Patents by Inventor Chris Creegan

Chris Creegan 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).

  • System and method of determining fluid levels in containers including an infrared device for detecting a first value associated with an empty portion of a container
    Patent number: 7663130
    Abstract: A system and method of determining fluid levels in containers is disclosed. In a particular embodiment, a first value of infrared energy associated with an empty portion of a container is detected and the container is scanned to detect a second value of infrared energy that is different from the first value of infrared energy. The method also includes to store an upper limit value associated with a vertical location of an upper surface of a fluid level when the second value of infrared energy is detected and to scan the container to detect a third value of infrared energy that is different from the second value of infrared energy. In addition, a lower limit value associated with a vertical location of a lower surface of the fluid relative to the upper surface is stored when the third value of infrared energy is detected. A height of the fluid is determined using a difference between the upper limit value and the lower limit value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: FLIC Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Donald B. Yarbrough, John Creegan, Chris Creegan
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD OF DETERMINING FLUID LEVELS IN CONTAINERS INCLUDING AN INFRARED DEVICE FOR DETECTING A FIRST VALUE ASSOCIATED WITH AN EMPTY PORTION OF A CONTAINER (AS AMENDED)
    Publication number: 20100032593
    Abstract: A system and method of determining fluid levels in containers is disclosed. In a particular embodiment, a first value of infrared energy associated with an empty portion of a container is detected and the container is scanned to detect a second value of infrared energy that is different from the first value of infrared energy. The method also includes to store an upper limit value associated with a vertical location of an upper surface of a fluid level when the second value of infrared energy is detected and to scan the container to detect a third value of infrared energy that is different from the second value of infrared energy. In addition, a lower limit value associated with a vertical location of a lower surface of the fluid relative to the upper surface is stored when the third value of infrared energy is detected. A height of the fluid is determined using a difference between the upper limit value and the lower limit value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2009
    Publication date: February 11, 2010
    Inventors: D.B. Yarbrough, John Creegan, Chris Creegan