Patents by Inventor Evan Graham

Evan Graham 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).

  • Patent number: 8594923
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for sharing map data between industrial vehicles in a physical environment is described. In one embodiments, the method includes processing local map data associated with a plurality of industrial vehicles, wherein the local map data comprises feature information generated by the plurality of industrial vehicles regarding features observed by industrial vehicles in the plurality of vehicles; combining the feature information associated with local map data to generate global map data for the physical environment; and navigating an industrial vehicle of the plurality of industrial vehicles using at least a portion of the global map data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Crown Equipment Limited
    Inventors: Lisa Wong, Andrew Evan Graham, Christopher W. Goode
  • Patent number: 8589012
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for facilitating map data processing for industrial vehicle navigation is described. In one embodiment, the method of partitioning map data for industrial vehicle navigation includes segmenting map data associated with a physical environment into a plurality of sub-area maps, identifying a sub-area map that corresponds with a current vehicle location and navigating an industrial vehicle using the identified sub-area map.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Crown Equipment Limited
    Inventors: Lisa Wong, Andrew Evan Graham, Christopher W. Goode
  • Patent number: 8578579
    Abstract: A method of repair includes removing a deformed portion of a component to define a native component portion and adding a replacement portion to the native component portion. The replacement portion is adaptively machined based on one or more parameters of the native component portion and based on one or more original design parameters of the component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Arvind Rangarajan, Michael Evans Graham, Michelle René Bezdecny, Timothy Mark Heitzman
  • Patent number: 8548671
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically calibrating vehicle parameters is described. In one embodiment, the method includes measuring a parameter value during vehicle operation; comparing the measured parameter value to an actual parameter value to identify at least one vehicle parameter bias as an actual measurement error; and modifying at least one vehicle parameter based on the at least one vehicle parameter bias.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Crown Equipment Limited
    Inventors: Lisa Wong, Andrew Evan Graham, Christopher W. Goode
  • Patent number: 8538577
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for sensing object load engagement, transportation and disengagement by automated vehicles is described. In one embodiment, the method includes processing data that is transmitted from a sensor array comprising at least one device for analyzing a plurality of objects that are placed throughout a physical environment, executing an object recognition process on the sensor array data using model information to identify at least one object, determining orientation information associated with the at least one object, wherein the orientation information is relative to the lift carriage and positioning at least one lifting element based on the orientation information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Crown Equipment Limited
    Inventors: Jamie Bell, Kashyap Chandrasekar, Andres Evan Graham, David Charles Howse
  • Patent number: 8508590
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for simulating a physical environment to facilitate vehicle operation and task completion is described. In one embodiment, the method includes processing data that is transmitted from a sensor array comprising a plurality of devices, wherein the plurality of devices are placed throughout a physical environment that comprises a plurality of objects, accessing model information associated with the plurality of objects, wherein the model information indicates at least one physical attribute associated with each of the plurality of objects, correlating the model information with the transmitted data from the sensor array to produce a correlation result, generating at least one visual representation of the physical environment from at least one viewpoint based on the correlation result and identifying at least one obstruction, within the physical environment, using the at least one visual representation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Crown Equipment Limited
    Inventors: Matthew Edwin Laws, Christopher W. Goode, Toby Hartnoll Joshua Collett, Andrew Evan Graham
  • Publication number: 20130110587
    Abstract: A server for use in selecting a workscope for a system includes a prediction tool configured to identify a plurality of workscopes for the system, wherein each workscope defines a plurality of maintenance activities for a plurality of components of the system. The server also includes a financial model tool coupled to the prediction tool, and an analyzer tool coupled to the prediction tool and the financial model tool. The financial model tool is configured to receive the plurality of workscopes and determine an expected financial impact of the maintenance activities of each workscope for a plurality of future maintenance events. The analyzer tool is configured to receive the plurality of workscopes from the prediction tool, receive the expected financial impact of the maintenance activities from the financial model tool, and determine an expected effect of each workscope during a predefined time interval that includes the future maintenance events.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2011
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Inventors: Katherine Tharp Nowicki, Brock Estel Osborn, Michael Evans Graham, Harish Agarwal
  • Publication number: 20130060461
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for using at least one movable, pre-positioned object as a landmark to localize an industrial vehicle are described. The method includes placing at least one movable, pre-positioned object within a physical environment, identifying features from the pre-positioned object, and determining an industrial vehicle pose relative to the movable, pre-positioned object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2011
    Publication date: March 7, 2013
    Applicant: INRO TECHNOLOGIES LIMITED
    Inventors: LISA WONG, ANDREW EVAN GRAHAM, CHRISTOPHER W. GOODE
  • Publication number: 20130054129
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for using unique landmarks to position industrial vehicles during start-up. In one embodiment, the method designates pre-positioned objects as unique landmarks to position an industrial vehicle at start-up. The method includes identifying a start-up scenario from a plurality of sensor data wherein the start-up scenario may be one of a unique marker start-up or a pre-positioned object start-up. In response to the start-up scenario, locating at least one unique marker or at least one pre-positioned object within a physical environment, wherein the unique marker or pre-positioned object corresponds with a sub-area of the physical environment, and determining industrial vehicle pose in response to the identity of the unique marker or pre-positioned object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2011
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: INRO TECHNOLOGIES LIMITED
    Inventors: LISA WONG, ANDREW EVAN GRAHAM, CHRISTOPHER W. GOODE
  • Publication number: 20120323432
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for facilitating map data processing for industrial vehicle navigation is described. In one embodiment, the method of partitioning map data for industrial vehicle navigation includes segmenting map data associated with a physical environment into a plurality of sub area maps, identifying a sub-area map that corresponds with a current vehicle location and navigating an industrial vehicle using the identified sub area map.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2011
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Applicant: INRO Technologies Limited
    Inventors: LISA WONG, ANDREW EVAN GRAHAM, CHRISTOPHER W. GOODE
  • Publication number: 20120323431
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for sharing map data between industrial vehicles in a physical environment is described. In one embodiments, the method includes processing local map data associated with a plurality of industrial vehicles, wherein the local map data comprises feature information generated by the plurality of industrial vehicles regarding features observed by industrial vehicles in the plurality of vehicles; combining the feature information associated with local map data to generate global map data for the physical environment; and navigating an industrial vehicle of the plurality of industrial vehicles using at least a portion of the global map data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2011
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Applicant: INRO TECHNOLOGIES LIMITED
    Inventors: LISA WONG, ANDREW EVAN GRAHAM, CHRISTOPHER W. GOODE
  • Publication number: 20120310468
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically calibrating vehicle parameters is described. In one embodiment, the method includes measuring a parameter value during vehicle operation; comparing the measured parameter value to an actual parameter value to identify at least one vehicle parameter bias as an actual measurement error; and modifying at least one vehicle parameter based on the at least one vehicle parameter bias.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2011
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Applicant: INRO TECHNOLOGIES LIMITED
    Inventors: LISA WONG, ANDREW EVAN GRAHAM, CHRISTOPHER W. GOODE
  • Publication number: 20120303176
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing accurate localization for an industrial vehicle is described; including processing at least one sensor input message from a plurality of sensor devices, wherein the at least one sensor input message includes information regarding observed environmental features; determining position measurements associated with the industrial vehicle in response to at least one sensor input message, wherein the plurality of sensor devices comprises a two-dimensional laser scanner, and at least one other sensor device selected from an odometer, an ultrasonic sensor, a compass, an accelerometer, a gyroscope, an inertial measurement unit, or an imaging sensor; and updating a vehicle state using the position measurements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2011
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Applicant: INRO TECHNOLOGIES LIMITED
    Inventors: LISA WONG, ANDREW EVAN GRAHAM, CHRISTOPHER W. GOODE
  • Publication number: 20120303255
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing accurate localization at an industrial vehicle is described. In one embodiment, the method includes processing at least one sensor input message from a plurality of sensor devices, wherein the at least one sensor input message comprises information regarding environmental features, determining pose measurements associated with the industrial vehicle in response to each acquisition time of the at least one sensor input message and updating map data with the determined pose measurements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2011
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Applicant: INRO TECHNOLOGIES LIMITED
    Inventors: LISA WONG, ANDREW EVAN GRAHAM, CHRISTOPHER W. GOODE
  • Publication number: 20120123614
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for virtualizing industrial vehicles to automate task execution in a physical environment is described. In one embodiment, the method includes determining input parameters for controlling vehicle hardware components, wherein the vehicle hardware components comprise actuators that are used to control hardware component operations, generating mappings between the input parameters and the hardware component operations, wherein each of the input parameters is applied to an actuator to perform an corresponding hardware component operation, correlating the mappings with vehicle commands to produce abstraction information and executing at least one task comprising various ones of the vehicle commands using the abstraction information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2010
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: INRO TECHNOLOGIES LIMITED
    Inventors: MATTHEW EDWIN LAWS, GRANT ANDREW SARGENT, TOBY HARTNOLL JOSHUA COLLETT, ANDREW EVAN GRAHAM, CHRISTOPHER JAMES CHAMBERS, KASHYAP CHANDRASEKAR, CHRISTOPHER W. GOODE, CHEONG HIM LUK
  • Publication number: 20110218670
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for sensing object load engagement, transportation and disengagement by automated vehicles is described. In one embodiment, the method includes processing data that is transmitted from a sensor array comprising at least one device for analyzing a plurality of objects that are placed throughout a physical environment, executing an object recognition process on the sensor array data using model information to identify at least one object, determining orientation information associated with the at least one object, wherein the orientation information is relative to the lift carriage and positioning at least one lifting element based on the orientation information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2010
    Publication date: September 8, 2011
    Applicant: INRO TECHNOLOGIES LIMITED
    Inventors: Jamie Bell, Kashyap Chandrasekar, Andrew Evan Graham, David Charles Howse
  • Publication number: 20110216185
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for simulating a physical environment to facilitate vehicle operation and task completion is described. In one embodiment, the method includes processing data that is transmitted from a sensor array comprising a plurality of devices, wherein the plurality of devices are placed throughout a physical environment that comprises a plurality of objects, accessing model information associated with the plurality of objects, wherein the model information indicates at least one physical attribute associated with each of the plurality of objects, correlating the model information with the transmitted data from the sensor array to produce a correlation result, generating at least one visual representation of the physical environment from at least one viewpoint based on the correlation result and identifying at least one obstruction, within the physical environment, using the at least one visual representation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2010
    Publication date: September 8, 2011
    Inventors: Matthew Edwin Laws, Christopher W. Goode, Toby Hartnoll Joshua Collett, Andrew Evan Graham
  • Publication number: 20100257838
    Abstract: A method for monitoring the health of a turbine is provided. The method comprises monitoring a turbine engine having a plurality of engine modules and determining one or more health estimates, which may included trended data, for one or more of the engine modules, based on a plurality of engine parameters. The method further determining and transmitting appropriate notifications that indicate repairs to be made to the turbine engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2009
    Publication date: October 14, 2010
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Maria Cecilia Mazzaro, Michael Evans Graham, Harry Kirk Mathews, JR., Kevin Thomas McCarthy, Donald Bleasdale, Dhiraj Arora, Mohammad Waseem Adhami, Adriana Elizabeth Trejo
  • Publication number: 20100241264
    Abstract: A method and system for manufacturing an in-process part is provided. The method includes manufacturing one or more primary features of the in-process part. The method also includes measuring multiple locations and attributes of the manufactured in-process part including the primary features. The method further includes designing multiple optimal locations and attributes of multiple secondary features of the in-process part based on the measured locations and attributes of the manufactured in-process part and the primary features. The method also includes manufacturing one or more secondary features of the in-process part based on the optimal design locations and attributes of the secondary features.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2009
    Publication date: September 23, 2010
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Michael Evans Graham, John Dennis Jackson
  • Publication number: 20090144980
    Abstract: A method of repair includes removing a deformed portion of a component to define a native component portion and adding a replacement portion to the native component portion. The replacement portion is adaptively machined based on one or more parameters of the native component portion and based on one or more original design parameters of the component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2007
    Publication date: June 11, 2009
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY, A NEW YORK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Arvind Rangarajan, Michael Evans Graham, Michelle Rene Bezdecny, Timothy Mark Heitzman