Patents by Inventor Joshua Becker

Joshua Becker 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: 20240342837
    Abstract: Disclosed example travel speed pacing systems for welding-type operations include: an interface configured to receive an input describing a characteristic of a welding-type operation; and control circuitry configured to: determine a target travel speed based on the input; determine a target time interval at which the welding-type operation is to traverse locations corresponding to successive ones of a plurality of marked locations on the workpiece of the welding-type operation, the target time interval being based on the target travel speed and a unit distance between the marked locations; and control the interface to output indicators representative of a target time interval.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2024
    Publication date: October 17, 2024
    Inventors: William Joshua Becker, Mitchell James Muske, Samuel Paul Gill
  • Patent number: 12115605
    Abstract: A welding system includes a welding power source having a user interface disposed thereon and a weld controller disposed therein and being adapted to generate a welding power output for use in a welding operation. The welding system also includes a personal computer having control circuitry disposed therein and being removably interfaced with the welding power source via a docking mechanism. When the personal computer is docked within the docking mechanism, the personal computer is enabled for receiving operator input, and the control circuitry communicates with the weld controller to coordinate control of a welding operation in accordance with the operator input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2024
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: William Joshua Becker, Alan Edward Stein, John Alan Luck
  • Patent number: 12039881
    Abstract: Systems are disclosed relating to a mobile device mounted to a welding helmet such that a wearer of the welding helmet can see a display of the mobile device when wearing the welding helmet. In some examples, the mobile device is mounted such that a camera of the mobile device is unobscured and positioned at approximately eye level, facing the same way the wearer's eyes are facing. In some examples, the simulated training environment may be presented to the user via the display screen of the mobile device, using images captured by the camera of the mobile device, when the mobile device is so mounted to the welding helmet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2024
    Assignees: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC., SEABERY NORTH AMERICA INC.
    Inventors: William Joshua Becker, Justin Monroe Blount, Jessica Marie Marhefke, Nicholas James Dessart, Mitchell James Muske, Pedro Marquinez, Pavel Gunia, Victor López Márquez, David Barroso de la Rosa, Sergio Garrido Jurado, Jesús Calvo Pérez, Javier Castilla Gutiérrez
  • Publication number: 20240207982
    Abstract: Described herein are examples of tool based welding technique monitoring systems with sloped workpiece calibrations. Using two calibration steps (or one fluid calibrating movement), the disclosed system is able to monitor welding technique along a straight welding joint of any slope, be the slope 0/180/360 degrees (i.e., horizontal), 90/270 degrees (i.e., vertical), or any slope in between. The system provides an inexpensive, intuitive, and relatively robust way of tracking an orientation of a welding-type tool in relation to a welding joint and/or workpiece, and providing welding technique feedback based on the relationship.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2023
    Publication date: June 27, 2024
    Inventors: William Joshua Becker, Brett Sheleski
  • Patent number: 12020586
    Abstract: A method for providing a welding score, comprising determining an initial position of a welding operation, determining a terminal position of the welding operation, determining a welding path between the initial position and the terminal position, and determining the welding score based on the welding path, wherein the welding score takes into account one or both of a time used for welding and a length of the welding path. A system comprising a welding torch, and a computer configured to: determine an initial position of a welding operation, determine a terminal position of the welding operation, determine a welding path between the initial position and the terminal position, determine a welding score, wherein the welding score takes into account a time used for welding and/or a length of the welding path, and comparing the welding score to a score threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2023
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2024
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: William Joshua Becker, David Paul Marcusen
  • Patent number: 11967249
    Abstract: Systems are disclosed relating to a mobile device mounted to a welding helmet such that a wearer of the welding helmet can see a display of the mobile device when wearing the welding helmet. In some examples, the mobile device is mounted such that a camera of the mobile device is unobscured and positioned at approximately eye level, facing the same way the wearer's eyes are facing. In some examples, the simulated training environment may be presented to the user via the display screen of the mobile device, using images captured by the camera of the mobile device, when the mobile device is so mounted to the welding helmet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignees: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC., SEABERY NORTH AMERICA INC.
    Inventors: Pedro Gerardo Marquinez Torrecilla, William Joshua Becker, Justin Monroe Blount, Mitchell James Muske, Jessica Marie Marhefke, Pavel Gunia
  • Publication number: 20240112596
    Abstract: Described herein are examples of weld training systems that perform welding technique monitoring as part of the training regime. In particular, the disclosed weld training systems implement a fast, simple, and intuitive process for calibrating a system to recognize joint characteristics later used to monitor (and/or provide feedback regarding) welding technique. In some examples, the weld training systems may even be able to recognize some joint characteristics, and perform some crude welding technique monitoring, with almost no calibration at all, which can be of enormous help where an operator forgets, or is unwilling to take the time to fully calibrate the system(s).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2023
    Publication date: April 4, 2024
    Inventor: William Joshua Becker
  • Patent number: 11922644
    Abstract: Described herein are examples of weld tracking systems implemented via a welding helmet. The welding helmet includes weld tracking sensors configured to allow the welding helmet to track a welding-type tool and/or an arc generated by the welding-type tool. The welding helmet also includes helmet tracking sensors configured to allow the welding helmet to track its own position and/or orientation relative to a reference point in the welding environment. By tracking itself as well as the welding-type tool and/or arc, the welding helmet can differentiate between its own movement, and movement of the welding-type tool and/or arc. By knowing the spatial relationship between the different sensors of the welding helmet, the tracking information can be combined and used for weld tracking. By implementing the weld tracking system in the welding helmet, the weld tracking system becomes portable and usable outside of the usual fixed confines of weld tracking systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: William Joshua Becker, Brett Sheleski
  • Publication number: 20240058883
    Abstract: Described herein are examples of tool based welding technique monitoring systems that provide an inexpensive, intuitive, and relatively robust way of tracking an orientation of a welding-type tool, and providing welding technique feedback based on the orientation. The system requires no sensors apart from a simple and/or relatively inexpensive sensor module that can be mounted to travel with the welding-type tool, which makes the system highly portable. Additionally, calibration of the system can be accomplished with fast, simple, intuitive calibration techniques.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2023
    Publication date: February 22, 2024
    Inventors: William Joshua Becker, Mitchell James Muske
  • Publication number: 20240046816
    Abstract: Systems are disclosed relating to a weld module for weld training systems. In some examples, a weld module is configured for attachment to (and/or detachment from) a plug of a welding tool (e.g., welding torch, gun, stinger, foot pedal, etc.). The weld module may be configured to detect tool events based one or more signals received from the plug of the welding tool. The weld module may communicate the tool events to the weld training system for use during a weld simulation, for example.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2023
    Publication date: February 8, 2024
    Inventors: William Joshua Becker, Pedro Gerardo Marquinez Torrecilla, Jesús Calvo Pérez, David Barroso de la Rosa, Victor López Márquez, Jose Miguel Escobar Garrido
  • Publication number: 20240017342
    Abstract: Disclosed example weld tracking system include a plurality of tracking anchors, each of the tracking anchors configured to: transmit a triggering signal, and transmit a response signal, or receive a response signal from a tracking tag; a welding device having the tracking tag attached to the welding device, the tracking tag configured to receive the triggering signal and receive the response signal, or receive the triggering signal and transmit the response signal in response to receiving the triggering signal; and a processing system configured to determine a distance between the tracking anchor and the tracking tag based on a time between the response signal being received and the triggering signal being sent or received, and determine a location of the welding device based on predetermined locations of the plurality of tracking anchors, and based on determined distances between the at least one tracking tag on the welding device and corresponding ones of the plurality of tracking anchors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2023
    Publication date: January 18, 2024
    Inventor: William Joshua Becker
  • Publication number: 20240001491
    Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and/or methods are disclosed relating to welding systems that monitor welds performed by an operator. In some examples, the welding system monitors one or more welds performed using a welding tool, evaluates characteristics of the one or more welds in comparison to certain predetermined criteria, and determines a performance score for the operator based on the evaluation. In some examples, the characteristics of the one or more welds include the location of each of the one or more welds and/or the order in which the one or more welds are executed. In such an example, the predetermined criteria may include target locations for each of the one or more welds and/or a target order of execution. In some examples, the welding system may respond to deviations from the target locations and/or target order, such as by reducing a performance score, disabling weld operations, providing guidance to the operator, etc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2023
    Publication date: January 4, 2024
    Inventors: William Joshua Becker, Olivia Arreola, Pavel Gunia, Pedro Marquinez
  • Publication number: 20230390849
    Abstract: Described herein are examples of tool based welding technique monitoring systems that provide an inexpensive, intuitive, and relatively robust way of tracking an orientation of a welding-type tool, and providing welding technique feedback based on the orientation. The system requires no sensors apart from a simple and/or relatively inexpensive sensor module that can travel with the welding-type tool, which makes the system highly portable. The system can also provide some feedback with minimal calibration, which can be valuable in situations where an operator forgets, or is unwilling, to take the time to fully calibrate the system. Additionally, full calibration of the system can be accomplished with a fast, simple, intuitive calibration technique.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2023
    Publication date: December 7, 2023
    Inventor: William Joshua Becker
  • Publication number: 20230390850
    Abstract: Described herein are examples of tool based welding technique monitoring systems that provide an inexpensive, intuitive, and relatively robust way of tracking an orientation of a welding-type tool, and providing welding technique feedback based on the orientation. The system requires no sensors apart from a simple and/or relatively inexpensive sensor module that can travel with the welding-type tool, which makes the system highly portable. The system can also provide some feedback with minimal calibration, which can be valuable in situations where an operator forgets, or is unwilling, to take the time to fully calibrate the system. Additionally, full calibration of the system can be accomplished with a fast, simple, intuitive calibration technique.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2023
    Publication date: December 7, 2023
    Inventor: William Joshua Becker
  • Publication number: 20230381024
    Abstract: Described herein are examples of smart welding helmets having a plurality of functions that go beyond conventional welding helmets. For example, a smart welding helmet may be configured to detect if/when the helmet surpasses one or more temperature thresholds, which may alert an operator if they have been welding too close and/or for too long. Other example smart helmet functions may include the ability to display (and/or otherwise output) feedback/guidance and/or welding information, as well as communicate with appropriate personnel. In some examples, the smart welding helmet may be configured to selectively enable/disable certain functions of the smart welding helmet to accommodate the needs of a particular operator and/or groups of operators.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2023
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Inventors: William Joshua Becker, Joseph C. Schneider
  • Patent number: 11817006
    Abstract: Systems are disclosed relating to a weld module for weld training systems. In some examples, a weld module is configured for attachment to (and/or detachment from) a plug of a welding tool (e.g., welding torch, gun, stinger, foot pedal, etc.). The weld module may be configured to detect tool events based one or more signals received from the plug of the welding tool. The weld module may communicate the tool events to the weld training system for use during a weld simulation, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignees: ILINOIS TOOL WORKS INC. ASSIGNEE, SEABERY NORTH AMERICA INC.
    Inventors: William Joshua Becker, Pedro Gerardo Marquínez Torrecilla, Jesús Calvo Pérez, David Barroso de la Rosa, Victor López Márquez, Jose Miguel Escobar Garrido
  • Patent number: 11806814
    Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and/or methods are disclosed relating to welding systems that monitor welds performed by an operator. In some examples, the welding system monitors one or more welds performed using a welding tool, evaluates characteristics of the one or more welds in comparison to certain predetermined criteria, and determines a performance score for the operator based on the evaluation. In some examples, the characteristics of the one or more welds include the location of each of the one or more welds and/or the order in which the one or more welds are executed. In such an example, the predetermined criteria may include target locations for each of the one or more welds and/or a target order of execution. In some examples, the welding system may respond to deviations from the target locations and/or target order, such as by reducing a performance score, disabling weld operations, providing guidance to the operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignees: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC., Seabery North America Inc.
    Inventors: William Joshua Becker, Olivia Arreola, Pavel Gunia, Pedro Marquinez
  • Publication number: 20230330786
    Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and/or methods are disclosed relating to welding systems that allow for virtual marking of welding workpieces. In some examples, a virtual marking process of the welding system generates and/or displays one or more markings on a display of the welding system in response to a dynamic input. In some examples, the dynamic input may comprise one or more of a user input received via a user interface, a marking instrument, and/or a welding gun of the welding system. In some examples, the dynamic input may comprise images captured by the welding system and recognized by the welding system as indicating markings. In some examples, the markings may guide an operator by indicating weld locations and/or weld order. In some examples, the markings may include embedded marking data (and/or metadata) that may be accessed and/or displayed to provide additional information and/or guidance to the operator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2023
    Publication date: October 19, 2023
    Inventors: William Joshua Becker, Olivia Arreola
  • Publication number: 20230324178
    Abstract: Described herein are examples of tool based welding technique monitoring systems that provide an inexpensive, intuitive, and relatively robust way of tracking an orientation of a welding-type tool, and providing welding technique feedback based on the orientation. The system requires no sensors apart from a simple and/or relatively inexpensive sensor module that can travel with the welding-type tool, which makes the system highly portable. The system can also provide some feedback with minimal calibration, which can be valuable in situations where an operator forgets, or is unwilling, to take the time to fully calibrate the system. Additionally, full calibration of the system can be accomplished with a fast, simple, intuitive calibration technique.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2023
    Publication date: October 12, 2023
    Inventor: William Joshua Becker
  • Publication number: 20230326361
    Abstract: Systems for simulating joining operations, such as welding, are disclosed. In some examples, a system may use a mobile device for conducting welding simulations, such as for purposes of training. In some examples, the system may additionally, or alternatively, use modular workpieces. In some examples, the system may additionally, or alternatively, conduct the welding simulation based on one or more selected pieces of welding equipment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2023
    Publication date: October 12, 2023
    Inventors: William Joshua Becker, Olivia Arreola, Mitchell James Muske, Beatriz Rodriguez Zalvide, Jose Miguel Escobar Garrido, Pedro Gerardo Marquinez Torrecilla