Physical Orientation Patents (Class 342/75)
  • Patent number: 11933890
    Abstract: An aircraft hazard warning system or method can be utilized to determine a location of turbulence, hail or other hazard for an aircraft. The aircraft hazard warning system can utilize processing electronics coupled to an antenna. The processing electronics can determine an inferred presence of a weather condition in response to lightning sensor data, radar reflectivity data, turbulence data, geographic location data, vertical structure analysis data, and/or temperature data. The system can include a display for showing the weather condition and its location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel L. Woodell, Jeffery A. Finley, Gregory J. Koenigs, John G. Conkling
  • Patent number: 11506781
    Abstract: An apparatus for correcting an error of a radar sensor for a vehicle and a method thereof can correct a target measurement error of the radar sensor installed inside a bumper of the vehicle based on target information obtained from a camera image. The apparatus includes: a radar sensor that is installed inside a bumper of the vehicle to detect a target, a camera that photographs a surrounding image of the vehicle, and a controller that corrects a target detection error of the radar sensor based on target information obtained from an image photographed by the camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Dong Ju Lee
  • Patent number: 11487002
    Abstract: A measurement device (200) includes a measurement unit (202) which performs measurement by emitting electromagnetic waves and scanning an object with the electromagnetic waves, and a control unit (204) which controls the measurement unit (202). The measurement unit (202) is operable in a first scan mode in which the object is scanned in a first direction, or a second scan mode in which the object is scanned in a second direction different from the first direction. The control unit (204) determines a scan mode to be executed by the measurement unit (202).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: PIONEER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takehiro Matsuda, Shogo Miyanabe
  • Patent number: 11469515
    Abstract: A microwave prism is used to repoint an operational Direct-to-Home (DTH) or Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) reflector antenna as part of a ground terminal to receive (or transmit) signals from a different satellite or orbital position without physically moving the reflector or the feed horn antenna. The microwave prism operates by shifting the radiated fields from the horn antenna generally perpendicular to the focal axis of the parabolic reflector in order to cause the main beam of the reflector to scan in response. For an existing reflector antenna receiving signals from an incumbent satellite, a prism has been designed to be snapped into place over the feed horn and shift the fields laterally by a calibrated distance. The structure of the prism is designed to be positioned and oriented correctly without the use of skilled labor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: Isotropic Systems Ltd.
    Inventors: Jeremiah P. Turpin, John Finney
  • Patent number: 11387917
    Abstract: A wireless slip ring, system and method for transmission of data across a rotatable junction can be provided to permit transmission of data from a fixed element to a rotating element across a rotary interface. The wireless slip ring can provide high bandwidth multi-channel data transmission, for example each channel can have a bandwidth greater than 1 gigabit per second. Each channel may include a plurality of input/output data streams that can be serialized by a digital electronic circuit for transmission across the slip ring and then deserialized into its respective data streams. The wireless slip ring can form an annular chamber to act as a wave guide for the wireless signal for providing a continuous conductive covering around the annular chamber to act as a faraday shield to contain radio frequency emissions and prevent external jamming.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: General Dynamics Land Systems—Canada Corporation
    Inventors: Herb Peyerl, Andrew Hookey, Terry Chepyha
  • Patent number: 10879620
    Abstract: The present disclosure aims to provide an antenna directivity adjustment apparatus and an antenna directivity adjustment method capable of preventing an antenna gain from being reduced and easily adjusting a direction of an antenna. An antenna directivity adjustment apparatus (1) includes: a second antenna (2) that is opposed to a radiation surface (100a) of a first antenna (100) and receives radio waves output from the first antenna (100); and an output unit (3) that is provided in the second antenna (2), converts a first beam width of the received radio waves into a second beam width wider than the first beam width, and outputs the radio waves having the second beam width.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: NEC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kosuke Tanabe, Tsunehisa Marumoto
  • Patent number: 10845403
    Abstract: A method and computer for determining a ground coverage footprint of a beam of an antenna mounted above the ground are disclosed. A method includes determining the far projection distance based at least in part on beam width and tilt angle, the far projection distance being a lesser of: a first distance from the antenna to the ground of a 3 dB far projection; two times a second distance from the antenna to the ground of a 3 dB near projection; and a third distance from the antenna to the ground of a projection of the maximum antenna gain multiplied by the square root of two. A ground footprint of the beam is determined based at least in part on the determined far projection distance. The method further includes causing the antenna to be pointed based at least in part on the determined ground footprint of the beam of the antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: SR Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven M. Romanow, Mark Passler, Graham K. Smith
  • Patent number: 10660155
    Abstract: Concepts and technologies are disclosed herein for collecting and analyzing data in a distributed sensor network. The distributed sensor network can include a number of distributed sensor systems having data sources such as sensors, communication equipment, and/or other systems and components. The distributed sensor systems also can include lighting systems, if desired. The distributed sensor systems can collect data from the data sources and provide the data to a local or remote entity such as a data analysis engine. The data analysis engine can request data from the distributed sensor systems, receive the data, and analyze the data for various purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Robert Raymond Miller, II, Gregory T. Vesonder
  • Patent number: 10587142
    Abstract: A charge control device includes a switching regulator that charges a capacitor with electricity supplied from a power supply. The charge control device is characterized in that feedback unit that feedback-inputs a predetermined control amount to the switching regulator is provided, and the switching regulator includes a control unit that controls a charge current supplied to the capacitor in accordance with the control amount feedback-input from the feedback unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: DENSO TEN Limited
    Inventor: Kiyoshi Koyama
  • Patent number: 9024805
    Abstract: Methods and systems of determining the altitude of an aircraft are provided. The method includes receiving data associated with aircraft position, a position of a first point and a second point on the runway, and an altitude of the first point and the second point, radar returns from the runway. The method includes determining a first range and second range between the aircraft, and the first point and the second point. The method includes determining a first angle and a second angle between the first point and second point, and the aircraft. The method includes determining a corrected angle. The method includes determining the altitude of the aircraft based on the corrected angle, the runway altitude of at least one of the first point and the second point, and at least one of the first range and the second range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard D. Jinkins, Daniel L. Woodell, Richard M. Rademaker
  • Patent number: 8868324
    Abstract: The relative position of one vehicle vs. another vehicle, both driving in a vehicular environment, is determined using vehicular communications based on the IEEE 802.11 standard. The relative position determination is performed in a measuring vehicle using data provided by a measured vehicle through IEEE 802.11 communications carried through beacons as well as GPS or other location data and local map information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: AutoTalks Ltd.
    Inventor: Onn Haran
  • Patent number: 8854257
    Abstract: A Luneburg lens is used in conjunction with a patch antenna array. The patch antenna array is conformed or adapted to cover a portion or backside of the Luneburg len's surface with the backplane of the conformed antenna array defining a field of regard (FOR) in which objects are detected and tracked. A processor is connected to a receiver/exciter module which connects to transmit/receive modules which are connected to the individual patch antennas through a network of MEMS switches. In a receive mode, selected subarrays of the conformed patch antenna array are scanned during selected time intervals with the sum and delta beams being formed coherently in amplitude and phase to realize amplitude monopulse sensing and angle tracking of an object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Christopher A. Hamner, Robert A. Spencer
  • Patent number: 8816895
    Abstract: Embodiments of a target classifier and method for target classification using measured target epsilons and target glint information are generally described herein. The target classifier is configured to compare a total epsilon measurement with target glint information to determine whether to the target being tracked corresponds to an intended target type. Based on the comparison, the target classifier may cause target tracking circuitry of a target-tracking radar to either continue tracking the target or break-off from tracking the target. Glint of different target types may be characterized at different ranges and the target's glint characteristics may be used to distinguish intended from non-intended targets. Accordingly, intended targets such as incoming artillery may be distinguished from non-intended targets such as aircraft to help prevent countermeasures from being launched against non-intended targets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Brett J. Young, Jason A. Johnson
  • Patent number: 8761663
    Abstract: A multi-band low-profile, low-volume two-way mobile panel array antenna system is described. Operation of the antenna may automatically switch between bands based on various user-entered parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Gilat Satellite Networks, Ltd
    Inventors: Ilan Kaplan, David Gross, Daniel Francis DiFonzo, Kevin Arthur Bruestle, Victor Boyanov, Stanimir Dimitrov Kamenopolski
  • Patent number: 8717226
    Abstract: A method for processing signals of an airborne radar includes a correction of the erroneous angle of pointing of the radar beam, comprising an evaluation of the error in the pointing angle for a constant height of the aerial transporter. For a given angle of scan, the method carries out at least two series of measurements of the power of the echoes returned following the emission of radar signals, each series being associated with a given distance-bin, the measurements being dependent on the angle of pointing of the radar antenna, formulates a vertical profile of the power of the echoes returned for each series of measurements, and then on the basis of each vertical profile, measures the pointing angle corresponding to a power of the echoes returned by the ground alone, and calculates the error in the pointing angle on the basis of the measured pointing angles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Thales
    Inventors: Nicolas Bon, Jean-Paul Artis
  • Patent number: 8711031
    Abstract: Disclosed are a sensor, the vertical alignment of which can be adjusted, and a vertical sensor-alignment adjustment apparatus using the same. In particular, in order to allow the vertical alignment to be adjusted, the sensor has a construction including a plurality of switchable transmitting antennas or a plurality of switchable receiving antennas or a construction including a tilting motor for adjusting an transmitting angle or a receiving angle. The vertical sensor-alignment adjustment apparatus employing such a sensor determines whether the sensor is misaligned in terms of its vertical alignment, and corrects the vertical misalignment of the sensor by executing variable switching to one of the transmitting antennas, by executing variable switching to one of the receiving antennas, or by controlling the tilting motor, so that the transmitting angle of sensor signals or the receiving angle of reflected waves for the sensor signals can be adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Mando Corporation
    Inventor: Seong Hee Jeong
  • Patent number: 8682507
    Abstract: Disclosed are a method and system for improving real-time determination of flight parameters of an aircraft during flight. A selection module selects and delivers measured values of input parameters to an estimation unit, and the estimation unit uses the input parameters to estimate at least two selected flight parameters. The input parameters are received by the estimation unit on the basis of identified flight mechanics equations associated with the selected flight parameters. The estimation unit includes an extended Kalman filter, which is configured to receive the values of the input parameters and to output joint estimations of the selected flight parameters based on the flight mechanics equations, during the flight of the aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignees: Airbus Operations SAS, Onera (Office National d'etudes et de Recherches Aerospatiales)
    Inventors: Pierre Ezerzere, Cedric Seren, Georges Hardier
  • Patent number: 8645053
    Abstract: The relative position of one vehicle vs. another vehicle, both driving in a vehicular environment, is determined using vehicular communications based on the IEEE 802.11 standard. The relative position determination is performed in a measuring vehicle using data provided by a measured vehicle through IEEE 802.11 communications carried through beacons as well as GPS or other location data and local map information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Autotalks Ltd.
    Inventor: Onn Haran
  • Patent number: 8576111
    Abstract: A compact synthetic aperture radar system and associated methods are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: IMSAR LLC
    Inventors: Ryan L. Smith, Logan C. Harris, David G. Long, Adam E. Robertson, Adam R. Harper, Britton T. Quist, Joshua M. Hintze
  • Patent number: 8559886
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a communication transmission field, and particularly provides a device, a method, and a system for aligning an antenna. The method includes steps as follows. An input signal is received, and a receiver signal strength indication (RSSI) value is output according to a strength of the input signal. The RSSI value is received, and a practically received power value corresponding to the input signal is acquired by looking up a corresponding table between the RSSI and power. An antenna rotation signal and an alignment indication signal are output. The antenna is adjusted according to the antenna rotation signal so as to change a receiving angle of the antenna. Then, it is displayed that the antenna is aligned according to the alignment indication signal. In the present invention, the man-made operation errors are reduced, thus the network quality is effectively ensured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Guixue Zhao
  • Patent number: 8558894
    Abstract: A method for presentation interaction. The method includes, receiving by a computer system an indication of a manual selection of a region proximate to an audience member of an audience wherein the indication is received via an interaction with a displayed image of the audience. The method also includes utilizing a microphone array communicatively coupled with a beam-forming component of the computer system to focus audio pickup from the region proximate to the audience member in response to receiving the indication. The method also includes displaying an enhanced image of the region proximate to the audience member using the computer system in response to receiving the indication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Kar-Han Tan, Bowon Lee
  • Patent number: 8547206
    Abstract: A noncontact IC medium direction detecting apparatus (1), method, and computer readable medium are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Omron Corporation
    Inventor: Hidekatsu Nogami
  • Patent number: 8497797
    Abstract: Provided are a two-dimensional array antenna and a device for detecting an internal object using the same. The device includes a plurality of unit antennas in a two-dimensional array of m columns and n rows on a board (where m and n are integers greater than 1), a first switch selecting one or more transmitting antenna to radiate a pulse signal onto an internal object in a structure from among the unit antennas; a second switch selecting one or more receiving antenna to collect a signal reflected from the internal object from among the unit antennas, and a transceiving analysis module analyzing information about the position and shape of the internal object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Electronics and Telecomunication Research Institute
    Inventors: Dae Heon Lee, Sung Hyun Kim, Sang Woo Cho, Ji Eun Choi
  • Patent number: 8384583
    Abstract: A synthetic-aperture radar system, and related operating method, for the monitoring of ground and structure movements, particularly suitable for emergency conditions, characterized by a ground based platform with polarimetric capabilities, that able to quickly acquire, embeddedly process and post-process data by a novel data acquisition “On the Fly” mode of operation, reducing by at least an order of magnitude the data acquisition time. The inventive system characteristics allows to achieve on-field measurement results on three-dimensional maps georeferenced to absolute coordinate systems (WGS84, Gauss-Boaga, and so on).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Ellegi S.R.L.
    Inventors: Davide Leva, Carlo Rivolta
  • Patent number: 8344940
    Abstract: Provided are a sensor capable of adjusting vertical alignment and a sensor vertical alignment adjusting apparatus using the same. The sensor has a structure with a plurality of switchable transmitting and receiving antennas so as to be able to adjust the vertical alignment, or a structure with a tilting motor for adjusting a radiating or receiving angle. The sensor vertical alignment adjusting apparatus using such a sensor corrects vertical misalignment of the sensor by determining whether or not the vertical misalignment of the sensor occurs, variably switching one from among the plurality of transmitting or receiving antennas of the sensor or controlling the tilting motor, and adjusting the radiating angle of the sensor signal or the receiving angle of a reflected wave of the sensor signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Mando Corporation
    Inventor: Seong-hee Jeong
  • Patent number: 8330600
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a system includes a first cold noise source, a first radiometer receiver, and a first detector. The first cold noise source generates a first thermal radiation signal having a first carrier frequency band. The first thermal radiation signal carries a first information signal. The first cold noise source also transmits the first thermal radiation signal through a first antenna. The first radiometer receiver receives the first thermal radiation signal through a second antenna, and the first detector extracts the first information signal from the first thermal radiation signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Robert S. Roeder, Kenneth A. O'Connor, Matthew C. Smith, Shawn K. O'Brien
  • Patent number: 8274427
    Abstract: A radar device including: a reception antenna that receives radio waves, includes at least three antennas and is arranged so that the phase center points thereof form an isosceles triangle; an arrival direction detection unit that detects an arrival direction of the radio waves by a phase monopulse method; and a phase correction unit that corrects a phase difference between phases of radio waves respectively received by two adjacent antennas among the three antennas based on the relationship of the phases of the radio waves respectively received by the three antennas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yoshiaki Minami
  • Patent number: 8217829
    Abstract: A radar, mounted on a vehicle, emits electromagnetic waves to a side area of a vehicle and receives reflected electromagnetic waves to detect a distance and a bearing of a physical object. A speed of the vehicle is detected. When the vehicle speed is greater than a predetermined value, it is determined whether multiple reflection occurs based on at least distances detected by the radar. If it is determined that the multiple reflection occurs, an axis deviation of the radar is determined based on a difference between the detected bearing of the multiple reflection waves and a reference bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masahito Shingyoji
  • Patent number: 8184041
    Abstract: Radar beams for searching a volume are selected by determining the central angle and azimuth and elevation extents to define an acquisition face. The number of beams NMBA required to cover the acquisition face is determined by N MBA = ( 2 ? n + 1 ) ? ( m + 1 2 ) + ( - 1 ) n + m 2 ( 2 ) The number of beams NMBA is multiplied by the dwell per beam to determine the total search time, which is compared with a maximum time; (a) if the total search time is greater than the permissible time, the acquisition face is partitioned, and (b) if the total search time is less, the acquisition face information is applied to a radar processor for filling the unextended acquisition face with the number NMBA of beams in a particular pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventor: Mark A. Friesel
  • Patent number: 8134491
    Abstract: A method is provided for controlling an aircraft-mounted radar system configured to project radar beams and to receive radar returns relating to the projected radar beams. The method includes providing at least one output to the radar system that causes the radar system to sweep the radar beam horizontally to create a horizontal sweep set. The method further includes providing at least one output to the radar system that causes the radar system to conduct two vertical sweeps during the horizontal sweep set, the two vertical sweeps offset from a center horizontal location by at least one beam width, and wherein each of the two vertical sweeps are on opposite sides of the center horizontal location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Nathanael A. Meyer, Daniel L. Woodell
  • Patent number: 8130137
    Abstract: A method and a system for sensing a boosting target missile, estimate position and velocity and boost acceleration parameters of the target missile, and control an interceptor missile to the target missile. A boost-phase missile target state estimator estimates at least acceleration, velocity, and position using an acceleration template for the target vehicle. The nominal template is incorporated into an extended Kalman filter which corrects the nominal template acceleration with the filter states to predict future thrust acceleration, velocity and position. The correction can compensate for motor burn variations and missile energy management (lofted/depressed trajectory).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Thu-Van Luu, Jeffrey B. Boka, Purusottam Mookerjee, Michael J. Harcourt
  • Patent number: 8086399
    Abstract: A navigation apparatus includes notification means for notifying an advance direction at a branching point in a route guiding, storage means for storing a plurality of moving methods and notification methods corresponding to the respective moving methods, input means for selecting one of the plurality of moving methods stored in the storage means, and control means for causing the notification means to perform notification by the notification method corresponding to the moving method selected by the input means. Thus, it is possible to easily set a route guiding such as a distance to the branching point where guiding is started for each of the moving methods and a sound volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignees: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd., Tottori Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yuichi Abe
  • Patent number: 8068053
    Abstract: A low-profile lens element for steering a beam is provided. Specifically, the low-profile lens element is mechanically rotatable such that a beam can be steered in any direction within three-dimensional space. The lens element may include a number of discrete portions for differentially delaying adjacent discrete portions of a beam in order to effect beam steering. These discrete portions may vary in width. In addition, multiple lens elements may be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp.
    Inventors: Nathan A. Stutzke, Mark C. Leifer, Bradley J. Tame, Dean A. Paschen, Kiersten Kerby
  • Patent number: 8022860
    Abstract: An Advanced Focal Plane Array (“AFPA”) for parabolic dish antennas that exploits spatial diversity to achieve better channel equalization performance in the presence of multipath (better than temporal equalization alone), and which is capable of receiving from two or more sources within a field-of-view in the presence of multipath. The AFPA uses a focal plane array of receiving elements plus a spatio-temporal filter that keeps information on the adaptive FIR filter weights, relative amplitudes and phases of the incoming signals, and which employs an Interference Cancelling Constant Modulus Algorithm (IC-CMA) that resolves multiple telemetry streams simultaneously from the respective aero-nautical platforms. This data is sent to an angle estimator to calculate the target's angular position, and then on to Kalman filters FOR smoothing and time series prediction. The resulting velocity and acceleration estimates from the time series data are sent to an antenna control unit (ACU) to be used for pointing control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Ryan Mukai, Victor A. Vilnrotter
  • Patent number: 8019576
    Abstract: A limited number of sensors are placed at selected locations in order to achieve equitable coverage levels to all locations that need to be monitored. The coverage level provided to any specific location depends on all sensors that monitor the location and on the properties of the sensors, including probability of object detection and probability of false alarm. These probabilities may depend on the monitoring and monitored locations. An equitable coverage to all locations is obtained by finding the lexicographically largest vector of coverage levels, where these coverage levels are sorted in a non-decreasing order. The method generates a lexicographic maximin optimization model whose solution provides equitable coverage levels. In order to facilitate computations, a nonlinear integer optimization model is generated whose solution provides the same coverage levels as the lexicographic maximin optimization model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Telcordia Licensing Company, LLC
    Inventor: Hanan Luss
  • Patent number: 7999726
    Abstract: A system for estimating an antenna boresight direction. The novel system includes a first circuit for receiving a Doppler measurement and a line-of-sight direction measurement corresponding with the Doppler measurement, and a processor adapted to search for an estimated boresight direction that minimizes a Doppler error between the Doppler measurement and a calculated Doppler calculated from the estimated boresight direction and the line-of-sight direction measurement. The line-of-sight direction measurement is measured relative to the true antenna boresight, and the calculated Doppler is the Doppler calculated for a direction found by applying the line-of-sight direction measurement to the estimated boresight direction. In a preferred embodiment, the first circuit receives a Doppler measurement and a line-of-sight direction measurement from each of a plurality of pixels, and the processor searches for an estimated boresight direction that minimizes a sum of squares of Doppler errors for each of the pixels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Ralph Guertin, David Faulkner, John Treece, Donald Bruyere
  • Patent number: 7994963
    Abstract: A target is sensed by an antenna array having a transmitter antenna and a receiver antenna, both of which are caused to be electromagnetically coupled to the target. The antenna array is rotated, and as the array rotates, a change in at least one of the coupling between the transmitter antenna and the target and the coupling between the receiver antenna and the target is detected at multiple rotational orientations of the antenna array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: The Arizona Board of Regents on Behalf of the University of Arizona
    Inventors: Ben Kollock Sternberg, Steven Louis Dvorak, Oleg Gennadyevich Krichenko
  • Patent number: 7965225
    Abstract: A method of adjusting a position of an antenna to reduce a position error comprises receiving first data associated with first returns associated with a first portion of an antenna. The method further comprises receiving second data associated with second returns associated with a second portion of the antenna, wherein the first portion is different than, intersects with, or includes the second portion. The method further comprises determining the angle to the terrain using the first and second data, whereby the angle is used to adjust or compensate for the position error of the antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles J. Dickerson, Daniel L. Woodell
  • Patent number: 7880668
    Abstract: According to an embodiment of the disclosure, a computer implemented method of configuring a land-based radar system for scanning a scan region is disclosed. The method comprises dividing the scan region into a grid of blocks and obtaining a terrain elevation data for the scan region. For an elevation angle for the radar system, determining those blocks in the grid that are visible to the radar system and those blocks that are not visible to the radar based on the terrain elevation data. Then, step of determining the visible blocks is repeated for all elevation angles in a predefined set of elevation angles for the radar system. Next, an optimal scan elevation angle for the radar system is determined as the scan elevation angle which resulted in the maximum number of visible blocks in the scan region and the radar system is set to the optimal scan elevation angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corproation
    Inventors: Stefan M. Krause, Eric D. Toal, Louis Lagonik
  • Patent number: 7868818
    Abstract: An antenna is provided, in combination with an associated switch array, the antenna comprising a number of antenna elements mounted above a ground plane for providing coverage over a predetermined range of angles in azimuth using a number of beams. Each of the antenna elements is connected to a switch in the switch array and the switch array is operable to connect selected pairs of the antenna elements to a signal path to thereby generate each of the different beams, at the same time connecting unselected antenna elements to ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: BAE Systems, PLC
    Inventor: Robert Ian Henderson
  • Patent number: 7843375
    Abstract: Rather than costly modifications to existing radars, a small, low cost radar warning receiver is used to monitor the RF environment. This add-on receiver can provide situational awareness including RF signal levels and angle of arrival, and recommend or provide antenna scanning synchronization, blanking inputs or gated reactionary outputs to or for the airborne radar. Utilization of this information can be used to reduce false alarms and improve system performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: BAE Systems Information And Electronic Systems Integration Inc.
    Inventors: Richard W. Rennie, John P. Truver
  • Patent number: 7734416
    Abstract: The automatic vehicle braking device is equipped with a braking force control processing portion which, based on the judgment result of a collision judgment processing portion and the judgment result of a steering avoidance judgment processing portion, imparts a turning property in a direction of head-on collision to the vehicle when the lateral position of the obstacle with respect to a travel route curve is large in a condition in which the driver is unconscious of a high possibility of collision between the vehicle and the obstacle and has taken no steering avoidance action yet. As a result, it is possible to reduce the speed of the vehicle and, at the same time, mitigate the damage suffered by the vehicle occupants at the time of collision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takuto Yano, Shinji Taniguchi, Yuji Shimizu, Atsushi Yuyama
  • Patent number: 7710310
    Abstract: A detection system (1) having an optical sensor (3), a radar device (2) and a signal processor (4) communicatively connected with the optical sensor and the radar device. The signal processor comprises: a first detector (41, 410-413) for detecting a first object on the basis of a first signal coming from the optical sensor and determining at least one first property of the first object; a second detector (42, 420-421) for detecting a second object on the basis of a second signal coming from the radar device and determining at least one second property of that second object, and a signaling unit (43) for producing a signal if the at least one first property and the at least one second property satisfy a predetermined condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Nederlandse Organisatie voor toegepast-natuurwetenschappelijk Onderzoek TNO
    Inventors: Albert Gezinus Huizing, Leonardus Johannes Hubertus Maria Kester, Arne Theil
  • Patent number: 7696926
    Abstract: Provided is an apparatus and method for identifying a target satellite in a satellite communication antenna. The apparatus includes: a power splitting unit for splitting a signal inputted through the satellite communication antenna to more than two signals; a tuner unit for receiving the split signals from the power splitting unit and passing only signal of a predetermined channel frequency band; an analog-to-digital converting unit for converting each of signal intensities passed in the tuner unit to a digital value; and a controlling and identifying unit for determining whether a satellite traced by the satellite communication antenna is a target satellite using each of the signal intensities of the predetermined channel frequency band inputted from the A/D converting means, and controlling an orientation direction of the satellite communication antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
    Inventors: Seong-Ho Son, Ung-Hee Park, Soon-Young Eom, Soon-Ik Jeon
  • Patent number: 7656345
    Abstract: A low-profile lens element for steering a beam is provided. Specifically, the low-profile lens element is mechanically rotatable such that a beam can be steered in any direction within three-dimensional space. The lens element may include a number of discrete portions for differentially delaying adjacent discrete portions of a beam in order to effect beam steering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Ball Aerospace & Technoloiges Corp.
    Inventors: Dean Alan Paschen, Kiersten Carinne Kerby
  • Patent number: 7633431
    Abstract: A method for determining an adjusted position of a component of an aerial vehicle in response to a situational parameter is provided. The system includes a component mounted on an aerial vehicle, a control system operably coupled to the component, and a processor operably coupled to the control system. The control system adjusts a position of the component based on commands received from the processor. The processor receives positional data and a situational datum relating to the vehicle. The positional data is determined as a function of a situational parameter of the vehicle and is stored in a memory accessible by the processor. The processor determines an adjustment to the position of the component using the situational datum and the positional data and sends the determined adjustment to the control system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Terrence P. Wey, Daniel L. Woodell
  • Patent number: 7603077
    Abstract: A broadcast receiver includes a smart antenna, a tuner for extracting a signal of a predetermined channel from airwaves received by the smart antenna, a signal processing unit for processing the signal extracted by this tuner, and a control unit for controlling the smart antenna. The control unit detects a receivable direction by performing automatic scanning for each of the channels with respect to each of the directions of the smart antenna, and when the receivable direction is first detected during execution of automatic scanning for a certain channel, the automatic scanning is stopped at a point in time of the detection and transition to automatic scanning for the next channel is made.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takehiro Onomatsu, Shusuke Narita
  • Patent number: 7598902
    Abstract: A method of detecting weather using a weather radar onboard an aircraft. A range is selected at which weather is to be detected. A tilt angle of the weather radar is changed to detect weather below an altitude of the aircraft at a selected range when the selected range includes a maritime environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel L. Woodell, Roy E. Robertson
  • Publication number: 20090189814
    Abstract: A target position is estimated in such a manner to maintain target position continuity, with high accuracy, even when the X coordinate displacement of the target is large. On a scan in which the target position is not detected, when a trajectory of the target in the past is within a predetermined region in the vicinity of the Y-axis, a position for estimate is a position having an X coordinate resulting from shifting, by a first displacement, the X coordinate estimated according to the trajectory, on a basis of the X coordinate of a previous position, while when the trajectory is not within the predetermined region, the position for estimate is a position having an X coordinate resulting from shifting, by a second displacement that is larger than the first displacement, the X coordinate estimated according to the trajectory, on a basis of the X coordinate of a previous position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2009
    Publication date: July 30, 2009
    Applicant: FUJITSU TEN LIMITED
    Inventors: Takumi Moriuchi, Masahiro Sakaguchi, Hisateru Asanuma, Tomoya Kawasaki, Jun Tsunekawa, Motomi Iyoda
  • Patent number: RE42472
    Abstract: A method for main beam alignment verification includes providing data pertaining to one or more patterns associated with an antenna, measuring power levels of a signal acquired by the antenna, and comparing the measured power levels with the data to determine whether a direction of the signal is incident upon a main beam of the antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: The Aerospace Corporation
    Inventors: Robert B. Dybdal, Denny D. Pidhayny