Robert L Steadman

US Patent:

6980152, Dec 27, 2005

Filed:

Jul 3, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/613612

Inventors:

Robert L. Steadman - Mansfield MA, US
Gary I. Grant - North Andover MA, US
Bruce Edward Parks - Byfield MA, US

Assignee:

Textron Systems Corporation - Wilmington MA

International Classification:

G01S007/36

US Classification:

342 14, 342 53, 89 111

Abstract:

Methods, computer-readable media, and systems for externally cued aircraft warning and defense are disclosed. A surveillance system may include a sensor field or array and may include a processor system that processes signals including acoustic signals received by the sensor array. Signals including acoustic signals are processed to determine the presence of indicia, including acoustic signatures, of known surface-to-air missiles including man-portable air defense systems. When the presence of such surface-to-air missiles is indicated, a cue signal is sent to one or more countermeasure systems that include one or more countermeasures such as chaff, expendable decoys and flares. The countermeasure systems may be ground-based or aircraft-based. The countermeasures are deployed in response to the cue signal. The surface-to-air missile may consequently be defeated.

US Patent:

7680599, Mar 16, 2010

Filed:

Apr 9, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/697884

Inventors:

Robert L. Steadman - Mansfield MA, US
James Fitzgerald - Westford MA, US
Mark Litchfield - Dracut MA, US

Assignee:

Textron Systems Corporation - Wilmington MA

International Classification:

G01V 1/00

US Classification:

702 14

Abstract:

An explosive device detection system includes sensors and base station that detect and report on suspected Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) or landmine emplacement activity within a geographic area. When disposed within a geographic area, each sensor forms part of a wireless communications network which allows communication among neighboring sensors. As a sensor detects activity in its proximity, such as activity that indicates emplacement of an IED, the sensor transmits a reporting signal through the network to the base station. The neighboring sensors receive and transmit the reporting signal in a sequential manner toward the base station. Because the reporting signal takes multiple hops toward the base station, the sensors do not require large amounts of power to transmit the signal. Furthermore, the detection system allows detection of IED emplacement within the geographic area as the activity occurs. As a result, the base station can direct mobile response units to take immediate responsive action to prevent detonation of the IED's.

US Patent:

7957225, Jun 7, 2011

Filed:

Dec 21, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/962970

Inventors:

Robert L. Steadman - Mansfield MA, US

Assignee:

Textron Systems Corporation - Wilmington MA

International Classification:

G01S 3/80

US Classification:

367124

Abstract:

A surveillance system is configured to detect a rotary-wing aircraft approaching a fixed facility and provide a warning upon detection. The system includes acoustic processing nodes that receive acoustic signals from the environment surrounding the fixed facility. As the nodes receive the acoustic signals, the nodes perform a spectral analysis of the signals to detect if the source of the acoustic signals is a rotary-wing aircraft. Additionally, based upon the acoustic signals, the nodes detect an altitude of the rotary-wing aircraft and a distance between the rotary-wing aircraft and the fixed facility. In the case where the system identifies the rotary-wing aircraft as encroaching a predefined geographical area outside of the facility, based upon the altitude and distance between the rotary-wing aircraft and the facility, the system generates a warning to allow security forces to intercept the rotary-wing aircraft prior to its arrival at the facility.

US Patent:

8031068, Oct 4, 2011

Filed:

Apr 9, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/697899

Inventors:

Robert L. Steadman - Mansfield MA, US
James Fitzgerald - Westford MA, US

Assignee:

Textron Systems Corporation - Wilmington MA

International Classification:

G08B 1/08
G08B 13/14
H04Q 5/22
H04W 4/00
H04L 12/28

US Classification:

34053922, 34053926, 3405728, 340 1042, 3405454, 370338, 370351, 370328

Abstract:

An explosive device detection system includes sensors and base station that detect and report on suspected Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) or landmine emplacement activity within a geographic area. When disposed within a geographic area, each sensor forms part of a wireless communications network which allows communication among neighboring sensors. As a sensor detects activity in its proximity, such as activity that indicates emplacement of an IED, the sensor transmits a reporting signal through the network to the base station. The neighboring sensors receive and transmit the reporting signal in a sequential manner toward the base station. Because the reporting signal takes multiple hops toward the base station, the sensors do not require large amounts of power to transmit the signal. Furthermore, the detection system allows detection of IED emplacement within the geographic area as the activity occurs. As a result, the base station can direct mobile response units to take immediate responsive action to prevent detonation of the IED's.

US Patent:

8185343, May 22, 2012

Filed:

Apr 9, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/697941

Inventors:

James Fitzgerald - Westford MA, US
Robert L. Steadman - Mansfield MA, US

Assignee:

Textron Systems Corporation - Wilmington MA

International Classification:

H04M 11/04
G06F 19/00
G01P 3/00
G01P 13/00

US Classification:

702150, 702188, 702189, 4554042

Abstract:

An explosive device detection system includes sensors and base station that detect and report on suspected improvised explosive device (IED) emplacement activity within the area. When disposed within a geographic area, each sensor forms part of a wireless communications network which allows communication among neighboring sensors. As a sensor detects activity in its proximity, such as activity that indicates emplacement of an IED, the sensor transmits a reporting signal through the network to the base station. The base station is operable to detect if the signals received from the sensors are indicative of IED emplacement activity or some other activity that is not typically associated with IED emplacement activity. In the event that the base station detects activity that is indicative of IED emplacement activity, the base station can direct mobile response units to take immediate responsive action to prevent detonation of the IEDs or apprehend the perpetrators in the act.

US Patent:

20170041472, Feb 9, 2017

Filed:

Aug 5, 2016

Appl. No.:

15/229812

Inventors:

- Wilmington MA, US
Robert Lloyd Steadman - Mansfield MA, US

International Classification:

H04N 1/00
F42C 13/00
G06K 9/00
H04N 1/411
G06T 11/00

Abstract:

A system includes nodes deployable across an area and self-forming a mobile ad-hoc network. The nodes include (1) imaging circuitry for capturing an image of a local sub-area based on a triggering event, (2) image-transfer circuitry for partitioning a captured image into sub-images or image segments and transmitting them to other nodes, (3) image-transmission circuitry for transmitting a sub-image from another node on an uplink to a relay such as a satellite. The relay (1) receives transmissions of respective sub-images, in parallel on independent channels, from the nodes via respective uplinks, and (2) retransmits the sub-images to the remote location via a downlink. A central control station at the remote location (1) receives the sub-images from the relay via the downlink, (2) re-creates the captured image by combining the received sub-images, and (3) utilizes the re-created image in a monitoring or control operation of the central control station.

Address:

27 Deer Path Ln, Mansfield, MA 02048

Phone:

508 339-1541

VIN:

5TDBK3EH4CS167580

Make:

TOYOTA

Model:

HIGHLANDER

Year:

2012