Patents by Inventor Daniel Curtis
Daniel Curtis 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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Patent number: 8779905Abstract: The method of the present invention allows a first wireless control device that is operable to communicate on a predetermined one of a plurality of channels to establish communication with a second wireless control device that may be communicating on any of the plurality of channels. A beacon message is first transmitted repeatedly by the wireless control device on the predetermined channel. The second wireless control device listens for the beacon message for a predetermined amount of time on each of the plurality of channels. When the second control device receives the beacon message on the predetermined channel, the second control device begins communicating on the predetermined channel. The second wireless device may begin listening for the beacon message in response to powering up.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 2010Date of Patent: July 15, 2014Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.Inventors: Brian Michael Courtney, Lawrence R. Carmen, Jr., Justin Mierta, Daniel Curtis Raneri
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Patent number: 8737756Abstract: An imaging system includes a positionable device configured to axially shift an image plane, wherein the image plane is generated from photons emanating from an object and passing through a lens, a detector plane positioned to receive the photons of the object that pass through the lens, and a computer programmed to characterize the lens as a mathematical function, acquire two or more elemental images of the object with the image plane of each elemental image at different axial positions with respect to the detector plane, determine a focused distance of the object from the lens, based on the characterization of the lens and based on the two or more elemental images acquired, and generate a depth map of the object based on the determined distance.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2012Date of Patent: May 27, 2014Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Mohammad Mehdi DaneshPanah, Kevin George Harding, Gil Abramovich, Daniel Curtis Gray
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Publication number: 20140117871Abstract: A remote control device may be configured to be mounted over the toggle actuator of a light switch and to control a load control device via wireless communication. The remote control device may include a base portion and a rotating portion supported by the base portion so as to be rotatable about the base portion. The remote control device may include a control circuit and a wireless communication circuit. The control circuit may be operably coupled to the rotating portion and to the wireless communication circuit. The control circuit may be configured to translate a force applied to the rotating portion of the remote control device into a control signal and to cause the communication circuit to transmit the control signal to the load control device.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2013Publication date: May 1, 2014Inventors: Matthew J. Swatsky, Chris Dimberg, Timothy S. Majewski, Robert C. Newman, JR., Daniel Curtis Raneri
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Publication number: 20140044323Abstract: A system and method for contactless multi-fingerprint collection is disclosed. The contactless multi-fingerprint collection system includes an imaging volume, a user interface configured to provide feedback to the subject regarding a proximity of a hand to a desired imaging location within the imaging volume, and at least one image capture device to capture images of each of the plurality of fingerprints at each of at least two different depths from the fingerprints. The contactless multi-fingerprint collection system also includes a processor coupled to the at least one image capture device that is programmed to generate a composite image and a contour map of each of the plurality of fingerprints from the images captured at the at least two different depths and generate a two-dimensional rolled equivalent image of each of the plurality of fingerprints from the composite image and the contour map.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 17, 2013Publication date: February 13, 2014Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Gil Abramovich, Kevin George Harding, Christopher Allen Nafis, Joseph Czechowski, III, Vijay Krishna Paruchuru, Daniel Curtis Gray
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Patent number: 8600123Abstract: A system and method for contactless multi-fingerprint collection is disclosed. The contactless multi-fingerprint collection system includes an imaging volume, a user interface configured to provide feedback to the subject regarding a proximity of a hand to a desired imaging location within the imaging volume, and at least one image capture device to capture images of each of the plurality of fingerprints at each of at least two different depths from the fingerprints. The contactless multi-fingerprint collection system also includes a processor coupled to the at least one image capture device that is programmed to generate a composite image and a contour map of each of the plurality of fingerprints from the images captured at the at least two different depths and generate a two-dimensional rolled equivalent image of each of the plurality of fingerprints from the composite image and the contour map.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2010Date of Patent: December 3, 2013Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Gil Abramovich, Kevin George Harding, Christopher Allen Nafis, Joseph Czechowski, III, Vijay Krishna Paruchuru, Daniel Curtis Gray
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Publication number: 20130096566Abstract: A method for determination of mechanical integrity of bone includes embedding a threaded rod into the bone, extracting the threaded rod out of the bone, and measuring the force required to extract the threaded rod from the bone, wherein the force required to extract the threaded rod is indicative of the mechanical integrity of the bone. A device for determining the mechanical integrity of bone includes a housing, a rod holder mounted to the housing and configured to hold a threaded rod which is embedded in the bone, a pulling force applicator which applies a pulling force to the rod holder to extract the threaded rod from the bone, and a pulling force measuring instrument which measures the pulling force applied to the rod holder by the pulling force applicator as the threaded rod is extracted from the bone.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 23, 2011Publication date: April 18, 2013Applicant: Geisinger ClinicInventors: Thomas Richard Bowen, Eric Allen Kennedy, Daniel Curtis Saunders, Eric Huy-Dang Nguyen, Christopher Lee Gabryluk, Jessica Diane Levy, Sarah Jane Wohlman
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Publication number: 20130073431Abstract: A merchandise display system presents a product for sale to a potential customer and allows the customer to control the product using their personal smart phone. The display system includes an electrical load and a load control device (i.e., the product for sale), which is electrically coupled to the electrical load and is operable to receive a wireless message for control of the electrical load. The display system may also include a scannable tag adapted to be scanned by the smart phone, such that the smart phone downloads a product control application in response to scanning the tag. The load control device controls the electrical load in response to the smart phone executing the product control application. Accordingly, the customer is able to simply download the product control application onto the smart phone, and then control the product by executing the product control application on the smart phone.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 16, 2012Publication date: March 21, 2013Applicant: LUTRON ELECTRONICS CO., INC.Inventors: Eric Suro, Jeremy B. Kleinberg, Paul G. Lobo, Michael A. Maholick, Christian E. Murray, Daniel Curtis Raneri, Nathan J. Stauber, Matthew Joseph Swatsky
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Patent number: 8340456Abstract: An imaging system includes a positionable device configured to axially shift an image plane, wherein the image plane is generated from photons emanating from an object and passing through a lens, a detector plane positioned to receive the photons of the object that pass through the lens, and a computer programmed to characterize the lens as a mathematical function, acquire two or more elemental images of the object with the image plane of each elemental image at different axial positions with respect to the detector plane, determine a focused distance of the object from the lens, based on the characterization of the lens and based on the two or more elemental images acquired, and generate a depth map of the object based on the determined distance.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2011Date of Patent: December 25, 2012Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Mohammad Mehdi DaneshPanah, Kevin George Harding, Gil Abramovich, Daniel Curtis Gray
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Publication number: 20120133888Abstract: The invention provides a scanning ophthalmoscope for scanning the retina of an eye and method of operating the same. The scanning ophthalmoscope comprises a source of collimated light, a first scanning element and a second scanning element. The source of collimated light and the first and second scanning elements combine to provide a two-dimensional collimated light scan from an apparent point source. The scanning ophthalmoscope further comprises a scan transfer device, wherein the scan transfer device is a reflective element and has two foci and the apparent point source is provided at a first focus of the scan transfer device and an eye is accommodated at a second focus of the scan transfer device, and wherein the scan transfer device transfers the two-dimensional collimated light scan from the apparent point source into the eye.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 30, 2010Publication date: May 31, 2012Applicant: OPTOS PLCInventors: Daniel Curtis Gray, Robert Wall, Graig Robertson, David Cairms
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Patent number: 8170372Abstract: The present invention is a method and system to precisely locate objects of interest in any given image scene space, which finds the presence of objects based upon pattern matching geometric relationships to a master, known set. The method and system prepares images for feature and attribute detection and identifies the presence of potential objects of interest, then narrows down the objects based upon how well they match a pre designated master template. The method by which matching takes place is done through finding all objects, plotting its area, juxtaposing a sweet spot overlap of its area on master objects, which in turn forms a glyph shape. The glyph shape is recorded, along with all other formed glyphs in an image's scene space and then mapped to form sets using a classifier and finally a pattern matching algorithm.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2011Date of Patent: May 1, 2012Inventors: Michael B. Kennedy, Daniel Curtis
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Publication number: 20120076369Abstract: A system and method for contactless multi-fingerprint collection is disclosed. The contactless multi-fingerprint collection system includes an imaging volume, a user interface configured to provide feedback to the subject regarding a proximity of a hand to a desired imaging location within the imaging volume, and at least one image capture device to capture images of each of the plurality of fingerprints at each of at least two different depths from the fingerprints. The contactless multi-fingerprint collection system also includes a processor coupled to the at least one image capture device that is programmed to generate a composite image and a contour map of each of the plurality of fingerprints from the images captured at the at least two different depths and generate a two-dimensional rolled equivalent image of each of the plurality of fingerprints from the composite image and the contour map.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 24, 2010Publication date: March 29, 2012Inventors: Gil Abramovich, Kevin George Harding, Christopher Allen Nafis, Joseph Czechowski, III, Vijay Krishna Paruchuru, Daniel Curtis Gray
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Publication number: 20120033852Abstract: The present invention is a method and system to precisely locate objects of interest in any given image scene space, which finds the presence of objects based upon pattern matching geometric relationships to a master, known set. The method and system prepares images for feature and attribute detection and identifies the presence of potential objects of interest, then narrows down the objects based upon how well they match a pre designated master template. The method by which matching takes place is done through finding all objects, plotting its area, juxtaposing a sweet spot overlap of its area on master objects, which in turn forms a glyph shape. The glyph shape is recorded, along with all other formed glyphs in an image's scene space and then mapped to form sets using a classifier and finally a pattern matching algorithm.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 30, 2011Publication date: February 9, 2012Inventors: Michael B. Kennedy, Daniel Curtis
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Patent number: 8030598Abstract: An electric cooking assembly includes a main body portion that defines a cooking area. First and second cooking surfaces are contained within the cooking area. A first electric heating element arranged to provide heat to at least a portion of the first cooking surface, and a second electric heating element is arranged to heat at least a portion of the second cooking surface. The main body portion may include first and second hood members. The first hood member defines the cooking area and the second hood member is positioned at least partially within the cooking area and configured to decrease heat lost from the cooking assembly during preparation of food products in the cooking area. The second hood member is configured for adjustment between an open position providing access to the cooking surface and a closed position covering at least a portion of the cooking surface.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2008Date of Patent: October 4, 2011Assignee: The Outdoor Greatroom Company LLLPInventors: Thomas J. Bachinski, Douglas Mark Holm, Daniel Curtis Shimek, Robert Samuel Waddell, Eric Paul Hawkinson
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Publication number: 20110025476Abstract: The method of the present invention allows a first wireless control device that is operable to communicate on a predetermined one of a plurality of channels to establish communication with a second wireless control device that may be communicating on any of the plurality of channels. A beacon message is first transmitted repeatedly by the wireless control device on the predetermined channel. The second wireless control device listens for the beacon message for a predetermined amount of time on each of the plurality of channels. When the second control device receives the beacon message on the predetermined channel, the second control device begins communicating on the predetermined channel. The second wireless device may begin listening for the beacon message in response to powering up.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 7, 2010Publication date: February 3, 2011Inventors: Brian Michael Courtney, Lawrence R. Carmen, JR., Justin Mierta, Daniel Curtis Raneri
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Patent number: 7880639Abstract: The method of the present invention allows a first wireless control device that is operable to communicate on a predetermined one of a plurality of channels to establish communication with a second wireless control device that may be communicating on any of the plurality of channels. A beacon message is first transmitted repeatedly by the wireless control device on the predetermined channel. The second wireless control device listens for the beacon message for a predetermined amount of time on each of the plurality of channels. When the second control device receives the beacon message on the predetermined channel, the second control device begins communicating on the predetermined channel. The second wireless device may begin listening for the beacon message in response to powering up.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2006Date of Patent: February 1, 2011Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.Inventors: Brian Michael Courtney, Lawrence R. Carmen, Jr., Justin Mierta, Daniel Curtis Raneri
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Patent number: 7800319Abstract: A lighting control system is operable to be coupled to a security system and is pre-programmed such that the control devices of the lighting control system behave out-of-box in a predetermined manner in response to the security system. The lighting control system comprises a contact closure input that is operable to be simultaneously coupled to both a momentary contact closure output and a maintained contact closure output of the security system. Preferably, the lighting control system enters a first mode of operation when the contact closure input detects a closure, enters a second mode of operation if the contact closure input continues to detect the closure after a predetermined amount of time, and enters a third mode of operation if the contact closure input no longer closed. Accordingly, the lighting control system is responsive to either the momentary contact closure output or the maintained contact closure output.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2007Date of Patent: September 21, 2010Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.Inventor: Daniel Curtis Raneri
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Patent number: 7787485Abstract: A lighting control system having a plurality of control devices coupled to a communication link operates with a communication protocol that allows the system to expeditiously process high-priority events while operating communicate at a low enough baud rate to allow for a free-wiring topology of the communication link. The transmission of regular-priority messages is suspended if any of the control devices has a high-priority message to transmit. To signal that a control device has a high-priority message to transmit, each control device is operable to transmit a break character in a predetermined time period after the transmission of one of the digital messages. After the transmission of the break character, the transmission of the regular-priority messages on the communication link is suspended to allow the high-priority message to be transmitted quickly.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2007Date of Patent: August 31, 2010Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: William H. Howe, Timothy S. Majewski, Daniel Curtis Raneri, Arya Abraham, R. Paul Stocker
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Patent number: 7755505Abstract: A wireless lighting control system has a plurality of control devices, some of which may be remotely-located. Each of the control devices is operable to be coupled to a source of power and to be assigned a unique device address. To assign a unique address to the control devices that are remotely-located, power is cycled to those control devices, i.e., by interrupting and restoring power to the control devices. The control device then transmits wirelessly a signal uniquely identifying the control device within a predetermined amount of time after the cycling of power. A list of unaddressed control devices that have recently been power cycled is generated. Each of the control devices on the list is then assigned and transmitted a unique device address.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2006Date of Patent: July 13, 2010Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.Inventors: Benjamin A. Johnson, Justin Mierta, Brian Michael Courtney, Lawrence R. Carmen, Jr., Daniel Curtis Raneri
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Publication number: 20090206983Abstract: A radio-frequency (RF) load control system allows for the expedient transmission of subsequent digital messages to one or more recipients via an RF communication link. The control system comprises at least one load control device for controlling the amount of power delivered to an electrical load in response to a received digital message. Each control device of the load control system is operable to interrupt the propagation of a first digital message to transmit a second digital message in response to determining that the second digital message has a high priority than the first digital message. For example, an originating control device may transmit first and second digital messages in response to a press and a release of an actuator, respectively, and may interrupt the propagation of the first digital message to transmit the second digital message if the first digital message is irrelevant in view of the second digital message.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 19, 2008Publication date: August 20, 2009Applicant: LUTRON ELECTRONICS CO., INC.Inventors: Galen Edgar Knode, Daniel Curtis Raneri, Richard L. Black, Jordan Henry Crafts
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Patent number: RE40590Abstract: The present invention includes a universal combustion chamber preferably shipped from a factory as a separate unit for field installation into a plurality of different fireplace units and includes a top panel and a floor panel connected to sidewall panel to form a complete ready to use gas tight structure. The combustion chamber is fabricated from flat and/or curved panels which are preferably molded from a thick paste slurry of mixed vitreous alumina silicate fibers combined with an aqueous solution of silica binder and fired to form non-porous gas tight panels which are interconnected to form a gas tight combustion chamber. The connecting joints are preferably reinforced by the addition of a high temperature adhesive added to the mating joints. The joints may be further reinforced and/or sealed by mechanical reinforcing at or in the joints. The joints may be eliminated by forming a one piece combustion chamber on forming molds that are designed to be separated from a formed but uncured combustion chamber.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 2001Date of Patent: December 2, 2008Assignee: Hearth Technologies Inc.Inventors: Patricia J. Shimek, Daniel Curtis Shimek, Ronald John Shimek