Patents by Inventor Lucas B. Waltz
Lucas B. Waltz 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).
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Patent number: 10522054Abstract: Dynamic industrial vehicle monitoring for modification of vehicle operator behavior comprises identifying a metric that characterizes an event associated with the operation of an industrial vehicle, the metric having at least one behavior modification action and at least one performance parameter to evaluate the event against. 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: GrantFiled: March 8, 2017Date of Patent: December 31, 2019Assignee: Crown Equipment CorporationInventors: Lewis H. Manci, Philip W. Swift, Lucas B. Waltz
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Patent number: 10429831Abstract: A computer-executed process and system for evaluating industrial vehicle performance comprises identifying kinematic functions of an industrial vehicle, receiving constraints of an environment in which the industrial vehicle operates, and computing a cutback curve for a parameter of a select kinematic function of the industrial vehicle. A kinematic model of the industrial vehicle is generated based on the kinematic functions, the constraints of the environment, and the cutback curves. A workflow model is defined by defining tasks of the industrial vehicle within the environment, wherein the tasks are based upon the kinematic model. The kinematic model and workflow model is used to simulate a job specification, and the results of the simulation are used to evaluate an industrial vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2016Date of Patent: October 1, 2019Assignee: Crown Equipment CorporationInventors: Jacob J. Thomson, Lisa Wong, Lucas B. Waltz
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Patent number: 10386854Abstract: The embodiments described herein relate to systems and methods for presenting information from a management server on a mobile client device to facilitate the management of industrial vehicles. Embodiments of the system can include a plurality of industrial vehicles communicatively coupled to the management server, and a mobile client device communicatively coupled to the management server. The mobile client device can include a display, a wireless communication circuit, and one or more client processors. Encoded objects, vehicular objects, or combinations thereof can be presented upon the display of the mobile client device to present information from the management server.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2017Date of Patent: August 20, 2019Assignee: Crown Equipment CorporationInventors: Kashyap Chandrasekar, Lucas B. Waltz, Lisa Wong
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Publication number: 20190023180Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 25, 2018Publication date: January 24, 2019Inventors: Lewis H. Manci, Philip W. Swift, Lucas B. Waltz
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Patent number: 10086756Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 24, 2016Date of Patent: October 2, 2018Assignee: Crown Equipment CorporationInventors: Lewis H. Manci, Philip W. Swift, Lucas B. Waltz
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Patent number: 9898010Abstract: The embodiments described herein relate to systems and methods for presenting information from a management server on a mobile client device to facilitate the management of industrial vehicles. Embodiments of the system can include a plurality of industrial vehicles communicatively coupled to the management server, and a mobile client device communicatively coupled to the management server. The mobile client device can include a display, a wireless communication circuit, and one or more client processors. Encoded objects, vehicular objects, or combinations thereof can be presented upon the display of the mobile client device to present information from the management server.Type: GrantFiled: November 11, 2016Date of Patent: February 20, 2018Assignee: Crown Equipment CorporationInventors: Kashyap Chandrasekar, Lucas B. Waltz, Lisa Wong
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Patent number: 9785152Abstract: Systems and methods present information from a management server on a mobile client device to facilitate the management of industrial vehicles. Embodiments of the system can include a plurality of industrial vehicles communicatively coupled to the management server, and a mobile client device communicatively coupled to the management server. The mobile client device can include a display, a wireless communication circuit, and one or more client processors. Encoded objects, vehicular objects, or combinations thereof can be presented upon the display of the mobile client device to present information from the management server.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2014Date of Patent: October 10, 2017Assignee: Crown Equipment CorporationInventors: Kashyap Chandrasekar, Lucas B. Waltz, Lisa Wong
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Patent number: 9778656Abstract: Included are embodiments for multimode vehicular navigation control. Some embodiments include a vehicle that has a memory component and a vehicle control module (VCM), where the VCM includes a controller. Additionally, the memory component may store functional modes of operation and control modes of operation, each of the control modes of operation being associated with a mechanism for controlling the vehicle, and each of the functional modes of operation being associated with a desired function of the vehicle. In some embodiments the VCM receives control commands from a system operator and implements the control commands, utilizing the controller. In some embodiments, at least one of the control modes of operation is configured for automatic control of the vehicle and at least one of the control modes of operation is a torque control mode for providing a power signal directly to a vehicle motor, without utilization of the controller.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2012Date of Patent: October 3, 2017Assignee: Crown Equipment CorporationInventors: Lucas B. Waltz, Bing Zheng, Thomas L. Mallak, Steve Mangette
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Publication number: 20170269608Abstract: The embodiments described herein relate to systems and methods for presenting information from a management server on a mobile client device to facilitate the management of industrial vehicles. Embodiments of the system can include a plurality of industrial vehicles communicatively coupled to the management server, and a mobile client device communicatively coupled to the management server. The mobile client device can include a display, a wireless communication circuit, and one or more client processors. Encoded objects, vehicular objects, or combinations thereof can be presented upon the display of the mobile client device to present information from the management server.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 8, 2017Publication date: September 21, 2017Applicant: Crown Equipment CorporationInventors: Kashyap Chandrasekar, Lucas B. Waltz, Lisa Wong
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Patent number: 9751740Abstract: A materials handling vehicle is provided comprising: a support structure including a first member; a movable assembly coupled to the support structure; a hydraulic system; and a control system. The support structure further comprises lift apparatus to effect movement of the movable assembly relative to the support structure first member. The lift apparatus includes at least one ram/cylinder assembly. The hydraulic system includes a motor, a pump coupled to the motor to supply a pressurized fluid to the at least one ram/cylinder assembly, and at least one electronically controlled valve associated with the ram/cylinder assembly. The control structure may estimate a speed of the movable assembly from a speed of the motor and may control the operation of the at least one valve using a comparison involving the estimated movable assembly speed and a determined speed, and the comparison may not involve use of an operator commanded speed.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2015Date of Patent: September 5, 2017Assignee: Crown Equipment CorporationInventors: Karl L. Dammeyer, Eric D. Holbrook, Darrin R. Ihle, Marc A. McClain, Lucas B. Waltz
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Publication number: 20170178536Abstract: Dynamic industrial vehicle monitoring for modification of vehicle operator behavior comprises identifying a metric that characterizes an event associated with the operation of an industrial vehicle, the metric having at least one behavior modification action and at least one performance parameter to evaluate the event against. 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: ApplicationFiled: March 8, 2017Publication date: June 22, 2017Inventors: Lewis H. Manci, Philip W. Swift, Lucas B. Waltz
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Publication number: 20170131711Abstract: A computer-executed process and system for evaluating industrial vehicle performance comprises identifying kinematic functions of an industrial vehicle, receiving constraints of an environment in which the industrial vehicle operates, and computing a cutback curve for a parameter of a select kinematic function of the industrial vehicle. A kinematic model of the industrial vehicle is generated based on the kinematic functions, the constraints of the environment, and the cutback curves. A workflow model is defined by defining tasks of the industrial vehicle within the environment, wherein the tasks are based upon the kinematic model. The kinematic model and workflow model is used to simulate a job specification, and the results of the simulation are used to evaluate an industrial vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 20, 2016Publication date: May 11, 2017Inventors: Jacob J. Thomson, Lisa Wong, Lucas B. Waltz
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Publication number: 20170121158Abstract: A method and apparatus for using unique landmarks to position industrial vehicles during start-up. In one embodiment, a method of using pre-positioned objects as landmarks to operate an industrial vehicle is provided. The method comprises identifying a start-up scenario from sensor data, wherein the start-up scenario comprises a unique marker start-up or a pre-positioned object start-up. in response to the identified start-up scenario, either a unique marker or pre-positioned object is identified within a physical environment, wherein the pre-positioned object or unique marker corresponds with a sub-area of the physical environment. The industrial vehicle pose is determined in response to the identity of the pre-positioned object or unique marker and the industrial vehicle is operated based on the determined industrial vehicle pose.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 6, 2017Publication date: May 4, 2017Applicant: Crown Equipment CorporationInventors: Lisa Wong, Andrew Evan Graham, Christopher W. Goode, Lucas B. Waltz
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Patent number: 9626879Abstract: Dynamic industrial vehicle monitoring for modification of vehicle operator behavior comprises identifying a metric that characterizes an event associated with the operation of an industrial vehicle, the metric having at least one behavior modification action and at least one performance parameter to evaluate the event against. 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: GrantFiled: September 5, 2014Date of Patent: April 18, 2017Assignee: Crown Equipment CorporationInventors: Lewis H. Manci, Philip W. Swift, Lucas B. Waltz
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Patent number: 9606540Abstract: According to the embodiments described herein, a method for environmental based localization may include capturing an input image of a ceiling comprising a plurality of skylights. Features can be extracted from the input image. The features can be grouped into a plurality of feature groups such that each of the feature groups is associated with one of the skylights. Line segments can be extracted from the features of each feature group, automatically, with one or more processors executing a feature extraction algorithm on each feature group separately. At least two selected lines of the line segments of each feature groups can be selected. A centerline for each of the feature groups can be determined based at least in part upon the two selected lines. The center line of each of the feature groups can be associated with one of the skylights.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2015Date of Patent: March 28, 2017Assignee: Crown Equipment CorporationInventors: Mark Bell, Kashyap Chandrasekar, Lucas B. Waltz, Jacob Thomson
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Publication number: 20170060138Abstract: The embodiments described herein relate to systems and methods for presenting information from a management server on a mobile client device to facilitate the management of industrial vehicles. Embodiments of the system can include a plurality of industrial vehicles communicatively coupled to the management server, and a mobile client device communicatively coupled to the management server. The mobile client device can include a display, a wireless communication circuit, and one or more client processors. Encoded objects, vehicular objects, or combinations thereof can be presented upon the display of the mobile client device to present information from the management server.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 11, 2016Publication date: March 2, 2017Applicant: Crown Equipment CorporationInventors: Kashyap Chandrasekar, Lucas B. Waltz, Lisa Wong
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Patent number: 9580285Abstract: A method and apparatus for using unique landmarks to position industrial vehicles during start-up. In one embodiment, a method of using pre-positioned objects as landmarks to operate an industrial vehicle is provided. The method comprises identifying a start-up scenario from sensor data, wherein the start-up scenario comprises a unique marker start-up or a pre-positioned object start-up. in response to the identified start-up scenario, either a unique marker or pre-positioned object is identified within a physical environment, wherein the pre-positioned object or unique marker corresponds with a sub-area of the physical environment. The industrial vehicle pose is determined in response to the identity of the pre-positioned object or unique marker and the industrial vehicle is operated based on the determined industrial vehicle pose.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2014Date of Patent: February 28, 2017Assignee: Crown Equipment CorporationInventors: Lisa Wong, Andrew Evan Graham, Christopher W. Goode, Lucas B. Waltz
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Publication number: 20160368508Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 17, 2016Publication date: December 22, 2016Inventors: Lewis H. Manci, Philip W. Swift, Lucas B. Waltz
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Patent number: 9523582Abstract: The embodiments described herein relate to systems and methods for presenting information from a management server on a mobile client device to facilitate the management of industrial vehicles. Embodiments of the system can include a plurality of industrial vehicles communicatively coupled to the management server, and a mobile client device communicatively coupled to the management server. The mobile client device can include a display, a wireless communication circuit, and one or more client processors. Encoded objects, vehicular objects, or combinations thereof can be presented upon the display of the mobile client device to present information from the management server.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2014Date of Patent: December 20, 2016Assignee: Crown Equipment CorporationInventors: Kashyap Chandrasekar, Lucas B. Waltz, Lisa Wong
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Publication number: 20160347248Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 24, 2016Publication date: December 1, 2016Inventors: Lewis H. Manci, Philip W. Swift, Lucas B. Waltz