Michael Allen Neff

US Patent:

20160202354, Jul 14, 2016

Filed:

Oct 26, 2015

Appl. No.:

14/923337

Inventors:

- CHICAGO IL, US
Shirley N. Cheng - Richmond Heights MO, US
Michael G. Neff - Lake Saint Louis MO, US

International Classification:

G01S 13/89
G01S 7/41
G01S 13/87

Abstract:

Methods and apparatus for providing a dynamic target impact point sweetener is disclosed. An example method includes identifying a target based on a composite three-dimensional image generated based on data received from a first aerial vehicle acting as a master vehicle and a second aerial vehicle acting as a slave vehicle; changing a role of the first aerial vehicle to the slave vehicle; changing the role of the second aerial vehicle to the master vehicle; and causing, using the second aerial vehicle acting as the master vehicle, a third vehicle to attack the target based on the identity of the target.

US Patent:

20100274487, Oct 28, 2010

Filed:

Jul 12, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/834867

Inventors:

Michael G. Neff - Lake St. Louis MO, US
Shirley N. Cheng - Richmond Heights MO, US
Ted L. Johnson - Florissant MO, US
Chang-Shaung R. Lee - Town and Country MO, US

International Classification:

G01C 21/00

US Classification:

701302

Abstract:

Route search planner methods and systems are described. In an embodiment, a probability map can be generated from previous sensor scans combined with a projected target location of relocatable targets in a target area. A route can be generated by a route generator, based at least in part on the probability map, and based on optimal system performance capabilities utilized to search for at least one of the relocatable targets. A search manager can then assign an evaluation criteria value to the route based on route evaluation criteria, and compare the evaluation criteria value to other evaluation criteria values corresponding to respective previously generated routes to determine an optimal route. The search manager can then determine whether to generate one or more additional routes and assign additional evaluation criteria values for comparison to determine the optimal route.

US Patent:

20100104185, Apr 29, 2010

Filed:

May 17, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/383914

Inventors:

Ted L. Johnson - Florissant MO, US
Michael G. Neff - Lake St. Louis MO, US

Assignee:

The Boeing Company - Chicago IL

International Classification:

G06K 9/34

US Classification:

382173, 382190

Abstract:

Methods and systems for detecting the insertion, removal, and change of objects of interest through the use of imagery are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method includes performing a scene registration including aligning image patterns in the first image to those in the second image; performing a feature content analysis to determine a likelihood of change for each pixel in the first and second images; performing a region identification to group pixels within the first and second images into one or more image regions based upon their likelihood of change; and performing an image region partitioning to prioritize the one or more image regions according to an image region score for each of the one or more image regions, the image region score being indicative of at least one of insertion, removal, and change of an object of interest within the common area of interest. Embodiments of the invention may advantageously provide an autonomous capability to detect the insertion, removal, and change of objects of interest.

US Patent:

20070288156, Dec 13, 2007

Filed:

May 17, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/383907

Inventors:

Michael G. Neff - Lake St. Louis MO, US
Ted L. Johnson - Florissant MO, US
Shirley N. Cheng - Richmond Heights MO, US

Assignee:

The Boeing Company - Chicago IL

International Classification:

G01C 21/00

US Classification:

701202

Abstract:

Route search planner methods and systems are described. In an embodiment, a probability map can be generated from previous sensor scans combined with a projected target location of relocatable targets in a target area. A route can be generated by a route generator, based at least in part on the probability map, and based on optimal system performance capabilities utilized to search for at least one of the relocatable targets. A search manager can then assign an evaluation criteria value to the route based on route evaluation criteria, and compare the evaluation criteria value to other evaluation criteria values corresponding to respective previously generated routes to determine an optimal route. The search manager can then determine whether to generate one or more additional routes and assign additional evaluation criteria values for comparison to determine the optimal route.

US Patent:

20070268364, Nov 22, 2007

Filed:

May 17, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/383911

Inventors:

Michael G. Neff - Lake St. Louis MO, US
Shirley N. Cheng - Richmond Heights MO, US
Ted L. Johnson - Florissant MO, US

Assignee:

The Boeing Company - Chicago IL

International Classification:

H04N 7/18
H04N 5/33

US Classification:

348143, 348164

Abstract:

Moving object detection methods and systems are described. In an embodiment, motion likelihoods are accumulated from sets of sequential image frames which are generated from a sensor scan of one or more moving objects. Regions that each indicates a probable moving object from the accumulated motion likelihoods are determined, and the one or more moving objects are then detected from the respective regions that indicate a probable moving object.

US Patent:

20070269077, Nov 22, 2007

Filed:

May 17, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/383900

Inventors:

Michael G. Neff - Lake St. Louis MO, US
Shirley N. Cheng - Richmond Heights MO, US
Chang-Shaung R. Lee - Town and Country MO, US
Ted L. Johnson - Florissant MO, US

Assignee:

The Boeing Company - Chicago IL

International Classification:

G06K 9/00

US Classification:

382103

Abstract:

Sensor scan planner methods and systems are described. In an embodiment, a sensor scan schedule can be generated by a sensor scan schedule generator to optimize the scan schedules of multiple sensors based on optimal capabilities of each sensor and autonomous target recognition algorithm processing. A search manager can then assign an evaluation criteria value to the generated sensor scan schedule based on sensor scan schedule evaluation criteria, and compare the evaluation criteria value to other evaluation criteria values corresponding to respective previously generated sensor scan schedules to determine an optimal sensor scan schedule. The search manager can then determine whether to generate additional sensor scan schedules and assign additional evaluation criteria values for comparison to determine the optimal sensor scan schedule.

US Patent:

20070271032, Nov 22, 2007

Filed:

May 17, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/383919

Inventors:

Shirley N. Cheng - Richmond Heights MO, US
Michael G. Neff - Lake St. Louis MO, US
Ted L. Johnson - Florissant MO, US

Assignee:

THE BOEING COMPANY - Chicago IL

International Classification:

G01C 21/00

US Classification:

701207, 34053913

Abstract:

Systems and methods having front end filters for data links for improved tracking of moving objects are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method includes sensing at least one characteristic of a moveable object using a sensor of an acquisition system, and sensing at least one characteristic of the moveable object using an auxiliary sensor. A data link update is transmitted from the auxiliary sensor to the acquisition system, and the data link update is conditioned to provide composite likelihood. The conditioning includes differencing the data link update and at least one predicted characteristic of the moveable object to produce at least one residual (e.g. using a plurality of Kalman filters). A viewing direction of the sensor may be adjusted based at least in part on the composite likelihood. In another embodiment, residuals are projected along sensor line of sight to form a multi-modal non-Gaussian composite likelihood.

Address:

48 Spg Water Ct, Wentzville, MO 63385

VIN:

1HGCP3F81BA020246

Make:

HONDA

Model:

ACCORD

Year:

2011