Patents by Inventor Thomas L. McKendree

Thomas L. McKendree 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: 20080127814
    Abstract: A method for providing integrity bounding of a weapon for use in weapon selection and targeting is presented. The method determines an integrity bound for the weapon, the integrity bound defining a zone around the target aim-point within which engagement must occur to meet a predetermined integrity level (i.e., a probability of engagement within an allowable engagement zone). A method of assigning weapons for engaging a target is also presented. The method includes determining an aim-point of a target and determining an alert limit for the aim-point, the alert limit comprising a zone that includes the aim-point and excludes any friendly sites. Weapon selection is then performed by selecting a weapon having an integrity bound less than or equal to the alert limit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2008
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Inventors: Thomas L. McKendree, John D. Britigan, Hans L. Habereder
  • Patent number: 7367525
    Abstract: A munition is presented which includes an integrity verification system that measures the integrity of the munition. When an integrity threshold is not met, engagement of the munition with a predetermined target is aborted. Also presented is a methodology for gating the engagement of the munition with the target. The methodology includes performing an integrity check of the munition after it is deployed. The method further includes aborting the engagement of the target when the integrity check of the munition fails.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Thomas L. McKendree, John D. Britigan, Hans L. Habereder
  • Patent number: 7207517
    Abstract: A munition is presented which includes an integrity verification system that measures the integrity of the munition. When an integrity threshold is not met, engagement of the munition with a predetermined target is aborted. Also presented is a methodology for gating the engagement of the munition with the target. The methodology includes performing an integrity check of the munition after it is deployed. The method further includes aborting the engagement of the target when the integrity check of the munition fails.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Thomas L. McKendree, John D. Britigan, Hans L. Habereder
  • Patent number: 7019687
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing integrity alert information include embedding the integrity alert message in a longer message stream that is broadcast to a receiver in order to meet a predetermined time to alert. In one particular embodiment, the receiver is a GPS receiver, the longer message is a navigation signal, and the integrity alert message is a 50 bit word containing an updated user range accuracy index. Advanced GPS users recognize the embedded integrity alert message by its message ID, pass a parity check on the integrity alert message and use the updated user range accuracy index in subsequent signal processing. Legacy GPS users fail parity on the integrity alert message and discard the message. The impact on legacy users is negligible since the infrequent alerts will only occasionally cause data to be discarded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Timothy R. Schempp, Robert M. Fries, Thomas L. McKendree
  • Patent number: 6952001
    Abstract: A system and method of providing situational awareness and weapon targeting is presented. The method includes determining the location of one or more enemy sites and one or more friendly sites. A “Do Not Engage” (DNE) zone is determined around each of the friendly sites and an “Allowable Engagement” (AE) zone is established around each of the enemy sites, wherein none of the AE zones overlap any of the DNE zones. An engagement plan is then determined based on the AE zones and integrity bounds on candidate munitions. The system includes a processing and communications network and a sensor element in communication with the processing and communications network. The system also includes a command control element in communication with the processing and communications network and an operating elements section in communication with the processing and communications network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2005
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Thomas L. McKendree, Hans L. Habereder, Donald R. Ormand
  • Patent number: 6896220
    Abstract: A munition is presented which includes an integrity verification system that measures the integrity of the munition. When an integrity threshold is not met, engagement of the munition with a predetermined target is aborted. Also presented is a methodology for gating the engagement of the munition with the target. The methodology includes performing an integrity check of the munition after it is deployed. The method further includes aborting the engagement of the target when the integrity check of the munition fails.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Thomas L. McKendree, John D. Britigan, Hans L. Habereder
  • Publication number: 20040245369
    Abstract: A munition is presented which includes an integrity verification system that measures the integrity of the munition. When an integrity threshold is not met, engagement of the munition with a predetermined target is aborted. Also presented is a methodology for gating the engagement of the munition with the target. The methodology includes performing an integrity check of the munition after it is deployed. The method further includes aborting the engagement of the target when the integrity check of the munition fails.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2003
    Publication date: December 9, 2004
    Inventors: Thomas L. McKendree, John D. Britigan, Hans L. Habereder
  • Publication number: 20040233097
    Abstract: A system and method of providing situational awareness and weapon targeting is presented. The method includes determining the location of one or more enemy sites and one or more friendly sites. A “Do Not Engage” (DNE) zone is determined around each of the friendly sites and an “Allowable Engagement” (AE) zone is established around each of the enemy sites, wherein none of the AE zones overlap any of the DNE zones. An engagement plan is then determined based on the AE zones and integrity bounds on candidate munitions. The system includes a processing and communications network and a sensor element in communication with the processing and communications network. The system also includes a command control element in communication with the processing and communications network and an operating elements section in communication with the processing and communications network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2003
    Publication date: November 25, 2004
    Inventors: Thomas L. McKendree, Hans L. Habereder, Donald R. Ormand
  • Patent number: 6796213
    Abstract: A method for providing integrity bounding of a weapon for use in weapon selection and targeting is presented. The method determines an integrity bound for the weapon, the integrity bound defining a zone around the target aim-point within which engagement must occur to meet a predetermined integrity level (i.e., a probability of engagement within an allowable engagement zone). A method of assigning weapons for engaging a target is also presented. The method includes determining an aim-point of a target and determining an alert limit for the aim-point, the alert limit comprising a zone that includes the aim-point and excludes any friendly sites. Weapon selection is then performed by selecting a weapon having an integrity bound less than or equal to the alert limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Thomas L. McKendree, John D. Britigan, Hans L. Habereder