Patents by Inventor Colin Usher

Colin Usher 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: 20250136420
    Abstract: A system (300) for moving a load (10) on a floor to a selected destination includes plurality of robots (320). Each robot (100) includes at least two wheels (112) and a motor (136). Each robot (100) fits underneath the load (10). A lifting device secured to each robot (100) has a retracted state and a lifting state so that the robot (100) and the lifting device (120) can fit into the open area (14) when the lifting device (120) is in the retracted state and so that the load (10) is lifted off of the floor (11) when the lifting device (120) is in the lifting state. A central server (310) determines a configuration of robots to lift the load (10), assigns robots and instructs the robots to go under the load (10), lift the load (10) and move the load (10) to the destination (30).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2023
    Publication date: May 1, 2025
    Inventors: Stephen Balakirsky, Konrad Ahlin, Colin Usher
  • Publication number: 20250083717
    Abstract: Railcar inspection systems, methods, and apparatuses are disclosed, including a railcar inspection portal. The railcar inspection portal includes a physical structure positioned around a railroad track, and through which a railcar can travel. The railcar inspection portal can include wheel detection sensors along the railroad track for detecting the presence of a railcar passing over the sensors. The sensors can transmit signals, corresponding to railcars passing over the sensors, to computing devices for determining railcar speeds. The railcar inspection portal can include imaging devices configured to capture images and readings of railcars passing through the inspection portal. Based on a determined speed corresponding to a passing railcar, the computing devices can control the imaging devices to capture specific areas or components of the passing railcar, or individual cars thereon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2024
    Publication date: March 13, 2025
    Inventors: Mabby Nicholas Amouie, Evan Thomas Gebhardt, Colin Usher, Benjamin Quick, Trent Black, John Rose, Emily Strube, Priyank Patel, Nick Ramsey, Ian Strothers
  • Publication number: 20250083719
    Abstract: Systems and methods for gathering data on passing vehicles is disclosed. The system can comprise a support structure spanning across a railroad track; an overhead inspection system attached to the support structure and comprising one or more cameras for gathering data on the top portion of the passing railcar; a first side inspection system and a second side inspection system attached to the support structure, and each comprising one or more cameras and one or more lights and configured to capture images of opposing sides of a railcar; an undercarriage inspection system comprising one or more undercarriage inspection assemblies, each of which can comprise one or more cameras and one or more lights; and one or more tie-mounted inspection assemblies comprising one or more cameras and one or more lights.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2024
    Publication date: March 13, 2025
    Inventors: Mabby Nicholas Amouie, Evan Thomas Gebhardt, Colin Usher, Alex Samoylov, Howard Atchley, Brian Thomas Yeager, Thomas Samuel Fox
  • Publication number: 20250088759
    Abstract: Assemblies, systems, and methods for inspecting vehicles are disclosed. An assembly can comprise a first angled camera, a second angled camera, an upright camera, lights, and a housing configured to attach to a railway between opposing rails. The first angled camera can be oriented at least partially in a vertical direction and at least partially in a first horizontal direction, and directed to a first target region from a first viewpoint. The second angled camera can be oriented at least partially in the vertical direction and at least partially in a second horizontal direction that is substantially opposite the first horizontal direction, and directed to a second target region from a second viewpoint. The upright camera can be oriented substantially in a vertical direction, and configured to capture images of a third target region from a third viewpoint.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2024
    Publication date: March 13, 2025
    Inventors: Mabby Nicholas Amouie, Evan Thomas Gebhardt, Colin Usher, Alex Samoylov, John Hoang, Sean Thomas, Parth Mandrekar, Brian Thomas Yeager, Thomas Samuel Fox
  • Publication number: 20250088760
    Abstract: An inspection assembly can comprise a first camera, a second camera, one or more lights, and a housing. The first camera can be angled at least partially in a vertical direction and at least partially in a horizontal direction to thereby be configured to capture images of a target region in a three-dimensional space from a first viewpoint. The second camera can be positioned apart from the first camera, angled at least partially in the vertical direction and at least partially in the horizontal direction, and directed to the target region from a second viewpoint that is different from the first viewpoint. The housing can comprise a base and a shroud and can be configured to attach to one or more rail ties and to at least partially envelop the first camera and the second camera.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2024
    Publication date: March 13, 2025
    Inventors: Mabby Nicholas Amouie, Evan Thomas Gebhardt, Colin Usher, Alex Samoylov, John Hoang, Sean Thomas, Parth Mandrekar, Brian Thomas Yeager, Thomas Samuel Fox
  • Publication number: 20250086771
    Abstract: Railcar inspection systems, methods, and apparatuses are disclosed, including a railcar inspection portal. The railcar inspection portal includes a physical structure positioned around a railroad track, and through which a railcar can travel. The railcar inspection portal can include wheel detection sensors along the railroad track for detecting the presence of a railcar passing over the sensors. The sensors can transmit signals, corresponding to railcars passing over the sensors, to computing devices for determining railcar speeds. The railcar inspection portal can include imaging devices configured to capture images and readings of railcars passing through the inspection portal. Based on a determined speed corresponding to a passing railcar, the computing devices can control the imaging devices to capture specific areas or components of the passing railcar, or individual cars thereon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2024
    Publication date: March 13, 2025
    Inventors: Mabby Nicholas Amouie, Evan Thomas Gebhardt, Colin Usher, Benjamin Quick, Trent Black, Emily Strube, Brian Thomas Yeager, Thomas Samuel Fox
  • Publication number: 20250086975
    Abstract: Railcar inspection systems, methods, and apparatuses are disclosed, including a railcar inspection portal. The railcar inspection portal includes a physical structure positioned around a railroad track, and through which a railcar can travel. The railcar inspection portal can include wheel detection sensors along the railroad track for detecting the presence of a railcar passing over the sensors. The sensors can transmit signals, corresponding to railcars passing over the sensors, to computing devices for determining railcar speeds. The railcar inspection portal can include imaging devices configured to capture images and readings of railcars passing through the inspection portal. Based on a determined speed corresponding to a passing railcar, the computing devices can control the imaging devices to capture specific areas or components of the passing railcar, or individual cars thereon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2024
    Publication date: March 13, 2025
    Inventors: Mabby Nicholas Amouie, Evan Thomas Gebhardt, Colin Usher, Benjamin Quick, John Rose
  • Publication number: 20240427313
    Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure provides an extended reality (XR) system comprising an autonomous robotic device and a user interface. The autonomous robotic device can be located in a physical environment. The user interface can be configured to display an XR environment corresponding to at least a portion of the physical environment and receive an input from the user based on the user's perception in the XR environment. The autonomous robotic device can be configured to perform an autonomous action based at least in part on an input received from the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2022
    Publication date: December 26, 2024
    Inventors: Colin Usher, Konrad Ahlin, Wayne D. Daley, Benjamin Joffe
  • Publication number: 20060244954
    Abstract: A method for inspecting the packaging of a packaged product is presented wherein the packaged product includes a tray and a film enwrapping a product carried on the tray forming a packaging. The method includes providing a tray and providing a packaging film material which contains an additive for producing a high contrasting image under non-visible light when compared to the tray. The additive does not affect the spectral properties of the packaging film material in visible light. The tray and transparent film are illuminated with a non-visible light. The contrasting image of the tray and transparent film is viewed for determining the presence and configuration of the packaging. The configuration of the packaging is analyzed based upon a predetermined expected packaging profile and it is determined if the packaging is substantially similar to the predetermined expected packaging profile constituting an acceptable packaging.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2006
    Publication date: November 2, 2006
    Inventors: Wayne Daley, Colin Usher, Douglas Britton, Kevin Ruffin, Daniel Wilburn