Patents by Inventor James N. Hayes

James N. Hayes 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: 11802764
    Abstract: A laser controller having an electronic distance measuring instrument and a laser light transmitter creating a vertical laser plane is used with a remote controller and a movable target for point layout tasks. The electronic distance measurer and laser transmitter are mounted on the same vertical pivot axis. Once the system is set-up for a particular jobsite, the laser plane can be aimed at a specific point of interest on the jobsite floor, and a visible laser light line will then appear on the floor, from the laser controller, all the way to that point of interest. The distance measuring instrument is aimed along the same heading as the laser plane, and it gives the distance to the movable target, which is moved along the visible laser light line, until reaching the specified distance, and thereby find the point of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventors: Eric Keith Unger, James N. Hayes, Chris W. Snyder
  • Publication number: 20220099440
    Abstract: A laser controller having an electronic distance measuring instrument and a laser light transmitter creating a vertical laser plane is used with a remote controller and a movable target for point layout tasks. The electronic distance measurer and laser transmitter are mounted on the same vertical pivot axis. Once the system is set-up for a particular jobsite, the laser plane can be aimed at a specific point of interest on the jobsite floor, and a visible laser light line will then appear on the floor, from the laser controller, all the way to that point of interest. The distance measuring instrument is aimed along the same heading as the laser plane, and it gives the distance to the movable target, which is moved along the visible laser light line, until reaching the specified distance, and thereby find the point of interest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2021
    Publication date: March 31, 2022
    Applicant: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventors: Eric Keith Unger, James N. Hayes, Chris W. Snyder
  • Patent number: 11226199
    Abstract: A laser controller having an electronic distance measuring instrument and a laser light transmitter creating a vertical laser plane is used with a remote controller and a movable target for point layout tasks. The electronic distance measurer and laser transmitter are mounted on the same vertical pivot axis. Once the system is set-up for a particular jobsite, the laser plane can be aimed at a specific point of interest on the jobsite floor, and a visible laser light line will then appear on the floor, from the laser controller, all the way to that point of interest. The distance measuring instrument is aimed along the same heading as the laser plane, and it gives the distance to the movable target, which is moved along the visible laser light line, until reaching the specified distance, and thereby find the point of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventors: Eric Keith Unger, James N. Hayes, Chris W. Snyder
  • Patent number: 10935369
    Abstract: A two-dimension layout system identifies points and their coordinates, and transfers identified points on a solid surface to other surfaces in a vertical direction. Two leveling laser light transmitters are used with a remote unit to control certain functions. The laser transmitters rotate about the azimuth, and emit vertical (plumb) laser planes. After being set up using benchmark points, the projected lines of the laser planes will intersect on the floor of a jobsite at any point of interest in a virtual floor plan, under control of a user with the remote unit. An “active target” can be used to more automatically create benchmarks. A laser distance meter can be installed on base units to automatically scan a room or a wall to determine certain key features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventors: James N. Hayes, Chris W. Snyder, Ayman Hajmousa, Eric Keith Unger
  • Publication number: 20190056215
    Abstract: A two-dimension layout system identifies points and their coordinates, and transfers identified points on a solid surface to other surfaces in a vertical direction. Two leveling laser light transmitters are used with a remote unit to control certain functions. The laser transmitters rotate about the azimuth, and emit vertical (plumb) laser planes. After being set up using benchmark points, the projected lines of the laser planes will intersect on the floor of a jobsite at any point of interest in a virtual floor plan, under control of a user with the remote unit. An “active target” can be used to more automatically create benchmarks. A laser distance meter can be installed on base units to automatically scan a room or a wall to determine certain key features.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2018
    Publication date: February 21, 2019
    Inventors: James N. Hayes, Chris W. Snyder, Ayman Hajmousa, Eric Keith Unger
  • Patent number: 10145676
    Abstract: A two-dimension layout system identifies points and their coordinates, and transfers identified points on a solid surface to other surfaces in a vertical direction. Two leveling laser light transmitters are used with a remote unit to control certain functions. The laser transmitters rotate about the azimuth, and emit vertical (plumb) laser planes. After being set up using benchmark points, the projected lines of the laser planes will intersect on the floor of a jobsite at any point of interest in a virtual floor plan, under control of a user with the remote unit. An “active target” can be used to more automatically create benchmarks. A laser distance meter can be installed on base units to automatically scan a room or a wall to determine certain key features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventors: James N. Hayes, Chris W. Snyder, Ayman Hajmousa, Eric Keith Unger
  • Patent number: 10060598
    Abstract: An omnidirectional lens is disclosed of the type which captures light from virtually all angles of incidence, and also emits light in all directions. Embodiments are specifically disclosed as a two-way lens that receives light beams from all directions of the compass and directs those light beams to a photosensor. The same two-way lens acts in a “beacon mode” to produce light beams from one or more LEDs, and to emit such light beams (again) in all directions of the compass. The emitted light beams can also be used to signal various functions as visible signals to users on a jobsite.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventors: James N. Hayes, Chris W. Snyder
  • Publication number: 20180202805
    Abstract: A laser controller having an electronic distance measuring instrument and a laser light transmitter creating a vertical laser plane is used with a remote controller and a movable target for point layout tasks. The electronic distance measurer and laser transmitter are mounted on the same vertical pivot axis. Once the system is set-up for a particular jobsite, the laser plane can be aimed at a specific point of interest on the jobsite floor, and a visible laser light line will then appear on the floor, from the laser controller, all the way to that point of interest. The distance measuring instrument is aimed along the same heading as the laser plane, and it gives the distance to the movable target, which is moved along the visible laser light line, until reaching the specified distance, and thereby find the point of interest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2018
    Publication date: July 19, 2018
    Applicant: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventors: Eric Keith Unger, James N. Hayes, Chris W. Snyder
  • Publication number: 20180017230
    Abstract: An omnidirectional lens is disclosed of the type which captures light from virtually all angles of incidence, and also emits light in all directions. Embodiments are specifically disclosed as a two-way lens that receives light beams from all directions of the compass and directs those light beams to a photosensor. The same two-way lens acts in a “beacon mode” to produce light beams from one or more LEDs, and to emit such light beams (again) in all directions of the compass. The emitted light beams can also be used to signal various functions as visible signals to users on a jobsite.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2017
    Publication date: January 18, 2018
    Applicant: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventors: James N. Hayes, Chris W. Snyder
  • Patent number: 9797572
    Abstract: An omnidirectional lens is disclosed of the type which captures light from virtually all angles of incidence, and also emits light in all directions. Embodiments are specifically disclosed as a two-way lens that receives light beams from all directions of the compass and directs those light beams to a photosensor. The same two-way lens acts in a “beacon mode” to produce light beams from one or more LEDs, and to emit such light beams (again) in all directions of the compass. The emitted light beams can also be used to signal various functions as visible signals to users on a jobsite.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventors: James N. Hayes, Chris W. Snyder
  • Publication number: 20160116138
    Abstract: An omnidirectional lens is disclosed of the type which captures light from virtually all angles of incidence, and also emits light in all directions. Embodiments are specifically disclosed as a two-way lens that receives light beams from all directions of the compass and directs those light beams to a photosensor. The same two-way lens acts in a “beacon mode” to produce light beams from one or more LEDs, and to emit such light beams (again) in all directions of the compass. The emitted light beams can also be used to signal various functions as visible signals to users on a jobsite.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2014
    Publication date: April 28, 2016
    Inventors: James N. Hayes, Chris W. Snyder
  • Publication number: 20150160000
    Abstract: A two-dimension layout system identifies points and their coordinates, and transfers identified points on a solid surface to other surfaces in a vertical direction. Two leveling laser light transmitters are used with a remote unit to control certain functions. The laser transmitters rotate about the azimuth, and emit vertical (plumb) laser planes. After being set up using benchmark points, the projected lines of the laser planes will intersect on the floor of a jobsite at any point of interest in a virtual floor plan, under control of a user with the remote unit. An “active target” can be used to more automatically create benchmarks. A laser distance meter can be installed on base units to automatically scan a room or a wall to determine certain key features.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2015
    Publication date: June 11, 2015
    Inventors: James N. Hayes, Chris W. Snyder, Ayman Hajmousa, Eric Keith Unger
  • Patent number: 8943701
    Abstract: A two-dimension layout system identifies points and their coordinates, and transfers identified points on a solid surface to other surfaces in a vertical direction. Two leveling laser light transmitters are used with a remote unit to control certain functions. The laser transmitters rotate about the azimuth, and emit vertical (plumb) laser planes. After being set up using benchmark points, the projected lines of the laser planes will intersect on the floor of a jobsite at any point of interest in a virtual floor plan, under control of a user with the remote unit. An “active target” can be used to more automatically create benchmarks. A laser distance meter can be installed on base units to automatically scan a room or a wall to determine certain key features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventors: James N. Hayes, Chris W. Snyder, Kevin M. Morrissey, Ayman Hajmousa, Brandon Scott Bayer, Eric Keith Unger
  • Patent number: 8745884
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and other embodiments associated with three-dimensional laser position systems are described. In one embodiment, a system includes first and second vertical laser plane transmitters and a horizontal laser plane transmitter. The first and second vertical laser plane transmitters are configured to emit first and second vertical laser planes, respectively, that are each rotatable about rotational axes. The horizontal laser plane transmitter has a fixed position relative to the rotational axis of the second vertical laser plane transmitter and emits a horizontal laser plane that is rotatable to position the horizontal laser plane at a pitch angle. The system is configured to translate between a three dimensional coordinate and positions of the first and second vertical laser transmitters and the horizontal laser transmitter, respectively, that will cause the first and second vertical laser planes and the horizontal laser plane to intersect at a the three dimensional coordinate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventor: James N. Hayes
  • Patent number: 8595946
    Abstract: A two-dimension layout system identifies points and their coordinates, and transfers identified points on a solid surface to other surfaces in a vertical direction. Two leveling laser light transmitters are used with a remote unit to control certain functions. The laser transmitters rotate about the azimuth, and emit vertical (plumb) laser planes. After being set up using benchmark points, the projected lines of the laser planes will intersect on the floor of a jobsite at any point of interest in a virtual floor plan, under control of a user with the remote unit. The laser light planes also project lines that will intersect along the ceiling at a point that is truly plumb above the crossing point on the floor. The laser planes also provide an “implied” plumb line that is projected in space, which is visible along a solid vertical surface between the intersecting floor and ceiling points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventors: James N. Hayes, Chris W. Snyder
  • Publication number: 20130019486
    Abstract: A two-dimension layout system identifies points and their coordinates, and transfers identified points on a solid surface to other surfaces in a vertical direction. Two leveling laser light transmitters are used with a remote unit to control certain functions. The laser transmitters rotate about the azimuth, and emit vertical (plumb) laser planes. After being set up using benchmark points, the projected lines of the laser planes will intersect on the floor of a jobsite at any point of interest in a virtual floor plan, under control of a user with the remote unit. The laser light planes also project lines that will intersect along the ceiling at a point that is truly plumb above the crossing point on the floor. The laser planes also provide an “implied” plumb line that is projected in space, which is visible along a solid vertical surface between the intersecting floor and ceiling points.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2012
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Applicant: TRIMBLE NAVIGATION LIMITED
    Inventors: James N. Hayes, Chris W. Snyder
  • Patent number: 8281495
    Abstract: A two-dimension layout system identifies points and their coordinates, and transfers identified points on a solid surface to other surfaces in a vertical direction. Two leveling laser light transmitters are used with a remote unit to control certain functions. The laser transmitters rotate about the azimuth, and emit vertical (plumb) laser planes. After being set up using benchmark points, the projected lines of the laser planes will intersect on the floor of a jobsite at any point of interest in a virtual floor plan, under control of a user with the remote unit. The laser light planes also project lines that will intersect along the ceiling at a point that is truly plumb above the crossing point on the floor. The laser planes also provide an “implied” plumb line that is projected in space, which is visible along a solid vertical surface to between the intersecting floor and ceiling points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventors: James N. Hayes, Chris W. Snyder
  • Publication number: 20120198711
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and other embodiments associated with three-dimensional laser position systems are described. In one embodiment, a system includes first and second vertical laser plane transmitters and a horizontal laser plane transmitter. The first and second vertical laser plane transmitters are configured to emit first and second vertical laser planes, respectively, that are each rotatable about rotational axes. The horizontal laser plane transmitter has a fixed position relative to the rotational axis of the second vertical laser plane transmitter and emits a horizontal laser plane that is rotatable to position the horizontal laser plane at a pitch angle. The system is configured to translate between a three dimensional coordinate and positions of the first and second vertical laser transmitters and the horizontal laser transmitter, respectively, that will cause the first and second vertical laser planes and the horizontal laser plane to intersect at a the three dimensional coordinate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2012
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Inventor: James N. HAYES
  • Publication number: 20120203502
    Abstract: A two-dimension layout system identifies points and their coordinates, and transfers identified points on a solid surface to other surfaces in a vertical direction. Two leveling laser light transmitters are used with a remote unit to control certain functions. The laser transmitters rotate about the azimuth, and emit vertical (plumb) laser planes. After being set up using benchmark points, the projected lines of the laser planes will intersect on the floor of a jobsite at any point of interest in a virtual floor plan, under control of a user with the remote unit. An “active target” can be used to more automatically create benchmarks. A laser distance meter can be installed on base units to automatically scan a room or a wall to determine certain key features.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2012
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Inventors: James N. Hayes, Chris W. Snyder, Kevin M. Morrissey, Ayman Hajmousa, Brandon Scott Bayer, Eric Keith Unger
  • Publication number: 20120042529
    Abstract: A two-dimension layout system identifies points and their coordinates, and transfers identified points on a solid surface to other surfaces in a vertical direction. Two leveling laser light transmitters are used with a remote unit to control certain functions. The laser transmitters rotate about the azimuth, and emit vertical (plumb) laser planes. After being set up using benchmark points, the projected lines of the laser planes will intersect on the floor of a jobsite at any point of interest in a virtual floor plan, under control of a user with the remote unit. The laser light planes also project lines that will intersect along the ceiling at a point that is truly plumb above the crossing point on the floor. The laser planes also provide an “implied” plumb line that is projected in space, which is visible along a solid vertical surface to between the intersecting floor and ceiling points.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2011
    Publication date: February 23, 2012
    Inventors: James N. Hayes, Chris W. Snyder