Patents by Inventor James B. Fisher

James B. Fisher 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: 7839417
    Abstract: A virtual coatings application system has several features to enhance the realism of simulated spray painting. The system generally includes a display screen on which is defined a virtual surface (such as a truck door) that is intended to be virtually painted or coated by the user. Alternatively, the system includes a head-mounted display unit that displays a virtual spray painting environment in which the virtual surface is defined. The user operates an instrumented spray gun controller that outputs one or more signals representing data as to the status of the controls on the spray gun controller. The system also has a motion tracking system that tracks the position and orientation of the spray gun controller with respect to the virtual surface. Simulation software generates virtual spray pattern data in response to at least the data from the spray gun controller and the position and orientation data received from the tracking system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: University of Northern Iowa Research Foundation
    Inventors: Jason M. Ebensberger, Michael J. Bolick, Jeremiah G. Treloar, Richard J. Klein, II, Eric C. Peterson, Chad J. Zalkin, James B. Fisher, Leslie C. Hughes
  • Patent number: 7839416
    Abstract: A virtual coatings application system has several features to enhance the realism of simulated spray painting. The system generally includes a display screen on which is defined a virtual surface (such as a truck door) that is intended to be virtually painted or coated by the user. The user operates an instrumented spray gun controller that outputs one or more signals representing data as to the status of the controls on the spray gun controller. The system also has a motion tracking system that tracks the position and orientation of the spray gun controller with respect to the virtual surface defined on the display screen. Simulation software generates virtual spray pattern data in response to at least the data from the spray gun controller and the position and orientation data received from the tracking system. Virtual spray pattern images are displayed in real time on the display screen in accordance with the accumulation of virtual spray pattern data at each location on the virtual surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: University of Northern Iowa Research Foundation
    Inventors: Jason M. Ebensberger, Michael J. Bolick, Jeremiah G. Treloar, Richard J. Klein, II, Eric C. Peterson, Chad J. Zalkin, James B. Fisher, Leslie C. Hughes
  • Publication number: 20080124698
    Abstract: A computer simulation and virtual reality system for teaching proper spray painting techniques has features to foster structured training via planned lesson curriculum, and network capabilities that allow students to remotely view an instructor demonstrating technique on the system. The system also provides instructors software for developing lesson curriculum, managing classes, and reviewing lesson results of the students.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2006
    Publication date: May 29, 2008
    Inventors: Jason M. Ebensberger, Jeremiah G. Treloar, Michael J. Bolick, Richard J. Klein, Chad J. Zalkin, Malachi J. Wurpts, Stephen R. Gray, James B. Fisher
  • Publication number: 20070209586
    Abstract: A virtual coatings application system has several features to enhance the realism of simulated spray painting. The system generally includes a display screen on which is defined a virtual surface (such as a truck door) that is intended to be virtually painted or coated by the user. Alternatively, the system includes a head-mounted display unit that displays a virtual spray painting environment in which the virtual surface is defined. The user operates an instrumented spray gun controller that outputs one or more signals representing data as to the status of the controls on the spray gun controller. The system also has a motion tracking system that tracks the position and orientation of the spray gun controller with respect to the virtual surface. Simulation software generates virtual spray pattern data in response to at least the data from the spray gun controller and the position and orientation data received from the tracking system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2006
    Publication date: September 13, 2007
    Inventors: Jason M. Ebensberger, Michael J. Bolick, Jeremiah G. Treloar, Richard J. Klein, Eric C. Peterson, Chad J. Zalkin, James B. Fisher, Leslie C. Hughes
  • Patent number: 5838973
    Abstract: A computerized modeling system is provided. The present invention is a computer-implemented, interactive, real-time software tool, for physically transforming a system or process into a visual representation. The software tool includes a class developer for interactively developing the visual representation in real time. The visual representation is physically embodied in a computer-readable medium for visualization on a computer display device, and includes at least one of a class, a class behavior, a class attribute, a collaboration, and a collaboration message flow. The software tool also includes a three-dimensional visual representation module for displaying a three-dimensional depiction of the visual representation on the display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1998
    Assignee: Andersen Consulting LLP
    Inventors: Theodore R. Carpenter-Smith, Michael John Gombar, James B. Fisher, Thomas M. Barfield
  • Patent number: 4389975
    Abstract: A dual purpose bird feeder for use mounted upon a post with a squirrel baffle preventing climbing upon the feeder or for use in a free hanging relation where it is supported on a chain. The bird feeder is comprised of a frusto-conical hollow feeder housing with a tray at the bottom and flat shallow roof at the top. In the freely supported relation the feeder tray has a radius not exceeding about 55% of the radius of the roof and the outer periphery is positioned underneath the upper portion of the housing. The depth of the tray beneath the roof also does not exceed about one-half of the radius of the roof. This relationship prevents or discourages squirrels or large undesirable birds from using the feeder tray. In the post supported version the squirrel barrier baffle is of the same frusto-conical construction as the feeder housing for ease in manufacture and is positioned underneath the tray. A cylindrical baffle may depend from the tray to which the frusto-conical baffle may be removably attached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1980
    Date of Patent: June 28, 1983
    Inventor: James B. Fisher, Jr.
  • Patent number: 3977363
    Abstract: A squirrel proof bird feeder having bird feeder holes of a construction to minimize loss of seed by scattering or wind blowing. The bird feeder has a removable conical top of an inverted hip roof construction with the major portion of the upper region of the top having a steep pitch with the lower eaves or border having a gentle pitch which construction tends to dump a squirrel climbing upon the roof from a suspended chain. The bird feeder housing has feeder holes which communicate with the interior through horizontal feeder tubes which are open on the bottom and closed by a baffle at the inner end which while permitting a flow of seed under the end portion of the feeder tube and under the bottom sides restricts the flow when the bird feeder is blown by the wind or otherwise disturbed by feeding birds or squirrels climbing on the top of the feeder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1975
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1976
    Inventor: James B. Fisher, Jr.
  • Patent number: D245349
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1975
    Date of Patent: August 9, 1977
    Inventor: James B. Fisher, Jr.