Patents by Inventor Thomas Patrick Yunck

Thomas Patrick Yunck 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: 11231505
    Abstract: A constellation of satellites and associated methods for Earth Observation are disclosed. One method includes transmitting a set of at least four signals towards the Earth using a constellation of at least four satellites and receiving a set of at least four reflected signals from the Earth using the constellation. The method also includes analyzing, using a set of at least four signal analyzers, the set of at least four signals to generate a set of data. Each satellite in the constellation individually houses a signal analyzer in the set of at least four signal analyzers. The method also includes deriving the set of Earth observations using the set of data. Each satellite receives a signal in the set of at least four signals from every other satellite in the constellation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: GeoOptics, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas Patrick Yunck
  • Publication number: 20200341152
    Abstract: A constellation of satellites and associated methods for Earth Observation are disclosed. One method includes transmitting a set of at least four signals towards the Earth using a constellation of at least four satellites and receiving a set of at least four reflected signals from the Earth using the constellation. The method also includes analyzing, using a set of at least four signal analyzers, the set of at least four signals to generate a set of data. Each satellite in the constellation individually houses a signal analyzer in the set of at least four signal analyzers. The method also includes deriving the set of Earth observations using the set of data. Each satellite receives a signal in the set of at least four signals from every other satellite in the constellation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2020
    Publication date: October 29, 2020
    Applicant: GeoOptics, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas Patrick Yunck
  • Patent number: 10718869
    Abstract: A constellation of satellites and associated methods for Earth Observation are disclosed. One method includes transmitting a set of at least four signals towards the Earth using a constellation of at least four satellites and receiving a set of at least four reflected signals from the Earth using the constellation. The method also includes analyzing, using a set of at least four signal analyzers, the set of at least four signals to generate a set of data. Each satellite in the constellation individually houses a signal analyzer in the set of at least four signal analyzers. The method also includes deriving the set of Earth observations using the set of data. Each satellite receives a signal in the set of at least four signals from every other satellite in the constellation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: GeoOptics, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas Patrick Yunck
  • Publication number: 20200191930
    Abstract: A constellation of satellites and associated methods for Earth Observation are disclosed. One method includes transmitting a set of at least four signals towards the Earth using a constellation of at least four satellites and receiving a set of at least four reflected signals from the Earth using the constellation. The method also includes analyzing, using a set of at least four signal analyzers, the set of at least four signals to generate a set of data. Each satellite in the constellation individually houses a signal analyzer in the set of at least four signal analyzers. The method also includes deriving the set of Earth observations using the set of data. Each satellite receives a signal in the set of at least four signals from every other satellite in the constellation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2018
    Publication date: June 18, 2020
    Applicant: GeoOptics, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas Patrick Yunck
  • Patent number: 10048382
    Abstract: A fleet of small spacecraft (“cells”) in low Earth orbit combine to form an integrated Earth observing system providing many observations previously requiring distinct sensing systems. Each cell performs a few relatively primitive functions, including emission, reception, sampling, and recording of radio and microwave signals. Each cell observes over a spherical field of view, samples the received signals independently at many small antenna elements, and stores the data from each element. Data from all cells are sent to a common location where they can be combined in diverse ways to realize a wide range of observing functions. These functions may include ionosphere and gravity field mapping; atmospheric radio occultation; ocean, ice, and land altimetry; ocean scatterometry; synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imaging; radar sensing of soil moisture, land cover, and geological surface properties; and interferometric SAR sensing of surface change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: GeoOptics, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas Patrick Yunck
  • Publication number: 20180128925
    Abstract: A fleet of small spacecraft (“cells”) in low Earth orbit combine to form an integrated Earth observing system providing many observations previously requiring distinct sensing systems. Each cell performs a few relatively primitive functions, including emission, reception, sampling, and recording of radio and microwave signals. Each cell observes over a spherical field of view, samples the received signals independently at many small antenna elements, and stores the data from each element. Data from all cells are sent to a common location where they can be combined in diverse ways to realize a wide range of observing functions. These functions may include ionosphere and gravity field mapping; atmospheric radio occultation; ocean, ice, and land altimetry; ocean scatterometry; synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imaging; radar sensing of soil moisture, land cover, and geological surface properties; and interferometric SAR sensing of surface change.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2017
    Publication date: May 10, 2018
    Applicant: GeoOptics, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas Patrick Yunck
  • Patent number: 9857475
    Abstract: A fleet of small spacecraft (“cells”) in low Earth orbit combine to form an integrated Earth observing system providing many observations previously requiring distinct sensing systems. Each cell performs a few relatively primitive functions, including emission, reception, sampling, and recording of radio and microwave signals. Each cell observes over a spherical field of view, samples the received signals independently at many small antenna elements, and stores the data from each element. Data from all cells are sent to a common location where they can be combined in diverse ways to realize a wide range of observing functions. These functions may include ionosphere and gravity field mapping; atmospheric radio occultation; ocean, ice, and land altimetry; ocean scatterometry; synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imaging; radar sensing of soil moisture, land cover, and geological surface properties; and interferometric SAR sensing of surface change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: GEOOPTICS, INC.
    Inventor: Thomas Patrick Yunck
  • Publication number: 20100063733
    Abstract: A fleet of small spacecraft (“cells”) in low Earth orbit combine to form an integrated Earth observing system providing many observations previously requiring distinct sensing systems. Each cell performs a few relatively primitive functions, including emission, reception, sampling, and recording of radio and microwave signals. Each cell observes over a spherical field of view, samples the received signals independently at many small antenna elements, and stores the data from each element. Data from all cells are sent to a common location where they can be combined in diverse ways to realize a wide range of observing functions. These functions may include ionosphere and gravity field mapping; atmospheric radio occultation; ocean, ice, and land altimetry; ocean scatterometry; synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imaging; radar sensing of soil moisture, land cover, and geological surface properties; and interferometric SAR sensing of surface change.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2008
    Publication date: March 11, 2010
    Inventor: Thomas Patrick Yunck