Patents by Inventor Dawn E. Shaffer
Dawn E. Shaffer 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: 11719376Abstract: Pipe inspection systems including cameras and camera control units (CCU) are disclosed. A CCU may include a switching circuit for automatically controlling power to elements of the CCU in response to movement of a display cover. A display of the CCU may display captured images and/or video, which may be integrated with data provided by a buried object locator or other device. The CCU may include a retractable kickstand assembly and a stowable handle, which may be removably attached to a cable storage reel.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2021Date of Patent: August 8, 2023Assignee: SEESCAN, INC.Inventors: Mark S. Olsson, Dawn E. Shaffer, Eric M. Chapman, Jesse O. Casares
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Patent number: 11665321Abstract: A pipe inspection system includes a cable storage drum and a housing configured to removably receive and rotatably support the cable storage drum. A push-cable with a plurality of conductors is stored in the cable storage drum. A camera head is connected to a distal end of the push-cable. A slip-ring assembly has first and second mating portions that when mated provide conductive paths between the plurality of conductors at a proximal end of the push-capable and a display device. The first portion of the slip-ring assembly is mounted on the housing and the second portion of the slip-ring assembly is mounted on the removable cable storage drum. The system connection cable joining the inspection system with a display unit is removable and may be replaced with cables compatible with various alternate image display systems.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2018Date of Patent: May 30, 2023Assignee: SEESCAN, INC.Inventors: Mark S. Olsson, Eric M. Chapman, Dawn E. Shaffer, Loni M. Canepa, James F. Kleyn, Lisa E. Latimer
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Patent number: 11579331Abstract: Buried utility locator systems, including a camera, for detecting buried utilities and determining information therefrom based on sensing electromagnetic emissions from the buried utilities are disclosed. Images and/or video captured by the camera are stored in association with the determined information in a non-transitory memory.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2020Date of Patent: February 14, 2023Assignee: SEESCAN, INC.Inventors: Mark S. Olsson, Paul G. Stuart, David A. Cox, Ray Merewether, Dawn E. Shaffer, Ryan B. Levin, Michael J. Martin
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Patent number: 11528401Abstract: Portable pipe inspection video systems are disclosed. The system may include a camera head, a push-cable, a cable reel, and a camera controller having a built-in transmitter for energizing a pipe-inspection cable for magnetic field tracing applications.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2021Date of Patent: December 13, 2022Assignee: SEESCAN, INCInventors: Mark S. Olsson, Dawn E. Shaffer
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Patent number: 11047516Abstract: Pipe inspection systems including cameras and camera control units (CCU) are disclosed. A CCU may include a switching circuit for automatically controlling power to elements of the CCU in response to movement of a display cover. A display of the CCU may display captured images and/or video, which may be integrated with data provided by a buried object locator or other device. The CCU may include a retractable kickstand assembly and a stowable handle, which may be removably attached to a cable storage reel.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2019Date of Patent: June 29, 2021Assignee: SEESCAN, INC.Inventors: Mark S. Olsson, Dawn E. Shaffer, Eric M. Chapman, Jesse O. Casares
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Patent number: 10992849Abstract: Portable pipe inspection video systems are disclosed. The system may include a camera head, a push-cable, a cable reel, and a camera controller having a built-in transmitter for energizing a pipe-inspection cable for magnetic field tracing applications.Type: GrantFiled: December 24, 2018Date of Patent: April 27, 2021Assignee: SEESCAN, INC.Inventors: Mark S. Olsson, Dawn E. Shaffer
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Patent number: 10935880Abstract: A video pipe inspection system may include a push-cable, camera head, and pipe guide having a pair of cylindrical shells, with each shell having a plurality of radially extending circumferentially spaced vanes and structure for holding the shells together when the shells are axially mated end-to-end. A pair of curved tab arms may extend circumferentially about corresponding ones of the cylindrical shells. A pair of slide-locks may be configured to slide over corresponding ones of the tab arms to move them into a locking position in which keys on the tab arms extend between adjacent coils of a coil spring surrounded by the shells.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2013Date of Patent: March 2, 2021Assignee: SEESCAN, INC.Inventors: Mark S. Olsson, Eric M. Chapman, Allen W. Tucker, Dawn E. Shaffer
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Patent number: 10761239Abstract: Portable locators for detecting buried objects and determining information therefrom based on sensing electromagnetic emissions are disclosed. In one implementation, a portable locator may include a magnetic field sensor array and associated signal processing circuitry to detect and determine information associated with the buried object, as well as a camera and image or video processing circuitry to process images or video received from the camera in conjunction with the buried object detection.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2018Date of Patent: September 1, 2020Assignee: SEESCAN, INC.Inventors: Mark S. Olsson, Paul G. Stuart, David A. Cox, Ray Merewether, Dawn E. Shaffer, Ryan B. Levin, Michael J. Martin
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Patent number: 10371305Abstract: Pipe inspection systems including cameras and camera control units (CCU) are disclosed. A CCU may include a switching circuit for automatically controlling power to elements of the CCU in response to movement of a display cover. A display of the CCU may display captured images and/or video, which may be integrated with data provided by a buried object locator or other device. The CCU may include a retractable kickstand assembly and a stowable handle, which may be removably attached to a cable storage reel.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2013Date of Patent: August 6, 2019Assignee: SEESCAN, INC.Inventors: Mark S. Olsson, Dawn E Shaffer, Eric M. Chapman, Jesse O. Casares
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Publication number: 20190141296Abstract: A pipe inspection system includes a cable storage drum and a housing configured to removably receive and rotatably support the cable storage drum. A push-cable with a plurality of conductors is stored in the cable storage drum. A camera head is connected to a distal end of the push-cable. A slip-ring assembly has first and second mating portions that when mated provide conductive paths between the plurality of conductors at a proximal end of the push-capable and a display device. The first portion of the slip-ring assembly is mounted on the housing and the second portion of the slip-ring assembly is mounted on the removable cable storage drum. The system connection cable joining the inspection system with a display unit is removable and may be replaced with cables compatible with various alternate image display systems.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 22, 2018Publication date: May 9, 2019Inventors: Mark S. Olsson, Eric M. Chapman, Dawn E. Shaffer, Loni M. Canepa, James F. Kleyn, Lisa E. Latimer
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Publication number: 20190137644Abstract: A buried object locator which may include at least one antenna array including three orthogonal antennas, each antenna sharing a common center point, is disclosed. An electronic circuit may be connected to the array and used to determine location information of the buried objects by measuring signal strength and magnetic field angular data in three dimensions.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 28, 2018Publication date: May 9, 2019Inventors: Mark S. Olsson, Dawn E. Shaffer, Ray Merewether, Michael J. Martin, David A. Cox
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Patent number: 10171721Abstract: Portable pipe inspection video systems are disclosed. The system may include a camera head, a push-cable, a cable reel, and a camera controller having a built-in transmitter for energizing a pipe-inspection cable for magnetic field tracing applications.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2017Date of Patent: January 1, 2019Assignee: SEESOAN, INC.Inventors: Mark S. Olsson, Dawn E. Shaffer
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Patent number: 10082599Abstract: Portable locators for detecting a buried object based on sensing electromagnetic emissions therefrom is disclosed. A portable locator may include a magnetic field sensor array and associated processing circuitry as well as a camera and image or video processing circuitry to process images or video received from the camera.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2016Date of Patent: September 25, 2018Assignee: SEESCAN, INC.Inventors: Mark S. Olsson, Paul G. Stuart, David A. Cox, Ray Merewether, Dawn E. Shaffer, Ryan B. Levin, Michael J. Martin
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Publication number: 20180249061Abstract: Portable pipe inspection video systems are disclosed. The system may include a camera head, a push-cable, a cable reel, and a camera controller having a built-in transmitter for energizing a pipe-inspection cable for magnetic field tracing applications.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 11, 2017Publication date: August 30, 2018Applicant: SeeScan Inc.Inventors: Mark S. Olsson, Dawn E. Shaffer
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Patent number: 10009582Abstract: A pipe inspection system includes a cable storage drum and a housing configured to removably receive and rotatably support the cable storage drum. A push-cable with a plurality of conductors is stored in the cable storage drum. A camera head is connected to a distal end of the push-cable. A slip-ring assembly has first and second mating portions that when mated provide conductive paths between the plurality of conductors at a proximal end of the push-capable and a display device. The first portion of the slip-ring assembly is mounted on the housing and the second portion of the slip-ring assembly is mounted on the removable cable storage drum. The system connection cable joining the inspection system with a display unit is removable and may be replaced with cables compatible with various alternate image display systems.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2010Date of Patent: June 26, 2018Assignee: SEESOON, INC.Inventors: Mark S. Olsson, Eric M. Chapman, Dawn E. Shaffer, Loni M. Canepa, James F. Kleyn, Lisa E. Latimer
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Patent number: 9989662Abstract: A buried object locator which may include at least one antenna array including three mutually orthogonal antennas each sharing a common center point senses electromagnetic signals emitted by two or more buried objects such as utility lines, pipes or sondes. A circuit at least partially mounted in a housing of the locator may be connected to the array and used to determine location information of the buried objects by measuring signal strength and field angles in three dimensions.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2017Date of Patent: June 5, 2018Assignee: SEESCAN, INC.Inventors: Mark S. Olsson, Dawn E. Shaffer, Ray Merewether, Michael J. Martin, David A. Cox
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Patent number: 9769366Abstract: A portable camera controller for use with a pipe inspection system is disclosed. The controller may include an onboard display, USB ports, wireless capability, and a built-in transmitter for energizing a pipe-inspection cable for tracing purposes. The camera controller may be configured to support auto-logging and automatic report generation of pipe inspection operations and associated locating operations. The camera controller may be self-grounding using conductive and/or capacitive grounding circuits and an associated transmitter may be used without a separate grounding stake through use of the conductive and/or capacitive grounding circuits.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2013Date of Patent: September 19, 2017Assignee: SEESCAN, INC.Inventors: Mark S. Olsson, Dawn E. Shaffer
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Patent number: 9523788Abstract: Portable locators for detecting a buried object characterized by an electromagnetic (EM) field emission are disclosed. A locator may include a magnetic field sensor array and associated processing circuitry. A locator may further include a camera and image or video processing circuitry to process images or video received from the camera. A locator may further include a user-reconfigurable user interface (UI).Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2012Date of Patent: December 20, 2016Assignee: SEESCXIN, INC.Inventors: Mark S. Olsson, Paul G. Stuart, David A. Cox, Ray Merewether, Dawn E. Shaffer, Ryan B. Levin, Michael J. Martin
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Publication number: 20140340505Abstract: A portable camera controller for use with a pipe inspection system is disclosed. The controller may include an onboard display, USB ports, wireless capability, and a built-in transmitter for energizing a pipe-inspection cable for tracing purposes. The camera controller may be configured to support auto-logging and automatic report generation of pipe inspection operations and associated locating operations. The camera controller may be self-grounding using conductive and/or capacitive grounding circuits and an associated transmitter may be used without a separate grounding stake through use of the conductive and/or capacitive grounding circuits.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2014Publication date: November 20, 2014Applicant: SEESCAN, INC.Inventors: Mark S. Olsson, Dawn E. Shaffer
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Publication number: 20140204197Abstract: A portable camera controller for use with a pipe inspection system is disclosed. The controller may include an onboard display, USB ports, wireless capability, and a built-in transmitter for energizing a pipe-inspection cable for tracing purposes. The camera controller may be configured to support auto-logging and automatic report generation of pipe inspection operations and associated locating operations. The camera controller may be self-grounding using conductive and/or capacitive grounding circuits and an associated transmitter may be used without a separate grounding stake through use of the conductive and/or capacitive grounding circuits.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 12, 2013Publication date: July 24, 2014Inventors: Mark S. Olsson, Dawn E. Shaffer