Patents by Inventor Steven R. Broadstone

Steven R. Broadstone 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: 6721235
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a multiple beamforming processor formed with an integrated circuit in which a plurality of beams can be formed simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: TeraTech Corporation
    Inventors: Alice M. Chiang, Steven R. Broadstone
  • Patent number: 6671227
    Abstract: A multidimensional beamforming device that performs consecutive one-dimensional operations. For example, beamsteering for a two-dimensional array can be include a projection of a beam onto each of the respective axes of the array. In such a device, a first beamforming processing element is used to form multiple beams for each array output along a given row. In a preferred embodiment, sequential output vectors from the first processing element are then applied to a transposing or corner turning memory and the data are reformatted such that all elements on a given column of the array are applied to a second beam forming processing element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: TeraTech Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey M. Gilbert, Alice M. Chiang, Steven R. Broadstone
  • Publication number: 20030176787
    Abstract: A hand-held ultrasound system includes integrated electronics within an ergonomic housing. The electronics includes control circuitry, beamforming and circuitry transducer drive circuitry. The electronics communicate with a host computer using an industry standard high speed serial bus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2002
    Publication date: September 18, 2003
    Applicant: TeraTech Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey M. Gilbert, Alice M. Chiang, Steven R. Broadstone, Gary Madison, Albert Horst, Liang-Min Wang
  • Patent number: 6593880
    Abstract: A wireless communication system employs directive antenna arrays and knowledge of position of users to form narrow antenna beams to and from desired users and away from undesired users to reduce co-channel interference. By reducing co-channel interference coming from different directions, spatial filtering with antenna arrays improves the call capacity of the system. A space division multiple access (SDMA) system allocates a narrow antenna beam pattern to each user in the system so that each user has its own communication channel free from co-channel interference. The position of the users is determined using geo-location techniques. Geo-location can be derived via triangulation between cellular base stations or via a global positioning system (GPS) receiver. The system can be optimized by applying partially adaptive processing algorithms, which are seeded by geo-location data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: TeraTech Corporation
    Inventors: Scott R. Velazquez, Steven R. Broadstone, Alice M. Chiang
  • Patent number: 6552964
    Abstract: The need for multiple, cost-effective deployment of an underwater camera has resulted in the development of a low-power high-resolution imaging system using a sparse array. The system can be used for undersea acoustic mine-field reconnaissance and mine-hunting systems for example, this imaging sonar is portable enough for use in a diver's hands or in a remote imaging sonar on an unmanned undersea vehicle in shallow waters. The present system can simultaneously focus many signals using multiple CCD/CMOS, programmable time-delay beamforming circuits connected to a sparsely-populated 2D acoustic array, is being developed. Using this approach, a real-time image can be formed to search for mine-like objects. To make a sparse array, the combination of low insertion loss and wide bandwidth performance is important for realizing acceptable imaging performance with low illumination levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: TeraTech Corporation
    Inventors: Alice M. Chiang, Steven R. Broadstone
  • Patent number: 6530887
    Abstract: A hand-held ultrasound probe system includes integrated electronics within an ergonomic housing. The electronics includes control circuitry, beamforming and circuitry transducer drive circuitry. The probe electronics communicates with a host computer using an industry standard high speed serial bus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Assignee: TeraTech Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey M. Gilbert, Alice M. Chiang, Steven R. Broadstone, Gary Madison, Albert Horst, Liang-Min Wang
  • Publication number: 20030028113
    Abstract: An ultrasound imaging system includes a scan conversion process for converting ultrasound data into a standard display format conversion and can be performed on a personal computer by programming the computer to convert data from polar coordinates to cartesian coordinates suitable for display on a computer monitor. The data is provided from scan head enclosure that houses an array of ultrasonic transducers and the circuitry associated therewith, including pulse synchronizer circuitry used in the transmit mode for transmission of ultrasonic pulses and beam forming circuitry used in the receive mode to dynamically focus reflected ultrasonic signals returning from the region of interest being imaged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2002
    Publication date: February 6, 2003
    Applicant: TeraTech Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey M. Gilbert, Alice M. Chiang, Steven R. Broadstone
  • Patent number: 6512481
    Abstract: A wireless communication system employs directive antenna arrays and knowledge of position of users to form narrow antenna beams to and from desired users and away from undesired users to reduce co-channel interference. By reducing co-channel interference coming from different directions, spatial filtering with antenna arrays improves the call capacity of the system. A space division multiple access (SDMA) system allocates a narrow antenna beam pattern to each user in the system so that each user has its own communication channel free from co-channel interference. The position of the users is determined using geo-location techniques. Geo-location can be derived via triangulation between cellular base stations or via a global positioning system (GPS) receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2003
    Assignee: TeraTech Corporation
    Inventors: Scott R. Velazquez, Steven R. Broadstone
  • Publication number: 20020080683
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a multiple beamforming processor formed with an integrated circuit in which a plurality of beams can be formed simultaneously.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2001
    Publication date: June 27, 2002
    Applicant: TeraTech Corporation
    Inventors: Alice M. Chiang, Steven R. Broadstone
  • Publication number: 20020071345
    Abstract: The present invention relates to sonar beamforming systems and methods, using a forward-looking sonar having transmit and receive transducer arrays with a beamforming device and at least one side-looking sonar having dynamically range-focused beams. The forward-looking sonar provides for obstacle avoidance and undersea survey. The systems include one-dimensional transmit and receive transducer arrays with beamforming electronics, a computing controller such as, for example, a personal computer host controller. The arrays and beamforming electronics can be packaged in a hermetically sealed housing unit and mounted in Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUV). The side-looking sonar system includes for example, 32-element, one-dimensional arrays that are mounted on either side of the UUVs. Further, a downward looking Bathymetric sonar may be mounted on the underside of the vehicle for high-resolution mapping.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2001
    Publication date: June 13, 2002
    Applicant: TeraTech Corporation
    Inventors: Alice M. Chiang, Steven R. Broadstone
  • Publication number: 20020064093
    Abstract: The need for multiple, cost-effective deployment of an underwater camera has resulted in the development of a low-power high-resolution imaging system using a sparse array. The system can be used for undersea acoustic mine-field reconnaissance and mine-hunting systems for example, this imaging sonar is portable enough for use in a diver's hands or in a remote imaging sonar on an unmanned undersea vehicle in shallow waters. The present system can simultaneously focus many signals using multiple CCD/CMOS, programmable time-delay beamforming circuits connected to a sparsely-populated 2D acoustic array, is being developed. Using this approach, a real-time image can be formed to search for mine-like objects. To make a sparse array, the combination of low insertion loss and wide bandwidth performance is important for realizing acceptable imaging performance with low illumination levels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2001
    Publication date: May 30, 2002
    Applicant: TeraTech Corporation
    Inventors: Alice M. Chiang, Steven R. Broadstone
  • Patent number: 6379304
    Abstract: An ultrasound imaging system includes a scan conversion process for converting ultrasound data into a standard display format conversion and can be performed on a personal computer by programming the computer to convert data from polar coordinates to cartesian coordinates suitable for display on a computer monitor. The data is provided from scan head enclosure that houses an array of ultrasonic transducers and the circuitry associated therewith, including pulse synchronizer circuitry used in the transmit mode for transmission of ultrasonic pulses and beam forming circuitry used in the receive mode to dynamically focus reflected ultrasonic signals returning from the region of interest being imaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: TeraTech Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey M. Gilbert, Alice M. Chiang, Steven R. Broadstone
  • Publication number: 20020012289
    Abstract: A multidimensional beamforming device that performs consecutive one-dimensional operations. For example, beamsteering for a two-dimensional array can be include a projection of a beam onto each of the respective axes of the array. In such a device, a first beamforming processing element is used to form multiple beams for each array output along a given row. In a preferred embodiment, sequential output vectors from the first processing element are then applied to a transposing or corner turning memory and the data are reformatted such that all elements on a given column of the array are applied to a second beam forming processing element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2001
    Publication date: January 31, 2002
    Applicant: TeraTech Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey M. Gilbert, Alice M. Chiang, Steven R. Broadstone
  • Patent number: 6292433
    Abstract: A multi-dimensional beamforming device that performs consecutive one-dimensional operations. For example, beamsteering for a two-dimensional array can be include a projection of a beam onto each of the respective axes of the array. In such a device, a first beamforming processing element is used to form multiple beams for each array output along a given row. In a preferred embodiment, sequential output vectors from the first processing element are then applied to a transposing or corner turning memory and the data are reformatted such that all elements on a given column of the array are applied to a second beam forming processing element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: TeraTech Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey M. Gilbert, Alice M. Chiang, Steven R. Broadstone
  • Patent number: 6248073
    Abstract: An ultrasound imaging system includes a scan conversion process for converting ultrasound data into a standard display format conversion and can be performed on a personal computer by programming the computer to convert data from polar coordinates to cartesian coordinates suitable for display on a computer monitor. The data is provided from scan head enclosure that houses an array of ultrasonic transducers and the circuitry associated therewith, including pulse synchronizer circuitry used in the transmit mode for transmission of ultrasonic pulses and beam forming circuitry used in the receive mode to dynamically focus reflected ultrasonic signals returning from the region of interest being imaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2001
    Assignee: TeraTech Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey M. Gilbert, Alice M. Chiang, Steven R. Broadstone
  • Publication number: 20010003443
    Abstract: A wireless communication system employs directive antenna arrays and knowledge of position of users to form narrow antenna beams to and from desired users and away from undesired users to reduce co-channel interference. By reducing co-channel interference coming from different directions, spatial filtering with antenna arrays improves the call capacity of the system. A space division multiple access (SDMA) system allocates a narrow antenna beam pattern to each user in the system so that each user has its own communication channel free from co-channel interference. The position of the users is determined using geo-location techniques. Geo-location can be derived via triangulation between cellular base stations or via a global positioning system (GPS) receiver. The system can be optimized by applying partially adaptive processing algorithms, which are seeded by geo-location data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 1998
    Publication date: June 14, 2001
    Inventors: SCOTT R. VELAZQUEZ, STEVEN R. BROADSTONE, ALICE M. CHIANG
  • Patent number: 6111816
    Abstract: A multi-dimensional beamforming device that performs consecutive one-dimensional operations. For example, beamsteering for a two-dimensional array can be include a projection of a beam onto each of the respective axes of the array. In such a device, a first beamforming processing element is used to form multiple beams for each array output along a given row. In a preferred embodiment, sequential output vectors from the first processing element are then applied to a transposing or corner turning memory and the data are reformatted such that all elements on a given column of the array are applied to a second beam forming processing element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Assignee: TeraTech Corporation
    Inventors: Alice M. Chiang, Jeffrey M. Gilbert, Steven R. Broadstone
  • Patent number: 6106472
    Abstract: A portable ultrasound imaging system includes a scan head coupled by a cable to a portable battery-powered data processor and display unit. The scan head enclosure houses an array of ultrasonic transducers and the circuitry associated therewith, including pulse synchronizer circuitry used in the transmit mode for transmission of ultrasonic pulses and beam forming circuitry used in the receive mode to dynamically focus reflected ultrasonic signals returning from the region of interest being imaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: Teratech Corporation
    Inventors: Alice M. Chiang, Steven R. Broadstone
  • Patent number: 5964709
    Abstract: A portable ultrasound imaging system (10) includes a scan head (12) coupled by a cable (16) to a portable battery-powered data processor (14) and display unit. The scan head enclosure (12) houses an array of ultrasonic transducers and the circuitry associated therewith, including pulse synchronizer circuitry used in the transmit mode for transmission of ultrasonic pulses and beam forming circuitry used in the receive mode to dynamically focus reflected ultrasonic signals returning from the region of interest being imaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1999
    Assignee: TeraTech Corporation
    Inventors: Alice M. Chiang, Steven R. Broadstone
  • Patent number: 5957846
    Abstract: A portable ultrasound imaging system includes a scan head coupled by a cable to a portable battery-powered data processor and display unit. The scan head enclosure houses an array of ultrasonic transducers and the circuitry associated therewith, including pulse synchronizer circuitry used in the transmit mode for transmission of ultrasonic pulses and beam forming circuitry used in the receive mode to dynamically focus reflected ultrasonic signals returning from the region of interest being imaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Assignee: TeraTech Corporation
    Inventors: Alice M. Chiang, Steven R. Broadstone