Patents by Inventor Christopher K. Zuver

Christopher K. Zuver 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: 9853834
    Abstract: A method is described for communication in a tactical network. A gateway is communicatively COUPLABLE to one or more tactical nodes and to one or more other gateways. The gateway is programmed to transmit information to and/or receive information from other gateways. Information exchanged includes gateway attributes, link attributes, service availability, and/or data availability. The gateway optionally provides quality of service, distributed persistence, load balancing, and/or transformation services. Services are provided in a modular, service-oriented architecture (SOA) to accommodate the addition of services and/or applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: John L. Meier, Arun Ayyagari, Brian James Smith, Fernando Afonso Zamith, Carl Joseph Hanks, Ronald J. Howard, Christopher K. Zuver, Michael R. Gray
  • Publication number: 20160301546
    Abstract: A method is described for communication in a tactical network. A gateway is communicatively couplable to one or more tactical nodes and to one or more other gateways. The gateway is programmed to transmit information to and/or receive information from other gateways. Information exchanged includes gateway attributes, link attributes, service availability, and/or data availability. The gateway optionally provides quality of service, distributed persistence, load balancing, and/or transformation services. Services are provided in a modular, service-oriented architecture (SOA) to accommodate the addition of services and/or applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2014
    Publication date: October 13, 2016
    Inventors: John L. Meier, Arun Ayyagari, Brian James Smith, Fernando Afonso Zamith, Carl Joseph Hanks, Ronald J. Howard, Christopher K. Zuver, Michael R. Gray
  • Patent number: 9178829
    Abstract: A system is described for communication in a tactical network. A gateway is communicatively couplable to one or more tactical nodes and to one or more other gateways. The gateway is programmed to transmit information to and/or receive information from other gateways. Information exchanged includes gateway attributes, link attributes, service availability, and/or data availability. The gateway optionally provides quality of service, distributed persistence, load balancing, and/or transformation services. Services are provided in a modular, service-oriented architecture (SOA) to accommodate the addition of services and/or applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: John L. Meier, Arun Ayyagari, Brian James Smith, Fernando Afonso Zamith, Carl Joseph Hanks, Ronald J. Howard, Christopher K. Zuver, Michael R. Gray
  • Patent number: 8938315
    Abstract: A method for verifying completion of a task is provided. In various embodiments, the method includes obtaining location coordinates of at least one location sensor within a work cell. The at least one sensor is affixed to a tool used to operate on a feature of a structure to be assembled, fabricated or inspected. The method additionally includes, generating a virtual object locus based on the location coordinates of the at least one location sensor. The virtual object locus corresponds to a computerized schematic of the structure to be assembled and represents of all possible locations of an object end of the tool within the work cell. The method further includes, identifying one of a plurality of candidate features as the most likely to be the feature operated on by the tool. The identification is based on a probability calculation for each of the candidate features that each respective candidate feature is the feature operated on by the tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Philip L. Freeman, Thomas E. Shepherd, Christopher K. Zuver
  • Publication number: 20150016248
    Abstract: A system is described for communication in a tactical network. A gateway is communicatively couplable to one or more tactical nodes and to one or more other gateways. The gateway is programmed to transmit information to and/or receive information from other gateways. Information exchanged includes gateway attributes, link attributes, service availability, and/or data availability. The gateway optionally provides quality of service, distributed persistence, load balancing, and/or transformation services. Services are provided in a modular, service-oriented architecture (SOA) to accommodate the addition of services and/or applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2014
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Inventors: John L. Meier, Arun Ayyagari, Brian James Smith, Fernando Afonso Zamith, Carl Joseph Hanks, Ronald J. Howard, Christopher K. Zuver, Michael R. Gray
  • Patent number: 8761008
    Abstract: A system, apparatus, and method are described for communication in a tactical network. A gateway is communicatively couplable to one or more tactical nodes and to one or more other gateways. The gateway is programmed to transmit information to and/or receive information from other gateways. Information exchanged includes gateway attributes, link attributes, service availability, and/or data availability. The gateway optionally provides quality of service, distributed persistence, load balancing, and/or transformation services. Services are provided in a modular, service-oriented architecture (SOA) to accommodate the addition of services and/or applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: John L. Meier, Arun Ayyagari, Brian James Smith, Fernando Afonso Zamith, Carl Joseph Hanks, Ronald J. Howard, Christopher K. Zuver, Michael R. Gray
  • Publication number: 20140129025
    Abstract: A method for verifying completion of a task is provided. In various embodiments, the method includes obtaining location coordinates of at least one location sensor within a work cell. The at least one sensor is affixed to a tool used to operate on a feature of a structure to be assembled, fabricated or inspected. The method additionally includes, generating a virtual object locus based on the location coordinates of the at least one location sensor. The virtual object locus corresponds to a computerized schematic of the structure to be assembled and represents of all possible locations of an object end of the tool within the work cell. The method further includes, identifying one of a plurality of candidate features as the most likely to be the feature operated on by the tool. The identification is based on a probability calculation for each of the candidate features that each respective candidate feature is the feature operated on by the tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2014
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Philip L. Freeman, Thomas E. Shepherd, Christopher K. Zuver
  • Patent number: 8630729
    Abstract: A method for verifying completion of a task. Location coordinates of at least one location sensor within a work cell are obtained. At least one sensor is affixed to a tool used to operate on a feature of a structure to be assembled, fabricated or inspected. A virtual object locus is generated based on the location coordinates of the at least one location sensor. The virtual object locus corresponds to a computerized schematic of the structure to be assembled and represents of all possible locations of an object end of the tool within the work cell. One of a plurality of candidate features is identified as the most likely to be the feature operated on by the tool. The identification is based on a probability calculation for each of the candidate features that each respective candidate feature is the feature operated on by the tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Philip L. Freeman, Thomas E. Shepherd, Christopher K. Zuver
  • Patent number: 8630819
    Abstract: A method for generating an electronic quality record of a manufacturing operation that may involve generating inputs from a plurality of information sources located within a manufacturing environment. The plurality of information sources may provide information pertaining to at least a tool being used, an individual using the tool, and an operation that the tool is being used by the individual to perform. A locating system may be used that is in communication with the plurality of information sources to monitor a location and an operation of the tool. A processor may be in communication with the locating system to receive the generated inputs and to generate an electronic record upon completion of the operation that the tool is being used by the individual to perform. The electronic record may identify that the operation has been performed by the individual using the tool in accordance with a predefined standard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Kent L. English, Bryan G. Dods, Christopher K. Zuver, Thomas E. Shepherd, Douglas D. Trimble, Carl J. Hanks
  • Publication number: 20120271448
    Abstract: A method for verifying completion of a task. Location coordinates of at least one location sensor within a work cell are obtained. At least one sensor is affixed to a tool used to operate on a feature of a structure to be assembled, fabricated or inspected. A virtual object locus is generated based on the location coordinates of the at least one location sensor. The virtual object locus corresponds to a computerized schematic of the structure to be assembled and represents of all possible locations of an object end of the tool within the work cell. One of a plurality of candidate features is identified as the most likely to be the feature operated on by the tool. The identification is based on a probability calculation for each of the candidate features that each respective candidate feature is the feature operated on by the tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2012
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Philip L. Freeman, Thomas E. Shepherd, Christopher K. Zuver
  • Patent number: 8200354
    Abstract: A method for verifying completion of a task is provided. In various embodiments, the method includes obtaining location coordinates of at least one location sensor within a work cell. The at least one sensor is affixed to a tool used to operate on a feature of a structure to be assembled, fabricated or inspected. The method additionally includes, generating a virtual object locus based on the location coordinates of the at least one location sensor. The virtual object locus corresponds to a computerized schematic of the structure to be assembled and represents of all possible locations of an object end of the tool within the work cell. The method further includes, identifying one of a plurality of candidate features as the most likely to be the feature operated on by the tool. The identification is based on a probability calculation for each of the candidate features that each respective candidate feature is the feature operated on by the tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Philip L. Freeman, Thomas E. Shepherd, Christopher K Zuver
  • Publication number: 20110103393
    Abstract: A system, apparatus, and method are described for communication in a tactical network. A gateway is communicatively couplable to one or more tactical nodes and to one or more other gateways. The gateway is programmed to transmit information to and/or receive information from other gateways. Information exchanged includes gateway attributes, link attributes, service availability, and/or data availability. The gateway optionally provides quality of service, distributed persistence, load balancing, and/or transformation services. Services are provided in a modular, service-oriented architecture (SOA) to accommodate the addition of services and/or applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2009
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Inventors: John L. Meier, Arun Ayyagari, Brian James Smith, Fernando Afonso Zamith, Carl Joseph Hanks, Ronald J. Howard, Christopher K. Zuver, Michael R. Gray
  • Publication number: 20090210083
    Abstract: A system and method for generating a real time electronic quality record of an assembly, test, and repair or maintenance operation. The method involves generating inputs from a plurality of information sources located within a manufacturing environment, the information sources providing information pertaining to at least a tool being used, an individual using the tool, and an operation that the tool is being used by the individual to perform. A locating system is in communication with the information sources to monitor a location and an operation of the tool. A processor is in communication with the locating system to receive the generated inputs, and to generate a real time electronic record upon completion of the operation that the tool is being used to perform. The electronic record shows that the operation has been performed by a given individual using the tool in accordance with a predefined standard.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2008
    Publication date: August 20, 2009
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Kent L. English, Bryan G. Dods, Christopher K. Zuver, Thomas E. Shepherd, Douglas D. Trimble, Carl J. Hanks
  • Patent number: 7522043
    Abstract: A security system for sea cargo containers wherein each container is provided with a container security device comprising a processor, a radio, a memory, a battery and one or more sensors. When the containers are within range of each other, the container security devices communicate to form an ad hoc wireless sensor network. That network communicates with a communications infrastructure, such as satellites or GSM communications means, via a gateway that aggregates data originating from the various container security devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Kent L. English, Christopher K. Zuver