With Means For Moving Directive Antenna For Scanning, Sweeping Or Orienting Patents (Class 343/757)
  • Patent number: 10267888
    Abstract: An anticipated direction to a signal source is determined by a communication device having an antenna. The communication device receives video images in a field of view of a camera and determines, using sensors of the communication device, an antenna direction. The antenna direction is the direction that the antenna of the communication device is pointing. The communication device displays, using a display screen, the video images, an antenna direction indicator, and a guiding icon. The antenna direction indicator indicates the antenna direction relative to the field of view of the camera, and the guiding icon represents a direction offset from the anticipated direction. An energy value of a signal received from the signals source is determined by the communication device using the antenna, and a position of the guiding icon on the display screen is updated based on the anticipated direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: Higher Ground LLC
    Inventors: Robert S. Reis, Shmuel Shaffer, Bruce L. McKinley
  • Patent number: 10263328
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a device for wireless access, which pertains to the technical field of wireless network. The device for wireless access includes a device body; a radio frequency circuit disposed inside the device body; and a plurality of antenna units disposed on an external surface of the device body, each of the plurality of antenna units being connected to the radio frequency circuit; wherein each of the plurality of antenna units comprises an antenna oscillator, and the antenna oscillators on each two adjacent antenna units of the plurality of antenna units are misaligned with each other. By disposing antenna oscillators of adjacent antenna units on the misaligned regions of the respective antenna unit, the interference of co-frequency signals between adjacent antenna units may be reduced, and the isolation of adjacent antenna units may be enhanced. Thus, adjacent antenna units may be disposed at a reduced distance therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: BEIJING XIAOMI MOBILE SOFTWARE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yanbing Lei, Jianquan Wang
  • Patent number: 10249941
    Abstract: A radar system for a motor vehicle includes a mounting bracket and a radar support bracket carried on the mounting bracket. The radar support bracket is displaceable between a deployed position and a deflected position. A biasing element biases the radar support toward the deployed position. A radar module is carried on the radar support bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Martin D. Lopez, Jr., Robert Harold Vasbinder, Michael Jon Gutowski, Matthew Dennis Smith Boswell
  • Patent number: 10215861
    Abstract: Arrangements related to sensing systems and methods are described. A sensing system can include a sensor track and one or more sensors. The sensor track can be operatively connected to a vehicle surface, such as at least a portion of a perimeter of a roof of a vehicle. The one or more sensors can be operatively connected to the sensor track such that the one or more sensors move along the sensor track while scanning an environment of the vehicle. The sensing systems can include a controller operatively connected to the one or more sensors to control the movement of the one or more sensors along the sensor track. The controller can also receive signals from the one or more sensors relating to the environment. In one or more arrangements, the one or more sensors can include LIDAR sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Michael J. Delp, John H. Marcoux
  • Patent number: 10170828
    Abstract: Radio devices for wireless transmission including an integrated adjustable mount allowing mounting to a pole or stand and adjustment of the angle of the device (e.g., the altitude). The device may include a compact array antenna having a high gain configured to operate in, for example, the 5.15 to 5.85 GHz band and/or the 2.40-2.48 GHz band. The antenna emitters may be arranged in a separate plane from a plane containing the antenna feed connecting the emitting elements and also from a ground plane. The antenna array may be contained within a protective weatherproof housing along with the radio control circuitry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: UBIQUITI NETWORKS, INC.
    Inventors: Gerardo Huerta, Jude Lee, Hsin-Ming Chen, Robert Pera
  • Patent number: 10164345
    Abstract: There is presented an antenna arrangement with P polarization directions. The antenna arrangement comprises M transmission (Tx) ports and N reception (Rx) ports, where M?N. The antenna arrangement comprises an antenna panel divided into S subpanels, where S=max (M, N)/P. The subpanels are, for each polarization direction, operatively connected to separate radio chains for the N Rx ports if N>M or for the M Tx ports if M>N.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)
    Inventors: Sven Petersson, Fredrik Athley, Bo Hagerman
  • Patent number: 10164704
    Abstract: A satellite transmitter module for accepting input signals and emitting output signals for uplink transmission. The module includes a transmitter unit that includes i) transmitter circuitry, ii) at least one input port, iii) and at least one output port. At least one heat sink coupled to the transmitter unit includes a plurality of heat sink fins, wherein at least two of the plurality of heat sink fins are of different heights. A fan is capable of generating air flow parallel with the plurality of heat sink fins. The module further includes an outer enclosure that i) encloses the transmitter unit and the plurality of heat sink fins and ii) is impermeable to the air flow generated by the fan. The outer enclosure includes an enclosure cross section shape that is substantially similar to the at least one heat sink cross section shape defined by the height of each of the plurality of the heat sink fins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: Mission Microwave Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Francis S Auricchio, David Fieldhouse
  • Patent number: 10153722
    Abstract: A system includes a control module, a velocity-detecting module and a state-analyzing module. The control module generates a control command to control the servo drive system, and bases on the control command to define angular-acceleration standard ranges with respect to detection times. The velocity-detecting module detects output angular-velocity values of the servo motor with respect to detection times upon when the servo motor is driven. The state-analyzing module includes a processing unit and an abnormal-state judging unit. The processing unit stores the output angular-velocity values, and bases on the output angular-velocity values to calculate output angular-acceleration values with respect to the detection times. The abnormal-state judging unit determines whether or not each of the output angular-acceleration values with respect to each of the corresponding detection times is within the respective angular-acceleration standard range and thereby to generate corresponding comparison results.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: TECO ELECTRIC & MACHINERY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chia-Jen Lin, Feng-Chieh Lin, Cheng-Hsuan Sung
  • Patent number: 10135113
    Abstract: Techniques and mechanisms for enabling the positioning of a communication terminal in or on a vehicle, building or other structure. In an embodiment, the communication terminal includes an electronically steerable antenna which is disposed in a housing. A plurality of support legs, coupled to the housing, are each configured to rotate about a respective first axis, and to further rotate about a respective second axis. For a given support leg, an orientation of the respective second axis varies with rotation of that support leg about the respective first axis. Two such support legs are mechanically coupled to one another with respect to their respective first axis rotations or with respect to their respective second axis rotations. In another embodiment, the communication terminal is operable by a user to selectively enable or disable first axis rotation and/or second axis rotation of a given support leg.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: KYMETA CORPORATION
    Inventors: David Fotheringham, Adam Nonis
  • Patent number: 10135111
    Abstract: An antenna mounting apparatus for a combine harvester where the apparatus includes a first grain tank extension panel mounted to a frame so as to be moveable between an open, extended, position and a closed, retracted, position. An antenna-supporting bracket is pivotally mounted to the grain tank extension panel around a first pivot axis. Actuation means are provided to pivot the antenna-supporting bracket with respect to the grain tank extension member when the grain tank extension panel moves between the open position and closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: AGCO International GmbH
    Inventor: Moresco Albano
  • Patent number: 10116893
    Abstract: A communication device, having an antenna, determines a direction substantially in a direction to an intended transceiver. A desired direction that is different from the direction to the intended transceiver, and an anticipated direction that is offset from the desired direction, are determined. Based on the desired direction, parameters of expected energy values corresponding to a multiple pre-defined antenna directions of the antenna around the desired direction are determined. The communication device receives, using the antenna, multiple measured energy values corresponding to multiple antenna directions of the antenna around the anticipated direction. A directional offset is calculated using the multiple expected energy parameters and the multiple measured energy values. An updated anticipated direction is generated by updating the anticipated direction using the calculated directional offset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: HIGHER GROUND LLC
    Inventors: Robert S. Reis, Shmuel Shaffer, Bruce L. McKinley
  • Patent number: 10064159
    Abstract: A wireless signal processing method includes determining, by an wireless communication device, whether a terminal device is in a stationary state or in a moving state according to a plurality of received signal strength indicators (RSSIs); when the terminal device is in the stationary state, determining, by the wireless communication device, whether the RSSIs are in a bimodal distribution; on the condition that the RSSIs are in the bimodal distribution, adjusting a plurality of antenna units in the wireless communication device to be on or off dynamically; and sending, by the wireless communication device, the RSSIs to a location engine to locate the terminal device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: ACCTON TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Chien-Fu Sung
  • Patent number: 9952328
    Abstract: The system provides a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) receiver in a vehicle. The GNSS receiver includes a radio frequency (RF) receiving circuit configured to receive GNSS signals from a plurality of GNSS satellites orbiting Earth at respective azimuth and elevation angles, a memory device storing an predetermined antenna pattern including initial signal to noise ratio (SNR) values for each of the respective azimuth and elevation angles, and a processor. The processor is configured to calculate SNR values of the received GNSS signals, iteratively calculate an updated antenna pattern by combining the calculated SNR values with the initial SNR values, compare further SNR values of further received GNSS signals to the SNR values in the updated antenna pattern to perform at least one of the following: 1) detection and mitigation of multipath signals, 2) estimation of vehicle heading, and 3) determination of a location of the antenna within the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventor: Madhukar Ramamurthy
  • Patent number: 9948412
    Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus for detecting wireless video cameras includes receiving radio waves in a radio frequency band and filtering the radio waves. Then it is determined whether a signal strength of the radio waves exceeds a threshold for a period of time, indicating that a video signal is present and if a video signal is present, the detection of a wireless video signal is signaled (e.g., making noise, vibrating, illuminating, blinking).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Inventor: Mary Cecilia Critchfield
  • Patent number: 9912402
    Abstract: A direct broadcast satellite (DBS) reception assembly may receive a desired satellite signal and process the desired satellite signal for output to a gateway. The DBS assembly may also receive one or more undesired satellite signals and determine a performance metric of the one or more undesired satellite signals. The elevation angle of the assembly and/or the azimuth angle of the assembly may be adjusted based on the performance metric(s) of the undesired satellite signal(s). The adjusting of the elevation angle and/or the azimuth angle may comprise electronically steering a directivity of a receive radiation pattern of the DBS reception assembly and/or mechanically steering one or more components of the assembly via motors, servos, actuators, MEMS, and/or the like. The performance metric may be received signal strength of the undesired signals, received signal strength of the desired signal, SNR of the desired signal, and/or SNR of the undesired signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Maxlinear, Inc.
    Inventors: Glenn Chang, Curtis Ling, Sridhar Ramesh
  • Patent number: 9893574
    Abstract: A multi-degree of freedom spherical actuator includes a spherical stator, a first coil, a second coil, an armature, and a plurality of magnets. The spherical stator has a first axis of symmetry, a second axis of symmetry, and a third axis of symmetry. The first, second, and third axes of symmetry are disposed perpendicular to each other. The first coil is wound on the spherical stator about the first axis of symmetry, and the second coil is wound on the spherical stator about the second axis of symmetry. The armature is spaced apart from, and surrounds at least a portion of, the spherical stator. The armature has an inner surface and is movable relative to the spherical stator. The magnets are coupled to, and extend from, the inner surface of the armature, and each of the magnets is spaced apart from the spherical stator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventor: Pablo Bandera
  • Patent number: 9888217
    Abstract: An example implementation may include a first device identifying a request from a second device for an instruction for aligning a satellite antenna. The first device may obtain satellite receiver data of a satellite receiver, responsive to the request. Based on the satellite receiver data, the instruction requested for aligning the satellite antenna is determined. The instruction includes determining a number of other satellite antenna angles for aligning the satellite antenna with other satellites, determining a satellite angle based on the other satellite antenna angles, and determining the instruction requested for aligning the satellite antenna based on the satellite angle. The satellite receiver data, including the instruction requested for aligning the satellite antenna, is provided by the first device to the second device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: THE DIRECTV GROUP, INC
    Inventors: Charles P. Palaganas, Terence Wu
  • Patent number: 9882276
    Abstract: A method of articulating a sensor comprising the steps applying a friction force on a curved surface of a sensor support frame with a friction drive actuator for pivoting the sensor support frame about a pivot point for altering an elevation and azimuth angle of the sensor. The sensor may be maintained at a predetermined elevation angle while the sensor support frame is pivoted about the pivot point with the friction drive actuator for altering an azimuth angle of the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Richard R. Hall, Peter M. Nichols
  • Patent number: 9882631
    Abstract: A reconfigurable satellite access point including a transport-mounting structure and at least one antenna integrated with the transport-mounting structure, the transport-mounting structure allowing the satellite access point to be easily reconfigured between a shipping configuration and an deployed configuration, the satellite access point in the shipping configuration having a form factor of a shipping container which allows the satellite access point to be shipped to a remote satellite access site on earth and the satellite access point in the deployed configuration revealing the at least one antenna to the sky at the satellite access site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: WorldVu Satellites Limited
    Inventors: Daniel Clemmensen, Gregory Thane Wyler
  • Patent number: 9774094
    Abstract: The antenna is provided with at least one shaped reflector and a primary radiating feed arranged in front of a reflector, which is capable of generating a primary beam with a footprint covering a nominal coverage zone. The antenna is also provided with an adjustment device for the primary beam of the primary radiating feed, whereby said adjustment device incorporates a secondary radiating array comprised of a number of elementary radiating feeds arranged around the primary radiating feed, a beam-forming network connected to the elementary radiating feeds which is capable of synthesizing a secondary beam covering a secondary coverage zone and having a footprint which is superimposed, at least partially, upon the footprint, and a coupling device connected to the primary reception chain of the primary radiating feed and the reception chain derived from the secondary radiating array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: THALES
    Inventors: Madivanane Nadarassin, Julien Boudart, Laurent Levert
  • Patent number: 9735476
    Abstract: The present invention discloses an antenna apparatus. The antenna apparatus includes a first antenna array and a second antenna array. The first antenna array includes multiple first radiating elements for transmitting radio signals of a first frequency. The second antenna array includes multiple second radiating elements for transmitting radio signals of a second frequency, wherein the first and second radiating elements are arranged in a staggered manner; wherein each of the first radiating elements is disposed between two of the second radiating elements; and wherein each of the second radiating elements is disposed between two of the first radiating elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: ACCTON TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: I-Ru Liu, Chih-Chang Hsieh, Yi-Chang Chen, Yang-Te Fu, Chang-Cheng Liu, Chun-Teng Hsu
  • Patent number: 9699517
    Abstract: The satellite television antenna device scans the sky and locks onto a first satellite candidate by measuring microwave radiation. The antenna acquires identification (ID) of a first satellite candidate from a set top box (STB), if possible. Then, the antenna moves to a second satellite candidate and acquires the corresponding ID from the STB, if possible. Antenna dish orientation information is stored in memory for at least all satellites that were identified as corresponding to a user's television programming package. The antenna can switch directly between two or more stored dish positions in response to the user changing channels on the STB. The antenna can be powered solely by the STB. A two-way communication conduit can be established between the STB and the antenna via a single cable. The communications conduit can also be used to transmit power to the antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Electronic Controlled Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig Miller, Sam Shuster
  • Patent number: 9666050
    Abstract: A forest fire early-warning system based on infrared thermal imaging technology includes an infrared camera erected in a forest to capture infrared thermal images of an area being monitored. The camera includes a frontal temperature detection and alarm module for calculating the alarm temperature value by using a temperature monitoring mathematical model, and for transmitting an excessive temperature alarm signal when there are abnormalities in said area. A video conversion device connected to the infrared camera converts an infrared thermal image analog signal outputted by the camera into an infrared digital signal, and receives from the camera said alarm signal and converts same into a digital signal. A monitoring computer generates and transmits an infrared camera control signal, and processes the infrared digital signal to ascertain the location in the monitoring area that triggered the infrared camera alarm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: GUANGZHOU SAT INFRARED TECHNOLOGY CO. LTD.
    Inventors: Jiping Wu, Yuenian Li
  • Patent number: 9660321
    Abstract: An app running on a communication device determines a current position of an antenna, which is to be aligned with a transmitter. The app determines a direction in which the antenna should be oriented so that the antenna is aligned with the transmitter when the communication device is placed by the antenna. The app may generate, based on the determined direction, one or more cues to enable alignment of the antenna so that the current position or a newly determined current position of the antenna is aligned with the determined position of the transmitter. The cues may include audible, visual and/or vibration cues. The app may acquire information from one or more sensors, which are located within the communication device and/or integrated within the antenna. The acquired information may be utilized to determine the current position and/or a newly determined current position of the antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: MAXLINEAR, INC.
    Inventor: Alan Trerise
  • Patent number: 9653803
    Abstract: A radio frequency signal processing method for a wireless communication device, which includes an omni-directional antenna and a plurality of directional antennas, includes receiving a request signal from a first sending node with the omni-directional antenna, sending a confirming signal to the first sending node with the omni-directional antenna, receiving a data signal from the first sending node with a first directional antenna of the plurality of directional antennas according to the request signal and a result of a training packet process, transmitting an acknowledge signal to the first sending node with the first directional antenna, and receiving follow-up signals with the omni-directional antenna. The request signal is utilized to ask the wireless communication device to receive the data signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: Wistron NeWeb Corporation
    Inventors: Horen Chen, Ya-Ping Wei, Chieh-Wen Cheng, Chun-Hsiung Chuang
  • Patent number: 9646479
    Abstract: A system, method and apparatus for detecting wireless video cameras includes receiving radio waves in a radio frequency band and filtering and down-converting the radio waves into an intermediate frequency. The intermediate frequency is then filtered, amplified, and demodulated into an FM video signal. Then it is determined whether synchronization pulses exist within the FM video signal and if substantial synchronization pulses exist within the FM video signal the detection of a wireless video signal is signaled (e.g., making noise, vibrating, or illuminating).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Inventor: Mary Cecilia Critchfield
  • Patent number: 9583829
    Abstract: Systems and methods for optimizing low profile SATCOM antenna panels affixed to a moving vehicle. An elongated SATCOM antenna panel has a narrow azimuth beam optionally having a typical width of no more than a 2-degree angle while the SATCOM antenna panel is maintained parallel to the motion trajectory of a carrying vehicle. An actuation unit rotates the SATCOM antenna panel about three orthogonal axes: a longitudinal axis (Roll rotation), a vertical axis (Yaw rotation) and a lateral axis (Elevation rotation). The actuation unit actuates the antenna panel so it is maintained aligned with the Earth's equatorial plane and the narrow azimuth beam optionally having a typical width of no more than 2-degree angle eliminates adjacent satellite illumination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: Panasonic Avionics Corporation
    Inventors: Benjamin Engel, Brinder Bhatia
  • Patent number: 9502764
    Abstract: Described herein are techniques related to antenna beam positioning. In one implementation, an electrical tilt of an antenna is modified based on a physical orientation of the antenna. The electrical tilt of the antenna may be modified autonomously based on the orientation of the antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: T-Mobile USA, Inc.
    Inventor: Chad Au
  • Patent number: 9479920
    Abstract: Power management techniques for crowd-sourced lost-and-found service are described. A mobile device participating in the crowd-sourced lost-and-found service can monitor signals from an electronic tag using a first subsystem that has low power consumption. The mobile device can monitor wireless signals from wireless access points (APs) using a second subsystem that has low power consumption. Identifiers of detected tags and APs are stored locally in the respective subsystems. At pre-specified intervals, the subsystems can submit the stored identifiers to an application processor of the mobile device. The application processor can be activated to determine the location of the tags using known location of the APs. The application processor can be deactivated after the location of the tags are determined. The mobile device can then submit the location to a remote server. The remote server can provide the location to an owner of an item attached to the tag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Mayor
  • Patent number: 9461693
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a devices and methods related to satellite information broadcasting. Example embodiments may include frequency shifting an intermediate frequency (IF) signal down-conversion from the microwave-band. As an example, down-conversion involving local oscillators may lead to frequency drift due to varying temperature and/or humidity conditions. Correcting for the frequency drift may provide an opportunity to remove or filter excess bandwidth. Further embodiments may include receiving, in a tuning request, information about a transponder type. A frequency translation module may be adjusted based, at least in part, on the transponder type related to the IF signal being input into the frequency translation module. Such frequency-shifting and transponder-specific filtering may allow Single-Wire Multiswitch (SWM) devices to provide output signals with narrower bandwidth, which may improve signal quality, cable run length, reduce power demands, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Kushan Shah, Benjamin Mui
  • Patent number: 9406994
    Abstract: A remote antenna deployment latch is disclosed. The remote antenna deployment latch includes a latch assembly having a latch pin movable to alternately secure an antenna in, and release the antenna from, a deployed position. The remote antenna deployment latch also includes an azimuth pin movable to alternately lock and unlock rotation of the antenna about an azimuth axis. In addition, the remote antenna deployment latch includes a remote control assembly operably coupled to the latch pin and the azimuth pin to simultaneously secure the antenna in the deployed position and unlock rotation of the antenna about the azimuth axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Ryan William Carley, Michael Mcfeeters, Joseph A. Frassa, Timothy R. Hebert
  • Patent number: 9400904
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods and apparatuses for providing a visible feedback based on an alignment or a link quality between an external reader and a tag. The external reader transmits power to the tag with a radio frequency electromagnetic signal. The tag may rectify the radio frequency electromagnetic signal and create a rectified voltage. This rectified voltage may be used to power various components of the tag. Once it receives power from the reader, the tag may communicate information back to the external reader. The information communicated back to the reader is communicated by modulating an antenna impedance of the tag. By modulating the impedance, the tag will backscatter radiation transmitted by the reader. The reader is able to create a visual output based on determining the alignment or link quality from the reader to the tag based on the backscatter radiation it receives from the tag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: VERILY LIFE SCIENCES LLC
    Inventor: Francis Albert Honore
  • Patent number: 9368867
    Abstract: System for positioning a reflector includes a base (112), yoke (104) and a reflector in the form of a lens mirror assembly (10). A motor (120) is mounted and remains substantially stationary with respect to rotation about a first axis while the yoke rotates about the first axis. A connecting rod (152) actuated for movement by the motor is mechanically coupled to the reflector so that movement of the connecting rod in relation to the yoke imparts rotation to the reflector about the second axis when the reflector is supported by the yoke. A mechanical drive system couples an output shaft of the motor to the connecting rod. The mechanical drive system is arranged so that it varies an angular position of the reflector at a rate which is linearly related to the rotation of the output shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: Harris Corporation
    Inventor: Mark Evans
  • Patent number: 9276306
    Abstract: An automatically deployable, portable communications system includes an inflatable antenna stored in a case that also houses the antenna support assembly, drive mechanisms, inflation control modules, power supply modules and a control system. The case also includes a switch configured to close a circuit with the power supply module and initiate deployment and operation of the antenna when the case lid is opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: GATR Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: William R. Clayton, Paul A. Gierow
  • Patent number: 9257744
    Abstract: A wireless communication apparatus includes a first antenna, a second antenna, a first receive circuit coupled to the first antenna and a second receive circuit coupled to the second antenna. The first receive circuit is configured to measure one or more downlink performance characteristics of the first antenna and the second receive circuit is configured to measure one or more downlink performance characteristics of the second antenna during at least part of a same time period. The wireless communication apparatus further includes a controller configured to determine a difference between the one or more downlink performance characteristics of the first antenna and the second antenna, and determine a next time to use the second receive circuit to measure the one or more downlink performance characteristics of the second antenna based on the determined difference between the one or more downlink performance characteristics of the first antenna and the second antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Ning He, Hongbo Yan, Daniel Fred Filipovic
  • Patent number: 9175882
    Abstract: A solar energy system including a pedestal defining a longitudinal axis, a frame that is supported by the pedestal and that is rotateable relative to the pedestal about the longitudinal axis, the frame including at least one solar device, and a wind vane operatively connected to the frame to urge the frame relative to the pedestal about the longitudinal axis in response to wind acting on the wind vane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventor: Robert E. Grip
  • Patent number: 9118974
    Abstract: The satellite television antenna device scans the sky and locks onto a first satellite candidate by measuring microwave radiation. The antenna acquires identification (ID) of a first satellite candidate from a set top box (STB), if possible. Then, the antenna moves to a second satellite candidate and acquires the corresponding ID from the STB, if possible. Antenna dish orientation information is stored in memory for at least all satellites that were identified as corresponding to a user's television programming package. The antenna can switch directly between two or more stored dish positions in response to the user changing channels on the STB. The antenna can be powered solely by the STB. A two-way communication conduit can be established between the STB and the antenna via a single cable. The communications conduit can also be used to transmit power to the antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: Electronic Controlled Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig Miller, Sam Shuster
  • Patent number: 9030363
    Abstract: An antenna array for a mobile communications network is disclosed which comprise mechanical devices for altering a direction of a first beam and electronic beam forming apparatus for shaping a second beam. A method for tilting radio beams in a mobile communications network using the antenna array is also disclosed. The method comprises mechanical tilting a first protocol radio beam and electronic tilting a second protocol radio beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Kathrein-Werke AG
    Inventors: Peter Kenington, Martin Weckerle, Dirk Neumann, Kevin E Linehan
  • Patent number: 8981936
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a web of a plurality of conductive structures which may be used for example to produce an antenna, electronic circuit, photovoltaic module or the like. The method involved simultaneously patterning at least one pattern in a conductive layer using a plurality of registration marks. The registration marks serve to align and guide the creation of the plurality of conductive structures. Optical brighteners may also be utilized within the adhesive layer and the registration marks of the present invention in order to detect the location where conductive structures are to be placed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Avery Dennison Corporation
    Inventors: Ian J. Forster, Christian K. Oelsner, Robert Revels, Benjamin Kingston, Peter Cockerell, Norman Howard
  • Patent number: 8982004
    Abstract: A method and system for aligning an antenna reflector with satellites in a satellite configuration. A method in accordance with the present invention comprises pointing the reflector to a position along an orbital arc used in the satellite configuration, commanding a Single Wire Multiswitch circuits which is coupled to the reflector of the antenna to output a signal from at least one satellite at the orbital slot, and adjusting the reflector to maximize reception of the signal from the orbital slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Santoru, John L. Norin, Dipak M. Shah, Gustave R. Stroes, David J. Kuether, Shamik Maitra, Benjamin Mui, Ernest C. Chen
  • Patent number: 8976713
    Abstract: There are provided a method and apparatus for transmitting and receiving signals in the same frequency band at the same time. A signal is received using a dual polarization antenna, the main axis of the polarization of the reception signal is predicted by performing adaptive polarization tracking, and polarization filtering is performed in order to remove interference. A signal is transmitted through a polarization completely orthogonal to the tracked polarization. In accordance with the present invention, in a wireless communication system, signals can be transmitted and received in the same frequency band at the same time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
    Inventors: Seungjae Bahng, Hoon Lee
  • Patent number: 8963789
    Abstract: A conformal hybrid elctro-optical/radio frequency (EO/RF) aperture including an optical phased array (OPA) in a center portion of the aperture, and a variable inclination continuous transverse stub (VICTS) RF antenna surrounding the OPA using a plurality of continuous transverse stub (CTS) subarrays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Yueh-Chi Chang, Bradley G. Porter, Gregory M. Fagerlund, Leonard C. Bennett, Thomas V. Sikina, Brandon K. Mui
  • Patent number: 8963788
    Abstract: An antenna system includes at least one antenna and one X-Y mount, said mount being composed of at least three mechanical elements, the first element being a base, the second element being a lower box, the third element being a upper box, the antenna of the system being fixed to the upper box. The components of the antenna downlead are distributed in the various elements composing the X-Y mount, an OMT type junction included in the upper box enabling separation of the components of the downlead into two separate paths, a first path called the ascending path comprising components for amplifying and processing signals to be transmitted by the antenna, a second path called the descending path comprising components for processing and amplifying signals received by the antenna, the components associated with these paths being placed on either side of the various elements of the X-Y mount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Thales
    Inventors: Thierry Lucidarme, Marc Touret
  • Patent number: 8952865
    Abstract: An antenna having a transformer exchangeable in accordance with tilting angle adjustment rate is disclosed. The antenna includes a phase shifter, a tilting adjustment apparatus and a transformer configured to move linearly in response to a force provided from the tilting adjustment apparatus, and deliver a force corresponding to the moving to the phase shifter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: ACE Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Gun-Seok Oh, Byung-Ho Kim
  • Patent number: 8890756
    Abstract: A multi-point driving device is provided for a general-purpose base station antenna and includes a fixed member, at least three direction-changeable connectors, a rigid base station antenna, and at least one linear actuator. The fixed member is coupled to an end of at least one direction-changeable connector, which provides a function of direction change. Each direction-changeable connector has an opposite end coupled to a surface of the base station antenna. The linear actuator has an end coupled to the fixed member and an opposite end carrying an operation rod coupled to an end of the direction-changeable connectors that is not mounted to the fixed member and the base station antenna, whereby a direction-changeable structure of at least three points is formed between the base station antenna and the fixed member for changing direction in at least one orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Gemintek Corporation
    Inventors: Ming-Chang Tsai, Jong-Hsi Huang
  • Publication number: 20140333499
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an electronically tunable antenna based on orientation correction and adjustment and an electronically tunable antenna system. The main body of the electronically tunable antenna includes at least one electronically tunable antenna body. The electronically tunable antenna includes: an attitude sensing device fixed to the electronically tunable antenna body, the electronically tunable antenna is used for sensing horizontal orientation angle, mechanical tilt angle, latitude, longitude and height in real time; and an antenna control unit connected to the attitude sensing device, the antenna control unit is used for adjusting electrical downtilt angle of the electronically tunable antenna body and transmits to outside the horizontal orientation angle, mechanical tilt angle, latitude, longitude and height information sensed by the attitude sensing device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2014
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Inventors: Zeming FANG, Jifa HE, Guosheng YU, Jiping MAO, Zhonglin WU, Wenlan WANG
  • Patent number: 8854271
    Abstract: This invention is directed toward a data signal receiving means including an antenna and a plurality of Low Noise Blocks (LNB's). A reflective filtering means is provided and located with respect to the LNBs and antenna such that data signals received at a first frequency or frequency range pass through the reflective filter means to a first LNB and data signals at second frequency or frequency range are deflected by the reflective filtering means and do not pass therethrough and pass to the second LNB. In this way a single antenna can be used to receive and process multiple data signals received at different frequencies or frequency ranges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Raven Manufacturing Limited
    Inventors: Gavin Cox, Derek Grice
  • Patent number: 8847835
    Abstract: A radar antenna arrangement, in particular for motor vehicles, is presented, having of a longitudinal waveguide, into which electromagnetic waves are coupled in such a manner that they expand in the longitudinal direction (X) of the waveguide, and an interference structure (12) with a plurality of metallic sections, whereby the interference structure in proximity to the waveguide, at a distance from the waveguide in a first transverse direction (Y) to the waveguide, is arranged at least approximately parallel to the longitudinal direction (X) of the waveguide, so that the interference structure effects an adjusted radiation of the radar waves. The waveguide comprises in the longitudinal direction two metallic surfaces (31, 41) and between these, a dielectric medium (32, 42), whereby the surfaces (31, 41) run in a second transverse direction (Z), which stands both vertically to the first transverse direction (Y) and to the longitudinal direction (X) of the waveguide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Conti Temic Microelectronic GmbH
    Inventors: Lutz Kühne, Markus Wintermantel
  • Patent number: 8836597
    Abstract: An antenna radome assembly has a radome base and an annular stationary bearing plate attached to and spaced from the radome base. A rotary joint has a fixed portion attached to the stationary bearing plate and a rotating portion extending through a central opening of the stationary bearing plate. A rotating platform is attached to the rotating portion of the rotary joint. The rotating platform includes a circular recess extending into the rotating platform from a first side. The stationary bearing plate is disposed completely within the circular recess. An annular bearing assembly is disposed within the circular recess between the rotating platform and the stationary bearing plate. The bearing assembly is in contact with the rotating platform and the stationary bearing plate, and the rotating platform rotates with respect to the stationary bearing plate and the radome base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Paul J. Vizzio, David J. Bamford, Douglas A. Sasko
  • Patent number: 8816933
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein relate to a directional diversity receive system. The system may comprise a plurality of antennas attached to and fixed with respect to a frame. The system may further comprise a steerable antenna attached to and moveable with respect to the frame. The system may be encapsulated by a cover and may be configured for relocation as an integrated module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Troll Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Julian Scott, Jeff Hopkins, Chris Noski