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).

  • Patent number: 11198516
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Brett M. Hoffstadt, William A. Harkness, Royal E. Meservy
  • Patent number: 10695980
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: William A. Harkness, Josh H. Goldschmid
  • Publication number: 20190315487
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2019
    Publication date: October 17, 2019
    Inventors: Brett M. Hoffstadt, William A. Harkness, Royal E. Meservy
  • Patent number: 10377504
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: The Boeing Corporation
    Inventors: Brett M Hoffstadt, William A. Harkness, Royal E. Meservy
  • Patent number: 10372231
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: James P. Schalla, Calsee N. Robb, William A. Harkness, Buddy L. Sharpe, Heidi J. Kneller
  • Publication number: 20190092494
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2018
    Publication date: March 28, 2019
    Inventors: Brett M. Hoffstadt, William A. Harkness, Royal E. Meservy
  • Publication number: 20190073043
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2018
    Publication date: March 7, 2019
    Inventors: James P. Schalla, Calsee N. Robb, William A. Harkness, Buddy L. Sharpe, Heidi J. Kneller
  • Patent number: 10146320
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: James P. Schalla, Calsee N. Robb, William A. Harkness, Buddy L. Sharpe, Heidi J. Kneller
  • Patent number: 10059465
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Brett M. Hoffstadt, William A. Harkness, Royal E. Meservy
  • Publication number: 20180136733
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2016
    Publication date: May 17, 2018
    Inventors: James P. Schalla, Calsee N. Robb, William A. Harkness, Buddy L. Sharpe, Heidi J. Kneller
  • Patent number: 9908288
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: William A. Harkness, Josh H. Goldschmid
  • Publication number: 20180009158
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2017
    Publication date: January 11, 2018
    Inventors: William A. Harkness, Josh H. Goldschmid
  • Publication number: 20170004595
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2015
    Publication date: January 5, 2017
    Inventors: Liisa C. Bruchal, William A. Harkness
  • Publication number: 20170004427
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2015
    Publication date: January 5, 2017
    Inventors: Liisa C. Bruchal, William A. Harkness
  • Publication number: 20170004726
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2015
    Publication date: January 5, 2017
    Inventors: Liisa C. Bruchal, William A. Harkness, Richard A. McLean
  • Publication number: 20160229558
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2014
    Publication date: August 11, 2016
    Inventors: Brett M. Hoffstadt, William A. Harkness, Royal E. Meservy
  • Publication number: 20160031156
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2014
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventors: William A. Harkness, Josh H. Goldschmid
  • Patent number: 8554422
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Heidi J. Kneller, Calsee N. Robb, William A. Harkness, Buddy L. Sharpe, James P. Schalla
  • Patent number: 8543259
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: James P. Schalla, Calsee N. Robb, William A. Harkness, Buddy L. Sharpe, Heidi J. Kneller
  • Publication number: 20110068227
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2010
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Heidi J. Kneller, Calsee N. Robb, William A. Harkness, Buddy L. Sharpe, James P. Schalla