Patents by Inventor Thomas J. Campana, Jr.

Thomas J. Campana, Jr. 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: 6567397
    Abstract: A method of non-real-time two-way wireless data communications using a synchronous time division multiplexed architecture (TDMA) protocol in a communications system having a plurality of fixed base stations (BS) and a plurality of receiver/transmitters (RTs), wherein a BS controller dynamically changes a plurality of data blocks in both an uplink and a downlink data frame, a plurality of data rates, a plurality of signal modulation techniques, and a plurality of frequencies according to a computer analysis of received signals in order to provide optimization of the system. The method further includes overhead data reduction techniques using abbreviations for identification character strings and concatenations of downlink data messages. Embodiment of a novel emergency alarm resolution techniques and a plurality of message collision avoidance techniques improves response times for remote transmissions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: Sophia Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Campana, Jr., Robert Fries, Paul Iacopetti, Al Jewer, Edward C. Pienkowski, Michael P. Ponschke, Sr., Gib Scott, Thomas Smigelski, Gordon Smith
  • Patent number: 6337628
    Abstract: An antenna assembly providing selectable omnidirectional or directional reception of radio transmissions in a frequency band. The assembly includes an electrically conductive reflector (432) defining a cavity (702) having a bottom (708), an opening (714) and a surface (704 and 706) extending from the bottom to the opening and an electrical output (763) and an electrically conductive loop (431) coupled to ground and having an electrical outlet (766) for coupling to an RF amplifier (407), the loop being positioned between the bottom opening of the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2002
    Assignee: NTP, Incorporated
    Inventor: Thomas J. Campana, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6317592
    Abstract: A system (100) for transmitting information from one of a plurality of originating processors A-N to at least a plurality of destination processors (A-N) which may be transported during operation in accordance with the invention includes at least one gateway switch (14), a gateway switch storing information received from one of the at least one originating processor prior to transmission of the information to the at least one destination processor; a RF information transmission network (302) for transmitting stored information received from one of the at least one gateway switch by RF transmission to at least one destination processor; at least one interface switch (304), an interface switch connecting a gateway switch to the RF transmission network and transmitting stored information received from one of the at least one gateway switch to the RF information transmission network; and wherein the information is electronic mail system in response to an address of the receiving interface switch which has been ad
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Assignee: NTP Incorporated
    Inventors: Thomas J. Campana, Jr., Michael P. Ponschke, Gary F. Thelen
  • Patent number: 6272190
    Abstract: The invention is a method of data transmission. The method includes transmitting a first data transmission and a time delayed second data transmission which is identical to the first data transmission with the data transmissions modulating a subcarrier and each containing error correction code; receiving the first and second data transmissions; processing the the received first and second data transmissions to identify, by use of the error correction code, erroneous data within at least one of the first and second data transmissions; and replacing the identified erroneous data with non-erroneous data, which corresponds to the erroneous data from another of the first and second transmissions not containing the erroneous data, to produce a received data transmission not containing any erroneous data which is identical to the transmitted first and second data transmissions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Assignee: NTP Incorporated
    Inventor: Thomas J. Campana, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6198783
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for transmission of serial information over a wireless channel. The method includes modulating bits of information at selected parts of each cycle of a carrier waveform. At the receiving side, the selected parts of each cycle of the modulated waveform are integrated to produce an integrated value and compared with stored value to recover transmitted bits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: NTP Incorporated
    Inventor: Thomas J. Campana, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6169485
    Abstract: An antenna assembly providing selectable omnidirectional or directional reception of radio transmissions in a frequency band in accordance with the invention includes an electrically conductive reflector (432) defining a cavity (702) having a bottom (708), an opening (714) and a surface (704 and 706) extending from the bottom to the opening and an electrical output (763); an electrically conductive loop (431) coupled to ground and having an electrical outlet (766) for coupling to an RF amplifier (407), the loop being positioned between the bottom opening of the cavity; a RF switch (406) having an input (760) and first and second outputs (762 and 764), the RF switch having a first switching state electrically connecting the input to the first output and a second switching state electrically connecting the input to the second output, the first switch output being electrically coupled to ground and the second switch output being electrically coupled to the output of the electrically conductive loop; and wherein
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: NTP Incorporated
    Inventor: Thomas J. Campana, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6067451
    Abstract: A system (100) for transmitting information from one of a plurality of originating processors A-N to at least a plurality of destination processors (A-N) which may be transported during operation in accordance with the invention includes at least one gateway switch (14), a gateway switch storing information received from one of the at least one originating processor prior to transmission of the information to the at least one destination processor; a RF information transmission network (302) for transmitting stored information received from one of the at least one gateway switch by RF transmission to at least one destination processor; at least one interface switch (304), an interface switch connecting a gateway switch to the RF transmission network and transmitting stored information received from one of the at least one gateway switch to the RF information transmission network; and wherein the information is transmitted to a receiving interface switch by the electronic mail system in response to an address
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2000
    Assignee: NTP Incorporated
    Inventors: Thomas J. Campana, Jr., Michael P. Ponschke, Gary F. Thelen
  • Patent number: 5973601
    Abstract: An antenna assembly providing selectable omnidirectional or directional reception of radio transmissions in a frequency band in accordance with the invention includes an electrically conductive reflector (432) defining a cavity (702) having a bottom (708), an opening (714) and a surface (704 and 706) extending from the bottom to the opening and an electrical output (763); an electrically conductive loop (431) coupled to ground and having an electrical outlet (766) for coupling to an RF amplifier (407), the loop being positioned between the bottom opening of the cavity; a RF switch (406) having an input (760) and first and second outputs (762 and 764), the RF switch having a first switching state electrically connecting the input to the first output and a second switching state electrically connecting the input to the second output, the first switch output being electrically coupled to ground and the second switch output being electrically coupled to the output of the electrically conductive loop; and wherein
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Inventor: Thomas J. Campana, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5819172
    Abstract: A system (100) for transmitting information from one of a plurality of originating processors A-N to at least a plurality of destination processors (A-N) which may be transported during operation in accordance with the invention includes at least one gateway switch (14), a gateway switch storing information received from one of the at least one originating processor prior to transmission of the information to the at least one destination processor; a RF information transmission network (302) for transmitting stored information received from one of the at least one gateway switch by RF transmission to at least one destination processor; at least one interface switch (304), an interface switch connecting a gateway switch to the RF transmission network and transmitting stored information received from one of the at least one gateway switch to the RF information transmission network; and wherein the information is transmitted to a receiving interface switch by the electronic mail system in response to an address
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1998
    Assignee: NTP Incorporated
    Inventors: Thomas J. Campana, Jr., Michael P. Ponschke, Gary F. Thelen
  • Patent number: 5751773
    Abstract: The present invention provides reconstruction and resynchronization of wireless serial transmissions which are subject to fading causing erroneous uncorrectable bit errors exceeding the error correction code correction capacity present in frames of digitally encoded data. Valid data is reconstructed in frames which are determined to contain at least one erroneous uncorrectable bit exceeding the bit error correction capacity of the error correction code therein which have all erroneous uncorrectable bits within the error correction code bit held. A synchronization marker is transmitted with each frame group which does not represent any valid data in a frame. Detection of the synchronization marker by a digital signal processor after at least one frame is determined to contain at least one erroneous uncorrectable bit, which is indicative of a loss of synchronism of the receiving circuitry clock, resynchronizes the clock of a processor of the receiving circuitry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1998
    Assignee: NTP Incorporated
    Inventor: Thomas J. Campana, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5745532
    Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for wireless transmission of information which is subject to fading by using a RF carrier modulated with a subcarrier modulated with the information. The system has a bus interface which communicates with a digital signal processor which controls the transmitting and receiving circuitry functions. The bus interface is for connection to a computer bus which is connected to a computer which originates information to be transmitted by transmitting circuitry and which receives information from receiving circuitry. The digital signal processor provides first and second encoded information streams each comprising the information to be transmitted with the second stream being delayed by a time delay interval with respect to the first stream which is equal to or greater than the fading interval. The first and second encoded information streams modulate cycles of the subcarrier to produce first and second parallel information streams which are time offset by the time delay interval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1998
    Assignee: NTP Incorporated
    Inventor: Thomas J. Campana, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5742644
    Abstract: The present invention provides reconstruction and resynchronization of wireless serial transmissions which are subject to fading causing erroneous uncorrectable bit errors exceeding the error correction code correction capacity present in frames of digitally encoded data. Valid data is reconstructed in frames which are determined to contain at least one erroneous uncorrectable bit exceeding the bit error correction capacity of the error correction code therein which have all erroneous uncorrectable bits within the error correction code bit held. A synchronization marker is transmitted with each frame group which does not represent any valid data in a frame. Detection of the synchronization marker by a digital signal processor after at least one frame is determined to contain at least one erroneous uncorrectable bit, which is indicative of a loss of synchronism of the receiving circuitry clock, resynchronizes the clock of a processor of the receiving circuitry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1998
    Assignee: NTP Incorporated
    Inventor: Thomas J. Campana, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5722064
    Abstract: A radio receiver unit for directionally tracking at least one radio transmitter in accordance with the invention includes a housing containing a radio receiver including a directional antenna for receiving radio transmissions from the at least one radio transmitter; a display, which is electrically coupled to the receiver and fixed in position with respect to the housing, for visually displaying a strength of the radio transmissions received by the directional antenna; and a field of view limiter for limiting light emanating from the display to a field of view of the display when a user holds the receiver unit in the user's hand away from the body of the user, the field of view being limited to planes extending upward from a plane of sight extending from the eyes of the user downward and intersecting a horizontal plane extending from the user's waist substantially at arms length of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1998
    Assignee: NTP Incorporated
    Inventor: Thomas J. Campana, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5722059
    Abstract: A method and radio receiver for determining where at least one frequency hopping radio frequency transmitter is located with respect to a set range measured from a synchronized frequency hopping radio frequency receiver. Each frequency hopping radio frequency transmitter periodically transmits an identification code containing a plurality of digits which identifies each frequency hopping radio frequency transmitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1998
    Assignee: NTP Incorporated
    Inventor: Thomas J. Campana, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5717725
    Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for transmission of information which is subject to fading by using a RF carrier modulated with a subcarrier modulated with the information. The system has a bus interface which communicates with a digital signal processor which controls the transmitting and receiving circuitry functions. The bus interface is for connection to a computer bus which is connected to a computer which originates information to be transmitted by transmitting circuitry and which receives information from receiving circuitry. The digital signal processor provides first and second encoded information streams each comprising the information to be transmitted with the second stream being delayed by a time delay interval with respect to the first stream which is equal to or greater than the fading interval. The first and second encoded information streams modulate cycles of the subcarrier to produce first and second parallel information streams which are time offset by the time delay interval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1998
    Assignee: NTP Incorporated
    Inventor: Thomas J. Campana, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5714937
    Abstract: An antenna assembly providing selectable omnidirectional or directional reception of radio transmissions in a frequency band in accordance with the invention includes an electrically conductive reflector (432) defining a cavity (702) having a bottom (708), an opening (714) and a surface (704 and 706) extending from the bottom to the opening and an electrical output (763); an electrically conductive loop (431) coupled to ground and having an electrical outlet (766) for coupling to an RF amplifier (407), the loop being positioned between the bottom opening of the cavity; a RF switch (406) having an input (760) and first and second outputs (762 and 764), the RF switch having a first switching state electrically connecting the input to the first output and a second switching state electrically connecting the input to the second output, the first switch output being electrically coupled to ground and the second switch output being electrically coupled to the output of the electrically conductive loop; and wherein
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1998
    Assignee: NTP Incorporated
    Inventor: Thomas J. Campana, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5710798
    Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for wireless transmission of information which is subject to fading by using a RF carrier modulated with a subcarrier modulated with the information. The system has a bus interface which communicates with a digital signal processor which controls the transmitting and receiving circuitry functions. The bus interface is for connection to a computer bus which is connected to a computer which originates information to be transmitted by transmitting circuitry and which receives information from receiving circuitry. The digital signal processor provides first and second encoded information streams each comprising the information to be transmitted with the second stream being delayed by a time delay interval with respect to the first stream which is equal to or greater than the fading interval. The first and second encoded information streams modulate cycles of the subcarrier to produce first and second parallel information streams which are time offset by the time delay interval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 20, 1998
    Assignee: NTP Incorporated
    Inventor: Thomas J. Campana, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5694428
    Abstract: The present invention provides reconstruction and resynchronization of wireless serial transmissions which are subject to fading causing erroneous uncorrectable bit errors exceeding the error correction code correction capacity present in frames of digitally encoded data. Valid data is reconstructed in frames which are determined to contain at least one erroneous uncorrectable bit exceeding the bit error correction capacity of the error correction code therein which have all erroneous uncorrectable bits within the error correction code bit held. A synchronization marker is transmitted with each frame group which does not represent any valid data in a frame. Detection of the synchronization marker by a digital signal processor after at least one frame is determined to contain at least one erroneous uncorrectable bit, which is indicative of a loss of synchronism of the receiving circuitry clock, resynchronizes the clock of a processor of the receiving circuitry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1997
    Assignee: NTP Incorporated
    Inventor: Thomas J. Campana, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5650769
    Abstract: A radio tracking and ranging system is disclosed which has at least one mobile radio frequency transmitter and a radio frequency receiver. The radio frequency receiver has a range control which sets a maximum range that each mobile radio frequency transmitter may be moved from the radio frequency receiver without generating an alert to the user of the radio frequency receiver. Each radio frequency transmitter has a "panic" switch which permits a user of the radio frequency transmitter to transmit an alert or alarm to the user of the radio frequency receiver. After receipt of an alert, the user of the radio frequency receiver switches the radio frequency receiver into a tracking mode for locating a direction from which a maximum signal strength is received which is indicative of the relative bearing of the radio frequency transmitter which is being tracked from the radio frequency receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 22, 1997
    Assignee: NTP, Incorporated
    Inventor: Thomas J. Campana, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5640146
    Abstract: A radio tracking and ranging system is disclosed which has at least one mobile radio frequency transmitter and a radio frequency receiver. The radio frequency receiver has a range control which sets a maximum range that each mobile radio frequency transmitter may be moved from the radio frequency receiver without generating an alert to the user of the radio frequency receiver. Each radio frequency transmitter has a "panic" switch which permits a user of the radio frequency transmitter to transmit an alert or alarm to the user of the radio frequency receiver. After receipt of an alert, the user of the radio frequency receiver switches the radio frequency receiver into a tracking mode for locating a direction from which a maximum signal strength is received which is indicative of the relative bearing of the radio frequency transmitter which is being tracked from the radio frequency receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1997
    Assignee: NTP Incorporated
    Inventor: Thomas J. Campana, Jr.