Patents by Inventor Robert Leonard

Robert Leonard 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: 20160061643
    Abstract: A system for determining a volume of loose material within a container comprises a support arm mountable above the container, an array of one or more sensors mounted to the support arm, wherein each of the one or more sensors is configured to determine a discrete distance measurement between the array and a surface of the loose material or a surface of the container, and at least one processor in communication with the array of one or more sensors, the processor configured to estimate a volume of the loose material in the container from discrete distance measurements determined by the one or more sensors of the array.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2015
    Publication date: March 3, 2016
    Inventors: Edwin Ernest Wilson, John D. Preheim, Robert Leonard Nelson, JR.
  • Publication number: 20150359163
    Abstract: Systems and techniques for row guidance parameterization with Hough transform are described herein. An electronic representation of a field (ERF) can be received. The ERF can include a set of feature sets including one of a set of crop row features or a set of furrow features. A first parameter space can be produced by applying a slope-intercept Hough transform (SLIHT) to members of a feature set. Peaks in the first parameter space can be identified. A second parameter space can be produced by application of the SLIHT to the peaks. A vanishing point can be calculated based on a vanishing point peak in the second parameter space. A track-angle error can be calculated from the vanishing point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2015
    Publication date: December 17, 2015
    Inventor: Robert Leonard Nelson, JR.
  • Publication number: 20150321694
    Abstract: Systems and techniques for refined row guidance parameterization with Hough transform are described herein. An electronic representation of a field (ERF) can be received. A steering variable calculation can be performed by executing a cascaded Hough transform on the ERF. An intermediate value used in calculating the steering variable can be selected. A refined intermediate value can be identified from the intermediate value by measuring a difference between the intermediate value and an anchor value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2015
    Publication date: November 12, 2015
    Inventors: Robert Leonard Nelson, JR., Edwin Ernest Wilson
  • Publication number: 20150319911
    Abstract: System and techniques for optical flow sensing applications in agricultural vehicles are described herein. A plurality of digital images of an agricultural environment can be obtained from a sensor affixed to agricultural equipment. The plurality of digital images can include a first image and a second image, the second image being captured subsequent to the first image. A transformation of a landmark between the first image and the second image can be identified. A degree of motion for the agricultural equipment relative to an environmental target can be calculated based on the transformation of the landmark.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2015
    Publication date: November 12, 2015
    Inventors: Edwin Ernest Wilson, Robert Leonard Nelson, JR., David Anthony Fowler
  • Publication number: 20150324648
    Abstract: System and techniques for an image filter based on row identification are described herein. A crop row center represented in an image of a crop row can be calculated. A filter corresponding to a set of expected crop characteristics of the crop row can be obtained. Elements in the image can then be categorized based on applying the filter to the image when the filter anchored on the crop row.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2015
    Publication date: November 12, 2015
    Inventors: Edwin Ernest Wilson, Robert Leonard Nelson, JR., David Anthony Fowler
  • Patent number: 9123113
    Abstract: Systems and techniques for row guidance parameterization with Hough transform are described herein. An electronic representation of a field (ERF) can be received. The ERF can include a set of feature sets including one of a set of crop row features or a set of furrow features. A first parameter space can be produced by applying a slope-intercept Hough transform (SLIHT) to members of a feature set. Peaks in the first parameter space can be identified. A second parameter space can be produced by application of the SLIHT to the peaks. A vanishing point can be calculated based on a vanishing point peak in the second parameter space. A track-angle error can be calculated from the vanishing point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: Raven Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Leonard Nelson, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20150138752
    Abstract: A linear lamp is provided having one or more light emitting elements provided therein. The light emitting elements are directed to emit light in a direction different from the primary direction of the illumination of the lamp. The light emitting elements may be supported by a supporting optical element. The supporting optical element may permit the transmission of light therethrough. The supporting optical element may be an integral window upon which the light emitting elements are disposed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2014
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventors: Thomas Katona, Steven Paolini, Robert Leonard
  • Publication number: 20150112557
    Abstract: Leading vehicle position information can be used to determine a location and heading of one or more implements of a trailing vehicle in an implement train that includes the leading vehicle. In an example, the leading vehicle pulls one or more trailing vehicles, and information about the leading vehicle position or heading is used to update a function of one or more implements associated with trailing vehicles of the implement train. In an example, the present subject matter includes identifying a heading of a trailing vehicle based on its initial location, an intermediate location, and a destination location. In an example, the present subject matter includes identifying a speed of one or more points on a trailing vehicle. In some examples, the present subject matter includes determining a location, heading, or speed of multiple implements associated with multiple trailing vehicles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2014
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Inventor: Robert Leonard Nelson, JR.
  • Publication number: 20150097707
    Abstract: A system for generating a non-visual notification of a machine condition includes a machine condition sensor configured to sense a machine condition. A notification generation controller is in communication with the machine condition sensor. The notification generation controller generates a notification according to the sensed machine condition. In a feedback configuration the notification generation controller compares an integral of a rate of change of the sensed machine condition with a threshold to trigger the generation of a notification. In a guidance configuration the notification generation controller uses the deviation of the machine condition from a guidance direction determined with a steering algorithm to control the generation of a notification. A non-visual notification generator is in communication with the notification generation controller and generates a non-visual notification based on the notification.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2014
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Inventors: Robert Leonard Nelson, JR., David Anthony Fowler, Dale L. Gambill, Daniel R. Weber, Charles D. Parker, James Darrell McCauley
  • Patent number: 9000756
    Abstract: A rotation sensor assembly includes a rotated component rotatably coupled with a base. The rotation sensor assembly includes a transmitter and a receiver. The transmitter is coupled with the base or the rotated component. The transmitter generates a magnetic field including a sinusoidally time-varying dipole near-field corresponding to an excitation signal having a first phase value. The receiver is coupled with the other of the rotated component or the base. The receiver detects the magnetic field and generates a reception signal based on the magnetic field with a second phase value corresponding to a rotation angle of the rotated component relative to the base. The receiver is mechanically isolated from the transmitter. A rotation angle module is coupled with the transmitter. The rotation angle module, for instance a phase detector, measures the rotation angle of the rotated component based on the phase difference in the first and second phase values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Raven Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Clarence Walt Fowler, Robert Leonard Nelson, Jr., Scott Porter
  • Patent number: 8924099
    Abstract: Leading vehicle position information can be used to determine a location and heading of one or more implements of a trailing vehicle in an implement train that includes the leading vehicle. In an example, the leading vehicle pulls one or more trailing vehicles, and information about the leading vehicle position or heading is used to update a function of one or more implements associated with trailing vehicles of the implement train. In an example, the present subject matter includes identifying a heading of a trailing vehicle based on its initial location, an intermediate location, and a destination location. In an example, the present subject matter includes identifying a speed of one or more points on a trailing vehicle. In some examples, the present subject matter includes determining a location, heading, or speed of multiple implements associated with multiple trailing vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Raven Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Leonard Nelson, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20140378277
    Abstract: A device for rebalancing the pelvis, has first and second support elements and a base, wherein the support elements are such that in a position of use for an individual standing on the base the support element is situated underneath a large part of the arch of the foot in such a way that the arch is raised above its usual position. Feedback signals indicate to a user the correct position of the feet and correct performance of a training and rebalancing routine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2013
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Applicant: KRULLAARDS TECHNOLOGY B.V.
    Inventor: Robert Leonard KRULLAARDS
  • Publication number: 20140283593
    Abstract: Advanced remote self-contained chromatographic systems and techniques for analyzing a mixture comprising components having a wide range of boiling points. The chromatographic systems and techniques can utilize components and techniques that allow staged, simultaneous, and/or sequential vaporization of an analyte to facilitate rapid analysis. The chromatographic systems and techniques can also utilize components and techniques that focus eluents from a first separation stage prior to reduce characterization time in subsequent stages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2014
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Inventors: NEIL WILLIAM BOSTROM, ROBERT LEONARD KLEINBERG, KRISTOFER GUNNAR PASO, BHAVANI RAGHURAMAN, GORDON R. LAMBERTUS
  • Publication number: 20140277954
    Abstract: Leading vehicle position information can be used to determine a location and heading of one or more implements of a trailing vehicle in an implement train that includes the leading vehicle. In an example, the leading vehicle pulls one or more trailing vehicles, and information about the leading vehicle position or heading is used to update a function of one or more implements associated with trailing vehicles of the implement train. In an example, the present subject matter includes identifying a heading of a trailing vehicle based on its initial location, an intermediate location, and a destination location. In an example, the present subject matter includes identifying a speed of one or more points on a trailing vehicle. In some examples, the present subject matter includes determining a location, heading, or speed of multiple implements associated with multiple trailing vehicles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Raven Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Leonard Nelson, JR.
  • Publication number: 20140277898
    Abstract: Guiding a leading vehicle according to a desired trailing vehicle path includes generating one or more proceeding paths for one or more intermediate locations along an implement train between a trailing vehicle first location and a leading vehicle second location. The proceeding paths generated with a propagation and transformation algorithm that propagates a preceding path of one of the first location, such as the desired trailing vehicle path, or one of one or more intermediate locations to an immediately proceeding location, and transforms the preceding path according to dimensional characteristics of the implement train. A second guiding path is generated for the leading vehicle second location with the algorithm based on the immediately preceding path of the intermediate location closest to the second location. The method facilitates guidance of the trailing vehicle along the desired trailing vehicle path without navigation markers on the implement train except for the leading vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: RAVEN INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventor: Robert Leonard Nelson, JR.
  • Publication number: 20140254861
    Abstract: Systems and techniques for row guidance parameterization with Hough transform are described herein. An electronic representation of a field (ERF) can be received. The ERF can include a set of feature sets including one of a set of crop row features or a set of furrow features. A first parameter space can be produced by applying a slope-intercept Hough transform (SLIHT) to members of a feature set. Peaks in the first parameter space can be identified. A second parameter space can be produced by application of the SLIHT to the peaks. A vanishing point can be calculated based on a vanishing point peak in the second parameter space. A track-angle error can be calculated from the vanishing point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: RAVEN INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventor: Robert Leonard Nelson, JR.
  • Patent number: 8825263
    Abstract: Guiding a leading vehicle according to a desired trailing vehicle path includes generating one or more proceeding paths for one or more intermediate locations along an implement train between a trailing vehicle first location and a leading vehicle second location. The proceeding paths generated with a propagation and transformation algorithm that propagates a preceding path of one of the first location, such as the desired trailing vehicle path, or one of one or more intermediate locations to an immediately proceeding location, and transforms the preceding path according to dimensional characteristics of the implement train. A second guiding path is generated for the leading vehicle second location with the algorithm based on the immediately preceding path of the intermediate location closest to the second location. The method facilitates guidance of the trailing vehicle along the desired trailing vehicle path without navigation markers on the implement train except for the leading vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Raven Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Leonard Nelson, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20140129171
    Abstract: An example includes a method to estimate a bias affecting an inertial sensor. The method can include monitoring a plurality of rate-of-turn samples, from the inertial sensor, in a sequence over time, wherein each of the plurality of rate-of-turn samples includes substantially the same actual bias value that is included in each of the plurality of other rate-of-turn samples. The method can include estimating the bias as a weighted average of the plurality of rate-of-turn samples. The method can include determining an adjusted rate-of-turn sample by subtracting the bias from an instant rate-of-turn sample of the plurality of rate-of-turn samples. The method can include putting out the adjusted rate-of-turn.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Applicant: RAVEN INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventor: Robert Leonard Nelson, JR.
  • Publication number: 20140055128
    Abstract: A rotation sensor assembly includes a rotated component rotatably coupled with a base. The rotation sensor assembly includes a transmitter and a receiver. The transmitter is coupled with the base or the rotated component. The transmitter generates a magnetic field including a sinusoidally time-varying dipole near-field corresponding to an excitation signal having a first phase value. The receiver is coupled with the other of the rotated component or the base. The receiver detects the magnetic field and generates a reception signal based on the magnetic field with a second phase value corresponding to a rotation angle of the rotated component relative to the base. The receiver is mechanically isolated from the transmitter. A rotation angle module is coupled with the transmitter. The rotation angle module, for instance a phase detector, measures the rotation angle of the rotated component based on the phase difference in the first and second phase values.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2012
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Applicant: RAVEN INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Clarence Walt Fowler, Robert Leonard Nelson, JR., Scott Porter
  • Patent number: 8390136
    Abstract: A novel furnace and scrubber assembly which generates electrical energy by the initial combustion of material and a methodology which causes such electrical energy to be generated. Further, a novel scrubber technology which improves both scrubber efficiency and furnace efficiency while recovering energy from a furnace exhaust stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Inventors: Robert Leonard O'Brien, Jr, John Gerard Chupa