Patents by Inventor Eric C Lobner
Eric C Lobner 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: 20220088524Abstract: Computer-implemented systems and methods for estimating a replacement status of an HVAC air filter. Outdoor weather data (e.g., outdoor temperature information), is obtained. A Total Runtime Value of the HVAC system is determined based upon the obtained outdoor weather data. Finally, a replacement status of the air filter is estimated as a function of a comparison of the Total Runtime Value with a Baseline Value. By correlating air filter replacement status with an estimated runtime of the HVAC system, a credible predictor of air filter usage is provided. By estimating fan runtime based on easily-obtained outdoor weather data, the methods are readily implemented with any existing HVAC system and do not require installation of sensors or other mechanical or electrical components to the HVAC system.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2021Publication date: March 24, 2022Inventors: Andrew R. Fox, Eric C. Lobner, Theresa M. Meyer, Brian J. Stankiewicz
-
Patent number: 11263568Abstract: In some examples, a system includes an article of hearing protection assigned to a worker, and a portable computing device assigned to the worker; a remote computing device communicatively coupled to the portable computing device, the remote computing device configured to receive sound level data that indicate different sound levels at different, respective locations of a work environment; determine, based on location data received from the portable computing device, an amount of sound received by the worker over a period of time; identify an updated location in the work environment having a sound level that is different from a current location, based at least in part on the article of hearing protection, the amount of sound, and the sound level data that indicates different sound levels at different, respective locations; and generate a notification that instructs the worker to move from the current location to the updated location.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2017Date of Patent: March 1, 2022Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Kiran S. Kanukurthy, Steven R. Digre, Darcey L. Holloway, Eric C. Lobner, Ted K. Madison, Philip J. Savoie, Pageen S. Smith, Lauraine L. Wells, Michael G. Wurm, Cameron J. Fackler, James D. Brown, Matthew J. Blackford, Steven T. Awiszus, Elliott H. Berger
-
Patent number: 11260251Abstract: A system including a head-mounted device having a face shield; a respirator coupled to or embodied in the head mounted device; a light having a light intensity; a light detector, and a computing device communicatively coupled to the at least one light detector that receive from the light detector data indicting a type and intensity of light, and determine that the light matches a particular type of light and whether it exceeds a threshold, and on the basis of this determination, modifies the intensity of the light.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2020Date of Patent: March 1, 2022Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Steven T. Awiszus, Kiran S. Kanukurthy, Eric C. Lobner, Robert J. Quintero, Micayla A. Johnson, Caroline M. Ylitalo, Britton G. Billingsley
-
Patent number: 11241646Abstract: Computer-implemented systems and methods for estimating a replacement status of an HVAC air filter. Outdoor weather data (e.g., outdoor temperature information), is obtained. A Total Runtime Value of the HVAC system is determined based upon the obtained outdoor weather data. Finally, a replacement status of the air filter is estimated as a function of a comparison of the Total Runtime Value with a Baseline Value. By correlating air filter replacement status with an estimated runtime of the HVAC system, a credible predictor of air filter usage is provided. By estimating fan runtime based on easily-obtained outdoor weather data, the methods are readily implemented with any existing HVAC system and do not require installation of sensors or other mechanical or electrical components to the HVAC system.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2021Date of Patent: February 8, 2022Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Andrew R. Fox, Eric C. Lobner, Theresa M. Meyer, Brian J. Stankiewicz
-
Publication number: 20210398415Abstract: In some examples, a system includes a plurality of articles of personal protected equipment (PPE) that are each assigned to a particular worker. The system may also include a data hub that detects an input that initiates a broadcast of diagnostic self-check messages; identifies, in response to the input, each article of PPE of the plurality of articles of PPE; broadcasts, based on identifying each article of PPE, the diagnostic self-check messages to the respective articles of PPE, wherein each article of PPE receives its respective self-check message at its communication component; in response to receiving a set of diagnostic acknowledgement messages from one or more of the plurality of articles of PPE that have performed a diagnostic self-check, determines whether the set of diagnostic acknowledge messages satisfy one or more self-check criteria; and performs one or more operations based on whether the self-check criteria are satisfied.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 1, 2021Publication date: December 23, 2021Inventors: Kiran S. Kanukurthy, Steven T. Awiszus, Eric C. Lobner, Michael G. Wurm
-
Publication number: 20210307965Abstract: A system including a head-mounted device having a face shield; a respirator coupled to or embodied in the head mounted device; a light having a light intensity; a light detector, and a computing device communicatively coupled to the at least one light detector that receive from the light detector data indicting a type and intensity of light, and determine that the light matches a particular type of light and whether it exceeds a threshold, and on the basis of this determination, modifies the intensity of the light.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 9, 2020Publication date: October 7, 2021Inventors: Steven T. Awiszus, Kiran S. Kanukurthy, Eric C. Lobner, Robert J. Quintero, Micayla A. Johnson, Caroline M. Ylitalo, Britton G. Billingsley
-
Patent number: 11127277Abstract: In some examples, a system includes a plurality of articles of personal protected equipment (PPE) that are each assigned to a particular worker. The system may also include a data hub that detects an input that initiates a broadcast of diagnostic self-check messages; identifies, in response to the input, each article of PPE of the plurality of articles of PPE; broadcasts, based on identifying each article of PPE, the diagnostic self-check messages to the respective articles of PPE, wherein each article of PPE receives its respective self-check message at its communication component; in response to receiving a set of diagnostic acknowledgement messages from one or more of the plurality of articles of PPE that have performed a diagnostic self-check, determines whether the set of diagnostic acknowledge messages satisfy one or more self-check criteria; and performs one or more operations based on whether the self-check criteria are satisfied.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2020Date of Patent: September 21, 2021Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Kiran S. Kanukurthy, Steven T. Awiszus, Eric C. Lobner, Michael G. Wurm
-
Publication number: 20210268420Abstract: Computer-implemented systems and methods for estimating a replacement status of an HVAC air filter. Outdoor weather data (e.g., outdoor temperature information), is obtained. A Total Runtime Value of the HVAC system is determined based upon the obtained outdoor weather data. Finally, a replacement status of the air filter is estimated as a function of a comparison of the Total Runtime Value with a Baseline Value. By correlating air filter replacement status with an estimated runtime of the HVAC system, a credible predictor of air filter usage is provided. By estimating fan runtime based on easily-obtained outdoor weather data, the methods are readily implemented with any existing HVAC system and do not require installation of sensors or other mechanical or electrical components to the HVAC system.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 14, 2021Publication date: September 2, 2021Inventors: Andrew R. Fox, Eric C. Lobner, Theresa M. Meyer, Brian J. Stankiewicz
-
Publication number: 20210264761Abstract: In some examples, a system includes: an article of personal protective equipment (PPE) that includes a communication component; a computing device communicatively coupled to the article of PPE, wherein the computing device: receives context data that is based on one or more of the article of PPE, a work environment for the article of PPE, or a worker assigned to the article of PPE; selects, based at least in part on the context data, a set of programmable safety rules that are contextually associated with the at least one article of PPE; sends the programmable safety rules to one or more of the article of PPE or a data hub communicatively coupled to the article of PPE; and wherein the programmable safety rules are configured at the article of PPE or the data hub to perform one or more operations based at least in part on PPE data.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 28, 2021Publication date: August 26, 2021Inventors: Kiran S. Kanukurthy, Steven T. Awiszus, Eric C. Lobner, MIchael G. Wurm, Kenneth J. Gamberini
-
Publication number: 20210248505Abstract: In some examples, a system includes an article of personal protective equipment (PPE) comprising one or more sensors, the one or more sensors configured to generate usage data that is indicative of an operation of the article of PPE; and at least one computing device comprising a memory and one or more computer processors that: receive the usage data that is indicative of the operation of the article of PPE; apply the usage data to a safety learning model that predicts a likelihood of an occurrence of a safety event associated with the article of PPE based at least in part on previously generated usage data that corresponds to the safety event; and perform, based at least in part on predicting the likelihood of the occurrence of the safety event, at least one operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 27, 2021Publication date: August 12, 2021Inventors: Steven T. Awiszus, Kiran S. Kanukurthy, Eric C. Lobner, Robert J. Quintero, Micayla A. Johnson, Madeleine Filloux
-
Publication number: 20210216940Abstract: In one example, a system includes one or more personal protective equipment (PPE) devices each configured to be worn by a worker, the PPE devices each including one or more sensors that generate activity data indicative of activities of workers operating within one or more work environments. The system also includes a computing device, the computing device configured to: identify, based at least on the activity data, a plurality of clusters of one or more entities, wherein each entity of the entities is associated with one or more of the workers; and output an indication of a difference between performance by a target entity with respect to safety events and performance by the cluster that includes the target entity with respect to safety events.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 31, 2021Publication date: July 15, 2021Inventors: Nicholas A. Asendorf, Saber Taghvaeeyan, Ronald D. Jesme, Justin M. Johnson, Robert W. Shannon, Robert D. Lorentz, Andrew H. Tilstra, Eric C. Lobner, Steven T. Awiszus, Glenn E. Casner, Kiran S. Kanukurthy
-
Patent number: 11040301Abstract: Computer-implemented systems and methods for estimating a replacement status of an HVAC air filter. Outdoor weather data (e.g., outdoor temperature information), is obtained. A Total Runtime Value of the HVAC system is determined based upon the obtained outdoor weather data. Finally, a replacement status of the air filter is estimated as a function of a comparison of the Total Runtime Value with a Baseline Value. By correlating air filter replacement status with an estimated runtime of the HVAC system, a credible predictor of air filter usage is provided. By estimating fan runtime based on easily-obtained outdoor weather data, the methods are readily implemented with any existing HVAC system and do not require installation of sensors or other mechanical or electrical components to the HVAC system.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2020Date of Patent: June 22, 2021Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Andrew R. Fox, Eric C. Lobner, Theresa M. Meyer, Brian J. Stankiewicz
-
Patent number: 11030873Abstract: In some examples, a system includes: an article of personal protective equipment (PPE) that includes a communication component; a computing device communicatively coupled to the article of PPE, wherein the computing device: receives context data that is based on one or more of the article of PPE, a work environment for the article of PPE, or a worker assigned to the article of PPE; selects, based at least in part on the context data, a set of programmable safety rules that are contextually associated with the at least one article of PPE; sends the programmable safety rules to one or more of the article of PPE or a data hub communicatively coupled to the article of PPE; and wherein the programmable safety rules are configured at the article of PPE or the data hub to perform one or more operations based at least in part on PPE data.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2020Date of Patent: June 8, 2021Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Kiran S. Kanukurthy, Steven T. Awiszus, Eric C. Lobner, Michael G. Wurm, Kenneth J. Gamberini
-
Patent number: 11023818Abstract: In some examples, a system includes an article of personal protective equipment (PPE) comprising one or more sensors, the one or more sensors configured to generate usage data that is indicative of an operation of the article of PPE; and at least one computing device comprising a memory and one or more computer processors that: receive the usage data that is indicative of the operation of the article of PPE; apply the usage data to a safety learning model that predicts a likelihood of an occurrence of a safety event associated with the article of PPE based at least in part on previously generated usage data that corresponds to the safety event; and perform, based at least in part on predicting the likelihood of the occurrence of the safety event, at least one operation.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2017Date of Patent: June 1, 2021Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANYInventors: Steven T. Awiszus, Kiran S. Kanukurthy, Eric C. Lobner, Robert J. Quintero, Micayla A. Johnson, Madeleine Filloux
-
Patent number: 10997543Abstract: In one example, a system includes one or more personal protective equipment (PPE) devices each configured to be worn by a worker, the PPE devices each including one or more sensors that generate activity data indicative of activities of workers operating within one or more work environments. The system also includes a computing device, the computing device configured to: identify, based at least on the activity data, a plurality of clusters of one or more entities, wherein each entity of the entities is associated with one or more of the workers; and output an indication of a difference between performance by a target entity with respect to safety events and performance by the cluster that includes the target entity with respect to safety events.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2019Date of Patent: May 4, 2021Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Nicholas A. Asendorf, Saber Taghvaeeyan, Ronald D. Jesme, Justin M. Johnson, Robert W. Shannon, Robert D. Lorentz, Andrew H. Tilstra, Eric C. Lobner, Steven T. Awiszus, Glenn E. Casner, Kiran S. Kanukurthy
-
Publication number: 20210121330Abstract: In some examples, a system includes: a plurality of different articles of personal protection equipment (PPE) that are all controlled by a particular user, and a computing device. The computing device may include one or more computer processors configured to receive sets of data from each of the different articles of PPE, wherein each set of data is based at least in part on a type of each of the different articles of PPE; generate for display a user interface that contemporaneously includes a plurality of graphical elements that are based at least in part on at least two sets of data that correspond to at least two different articles of PPE of the plurality of different articles of PPE; and in response to receiving an indication of user input that corresponds to at least one of the plurality of graphical elements, perform at least one operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 10, 2018Publication date: April 29, 2021Inventors: Eric C. Lobner, Kiran S. Kanukurthy, Micayla A. Johnson, Susan R. Johnson, Patric AnvegÄrd, Emil R. Eriksson, Daniel E. G. Gullberg, Anton P. Backlund, Derek S. Baker, John M. Kruse
-
Publication number: 20210126972Abstract: In some examples, a system includes a set of personal protection equipment (PPE) controlled by a particular user, wherein an article of PPE in the set of PPE is of a particular type. The computing device may be controlled by the particular user and includes one or more computer processors that: execute, based on receiving a message that is generated by the article of PPE in response to a PPE-handshake input that is unique to the particular type of the article of PPE, a set of PPE-handshake operations to establish a connection with the article of PPE; and output for display, using data received by the second communication device from the first communication device via the connection, a graphical user interface that is based at least in part on the data received from the article of PPE that sent the message.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 10, 2018Publication date: April 29, 2021Inventors: Eric C. Lobner, Matthew J. Blackford, Daniel E. G. Gullberg, Emil R. Eriksson, Micayla A. Johnson
-
Publication number: 20210117933Abstract: A system includes a computing device and an article of personal protective equipment (PPE). The article of PPE includes at least one sensor configured to generate a stream of PPE data. The computing device is configured to store the PPE data in transaction data that is stored by a distributed ledger managed by a consensus network of computing devices. The computing device is further configured to perform at least one action based at least in part on the transaction data stored by the distributed ledger.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 17, 2019Publication date: April 22, 2021Inventors: Eric C. Lobner, Oscar G. Naim D'Paola, Michael L. Gannon, Joseph P. Kronzer, Johannes P.M. Kusters, Lyle L. Luppes
-
Publication number: 20210085221Abstract: A device for recognizing activity of an object. The device comprises a housing configured to be attached to the object and a processing unit disposed in the housing comprising a processor and a movement sensor. The movement sensor measures a signal related to movement of the object during a time window. The processor assigns at least one preliminary activity label to the time window based on at least one numerical descriptor computed from the signal. The processor then determines whether to perform additional analysis dependent upon at least the preliminary activity label. The processor then assigns a final activity label to the time window.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 8, 2020Publication date: March 25, 2021Inventors: Eric C. Lobner, James W. Howard, Richard J. Moore, Jennifer F. Schumacher, Brian J. Stankiewicz
-
Publication number: 20210052427Abstract: A system including a head-mounted device having a face shield; a respirator coupled to or embodied in the head mounted device; a light having a light intensity; a light detector, and a computing device communicatively coupled to the at least one light detector that receive from the light detector data indicting a type and intensity of light, and determine that the light matches a particular type of light and whether it exceeds a threshold, and on the basis of this determination, modifies the intensity of the light.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 9, 2020Publication date: February 25, 2021Inventors: Steven T. Awiszus, Kiran S. Kanukurthy, Eric C. Lobner, Robert J. Quintero, Micayla A. Johnson, Caroline M. Ylitalo, Britton G. Billingsley