Patents by Inventor Steven J. Howard
Steven J. Howard 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: 12138868Abstract: A drape forming apparatus includes a forming tool having a first forming surface and a second forming surface nonplanar with the first forming surface. A tray is spaced apart from the forming tool and is configured to pivot about a hinged end from a first position to a second position under an applied force such that a distal end moves away from the forming tool. A first side of the tray faces a first heat source when the tray is in the first position, and a second heat source is disposed at a second side of the tray. A device for use in forming the composite structure includes a standoff and the tray, and a heat source is secured to the second side of the tray. A method of forming a composite structure includes heating both sides of the composite material with the first and second heat sources.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2021Date of Patent: November 12, 2024Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: David John Sundquist, Trevor Lee Howard, Steven J. Burpo, Kurtis Shuldberg Willden
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Publication number: 20240341833Abstract: A pulsed field ablation medical device. Among other things, the medical device includes processing circuitry in communication with an electrosurgical generator and a plurality of electrodes. In one example, the processing circuitry is configured to determine a desired lesion characteristic; determine a first waveform parameter based on the desired lesion characteristic; deliver, via the plurality of electrodes, a first pulsed field waveform of the plurality of pulsed field waveforms based on the first waveform parameter to ablate the area of tissue; measure a second lesion characteristic based on a result of delivering the first pulsed field waveform; determine a second waveform parameter based on the second lesion characteristic; deliver, via the plurality of electrodes, a second pulsed field waveform of the plurality of pulsed field waveforms based on the second waveform parameter to ablate the area of tissue.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 27, 2024Publication date: October 17, 2024Inventors: Brian T. Howard, Steven J. Fraasch, Mark T. Stewart, John Vandanacker
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Publication number: 20240252225Abstract: A system and method for the safe delivery of treatment energy to a patient, which includes verification of system integrity before, during, or after the delivery of treatment energy and provides several mechanisms for rapid termination of the delivery of potentially harmful energy to the patient when a fault condition in the device and/or system is identified. The system may include an energy generator having processing circuitry to determine if there is a fault condition in the system and to automatically terminate a delivery of treatment energy when the processing circuitry determines there is a fault condition. The method may generally include performing a series of pre-checks, synchronizing a treatment energy delivery to the proper segment of the heart's depolarization pattern, configuring the system for treatment energy delivery, delivering the treatment energy, and performing post-treatment evaluation.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 9, 2024Publication date: August 1, 2024Inventors: Steven J. Fraasch, Catherine R. Condie, Brian T. Howard, Louis Jacob, Paul S. Lam, Trenton J. Rehberger, Mark T. Stewart, Qin Zhang
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Patent number: 11196497Abstract: A system and method for transmitting packets from a transceiver to a repeater in the presence of relative motion between the transceiver and the repeater. In some embodiments, the method includes: adjusting a plurality of transmission times; transmitting each of a plurality of packets, at a respective adjusted transmission time, from the transceiver to the repeater; and retransmitting, by the repeater, each of the packets, at a respective retransmission time, each of the retransmission times being, as a result of the adjusting, more nearly the same as it would have been, in the absence of: the relative motion, and the adjusting.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2020Date of Patent: December 7, 2021Assignee: Raytheon CompanyInventors: Gregary B. Prince, Thomas E. Gardiner, Steven J. Howard, Christopher S. Joines
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Patent number: 11171693Abstract: Spatial spreading is performed in a multi-antenna system to randomize an “effective” channel observed by a receiving entity for each transmitted data symbol block. For a MIMO system, at a transmitting entity, data is processed (e.g., encoded, interleaved, and modulated) to obtain ND data symbol blocks to be transmitted in NM transmission spans, where ND?1 and NM>1. The ND blocks are partitioned into NM data symbol subblocks, one subblock for each transmission span. A steering matrix is selected (e.g., in a deterministic or pseudo-random manner from among a set of L steering matrices, where L>1) for each subblock. Each data symbol subblock is spatially processed with the steering matrix selected for that subblock to obtain transmit symbols, which are further processed and transmitted via NT transmit antennas in one transmission span. The ND data symbol blocks are thus spatially processed with NM steering matrices and observe an ensemble of channels.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2019Date of Patent: November 9, 2021Assignee: QUALCOMM IncorporatedInventors: Jay Rodney Walton, Lizhong Zheng, John W. Ketchum, Mark S. Wallace, Steven J. Howard
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Publication number: 20210288737Abstract: A system and method for transmitting packets from a transceiver to a repeater in the presence of relative motion between the transceiver and the repeater. In some embodiments, the method includes: adjusting a plurality of transmission times; transmitting each of a plurality of packets, at a respective adjusted transmission time, from the transceiver to the repeater; and retransmitting, by the repeater, each of the packets, at a respective retransmission time, each of the retransmission times being, as a result of the adjusting, more nearly the same as it would have been, in the absence of: the relative motion, and the adjusting.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 11, 2020Publication date: September 16, 2021Inventors: Gregary B. Prince, Thomas E. Gardiner, Steven J. Howard, Christopher S. Joines
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Publication number: 20200067575Abstract: Spatial spreading is performed in a multi-antenna system to randomize an “effective” channel observed by a receiving entity for each transmitted data symbol block. For a MIMO system, at a transmitting entity, data is processed (e.g., encoded, interleaved, and modulated) to obtain ND data symbol blocks to be transmitted in NM transmission spans, where ND?1 and NM>1. The ND blocks are partitioned into NM data symbol subblocks, one subblock for each transmission span. A steering matrix is selected (e.g., in a deterministic or pseudo-random manner from among a set of L steering matrices, where L>1) for each subblock. Each data symbol subblock is spatially processed with the steering matrix selected for that subblock to obtain transmit symbols, which are further processed and transmitted via NT transmit antennas in one transmission span. The ND data symbol blocks are thus spatially processed with NM steering matrices and observe an ensemble of channels.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 28, 2019Publication date: February 27, 2020Inventors: Jay Rodney WALTON, Lizhong ZHENG, John W. KETCHUM, Mark S. WALLACE, Steven J. HOWARD
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Patent number: 10476560Abstract: Spatial spreading is performed in a multi-antenna system to randomize an “effective” channel observed by a receiving entity for each transmitted data symbol block. For a MIMO system, at a transmitting entity, data is processed (e.g., encoded, interleaved, and modulated) to obtain ND data symbol blocks to be transmitted in NM transmission spans, where ND?1 and NM>1. The ND blocks are partitioned into NM data symbol subblocks, one subblock for each transmission span. A steering matrix is selected (e.g., in a deterministic or pseudo-random manner from among a set of L steering matrices, where L>1) for each subblock. Each data symbol subblock is spatially processed with the steering matrix selected for that subblock to obtain transmit symbols, which are further processed and transmitted via NT transmit antennas in one transmission span. The ND data symbol blocks are thus spatially processed with NM steering matrices and observe an ensemble of channels.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2017Date of Patent: November 12, 2019Assignee: QUALCOMM IncorporatedInventors: Jay Rodney Walton, Lizhong Zheng, John W. Ketchum, Mark S. Wallace, Steven J. Howard
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Patent number: 10128920Abstract: An uplink channel response matrix is obtained for each terminal and decomposed to obtain a steering vector used by the terminal to transmit on the uplink. An “effective” uplink channel response vector is formed for each terminal based on its steering vector and its channel response matrix. Multiple sets of terminals are evaluated based on their effective channel response vectors to determine the best set (e.g., with highest overall throughput) for uplink transmission. Each selected terminal performs spatial processing on its data symbol stream with its steering vector and transmits its spatially processed data symbol stream to an access point. The multiple selected terminals simultaneously transmit their data symbol streams via their respective MIMO channels to the access point. The access point performs receiver spatial processing on its received symbol streams in accordance with a receiver spatial processing technique to recover the data symbol streams transmitted by the selected terminals.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2017Date of Patent: November 13, 2018Assignee: QUALCOMM IncorporatedInventors: J. Rodney Walton, John W. Ketchum, John Edward Smee, Mark S. Wallace, Steven J. Howard
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Publication number: 20180048362Abstract: Spatial spreading is performed in a multi-antenna system to randomize an “effective” channel observed by a receiving entity for each transmitted data symbol block. For a MIMO system, at a transmitting entity, data is processed (e.g., encoded, interleaved, and modulated) to obtain ND data symbol blocks to be transmitted in NM transmission spans, where ND?1 and NM>1. The ND blocks are partitioned into NM data symbol subblocks, one subblock for each transmission span. A steering matrix is selected (e.g., in a deterministic or pseudo-random manner from among a set of L steering matrices, where L>1) for each subblock. Each data symbol subblock is spatially processed with the steering matrix selected for that subblock to obtain transmit symbols, which are further processed and transmitted via NT transmit antennas in one transmission span. The ND data symbol blocks are thus spatially processed with NM steering matrices and observe an ensemble of channels.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 9, 2017Publication date: February 15, 2018Inventors: Jay Rodney Walton, Lizhong Zheng, John W. Ketchum, Mark S. Wallace, Steven J. Howard
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Patent number: 9787375Abstract: Spatial spreading is performed in a multi-antenna system to randomize an “effective” channel observed by a receiving entity for each transmitted data symbol block. For a MIMO system, at a transmitting entity, data is processed (e.g., encoded, interleaved, and modulated) to obtain ND data symbol blocks to be transmitted in NM transmission spans, where ND?1 and NM>1. The ND blocks are partitioned into NM data symbol subblocks, one subblock for each transmission span. A steering matrix is selected (e.g., in a deterministic or pseudo-random manner from among a set of L steering matrices, where L>1) for each subblock. Each data symbol subblock is spatially processed with the steering matrix selected for that subblock to obtain transmit symbols, which are further processed and transmitted via NT transmit antennas in one transmission span. The ND data symbol blocks are thus spatially processed with NM steering matrices and observe an ensemble of channels.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2014Date of Patent: October 10, 2017Assignee: QUALCOMM IncorporatedInventors: Jay Rodney Walton, Lizhong Zheng, John W. Ketchum, Mark S. Wallace, Steven J. Howard
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Publication number: 20170126290Abstract: An uplink channel response matrix is obtained for each terminal and decomposed to obtain a steering vector used by the terminal to transmit on the uplink. An “effective” uplink channel response vector is formed for each terminal based on its steering vector and its channel response matrix. Multiple sets of terminals are evaluated based on their effective channel response vectors to determine the best set (e.g., with highest overall throughput) for uplink transmission. Each selected terminal performs spatial processing on its data symbol stream with its steering vector and transmits its spatially processed data symbol stream to an access point. The multiple selected terminals simultaneously transmit their data symbol streams via their respective MIMO channels to the access point. The access point performs receiver spatial processing on its received symbol streams in accordance with a receiver spatial processing technique to recover the data symbol streams transmitted by the selected terminals.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 13, 2017Publication date: May 4, 2017Applicant: QUALCOMM IncorporatedInventors: J. Rodney Walton, John W. Ketchum, John Edward Smee, Mark S. Wallace, Steven J. Howard
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Patent number: 9548851Abstract: An uplink channel response matrix is obtained for each terminal and decomposed to obtain a steering vector used by the terminal to transmit on the uplink. An “effective” uplink channel response vector is formed for each terminal based on its steering vector and its channel response matrix. Multiple sets of terminals are evaluated based on their effective channel response vectors to determine the best set (e.g., with highest overall throughput) for uplink transmission. Each selected terminal performs spatial processing on its data symbol stream with its steering vector and transmits its spatially processed data symbol stream to an access point. The multiple selected terminals simultaneously transmit their data symbol streams via their respective MIMO channels to the access point. The access point performs receiver spatial processing on its received symbol streams in accordance with a receiver spatial processing technique to recover the data symbol streams transmitted by the selected terminals.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2007Date of Patent: January 17, 2017Assignee: QUALCOMM IncorporatedInventors: J. Rodney Walton, John W. Ketchum, John Edward Smee, Mark S. Wallace, Steven J. Howard
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Publication number: 20160329936Abstract: Spatial spreading is performed in a multi-antenna system to randomize an “effective” channel observed by a receiving entity for each transmitted data symbol block. For a MIMO system, at a transmitting entity, data is processed (e.g., encoded, interleaved, and modulated) to obtain ND data symbol blocks to be transmitted in NM transmission spans, where ND?1 and NM>1. The ND blocks are partitioned into NM data symbol subblocks, one subblock for each transmission span. A steering matrix is selected (e.g., in a deterministic or pseudo-random manner from among a set of L steering matrices, where L>1) for each subblock. Each data symbol subblock is spatially processed with the steering matrix selected for that subblock to obtain transmit symbols, which are further processed and transmitted via NT transmit antennas in one transmission span. The ND data symbol blocks are thus spatially processed with NM steering matrices and observe an ensemble of channels.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 24, 2014Publication date: November 10, 2016Inventors: Jay Rodney Walton, Lizhong Zheng, John W. Ketchum, Mark S. Wallace, Steven J. Howard
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Patent number: 9312935Abstract: Pilots suitable for use in MIMO systems and capable of supporting various functions are described. The various types of pilot include—a beacon pilot, a MIMO pilot, a steered reference or steered pilot, and a carrier pilot. The beacon pilot is transmitted from all transmit antennas and may be used for timing and frequency acquisition. The MIMO pilot is transmitted from all transmit antennas but is covered with different orthogonal codes assigned to the transmit antennas. The MIMO pilot may be used for channel estimation. The steered reference is transmitted on specific eigenmodes of a MIMO channel and is user terminal specific. The steered reference may be used for channel estimation. The carrier pilot may be transmitted on designated subbands/antennas and may be used for phase tracking of a carrier signal. Various pilot transmission schemes may be devised based on different combinations of these various types of pilot.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2011Date of Patent: April 12, 2016Assignee: Qualcomm IncorporatedInventors: John W. Ketchum, Mark S. Wallace, J. Rodney Walton, Steven J. Howard
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Patent number: 9240871Abstract: A multiple-access MIMO WLAN system that employs MIMO, OFDM, and TDD. The system (1) uses a channel structure with a number of configurable transport channels, (2) supports multiple rates and transmission modes, which are configurable based on channel conditions and user terminal capabilities, (3) employs a pilot structure with several types of pilot (e.g., beacon, MIMO, steered reference, and carrier pilots) for different functions, (4) implements rate, timing, and power control loops for proper system operation, and (5) employs random access for system access by the user terminals, fast acknowledgment, and quick resource assignments. Calibration may be performed to account for differences in the frequency responses of transmit/receive chains at the access point and user terminals. The spatial processing may then be simplified by taking advantage of the reciprocal nature of the downlink and uplink and the calibration.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2008Date of Patent: January 19, 2016Assignee: Qualcomm IncorporatedInventors: J. Rodney Walton, Mark S. Wallace, John W. Ketchum, Steven J. Howard
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Patent number: 9154274Abstract: Techniques to use OFDM symbols of different sizes to achieve greater efficiency for OFDM systems. The system traffic may be arranged into different categories (e.g., control data, user data, and pilot data). For each category, one or more OFDM symbols of the proper sizes may be selected for use based on the expected payload size for the traffic in that category. For example, control data may be transmitted using OFDM symbols of a first size, user data may be transmitted using OFDM symbols of the first size and a second size, and pilot data may be transmitted using OFDM symbols of a third size or the first size. In one exemplary design, a small OFDM symbol is utilized for pilot and for transport channels used to send control data, and a large OFDM symbol and the small OFDM symbol are utilized for transport channels used to send user data.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2013Date of Patent: October 6, 2015Assignee: QUALCOMM IncorporatedInventors: Jay Rod Walton, John W. Ketchum, Mark Wallace, Steven J. Howard
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Patent number: 9048892Abstract: A MIMO system supports multiple spatial multiplexing modes for improved performance and greater flexibility. These modes may include (1) a single-user steered mode that transmits multiple data streams on orthogonal spatial channels to a single receiver, (2) a single-user non-steered mode that transmits multiple data streams from multiple antennas to a single receiver without spatial processing at a transmitter, (3) a multi-user steered mode that transmits multiple data streams simultaneously to multiple receivers with spatial processing at a transmitter, and (4) a multi-user non-steered mode that transmits multiple data streams from multiple antennas (co-located or non co-located) without spatial processing at the transmitter(s) to receiver(s) having multiple antennas. For each set of user terminal(s) selected for data transmission on the downlink and/or uplink, a spatial multiplexing mode is selected for the user terminal set from among the multiple spatial multiplexing modes supported by the system.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2013Date of Patent: June 2, 2015Assignee: QUALCOMM IncorporatedInventors: J. Rodney Walton, John W. Ketchum, Mark S. Wallace, Steven J. Howard
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Patent number: 9049065Abstract: A method for estimating a feedback channel for a wireless repeater using frequency domain channel estimation estimates an error correction term using a most recent channel estimate and cancels the error correction term from a current block of the receive signal. Then, the feedback channel is estimated using frequency domain channel estimation and using a current block of the pilot signal and the corrected block of the receive signal. A channel estimate error term may also be estimated and subtracted directly from the channel estimate.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2010Date of Patent: June 2, 2015Assignee: QUALCOMM IncorporatedInventors: Gwendolyn Denise Barriac, Steven J. Howard, Dhananjay Ashok Gore
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Patent number: 9031097Abstract: A MIMO system supports multiple spatial multiplexing modes for improved performance and greater flexibility. These modes may include (1) a single-user steered mode that transmits multiple data streams on orthogonal spatial channels to a single receiver, (2) a single-user non-steered mode that transmits multiple data streams from multiple antennas to a single receiver without spatial processing at a transmitter, (3) a multi-user steered mode that transmits multiple data streams simultaneously to multiple receivers with spatial processing at a transmitter, and (4) a multi-user non-steered mode that transmits multiple data streams from multiple antennas (co-located or non co-located) without spatial processing at the transmitter(s) to receiver(s) having multiple antennas. For each set of user terminal(s) selected for data transmission on the downlink and/or uplink, a spatial multiplexing mode is selected for the user terminal set from among the multiple spatial multiplexing modes supported by the system.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2009Date of Patent: May 12, 2015Assignee: QUALCOMM IncorporatedInventors: J. Rodney Walton, John W. Ketchum, Mark S. Wallace, Steven J. Howard