Patents by Inventor James Decker Humphrey

James Decker Humphrey 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).

  • Patent number: 9098086
    Abstract: A system for controlling a first machine performing a turn includes a controller configured to identify a desired turn for the first machine. The desired turn is formed by two adjacent traffic lanes. The two traffic lanes include a first traffic lane and a second traffic lane. The controller is further configured to receive information regarding a second machine and determine whether to control the first machine to follow a lane crossing path for performing the desired turn based on the received information. The lane crossing path includes a portion of the first traffic lane and a portion of the second traffic lane such that the first machine changes between the first traffic lane and the second traffic lane to perform the desired turn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: James Decker Humphrey
  • Publication number: 20140046530
    Abstract: A system for controlling a first machine performing a turn includes a controller configured to identify a desired turn for the first machine. The desired turn is formed by two adjacent traffic lanes. The two traffic lanes include a first traffic lane and a second traffic lane. The controller is further configured to receive information regarding a second machine and determine whether to control the first machine to follow a lane crossing path for performing the desired turn based on the received information. The lane crossing path includes a portion of the first traffic lane and a portion of the second traffic lane such that the first machine changes between the first traffic lane and the second traffic lane to perform the desired turn.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2012
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Inventor: James Decker Humphrey
  • Patent number: 8626385
    Abstract: A system for analyzing machine performance is disclosed. The system may have one or more processors and a memory. The memory may store instructions that, when executed, enable the one or more processors to identify an event for a machine that includes a desired output parameter value and send a command to a component of the machine. A command value associated with the command may be determined based on the desired output parameter value, one or more machine state parameter values, and a feedback control loop. The instructions may further enable the one or more processors to determine whether the machine requires maintenance by comparing the command value to one or more historical command values each determined based on a historical desired output parameter value and one or more historical machine state parameter values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: James Decker Humphrey
  • Patent number: 8428790
    Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling a machine comprise receiving information indicative of an occurrence of a prospective event and providing an event initiation signal to one or more machines. The event initiation signal may be configured to cause a controller of the one or more machines to control movement of the one or more machines based at least on a location of the machine relative to a designated area surrounding a location at which the prospective event is to occur.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Roger Dale Koch, James Decker Humphrey
  • Patent number: 8340907
    Abstract: A slippage condition response system for a first machine of a plurality of machines is disclosed. The response system may have a sensing system configured to sense a parameter indicative of a slippage condition of the first machine. Additionally, the response system may have a locator configured to sense a parameter indicative of a location of the first machine. The response system may also have a transmitter. In addition, the response system may have a controller, which may be in communication with the sensing system, the locator, and the transmitter. The controller may be configured to monitor the location of the first machine. The controller may also be configured to monitor the parameter indicative of a slippage condition of the first machine. Additionally, the controller may be configured to transmit to an offboard system at least one location where the first machine experienced a slippage condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth Lee Stratton, Brian Mintah, Gary Edward Hull, James Decker Humphrey, Bryan J. Everett
  • Publication number: 20120136546
    Abstract: A slippage condition response system for a first machine of a plurality of machines is disclosed. The response system may have a sensing system configured to sense a parameter indicative of a slippage condition of the first machine. Additionally, the response system may have a locator configured to sense a parameter indicative of a location of the first machine. The response system may also have a transmitter. In addition, the response system may have a controller, which may be in communication with the sensing system, the locator, and the transmitter. The controller may be configured to monitor the location of the first machine. The controller may also be configured to monitor the parameter indicative of a slippage condition of the first machine. Additionally, the controller may be configured to transmit to an offboard system at least one location where the first machine experienced a slippage condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2012
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Inventors: Kenneth Lee Stratton, Brian Mintah, Gary Edward Hull, James Decker Humphrey, Bryan J. Everett
  • Patent number: 8140239
    Abstract: A slippage condition response system for a first machine of a plurality of machines is disclosed. The response system may have a sensing system configured to sense a parameter indicative of a slippage condition of the first machine. Additionally, the response system may have a locator configured to sense a parameter indicative of a location of the first machine. The response system may also have a transmitter. In addition, the response system may have a controller, which may be in communication with the sensing system, the locator, and the transmitter. The controller may be configured to monitor the location of the first machine. The controller may also be configured to monitor the parameter indicative of a slippage condition of the first machine. Additionally, the controller may be configured to transmit to an offboard system at least one location where the first machine experienced a slippage condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth Lee Stratton, Brian Mintah, Gary Edward Hull, James Decker Humphrey, Bryan J. Everett
  • Publication number: 20110153541
    Abstract: Systems and methods for determining machine control zones associated with a mine site comprise receiving, at a processor, information indicative of an occurrence of a detonation of explosive material in the mine site. The method may further include predicting, at the processor, a blast zone associated with the detonation of explosive material based on the information and accessing, by the processor from a job-site map database, information indicative of one or more topographical features associated with the blast zone. The method may also include establishing, at the processor, a designated area associated with the blast zone based at least on the predicted blast zone and the information indicative of the one or more topographical features and providing, by the processor to one or more machines, information indicative of the designated area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Inventors: Roger Dale Koch, James Decker Humphrey
  • Publication number: 20110153117
    Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling a machine comprise receiving information indicative of an occurrence of a prospective event and providing an event initiation signal to one or more machines. The event initiation signal may be configured to cause a controller of the one or more machines to control movement of the one or more machines based at least on a location of the machine relative to a designated area surrounding a location at which the prospective event is to occur.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Inventors: Roger Dale KOCH, James Decker Humphrey
  • Publication number: 20100152942
    Abstract: A slippage condition response system for a first machine of a plurality of machines is disclosed. The response system may have a sensing system configured to sense a parameter indicative of a slippage condition of the first machine. Additionally, the response system may have a locator configured to sense a parameter indicative of a location of the first machine. The response system may also have a transmitter. In addition, the response system may have a controller, which may be in communication with the sensing system, the locator, and the transmitter. The controller may be configured to monitor the location of the first machine. The controller may also be configured to monitor the parameter indicative of a slippage condition of the first machine. Additionally, the controller may be configured to transmit to an offboard system at least one location where the first machine experienced a slippage condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2008
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Inventors: Kenneth Lee Stratton, Brian Mintah, Gary Edward Hull, James Decker Humphrey, Bryan J. Everett