crop rows in a crop field. The autonomous ground vehicle is configured to identify and classify one or more non-crop plant in-lier objects arranged within the crop rows and generate an output signal received by an external vehicle to cause the external vehicle to perform a task when the one or more non-crop plant in-lier objects are identified within the crop rows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Chad A. Ackerman, Scott A. Stephens, Dolly Wu, David S. Mercer, Mark A. Harris
  • Patent number: 10165722
    Abstract: Embodiments include a ground scout having an ability to identify the location of rows of crops and the end of the rows so that it can navigate, but in other embodiments, the ground scout can also rely more on an aerial drone to navigate, to act as a communication relay system, and so on. A buddy system including a ground scout and an air scout (e.g. drone) communicate their findings with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Chad A. Ackerman, Scott A. Stephens, Dolly Y. Wu, Mark A. Harris, David S. Mercer
  • Publication number: 20160157414
    Abstract: Embodiments include a ground scout having an ability to identify the location of rows of crops and the end of the rows so that it can navigate, but in other embodiments, the ground scout can also rely more on an aerial drone to navigate, to act as a communication relay system, and so on. A buddy system including a ground scout and an air scout (e.g. drone) communicate their findings with each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2015
    Publication date: June 9, 2016
    Inventors: Chad A. Ackerman, Scott A. Stephens, Dolly Y. Wu, Mark A. Harris, David S. Mercer
  • Patent number: 6519262
    Abstract: A time division multiplex (TDM) communication system (10) for broadcasting to users. The TDM communication system (10) includes a first transmitter (14) which broadcasts a first signal into a first coverage area (30) and a second transmitter (16) which broadcasts a second signal into a second coverage area (30) which at least partially overlaps said first coverage area (30). The first transmitter (14) is allocated a first TDM time block (88) having a first guard time (48) and the second transmitter (16) is allocated a second TDM time block (88) having a second guard time (48). The first (88) and second time blocks (88) form at least a portion of a TDM repeat interval such that the first transmitter (14) broadcasts the first signal during the first TDM time block (88) and the second transmitter (16) broadcasts the second signal during the second TDM time block (88).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: TRW Inc.
    Inventors: Scott A. Stephens, Terrence R. Smigla
  • Patent number: 6430418
    Abstract: A method and system for controlling uplink power in a satellite communication system using error leveling is provided. The uplink power control system for a satellite communication system of a preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a communication satellite (101) and at least one UET (105). The communication satellite (101) includes an error detector (211) and a comparator (215). The UET (105) includes a receiver (206) for receiving an error indicator signal from the comparator (215), and a power profile processor (216) for controlling the transmit power level of the particular chanslot being used by the UET in response to the error indicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Assignee: TRW Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis A. Nivens, David A. Wright, Michael S. Munoz, Gregory S. Caso, Scott A. Stephens
  • Patent number: 6424816
    Abstract: A communications system (34) that monitors a state of a plurality of radios (10). In one embodiment, the communications system (34) automatically and continuously monitors the number of radios (10) tuned to each of a plurality of available radio stations. Each radio (10) generates a coded signal depending on which radio station the radio (10) is currently tuned to. The coded signal is applied to a frequency generator (32) that generates a unique frequency signal for each code that is then transmitted by the radio (10). Each radio (10) tuned to the same station would transmit the same unique frequency signal at substantially the same power level. The frequency signals transmitted by all of the radios (10) are received by a receiver (34), such as a satellite-based receiver (34), that separates the signals by frequency. The power received for each different frequency signal is then measured to give a total power output for that frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2002
    Assignee: TRW Inc.
    Inventor: Scott A. Stephens
  • Patent number: 6304609
    Abstract: A communication system (10) implemented to be specifically matched to the time and spatially dependent statistics of a transmission channel (36). The communication system (10) is used for broadcasting over the channel (36) to users in a coverage region (18). The communication system (10) includes a transmitter (12) having an error correction encoder (30) and a weighted interleaver (32). The error correction encoder (30) includes a first input to receive data bits and a first output. The error correction encoder (30) expands each data bit received at said input by an encoder rate. The weighted interleaver (32) includes a second input to receive the expanded data bits and a second output. The weighted interleaver (32) has a non-uniform delay distribution between a minimum delay and a maximum delay to interleave the expanded data bits by the non-uniform delay distribution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Assignee: TRW Inc.
    Inventors: Scott A. Stephens, Terrence R. Smigla, Donald R. Martin
  • Patent number: 6219524
    Abstract: A communications system (34) that monitors a state of a plurality of radios (10). In one embodiment, the communications system (34) automatically and continuously monitors the number of radios (10) tuned to each of a plurality of available radio stations. Each radio (10) generates a coded signal depending on which radio station the radio (10) is currently tuned to. The coded signal is applied to a frequency generator (32) that generates a unique frequency signal for each code that is then transmitted by the radio (10). Each radio (10) tuned to the same station would transmit the same unique frequency signal at substantially the same power level. The frequency signals transmitted by all of the radios (10) are received by a receiver (34), such as a satellite-based receiver (34), that separates the signals by frequency. The power received for each different frequency signal is then measured to give a total power output for that frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2001
    Assignee: TRW Inc.
    Inventor: Scott A. Stephens
  • Patent number: 6055277
    Abstract: A communication system (10) implemented to be specifically matched to the time and spatially dependent statistics of a transmission channel (36). The communication system (10) is used for broadcasting over the channel (36) to users in a coverage region (18). The communication system (10) includes a transmitter (12) having an error correction encoder (30) and a weighted interleaver (32). The error correction encoder (30) includes a first input to receive data bits and a first output. The error correction encoder (30) expands each data bit received at said input by an encoder rate. The weighted interleaver (32) includes a second input to receive the expanded data bits and a second output. The weighted interleaver (32) has a non-uniform delay distribution between a minimum delay and a maximum delay to interleave the expanded data bits by the non-uniform delay distribution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2000
    Assignee: TRW Docket No.
    Inventors: Scott A. Stephens, Terrence R. Smigla, Donald R. Martin
  • Patent number: 6020847
    Abstract: A method for determining the geolocation of a user terminal within a telecommunications system having a constellation of satellites which relay communications signals between earth stations and user terminals over preassigned channels. The method performs synchronization upon the telecommunications signals to calculate timing and frequency update information for the user terminals. The timing and frequency update information is also used within the earth station to calculate the geoposition of the user terminal. To do so, the earth station calculates a distance between the satellite and a user terminal based on the corresponding propagation time therebetween which is obtained from the timing information. Once the satellite to user terminal distance is obtained, a range solution line may be calculated therefrom. In addition, the frequency update information is used to calculate a Doppler solution line upon which the user terminal is positioned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2000
    Assignee: TWR Inc.
    Inventors: Eric L. Upton, Scott A. Stephens
  • Patent number: 6003147
    Abstract: A weighted interleaving system (10) is used for correlated channel coding. The weighted interleaving system (10) includes a weighted interleaver (12) having a pseudo-random demultiplexer (18), a first branch (28), a second branch (30), a third branch (32) and a pseudo-random multiplexer (38). The pseudo-random demultiplexer (18) receives input data bits at an input (20) and randomly distributes the input data bits to first (22), second (24) and third (26) outputs of the pseudo-random demultiplexer (18). The first branch (28) in communication with the first output (22) delays the transmission of the input data bits routed to it by a minimum delay. The second branch (30) in communication with the second output (24) delays the transmission of the input data bits routed to it by a delay uniform in probability from the minimum delay to a maximum delay. The third branch (32) in communication with the third output (26) delays the transmission of the input data bits routed to it by the maximum delay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1999
    Assignee: TRW Inc.
    Inventors: Scott A. Stephens, Terrence R. Smigla, Donald R. Martin
  • Patent number: 5924015
    Abstract: A power control method and apparatus are provided for a satellite based telecommunications system. The system includes a power control subsystem which is operative with systems operations center for distributing available satellite power between earth stations. Each earth station includes a baseband manager which subdivides the available satellite power between subband beams emitted from the satellite. The earth station further includes beam processors which manage the power allocated to each subband within an associated beam in order to maintain a desired signal quality in a forward link between the satellite and user terminals within the associated subbands. The beam processors communicate with modems, each of which is assigned to a particular user terminal. Each modem controls the satellites transmission power in the forward link to the user terminals to maintain a desired signal-to-noise ratio at the user terminal receiver. The signal-to-noise ratio is determined by the corresponding beam processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Inventors: Arthur L. Garrison, Terrence R. Smigla, Scott A. Stephens
  • Patent number: 5910945
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided, for maintaining synchronous return and forward communications links between user terminals and earth stations communicating via a common satellite in a satellite based telecommunications system. Each user terminal maintains a closed synchronization loop with its associated earth station based on timing and frequency error offset signals received by the user terminals. The user terminals update their internal timing and frequency generators based on the received error offset signals. In an earth station sharing embodiment, one of the earth stations is designated as a master earth station while the remaining stations are designated as slave earth stations with respect to a common satellite. The slave earth stations monitor a return link between at least one user terminal and the master earth station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1999
    Assignee: TRW Inc.
    Inventors: Arthur L. Garrison, Terrence R. Smigla, Scott A. Stephens
  • Patent number: 5852614
    Abstract: A weighted interleaving system (10) is used for correlated channel coding. The weighted interleaving system (10) includes a weighted interleaver (12) having a pseudo-random demultiplexer (18), a first branch (28), a second branch (30), a third branch (32) and a pseudo-random multiplexer (38). The pseudo-random demultiplexer (18) receives input data bits at an input (20) and randomly distributes the input data bits to first (22), second (24) and third (26) outputs of the pseudo-random demultiplexer (18). The first branch (28) in communication with the first output (22) delays the transmission of the input data bits routed to it by a minimum delay. The second branch (30) in communication with the second output (24) delays the transmission of the input data bits routed to it by a delay uniform in probability from the minimum delay to a maximum delay. The third branch (34) in communication with the third output (26) delays the transmission of the input data bits routed to it by the maximum delay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1998
    Assignee: TRW Inc.
    Inventors: Scott A. Stephens, Terrence R. Smigla, Donald R. Martin
  • Patent number: 5844521
    Abstract: A method is provided for determining the geolocation of a mobile terminal within a telecommunications satellite system. The system supports first and second forward communications links from first and second earth stations through first and second satellites to a common mobile terminal. The method includes receiving, at the mobile terminal, first and second forward link communications signals from the first and second earth stations and, based thereon, obtaining synchronization differential data. The synchronization differential data may include timing and frequency synchronization data necessary to maintain synchronization between the first and second communications at the mobile terminal. The mobile terminal transmits the synchronization differential data to the first earth station over the return link. The first earth station receives communications signals from the mobile terminal and based thereon calculates return link synchronization data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1998
    Assignee: TRW Inc.
    Inventors: Scott A. Stephens, Carl F. Reisig, Arthur L. Garrison
  • Patent number: 5602883
    Abstract: In a new formulation for digital phase-locked loops, loop-filter constants are determined from loop roots that can each be selectively placed in the s-plane on the basis of a new set of parameters, each with simple and direct physical meaning in terms of loop noise bandwidth, root-specific decay rate, and root-specific damping. Loops of first to fourth order are treated in the continuous-update approximation (B.sub.L T .fwdarw.0) and in a discrete-update formulation with arbitrary B.sub.L T. Deficiencies of the continuous-update approximation in large-B.sub.L T applications are avoided in the new discrete-update formulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 11, 1997
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Scott A. Stephens, J. Brooks Thomas