Patents by Inventor David C. Fly

David C. Fly 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: 12589481
    Abstract: An inventory control system comprises a tool storage device including a drawer, a tray, or a shelf having a plurality of storage locations for storing a plurality of objects which define a silhouette in the tool storage device. The inventory control system comprises a sensing device configured to sense color, a display device configured to display information about the inventory control system, and a processor and a memory. The memory stores instructions causing the processor to determine a plurality of colors of the plurality of objects stored in the tool storage device, which also causes the processor to generate an image in the form of an arrangement of colored blocks, wherein the display of color blocks represent associated color data of the plurality of objects and a size of each color block is proportional to the percentage of RGB color data in the silhouette.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2024
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2026
    Assignee: Snap-on Incorporated
    Inventors: David C. Fly, Matthew J. Lipsey, Preston C. Phillips, Traig E. Born, Frederick J. Rogers, Joseph Chwan, Gavin Pavlick, Cody Houston
  • Publication number: 20250307580
    Abstract: The disclosure comprises systems and methods for identifying color-coded tags on tools in a storage container where the identification sensor can be calibrated and adjusted. The method can include capturing image data comprising a plurality of pixels of an identification tag associated with a tool in a storage container. The method can include correlating a plurality of pixels to a numeric hue value. The method can include identifying a pattern of pixels from the plurality of pixels, wherein the pattern of pixels is correlated to a known pattern of color parameters consistent with the identification tag associated with the tool in the storage container. Further in response to identifying the pattern of pixels is consistent with the identification tag, determining the presence or absence of the tool in the storage container. The method can further include implementing a color gain to adjust a boundary range for a color.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2025
    Publication date: October 2, 2025
    Inventors: Matthew J. Lipsey, David C. Fly, Frederick J. Rogers
  • Publication number: 20250265543
    Abstract: An inventory control system is described that includes a tool storage device including a drawer or a tray providing a pallet, wherein the pallet includes storage locations for objects; a sensing device configured to form an image of the storage locations; and a data processor configured to determine presence or absence of the pallet and presence or absence of objects within the storage locations of the pallet using the information from the image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2025
    Publication date: August 21, 2025
    Inventors: Preston Phillips, David C. Fly, Matthew J. Lipsey, Joseph Chwan, Frederick J. Rogers
  • Publication number: 20250258050
    Abstract: A calibration monitoring system is provided to automatically monitor the calibration status of tools and other inventory items, such as upon the items being issued from or returned to the automated calibration monitoring system. The system identifies an inventory item, for example a calibrated torque wrench or other calibrated tool identified based on a unique identifying tag attached thereto. The system retrieves a calibration parameter value for the item from a calibration database, and completes a calibration measurement of the item based on the calibration parameter value. In the example, a torque measurement of the calibrated torque wrench can thus be automatically completed. In turn, the system determines a current calibration status of the item based on the calibration measurement, and selectively enables or disables issuance of the inventory item from the system according to the item's status as being in calibration or out of calibration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2025
    Publication date: August 14, 2025
    Inventors: David C. Fly, Matthew J. Lipsey, Preston C. Phillips, Jason D. Newport, Andrew R. Lobo, Joseph Chwan, Frederick J. Rogers, Sean W. Ryan, Thomas L. Kassouf
  • Patent number: 12243011
    Abstract: An inventory control system is described that includes a tool storage device including a drawer or a tray providing a pallet, wherein the pallet includes storage locations for objects; a sensing device configured to form an image of the storage locations; and a data processor configured to determine presence or absence of the pallet and presence or absence of objects within the storage locations of the pallet using the information from the image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2025
    Assignee: Snap-on Incorporated
    Inventors: Preston Phillips, David C. Fly, Matthew J. Lipsey, Joseph Chwan, Frederick J. Rogers
  • Patent number: 12222256
    Abstract: A calibration monitoring system is provided to automatically monitor the calibration status of tools and other inventory items, such as upon the items being issued from or returned to the automated calibration monitoring system. The system identifies an inventory item, for example a calibrated torque wrench or other calibrated tool identified based on a unique identifying tag attached thereto. The system retrieves a calibration parameter value for the item from a calibration database, and completes a calibration measurement of the item based on the calibration parameter value. In the example, a torque measurement of the calibrated torque wrench can thus be automatically completed. In turn, the system determines a current calibration status of the item based on the calibration measurement, and selectively enables or disables issuance of the inventory item from the system according to the item's status as being in calibration or out of calibration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2025
    Assignee: Snap-On Incorporated
    Inventors: David C. Fly, Matthew J. Lipsey, Preston C. Phillips, Jason D. Newport, Andrew R. Lobo, Joseph Chwan, Frederick J. Rogers, Sean W. Ryan, Thomas L Kassouf
  • Publication number: 20240408741
    Abstract: An inventory control system comprises a tool storage device including a drawer, a tray, or a shelf having a plurality of storage locations for storing a plurality of objects which define a silhouette in the tool storage device. The inventory control system comprises a sensing device configured to sense color, a display device configured to display information about the inventory control system, and a processor and a memory. The memory stores instructions causing the processor to determine a plurality of colors of the plurality of objects stored in the tool storage device, which also causes the processor to generate an image in the form of an arrangement of colored blocks, wherein the display of color blocks represent associated color data of the plurality of objects and a size of each color block is proportional to the percentage of RGB color data in the silhouette.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2024
    Publication date: December 12, 2024
    Inventors: David C. Fly, Matthew J. Lipsey, Preston C. Phillips, Traig E. Born, Frederick J. Rogers, Joseph Chwan, Gavin Pavlick, Cody Houston
  • Patent number: 12145802
    Abstract: The present application describes an automated inventory control system that comprises a storage device, a sensing system, a data storage, and one or more processors. The storage device includes a plurality of storage locations for storing objects. The sensing system is configured to associate the storage device with a first location and with a second location. The data storage is configured to store configurable data of the storage device. The one or more processors are configured to send configurable data corresponding to the first location to the storage device in response to receiving information associating the storage device with the first location from the sensing system. In response to receiving information associating the storage device with the second location from the sensing system, the one or more processors are configured to send configurable data corresponding to the second location to the storage device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2024
    Assignee: Snap-On Incorporated
    Inventors: David C. Fly, Matthew J. Lipsey, Preston C. Phillips, Jason Newport, Andrew R. Lobo, Joseph Chwan, Frederick J. Rogers, Sean W. Ryan
  • Publication number: 20240242178
    Abstract: An inventory control system for managing and transporting a subset of tools from a plurality of storage containers. Each of the plurality of storage containers can comprise a plurality of storage locations. Each storage location can store objects, wherein the objects can rest in a tray. Each storage location can comprise at least one image sensing device configured to capture image data of the plurality of storage locations. Each storage location can comprise a data processor configured to receive information representing captured images of the storage locations and data representing the usage or status of the objects associated with the images. The system can further comprise a portable container comprising a plurality of supplemental locations for storing the objects containers. The portable container can be configured to communicate with the plurality of storage locations and configured to reconcile objects shared between the portable container and the plurality of storage containers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2024
    Publication date: July 18, 2024
    Inventors: Frederick J. Rogers, David C. Fly, Preston C. Phillips, Matthew J. Lipsey, Joseph Chwan, Traig E. Born, Gavin T. Pavlick, Cody L. Houston, Andrew R. Lobo, Mark T. Gordon
  • Publication number: 20240020636
    Abstract: An inventory control system is described that includes a tool storage device including a drawer or a tray providing a pallet, wherein the pallet includes storage locations for objects; a sensing device configured to form an image of the storage locations; and a data processor configured to determine presence or absence of the pallet and presence or absence of objects within the storage locations of the pallet using the information from the image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2023
    Publication date: January 18, 2024
    Inventors: Preston Phillips, David C. Fly, Matthew J. Lipsey, Joseph Chwan, Frederick J. Rogers
  • Publication number: 20230280224
    Abstract: A calibration monitoring system is provided to automatically monitor the calibration status of tools and other inventory items, such as upon the items being issued from or returned to the automated calibration monitoring system. The system identifies an inventory item, for example a calibrated torque wrench or other calibrated tool identified based on a unique identifying tag attached thereto. The system retrieves a calibration parameter value for the item from a calibration database, and completes a calibration measurement of the item based on the calibration parameter value. In the example, a torque measurement of the calibrated torque wrench can thus be automatically completed. In turn, the system determines a current calibration status of the item based on the calibration measurement, and selectively enables or disables issuance of the inventory item from the system according to the item's status as being in calibration or out of calibration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2023
    Publication date: September 7, 2023
    Inventors: David C. Fly, Matthew J. Lipsey, Preston C. Phillips, Jason D. Newport, Andrew R. Lobo, Joseph Chwan, Frederick J. Rogers, Sean W. Ryan, Thomas L. Kassouf
  • Patent number: 11741427
    Abstract: An inventory control system is described that includes a tool storage device including a drawer or a tray providing a pallet, wherein the pallet includes storage locations for objects; a sensing device configured to form an image of the storage locations; and a data processor configured to determine presence or absence of the pallet and presence or absence of objects within the storage locations of the pallet using the information from the image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Snap-On Incorporated
    Inventors: Preston Phillips, David C. Fly, Matthew J. Lipsey, Joseph Chwan, Frederick J. Rogers
  • Publication number: 20230249913
    Abstract: The present application describes an automated inventory control system that comprises a storage device, a sensing system, a data storage, and one or more processors. The storage device includes a plurality of storage locations for storing objects. The sensing system is configured to associate the storage device with a first location and with a second location. The data storage is configured to store configurable data of the storage device. The one or more processors are configured to send configurable data corresponding to the first location to the storage device in response to receiving information associating the storage device with the first location from the sensing system. In response to receiving information associating the storage device with the second location from the sensing system, the one or more processors are configured to send configurable data corresponding to the second location to the storage device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2023
    Publication date: August 10, 2023
    Inventors: David C. FLY, Matthew J. LIPSEY, Preston C. PHILLIPS, Jason NEWPORT, Andrew R. LOBO, Joseph CHWAN, Frederick J. ROGERS, Sean W. RYAN
  • Patent number: 11686635
    Abstract: A calibration monitoring system is provided to automatically monitor the calibration status of tools and other inventory items, such as upon the items being issued from or returned to the automated calibration monitoring system. The system identifies an inventory item, for example a calibrated torque wrench or other calibrated tool identified based on a unique identifying tag attached thereto. The system retrieves a calibration parameter value for the item from a calibration database, and completes a calibration measurement of the item based on the calibration parameter value. In the example, a torque measurement of the calibrated torque wrench can thus be automatically completed. In turn, the system determines a current calibration status of the item based on the calibration measurement, and selectively enables or disables issuance of the inventory item from the system according to the item's status as being in calibration or out of calibration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Snap-On Incorporated
    Inventors: David C. Fly, Matthew J. Lipsey, Preston C. Phillips, Jason D. Newport, Andrew R. Lobo, Joseph Chwan, Frederick J. Rogers, Sean W. Ryan, Thomas L. Kassouf
  • Patent number: 11655102
    Abstract: The present application describes an automated inventory control system that comprises a storage device, a sensing system, a data storage, and one or more processors. The storage device includes a plurality of storage locations for storing objects. The sensing system is configured to associate the storage device with a first location and with a second location. The data storage is configured to store configurable data of the storage device. The one or more processors are configured to send configurable data corresponding to the first location to the storage device in response to receiving information associating the storage device with the first location from the sensing system. In response to receiving information associating the storage device with the second location from the sensing system, the one or more processors are configured to send configurable data corresponding to the second location to the storage device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: Snap-On Incorporated
    Inventors: David C. Fly, Matthew J. Lipsey, Preston C. Phillips, Jason Newport, Andrew R. Lobo, Joseph Chwan, Frederick J. Rogers, Sean W. Ryan
  • Patent number: 11562566
    Abstract: An inventory control system comprises an object storage device, a display device, and one or more processors. The object storage device includes a plurality of compartments, in which each compartment has a plurality of storage locations for storing objects. The display device is configured to display information about the object storage device. The one or more processors are configured to establish a description database of objects configured for storage in the inventory control system. The one or more processors retrieve object keywords corresponding to objects stored in the plurality of storage locations of one of the plurality of compartments. The one or more processors also generate a text block based on the retrieved object keywords. On the display device, the one or more processors display a representation of the plurality of compartments of the object storage device with the text block applied to the one of the plurality of compartments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: Snap-On Incorporated
    Inventors: Matthew J. Lipsey, David C. Fly, Preston C. Phillips, Jason Newport, Cody L. Houston, Joseph Chwan, Frederick J. Rogers, Sean W. Ryan
  • Publication number: 20220165109
    Abstract: An inventory control system is described that includes a tool storage device including a drawer or a tray providing a pallet, wherein the pallet includes storage locations for objects; a sensing device configured to form an image of the storage locations; and a data processor configured to determine presence or absence of the pallet and presence or absence of objects within the storage locations of the pallet using the information from the image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2022
    Publication date: May 26, 2022
    Inventors: Preston Phillips, David C. Fly, Matthew J. Lipsey, Joseph Chawn, Fredrick J. Rogers
  • Patent number: 11270540
    Abstract: An inventory control system is described that includes a tool storage device including a drawer or a tray providing a pallet, wherein the pallet includes storage locations for objects; a sensing device configured to form an image of the storage locations; and a data processor configured to determine presence or absence of the pallet and presence or absence of objects within the storage locations of the pallet using the information from the image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: SNAP-ON INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Preston Phillips, David C. Fly, Matthew J. Lipsey, Joseph Chwan, Frederick J. Rogers
  • Publication number: 20210396613
    Abstract: A calibration monitoring system is provided to automatically monitor the calibration status of tools and other inventory items, such as upon the items being issued from or returned to the automated calibration monitoring system. The system identifies an inventory item, for example a calibrated torque wrench or other calibrated tool identified based on a unique identifying tag attached thereto. The system retrieves a calibration parameter value for the item from a calibration database, and completes a calibration measurement of the item based on the calibration parameter value. In the example, a torque measurement of the calibrated torque wrench can thus be automatically completed. In turn, the system determines a current calibration status of the item based on the calibration measurement, and selectively enables or disables issuance of the inventory item from the system according to the item's status as being in calibration or out of calibration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2021
    Publication date: December 23, 2021
    Inventors: David C. FLY, Matthew J. LIPSEY, Preston C. PHILLIPS, Jason D. NEWPORT, Andrew R. LOBO, Joseph CHWAN, Frederick J. ROGERS, Sean W. RYAN, Thomas L. KASSOUF
  • Patent number: 11085841
    Abstract: A calibration monitoring system is provided to automatically monitor the calibration status of tools and other inventory items, such as upon the items being issued from or returned to the automated calibration monitoring system. The system identifies an inventory item, for example a calibrated torque wrench or other calibrated tool identified based on a unique identifying tag attached thereto. The system retrieves a calibration parameter value for the item from a calibration database, and completes a calibration measurement of the item based on the calibration parameter value. In the example, a torque measurement of the calibrated torque wrench can thus be automatically completed. In turn, the system determines a current calibration status of the item based on the calibration measurement, and selectively enables or disables issuance of the inventory item from the system according to the item's status as being in calibration or out of calibration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: SNAP-ON INCORPORATED
    Inventors: David C. Fly, Matthew J. Lipsey, Preston C. Phillips, Jason D. Newport, Andrew R. Lobo, Joseph Chwan, Frederick J. Rogers, Sean W. Ryan, Thomas L. Kassouf