Robert Wade Crow

US Patent:

44545100, Jun 12, 1984

Filed:

Mar 23, 1981

Appl. No.:

6/246174

Inventors:

Robert P. Crow - Los Angeles CA

International Classification:

G01S 1300

US Classification:

343 5GC

Abstract:

An aircraft surveillance, navigation, landing, guidance and collision avoidance system is provided which takes the form of a two-way data communication link between each of a plurality of controlled aircraft and a ground station, and appropriate measuring equipment at the ground station which provides three-dimensional position data on the ground for air traffic control purposes; and which also provides three-dimensional position data in the aircraft for navigation, landing guidance and collision avoidance purposes, as well as a two-way air/ground data link for miscellaneous data and control purposes. The system of the invention comprises the combination of a ground transmitter/receiver station and airborne transponders mounted in the aircraft. The ground transmitter broadcasts discrete aircraft addressed interrogation pulses which are coded to contain position and/or other data. The transponders in all aircraft receive and decode the interrogation pulses, and the discretely addressed aircraft transmits appropriately timed reply pulses to the ground receiver which contain altitude and other data.

US Patent:

D3385124, Aug 17, 1993

Filed:

Sep 7, 1990

Appl. No.:

7/579294

Inventors:

Robert F. Crow - Seal Beach CA

US Classification:

D21234

US Patent:

46039732, Aug 5, 1986

Filed:

Jan 26, 1984

Appl. No.:

6/574063

Inventors:

Robert P. Crow - Los Angeles CA

International Classification:

G01C 308
H04N 700

US Classification:

356 5

Abstract:

A system for viewing a lighted scene through a diffusive medium, such as rain, fog, snow, blowing dust, or sand, by overcoming the effects of light backscatter. The system uses a flash lamp which operates in response to short electric pulses at a high repetition rate to give the appearance of continuous illumination. The scene is viewed through a panel which operates as a high-speed optical shutter. The panel serves to block the reflected light (backscatter) from the nearby particles of the diffusive medium and passes the reflected light from the distant objects which make up the scene.