Patents by Inventor Anne E. Bowlby

Anne E. Bowlby 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: 20220128658
    Abstract: A time-of-flight (TOF) sensor device is configured to perform classification analytics on a waveform signal representing a reflected light pulse, and to classify an object from which the light pulse was received based on characteristic properties of the reflected pulse. The TOF sensor device can compare the reflected pulse waveform with stored characteristic waveform profiles indicative of different types of objects or atmospheric particulates, including but not limited to snow, aerosol, water, fog, or mist. Some embodiments of TOF sensor device can also detect excessive levels of mist or suspended particulates that may reduce the detection accuracy of the sensor. To this end, such embodiments project focused light beams according to a defined pattern, and compare the reflected pattern with the defined pattern to determine a degree of pattern distortion attributable to the presence of mist.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2022
    Publication date: April 28, 2022
    Inventors: Richard Galera, Anne E. Bowlby, Derek W. Jones, Nilesh Pradhan
  • Patent number: 11243294
    Abstract: A time-of-flight (TOF) sensor device is configured to perform classification analytics on a waveform signal representing a reflected light pulse, and to classify an object from which the light pulse was received based on characteristic properties of the reflected pulse. The TOF sensor device can compare the reflected pulse waveform with stored characteristic waveform profiles indicative of different types of objects or atmospheric particulates, including but not limited to snow, aerosol, water, fog, or mist. Some embodiments of TOF sensor device can also detect excessive levels of mist or suspended particulates that may reduce the detection accuracy of the sensor. To this end, such embodiments project focused light beams according to a defined pattern, and compare the reflected pattern with the defined pattern to determine a degree of pattern distortion attributable to the presence of mist.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Galera, Anne E. Bowlby, Derek W. Jones, Nilesh Pradhan
  • Patent number: 11125860
    Abstract: An optical safety scanner system comprises a first illumination source for detecting presence and distances of people or other objects within a hazardous industrial area based on triangulation, and a second illumination source that verifies accurate and reliable detection by the first illumination source. The first illumination source can project LED or laser light for triangulation of objects, and the second illumination source can project a wide beam of light for detection of other intrusive objects that may be blocking the scanner system's camera and preventing accurate triangulation of people or vehicles. If the image frame generated based on the second light identifies presence of an object that is not detected by the triangulation analysis of the laser light, the safety scanner system assumes that an object is obstructing the safety scanner system's camera, and performs a suitable safety action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Galera, Anne E. Bowlby, Derek W. Jones, Nilesh Pradhan, Amanda Jimenez Marrufo, Fernando Manuel Medeiro Hidalgo, Rafael Dominguez Castro, Rafael Romay Juárez, Sergio Morillas Castillo
  • Publication number: 20190101623
    Abstract: An optical safety scanner system comprises a first illumination source for detecting presence and distances of people or other objects within a hazardous industrial area based on triangulation, and a second illumination source that verifies accurate and reliable detection by the first illumination source. The first illumination source can project LED or laser light for triangulation of objects, and the second illumination source can project a wide beam of light for detection of other intrusive objects that may be blocking the scanner system's camera and preventing accurate triangulation of people or vehicles. If the image frame generated based on the second light identifies presence of an object that is not detected by the triangulation analysis of the laser light, the safety scanner system assumes that an object is obstructing the safety scanner system's camera, and performs a suitable safety action.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2017
    Publication date: April 4, 2019
    Inventors: Richard Galera, Anne E. Bowlby, Derek W. Jones, Nilesh Pradhan, Amanda Jimenez Marrufo, Fernando Manuel Medeiro Hidalgo, Rafael Dominguez Castro, Rafael Romay Juárez, Sergio Morillas Castillo
  • Publication number: 20180003807
    Abstract: A time-of-flight (TOF) sensor device is configured to perform classification analytics on a waveform signal representing a reflected light pulse, and to classify an object from which the light pulse was received based on characteristic properties of the reflected pulse. The TOF sensor device can compare the reflected pulse waveform with stored characteristic waveform profiles indicative of different types of objects or atmospheric particulates, including but not limited to snow, aerosol, water, fog, or mist. Some embodiments of TOF sensor device can also detect excessive levels of mist or suspended particulates that may reduce the detection accuracy of the sensor. To this end, such embodiments project focused light beams according to a defined pattern, and compare the reflected pattern with the defined pattern to determine a degree of pattern distortion attributable to the presence of mist.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2017
    Publication date: January 4, 2018
    Inventors: Richard Galera, Anne E. Bowlby, Derek W. Jones, Nilesh Pradhan