Patents by Inventor Craig Thrall

Craig Thrall 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: 9950716
    Abstract: An autonomous device for rail track inspection includes a drive wheel system propelling the device via a drive wheel system, an automatic track loading fixture for and applying a load on rails, and sensors for taking track gauge measurement. Different automatic track loading fixtures may require stopping for load and measurement, or loading and measuring while still in motion. A switch agnostic system for operation with devices on a conventional railroad track system includes a linear slider movably mounted along a linear sliding support; multiple sensors mounted to the linear slider, the sensors operable to identify a rail of a track junction; and multiple roller bearings operable to engage the rail of the track junction and control the device across the track junction in response to movement of the linear slider along the linear sliding support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Inventors: Brendan English, Paul Sandin, Blair Morad, Shawn Dooley, Craig Thrall
  • Publication number: 20160002865
    Abstract: An autonomous device for rail track inspection includes a drive wheel system propelling the device via a drive wheel system, an automatic track loading fixture for and applying a load on rails, and sensors for taking track gauge measurement. Different automatic track loading fixtures may require stopping for load and measurement, or loading and measuring while still in motion. A switch agnostic system for operation with devices on a conventional railroad track system includes a linear slider movably mounted along a linear sliding support; multiple sensors mounted to the linear slider, the sensors operable to identify a rail of a track junction; and multiple roller bearings operable to engage the rail of the track junction and control the device across the track junction in response to movement of the linear slider along the linear sliding support.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2015
    Publication date: January 7, 2016
    Inventors: Brendan English, Paul Sandin, Blair Morad, Shawn Dooley, Craig Thrall
  • Patent number: 8644473
    Abstract: A method is provided for directing calls placed to a telephone number associated with a user according to a reservation identifying the user, a workspace, and a start time. The method includes acts of receiving a first message from a telephone device located at the workspace in response to a first input at the telephone device on or after the start time, retrieving the reservation from a reservation database in response to receiving the first message, sending a second message to the telephone device based at least in part on a portion of the reservation identifying the user, receiving a third message sent in response to a second input at the telephone device, the third message including an identifier of the telephone device, retrieving the telephone number associated with the user from a user database, and directing calls placed to the telephone number associated with the user to the telephone device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Ernst & Young U.S. LLP
    Inventors: Robert Bardwell, Steven N. Large, A. Brent Summers, Jeffrey E. Chulick, Craig Thrall, Scott Hallock, Tom Bamert