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: 20210052427
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2020
    Publication date: February 25, 2021
    Inventors: Steven T. Awiszus, Kiran S. Kanukurthy, Eric C. Lobner, Robert J. Quintero, Micayla A. Johnson, Caroline M. Ylitalo, Britton G. Billingsley
  • Patent number: 10881327
    Abstract: A device for recognizing activity of an object. The device has a housing configured to be attached to the object and a processing unit disposed in the housing has a processor and a movement sensor. The movement sensor measures a signal related to the 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: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Eric C. Lobner, James W. Howard, Richard J. Moore, Jennifer F. Schumacher, Brian J. Stankiewicz
  • Patent number: 10849790
    Abstract: A system (2000) comprising a head-mounted device (2010); at least one position sensor coupled to the head-mounted device; at least one light-filtering shield (2012) coupled to the at least one position sensor; at least one light detector (2019); and at least one computing device (2017) configured to receive, from the light detector, an indication that an intensity of light detected by the light detector exceeds an exposure threshold; determine, from the at least one position sensor, that the light-filtering shield is not positioned at the face of a worker to filter light with the intensity that exceeds the exposure threshold; and generate, in response to the determination that the light-filtering shield is not positioned at the face of a worker wearing the head-mounted device to filter light with the intensity that exceeds the exposure threshold, an indication for output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Steven T. Awiszus, Kiran S. Kanukurthy, Eric C. Lobner, Robert J. Quintero, Micayla A. Johnson, Caroline M. Ylitalo, Britton G. Billingsley
  • Publication number: 20200368661
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2020
    Publication date: November 26, 2020
    Inventors: Andrew R. Fox, Eric C. Lobner, Theresa M. Meyer, Brian J. Stankiewicz
  • Publication number: 20200334970
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2020
    Publication date: October 22, 2020
    Inventors: Kiran S. Kanukurthy, Steven T. Awiszus, Eric C. Lobner, Michael G. Wurm
  • Patent number: 10773200
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Andrew R. Fox, Eric C. Lobner, Theresa M. Meyer, Brian J. Stankiewicz
  • Patent number: 10741052
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Kiran S. Kanukurthy, Steven T. Awiszus, Eric C. Lobner, Michael G. Wurm
  • Publication number: 20200179860
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2020
    Publication date: June 11, 2020
    Inventors: Andrew R. Fox, Eric C. Lobner, Theresa M. Meyer, Brian J. Stankiewicz
  • Publication number: 20200168069
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2020
    Publication date: May 28, 2020
    Inventors: Kiran S. Kanukurthy, Steven T. Awiszus, Eric C. Lobner, MIchael G. Wurm, Kenneth J. Gamberini
  • Publication number: 20200120405
    Abstract: In some examples, a system includes an article of personal protective equipment (PPE) having at least one sensor configured to generate a stream of usage data; and an analytical stream processing component comprising: a communication component that receives the stream of usage data; a memory configured to store at least a portion of the stream of usage data and at least one model for detecting a safety event signature, wherein the at least one model is trained based as least in part on a set of usage data generated by one or more other articles of PPE of a same type as the article of PPE; and one or more computer processors configured to: detect the safety event signature in the stream of usage data based on processing the stream of usage data with the model, and generate an output in response to detecting the safety event signature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2019
    Publication date: April 16, 2020
    Inventors: Steven T. Awiszus, Eric C. Lobner, Michael G. Wurm, Kiran S. Kanukurthy, Jia Hu, Matthew J. Blackford, Keith G. Mattson, Ronald D. Jesme, Nathan J. Anderson
  • Publication number: 20200118413
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2019
    Publication date: April 16, 2020
    Inventors: Kiran S. Kanukurthy, Steven T. Awiszus, Eric C. Lobner, Michael G. Wurm
  • Patent number: 10610818
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Andrew R. Fox, Eric C. Lobner, Theresa M. Meyer, Brian J. Stankiewicz
  • Publication number: 20200101330
    Abstract: A fall-protection apparatus that includes a computing device configured to detect a mechanical command signal, and methods of using such an apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2018
    Publication date: April 2, 2020
    Inventors: Matthew J. Blackford, Steven T. Awiszus, Ronald D. Jesme, Eric C. Lobner
  • Patent number: 10607467
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Kiran S. Kanukurthy, Steven T. Awiszus, Eric C. Lobner, Michael G. Wurm, Kenneth J. Gamberini
  • Patent number: 10542332
    Abstract: In some examples, a system includes an article of personal protective equipment (PPE) having at least one sensor configured to generate a stream of usage data; and an analytical stream processing component comprising: a communication component that receives the stream of usage data; a memory configured to store at least a portion of the stream of usage data and at least one model for detecting a safety event signature, wherein the at least one model is trained based as least in part on a set of usage data generated by one or more other articles of PPE of a same type as the article of PPE; and one or more computer processors configured to: detect the safety event signature in the stream of usage data based on processing the stream of usage data with the model, and generate an output in response to detecting the safety event signature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Steven T. Awiszus, Eric C. Lobner, Michael G. Wurm, Kiran S. Kanukurthy, Jia Hu, Matthew J. Blackford, Keith G. Mattson, Ronald D. Jesme, Nathan J. Anderson
  • Patent number: 10515532
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Kiran S. Kanukurthy, Steven T. Awiszus, Eric C. Lobner, Michael G. Wurm
  • Patent number: 10503928
    Abstract: At least some aspects of the present disclosure feature systems and methods for obfuscating data. The method includes the steps of receiving or retrieve an input data stream including a sequence of n-grams, mapping at least some of the sequence of n-grams to corresponding tokens using an obfuscation table, and disposing the corresponding tokens to an output data stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Brian J. Stankiewicz, Eric C. Lobner, Richard H. Wolniewicz, William L. Schofield
  • Publication number: 20190347597
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2019
    Publication date: November 14, 2019
    Inventors: 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: 20190318606
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2017
    Publication date: October 17, 2019
    Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Kiran S. Kanukurthy, Steven T. Awiszus, Eric C. Lobner, Michael G. Wurm
  • Publication number: 20190175961
    Abstract: In some examples, a system includes a head-mounted device, a visor that includes a reflective object that is substantially transparent in a visible light spectrum and embodied at a physical surface of the visor, at least one visor attachment assembly that couples the visor to the head-mounted device; at least one optical sensor; and at least one computing device communicatively coupled to the at least one optical sensor, the at least one computing device comprising a memory and one or more computer processors that: receive, from the optical sensor, an indication of light outside of a visible light spectrum that is reflected from the reflective object; determine, based at least in part on the light outside of a visible light spectrum that is reflected from the reflective object, a position of the visor; and perform, based at least in part on the position of the visor, at least one operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2017
    Publication date: June 13, 2019
    Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Steven T. Awiszus, Kiran S. Kanukurthy, Eric C. Lobner, Robert J. Quintero, Micayla A. Johnson, Milo G. Oien-Rochat, Neeraj Sharma