Patents by Inventor Mark T. DeCou

Mark T. DeCou 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: 9633495
    Abstract: A method for wireless authentication of a device to a machine is provided. The device has a sensor and the method includes sensing, by a sensor of the device, a first input pattern of physical parameters received at the device. The method includes wirelessly transmitting, from the device, an identification signal to a machine upon said sensing of the first input pattern. The method includes wirelessly receiving, at the device, an authentication signal indicating an authentication of the device, wherein the device is configured to interact with the machine upon the wireless receiving of the authentication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Scott E. Ligeski, Mark T. DeCou, Arjun Veneshetty, Joshua D. Reed, Bradley F. Bergerhouse
  • Publication number: 20170039788
    Abstract: A method for wireless authentication of a device to a machine is provided. The device has a sensor and the method includes sensing, by a sensor of the device, a first input pattern of physical parameters received at the device. The method includes wirelessly transmitting, from the device, an identification signal to a machine upon said sensing of the first input pattern. The method includes wirelessly receiving, at the device, an authentication signal indicating an authentication of the device, wherein the device is configured to interact with the machine upon the wireless receiving of the authentication.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2015
    Publication date: February 9, 2017
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Scott E. Ligeski, Mark T. DeCou, Arjun Veneshetty, Joshua D. Reed, Bradley F. Bergerhouse
  • Publication number: 20140191843
    Abstract: A machine security system for authenticating a machine key is disclosed. The machine security system comprises a microcontroller for detecting insertion of a machine key in a key slot of the machine. The machine key comprises of an embedded transponder. Based on detection of the machine key in the key slot, the microcontroller transmits an interrogation signal for charging the transponder. The microcontroller then receives a response signal from the transponder. The transponder sends the response signal when substantially charged by the interrogation signal. The response signal is encoded with an authentication code for authenticating the machine key. The microcontroller decodes the authentication code from the received response signal and authenticates the machine key based on the decoded authentication code.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2013
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventors: Mark T. DeCou, Paul D. Smith, Anton D. Volkov
  • Patent number: 7260930
    Abstract: A particulate trap regeneration system is provided, which may include a particulate trap having a filter medium configured to remove one or more types of particulate matter from an exhaust flow of an engine and a regeneration device configured to reduce an amount of particulate matter in the particulate trap, as well as a radio frequency-based particulate loading monitoring system configured to determine an amount of particulate matter trapped by the filter medium. The particulate loading monitoring system may include at least one radio frequency transmitting probe configured to transmit radio frequency signals of predetermined magnitude and predetermined frequency toward the filter medium and at least one radio frequency receiving probe configured to receive and measure the magnitude of received radio frequency signals that pass through the filter medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Mark T. Decou, Andrew A. Knitt, Matthew D. Fike, Brian D. Huggins, Frank B. Walton
  • Patent number: 7253641
    Abstract: A particulate sensing system for a particulate trap including a radio frequency transmit circuit and a radio frequency receive circuit is disclosed. The transmit circuit may include a wideband signal generator configured to produce a wideband radio frequency signal and a wideband radio frequency amplifier, coupled to the wideband signal generator. The transmit circuit may include a transmit antenna coupled to the wideband radio frequency amplifier and configured to propagate the wideband radio frequency signal through a filter medium. The receive circuit may include a receive antenna configured to receive the wideband radio frequency signal that has been propagated through the filter medium, and a bandpass filter coupled to the receive antenna and configured to limit a frequency range of the received wideband radio frequency signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew A. Knitt, Mark T. DeCou