Patents by Inventor Eric Bryan

Eric Bryan 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).

  • Publication number: 20150332453
    Abstract: Inventory control systems for monitoring the removal and replacement of objects are described. An exemplary system includes at least one storage drawer, each storage drawer includes at least one storage location for storing objects, and configured to move in a first direction allowing increasing access to storage locations of the drawer, and a second direction allowing decreasing access to storage locations of the drawer. An image sensing device is provided to form at least one first image of the storage locations when a respective storage drawer moves in the second direction. The system includes a data processor configured to receive information representing images of the storage locations generated by the image sensing device, and determine an inventory condition of the objects stored in the respective storage drawer according to the at least one first image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2015
    Publication date: November 19, 2015
    Inventors: David A. JACKSON, Steven W. ROGERS, Eric BRYAN
  • Patent number: 9122999
    Abstract: Inventory control systems for monitoring the removal and replacement of objects are described. An exemplary system includes at least one storage drawer, each storage drawer includes at least one storage location for storing objects, and configured to move in a first direction allowing increasing access to storage locations of the drawer, and a second direction allowing decreasing access to storage locations of the drawer. An image sensing device is provided to form at least one first image of the storage locations when a respective storage drawer moves in the second direction. The system includes a data processor configured to receive information representing images of the storage locations generated by the image sensing device, and determine an inventory condition of the objects stored in the respective storage drawer according to the at least one first image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: SNAP-ON INCORPORATED
    Inventors: David A. Jackson, Steven W. Rogers, Eric Bryan
  • Publication number: 20130232039
    Abstract: Inventory control systems for monitoring the removal and replacement of objects are described. An exemplary system includes at least one storage drawer, each storage drawer includes at least one storage location for storing objects, and configured to move in a first direction allowing increasing access to storage locations of the drawer, and a second direction allowing decreasing access to storage locations of the drawer. An image sensing device is provided to form at least one first image of the storage locations when a respective storage drawer moves in the second direction. The system includes a data processor configured to receive information representing images of the storage locations generated by the image sensing device, and determine an inventory condition of the objects stored in the respective storage drawer according to the at least one first image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 5, 2013
    Applicant: SNAP-ON INCORPORATED
    Inventors: David A. JACKSON, Steven W. ROGERS, Eric BRYAN
  • Patent number: 8353456
    Abstract: Inventory control systems for monitoring the removal and replacement of objects are described. An exemplary system includes at least one storage drawer, each storage drawer includes at least one storage location for storing objects, and configured to move in a first direction allowing increasing access to storage locations of the drawer, and a second direction allowing decreasing access to storage locations of the drawer. An image sensing device is provided to form at least one first image of the storage locations when a respective storage drawer moves in the second direction. The system includes a data processor configured to receive information representing images of the storage locations generated by the image sensing device, and determine an inventory condition of the objects stored in the respective storage drawer according to the at least one first image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Snap-On Incorporated
    Inventors: David A. Jackson, Steven W. Rogers, Eric Bryan
  • Patent number: 8032279
    Abstract: A wheel alignment head and system use advanced power management to reduce non-essential power consumption, to extend operation time between charges. The wheel alignment head is operable in a first operation state and a second operation state that consumes less power than the first operation state. In response to an occurrence of at least one of preset events, the wheel alignment head switches its operation from the first operation mode to the second operation mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Snap-On Incorporated
    Inventors: Steven W. Rogers, Adam C. Brown, Eric Bryan, Ronald C. Swayne, Michael J. Kling
  • Publication number: 20100149526
    Abstract: A sensing head and system utilizes fault tolerant design and self-diagnosis. Alternative operation modes are provided when one or more functional modules or components fail. Unique designs provide redundant system resources. Self-diagnoses and tests are provided to isolate and identify sources of malfunctions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2010
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Applicant: Snap-On Incorporated
    Inventors: Steven W. ROGERS, Adam C. Brown, Eric Bryan
  • Publication number: 20100121482
    Abstract: Inventory control systems for monitoring the removal and replacement of objects are described. An exemplary system includes at least one storage drawer, each storage drawer includes at least one storage location for storing objects, and configured to move in a first direction allowing increasing access to storage locations of the drawer, and a second direction allowing decreasing access to storage locations of the drawer. An image sensing device is provided to form at least one first image of the storage locations when a respective storage drawer moves in the second direction. The system includes a data processor configured to receive information representing images of the storage locations generated by the image sensing device, and determine an inventory condition of the objects stored in the respective storage drawer according to the at least one first image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2009
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Applicant: Snap-on Incorporated
    Inventors: David A. Jackson, Steven W. Rogers, Eric Bryan
  • Patent number: 7684026
    Abstract: A sensing head and system utilizes fault tolerant design and self-diagnosis. Alternative operation modes are provided when one or more functional modules or components fail. Unique designs provide redundant system resources. Self-diagnoses and tests are provided to isolate and identify sources of malfunctions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Snap-On Incorporated
    Inventors: Steven C. Rogers, Adam C. Brown, Eric Bryan
  • Publication number: 20090030558
    Abstract: A wheel alignment head and system use advanced power management to reduce non-essential power consumption, to extend operation time between charges. The wheel alignment head is operable in a first operation state and a second operation state that consumes less power than the first operation state. In response to an occurrence of at least one of preset events, the wheel alignment head switches its operation from the first operation mode to the second operation mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2007
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Applicant: SNAP-ON INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Steven W. ROGERS, Adam C. BROWN, Eric BRYAN, Ronald C. SWAYNE, Michael J. KLING
  • Publication number: 20090027662
    Abstract: A sensing head and system utilizes fault tolerant design and self-diagnosis. Alternative operation modes are provided when one or more functional modules or components fail. Unique designs provide redundant system resources. Self-diagnoses and tests are provided to isolate and identify sources of malfunctions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2007
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Applicant: SNAP-ON INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Steven W. ROGERS, Adam C. BROWN, Eric BRYAN
  • Publication number: 20070139941
    Abstract: Interior lighting and illumination systems for aircraft, particularly commercial passenger airplanes. Opposing pairs of LED lamps are positioned in the ceiling panels above the aisles between sets of seats in the passenger cabins. One set of LED lights are directed to illuminate the ceiling panels and may be in a particular color. The other set of LED lights are positioned to shine their lights on storage/stowage bins positioned across the aisles, thus creating a cross-bin lighting system. This enhances the cabin architecture and provides cabin illumination. A reflector can be positioned to direct the light and reduce possible glare to the passengers. The reflector directs the light rays from the LED lights which emanate from the top of the reflector to shine on the lowest part of the bins. The light rays leaving the reflector cross in front of the reflector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2006
    Publication date: June 21, 2007
    Inventors: Eric Bryan, Randolph Camp, Richard Fraker, Kevin Shimasaki, Miles Webb
  • Publication number: 20070109802
    Abstract: Interior lighting and illumination systems for aircraft, particularly commercial passenger airplanes. Opposing pairs of LED lamps are positioned in the ceiling panels above the aisles between sets of seats in the passenger cabins. One set of LED lights are directed to illuminate the ceiling panels and may be in a particular color. The other set of LED lights are positioned to shine their lights on storage/stowage bins positioned across the aisles, thus creating a cross-bin lighting system. This enhances the cabin architecture and provides cabin illumination. A reflector can be positioned to direct the light and reduce possible glare to the passengers. The reflector directs the light rays from the LED lights which emanate from the top of the reflector to shine on the lowest part of the bins. The light rays leaving the reflector cross in front of the reflector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2006
    Publication date: May 17, 2007
    Inventors: Eric Bryan, Randolph Camp, Richard Fraker, Kevin Shimasaki, Miles Webb
  • Publication number: 20070112485
    Abstract: A vehicle service device configured to be powered by a capacitive power source positioned in the service device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2005
    Publication date: May 17, 2007
    Inventors: Steven Rogers, Adam Brown, Eric Bryan
  • Patent number: 7206716
    Abstract: Methods and systems for measuring and calculating wheel alignment angles are disclosed. The measuring methods include mitigating alignment error by compensating for wheel runout, and further include measuring wheel runout while the wheel maintains contact with an alignment surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: Snap-On Incorporated
    Inventors: Niall Davidson, James L. Dale, Jr., Eric Bryan
  • Publication number: 20060283027
    Abstract: Methods and devices for measuring and calculating wheel alignment angles. Light weight and mechanically robust accelerometers in measurement heads are attached to a vehicle's wheels during an alignment procedure. The output of the accelerometers may be compensated for effects of temperature or thermal hysteresis by memory lookup or a temperature based feedback control loop.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2006
    Publication date: December 21, 2006
    Applicant: SNAP-ON INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Eric Bryan
  • Publication number: 20050126021
    Abstract: In a machine vision system utilizing computer processing of image data, an imaging module incorporates the image sensor as well as pre-processing circuitry, for example, for performing a background subtraction and/or a gradient calculation. The pre-processing circuitry may also compress the image information. The host computer receives the pre-processed image data and performs all other calculations necessary to complete the machine vision application, for example, to determine one or more wheel alignment parameters of a subject vehicle. In a disclosed example useful for wheel alignment, the module also includes illumination elements, and the module circuitry provides associated camera control. The background subtraction, gradient calculation and associated compression require simpler, less expensive circuitry than for typical image pre-processing boards.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2005
    Publication date: June 16, 2005
    Applicant: SNAP-ON INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Michael Robb, Steve Glickman, Patrick O'Mahony, Manjula Gururaj, David Jackson, George Gill, Eric Bryan
  • Publication number: 20050060899
    Abstract: A three-dimensional camera based system for determining the position and/or alignment of objects such as motor vehicle wheels. The system includes a strobed infrared lighting subsystem, a visible indicator that the subsystem is working properly, and targets for attachment to the objects. The system also includes at least one camera for viewing the targets, and a data processor connected to the camera for processing data relating to images of the targets to determine position and/or alignment information, and a display that displays the position and/or alignment information. The system includes directional indicators for indicating that the vehicle should be repositioned by moving it backward, forward, or steered left or right. The system also includes wheel indicators tied in with software on the data processing device. These wheel indicators indicate the state of target acquisition by the data processing device based on the image from the camera.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2003
    Publication date: March 24, 2005
    Inventors: David Jackson, Eric Bryan, Michael Robb
  • Publication number: 20050027473
    Abstract: Methods and systems for measuring and calculating wheel alignment angles are disclosed. The measuring methods include mitigating alignment error by compensating for wheel runout, and further include measuring wheel runout while the wheel maintains contact with an alignment surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2004
    Publication date: February 3, 2005
    Inventors: Niall Davidson, James Dale, Eric Bryan