David M Fowler

US Patent:

6363321, Mar 26, 2002

Filed:

Jan 31, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/495265

Inventors:

David A. Fowler - Elgin TX
David L. Hirsch - Austin TX
Clarence W. Fowler - Elgin TX
David L. Hindman - Austin TX
Gerald D. Powell - Austin TX

Assignee:

Starlink, Inc. - Austin TX

International Classification:

G01C 2100

US Classification:

701208, 701200, 701207, 701213, 340988

Abstract:

An integrated guidance system for use in swath guidance applications combines the display of swath navigation information with swath guidance system information. A processor receives information from an external positioning system such as a Global Positioning System receiver and generates course correction data derived from swath parameters selected by the user from a displayed menu of options using a control interface that is integrated with the display and processor or is located externally. The swath navigation information is displayed graphically and numerically. The entire apparatus is compact and mountable within the operative view of the user as he operates the equipment to be guided, thereby reducing hazard and navigational error.

US Patent:

6512992, Jan 28, 2003

Filed:

Mar 5, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/263982

Inventors:

Clarence W. Fowler - Elgin TX
Gerald D. Powell - Austin TX
David A. Fowler - Elgin TX

Assignee:

Raven Industries, Inc. - Sioux Falls SD

International Classification:

G01C 1918

US Classification:

702150, 702155, 701 50

Abstract:

A means of accurately determining the position of a selected location such as at the end of a center-pivot irrigation system by using two Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers. The first GPS receiver is located at a fixed, known position such as at the center of the pivoting irrigation system while the second GPS receiver is located on a moving portion of the irrigation system. The first GPS receiver compares the GPS receiver reported position against the actual position and reports by wire or radio link the position differences to the second GPS, where the differences are used to remove errors from the second receivers measured position.

US Patent:

20060167600, Jul 27, 2006

Filed:

Jan 27, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/046498

Inventors:

Robert Nelson - Austin TX, US
James Hughen - Austin TX, US
David Fowler - Elgin TX, US

Assignee:

Raven Industries, Inc. - Sioux Falls SD

International Classification:

G06F 19/00

US Classification:

701023000, 701050000, 701041000

Abstract:

A system and method for automatically steering a vehicle along an intended path is provided. The system is architecturally partitioned. The partitioned design allows each of the system elements to be designed and maintained independently while allowing variation and flexibility in system configuration. An embodiment of the system elements may comprise a local navigation guidance unit, an external positioning system, a steering controller, and an installation and service computer. Additional elements of an embodiment of the system may comprise a steering position sensor, and at least one steering actuator. The system allows the operator to enter an intended target path and certain vehicle parameters. The local navigation guidance unit receives positional data from an external positioning system, preferably DGPS, indicative of a navigational path traversed by the vehicle. The guidance unit compares the positional data with the intended target path to obtain guidance error and transmits the guidance error to the steering controller. The system allows for determination of the current steering angle and generation of a steering angle adjustment based upon the intended target, the navigational path traversed by the vehicle, the vehicle parameters, the steering angle and the guidance error. The steering angle adjustment is used to actuate a steering mechanism to smoothly guide the vehicle along the intended target path.

US Patent:

20070032950, Feb 8, 2007

Filed:

Aug 5, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/198635

Inventors:

Jason O'Flanagan - Round Rock TX, US
Kevin Cobb - Duluth GA, US
David Fowler - Elgin TX, US

Assignee:

Raven Industries, Inc. - Sioux Falls SD

International Classification:

G01C 21/00

US Classification:

701214000, 701213000

Abstract:

A modular device, system and associated method, used to enhance the quality and output speed of any generic GPS engine is provided. The modular device comprises an inertial subsystem based on a solid state gyroscope having a plurality of accelerometers and a plurality of angular rate sensors designed to measure linear acceleration and rotation rates around a plurality of axes. The modular inertial device may be placed in the data stream between a standard GPS receiver and a guidance device to enhance the accuracy and increase the frequency of positional solutions. Thus, the modular inertial device accepts standard GPS NMEA input messages from the source GPS receiver, corrects and enhances the GPS data using computed internal roll and pitch information, and produces an improved, more accurate, NMEA format GPS output at preferably 2 times the positional solution rate using GPS alone. The positional solution frequency using the present invention may increase to as much as 5 times that obtained using GPS alone. Moreover, the modular inertial device may assist when the GPS signal is lost for various reasons. If used without GPS, the modular inertial device may be used to define, and adjust, a vehicle's orientation on a relative basis. The modular inertial device and architecturally partitioned system incorporated into an existing GPS system may be applied to navigation generally, including high-precision land-based vehicle positioning, aerial photography, crop dusting, and sonar depth mapping to name a few applications.

US Patent:

61049794, Aug 15, 2000

Filed:

Jun 11, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/873058

Inventors:

David A. Fowler - Elgin TX
David L. Hirsch - Austin TX
Clarence W. Fowler - Elgin TX
David L. Hindman - Austin TX
Charles L. Ladwig - Round Rock TX
Gerald D. Powell - Austin TX

Assignee:

Starlink, Inc. - Austin TX

International Classification:

G01C 2100

US Classification:

701208

Abstract:

An integrated guidance system for use in swath guidance applications combines the display of swath navigation information with swath guidance system information. A processor receives information from an external positioning system such as a Global Positioning System receiver and generates course correction data derived from swath parameters selected by the user from a displayed menu of options using a control interface that is integrated with the display and processor or is located externally. The swath navigation information is displayed graphically and numerically. The entire apparatus is compact and mountable within the operative view of the user as he operates the equipment to be guided, thereby reducing hazard and navigational error.

US Patent:

59997958, Dec 7, 1999

Filed:

Sep 10, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/926900

Inventors:

Clarence W. Fowler - Elgin TX
Louis J. Vaccaro - Austin TX
David L. Hindman - Austin TX
Gerald D. Powell - Austin TX
David A. Fowler - Elgin TX
David L. Hirsch - Austin TX
Charles L. Ladwig - Round Rock TX

Assignee:

Starlink Inc. - Austin TX

International Classification:

H04H 100

US Classification:

455 51

Abstract:

An apparatus for extending the practical lengths over which coaxial cables can be used to transfer signal information from a Global Positioning System (GPS) antenna to a GPS receiver. The apparatus converts the GPS signal frequency of 1. 57542 GHz to a frequency low enough to be transferred long distances over coaxial cables without significant signal attenuation and then converts the signal back to the original frequency without the introduction of frequency errors. The invention is not restricted from being used at other frequencies where system design parameters makes it practical.

US Patent:

61608580, Dec 12, 2000

Filed:

Aug 4, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/905615

Inventors:

David L. Hindman - Austin TX
Clarence W. Fowler - Elgin TX
Gerald D. Powell - Austin TX
David A. Fowler - Elgin TX
David L. Hirsch - Austin TX
Charles L. Ladwig - Round Rock TX

Assignee:

Starlink, Inc. - Austin TX

International Classification:

H03D 300

US Classification:

375336

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for demodulating and decoding an MSK signal utilizing synchronous accumulation and simultaneous synchronization of reference carrier and MSK data clocks enables a GPS correlator channel in a multi-channel GPS receiver to be used for processing MSK signals. The PRN code epochs are synchronized with the MSK data clocks and the process of de-spreading with a PRN code is disabled in order to obtain coherent MSK demodulation without corrupting the MSK signal with a PRN code within the channel.

US Patent:

20190281370, Sep 12, 2019

Filed:

May 3, 2019

Appl. No.:

16/402674

Inventors:

- Austin TX, US
David Fowler - Austin TX, US
James Gitre - Austin TX, US
Paul Posner - Austin TX, US
Michael Landers - Austin TX, US
Nicholas Armstrong - Austin TX, US

Assignee:

TIONESTA, LLC - Austin TX

International Classification:

H04Q 9/00
H04L 29/08
H04W 4/02
H04L 5/00
H04W 4/80
H04W 4/70
H04W 4/029
H04W 4/38
H04W 84/12
H04W 88/10
H04W 84/00
H04W 4/021
A61B 5/00

Abstract:

A network-based sensing system for monitoring an object is disclosed. The system includes a sensor, attached to the object, that collects object information, a first wireless access point that operates in a first private network covering a first private region, and at least one cellular base station that operates in a public network outside of the first private region. The sensor includes functionality to detect a location of the sensor in a location detection period and to determine a type of network coverage of the sensor. The sensor establishes connection with the first wireless access point via a first private network for transmitting the object information, when the sensor is covered by the first private network, and with the at least one cellular base station via a public cellular network for transmitting the object information, when the sensor is covered by only the public cellular network.

Address:

3513 Lynnbrook Dr, Austin, TX 78748

VIN:

JF2SH6BC2AH778736

Make:

SUBARU

Model:

FORESTER

Year:

2010

Address:

11331 Pompey Ct, Austin, TX 78739

VIN:

JTNBB46K673041420

Make:

TOYOTA

Model:

CAMRY HYBRID

Year:

2007