Patents by Inventor Keith Tolk

Keith Tolk 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: 10679523
    Abstract: A system and method for detecting tampering with a seal is provided. A loop seal tamper indicating device includes a seal wire that may be passed through a secured item or container to form a loop with the free ends of the seal wire passing through a seal housing. A plunger body including an adhesive-filled cavity is inserted into the seal housing, such that a piston expresses the adhesive into the space between the seal housing and the plunger body. The adhesive may contain reflective particles and is cured to fix the particles and the adhesive in place. A reference image may be taken to record the unique identifier and reflective signature of the adhesive. Future validation images may be compared to the reference image to determine whether the reflective signature has changed, thus indicating that the seal has been tampered with.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: Savannah River Nuclear Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: George E. Weeks, Keith Tolk, Jennifer E. Tanner, Jacob Benz, Keir C. Allen, Helen M. White, Daniel Krementz, Lawrence J. Harpring, Raymond R. Lawson
  • Patent number: 10572786
    Abstract: A reflective particle tag reader system includes a read head assembly having a camera, illuminators, and a rigid frame portion for supporting the camera and the illuminators. The illuminators illuminate a focal point located opposite the camera where a reflective particle tag is placed. A computer in data communication with the camera receives and store images of the reflective particle tag that are acquired by the camera. The computer is programmed to process video images and to quantify a positional alignment parameter and an angular alignment parameter of the reader with respect to the reflective particle tag. A rapid burst of image frames is obtained in response to the positional alignment and the angular alignment parameters being within a predetermined tolerance and identity of the reflective tag is established between a first image set and a second image set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignees: National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC
    Inventors: Heidi A. Smartt, William C. Sweatt, Michael B. Sinclair, Michael McDaniel, Juan A. Romero, Keith Tolk
  • Publication number: 20180033341
    Abstract: A system and method for detecting tampering with a seal is provided. A loop seal tamper indicating device includes a seal wire that may be passed through a secured item or container to form a loop with the free ends of the seal wire passing through a seal housing. A plunger body including an adhesive-filled cavity is inserted into the seal housing, such that a piston expresses the adhesive into the space between the seal housing and the plunger body. The adhesive may contain reflective particles and is cured to fix the particles and the adhesive in place. A reference image may be taken to record the unique identifier and reflective signature of the adhesive. Future validation images may be compared to the reference image to determine whether the reflective signature has changed, thus indicating that the seal has been tampered with.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2016
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Inventors: George E. Weeks, Keith Tolk, Jennifer E. Tanner, Jacob Benz, Keir C. Allen, Helen M. White, Daniel Krementz, Lawrence J. Harpring, Raymond R. Lawson