Patents by Inventor Brian B. Steketee

Brian B. Steketee 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: 11928980
    Abstract: A heavy-duty interactive (HDi) system may include a heavy-duty vehicle; a work tool installed on the heavy-duty vehicle; a memory that stores a plurality of patterns representing operation events for the heavy-duty vehicle; a first sensor affixed to the heavy-duty vehicle that collects first sensor data as the heavy-duty vehicle is operated; a second sensor affixed to the work tool that collects second sensor data as the work tool is operated; and a controller operatively coupled to the first sensor, the second sensor, and the memory. The controller may be configured to identify a heavy-duty vehicle operation event by comparing at least one of the first sensor data and the second sensor data with the plurality of patterns in the memory, and associate the work tool with the heavy-duty vehicle based on a comparison of the first sensor data and the second sensor data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Brian B. Steketee, David W. Baarman, Mark Strayer, Thad Senti
  • Publication number: 20230360558
    Abstract: A heavy-duty interactive (HDi) system may include a heavy-duty vehicle; a work tool installed on the heavy-duty vehicle; a memory that stores a plurality of patterns representing operation events for the heavy-duty vehicle; a first sensor affixed to the heavy-duty vehicle that collects first sensor data as the heavy-duty vehicle is operated; a second sensor affixed to the work tool that collects second sensor data as the work tool is operated; and a controller operatively coupled to the first sensor, the second sensor, and the memory. The controller may be configured to identify a heavy-duty vehicle operation event by comparing at least one of the first sensor data and the second sensor data with the plurality of patterns in the memory, and associate the work tool with the heavy-duty vehicle based on a comparison of the first sensor data and the second sensor data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2023
    Publication date: November 9, 2023
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Brian B. Steketee, David W. Baarman, Mark Strayer, Thad Senti
  • Publication number: 20220148456
    Abstract: A heavy-duty interactive (HDi) system may include a heavy-duty vehicle; a work tool installed on the heavy-duty vehicle; a memory that stores a plurality of patterns representing operation events for the heavy-duty vehicle; a first sensor affixed to the heavy-duty vehicle that collects first sensor data as the heavy-duty vehicle is operated; a second sensor affixed to the work tool that collects second sensor data as the work tool is operated; and a controller operatively coupled to the first sensor, the second sensor, and the memory. The controller may be configured to identify a heavy-duty vehicle operation event by comparing at least one of the first sensor data and the second sensor data with the plurality of patterns in the memory, and associate the work tool with the heavy-duty vehicle based on a comparison of the first sensor data and the second sensor data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2021
    Publication date: May 12, 2022
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Brian B. Steketee, David W. Baarman, Mark Strayer, Thad Senti
  • Patent number: 11060988
    Abstract: A method for detecting status information about a track pin of a track chain for heavy equipment includes disposing a track pin sensor within a void of the track pin; sensing with the track pin sensor a temperature characteristic of the track pin; determining status information based on the temperature characteristic; and wirelessly communicating the status information to a remote device. A method for detecting status information about a mechanical system that generates heat energy includes generating electrical energy based on the heat energy; providing the electrical energy to a control unit; sensing with the control unit a temperature characteristic of the mechanical system based on a voltage of the electrical energy; determining status information of the mechanical system based on the temperature characteristic; and wirelessly communicating the status information to a remote device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: David W. Baarman, Brian B. Steketee, Kevin Stephens
  • Publication number: 20210074180
    Abstract: A system includes moveable equipment; a plurality of work tools selectively physically coupleable to the moveable equipment; and an accelerometry network. The accelerometry network includes a primary accelerometer affixed to the moveable equipment for collecting primary accelerometer data; a plurality of secondary accelerometers for collecting secondary accelerometer data, each accelerometer of the plurality of secondary accelerometers being uniquely affixed to a corresponding work tool of the plurality of work tools; a controller configured to determine physical coupling relationships between the plurality of work tools and the moveable equipment based on a comparison of the primary accelerometer data and the secondary accelerometer data; and a communication system that effects communication between the controller and the primary accelerometer and the plurality of secondary accelerometers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2020
    Publication date: March 11, 2021
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Brian B. Steketee, David W. Baarman, Mark Strayer, Thad Senti
  • Patent number: 10872540
    Abstract: A monitoring and maintenance system that utilizes imperial and theoretical data to compare parts, vehicles, users, regions, wear intensity indexes over time and tracking information to provide a sophisticated data collection system for heavy-duty equipment or rental equipment. This tracking is designed to better the specifications, designs, training, preventative maintenance, and replacement wear understanding of fleet management.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Brian B. Steketee, David W. Baarman, Mark Strayer, Thad Senti
  • Publication number: 20200311845
    Abstract: An inventory transport monitoring system for gathering usage information in a retail store includes a network of sensors and data collection hubs located within the retail store. A plurality of inventory stocking carts are outfitted with nodes for tracking the cart location within the store. The tracking node may track location data and patterns and uses a unique ID that broadcasts monitored data to understand when and where the node has been moved. The usage information is transmitted to the hub for collection and analyzing. The system can use the usage information collected from the individual stores to measure and compare successful stores to failing stores.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2017
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Brian B. Steketee, J.D. Collins, Thad Eric Senti, Mark James Strayer, Gregory Nowak, Daniel P. Bayer, David W. Baarman
  • Publication number: 20190353605
    Abstract: A method for detecting status information about a track pin of a track chain for heavy equipment includes disposing a track pin sensor within a void of the track pin; sensing with the track pin sensor a temperature characteristic of the track pin; determining status information based on the temperature characteristic; and wirelessly communicating the status information to a remote device. A method for detecting status information about a mechanical system that generates heat energy includes generating electrical energy based on the heat energy; providing the electrical energy to a control unit; sensing with the control unit a temperature characteristic of the mechanical system based on a voltage of the electrical energy; determining status information of the mechanical system based on the temperature characteristic; and wirelessly communicating the status information to a remote device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2019
    Publication date: November 21, 2019
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: David W. BAARMAN, Brian B. STEKETEE, Kevin STEPHENS
  • Patent number: 10401315
    Abstract: A track pin sensor for monitoring an operational status of a track pin of a track chain for heavy equipment. The track pin sensor may be incorporated into a communication system for monitoring a plurality of track pins of the track chain. A method of monitoring operational status of a track pin is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: David W. Baarman, Brian B. Steketee, Kevin Stephens
  • Publication number: 20180005461
    Abstract: A monitoring and maintenance system that utilizes imperial and theoretical data to compare parts, vehicles, users, regions, wear intensity indexes over time and tracking information to provide a sophisticated data collection system for heavy-duty equipment or rental equipment. This tracking is designed to better the specifications, designs, training, preventative maintenance, and replacement wear understanding of fleet management.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2017
    Publication date: January 4, 2018
    Inventors: Brian B. Steketee, David W. Baarman, Mark Strayer, Thad Senti
  • Publication number: 20170372534
    Abstract: A monitoring and maintenance system that utilizes imperial and theoretical data to compare parts, vehicles, users, regions, wear intensity indexes over time and tracking information to provide a sophisticated data collection system for heavy-duty equipment or rental equipment. This tracking is designed to better the specifications, designs, training, preventative maintenance, and replacement wear understanding of fleet management.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2016
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Inventors: Brian B. Steketee, David W. Baarman, Mark Strayer, Thad Senti
  • Publication number: 20170261450
    Abstract: A track pin sensor for monitoring an operational status of a track pin of a track chain for heavy equipment. The track pin sensor may be incorporated into a communication system for monitoring a plurality of track pins of the track chain. A method of monitoring operational status of a track pin is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2017
    Publication date: September 14, 2017
    Inventors: David W. Baarman, Brian B. Steketee, Kevin Stephens
  • Publication number: 20160364699
    Abstract: An equipment maintenance information system includes a detection assembly, a mobile device and a network. The detection assembly is configured to detect a condition of at least one part of a piece of equipment, and the mobile device is communicatively connected to the detection assembly and the network. The mobile device is configured to provide substantially real-time data based upon both an output received from the detection assembly and data received from the network. In one embodiment, the system includes a case that forms a housing for the detection assembly and removably attaches to a variety of mobile devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2014
    Publication date: December 15, 2016
    Inventors: Brian B. STEKETEE, Jesse J. RALEIGH, Robert Ryan PHILLIPS, Donald Paul MCCONNELL
  • Publication number: 20110282860
    Abstract: A system is disclosed for data collection, media analysis, and web tracking. The collected data may include a broad search for a reference database and a narrow search for a comparative database. A contact relationship management database is used to store and distribute profiles for individuals and companies. An RSS feed database may update frequently and provide relevant search results. The system may analyze the collected data and tracking of that data. Analysis may be used to identify relevant data. Profiling of users and businesses may be used for targeting and generating profile data that may include specific information for a user or business. Monitoring and/or tracking may be used for identifying changes in data. The system may provide an analysis of impact of an event/source based on user impressions or web hits in view of a particular event/source. The impact may include a social influence value. In another embodiment, a return on investment (“ROI”) in view of the influence is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2011
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Applicant: ACCESS BUSINESS GROUP INTERNATIONAL LLC
    Inventors: David W. Baarman, Patrick Burrell, Thomas Jay Leppien, Brian B. Steketee, David M. Baarman