Nghia Duc Tran

US Patent:

8094012, Jan 10, 2012

Filed:

May 15, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/466645

Inventors:

Nghia Tran - San Diego CA, US
Michael R. Blackburn - Encinitas CA, US

Assignee:

The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy - Washington DC

International Classification:

G08B 1/08

US Classification:

34053913, 3405721

Abstract:

An object localization and tracking system includes a plurality of tags that are placed on respective objects. Each tag includes a transceiver and at least three orthogonal antennas to receive RF energy in a three dimensions. The tag transceiver and antennas cooperate with other tag antennas and transceivers to establish a tag (object) RF network. Each tag further includes a microprocessor, and sensors that determine tag position and relative position of other tags in the tag RF network. A user interface is connected to one of the tag microprocessors. A predetermined algorithm, which describes desired positional information for each tag in the RF network (and its corresponding object), is input into one of the microprocessors through the user interface. A tag audible or visual alert activates when the actual positional information of the tag (and the attached object) do not correspond to the desired positional information.

US Patent:

8134462, Mar 13, 2012

Filed:

Aug 8, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/188390

Inventors:

Nghia Tran - San Diego CA, US
Michael R. Blackburn - Encinitas CA, US

Assignee:

The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy - Washington DC

International Classification:

G08B 1/08

US Classification:

34053926, 340 101, 340618, 340602, 340539, 34053922, 34053917, 34053915, 34053916, 340506, 340623, 34042625

Abstract:

Disclosed is a floating sensor system having a casing that encloses a microcontroller. The microcontroller includes a digital processor and a non-volatile memory. The casing also encloses a data bus that connects the microcontroller to an external environment sensor, an RF transceiver, and a battery. The non-volatile memory includes a history file that maintains a record of events sensed by the external environment sensors. The digital processor is configured to establish a pattern of expected external environmental behavior based on the record of events. The digital processor is also configured to emit a signal through the RF transceiver from the system when an unexpected event occurs.

US Patent:

8175796, May 8, 2012

Filed:

Sep 25, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/237460

Inventors:

Michael R. Blackburn - San Diego CA, US
Nghia Tran - San Diego CA, US

Assignee:

The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy - Washington DC

International Classification:

G08G 1/16

US Classification:

701301, 701300, 340902

Abstract:

A method involves transmitting a first signal to a device, the first signal comprising vehicle identification data and vehicle operational data, receiving a second signal from the device, the second signal comprising road and lane information and vehicle information vectors of other vehicles transiting the road in range of the device, and determining a collision risk based upon the received second signal. The method involves the range-limited communication of vehicle information vectors among a network of devices. The method may include transmitting an operational signal to a vehicle controller, wherein the operation of a vehicle, such as speed, braking, and steering, is altered by the vehicle controller based upon the received operational signal. The method may involve, if the determined collision risk exceeds a predetermined threshold, the transmission of a warning signal by a vehicle computer to a vehicle operator via a warning device controlled by a vehicle controller.

US Patent:

8246462, Aug 21, 2012

Filed:

Jun 2, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/476301

Inventors:

Nghia Tran - San Diego CA, US
Michael R. Blackburn - Encinitas CA, US
Hoa V. Phan - Escondido CA, US

Assignee:

The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy - Washington DC

International Classification:

A63F 9/24
H01L 43/06

US Classification:

463 37, 463 31, 463 32, 463 33, 463 34, 463 35, 463 36, 463 38, 463 39, 345156, 345158, 345181

Abstract:

A Hall-effect system for providing inputs into a processor includes at least one magnet for establishing a magnetic field, a remote sensor unit and a receive station. The magnet is sized and adapted to be worn on a user's finger, while the remote sensor unit is adapted to be worn on a user's thumb. The remote sensor unit includes a Hall-effect sensor that senses changes in the magnetic field due to the motion of the magnet relative to the Hall-effect sensor. The Hall-effect sensor detects the magnetic field changes, and the remote sensor unit generates a sensor output corresponding to the magnetic field changes. The receive station is connected to the processor. The receive station receives the output from the remote sensor unit and converts the sensor output into an input for the processor.

US Patent:

8279091, Oct 2, 2012

Filed:

Nov 3, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/611861

Inventors:

Nghia Tran - San Diego CA, US
Sunny Fugate - Albequerque NM, US
Jeffrey Ellen - San Diego CA, US
Lorraine Duffy - San Diego CA, US
Hoa Phan - Escondido CA, US

Assignee:

The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the Navy - Washington DC

International Classification:

H03M 11/00

US Classification:

341 20, 341 21, 341 34, 34053922, 34053923, 340 41, 340 411, 3406861

Abstract:

A system includes a controller and an RFID sensor, an RFID sensor reader having a detection region, and a transceiver connected to the controller. The system may be secured to or contained within a wearable glove. The RFID sensor is configured to transmit an RFID sensor signal to the RFID sensor reader when the RFID sensor is within the detection region. The RFID sensor reader is configured to transmit an RFID sensor reader signal to the controller after receiving the RFID sensor signal. The controller is configured to transmit a signal to the transceiver after receiving the RFID sensor reader signal. The signal may include input from a motion sensor and/or an orientation sensor connected to the controller. The transceiver may transmit the signal to a remote processor via an antenna. The signal may be used for gesture recognition, information coding, and/or information processing.

US Patent:

8316970, Nov 27, 2012

Filed:

Feb 7, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/022204

Inventors:

Nghia X. Tran - San Diego CA, US

Assignee:

The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy - Washington DC

International Classification:

B25J 11/00

US Classification:

180 71, 901 1

Abstract:

A system includes a plurality of fluid chambers uniformly distributed about and in fluidic connection with a fluid reservoir, each fluid chamber having a valve and pressure sensor adjacent thereto, the valve configured to allow fluid flow between the fluid reservoir and the fluid chamber and the pressure sensor configured to determine the amount of fluid within the respective fluid chamber; means, adjacent to the fluid reservoir, for pumping fluid between the fluid reservoir and each of the fluid chambers; and a controller configured to control the means for pumping fluid and the valves using data from the pressure sensors. The means for pumping fluid, the valves, the pressure sensors, and the controller are contained within an inner housing and the plurality of fluid chambers are contained within an outer housing, which may be spherical in shape, and are external to the inner housing.

US Patent:

8421448, Apr 16, 2013

Filed:

Jan 28, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/695932

Inventors:

Nghia Tran - San Diego CA, US
Sunny Fugate - Albequerque NM, US
Marion Ceruti - San Diego CA, US
Lorraine Duffy - San Diego CA, US
Hoa Phan - Escondido CA, US

Assignee:

The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy - Washington DC

International Classification:

G01B 7/14
G01B 7/30
G01R 33/06

US Classification:

3242072

Abstract:

A system includes a controller, a Hall-effect sensor and transceiver connected to the controller; and a flux-producing element having a plurality of magnetic flux lines emanating therefrom. The system may be secured to or contained within a wearable glove. The flux-producing element may be coupled to an object separate from the wearable glove. The Hall-effect sensor transmits a Hall-effect sensor signal to the controller when the Hall-effect sensor is perpendicular to at least some of the plurality of magnetic flux lines. The Hall-effect sensor signal may include data received from the flux-producing element. The controller transmits a controller signal to the transceiver after receiving the Hall-effect sensor signal. The controller signal may include input from a motion sensor and/or an orientation sensor connected to the controller. The transceiver may transmit the signal to a remote processor.

US Patent:

8442750, May 14, 2013

Filed:

Jan 13, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/006261

Inventors:

Nghia X. Tran - San Diego CA, US
Michael Bruch - San Diego CA, US
Rich Adams - Chula Vista CA, US
Aaron B. Burmeister - San Diego CA, US
Amin Rahimi - San Diego CA, US

Assignee:

The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the Navy - Washington DC

International Classification:

G06F 19/00

US Classification:

701117, 701118, 340905, 340907

Abstract:

A traffic control system can include a remote control station and a plurality of traffic control assets. Each asset is networked to the control station with a radiofrequency (RF) transceiver and an electronic control unit (ECU). The ECU can receive commands from the control station. In response, ECU can activate a light, or an audio device that is located on the traffic control asset. To move and position the traffic control asset can include at least two wheels and a corresponding motor for each wheel, which can be operated by the ECU to maneuver the traffic control asset according to the user's needs. The traffic asset can be a stop sign or a traffic cone. In some instances, the traffic control asset can have a flat configuration, for convenient storage and a deployed configuration, which can be established from the control station.