Richard S Robertson

US Patent:

6388724, May 14, 2002

Filed:

May 2, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/563310

Inventors:

Melvin L. Campbell - Marion IA
Richard L. Robertson - Cedar Rapids IA
James D. Sampica - Cedar Rapids IA
Dennis M. Ternes - Marion IA

Assignee:

Rockwell Collins, Inc. - Cedar Rapids IA

International Classification:

G02F 11335

US Classification:

349122, 349187

Abstract:

A liquid crystal display optical component stack-up is created with reduced defects typically caused by adhesive materials used to attach optical components to the liquid crystal display, and with improved bond line control. First and second optical components are placed in a fixture having a plurality of pins extending from a bottom platen. A layer of silicone gel is placed between the first and second optical components. The plurality of pins orient the first and second optical components to achieve a desired alignment. A plurality of standoffs extending from the bottom platen and a top platen maintain a distance between the optical components and the platens to eliminate capillary action by the silicone gel adhesive, thereby aiding in bondline control.

US Patent:

6420984, Jul 16, 2002

Filed:

Aug 27, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/384608

Inventors:

Richard L. Robertson - Cedar Rapids IA

Assignee:

Rockwell Collins, Inc. - Cedar Rapids IA

International Classification:

H03M 100

US Classification:

341137, 341155

Abstract:

An optical analog-to-digital converter (ADC) comprises an analog input, an electromagnetic wave generator operatively connected to the analog input, an intensity discriminating material to refract an output electromagnetic wave, and an electromagnetic wave detector. The electromagnetic wave generator must be able to produce an output wave of sufficient intensity to induce a change in the refractive index of the intensity discriminating material. The electromagnetic wave generator must also be able to produce an output wave of varying intensity, the intensity being dependent on the analog input. An intensity discriminating material is one that has a different index of refraction for electromagnetic waves of different intensities. The method of converting an analog signal to a digital signal includes the steps of providing an analog input and generating an electromagnetic wave therefrom with the wave generator. The electromagnetic wave is passed through the intensity discriminating material and is refracted thereby.

US Patent:

6497486, Dec 24, 2002

Filed:

May 12, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/310544

Inventors:

Richard L. Robertson - Cedar Rapids IA

Assignee:

Rockwell Collins - Cedar Rapids IA

International Classification:

G03B 2126

US Classification:

353 30

Abstract:

A tiled projection display for use in an aviation environment which has fail operational capabilities without providing for fully redundant spare projectors. The system includes optics for redirecting light from one projector to a central position between an adjacent projector and involves the methods of switching light from one projector to project images for an additional adjacent projector in the event of a projector failure.

US Patent:

6873468, Mar 29, 2005

Filed:

Jun 16, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/595192

Inventors:

Richard L. Robertson - Cedar Rapids IA, US

Assignee:

Rockwell Collins, Inc. - Cedar Rapids IA

International Classification:

G02B027/14
G02B005/08
G02B007/18

US Classification:

359629, 359861, 359637

Abstract:

The invention is an apparatus for lengthening the path of a light beam. The apparatus includes an at least partially enclosed chamber having a first opening and a second opening. A first reflective surface is disposed within the chamber and is obliquely oriented with respect to an incoming path of the beam. The beam reflects off of the first reflective surface after the beam enters the chamber through the first opening. Second and third reflective surfaces are disposed within the chamber and are generally parallel to the incoming path of the beam. The beam is reflected a plurality of times between the second and third reflective surfaces after the beam is reflected by the first reflective surface. A fourth reflective surface is disposed within the chamber and is obliquely oriented with respect to the incoming path of the beam. The fourth reflective surface directs the beam through the second opening after the beam has been reflected a plurality of times between the second and third reflective surfaces.

US Patent:

6972788, Dec 6, 2005

Filed:

Jan 28, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/058604

Inventors:

Richard L. Robertson - Cedar Rapids IA, US
Mark A. Woytassek - Cedar Rapids IA, US
Brian P. Dehmlow - Canton MI, US

Assignee:

Rockwell Collins - Cedar Rapids IA

International Classification:

H04N005/64
H04N009/31

US Classification:

348187, 348123, 348744, 348748, 348825, 359630, 353119, 345 7, 454 76

Abstract:

A projection display is provided according to one embodiment of the invention. The projection display includes a hollow case including a window opening, a screen formed on one portion of the case, and at least one mirror internally mounted to the case at a position to reflect light from the window opening to the screen. The projection display further includes a window mounted in the window opening. The projection display further includes an optical engine mounted to the case. The optical engine is positioned over the window and oriented so that emitted light from the optical engine is directed onto the at least one mirror. The projection display further includes a diaphragm internally attached to the case and dividing an internal volume of the case into a first portion and a second portion. The projection display further includes a gas filling the second portion of the case at an overpressure and a vent communicating with the first portion of the case and communicating with an external environment. The vent at least partially equalizes the overpressure of the second portion with a pressure of the external environment.

US Patent:

7400596, Jul 15, 2008

Filed:

Aug 17, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/205453

Inventors:

Richard L. Robertson - Cedar Rapids IA, US
Kelli A. Hoback - Cedar Rapids IA, US

Assignee:

Rockwell Collins, Inc. - Cedar Rapids IA

International Classification:

H04Q 7/24

US Classification:

370312, 455518, 455519

Abstract:

A method, a device, and a system for processing a request to establish a multicast session among a plurality of communication nodes are provided. The device includes a multicast management application. The multicast management application includes instructions to receive a criterion for joining a first multicast session. The instructions further include identifying a first multicast session address and a second multicast session address using the criterion for joining the first multicast session. The first multicast session is identified using a first multicast session address. A second multicast session is identified using the second multicast session address. A responder device that is a member of the second multicast session is identified using the second multicast session address. A multicast session announcement is sent to the identified responder device. The multicast session announcement includes the first multicast session address, the second multicast session address, and the criterion for joining the first multicast session.

US Patent:

7450523, Nov 11, 2008

Filed:

Aug 1, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/194779

Inventors:

Richard L. Robertson - Cedar Rapids IA, US
Robert J. Frank - Cedar Rapids IA, US

Assignee:

Rockwell Collins, Inc. - Cedar Rapids IA

International Classification:

H04L 12/26

US Classification:

370252, 370236, 370242

Abstract:

A method, a device, and a system for reconfiguring communication transmission characteristics in response to a changing communication environment is provided. An environment at a communication device is characterized to determine if a transmission parameter associated with processing of a communication signal at a physical layer or a network interface layer should change based on current conditions at the communication device. If a need is identified, a second transmission parameter is selected based on the environment monitoring. A request identifying the second transmission parameter is sent to a manager device using an existing communication link. A response from the manager device is received indicating acceptance or rejection of use of the second transmission parameter in communicating with a second communication device. If the response indicates acceptance of use of the second transmission parameter, the physical layer and/or the network interface layer are reconfigured based on the selected second transmission parameter.

US Patent:

7583611, Sep 1, 2009

Filed:

Aug 1, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/194793

Inventors:

Richard L. Robertson - Cedar Rapids IA, US
Robert J. Frank - Cedar Rapids IA, US
Wayne A. Kraus - Marion IA, US

Assignee:

Rockwell Collins, Inc. - Cedar Rapids IA

International Classification:

H04L 12/26

US Classification:

370252, 370465, 370466, 370469, 370471, 370474, 370476, 455 412, 4555521, 4555531, 709221, 709222, 709236

Abstract:

A method and a device for supporting communication between a cognitive communication device and a non-cognitive communication device is provided. The cognitive device can support multiple frequencies and/or can change transmission parameters/characteristics such as the multiple access scheme used. The method includes determining if a communication signal is received from a cognitive communication device. If the communication signal is received from a non-cognitive communication device, a transmission parameter of the communication signal is identified and used to support all communication with the non-cognitive communication device. If the communication signal is received from a non-cognitive communication device, the method may further include determining if the non-cognitive communication device supports communication using packets. If packets are not supported, a wrapping function is selected based on the identified transmission parameter and used to reform the received communication signal into packets before sending the received communication signal to an application. Alternatively, If the communication signal is received from a non-cognitive communication device, a raw streaming socket is selected to send the communication signal from the network interface layer to the application.