Patents by Inventor William A. Harkness
William A. Harkness 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: 11198516Abstract: A system for controlling aircraft movement includes a frame extending across a width of a runway. The system includes an attachment mechanism coupled to the frame and configured to be releasably connected to a portion of an aircraft. The system includes a conveying system configured to, with the aircraft coupled to the frame during take-off of the aircraft, accelerate the aircraft. The conveying system is further configured to, during landing of the aircraft, decelerate the aircraft.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2019Date of Patent: December 14, 2021Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANYInventors: Brett M. Hoffstadt, William A. Harkness, Royal E. Meservy
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Patent number: 10695980Abstract: A part is fabricated by an additive manufacturing process while levitating in space. Constituent features of the part are formed by 3-D printing. A part levitation system allows the spatial orientation of the part to be manipulated relative to one or more print heads.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 2017Date of Patent: June 30, 2020Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: William A. Harkness, Josh H. Goldschmid
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Publication number: 20190315487Abstract: A system for controlling aircraft movement includes a frame extending across a width of a runway. The system includes an attachment mechanism coupled to the frame and configured to be releasably connected to a portion of an aircraft. The system includes a conveying system configured to, with the aircraft coupled to the frame during take-off of the aircraft, accelerate the aircraft. The conveying system is further configured to, during landing of the aircraft, decelerate the aircraft.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 26, 2019Publication date: October 17, 2019Inventors: Brett M. Hoffstadt, William A. Harkness, Royal E. Meservy
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Patent number: 10377504Abstract: A system for controlling aircraft movement includes a platform configured to support the aircraft. The system includes a securing mechanism coupled to the platform to releasably couple the aircraft onto the platform. The system includes a conveying system coupled to the platform. The conveying system configured to, with the aircraft coupled to the platform during take-off of the aircraft, move the platform to accelerate the aircraft. The conveying system configured to, during landing of the aircraft, decelerate the aircraft. The system includes a controller coupled to the securing mechanism and to the conveying system. The controller configured to communicate with the securing mechanism and with the conveying system to control acceleration of the platform during take-off of the aircraft and deceleration of the platform during landing of the aircraft.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2018Date of Patent: August 13, 2019Assignee: The Boeing CorporationInventors: Brett M Hoffstadt, William A. Harkness, Royal E. Meservy
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Patent number: 10372231Abstract: An aircraft is provided that includes a passenger service unit for a passenger seated in a seat in its cabin. The aircraft includes a camera configured to acquire an image of the passenger, and a control module configured to at least receive the image of the passenger. The control module is configured to receive non-tactile gesture preference data and dominant hand data, and access a non-tactile gesture data store that includes a plurality of images of non-tactile hand signals or non-tactile hand gestures. Based on the foregoing, the control module is configured to generate non-tactile gesture data in accordance with and indicative of a non-tactile hand signal or a non-tactile gesture made by the passenger. And the control module is configured to control one or more cabin systems including in at least one instance the passenger service unit based on the non-tactile gesture data.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2018Date of Patent: August 6, 2019Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANYInventors: James P. Schalla, Calsee N. Robb, William A. Harkness, Buddy L. Sharpe, Heidi J. Kneller
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Publication number: 20190092494Abstract: A system for controlling aircraft movement includes a platform configured to support the aircraft. The system includes a securing mechanism coupled to the platform to releasably couple the aircraft onto the platform. The system includes a conveying system coupled to the platform. The conveying system configured to, with the aircraft coupled to the platform during take-off of the aircraft, move the platform to accelerate the aircraft. The conveying system configured to, during landing of the aircraft, decelerate the aircraft. The system includes a controller coupled to the securing mechanism and to the conveying system. The controller configured to communicate with the securing mechanism and with the conveying system to control acceleration of the platform during take-off of the aircraft and deceleration of the platform during landing of the aircraft.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 14, 2018Publication date: March 28, 2019Inventors: Brett M. Hoffstadt, William A. Harkness, Royal E. Meservy
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Publication number: 20190073043Abstract: An aircraft is provided that includes a passenger service unit for a passenger seated in a seat in its cabin. The aircraft includes a camera configured to acquire an image of the passenger, and a control module configured to at least receive the image of the passenger. The control module is configured to receive non-tactile gesture preference data and dominant hand data, and access a non-tactile gesture data store that includes a plurality of images of non-tactile hand signals or non-tactile hand gestures. Based on the foregoing, the control module is configured to generate non-tactile gesture data in accordance with and indicative of a non-tactile hand signal or a non-tactile gesture made by the passenger. And the control module is configured to control one or more cabin systems including in at least one instance the passenger service unit based on the non-tactile gesture data.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 5, 2018Publication date: March 7, 2019Inventors: James P. Schalla, Calsee N. Robb, William A. Harkness, Buddy L. Sharpe, Heidi J. Kneller
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Patent number: 10146320Abstract: An aircraft is provided that includes a passenger service unit for a passenger seated in a seat in its cabin. The aircraft includes a camera configured to acquire an image of the passenger, and a control module configured to at least receive the image of the passenger. The control module is configured to receive non-tactile gesture preference data and dominant hand data, and access a non-tactile gesture data store that includes a plurality of images of non-tactile hand signals or non-tactile hand gestures. Based on the foregoing, the control module is configured to generate non-tactile gesture data in accordance with and indicative of a non-tactile hand signal or a non-tactile gesture made by the passenger. And the control module is configured to control one or more cabin systems including in at least one instance the passenger service unit based on the non-tactile gesture data.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2016Date of Patent: December 4, 2018Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANYInventors: James P. Schalla, Calsee N. Robb, William A. Harkness, Buddy L. Sharpe, Heidi J. Kneller
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Patent number: 10059465Abstract: A system for controlling movement of an aircraft includes a platform for supporting an aircraft. A clamp mechanism coupled to the platform to releasably couple the aircraft to the platform. The system further includes a conveying system coupled to the platform and configured to move the platform to accelerate or decelerate the aircraft coupled to the platform.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2014Date of Patent: August 28, 2018Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANYInventors: Brett M. Hoffstadt, William A. Harkness, Royal E. Meservy
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Publication number: 20180136733Abstract: An aircraft is provided that includes a passenger service unit for a passenger seated in a seat in its cabin. The aircraft includes a camera configured to acquire an image of the passenger, and a control module configured to at least receive the image of the passenger. The control module is configured to receive non-tactile gesture preference data and dominant hand data, and access a non-tactile gesture data store that includes a plurality of images of non-tactile hand signals or non-tactile hand gestures. Based on the foregoing, the control module is configured to generate non-tactile gesture data in accordance with and indicative of a non-tactile hand signal or a non-tactile gesture made by the passenger. And the control module is configured to control one or more cabin systems including in at least one instance the passenger service unit based on the non-tactile gesture data.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 16, 2016Publication date: May 17, 2018Inventors: James P. Schalla, Calsee N. Robb, William A. Harkness, Buddy L. Sharpe, Heidi J. Kneller
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Patent number: 9908288Abstract: A part is fabricated by an additive manufacturing process while levitating in space. Constituent features of the part are formed by 3-D printing. A part levitation system allows the spatial orientation of the part to be manipulated relative to one or more print heads.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2014Date of Patent: March 6, 2018Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANYInventors: William A. Harkness, Josh H. Goldschmid
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Publication number: 20180009158Abstract: A part is fabricated by an additive manufacturing process while levitating in space. Constituent features of the part are formed by 3-D printing. A part levitation system allows the spatial orientation of the part to be manipulated relative to one or more print heads.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 1, 2017Publication date: January 11, 2018Inventors: William A. Harkness, Josh H. Goldschmid
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Publication number: 20170004595Abstract: In an example, a method includes receiving, at a server from a first computing device, safety hazard information associated with a first location. The method also includes determining, at the server, a hazard response operation to be performed based on the safety hazard information. The method further includes determining, at the server, a reward to be provided to a user associated with the first computing device for providing the safety hazard information.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2015Publication date: January 5, 2017Inventors: Liisa C. Bruchal, William A. Harkness
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Publication number: 20170004427Abstract: In an example, a method includes receiving, at a server from a first computing device, an emergency response request associated with a first location. The method also includes determining, at the server, one or more emergency response operations to be performed based on the emergency response request. The method further includes sending first instructions from the server to a second computing device associated with a first emergency responder. The first emergency responder is selected to perform a first emergency response operation of the one or more emergency response operations, and the first instructions identify the first location.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2015Publication date: January 5, 2017Inventors: Liisa C. Bruchal, William A. Harkness
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Publication number: 20170004726Abstract: In an example, a method includes selecting, at a server, a set of participants to simulate a first response scenario. The set of participants includes at least a first participant. The method includes sending first instructions from the server to a first computing device associated with the first participant. The first instructions identify the first response scenario. The method includes determining, at the server, whether the first participant satisfied first response criteria associated with a first response operation. The method further includes determining a first reward to be provided to the first participant in response to determining that the first participant satisfied the first response criteria.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2015Publication date: January 5, 2017Inventors: Liisa C. Bruchal, William A. Harkness, Richard A. McLean
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Publication number: 20160229558Abstract: A system for controlling movement of an aircraft includes a platform for supporting an aircraft. A clamp mechanism coupled to the platform to releasably couple the aircraft to the platform. The system further includes a conveying system coupled to the platform and configured to move the platform to accelerate or decelerate the aircraft coupled to the platform.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 19, 2014Publication date: August 11, 2016Inventors: Brett M. Hoffstadt, William A. Harkness, Royal E. Meservy
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Publication number: 20160031156Abstract: A part is fabricated by an additive manufacturing process while levitating in space. Constituent features of the part are formed by 3-D printing. A part levitation system allows the spatial orientation of the part to be manipulated relative to one or more print heads.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 29, 2014Publication date: February 4, 2016Inventors: William A. Harkness, Josh H. Goldschmid
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Patent number: 8554422Abstract: A system for anticipating the needs of at least one passenger onboard a mobile platform is provided. A passenger seating area for receipt of the passenger includes a seat that has a seat back that moves into a reclined position, a tray table that is operable to be positioned to provide a surface for use by the at least one passenger, and a light source disposed for illumination of at least a portion of the passenger seating area. A camera acquires an image of the passenger, and a gesture control module generates activity data that includes at least one activity that the passenger is performing as recognized in the image of the at least one passenger acquired by the camera. A smart control module moves the seat back, positions the tray table, activates or deactivates the light source and performs combinations thereof based on the activity data.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 2010Date of Patent: October 8, 2013Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Heidi J. Kneller, Calsee N. Robb, William A. Harkness, Buddy L. Sharpe, James P. Schalla
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Patent number: 8543259Abstract: A system for providing information to at least one passenger onboard a mobile platform (such as a train, marine vessel, aircraft or automobile) is provided. The system includes a display device that displays the information. The system also includes a source of user input coupled to the display device that enables the at least one passenger to request the information. The information includes at least galley information. The system further includes a galley control module that generates galley data that includes at least one food service item available onboard the mobile platform, and a graphical user interface module that displays the at least one food service item available onboard the mobile platform to enable the at least one passenger to select at least one of the at least one food service item.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2007Date of Patent: September 24, 2013Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: James P. Schalla, Calsee N. Robb, William A. Harkness, Buddy L. Sharpe, Heidi J. Kneller
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Publication number: 20110068227Abstract: A system for anticipating the needs of at least one passenger onboard a mobile platform is provided. A passenger seating area for receipt of the passenger includes a seat that has a seat back that moves into a reclined position, a tray table that is operable to be positioned to provide a surface for use by the at least one passenger, and a light source disposed for illumination of at least a portion of the passenger seating area. A camera acquires an image of the passenger, and a gesture control module generates activity data that includes at least one activity that the passenger is performing as recognized in the image of the at least one passenger acquired by the camera. A smart control module moves the seat back, positions the tray table, activates or deactivates the light source and performs combinations thereof based on the activity data.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 22, 2010Publication date: March 24, 2011Applicant: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Heidi J. Kneller, Calsee N. Robb, William A. Harkness, Buddy L. Sharpe, James P. Schalla