Patents by Inventor Joshua D. Hoffman

Joshua D. Hoffman 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: 11971905
    Abstract: A synchronization system node may comprise one or more processors and a synchronization database. The synchronization database may comprise a subscriber list of a plurality of subscribers, a first buffer including a plurality of attributes in a first state, and a second buffer including the plurality of attributes in a second state. The node may be configured to receive updates for one or more of the plurality of attributes and store, to the first buffer, the updates for the one or more of the plurality of attributes to update the plurality of attributes of the first buffer to an updated first state. While receiving the updates from the publisher, the nod may publish, from the second buffer to a first subscriber of the plurality of subscribers, one or more of the plurality of attributes in the second state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Brian D. Hoffman, Joshua Radel
  • Patent number: 11449068
    Abstract: A mobile work machine includes an operator compartment having an operator interface mechanism configured to receive operator input, a control system configured to generate a control signal to control the mobile work machine in an unmanned operation mode, a machine state detection system configured to detect a machine state of the mobile work machine in the unmanned operation mode, and a visualization system configured to control a visual indicator mechanism in the operator compartment to generate a visual indication of the detected machine state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Mario L. Donini, Troy K. Maddox, Joshua D. Hoffman, Margaux M. Ascherl
  • Publication number: 20210349466
    Abstract: A mobile work machine includes an operator compartment having an operator interface mechanism configured to receive operator input, a control system configured to generate a control signal to control the mobile work machine in an unmanned operation mode, a machine state detection system configured to detect a machine state of the mobile work machine in the unmanned operation mode, and a visualization system configured to control a visual indicator mechanism in the operator compartment to generate a visual indication of the detected machine state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2020
    Publication date: November 11, 2021
    Inventors: Mario L. DONINI, Troy K. MADDOX, Joshua D. HOFFMAN, Margaux M. ASCHERL
  • Patent number: 11167641
    Abstract: A method for reconfiguring operator controls of a work vehicle is disclosed. The method comprises providing a user interface operatively coupled to a control device. Displaying one or more displays of an apparatus configuration on a display screen of the user interface, each of the one or more displays including graphics associated with a function of the apparatus. Associating a control output of a control unit of the control device with the function of the apparatus; and dynamically adjusting, by a controller, the control output of the control unit to reconfigure operator controls of the work vehicle in response to a change in the graphics or a change in the relative arrangement of the one or more displays on the display screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Mark Catron, Timothy J Ofenloch, Joshua D. Hoffman, Ryan G. Brown, Mario L. Donini
  • Patent number: 11068015
    Abstract: A variable track joystick device includes a support housing, a joystick movable with respect to the support housing, and a joystick guidance mechanism controllable to selectively confine joystick movement to a predetermined track pattern. During operation of the variable joystick device, a controller determines when the variable track joystick device is placed in a selected one of (i) a first mode in which joystick movement controls the first work vehicle function and (ii) a second mode in which joystick movement controls the second work vehicle function. The controller further commands the joystick guidance mechanism to restrict joystick movement to the predetermined track pattern when the joystick device is placed in the first mode, while permitting joystick movement outside of the predetermined track pattern when the joystick device is placed in the second mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Timothy J. Ofenloch, Joshua D. Hoffman, Ryan G. Brown, Kevin A. Wolff, Mario L. Donini
  • Publication number: 20210155093
    Abstract: A method for reconfiguring operator controls of a work vehicle is disclosed. The method comprises providing a user interface operatively coupled to a control device. Displaying one or more displays of an apparatus configuration on a display screen of the user interface, each of the one or more displays including graphics associated with a function of the apparatus. Associating a control output of a control unit of the control device with the function of the apparatus; and dynamically adjusting, by a controller, the control output of the control unit to reconfigure operator controls of the work vehicle in response to a change in the graphics or a change in the relative arrangement of the one or more displays on the display screen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2019
    Publication date: May 27, 2021
    Inventors: Mark Catron, Timothy J Ofenloch, Joshua D. Hoffman, Ryan G. Brown, Mario L. Donini
  • Publication number: 20200348714
    Abstract: A variable track joystick device includes a support housing, a joystick movable with respect to the support housing, and a joystick guidance mechanism controllable to selectively confine joystick movement to a predetermined track pattern. During operation of the variable joystick device, a controller determines when the variable track joystick device is placed in a selected one of (i) a first mode in which joystick movement controls the first work vehicle function and (ii) a second mode in which joystick movement controls the second work vehicle function. The controller further commands the joystick guidance mechanism to restrict joystick movement to the predetermined track pattern when the joystick device is placed in the first mode, while permitting joystick movement outside of the predetermined track pattern when the joystick device is placed in the second mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2019
    Publication date: November 5, 2020
    Inventors: Timothy J. Ofenloch, Joshua D. Hoffman, Ryan G. Brown, Kevin A. Wolff, Mario L. Donini
  • Patent number: 10795463
    Abstract: Touchpads are disclosed for machine control by an operator. A touchpad can include a surface, zones and command processor. The surface senses operator touch. The zones can be assigned zones. The touchpad can include dividers that separate the surface into the zones, and dividers can be assigned dividers. Each of the assigned zones and dividers can be selectively configured to control an assigned machine function. The command processor generates and sends commands to control the assigned machine functions based on operator touch of the assigned zones and dividers. The surface and dividers can have differing heights and/or textures. Illumination can distinguish assigned or selected zones and dividers. The dividers can be grouped to function as a joystick. Pressing different dividers can command machine functions in different directions. The touchpad controls can share power and signal connections, and can be mounted on a control stick.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Mark J. Cherney, Bryan Rausch, Joshua D. Hoffman, Giovanni A. Wuisan, Ronald J. Huber
  • Publication number: 20200125191
    Abstract: Touchpads are disclosed for machine control by an operator. A touchpad can include a surface, zones and command processor. The surface senses operator touch. The zones can be assigned zones. The touchpad can include dividers that separate the surface into the zones, and dividers can be assigned dividers. Each of the assigned zones and dividers can be selectively configured to control an assigned machine function. The command processor generates and sends commands to control the assigned machine functions based on operator touch of the assigned zones and dividers. The surface and dividers can have differing heights and/or textures. Illumination can distinguish assigned or selected zones and dividers. The dividers can be grouped to function as a joystick. Pressing different dividers can command machine functions in different directions. The touchpad controls can share power and signal connections, and can be mounted on a control stick.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2018
    Publication date: April 23, 2020
    Inventors: Mark J. Cherney, Bryan Rausch, Joshua D. Hoffman, Giovanni A. Wuisan, Ronald J. Huber
  • Patent number: 10437243
    Abstract: A user device, that is remote from a combine harvester, communicates with a remote system to receive performance metrics corresponding to sensed operation of a plurality of different combine harvesters. A performance display element, for each machine, and for each of a plurality of different performance criteria, is generated. Display control logic controls a display device so the performance display elements are displayed with display elements corresponding to a same performance criteria, but for different combine harvesters, being displayed adjacent one another, on the display device. The display control logic also controls the display device so the performance machine display elements for the plurality of different combine harvesters are also displayed along with a performance distribution display element that represents a performance distribution of a plurality of different machines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Sebastian Blank, Mario L. Donini, Dohn W. Pfeiffer, Joshua D. Hoffman
  • Patent number: 10310455
    Abstract: A logic system aggregates metrics from a plurality of combine harvesters and controls a communication system to send aggregated metrics back to the combine harvesters and to send both machine performance metrics and aggregate metrics to a remote user computing system, for remote user control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Sebastian Blank, Mario L. Donini, Dohn W. Pfeiffer, Joshua D. Hoffman
  • Publication number: 20180364652
    Abstract: A logic system aggregates metrics from a plurality of combine harvesters and controls a communication system to send aggregated metrics back to the combine harvesters and to send both machine performance metrics and aggregate metrics to a remote user computing system, for remote user control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2017
    Publication date: December 20, 2018
    Inventors: Sebastian Blank, Mario L. Donini, Dohn W. Pfeiffer, Joshua D. Hoffman
  • Publication number: 20180364698
    Abstract: A user device, that is remote from a combine harvester, communicates with a remote system to receive performance metrics corresponding to sensed operation of a plurality of different combine harvesters. A performance display element, for each machine, and for each of a plurality of different performance criteria, is generated. Display control logic controls a display device so the performance display elements are displayed with display elements corresponding to a same performance criteria, but for different combine harvesters, being displayed adjacent one another, on the display device. The display control logic also controls the display device so the performance machine display elements for the plurality of different combine harvesters are also displayed along with a performance distribution display element that represents a performance distribution of a plurality of different machines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2017
    Publication date: December 20, 2018
    Inventors: Sebastian Blank, Mario L. Donini, Dohn W. Pfeiffer, Joshua D. Hoffman
  • Patent number: 9932043
    Abstract: An operator identification control system and method are disclosed for a work vehicle having a cab, a work tool and a source of propulsion. The operator identification control system includes a source associated with the operator that actively transmits an operator identification to identify the operator. The operator identification control system also includes at least one controller onboard the work vehicle that receives and processes the operator identification to determine whether the operator is associated with the work vehicle, and based on the determination, enables an operation of the work tool and/or a motion of the work vehicle by the operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Keith N. Chaston, Eric S. Crawford, Joshua D. Hoffman, Mark J. Cherney
  • Publication number: 20170217444
    Abstract: An operator identification control system and method are disclosed for a work vehicle having a cab, a work tool and a source of propulsion. The operator identification control system includes a source associated with the operator that actively transmits an operator identification to identify the operator. The operator identification control system also includes at least one controller onboard the work vehicle that receives and processes the operator identification to determine whether the operator is associated with the work vehicle, and based on the determination, enables an operation of the work tool and/or a motion of the work vehicle by the operator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2016
    Publication date: August 3, 2017
    Inventors: Keith N. Chaston, Eric S. Crawford, Joshua D. Hoffman, Mark J. Cherney
  • Publication number: 20170221280
    Abstract: A service verification system and method are disclosed for a work vehicle having a component that requires maintenance checks. The service verification system includes a zone associated with the component, and the zone includes a source that actively transmits a zone identifier over the zone. The service verification system also includes a controller that receives and processes the zone identifier when the controller is in the zone, and based on the received zone identifier, the controller outputs at least one maintenance check to be completed for the component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2016
    Publication date: August 3, 2017
    Inventors: Keith N. Chaston, Eric S. Crawford, Joshua D. Hoffman, Mark J. Cherney, Niels Dybro
  • Patent number: 9575628
    Abstract: At least one example embodiment discloses a method for generating a touch screen display. The method includes establishing a run screen on the touch screen display, the run screen associated with a function of a work vehicle, configuring the run screen with a retractable toolbar, the retractable toolbar responsive to an action of a user of the touch screen display and deployable over a first portion of the run screen upon the action of the user and otherwise hiding to display a second portion of the run screen, the second portion of the run screen being at least a majority portion of the run screen and defining one or more transient user-definable buttons on the retractable toolbar associated with at least one of the function and the run screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Robert Meegan, Bruce Newendorp, Joshua D. Hoffman, Kurtis Vander Wiel, Sean McKay
  • Patent number: 9547417
    Abstract: At least one example embodiment discloses a method for generating a touch screen display. The method includes establishing a first run screen associated with a first function of a work vehicle and establishing a second run screen associated with a second function of the work vehicle distinct from the first function and defining an order of appearance of the first run screen and the second run screen within a set of run screens that allows a user to select a run screen in the set of run screens that are displayable in accordance with the defined order.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Robert Meegan, Bruce Newendorp, Joshua D. Hoffman, Kurtis Vander Wiel, Sean McKay
  • Patent number: D792424
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Robert Meegan, Bruce Newendorp, Joshua D. Hoffman, Kurtis Vander Wiel, Sean McKay
  • Patent number: D840412
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Mario L. Donini, Mei Keen Mak, Joshua D. Hoffman, Ricky B. Theilen, Robert T. Casper