Patents by Inventor Mark E. Nichols
Mark E. Nichols 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: 11934527Abstract: A method is disclosed and includes authenticating a first stage boot loader and authenticating a second stage boot loader in response to authentication of the first stage boot loader. The method also includes executing the second stage boot loader in response to authentication of the second stage boot loader. Executing the second stage boot loader includes loading an operating system, a first set of machine-readable instructions, and first configuration information associated with the first set of machine-readable instructions onto a non-transitory computer-readable medium, wherein the first set of machine-readable instructions and the first configuration information are associated with one or more priority partitions. Executing the second stage boot loader includes authenticating the operating system and the first set of machine-readable instructions.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2020Date of Patent: March 19, 2024Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Jeffrey S. Gilton, Matthew B. Pfenninger, Douglas R. Nichols, Mark E Hingsbergen
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Patent number: 10793115Abstract: A vehicle includes a rear window having hydrophobic portion, and a non-hydrophobic portion below the hydrophobic portion. A rear wiper system is mounted adjacent to a top of the rear window and includes a pivotable nozzle and a blower to direct an airstream through the nozzle onto the rear window.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 2018Date of Patent: October 6, 2020Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Venkatesh Krishnan, Sunil Patil, Mark E. Nichols, Sami A. Alkharabsheh, Raghuraman Surineedi
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Publication number: 20200070782Abstract: A vehicle includes a rear window having hydrophobic portion, and a non-hydrophobic portion below the hydrophobic portion. A rear wiper system is mounted adjacent to a top of the rear window and includes a pivotable nozzle and a blower to direct an airstream through the nozzle onto the rear window.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 4, 2018Publication date: March 5, 2020Inventors: Venkatesh Krishnan, Sunil Patil, Mark E. Nichols, Sami A. Alkharabsheh, Raghuraman Surineedi
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Patent number: 10133994Abstract: In a computer implemented method for management of materials on a construction site, a status of a project which uses at least one material is determined by a computer system. A report is generated by the computer system. The report identifies a vehicle, from a vehicle pool, to be utilized to move the material and defines a load of the material which is to be moved by the vehicle, according to a mass haul plan, from a first location to a second location. The vehicle is identified based on results of a simulation. The status of the project is automatically updated by the computer system based on an actual size and an actual drop-off location of the load of the material moved by the vehicle. The computer system updates the report based on the updating of the status of the project.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2012Date of Patent: November 20, 2018Assignee: Trimble Inc.Inventors: Mark E. Nichols, Bryn Fosburgh, Christopher David Richardson, Peter Graham Gipps, George Derrick Darby, Jr.
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Patent number: 9507026Abstract: A verified antispoofing navigation apparatus is provided. The apparatus comprises: a primary navigation receiver configured to provide a set of primary measurements related to positioning of a mobile platform; a supplemental navigation device configured to provide a set of supplemental measurements related to positioning of the mobile platform; an identity monitoring device configured to verify an identity of a driver of the mobile platform; and a verification and authentication navigation processor configured to verify authenticity of the set of primary measurements provided by the primary navigation receiver by using the set of supplemental measurements provided by the supplemental navigation device. The verified antispoofing navigation apparatus further comprises: a driver authentication navigation processor configured to provide the driving and rest times of the driver to relevant authorities.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2013Date of Patent: November 29, 2016Assignee: Trimble Navigation LimitedInventor: Mark E. Nichols
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Publication number: 20160154112Abstract: A verified antispoofing navigation apparatus is provided. The apparatus comprises: a primary navigation receiver configured to provide a set of primary measurements related to positioning of a mobile platform; a supplemental navigation device configured to provide a set of supplemental measurements related to positioning of the mobile platform; an identity monitoring device configured to verify an identity of a driver of the mobile platform; and a verification and authentication navigation processor configured to verify authenticity of the set of primary measurements provided by the primary navigation receiver by using the set of supplemental measurements provided by the supplemental navigation device. The verified antispoofing navigation apparatus further comprises: a driver authentication navigation processor configured to provide the driving and rest times of the driver to relevant authorities.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 4, 2013Publication date: June 2, 2016Applicant: TRIMBLE NAVIGATION LTD.Inventor: Mark E. NICHOLS
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Publication number: 20130024245Abstract: In a computer implemented method for management of materials on a construction site, a status of a project which uses at least one material is determined by a computer system. A report is generated by the computer system. The report identifies a vehicle, from a vehicle pool, to be utilized to move the material and defines a load of the material which is to be moved by the vehicle, according to a mass haul plan, from a first location to a second location. The vehicle is identified based on results of a simulation. The status of the project is automatically updated by the computer system based on an actual size and an actual drop-off location of the load of the material moved by the vehicle. The computer system updates the report based on the updating of the status of the project.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 25, 2012Publication date: January 24, 2013Applicant: Trimble Navigation LimitedInventors: Mark E. Nichols, Bryn Fosburgh, Christopher David Richardson, Peter Graham Gipps, George Derrick Darby, JR.
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Patent number: 8306836Abstract: A computer implemented method and computer system for management of materials on a construction site. In one embodiment, at least one cost scenario is defined for moving at least one material with a vehicle pool. A status of a project which uses the material is then determined. A report is generated which identifies a vehicle of the vehicle pool and defines a load of the material which is to be moved by the vehicle from a first location to a second location.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2008Date of Patent: November 6, 2012Assignee: Trimble Navigation LimitedInventors: Mark E. Nichols, Bryn Fosburgh, Christopher David Richardson, Peter Graham Gipps, George Derrick Darby, Jr.
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Patent number: 7808626Abstract: A method of mobile radio positioning aided by a single fan self-surveying laser transmitter (SF_SS_LT), wherein a rover comprises a mobile radio positioning system (Mobile_RADPS) integrated with a mobile laser detector; and wherein THE SF_SS_LT comprises a single fan laser transmitter and a positioning system integrated with the single fan laser transmitter. The method comprises: (A) performing self-surveying of the (SF_SS_LT); (B) generating a single fan laser beam by using the single fan laser transmitter; (C) detecting the single fan beam by using the mobile laser detector; and (D) timing the fan laser beam strike at the rover's location and using the timing of the fan laser beam strike at the rover's location to improve an accuracy in determination of position coordinates of the rover.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2007Date of Patent: October 5, 2010Assignee: Trimble Navigation Ltd.Inventor: Mark E. Nichols
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Patent number: 7768450Abstract: A combined radio and laser positioning system comprising: a network of ground based radio communication devices, a laser transmitter configured to generate at least one laser beam, and at least one user unit. Each user unit comprises a radio receiver configured to receive at least one ranging radio signal transmitted by at least one ground based radio communication device, a laser detector configured to receive at least one laser beam generated by the laser transmitter, and a processor configured to convert a set of data including: {a set of data transmitted by at least one ranging radio signal, and a set of data transmitted by said at least one laser beam} into position coordinates of the user unit, wherein a set of vertical coordinates of the user unit is obtained with a laser-assisted (LA) accuracy.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2007Date of Patent: August 3, 2010Assignee: Trimble Navigation Ltd.Inventor: Mark E. Nichols
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Patent number: 7764365Abstract: A combination laser detector and global navigation satellite antenna has a laser detector positioned in a known and fixed relationship with the nominal phase center of an included global navigation satellite antenna. The offsets for these elements may be fixed, simplifying set up.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2004Date of Patent: July 27, 2010Assignee: Trimble Navigation LimitedInventors: Mark E. Nichols, Gary L. Cain, James M. Janky
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Publication number: 20100138266Abstract: A computer implemented method and computer system for management of materials on a construction site. In one embodiment, at least one cost scenario is defined for moving at least one material with a vehicle pool. A status of a project which uses the material is then determined. A report is generated which identifies a vehicle of the vehicle pool and defines a load of the material which is to be moved by the vehicle from a first location to a second location.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 1, 2008Publication date: June 3, 2010Inventors: Mark E. Nichols, Bryn Fosburgh, Christohper David Richardson, Peter Graham Gipps, George Derrick Darby, JR.
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Patent number: 7595867Abstract: The method of mobile radio positioning aided by a single fan laser comprising: generating a single sloping fan beam by using a stationary fan laser transmitter positioned in a location with known coordinates; detecting the single sloping fan beam by using the mobile laser detector; receiving the averaged low-passed filtered estimate of angular rate of the laser beam; receiving the plurality of main time tags; receiving the plurality of additional time tags; and timing the fan laser beam strike at the rover's location to improve an accuracy in determination of position coordinates of the rover.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2007Date of Patent: September 29, 2009Assignee: Trimble Navigation Ltd.Inventors: Mark E. Nichols, Nicholas C. Talbot, Gary L. Cain
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Patent number: 7477185Abstract: A method of tracking at least one mobile unit utilizing a radio and light based 3-D positioning system comprising a stationary self-positioning radio (pseudolite) transceiver, a stationary laser transmitter positioned in a location with known coordinates, a wireless link, and a display.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2006Date of Patent: January 13, 2009Assignee: Trimble Navigation LtdInventor: Mark E. Nichols
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3-D positioning system utilizing self-positioning radio transmitter and stationary laser transmitter
Patent number: 7477184Abstract: A radio and light based 3-D positioning system comprising a stationary self-positioning radio (pseudolite) transceiver, a stationary laser transmitter positioned in a location with known coordinates, and at least one mobile integrated radio receiver (pseudolite)/laser detector (RR_LD). The stationary self-positioning radio (pseudolite) transceiver is configured to receive a first plurality of external radio signals, is configured to determine its position coordinates based on the first plurality of received external radio signals, and is configured to broadcast at least one internal radio signal. The stationary laser transmitter is configured to broadcast at least one laser beam.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2006Date of Patent: January 13, 2009Assignee: Trimble Navigation, LtdInventor: Mark E. Nichols -
Publication number: 20080247758Abstract: A combined radio and laser positioning system comprising: a network of ground based radio communication devices, a laser transmitter configured to generate at least one laser beam, and at least one user unit. Each user unit comprises a radio receiver configured to receive at least one ranging radio signal transmitted by at least one ground based radio communication device, a laser detector configured to receive at least one laser beam generated by the laser transmitter, and a processor configured to convert a set of data including: {a set of data transmitted by at least one ranging radio signal, and a set of data transmitted by said at least one laser beam} into position coordinates of the user unit, wherein a set of vertical coordinates of the user unit is obtained with a laser-assisted (LA) accuracy.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 4, 2007Publication date: October 9, 2008Inventor: Mark E. Nichols
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Publication number: 20080192242Abstract: A method of mobile radio positioning aided by a single fan self-surveying laser transmitter (SF_SS_LT), wherein a rover comprises a mobile radio positioning system (Mobile_RADPS) integrated with a mobile laser detector; and wherein THE SF_SS_LT comprises a single fan laser transmitter and a positioning system integrated with the single fan laser transmitter. The method comprises: (A) performing self-surveying of the (SF_SS_LT); (B) generating a single fan laser beam by using the single fan laser transmitter; (C) detecting the single fan beam by using the mobile laser detector; and (D) timing the fan laser beam strike at the rover's location and using the timing of the fan laser beam strike at the rover's location to improve an accuracy in determination of position coordinates of the rover.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 17, 2007Publication date: August 14, 2008Inventor: Mark E. Nichols
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Publication number: 20080158044Abstract: A combination laser system and global navigation satellite system has a laser detector positioned in a known and fixed relationship with the nominal phase center of an included global navigation satellite antenna. The outputs of the laser system and the global navigation satellite system are used together to determine position.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 19, 2008Publication date: July 3, 2008Inventors: Nicholas C. Talbot, Mark E. Nichols, Gary L. Cain, James M. Janky
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Publication number: 20080144020Abstract: The method of mobile radio positioning aided by a single fan laser comprising: generating a single sloping fan beam by using a stationary fan laser transmitter positioned in a location with known coordinates; detecting the single sloping fan beam by using the mobile laser detector; receiving the averaged low-passed filtered estimate of angular rate of the laser beam; receiving the plurality of main time tags; receiving the plurality of additional time tags; and timing the fan laser beam strike at the rover's location to improve an accuracy in determination of position coordinates of the rover.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 13, 2007Publication date: June 19, 2008Inventors: Mark E. Nichols, Nicholas C. Talbot, Gary L. Cain
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Publication number: 20080047170Abstract: An excavator 3D integrated laser and radio positioning guidance system (Ex_3D_ILRPGS) comprising: a mobile radio positioning system receiver configured to obtain 2D horizontal coordinates of the excavator, a bucket-to-machine-body positioning system configured to obtain coordinates of the boom, the stick and the bucket of the excavator, a laser detector configured to receive at least one laser beam and configured to provide a local vertical coordinate with a substantially high accuracy, and an on-board navigational system configured to receive and to integrate the 2D horizontal coordinates of the excavator obtained by the mobile radio positioning system receiver, the coordinates of the boom, the stick and the bucket of the excavator obtained by the bucket-to-machine-body positioning system, and the local vertical coordinate obtained by the laser detector, and configured to guide the cutting edge of the bucket of the excavator with substantially high vertical accuracy.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 24, 2006Publication date: February 28, 2008Inventor: Mark E. Nichols