Patents by Inventor Nathaniel Frampton

Nathaniel Frampton 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).

  • System and method for high speed control and rejection
    Patent number: 7079912
    Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for high speed control and rejection of out-of-specification products, such as cigarettes, in a manufacturing process. Sensors are placed at strategic locations along a production line, with the signals from the sensors being directed to a high speed processor, with multiple sensor inputs and controlled by software algorithms to process the sensor signals and to direct control signals to the production line equipment. Control signals can both eject non-conforming products and also modify machine settings to produce a product in closer compliance with specifications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: James Stack, Herbert C. Longest, Jr., Nathaniel Frampton
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MODEL BASED CONTROL OF A MECHANICAL DEVICE
    Publication number: 20040148037
    Abstract: A model based controller system and method is disclosed. The system and method includes at least one model including at least one process step, at least one controller that generates at least one control command, at least one component responsive to the at least one control command, wherein the at least one component receives the at least one control command from the at least one controller, and wherein the at least one component sends at least one component information element to the at least one controller, and at least one communicative coordination that communicatively coordinates the at least one model with the at least one controller, wherein the at least one control command is generated in accordance with the at least one process step, and wherein at least one of the at least one process step is varied in accordance with the at least one component information element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2004
    Publication date: July 29, 2004
    Inventors: Nathaniel Frampton, Eileen Heider, Michael Miller, Erika Valentine, J. Michael Bearden, Thomas A. McWilliams
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MODEL BASED CONTROL OF A NEURAL NETWORK
    Publication number: 20040128003
    Abstract: A model based controller system and method is disclosed. The system and method includes at least one model including at least one process step, at least one controller that generates at least one control command, at least one component responsive to the at least one control command, wherein the at least one component receives the at least one control command from the at least one controller, and wherein the at least one component sends at least one component information element to the at least one controller, and at least one communicative coordination that communicatively coordinates the at least one model with the at least one controller, wherein the at least one control command is generated in accordance with the at least one process step, and wherein at least one of the at least one process step is varied in accordance with the at least one component information element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2004
    Publication date: July 1, 2004
    Inventors: Nathaniel Frampton, Eileen Heider, Michael Miller, Erika Valentine, J. Michael Bearden, Thomas A. McWilliams
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MODEL BASED CONTROL OF A CHEMICAL PROCESS
    Publication number: 20040128002
    Abstract: A model based controller system and method is disclosed. The system and method includes at least one model including at least one process step, at least one controller that generates at least one control command, at least one component responsive to the at least one control command, wherein the at least one component receives the at least one control command from the at least one controller, and wherein the at least one component sends at least one component information element to the at least one controller, and at least one communicative coordination that communicatively coordinates the at least one model with the at least one controller, wherein the at least one control command is generated in accordance with the at least one process step, and wherein at least one of the at least one process step is varied in accordance with the at least one component information element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2004
    Publication date: July 1, 2004
    Inventors: Nathaniel Frampton, Eileen Heider, Michael Miller, Erika Valentine, J. Michael Bearden, Thomas A. McWilliams
  • System and method for high speed control and rejection
    Publication number: 20040102864
    Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for high speed control and rejection of out-of-specification products, such as cigarettes, in a manufacturing process. Sensors are placed at strategic locations along a production line, with the signals from the sensors being directed to a high speed processor, with multiple sensor inputs and controlled by software algorithms to process the sensor signals and to direct control signals to the production line equipment. Control signals can both eject non-conforming products and also modify machine settings to produce a product in closer compliance with specifications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2002
    Publication date: May 27, 2004
    Inventors: James Stack, Herbert C. Longest, Nathaniel Frampton