Patents by Inventor Christopher M. Klein
Christopher M. Klein 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).
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Publication number: 20240131886Abstract: A system and method for operation of an autonomous vehicle (AV) yard truck is provided. A processor facilitates autonomous movement of the AV yard truck, and connection to and disconnection from trailers. A plurality of sensors are interconnected with the processor that sense terrain/objects and assist in automatically connecting/disconnecting trailers. A server, interconnected, wirelessly with the processor, that tracks movement of the truck around and determines locations for trailer connection and disconnection. A door station unlatches/opens rear doors of the trailer when adjacent thereto, securing them in an opened position via clamps, etc. The system computes a height of the trailer, and/or if landing gear of the trailer is on the ground and interoperates with the fifth wheel to change height, and whether docking is safe, allowing a user to take manual control, and optimum charge time(s). Reversing sensors/safety, automated chocking, and intermodal container organization are also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 23, 2023Publication date: April 25, 2024Inventors: Andrew F. Smith, Lawrence S. Klein, Stephen A. Langenderfer, Martin E. Sotola, Vikas Bahl, Mark H. Rosenblum, Peter James, Dale Dee Rowley, Matthew S. Johannes, Gary Michael Seminara, Jeremy M. Nett, Christopher T. Bate, Michael Patrick Cutter
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Patent number: 11966571Abstract: Disclosed herein is a computer-implemented method comprising aggregating PFAS remediation evaluation data for a plurality of remediation options and for a plurality of predefined criteria; graphically displaying the user modifiable chart comprising the plurality of graphical representations of the aggregated PFAS remediation evaluation data, wherein: each graphical representation depicts data points visually plotted with weights, the plurality of graphical representations for the plurality of predefined criteria are visually ordered according to a rank of the plurality of predefined criteria, and the weights are based on the rank of the plurality of predefined criteria; detecting a first user input modifying the rank of at least one predefined criterion; in accordance with the first user input, automatically updating the weights of the data points; and displaying an updated user modifiable chart comprising the plurality of graphical representations of the aggregated PFAS remediation evaluation data.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2022Date of Patent: April 23, 2024Assignee: The MITRE CorporationInventors: Gary Lee Klein, Ryan Douglas Hollins, Mark Stephen Pfaff, Brittany Allison Tracy, Elizabeth Haines, James Alex Philp, Jay Nathan Lustig, Thomas W. Whieldon, Joseph John Patrick Roberts, Christopher M. Berger, Gavin Timothy Plesko
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Publication number: 20240099207Abstract: A method of delivering a residential yard enhancement treatment may include receiving, by a central controller, yard characteristics regarding the residential yard. The method may include determining, by the central controller based on the yard characteristics, one or more select consumables to enhance the yard and application schedules for the one or more select consumables. The method may include scheduling, by the central controller based on the application schedules, delivery of the one or more select consumables to the residential address.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 7, 2023Publication date: March 28, 2024Inventors: Christopher M. KLEIN, Emil MOTYCKA, Simon HILL, Franz David GARSOMBKE
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Publication number: 20240081203Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method to for improving lawn health is disclosed. The method includes receiving, by a processing element of a user device, vegetation specifications and zone data of a lawn; generating, by the processing element, a lawn enhancement plan based on the vegetation specifications and the zone data, the lawn enhancement plan includes an application time frame and an application frequency for applying one or more treatments to the lawn and a watering plan for the lawn; transmitting, to a sprinkler controller, the watering plan for execution by the sprinkler controller; and updating, by the processing element, the lawn enhancement plan based on application information corresponding to an application of the one or more treatments to the lawn, wherein the application information is based on one or more of the watering plan or information received from a user device.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 20, 2023Publication date: March 14, 2024Inventors: Emil MOTYCKA, Christopher M. KLEIN
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Patent number: 11856900Abstract: A method of delivering a consumable to an irrigation area may include determining application characteristics for applying the consumable to the irrigation area based on irrigation area characteristics of the irrigation area, generating an irrigation schedule for the irrigation area based on consumable characteristics of the consumable and the application characteristics, and transmitting the irrigation schedule to a local control to selectively activate one or more water outlets to the irrigation area based on the irrigation schedule.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2021Date of Patent: January 2, 2024Assignee: RACHIO, INC.Inventors: Christopher M. Klein, Emil Motycka, Simon Hill, Franz David Garsombke
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Patent number: 11849680Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method to increase drought tolerance for grass is disclosed. The method includes estimating by a server a root depth of grass watered by an irrigation system based on one or more of historical watering data of the grass, grass type characteristics, or soil characteristics of soil in which the grass is growing; determining by the server a target water depletion threshold of the grass based on the root depth; generating by the server an irrigation schedule based on the target water depletion threshold and weather information; and transmitting by the server the irrigation schedule to an irrigation controller to selectively activate the irrigation system based on the irrigation schedule.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2022Date of Patent: December 26, 2023Assignee: RACHIO, INC.Inventors: Emil Motycka, Christopher M. Klein
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Publication number: 20230408995Abstract: In one aspect, a method of providing electronic access to a controller (e.g., sprinkler or lighting controller) associated with a first user is disclosed. The method includes determining, via a processing element, a proximity of an access device to the controller, wherein the access device is associated with a second user different than the first user; automatically providing, via the processing element, a grant of access for electronic communications between the controller and the access device based, at least in part, on the proximity of the access device to the controller; displaying, on a user interface rendered by a user device associated with the first user, a message indicating the grant of access.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 12, 2023Publication date: December 21, 2023Inventor: Christopher M. KLEIN
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Patent number: 11720981Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods for collecting utility meter data are described. An example system may include a flow controller and a server. The flow controller is configured to communicate with a water meter for a property and connected to at least one water outlet of a plurality of water outlets. The server is coupled to one or more infrastructure databases and the flow controller. The server includes a non-transitory computer readable media and is configured to execute instructions stored on the non-transitory computer readable media. The instructions include receiving water usage data from the flow controller and transmitting the water usage data from the water meter for the property to a water utility company.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 2021Date of Patent: August 8, 2023Assignee: RACHIO, INC.Inventor: Christopher M. Klein
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Patent number: 11676261Abstract: Systems and methods for diagnosing and facilitating repair of system components and/or improving watering schedules are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of diagnosing a sprinkler system component is disclosed that includes initiating a sprinkler system zone run for a particular zone of a sprinkler system, capturing image data for the sprinkler system run, uploading the image data to a network node, processing the image data at the network node to produce data on the sprinkler system or a sprinkler system component, and generating an action item for the sprinkler system or sprinkler system component based on the data produced at the network node.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2021Date of Patent: June 13, 2023Assignee: RACHIO, INC.Inventor: Christopher M. Klein
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Patent number: 11656640Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for optimizing downstream processes for a plurality of flow controllers includes determining a water budget for the plurality of flow controllers based on utility information and a water amount used by the flow devices controlled by the plurality of flow controllers; determining, by a processing element, a run time water amount used by the flow devices controlled by the plurality of flow controllers during a watering run time of the flow devices; modifying, by the processing element, watering schedules for the flow devices controlled by the plurality of flow controllers when the water amount used deviates from the water budget; and transmitting, by the processing element, the modified watering schedules to the plurality of flow controllers to vary the operation of the flow devices controlled by the plurality of flow controllers.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2021Date of Patent: May 23, 2023Assignee: RACHIO, INC.Inventors: Christopher M. Klein, Bradley W. Alcorn
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Patent number: 11631149Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods for collecting utility meter data are described. An example system may include a flow controller and a server. The flow controller is configured to communicate with a water meter for a property and connected to at least one water outlet of a plurality of water outlets. The server is coupled to one or more infrastructure databases and the flow controller. The server includes a non-transitory computer readable media and is configured to execute instructions stored on the non-transitory computer readable media. The instructions include receiving water usage data from the flow controller and transmitting the water usage data from the water meter for the property to a water utility company.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2021Date of Patent: April 18, 2023Assignee: RACHIO, INC.Inventor: Christopher M. Klein
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Publication number: 20230034493Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method to increase drought tolerance for grass is disclosed. The method includes estimating by a server a root depth of grass watered by an irrigation system based on one or more of historical watering data of the grass, grass type characteristics, or soil characteristics of soil in which the grass is growing; determining by the server a target water depletion threshold of the grass based on the root depth; generating by the server an irrigation schedule based on the target water depletion threshold and weather information; and transmitting by the server the irrigation schedule to an irrigation controller to selectively activate the irrigation system based on the irrigation schedule.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 7, 2022Publication date: February 2, 2023Inventors: Emil MOTYCKA, Christopher M. KLEIN
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Patent number: 11464178Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method for generating a dynamic watering plan that reduces water consumption requirements for vegetation is disclosed. An example method includes estimating root depth of vegetation watered by a watering system; determining an allowed water depletion threshold of the vegetation based on the root depth; determining a training watering plan to increase the root depth of the vegetation over time based on the root depth and the allowed water depletion threshold; and transmitting the training watering plan to a flow controller for execution by the watering system.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2019Date of Patent: October 11, 2022Assignee: RACHIO, INC.Inventors: Emil Motycka, Christopher M. Klein
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Publication number: 20220046871Abstract: A method of delivering a consumable to an irrigation area may include determining application characteristics for applying the consumable to the irrigation area based on irrigation area characteristics of the irrigation area, generating an irrigation schedule for the irrigation area based on consumable characteristics of the consumable and the application characteristics, and transmitting the irrigation schedule to a local control to selectively activate one or more water outlets to the irrigation area based on the irrigation schedule.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 11, 2021Publication date: February 17, 2022Inventors: Christopher M. Klein, Emil Motycka, Simon Hill, Franz David Garsombke
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Publication number: 20220012823Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods for collecting utility meter data are described. An example system may include a flow controller and a server. The flow controller is configured to communicate with a water meter for a property and connected to at least one water outlet of a plurality of water outlets. The server is coupled to one or more infrastructure databases and the flow controller. The server includes a non-transitory computer readable media and is configured to execute instructions stored on the non-transitory computer readable media. The instructions include receiving water usage data from the flow controller and transmitting the water usage data from the water meter for the property to a water utility company.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 18, 2021Publication date: January 13, 2022Inventor: Christopher M. Klein
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Publication number: 20210334913Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods for collecting utility meter data are described. An example system may include a flow controller and a server. The flow controller is configured to communicate with a water meter for a property and connected to at least one water outlet of a plurality of water outlets. The server is coupled to one or more infrastructure databases and the flow controller. The server includes a non-transitory computer readable media and is configured to execute instructions stored on the non-transitory computer readable media. The instructions include receiving water usage data from the flow controller and transmitting the water usage data from the water meter for the property to a water utility company.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 21, 2021Publication date: October 28, 2021Inventor: Christopher M. Klein
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Publication number: 20210209748Abstract: Systems and methods for diagnosing and facilitating repair of system components and/or improving watering schedules are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of diagnosing a sprinkler system component is disclosed that includes initiating a sprinkler system zone run for a particular zone of a sprinkler system, capturing image data for the sprinkler system run, uploading the image data to a network node, processing the image data at the network node to produce data on the sprinkler system or a sprinkler system component, and generating an action item for the sprinkler system or sprinkler system component based on the data produced at the network node.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 23, 2021Publication date: July 8, 2021Inventor: Christopher M. Klein
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Publication number: 20210141400Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for optimizing downstream processes for a plurality of flow controllers includes determining a water budget for the plurality of flow controllers based on utility information and a water amount used by the flow devices controlled by the plurality of flow controllers; determining, by a processing element, a run time water amount used by the flow devices controlled by the plurality of flow controllers during a watering run time of the flow devices; modifying, by the processing element, watering schedules for the flow devices controlled by the plurality of flow controllers when the water amount used deviates from the water budget; and transmitting, by the processing element, the modified watering schedules to the plurality of flow controllers to vary the operation of the flow devices controlled by the plurality of flow controllers.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 25, 2021Publication date: May 13, 2021Inventors: Christopher M. Klein, Bradley W. Alcorn
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Patent number: 10970832Abstract: Systems and methods for diagnosing and facilitating repair of system components and/or improving watering schedules are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of diagnosing a sprinkler system component is disclosed that includes initiating a sprinkler system zone run for a particular zone of a sprinkler system, capturing image data for the sprinkler system run, uploading the image data to a network node, processing the image data at the network node to produce data on the sprinkler system or a sprinkler system component, and generating an action item for the sprinkler system or sprinkler system component based on the data produced at the network node.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2018Date of Patent: April 6, 2021Assignee: RACHIO, INC.Inventor: Christopher M. Klein
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Publication number: 20210039025Abstract: Tracking a filter lifespan in a fluid supply system includes determining specifications of a filter. A flow detection device determines fluid characteristics of fluid flowing through the filter, where the fluid characteristics comprise fluid flow data. The fluid flow data is analyzed to determine fluid flow through the filter. A lifespan stage of the filter is determined based on the fluid flow through the filter.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 31, 2020Publication date: February 11, 2021Inventors: Christopher M. Klein, Timothy Myers