Patents by Inventor Michael Kean

Michael Kean 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: 20230174055
    Abstract: A body swing collision avoidance system and method for a machine with steerable traction devices for moving the machine. Sensors monitor obstacles around the machine. A commanded body swing path is calculated based on operator steering commands. If an obstacle is in the commanded body swing path, the system automatically adjusts the steering commands to avoid collision with the obstacle. A time to collision can be calculated, and the steering commands adjusted only when it is below a threshold. Adjusting the steering commands to avoid collision can include determining propel and steer components based on the steering commands; and if propel is greater than a threshold then adjusting the steering commands to adjust the swing path to avoid collision; and if propel is less than the threshold then adjusting the steering commands to slow the machine to avoid collision.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2021
    Publication date: June 8, 2023
    Inventors: Rachel Bruflodt, Giovanni A. Wuisan, Michael Kean, Brett S. Graham
  • Publication number: 20230175235
    Abstract: A rear collision avoidance system and method for a machine with left and right side traction devices for moving the machine. Sensors monitor obstacles around the machine. A commanded reverse path is calculated based on operator traction device commands. If an obstacle is in the commanded reverse path, the system automatically adjusts the traction device commands to avoid collision with the obstacle. A time to collision can be calculated, and the traction device commands adjusted only when it is below a threshold. Adjusting the traction device commands to avoid collision can include determining reverse propel and steer components based on the traction device commands; and if the reverse propel is greater than a propel threshold then adjusting the traction device commands to reduce reverse propel but maintain the reverse path; and if steer is greater than propel then adjusting the traction device commands to reduce reverse propel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2021
    Publication date: June 8, 2023
    Inventors: Rachel Bruflodt, Giovanni A Wuisan, Michael Kean, Brett S Graham
  • Patent number: 11417008
    Abstract: A volume of contents in a container of a work vehicle can be estimated in various examples. One example involves a system with a 3D sensor on a work vehicle, where the sensor captures images of a material in a container of the work vehicle. A processor device that is in communication with the 3D sensor determines a volume of the material in the container using the images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignees: Deere & Company, Carnegie Mellon University
    Inventors: John Hageman, Tarik Loukili, Michael Kean, Herman Herman, Halit Bener Suay
  • Publication number: 20200334846
    Abstract: A volume of contents in a container of a work vehicle can be estimated in various examples. One example involves a system with a 3D sensor on a work vehicle, where the sensor captures images of a material in a container of the work vehicle. A processor device that is in communication with the 3D sensor determines a volume of the material in the container using the images.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2020
    Publication date: October 22, 2020
    Inventors: John Hageman, Tarik Loukili, Michael Kean, Herman Herman, Halit Bener Suay
  • Patent number: 10733752
    Abstract: A volume of contents in a container of a work vehicle can be estimated in various examples. One example involves a system with a 3D sensor on a work vehicle, where the 3D sensor captures images of the contents in a container of the work vehicle. The system also includes a sensor for detecting an angle of the container. A processor device that is in communication with the 3D sensor and the sensor determines a volume of the contents in the container using the images and the angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignees: Deere & Company, Carnegie Mellon University
    Inventors: John Hageman, Tarik Loukili, Michael Kean, Herman Herman, Halit Bener Suay
  • Publication number: 20190026914
    Abstract: A volume of contents in a container of a work vehicle can be estimates. For example, a system can include a 3D sensor on a work vehicle. The 3D sensor can capture multiple images of contents in a container of the work vehicle. The system can also include a sensor for detecting an angle of the 3D sensor with respect to a position of the container for at least some of the images. A processor device can be in communication with the 3D sensor and the sensor. A memory device can include instructions executable by the processor device for causing the processor device to determine a volume of the contents in the container using the images and the angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2017
    Publication date: January 24, 2019
    Inventors: John Hageman, Tarik Loukili, Michael Kean, Herman Herman, Halit Bener Suay