Patents by Inventor Eric A. Keen

Eric A. Keen has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20240148060
    Abstract: A heat-not-burn (HNB) aerosol-generating device may include a capsule and a device body. The capsule may include an aerosol-forming substrate and a conductive component. The conductive component may include a first end section, an intermediate section, and a second end section. The intermediate section may be configured to heat the aerosol-forming substrate. The first end section and the second end section may each have at least one surface discontinuity. The device body may include connector pins configured to engage with the at least one surface discontinuity of each of the first end section and the second end section of the conductive component so as to establish an electrical connection with the capsule.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2022
    Publication date: May 9, 2024
    Applicant: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Zack W. BLACKMON, Jarrett KEEN, Raymond W. LAU, Eric HAWES, Dean TWITE, Ryan MCGINLEY, Rangaraj S. SUNDAR, Thomas TRAN, Yannick HOURMAND, Gary BROADFIELD
  • Publication number: 20240148074
    Abstract: A system configured to output an indication of engagement with a device. The system includes at least one processor and a memory coupled to the at least one processor. The memory is configured to store instructions. The at least one processor is configured to execute the instructions to cause the system to monitor usage of the device, determine the indication of engagement with the device based on the usage of the device, and output the indication of engagement with the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2022
    Publication date: May 9, 2024
    Applicant: Altria Cleint Services LLC
    Inventors: Jarrett KEEN, Kevin BALL, Taylor WITT, Raymond W. LAU, Zack W. BLACKMON, Rangaraj S. SUNDAR, Eric HAWES, Terry BACHE, Niall GALLAGHER
  • Patent number: 11955093
    Abstract: An agricultural work vehicle for operating in a field includes a chassis, a cab mounted to the chassis for an operator to control the work vehicle, a controller for controlling operation of the work vehicle, a lighting system of the work vehicle comprising at least one array field light, and a light control module disposed in electrical communication with the controller. The light control module operably controls the at least one array field light. The controller transmits a signal to the light control module indicative of information about the work vehicle. The at least one array field light projects the information onto the field at a location visible to the operator while operating the work vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Nathan R. Demski, Brian M. Huenink, Eric A. Keen
  • Publication number: 20240090589
    Abstract: A power control system for an aerosol-generating device includes at least one processor and a memory. The memory is coupled to the at least one processor and is configured to store instructions. The at least one processor is configured to execute the instructions to cause the power control system to determine whether a first power to be applied to a heater of the aerosol-generating device exceeds a power threshold, in response to the first power exceeding the power threshold, apply a second power to the heater, and in response to the first power not exceeding the power threshold, apply the first power to the heater. The first power is based on a desired heater temperature. The second power does not exceed the power threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2022
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Applicant: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Zack W. BLACKMON, Thomas TRAN, Terry BACHE, Jarrett KEEN, Niall GALLAGHER, Yannick HOURMAND, Guillaume MICHEL, Rangaraj S. SUNDAR, Eric HAWES, Raymond W. LAU
  • Publication number: 20240090574
    Abstract: A heat-not-burn aerosol-generating device includes a housing that defines a capsule-receiving cavity and a lid fixedly coupled to the housing at a first point and releasably coupleable to the housing at a second point that is different from the first point. The lid is configured to cover the capsule-receiving cavity in a closed position. The lid includes a first retainer and a replaceable mouthpiece coupleable to the lid such that air entering the housing and drawn through the capsule-receiving cavity exits out of the replaceable mouthpiece. The mouthpiece includes a second retainer that is configured to engage with the first retainer so as to releasably secure the replaceable mouthpiece to the lid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2022
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Applicant: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Eric HAWES, Zack W. BLACKMON, Dean TWITE, Ryan MCGINLEY, Rangaraj S. SUNDAR, Jarrett KEEN, Raymond W. LAU, Thomas TRAN
  • Publication number: 20240090586
    Abstract: A session control system for a device includes at least one processor and a memory coupled to the at least one processor. The memory is configured to store instructions. The at least one processor is configured to execute the instructions to cause the session control system to detect when a session has started, start a session timer, increment a puff variable when an airflow sensor detects that a puff has been taken, monitor the session timer against a time threshold and the puff variable against a puff threshold, and in response to a session threshold being met, end the session. The session timer is configured to measure a length of the session and the puff variable corresponds to a total number of puffs taken.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2022
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Applicant: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Zack W. BLACKMON, Thomas TRAN, Terry BACHE, Jarrett KEEN, Niall GALLAGHER, Yannick HOURMAND, Guillaume MICHEL, Rangaraj S. SUNDAR, Raymond W. LAU, Eric HAWES
  • Publication number: 20240090587
    Abstract: A capsule monitoring system for an aerosol-generating device includes at least one processor and a memory. The memory is coupled to the at least one processor and storing instructions. The at least one processor is configured to execute the instructions to cause the capsule monitoring system to detect a mechanism detection switch of the aerosol-generating device being actuated, apply a first power to a first contact point of the aerosol-generating device, determine a first resistance between the first contact point and a second contact point, determine whether the first resistance is within a resistance operation range, and in response to the first resistance being within of the resistance operation range, display a capsule accepted indicator. The first contact point is configured to contact a heater. The second contact point is configured to contact the heater.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2022
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Applicant: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Zack W. BLACKMON, Thomas TRAN, Terry BACHE, Jarrett KEEN, Niall GALLAGHER, Yannick HOURMAND, Guillaume MICHEL, Rangaraj S. SUNDAR, Raymond W. LAU, Eric HAWES
  • Publication number: 20240097463
    Abstract: A charging system for an aerosol-generating device includes a processor and a memory in communication with the processor and configured to store instructions is provided. The instructions define at least one of a disable mode, an intra-session mode, or an inter-session mode. The processor is configured to execute the instructions to cause the charging system to detect when the device is connected to a charging device; activate a power source charger in response to the connection to the charging device; identify a selected mode; enable or disable a heater of the capsule dependent upon the selected mode; if the heater is enabled, display a first display indicating the connection of the charging device; if the heater is enabled, detect if a session of the aerosol-generating device is ongoing; and if the session is ongoing, enable or suspend charging in response to the identification of the selected mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2022
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Applicant: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Zack W. BLACKMON, Thomas TRAN, Terry BACHE, Jarrett KEEN, Niall GALLAGHER, Yannick HOURMAND, Guillaume MICHEL, Rangaraj S. SUNDAR, Raymond W. LAU, Eric HAWES
  • Publication number: 20240091466
    Abstract: A cooldown system for a device includes at least one processor and a memory coupled to the at least one processor. The memory is configured to store instructions. The at least one processor is configured to execute the instructions to cause the cooldown system to detect when a session has ended, activate a cooldown timer to measure a cooldown time, provide an indication of a remaining time of the cooldown timer, and in response to the cooldown timer elapsing, return the device to normal operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2022
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Applicant: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Zack W. BLACKMON, Thomas TRAN, Terry BACHE, Jarrett KEEN, Niall GALLAGHER, Yannick HOURMAND, Guillaume MICHEL, Rangaraj S. SUNDAR, Raymond W. LAU, Eric HAWES
  • Patent number: 11918050
    Abstract: A method of controlling a hot wire anemometer (HWA) of a non-nicotine e-vaping device includes controlling, by a first PID controller, a level of power applied by the non-nicotine e-vaping device to the HWA based on a temperature of a heated element of the HWA and a temperature setpoint; generating a puff detection signal indicating whether or not a puff is currently occurring with respect to the non-nicotine e-vaping device; and while the puff detection signal indicates that a puff is not currently occurring with respect to the non-nicotine e-vaping device, detecting, by a second PID controller, a change in an ambient temperature of the HWA, and controlling, by the second PID controller, the temperature setpoint such that the temperature setpoint changes in response to the detected change in the ambient temperature of the HWA.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Adam Parrott, Niall Gallagher, Raymond W. Lau, Eric Hawes, Ryan Newcomb, Terry Bache, Rangaraj S. Sundar, Jarrett Keen
  • Patent number: 11910838
    Abstract: A method of controlling a hot wire anemometer (HWA) of a nicotine e-vaping device includes controlling, by a first PID controller, a level of power applied by the nicotine e-vaping device to the HWA based on a temperature of a heated element of the HWA and a temperature setpoint; generating a puff detection signal indicating whether or not a puff is currently occurring with respect to the nicotine e-vaping device; and while the puff detection signal indicates that a puff is not currently occurring with respect to the nicotine e-vaping device, detecting, by a second PID controller, a change in an ambient temperature of the HWA, and controlling, by the second PID controller, the temperature setpoint such that the temperature setpoint changes in response to the detected change in the ambient temperature of the HWA.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Adam Parrott, Niall Gallagher, Raymond W. Lau, Eric Hawes, Ryan Newcomb, Terry Bache, Rangaraj S. Sundar, Jarrett Keen
  • Publication number: 20240059211
    Abstract: An agricultural work vehicle includes a chassis, a cab mounted to the chassis and including a work space for an operator to control the work vehicle, and a controller for controlling operation of the work vehicle. The work vehicle further includes a lighting system having at least one array field light for illuminating an area on or around the work vehicle. A light control module is disposed in electrical communication with the controller and is configured to operably control the at least one array field light. The controller transmits a signal to the light control module, and the at least one array field light transmits a light signal corresponding to the signal which is receivable by a receiving module on another work vehicle or implement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2023
    Publication date: February 22, 2024
    Inventors: Nathan R. Demski, Eric A. Keen, Brian M. Huenink, Michael R. Gratton
  • Publication number: 20230397518
    Abstract: An implement illumination system includes illumination devices that illuminate a tool-to-soil interaction area. The illumination devices may also be grouped into groups and may be controllable from the operator's compartment of the towing vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2022
    Publication date: December 14, 2023
    Inventors: Nathan R. DEMSKI, Eric A. KEEN, Benjamin C. Potter, Mark D. Klein
  • Publication number: 20230382164
    Abstract: A compact rotary union assembly for inflating and deflating a tire mounted to a hub having a hub housing. The compact rotary union assembly includes a spindle, an inner sleeve, and an outer sleeve. The spindle includes a spindle channel. The inner sleeve includes a flange portion, a cylinder portion coupled to the flange portion, a bore extending through the flange portion and the cylinder portion, and an inner sleeve channel located within the flange portion and the cylinder portion. The inner sleeve channel is coupled to a first port and to the spindle channel. An outer sleeve includes an outer sleeve channel, coupled to the spindle channel and to a second port, wherein the cylinder portion is located within an outer sleeve bore of the outer sleeve. A first and a second air seal are located within the outer sleeve on either side of an air track.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2023
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Inventors: Rafael GAXIOLA COCKBURN, Mark D. KLEIN, John R. VANDE KEMP, Eric A. KEEN
  • Patent number: 11827286
    Abstract: Systems and methods for targeted illumination of an object coupled to a machine, such as an implement coupled to an agricultural vehicle, are disclosed. The systems and methods include sensing an area adjacent to the machine, determining whether an implement is present in the sensed area, and providing targeted illumination to the detected object while avoiding the provision of light to the area that is not occupied by the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Nathan R. Demski, Brian M. Huenink, Eric A. Keen
  • Patent number: 11807157
    Abstract: A control system of an off-road work vehicle for performing a work function includes a controller for controlling the work vehicle, a light control module for controlling a lighting system of the work vehicle, and a sensing device disposed in communication with the controller. The lighting system includes a array field light that is operably controllable to project a light emission. The sensing device signals a location to be illuminated by the array field light to the controller, and the light control module operably controls an output of the array field light to direct substantially its entire light emission at the location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Nathan R. Demski, Brian M. Huenink, Eric A. Keen, Michael R. Gratton
  • Patent number: 11752926
    Abstract: An agricultural work vehicle includes a chassis, a cab mounted to the chassis and including a work space for an operator to control the work vehicle, and a controller for controlling operation of the work vehicle. The work vehicle further includes a lighting system having at least one array field light for illuminating an area on or around the work vehicle. A light control module is disposed in electrical communication with the controller and is configured to operably control the at least one array field light. The controller transmits a signal to the light control module, and the at least one array field light transmits a light signal corresponding to the signal which is receivable by a receiving module on another work vehicle or implement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Nathan R. Demski, Eric A. Keen, Brian M. Huenink, Michael R. Gratton
  • Patent number: 11718225
    Abstract: An agricultural work vehicle for operating in a field includes a chassis, a cab mounted to the chassis for an operator to control the work vehicle, a controller for controlling operation of the work vehicle, a lighting system of the work vehicle comprising at least one array field light, and a light control module disposed in electrical communication with the controller. The light control module operably controls the at least one array field light. The controller transmits a signal to the light control module indicative of an intended path of travel of the work vehicle. The at least one array field light projects a light emission corresponding to the intended path of travel onto the field at a location visible to the operator while operating the work vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Nathan R. Demski, Brian M. Huenink, Eric A. Keen
  • Patent number: 11716795
    Abstract: An agricultural work vehicle for operating in a field includes a chassis, a cab mounted to the chassis, a controller for controlling operation of the work vehicle, and a lighting system including a array field light. The array field light projects a light emission to illuminate a defined zone. A light control module is disposed in electrical communication with the controller and operably controls the at least one array field light. A sensing device senses an area surrounding the work vehicle. The sensing device transmits a signal indicative of a detected object to the controller, which in turn determines if the detected object is in the defined zone. If the detected object is in the defined zone, the light control module controllably adjusts an output from the array field light so that only a portion of the defined zone in which the object is not located is illuminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Nathan R. Demski, Brian M. Huenink, Eric A. Keen
  • Publication number: 20230234559
    Abstract: A soil measure, such as a soil cone index, and a vehicle index indicating the amount of force the vehicle exerts on the ground as it travels over the ground, are obtained and compared to identify a soil damage score. The soil damage score can be mapped over a field and an agricultural vehicle can be controlled based upon the soil damage score. In another example, a detector detects a fill level of a material storage compartment on an agricultural vehicle. The inflation pressure of tires on the agricultural vehicle is controlled based upon the detected fill level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2022
    Publication date: July 27, 2023
    Inventors: Benjamin C. Potter, Eric A. Keen, Mark D. Klein, Lee A. Johnson