Patents by Inventor Lewis H. Manci

Lewis H. Manci 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: 11935426
    Abstract: Industrial vehicle monitoring for modification of vehicle operator behavior comprises storing data identifying an event associated with the operation of an industrial vehicle, the data having a performance parameter to evaluate against the event. Further, operation of the industrial vehicle is monitored for an event. When an occurrence of the event is detected, event data that characterizes an action of a vehicle operator is recorded into memory. The recorded event data is evaluated against the performance parameter to determine whether the vehicle operator demonstrated appropriate behavior for the detected event, and a behavior modification action is determined based on the evaluation of the recorded event data against the performance parameter. An output message is conveyed on the industrial vehicle to perform the behavior modification action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Crown Equipment Corporation
    Inventors: Lewis H. Manci, Philip W. Swift, Lucas B. Waltz
  • Publication number: 20230415646
    Abstract: A process of providing industrial vehicle feedback comprises storing, in memory, data identifying a vehicle-based event that characterizes an operation of an industrial vehicle. Further, operation information collected from an electronic component on the industrial vehicle that is associated with the vehicle-based event is stored in the memory. The collected operation information characterizes a current operating state of the industrial vehicle as the industrial vehicle is being operated. The vehicle-based event is detected based upon the collected operation information. After detecting that the vehicle-based event has occurred, geo-location information is assembled with the collected operation information into an event record to capture a vehicle state and a location surrounding the detected event, which is transmitted to a remote server.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2023
    Publication date: December 28, 2023
    Inventors: Lewis H. Manci, Philip W. Swift, Lucas B. Waltz
  • Patent number: 11752936
    Abstract: A process of providing dynamic industrial vehicle feedback comprises storing in memory, data identifying a vehicle-based event that characterizes an operation of an industrial vehicle. Further, the process comprises storing into memory, operation information collected from an electronic component on the industrial vehicle that is associated with the identified event. The collected operation information characterizes a current operating state of the industrial vehicle as the industrial vehicle is being operated. The process further comprises detecting that the event has occurred based upon the collected operation information and generating an output message based on the detected event and the collected operation information. The output message is then conveyed on the industrial vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: Crown Equipment Corporation
    Inventors: Lewis H. Manci, Philip W. Swift, Lucas B. Waltz
  • Patent number: 11694572
    Abstract: A processor on an industrial vehicle is programmed to identify a metric that characterizes an event associated with an operator of the industrial vehicle, where the metric has a performance parameter to evaluate against the event, and a behavior modification action that defines a desired operator behavior in response to the event. The processor is further operatively programmed to monitor for the event, and record event data that characterizes a response of the vehicle operator to the event. In response to detecting an event, the processor evaluates the recorded event data against the performance parameter to determine whether the vehicle operator demonstrated appropriate behavior for the event, computes a vehicle operator score based upon the evaluation, and performs the behavior modification action where the operator has not been inculcated to respond to the event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: Crown Equipment Corporation
    Inventors: Lewis H. Manci, Philip W. Swift, Lucas B. Waltz
  • Patent number: 11472337
    Abstract: When an industrial vehicle encounters a geo-feature, one or more messages for conveyance on the industrial vehicle are determined based on a current operating state of the industrial vehicle and an expected operating condition associated with the encountered geo-feature. In an example implementation, the geo-feature can implement aisle control in a warehouse or similar environment to ensure that only authorized vehicles are permitted to enter the aisle. Here, authorization may be predicated upon an assigned task from a warehouse management system. In another example implementation, the industrial vehicle includes a display that provides a graphical representation of the geo-feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: Crown Equipment Corporation
    Inventors: Lewis H. Manci, Philip W. Swift, Lucas B. Waltz
  • Publication number: 20220230036
    Abstract: A control system for an industrial vehicle includes a badge communicator and an information linking device. The badge communicator has a transceiver for short range communication with electronic badges that are within a fixed short range of the badge communicator, defining a first zone. The information linking device is programmed to execute program code. The program code extracts a current state of an operating parameter read from an industrial vehicle network bus, generates a second zone within the first zone that is defined based upon the extracted industrial vehicle operating parameter, detects a presence of an electronic badge within the first zone, determines whether the electronic badge is within the second zone, performs a first action if the detected electronic badge is not within the second zone, and performs a second action if the electronic badge is within the second zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2022
    Publication date: July 21, 2022
    Inventors: Lewis H. Manci, Juergen Buchmann, Andreas Simon, Sebastian Theos (AKA Sick)
  • Patent number: 11301738
    Abstract: A control system for an industrial vehicle includes a badge communicator and an information linking device. The badge communicator has a transceiver for short range communication with electronic badges that are within in a fixed short range of the badge communicator, defining a first zone. The information linking device is programmed to execute program code. The program code extracts a current state of an operating parameter read from an industrial vehicle network bus, generates a second zone within the first zone that is defined based upon the extracted industrial vehicle operating parameter, detects a presence of an electronic badge within the first zone, determines whether the electronic badge is within the second zone, performs a first action if the detected electronic badge is not within the second zone, and performs a second action if the electronic badge is within the second zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: Crown Equipment Corporation
    Inventors: Lewis H. Manci, Juergen Buchmann, Andreas Simon, Sebastian Theos
  • Patent number: 11222251
    Abstract: A system for adjusting control of an industrial vehicle comprises a badge communicator that communicates with electronic badges that are in short range proximity of the industrial vehicle; and a controller coupled to memory, wherein the controller executes program code stored in the memory to adjust control of operating parameters of the industrial vehicle. The controller executes the program code to receive a badge identifier wirelessly transmitted by a detected electronic badge and identify a role associated with the badge identifier. Based on the role associated with the badge identifier, the controller modifies a set point of the industrial vehicle from a first set point to a second set point by communicating information concerning the set point to a vehicle control module of the electronic vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: Crown Equipment Corporation
    Inventors: Andreas Simon, Juergen Buchmann, Lewis H. Manci, Sebastian Theos
  • Publication number: 20210272475
    Abstract: A processor on an industrial vehicle is programmed to identify a metric that characterizes an event associated with an operator of the industrial vehicle, where the metric has a performance parameter to evaluate against the event, and a behavior modification action that defines a desired operator behavior in response to the event. The processor is further operatively programmed to monitor for the event, and record event data that characterizes a response of the vehicle operator to the event. In response to detecting an event, the processor evaluates the recorded event data against the performance parameter to determine whether the vehicle operator demonstrated appropriate behavior for the event, computes a vehicle operator score based upon the evaluation, and performs the behavior modification action where the operator has not been inculcated to respond to the event.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2021
    Publication date: September 2, 2021
    Inventors: Lewis H. Manci, Philip W. Swift, Lucas B. Waltz
  • Patent number: 10991266
    Abstract: Dynamic industrial vehicle monitoring for modification of vehicle operator behavior comprises identifying a metric that characterizes an event associated with the operator of an industrial vehicle, the metric having a pre-action trigger that defines when the event is predicted to occur, a performance parameter to evaluate against the event and a behavior modification action that corresponds to a desired operator behavior in response to the event. Monitoring operation of the industrial vehicle is carried out for the event. Upon detecting an occurrence of the event, event data is recorded that characterizes a response of a vehicle operator to the event. The recorded event data is evaluated against at least one performance parameter associated with the corresponding metric to determine whether the vehicle operator demonstrated appropriate behavior for the event. A vehicle operator score is updated based upon the evaluation and the updated vehicle operator score is communicated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: Crown Equipment Corporation
    Inventors: Lewis H. Manci, Philip W. Swift, Lucas B. Waltz
  • Publication number: 20210078494
    Abstract: A process of providing dynamic industrial vehicle feedback comprises storing in memory, data identifying a vehicle-based event that characterizes an operation of an industrial vehicle. Further, the process comprises storing into memory, operation information collected from an electronic component on the industrial vehicle that is associated with the identified event. The collected operation information characterizes a current operating state of the industrial vehicle as the industrial vehicle is being operated. The process further comprises detecting that the event has occurred based upon the collected operation information and generating an output message based on the detected event and the collected operation information. The output message is then conveyed on the industrial vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2020
    Publication date: March 18, 2021
    Inventors: Lewis H. Manci, Philip W. Swift, Lucas B. Waltz
  • Publication number: 20210082312
    Abstract: Industrial vehicle monitoring for modification of vehicle operator behavior comprises storing data identifying an event associated with the operation of an industrial vehicle, the data having a performance parameter to evaluate against the event. Further, operation of the industrial vehicle is monitored for an event. When an occurrence of the event is detected, event data that characterizes an action of a vehicle operator is recorded into memory. The recorded event data is evaluated against the performance parameter to determine whether the vehicle operator demonstrated appropriate behavior for the detected event, and a behavior modification action is determined based on the evaluation of the recorded event data against the performance parameter. An output message is conveyed on the industrial vehicle to perform the behavior modification action.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2020
    Publication date: March 18, 2021
    Inventors: Lewis H. Manci, Philip W. Swift, Lucas B. Waltz
  • Publication number: 20200250502
    Abstract: A control system for an industrial vehicle includes a badge communicator and an information linking device. The badge communicator has a transceiver for short range communication with electronic badges that are within in a fixed short range of the badge communicator, defining a first zone. The information linking device is programmed to execute program code. The program code extracts a current state of an operating parameter read from an industrial vehicle network bus, generates a second zone within the first zone that is defined based upon the extracted industrial vehicle operating parameter, detects a presence of an electronic badge within the first zone, determines whether the electronic badge is within the second zone, performs a first action if the detected electronic badge is not within the second zone, and performs a second action if the electronic badge is within the second zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2020
    Publication date: August 6, 2020
    Inventors: Lewis H. Manci, Juergen Buchmann, Andreas Simon, Sebastian Theos (AKA Sick)
  • Publication number: 20200250505
    Abstract: A system for adjusting control of an industrial vehicle comprises a badge communicator that communicates with electronic badges that are in short range proximity of the industrial vehicle; and a controller coupled to memory, wherein the controller executes program code stored in the memory to adjust control of operating parameters of the industrial vehicle. The controller executes the program code to receive a badge identifier wirelessly transmitted by a detected electronic badge and identify a role associated with the badge identifier. Based on the role associated with the badge identifier, the controller modifies a set point of the industrial vehicle from a first set point to a second set point by communicating information concerning the set point to a vehicle control module of the electronic vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2020
    Publication date: August 6, 2020
    Inventors: Andreas Simon, Juergen Buchmann, Lewis H. Manci, Sebastian Theos aka Sick
  • Publication number: 20200223359
    Abstract: When an industrial vehicle encounters a geo-feature, one or more messages for conveyance on the industrial vehicle are determined based on a current operating state of the industrial vehicle and an expected operating condition associated with the encountered geo-feature. In an example implementation, the geo-feature can implement aisle control in a warehouse or similar environment to ensure that only authorized vehicles are permitted to enter the aisle. Here, authorization may be predicated upon an assigned task from a warehouse management system. In another example implementation, the industrial vehicle includes a display that provides a graphical representation of the geo-feature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2020
    Publication date: July 16, 2020
    Inventors: Lewis H. Manci, Philip W. Swift, Lucas B. Waltz
  • Publication number: 20200135051
    Abstract: Dynamic industrial vehicle monitoring for modification of vehicle operator behavior comprises identifying a metric that characterizes an event associated with the operator of an industrial vehicle, the metric having a pre-action trigger that defines when the event is predicted to occur, a performance parameter to evaluate against the event and a behavior modification action that corresponds to a desired operator behavior in response to the event. Monitoring operation of the industrial vehicle is carried out for the event. Upon detecting an occurrence of the event, event data is recorded that characterizes a response of a vehicle operator to the event. The recorded event data is evaluated against at least one performance parameter associated with the corresponding metric to determine whether the vehicle operator demonstrated appropriate behavior for the event. A vehicle operator score is updated based upon the evaluation and the updated vehicle operator score is communicated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2019
    Publication date: April 30, 2020
    Inventors: Lewis H. Manci, Philip W. Swift, Lucas B. Waltz
  • Patent number: 10625751
    Abstract: A computer implemented process is carried out by identifying a metric that characterizes an event associated with the operation of an industrial vehicle. Information about the metric is transmitted to an industrial vehicle. Further, the process includes receiving event data that characterizes a response of the industrial vehicle to the event. The process also includes updating a score for the instance of the metric associated with the vehicle operator by deriving a raw score value based upon the received event data, aggregating the derived raw score value to previously derived raw scores for the metric, and computing a modified score by applying a filter to the aggregate of raw score values. The process also includes comparing the computed modified score with a predetermined modification criteria, and sending a command back to the industrial vehicle to modify the industrial vehicle based upon the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: Crown Equipment Corporation
    Inventors: Lewis H. Manci, Philip W. Swift, Lucas B. Waltz
  • Patent number: 10604069
    Abstract: In location-based geo-feature implementations, messages for conveyance on an industrial vehicle are determined based on a current operating state of the industrial vehicle, information about a zone with expected operating conditions, and the industrial vehicle's location. When the industrial vehicle enters the zone, the current operating state of the industrial vehicle is compared to the expected operating state, which determines the message for display. Further, the current operating state may change the way the message is displayed. In vehicle-based implementations, vehicle data is collected and analyzed to generate messages upon the triggering of predetermined events. The detection of an event can be combined with vehicle position data to create an event record that captures location. Tools are also provided for setting up, managing and using the above capabilities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: Crown Equipment Corporation
    Inventors: Lewis H. Manci, Philip W. Swift, Lucas B. Waltz
  • Patent number: 10558903
    Abstract: Electronic badges are indirectly tracked by detecting, by a badge communicator on a select industrial vehicle of a fleet of industrial vehicles, the presence of an electronic badge and performing a badge logging transaction in response to detecting the electronic badge. The badge logging transaction includes receiving, by the badge communicator, a badge identifier transmitted by the detected electronic badge. The badge logging transaction also includes determining, by the badge communicator, an offset measurement of the electronic badge relative to the select industrial vehicle, electronically determining a vehicle location of the select industrial vehicle, and identifying a badge location based upon the determined vehicle location and the measured offset. The badge logging transaction can also include generating a time stamp, and wirelessly communicating a badge locator message to a remote server, the badge locator message including the badge identifier, the badge location, and the timestamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: Crown Equipment Corporation
    Inventors: Lewis H. Manci, Juergen Buchmann, Andreas Simon, Sebastian Sick
  • Patent number: 10558907
    Abstract: A system for controlling an industrial vehicle comprises an information linking device, a badge communicator, an operator badge, and a controller. The controller controls the industrial vehicle operating state by identifying that an operator possessing the operator badge has approached the industrial vehicle, communicating with the server via the information linking device to authenticate the operator as authorized to operate the industrial vehicle, and pairing the operator badge with the industrial vehicle upon determining that the operator is authorized to operate the industrial vehicle. Moreover, the controller controls the industrial vehicle operating state by controlling the industrial vehicle based upon a location of the operator badge relative to the industrial vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: Crown Equipment Corporation
    Inventors: Andreas Simon, Juergen Buchmann, Lewis H. Manci, Sebastian Sick