============================================================================
December 23, 2009
I am posting the 4,000 or so pages I received from NASA on
November 16.
In order to make the documents more manageable I have
separated them into volumes. Sometime I separated them at a natural break in
the material. Sometimes I had to separate them because of sheer size.
The following is not a complete index, just what caught my
attention.
Volume 1 00017-00385
Cover letter from Stephen L. McConnell, NASA Freedom of
Information Act Officer.
00017-00020 Borda
Letter to Optima denying the claim
00021-00024 Emails - September
25 and 26, 2006
00025-00032
Proceedings of SPIE - Enhanced and Synthetic Vision 1999
Real-Time 3-D Flight Guidance
with Terrain for the X-38
Frank Delgado, Mike Abernathy, Janice White, and Bill Lowrey
Article on synthetic vision used in
the X-38 project using Landform 3D. Authors are Frank Delgado (JSC-NASA), Mike
Abernathy, Janice White, and Bill Lowry (all RIS).
00033-00199 emails -
2008, some 2006
00200 - 00235 claim beginning
00236 - 00385 emails 2008
Volume 2 00386-00617
File Wrapper for 5,904,724 - ordered from ReedFax Delivery
Service 5/16/2003
Volume 3 00618-00712a
00618 email from John Del Frate, Dryden
00620-00651 patent
5,904,724 (two copies)
00652-00654 email
2008
00655-00712 patent
5,904,724 (two copies)
Volume 4 00721-00987
00721 Abernathy
theory
00722 email 2009
00811-00837 Margolin
claim
00855-00911 Margolin
article Synthetic Vision Technology for
Unmanned Aerial Systems: The Real Story.
Margolin’s response to Abernathy article in AUVSI Magazine.
The gap between
837-854 suggests there was a discussion of the article.
0955-0959 FY96 Annual Report - Automation, Robotics,
& Simulation Division
Portable Diagnostic
Terminal Software for the X-38
Francisco J. Delgado
There is no mention of synthetic vision.
From www.rules.house.gov/Archives/98-325.pdf
The fiscal year is the accounting
period of the federal government. It begins on October 1 and ends on September
30 of the next calendar year. Each fiscal year is identified by the calendar
year in which it ends and commonly is referred to as “FY.” For example, FY2003
began October 1, 2002, and ends September 30, 2003. For more information on
budget process, see [http://www.crs.gov/products/guides/guidehome.shtml].
By this reckoning FY96 ran from October 1, 1995 to September
30, 1996.
00960-00973 FY97
Annual Report - Automation, Robotics, & Simulation Division
Accurate
Determination of Flight Control Air Data Parameters Using Artificial
Neural-Networks and the X-38 Flush Air Data System Frank Delgado
Portable Diagnostic
Terminal Software for the X-38
Frank Delgado
00965 The
Automation and Human Interface Computer for the X-38 Frank Delgado
For the graphical user
interface on V133, we will focus on developing a virtual cockpit for the
parachute system. We have acquired a 3 dimensional model of the X-38 and are
currently collecting United
States Geological Survey data at different
altitudes, This terrain data will give us a realistic 3 dimensional terrain map
of the region we will be flying over. We are also using a variety of virtual
reality modeling tools to build objects which will be used in the virtual
cockpit. We will take all of this and tie it together using Template Graphics
3D Mastersuite to build a virtual cockpit that will give the visual affect of
what it would look like, from the vehicle, from the post parachute deploy phase
to the actual landing of the vehicle. The cockpit will have the ability to
uplink commands to the vehicle, using a UHF system, which will give it the
ability to steer the parachute. This cockpit could be used to control the
parachute from any remote location, whether its out in the desert, in hanger or
where ever one may be. For V201 we will take all the information we have
learned from our V133 endeavor, all the information that Steve Harris (human
factors person) can provide, and all the information that's coming from the
weekly human interface meetings to help us begin developing the human interface
software for V201.
B-16
This appears to confirm Delgado’s later statement that he
began to work on synthetic vision for the X-38 in 1996.
FY1997 covers October 1, 1996 through September 30, 1997.
The application that became 5,904,724 was filed January 19,
1996. Can’t these people read?
00974-00978 1998
Annual Report - Automation, Robotics, & Simulation Division NASA-JSC
00977 - Immersive
Situation Awareness for the X-38 Program
Frank Delgado
The X-38 vehicles are unique
in that they do not afford crew members a forward view through a wind screen.
As a result, we have begun developing an application, based on Rapid Imaging
Systems latest technology, that creates a computer generated immersive
environment to provide the necessary information concerning the vehicles
position, attitude, and status of the vehicle. The immersive environment
consists of a set of 3-D displays that can be used for flight guidance and
situation awareness. These displays feature the incorporation of real-time
INS/GPS data for position and attitude, three dimensional terrain models,
Heads-Up Display (HUD), ideal and actual glide path, recommended landing areas,
vehicle in the scene, as well as typical system monitoring information. Maps,
such as aeronautical charts, as well as satellite imagery are optionally
overlayed on the 3-D terrain model to provide additional situation awareness,
see figure 1.0. The HUD indicators created have been based upon both military
aircraft HUD standards (MIL-STD1787B) and Space Shuttle HUD standards
(STS83-0020V2-26B).
This appears to be the synthetic environment (synthetic
vision) taught in 5,566,073 issued October 15, 1996 which claims priority from
an application filed July 11, 1994,
at least two years before Delgado says he began working on synthetic vision for
the X-38.
00979 Proceedings of
SPIE, Abernathy article (duplicate). Real-Time 3-D Flight Guidance with
Terrain for the X-38 Frank Delgado, Mike Abernathy, Janice White, and Bill
Lowrey
Volume 5 00996-01091
00996-01091 Part of
file wrapper for ‘724
Volume 6 (Volume 6a
Volume 6b) 01140-01577
01140-01679 email
2009 duplicates, File Wrapper ‘073, File Wrapper ‘724
Volume 7
01683-01993 email,
appears to be duplicates, include McNutt Letter August 5, 2008 and September
2006 Optima
01968 Abernathy Theory
Volume 8 01994-2222
01994 October 2008
email from Ed Fein to Helen Galus thanking her for sending him the file wrapper
for ‘724.
01995-02028 Two
copies of ‘724 patent
gap
02130 January 2009
email from McNutt to Hammerle containing the original claim documents
02131-02157 Original
claim documents
02158-02165 January 2009 email from Hammerle to Rotella: “Kurt,
Would you please confirm that you have the USPTO file history for Patent No.
5,904,724 by Margolin. We asked Helen Galus to send it to Ed when we began our
review of this matter. Thanks, Bob. “
02166-02222 Margolin
article Synthetic Vision Technology for
Unmanned Aerial Systems: The Real Story.
Volume 9 02223-02409
02223-02224 February
11, 2009 email from Rotella to Homer (redacted) sending him my Response to
Abernathy article (I had sent it to McNutt myself).
02225-02282 - my article
02283-02267 2009 email
gap
02372-02392 Margolin
FOIA appeal
02396-02409 copy of
‘724
There are no documents of NASA discussing my article.
However, NASA’s attitude toward me is finally explained. I
have added emphasis.
-------------------------
[Page
02363]
[redacted]
From: Bob Rotella [r.rotella@att.net]
Sent: Thursday, March 19, 2009 10:17 AM
To: Rotella, Robert F. (HQ-MC000)
Subject: war
NASA Administrative Claims - Jed Margolin and its successor in interest,
Optima, have pursued an administrative claim for patent infringement. Upon
completion of investigation by JSC and DFC, reviewed all materials and prepared
initial draft of final agency determination letter denying claim based on lack
of infringement. (Rotella, McNutt, Borda)(3/9/09)
________________________
[Page
02364]
[redacted]
From: Rotella, Robert F. (HQ-MC000)
Sent: Thursday, March 19, 2009 10:24 AM
To: Borda, Gary G. (HQ-MC000); Graham, Courtney B. (HQ-M0000)
Cc: Bayer, Kathy (HQ-MC000)
Subject: WAR item
NASA Administrative Claims - Jed
Margolin and its successor in interest, Optima, have pursued an administrative
claim for patent infringement. Upon completion of investigation by JSC and DFC,
reviewed all materials and prepared initial draft of final agency determination
letter denying claim based on lack of infringement. (Rotella, McNutt, Borda)
Robert F. Rotella
Senior Patent Attorney
Office of the General Counsel
NASA Headquarters
[redacted (b)(6)]
This document, including any attachments, contains information that is
confidential, protected by the attorney-client or other applicable privileges,
or constitutes non-public information. It is intended only for the designated
recipient(s). If you are not an intended recipient of this information, please
take appropriate steps to destroy this document in its entirety and notify the
sender of its destruction. Use, dissemination, distribution, or reproduction of
this information by unintended recipients is not authorized and may be
unlawful.
__________
NASA has been at war against me. I had no idea. I
thought I had simply been the object of benign neglect.
In modern warfare there are no
rules. NASA’s actions during the past 9 years confirm that they considered the
patent claim a war, a war they were resolved to win even at the cost of
fairness and honesty.
The very next document is also
interesting.
[Page 02367]
[redacted]
From: Rotella, Robert F. (HQ-MC000)
Sent: Tuesday, May 05, 2009 2:14 PM
To: Graham, Courtney
B. (HQ-MC000)
Subject: CIPLG Practice Group
1) Node 3 module of ISS online naming contest: Drafted set of rules and entry
conditions for participants; the most significant was that the agency was not
bound to accept the results of the online voting which avoided having to name
Node 3 after Stephen Colbert, who encouraged viewers to nominate him.
2) Administrative Claims for Patent Infringement:
a) Delta Engineers' allegation of infringement of its U.S. patent covering a "High
Performance Cold Plate." Claim was denied in a final agency decision
following extensive review;
b) Margolin/Optima allegation of patent infringement by X-38 Project, based on
patent covering "Synthetic Vision." Claim was denied in a final
agency decision following extensive review and coordination with Center patent
staffs.
3) NASA trademarks: agency will pursue formal trademark registration in US and
European Community for NASA brands, including: meatball, NASA seal, NASA
acronym, "National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
Robert F. Rotella
Senior Patent Attorney
Office of the General Counsel
[redacted (b)(6)]
This document, including any attachments, contains information that is
confidential, protected by the attorney-client or other applicable privileges,
or constitutes non-public information. It is intended only for the designated
recipient(s). If you are not an intended recipient of this information, please
take appropriate steps to destroy this document in its entirety and notify the
sender of its destruction. Use, dissemination, distribution, or reproduction of
this information by unintended recipients is not authorized and may be
unlawful.
_______________________
NASA denied the ‘724 claim (again) as well as the claim by Delta
Engineers.
It then decided to pursue formal trademark registration for
various NASA brands.
Why should anyone respect NASA’s Intellectual Property when
NASA refuses to respect the Intellectual Property of others?
Volume 10 02434-02542 August 5, 2008 email to McNutt with copy of
Sheriff’s Report.
Volume 11 2577-2647
mostly duplicate emails. One of the emails from 2004 is less redacted
than the version in Volume 1.
Volume 12 02666-02781
August 15, 2008 email from Laura Burns, Law Librarian for
the Office of the General Counsel NASA Headquarters, sending McNutt court
documents in the UASC case.
Volume 13
02795-02937 Duplicates
Volume 14
02938-02988
McNutt’s October 2008 request to Laura Burns for an update
on the UASC case; additional UASC
Court documents
Volume 15
02989-03698
Abernathy preview of AUVSI article (duplicate)
Large gap between 03113 and 03592
Volume 16
03699-03847
Some duplicates
GAO material.
Volume 17
03868-04040 Duplicates
Volume 18 04101-04251 Duplicates
Volume 19 04266-04424 Most of ‘724 File Wrapper
Volume 20 04425-04516 Duplicates
Volume 21 04524-04601 Duplicates
Volume 22 04602-04779
04713 Gold
04717 Preview of
Abernathy article for AUVSI Magazine
04639 Email 2006
Volume 23 04780-05605
04780 NASA checking
the assignment history of ‘724 before the U.S. District Court for the District
of Arizona ruled that Optima Technology Corporation/Zandian’s assignment were
fraudulent.
04782 Outdated and
incorrect information on Optima Technology Corporation
04786 NASA got the
current History of the UASC case.
04803 Beringer
Report - Applying Performance-Controlled Systems, Fuzzy Logic, and Fly-By-Wire
Controls to General Aviation, May 2002
04827 5,904,724
04841 5,566,073
04869 Preview of
Abernathy article for AUVSI Magazine
04929 Court Document
in UASC case