Patents by Inventor Derwin Hiatt

Derwin Hiatt 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).

  • Smoking article inspection system and associated method
    Patent number: 9844232
    Abstract: Smoking article inspection systems configured to inspect smoking articles are provided. The systems may include imaging devices configured to capture images of an exterior of the smoking article and an analysis unit configured to analyze the images captured by the imaging devices. The analysis unit may execute an edge detection tool configured to determine a position of the smoking article based on an edge location of the smoking article and a defect detection tool configured to determine whether the smoking article is defective after the position of the smoking article is determined. The imaging devices may be configured to capture images of the smoking articles during the assembly thereof. Thereby, the analysis unit may determine any operations during assembly causing damage to the smoking article from analysis of the images of the smoking article captured during assembly. Related methods are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: Gary Lee Wood, Derwin Hiatt, Larry McCann, Mike Shockley, Eddie Nuckols, David R. Hall, Frank Brantley, Isaac Martin, Martin Sama, Charles Reddell, Mike Whitley
  • Smoking Article Inspection System and Associated Method
    Publication number: 20150257437
    Abstract: Smoking article inspection systems configured to inspect smoking articles are provided. The systems may include imaging devices configured to capture images of an exterior of the smoking article and an analysis unit configured to analyze the images captured by the imaging devices. The analysis unit may execute an edge detection tool configured to determine a position of the smoking article based on an edge location of the smoking article and a defect detection tool configured to determine whether the smoking article is defective after the position of the smoking article is determined. The imaging devices may be configured to capture images of the smoking articles during the assembly thereof. Thereby, the analysis unit may determine any operations during assembly causing damage to the smoking article from analysis of the images of the smoking article captured during assembly. Related methods are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Publication date: September 17, 2015
    Applicant: R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: Gary Lee Wood, Derwin Hiatt, Larry McCann, Mike Shockley, Eddie Nuckols, David R. Hall, Frank Brantley, Isaac Martin, Martin Sama, Charles Reddell, Mike Whitley