Patents by Inventor Francis L. Merat
Francis L. Merat 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).
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Patent number: 10157334Abstract: Disclosed is a method for identifying lawn grass which includes capturing an image of the terrain in front of a mower, segmenting the image into neighborhoods, calculating at least two image statistics for each of the neighborhoods, generating a binary representation of each image statistic. The binary representation of each image statistic is generated by comparing the calculated image statistic values to predetermined image statistic values for grass. The method further includes weighting each of the binary representations of each image statistic, and summing corresponding neighborhoods for all image statistics. A binary threshold is applied to each of the summed neighborhoods to generate a binary map representing grass containing areas and non-grass containing areas.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2016Date of Patent: December 18, 2018Assignees: MTD PRODUCTS INC, CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITYInventors: Alexander Schepelmann, Kathryn A. Daltorio, Amaury D. Rolin, Jonathan Beno, Bradley E. Hughes, James M. Green, Michael S. Branicky, Roger D. Quinn, Henry H. Snow, Francis L. Merat, Richard E. Hudson
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Publication number: 20160342864Abstract: Disclosed is a method for identifying lawn grass which includes capturing an image of the terrain in front of a mower, segmenting the image into neighborhoods, calculating at least two image statistics for each of the neighborhoods, generating a binary representation of each image statistic. The binary representation of each image statistic is generated by comparing the calculated image statistic values to predetermined image statistic values for grass. The method further includes weighting each of the binary representations of each image statistic, and summing corresponding neighborhoods for all image statistics. A binary threshold is applied to each of the summed neighborhoods to generate a binary map representing grass containing areas and non-grass containing areas.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 23, 2016Publication date: November 24, 2016Inventors: Alexander Schepelmann, Kathryn A. Daltorio, Amaury D. Rolin, Jonathan Beno, Bradley E. Hughes, James M. Green, Michael S. Branicky, Roger D. Quinn, Henry H. Snow, Francis L. Merat, Richard E. Hudson
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Patent number: 9349187Abstract: Disclosed is a method for identifying lawn grass which includes capturing an image of the terrain in front of a mower, segmenting the image into neighborhoods, calculating at least two image statistics for each of the neighborhoods, generating a binary representation of each image statistic. The binary representation of each image statistic is generated by comparing the calculated image statistic values to predetermined image statistic values for grass. The method further includes weighting each of the binary representations of each image statistic, and summing corresponding neighborhoods for all image statistics. A binary threshold is applied to each of the summed neighborhoods to generate a binary map representing grass containing areas and non-grass containing areas.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2014Date of Patent: May 24, 2016Assignees: MTD Products Inc, Case Western Reserve UniversityInventors: Alexander Schepelmann, Kathryn A. Daltorio, Amaury D. Rolin, Jonathan Beno, Bradley E. Hughes, James M. Green, Michael S. Branicky, Roger D. Quinn, Henry H. Snow, Francis L. Merat, Richard E. Hudson
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Publication number: 20150071540Abstract: Disclosed is a method for identifying lawn grass which includes capturing an image of the terrain in front of a mower, segmenting the image into neighborhoods, calculating at least two image statistics for each of the neighborhoods, generating a binary representation of each image statistic. The binary representation of each image statistic is generated by comparing the calculated image statistic values to predetermined image statistic values for grass. The method further includes weighting each of the binary representations of each image statistic, and summing corresponding neighborhoods for all image statistics. A binary threshold is applied to each of the summed neighborhoods to generate a binary map representing grass containing areas and non-grass containing areas.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 20, 2014Publication date: March 12, 2015Applicants: MTD Products Inc, Case Western Reserve UniversityInventors: Alexander Schepelmann, Kathryn A. Daltorio, Amaury D. Rolin, Jonathan Beno, Bradley E. Hughes, James M. Green, Michael S. Branicky, Roger D. Quinn, Henry H. Snow, Francis L. Merat, Richard E. Hudson
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Patent number: 8731295Abstract: Disclosed is a method for identifying lawn grass which includes capturing an image of the terrain in front of a mower, segmenting the image into neighborhoods, calculating at least two image statistics for each of the neighborhoods, generating a binary representation of each image statistic. The binary representation of each image statistic is generated by comparing the calculated image statistic values to predetermined image statistic values for grass. The method further includes weighting each of the binary representations of each image statistic, and summing corresponding neighborhoods for all image statistics. A binary threshold is applied to each of the summed neighborhoods to generate a binary map representing grass containing areas and non-grass containing areas.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2010Date of Patent: May 20, 2014Assignee: MTD Products Inc.Inventors: Alexander Schepelmann, Kathryn A. Daltorio, Amaury D. Rolin, Jonathan Beno, Bradley E. Hughes, James M. Green, Michael S. Branicky, Roger D. Quinn, Henry H. Snow, Francis L. Merat, Richard E. Hudson
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Publication number: 20120212638Abstract: This invention provides a method for identifying lawn grass comprising capturing an image of the terrain in front of a mower, segmenting the image into neighborhoods, calculating at least two image statistics for each of the neighborhoods, generating a binary representation of each image statistic. The binary representation of each image statistic is generated by comparing the calculated image statistic values to predetermined image statistic values for grass. The method further comprises weighting each of the binary representations of each image statistic, and summing corresponding neighborhoods for all image statistics. A binary threshold is applied to each of the summed neighborhoods to generate a binary map representing grass containing areas and non-grass containing areas.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 1, 2010Publication date: August 23, 2012Applicants: CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY, MTD PRODUCTS INCInventors: Alexander Schepelmann, Kathryn A. Daltorio, Amaury D. Rolin, Jonathan Beno, Bradley E. Hughes, James M. Green, Michael S. Branicky, Roger D. Quinn, Henry H. Snow, Francis L. Merat, Richard E. Hudson
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Patent number: 7832263Abstract: A sensor system for obtaining data from an elastomeric article includes at least one wireless sensor. The sensor length-scales range from nano- to micro-scale devices that are small enough to avoid becoming occlusions within the article. The article may include sensors embedded within one of the materials of the article, a layer of sensors built into the article, and a string of sensors disposed within a component or embedded within a component of the article. The sensors may be configured to provide data related to one or more of temperature, pressure, sidewall flex, stress, strain and other parameters. The sensors may be LCD sensors, and/or conductive polymer sensors, and/or bio-polymer sensors and/or polymer diodes suitable for sensing data during the operation of the tire. A power circuit using energy generated by the tire may provide power to the sensors.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2009Date of Patent: November 16, 2010Inventors: John D. Rensel, Paul B. Wilson, Francis L. Merat
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Publication number: 20090277262Abstract: A sensor system for obtaining data from an elastomeric article includes at least one wireless sensor. The sensor length-scales range from nano- to micro-scale devices that are small enough to avoid becoming occlusions within the article. The article may include sensors embedded within one of the materials of the article, a layer of sensors built into the article, and a string of sensors disposed within a component or embedded within a component of the article. The sensors may be configured to provide data related to one or more of temperature, pressure, sidewall flex, stress, strain and other parameters. The sensors may be LCD sensors, and/or conductive polymer sensors, and/or bio-polymer sensors and/or polymer diodes suitable for sensing data during the operation of the tire. A power circuit using energy generated by the tire may provide power to the sensors.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 13, 2009Publication date: November 12, 2009Applicant: Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire LLCInventors: JOHN D. RENSEL, PAUL B. WILSON, FRANCIS L. MERAT
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Patent number: 7581439Abstract: A sensor system for obtaining data from an elastomeric article includes at least one wireless sensor. The sensor length-scales range from nano- to micro-scale devices that are small enough to avoid becoming occlusions within the article. The article may include sensors embedded within one of the materials of the article, a layer of sensors built into the article, and a string of sensors disposed within a component or embedded within a component of the article. The sensors may be configured to provide data related to one or more of temperature, pressure, sidewall flex, stress, strain and other parameters. The sensors may be LCD sensors, and/or conductive polymer sensors, and/or bio-polymer sensors and/or polymer diodes suitable for sensing data during the operation of the tire. A power circuit using energy generated by the tire may provide power to the sensors.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2007Date of Patent: September 1, 2009Assignee: Bridgestone Americas Tire Operatons, LLCInventors: John D. Rensel, Paul B. Wilson, Francis L. Merat
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Publication number: 20070256485Abstract: A sensor system for obtaining data from an elastomeric article includes at least one wireless sensor. The sensor length-scales range from nano- to micro-scale devices that are small enough to avoid becoming occlusions within the article. The article may include sensors embedded within one of the materials of the article, a layer of sensors built into the article, and a string of sensors disposed within a component or embedded within a component of the article. The sensors may be configured to provide data related to one or more of temperature, pressure, sidewall flex, stress, strain and other parameters. The sensors may be LCD sensors, and/or conductive polymer sensors, and/or bio-polymer sensors and/or polymer diodes suitable for sensing data during the operation of the tire. A power circuit using energy generated by the tire may provide power to the sensors.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 25, 2007Publication date: November 8, 2007Inventors: John D. Rensel, Paul B. Wilson, Francis L. Merat
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Patent number: 6966221Abstract: A non-attached monitoring device includes monitoring assembly and an antenna configured to radiate signals from the monitoring assembly. The antenna is configured to radiate through the oriented attenuating body of the tire sidewall regardless of the position of the monitoring device with respect to the tire sidewall. In one embodiment, the antenna has a body that is looped back on itself. The body may be parallel to or perpendicular to the antenna ground plane. In another embodiment, a radiating slot antenna is configured to provide transmissions through the tire sidewall regardless of the position of the monitoring device.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2004Date of Patent: November 22, 2005Assignee: Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire, LLCInventors: Paul B. Wilson, John D. Rensel, Francis L. Merat, Gordon E. Hardman
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Publication number: 20040154388Abstract: A non-attached monitoring device includes monitoring assembly and an antenna configured to radiate signals from the monitoring assembly. The antenna is configured to radiate through the oriented attenuating body of the tire sidewall regardless of the position of the monitoring device with respect to the tire sidewall. In one embodiment, the antenna has a body that is looped back on itself. The body may be parallel to or perpendicular to the antenna ground plane. In another embodiment, a radiating slot antenna is configured to provide transmissions through the tire sidewall regardless of the position of the monitoring device.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 4, 2004Publication date: August 12, 2004Inventors: Paul B. Wilson, John D. Rensel, Francis L. Merat, Gordon E. Hardman
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Patent number: 6360424Abstract: Micromotors are fabricated with utilitarian features on their rotors. In some embodiments, the features are formed by the molded addition of material on top of a rotor surface. In other embodiments, the features are formed by the provision of an additional layer on top of the rotor, and the selective removal of material therefrom. In yet other embodiments, the features are defined by the selective removal of material from the rotor itself. The disclosure is particularly illustrated with reference to the fabrication of a polygon (nickel) mirror on a polysilicon, electrostatic micromotor rotor for use in scanning applications. However, the principles of the invention can likewise be applied to fabrication of a variety of other features, such as optical gratings, shutters, mechanical actuators, pump impellers and fins, and to a variety of different micromotor constructions.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 1999Date of Patent: March 26, 2002Assignee: Case Western Reserve UniversityInventors: Mehran Mehregany, Francis L. Merat
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Patent number: 5645884Abstract: A surface of a 3-D object is digitized automatically and stored in a memory. Based on the signal representation of the 3-D object areas of the surface are defined for color and boundaries. Coatings application paths are defined within each area and various parameters for applying coatings for each point in each path are also defined including spray pattern, amount of coatings to be applied, speed of application along the path, among others; for each area, the points of the selected path are correlated with the angle of attack, spray pattern, amount of coatings and speed. A set of programmed instructions are compiled for execution in a general purpose computer. An assembly line of objects to be painted may then be set up and the retrieved instructions executed.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 1995Date of Patent: July 8, 1997Assignee: Advanced Robotic Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Albert L. Harlow, Jr., Richard E. Bechtold, David Parker, Francis L. Merat, Mark Podany, Raymond C. Laning
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Patent number: 5465221Abstract: A computer is used for generating a part inspection plan for a coordinate measuring machine (CMM), in a feature-based rapid design system (RDS), having a Feature-Based Design Environment (FBDE), an Episodal Associative Memory (EAM), Fabrication Planning (FAB), and an Inspection Plan (INSP), with features which include form features (D1) which define the form or shape of the part, manufacturing features (D2), inspection features (D3), and geometric and design (GD&T) features (D4). The Inspection Plan (INSP) includes interaction means wherein the inspector interacts with the system to guide it to a desired result, and the inspector can define setups, measurement points, sequence for the points, and the via points.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 1993Date of Patent: November 7, 1995Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air ForceInventors: Francis L. Merat, Kavous Roumina, Steven M. Ruegsegger, Robert B. Delvalle
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Patent number: 5429682Abstract: A surface of a 3-D object is digitized automatically and stored in a memory. Based on the signal representation of the 3-D object areas of the surface are defined for color and boundaries. Coatings application paths are defined within each area and various parameters for applying coatings for each point in each path are also defined including spray pattern, amount of coatings to be applied, speed of application along the path, among others; for each area, the points of the selected path are correlated with the angle of attack, spray pattern, amount of coatings and speed. A set of programmed instructions are compiled for execution in a general purpose computer. An assembly line of objects to be painted may then be set up and the retrieved instructions executed.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 1993Date of Patent: July 4, 1995Assignee: Advanced Robotics TechnologiesInventors: Albert L. Harlow, Jr., Richard E. Bechtold, David Parker, Francis L. Merat, Mark Podany, Raymond C. Laning