Patents Assigned to International Electronic Machines Corp.
  • Patent number: 11961232
    Abstract: A system and method for detecting medical conditions in individuals in crowded settings is described, including methods and approaches for addressing confounding issues such as variation due to external factors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: International Electronic Machines Corp.
    Inventors: Zahid F. Mian, Noreen F. Mian
  • Patent number: 11818625
    Abstract: An unmanned mobile observation device, such as an unmanned aerial vehicle, can be used to acquire observation data for a sensitive area. The observation data can include image data and geolocation data corresponding to a real-world geographic location at which the image data was acquired. The geolocation data can be accurate to five centimeters or less. The observation data can be evaluated to identify any defects within the sensitive area. Such evaluation can include comparison with previously acquired image data for the sensitive area, which can be enables by using the geolocation data to select the corresponding previously acquired image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: International Electronic Machines Corp.
    Inventor: Zahid F. Mian
  • Patent number: 11555751
    Abstract: A solution for noncontact optical torque measurement of a rotating component is provided. At least one imaging system acquires images of a rotating component. A torque computing unit determines the torque of the rotating component using the images. The torque computing unit can compare the acquired images to previously collected expected images obtained under a known torque condition. The torque computing unit determines the torque of the rotating component based on variations between the acquired images and the collected expected images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: International Electronic Machines Corp.
    Inventors: Ryk E. Spoor, Ronald W. Gamache
  • Patent number: 11448562
    Abstract: A solution for measuring torque and other parameters of a mechanical component is provided. At least two bands can be affixed to the mechanical component and at least two sensing assemblies can be operatively coupled to each band. Each sensing assembly generates signals indicative of relative movement between a respective band and the sensing assembly. A signal conditioner conditions the signals for a computing unit to determine the torque to the mechanical component. The computing unit can determine the torque from a twist of the mechanical component that can be correlated with the torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: International Electronic Machines Corp.
    Inventors: Zahid F. Mian, Bruce McKenney, Peter Hayes, Marc Pearlman
  • Patent number: 11320371
    Abstract: Evaluation of a rotating wheel is described. The evaluation utilizes information acquired by radiation reflecting off of one or more regions of the rotating wheel. An imaging device can acquire image data which is processed to evaluate the wheel. The radiation can comprise diffuse and/or coherent radiation. Image data for substantially an entire circumference of the wheel can be used in the evaluation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: International Electronic Machines Corp.
    Inventors: Zahid F. Mian, Ronald W. Gamache
  • Patent number: 11310626
    Abstract: A solution for managing vehicles both individually and as a group of associated vehicles is provided. A vehicle node can be located on each vehicle in the group and obtain and process data from a plurality of sensors also located on the vehicle. The vehicle node can be configured to communicate, either directly or indirectly, with a group system assigned to the group using a wireless communications solution. The group system can acquire monitoring data for all of the group of associated vehicles, which can be used to manage the group of associated vehicles and/or one or more individual vehicles in the group. The group system can be located on a vehicle traveling as part of the group of associated vehicles or at a fixed location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: International Electronic Machines Corp.
    Inventors: Zahid F. Mian, Bruce P. McKenney, Robert W. Foss
  • Patent number: 11062530
    Abstract: A transportation asset management solution is described. The transportation asset can be evaluated for operability. The evaluation can include periodic analysis of defect data acquired during operation of the transportation asset over a period of time. The evaluation can determine current operability of the transportation asset with respect to the defect and/or a future requirement for maintenance on the transportation asset due to the defect. One or more actions can be generated based on the analysis. A composite defect cost corresponding to the defect can be computed. The composite defect cost can include costs associated with one or more of: acquiring defect data during operation of the transportation asset, addressing the defect, a defect failure, and/or an error in identifying the defect. One or more aspects of the management solution can be periodically optimized to reduce the composite defect cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: International Electronic Machines Corp.
    Inventor: Zahid F. Mian
  • Publication number: 20210112376
    Abstract: An unmanned mobile observation device, such as an unmanned aerial vehicle, can be used to acquire observation data for a sensitive area. The observation data can include image data and geolocation data corresponding to a real-world geographic location at which the image data was acquired. The geolocation data can be accurate to five centimeters or less. The observation data can be evaluated to identify any defects within the sensitive area. Such evaluation can include comparison with previously acquired image data for the sensitive area, which can be enables by using the geolocation data to select the corresponding previously acquired image data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2020
    Publication date: April 15, 2021
    Applicant: International Electronic Machines Corp.
    Inventor: Zahid F. Mian
  • Patent number: 10970851
    Abstract: An assembly for monitoring an area is provided. The assembly can include two or more cameras sensitive to radiation of distinct wavelength ranges. The fields of view of the cameras can be substantially co-registered at the area to be monitored. The assembly can include a computer system which can process the image data to monitor the area. The computer system can be configured to identify relevant objects present in the area, update tracking information for the relevant objects, and evaluate whether an alert condition is present using the tracking information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: International Electronic Machines Corp.
    Inventors: Zahid F. Mian, Ronald W. Gamache, Ryk E. Spoor
  • Patent number: 10906571
    Abstract: A solution for monitoring a railway vehicle is provided. A vehicle node and one or more sensor nodes are deployed on the railway vehicle. Each sensor node is configured to acquire data and communicate with the vehicle node only when certain conditions are met. The sensor node(s) and vehicle node can evaluate operating conditions to determine whether an alert should be sent to initiate action. In an illustrative application, the alert can correspond to excessive hunting by a wheelset of the rail vehicle which is posing a danger for derailment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: International Electronic Machines Corp.
    Inventor: Zahid F. Mian
  • Publication number: 20200408682
    Abstract: Evaluation of a rotating wheel is described. The evaluation utilizes information acquired by radiation reflecting off of one or more regions of the rotating wheel. An imaging device can acquire image data which is processed to evaluate the wheel. The radiation can comprise diffuse and/or coherent radiation. Image data for substantially an entire circumference of the wheel can be used in the evaluation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2018
    Publication date: December 31, 2020
    Applicant: International Electronic Machines Corp.
    Inventors: Zahid F. Mian, Ronald W. Gamache
  • Patent number: 10873831
    Abstract: An unmanned mobile observation device, such as an unmanned aerial vehicle, can be used to acquire observation data for a sensitive area. The observation data can include image data and geolocation data corresponding to a real-world geographic location at which the image data was acquired. The geolocation data can be accurate to five centimeters or less. The observation data can be evaluated to identify any defects within the sensitive area. Such evaluation can include comparison with previously acquired image data for the sensitive area, which can be enables by using the geolocation data to select the corresponding previously acquired image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignee: International Electronic Machines Corp.
    Inventor: Zahid F. Mian
  • Patent number: 10597053
    Abstract: A solution for monitoring an area including one or more restricted zones is provided. The solution can include one or more monitoring assemblies deployed to acquire image data of the area and independently monitor operations within the area at each monitoring assembly. A monitoring assembly can include one or more local alert components to generate an audible or visual alarm to local personnel. Data regarding static features present in the area can be used to create a registration map of the field of view, which can subsequently enable accurate determination of the three-dimensional location of a target using two-dimensional image data and/or identify an extent of a restricted zone even when one or more of the static features are obscured. Monitoring a target over a series of images can be used to determine whether an alert condition is present.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: International Electronic Machines Corp.
    Inventors: Zahid F. Mian, Ronald W. Gamache
  • Patent number: 10513280
    Abstract: A solution for managing effect-generating operations is provided. Data regarding one or multiple types of effects being generated by the operations can be acquired and analyzed. When necessary, actions can be initiated to benefit affected individuals or to improve the operations, e.g., by mitigating a source of excessive effects. In an illustrative application, the effect-generating operations are train operations and the types of effects include acoustic and/or vibration effects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: International Electronic Machines Corp.
    Inventors: Zahid F. Mian, Peter Hayes
  • Publication number: 20190364387
    Abstract: An unmanned mobile observation device, such as an unmanned aerial vehicle, can be used to acquire observation data for a sensitive area. The observation data can include image data and geolocation data corresponding to a real-world geographic location at which the image data was acquired. The geolocation data can be accurate to five centimeters or less. The observation data can be evaluated to identify any defects within the sensitive area. Such evaluation can include comparison with previously acquired image data for the sensitive area, which can be enables by using the geolocation data to select the corresponding previously acquired image data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2019
    Publication date: November 28, 2019
    Applicant: International Electronic Machines Corp.
    Inventor: Zahid F. Mian
  • Patent number: 10471976
    Abstract: A railway maintenance device configured for autonomous or semi-autonomous operation in a rail environment is provided. The device can process image data to move about the rail environment and perform one or more actions in the rail environment. The actions can include one or more actions related to decoupling and/or attaching rail vehicles, and can be implemented by performing three-dimensional image processing. The device can be configured to move with any movement of a rail vehicle on which one or more actions are being performed. In an alternative embodiment, the various components configured to perform the action are implemented at a stationary location with respect to a rail line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: International Electronic Machines Corp.
    Inventor: Zahid F. Mian
  • Publication number: 20190122452
    Abstract: A transportation asset management solution is described. The transportation asset can be evaluated for operability. The evaluation can include periodic analysis of defect data acquired during operation of the transportation asset over a period of time. The evaluation can determine current operability of the transportation asset with respect to the defect and/or a future requirement for maintenance on the transportation asset due to the defect. One or more actions can be generated based on the analysis. A composite defect cost corresponding to the defect can be computed. The composite defect cost can include costs associated with one or more of: acquiring defect data during operation of the transportation asset, addressing the defect, a defect failure, and/or an error in identifying the defect. One or more aspects of the management solution can be periodically optimized to reduce the composite defect cost.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2018
    Publication date: April 25, 2019
    Applicant: International Electronic Machines Corp.
    Inventor: Zahid F. Mian
  • Patent number: 10202135
    Abstract: An assembly for monitoring an area is provided. The assembly can include two or more cameras sensitive to radiation of distinct wavelength ranges. The fields of view of the cameras can be substantially co-registered at the area to be monitored. The assembly can include a computer system which can process the image data to monitor the area. The computer system can be configured to identify relevant objects present in the area, update tracking information for the relevant objects, and evaluate whether an alert condition is present using the tracking information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: International Electronic Machines Corp.
    Inventors: Zahid F. Mian, Ronald W. Gamache, Ryk E. Spoor
  • Patent number: 10203306
    Abstract: A solution for evaluating the condition of a vehicle component based on resonant response profiles across a set of bands of vibrations. The vibrations can be induced into the target component during normal operation of the target component. The resonant response profile of the vehicle component can vary depending on wear or damage, and thus can be used to determine whether the vehicle component can safely remain in use. An embodiment comprises an isolated segment of rail of a length selected to allow a single railroad wheel on it at a time, with a set of devices which can induce specific vibrations into the wheel as it passes, and another set of devices which can acquire the resonance signals from the wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: International Electronic Machines Corp.
    Inventors: Zahid F. Mian, William B. Johnson
  • Patent number: 10160117
    Abstract: A solution for pre-screening an object for further processing is provided. A pre-screening component can acquire image data of the object and process the image data to identify reference target(s) corresponding to the object, which are visible in the image data. Additionally, the pre-screening component can identify, using the reference target(s), the location of one or more components of the object. The pre-screening component can provide pre-screening data for use in further processing the object, which includes data corresponding to the set of reference targets and the location of the at least one component. A reference target can be, for example, an easily identifiable feature of the object and the component can be relevant for performing an operation on the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: International Electronic Machines Corp.
    Inventors: Zahid F. Mian, Ronald W. Gamache