Patents by Inventor Alan Matthew Finn

Alan Matthew Finn 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).

  • Patent number: 10532909
    Abstract: A passenger conveyance passenger tracking control system that controls operation of a passenger conveyance, e.g., an elevator car, includes at least one call request device, e.g., a call request panel, configured to receive at least one input from at least one passenger located at a occupancy depth grid. At least one passenger position three-dimensional (3-D) depth-sensing sensor is configured to track a position of the at least one passenger located at the occupancy depth grid. The passenger conveyance passenger tracking control system further includes an electronic control module in signal communication with the at least one call request device and at least one passenger position 3-D depth-sensing sensor. The electronic control module is configured to control operation of the passenger conveyance based on the position of the at least one passenger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Stephen K. Richmond, Alan Matthew Finn, Arthur Hsu, Hui Fang
  • Patent number: 10521898
    Abstract: A method of structural masking for progressive health monitoring of a structural component includes receiving a current image of the structural component. A processor aligns the current image and a reference image of the structural component. The processor performs a structure estimation on the current image and the reference image to produce a current structure estimate image and a reference structure estimate image. The processor generates a structural mask from the reference structure estimate image. The processor masks the current structure estimate image with the structural mask to identify one or more health monitoring analysis regions including a potential defect or damaged area appearing in the masked current structure estimate image that does not appear in the reference structure estimate image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: SIKORSKY AIRCRAFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hongcheng Wang, Paul Attridge, Ziyou Xiong, Alan Matthew Finn, Zaffir A. Chaudhry
  • Publication number: 20190389689
    Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling elevator systems are provided. The methods include receiving inputs from at least one interactive input device, wherein the inputs include elevator call requests, tracking one or more people located within a monitored area using at least one sensor, assigning elevator assignments to the one or more people based on at least one of the inputs from the at least one interactive input device and a grouping algorithm based on the tracking of the one or more people, and scheduling operation of at least one elevator car based on the elevator assignments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2019
    Publication date: December 26, 2019
    Inventors: Zhen Jia, Hui Fang, Arthur Hsu, Alan Matthew Finn, Luca F. Bertuccelli
  • Patent number: 10513416
    Abstract: An passenger conveyance system includes a depth-sensing sensor within a passenger conveyance enclosure for capturing depth map data of objects within a field of view that includes a passenger conveyance door. A processing module is in communication with the depth-sensing sensor to receive the depth map data, the processing module uses the depth map data to track an object and calculate passenger data associated with the tracked object. a passenger conveyance controller receives the passenger data from the processing module to control operation of a passenger conveyance door in response to the passenger data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: Otis Elevator Company
    Inventors: Hui Fang, Arthur Hsu, Alan Matthew Finn, Zhen Jia
  • Patent number: 10513415
    Abstract: A passenger conveyance system includes a depth-sensing sensor for capturing depth map data of objects within a field of view adjacent a passenger conveyance door. A processing module in communication with the depth-sensing sensor to receive the depth map data, the processing module uses the depth map data to track an object and calculate passenger data associated with the tracked object, and a passenger conveyance controller to receive the passenger data from the processing module, wherein the passenger conveyance controller controls a passenger conveyance dispatch control function in response to the passenger data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: Otis Elevator Company
    Inventors: Hui Fang, Arthur Hsu, Alan Matthew Finn, Zhen Jia
  • Patent number: 10504218
    Abstract: A method and system for performing automated defect detection is disclosed. The system may include at least one database, an image capture device and a processor. The method may comprise providing at least one database for storing information used in processing data to detect a defect in at least one member of a plurality of members in a device. The information may include a plurality of different modes of data. The method may further comprise providing a processing unit for processing the information; receiving, by the database, updates to the information; identifying a potential defect in a first mode of data; applying, by the processing unit, analysis of a second mode of data, the analysis of the second mode of data triggered by the identifying, the second mode of data different than the first mode of data; and reporting defects based on the results of the applying.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Alan Matthew Finn, Hongcheng Wang, Ziyou Xiong
  • Publication number: 20190359333
    Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a hoist and hook assembly may determine a position of a target using a position sensor. A hook assembly may be positioned in response to the position of the target as detected by the position sensor. Positioning the hook assembly may include articulating a boom coupled to a hoist, using one or more local thrust sources on the hook assembly, and/or moving an airframe relative to the position of the target.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2019
    Publication date: November 28, 2019
    Applicant: Rosemount Aerospace Inc.
    Inventors: William A. Veronesi, Alan Matthew Finn, Zohaib T. Mian, Stephen E. Tongue
  • Patent number: 10488371
    Abstract: A method for nondestructive vibrothermography inspection of a component, the method includes generating ultrasonic excitations in a component over a range of frequencies; determining a thermal signature in the component from the excitations; registering a model with the thermal signature; determining damage based on the thermal signal and model; and classifying the component based on the determining.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Alan Matthew Finn, Amit Surana, Matthew O. Williams, Edgar A. Bernal, Ozgur Erdinc
  • Patent number: 10479647
    Abstract: A passenger conveyance special loading system includes a depth-sensing sensor for capturing depth map data of objects within a field of view. A processing module in communication with the depth-sensing sensor receives the depth map data, the processing module uses the depth map data calculate passenger data associated with an object to determine a special loading condition. A passenger conveyance controller receives the passenger data from the processing module, the passenger conveyance controller controls a passenger conveyance dispatch control function in response to the special loading condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: Otis Elevator Company
    Inventors: Arthur Hsu, Hui Fang, Alan Matthew Finn, Zhen Jia
  • Publication number: 20190346550
    Abstract: A radar presence detection system is configured to detect oscillations within a building. The radar presence detection system includes an accelerometer, a radar, and a processing unit. The accelerometer is attached to the building and configured to detect structural vibration waves. The radar is configured to transmit a monitoring wave and receive a reflected wave. The processing unit includes a filter, an adaptive filter, and a detector. The filter is configured to receive a first signal indicative of the reflected wave and output a filtered reflected wave signal spanning a frequency range indicative of an oscillation within the building. The adaptive filter is configured to receive a second signal indicative of the structural vibration wave signal and output a focused vibration signal spanning a frequency range for the cancellation of vibration noise.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2018
    Publication date: November 14, 2019
    Inventors: Alan Matthew Finn, Nicholas Charles Soldner, Joseph Zacchio, Ziyou Xiong, Cagatay Tokgoz
  • Patent number: 10473593
    Abstract: An inspection system comprises an imaging device mounted so as to image a component surface. At least one controllable light mounted at low oblique angles around the component and configured to illuminate the component surface and cast at least one shadow on the component surface. A processor is coupled to the imaging device and the at least one controllable light. The processor is used for determining a feature based on a dissimilarity between image data and a reference model, and to determine damage to the component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Ziyou Xiong, Alan Matthew Finn
  • Patent number: 10474905
    Abstract: The method includes collecting people counting data, fitting one or more distributions to the collected people counting data, determining a value from the one or more distributions, and setting the value as a key parameter of the people counting system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Alan Matthew Finn, Hui Fang
  • Publication number: 20190339131
    Abstract: A method for thermally-sensitive coating analysis of a component includes imaging the coated, exposed component over a range of distinct frequencies as selected by a narrowband variable filter; estimating parameters of non-uniformity correction (NUC) for every pixel at every wavelength; constructing a 2D temperature map on a pixel-by-pixel basis using the non-uniformity correction; and mapping the 2D temperature map to a 3D computer aided design (CAD) model.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2018
    Publication date: November 7, 2019
    Applicant: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Alan Matthew Finn, Serge L. Shishkin, Ziyou Xiong, Thomas J. Martin, Scott A. Liljenberg
  • Publication number: 20190340805
    Abstract: A method for inspection of a mechanical system includes the steps of: obtaining a two-dimensional image sequence of the mechanical system; generating a three-dimensional structure model from the two-dimensional image sequence; and refining the three-dimensional structure model with an existing three-dimensional model of the mechanical system to produce a refined model having intensity and/or color information from the two-dimensional image sequence and structural accuracy of the existing three-dimensional model.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2018
    Publication date: November 7, 2019
    Applicant: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Ziyou Xiong, Alan Matthew Finn
  • Publication number: 20190339165
    Abstract: A system for component inspection comprising at least one sensor configured to capture sensor data of the component; and a processor coupled to the at least one sensor, the processor comprising at least one model configured to separate the sensor data into a normal category and an abnormal category.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2018
    Publication date: November 7, 2019
    Applicant: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Alan Matthew Finn, Ziyou Xiong, Richard W. Osborne, III, Ozgur Erdinc
  • Publication number: 20190342499
    Abstract: A multi-camera system for a component inspection comprising a table having a table top or, alternatively, another sufficiently rigid surface; a first camera having a narrow field-of-view lens; a second camera having a wide field-of-view lens linked to said first camera, wherein said first camera and said second camera are configured to move identical distances along a common axis relative to said table top or surface; and a pre-defined pattern defined on said table top or surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2018
    Publication date: November 7, 2019
    Applicant: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Ziyou Xiong, Alan Matthew Finn, Richard W. Osborne, III, Jose Miguel Pasini, Edgar A. Bernal, Ozgur Erdinc
  • Publication number: 20190339206
    Abstract: An inspection system comprises an imaging device mounted so as to image a component surface. At least one controllable light mounted at low oblique angles around the component and configured to illuminate the component surface and cast at least one shadow on the component surface. A processor is coupled to the imaging device and the at least one controllable light. The processor is used for determining a feature based on a dissimilarity between image data and a reference model, and to determine damage to the component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2018
    Publication date: November 7, 2019
    Applicant: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Ziyou Xiong, Alan Matthew Finn
  • Publication number: 20190339235
    Abstract: A method for nondestructive vibrothermography inspection of a component, the method includes generating ultrasonic excitations in a component over a range of frequencies; determining a thermal signature in the component from the excitations; registering a model with the thermal signature; determining damage based on the thermal signal and model; and classifying the component based on the determining.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2018
    Publication date: November 7, 2019
    Applicant: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Alan Matthew Finn, Amit Surana, Matthew O. Williams, Edgar A. Bernal, Ozgur Erdinc
  • Publication number: 20190340721
    Abstract: A method for robotic inspection of a part, includes the steps of: supporting the part with a robot mechanism; obtaining part-related sensor input with a sensor positioned to inspect the part supported by the robot mechanism; and controlling movement of the robot mechanism relative to the sensor, wherein the controlling is done by a feedback control unit which receives the sensor input, and the feedback control unit is configured to control the robot mechanism based upon the sensor input.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2018
    Publication date: November 7, 2019
    Applicant: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Alan Matthew Finn, Jose Miguel Pasini, Richard W. Osborne, III, Edgar A. Bernal, Ozgur Erdinc, Olusegun Oshin, Ziyou Xiong, Catalin G. Fotache, Gene B. Donskoy, Sergio S. Frutuoso, Joseph A. Sylvestro
  • Publication number: 20190338666
    Abstract: An optical in-situ system for a gas turbine engine blade inspection comprises a camera configured to capture images of a forward surface of at least one gas turbine engine blade; and a processor coupled to the camera, the processor configured to determine damage to the at least one gas turbine engine blade based on image analytics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2018
    Publication date: November 7, 2019
    Applicant: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Alan Matthew Finn, Zaffir A. Chaudhry