Patents by Inventor Matthew E. Kontz

Matthew E. Kontz 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: 20250214580
    Abstract: A system for speed control of a machine includes a mobile machine configured for traversing a worksite, the mobile machine including ground-engaging devices for propelling the mobile machine at a travel speed, and a vision system. The vision system includes a perception sensor and a controller. The controller is configured to receive signals from the perception sensor, determine when the perception sensor successfully identifies a target, determine when the perception sensor is unsuccessful in identifying the target, and set a travel speed limit of the machine based on whether the target was successfully identified.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2023
    Publication date: July 3, 2025
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Karl KIRSCH, Matthew D. JOHNSON, Matthew E. KONTZ
  • Patent number: 9891605
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method for determining a cleanup pass profile is provided. The method may include identifying a pass target extending from a first end to a second end along a work surface, determining one or more volume constraints based at least partially on machine load limits and volume differentials between the pass target and the work surface, generating a plurality of primitives between the first end and the second end based on the volume constraints, and adjoining the primitives to form a substantially continuous cleanup pass profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Matthew E. Kontz
  • Patent number: 9506224
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method for determining a cleanup pass profile is provided. The method may include identifying a pass target extending from a first end to a second end along a work surface, generating a plurality of primitives between the first end and the second end such that each primitive has endpoints configured to approximate at least one of the pass target, the work surface, and an endpoint of an adjoining primitive, and adjoining the primitives at the endpoints to form a substantially continuous cleanup pass profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Matthew E. Kontz
  • Patent number: 9297146
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method for automatically detecting a need for a ripping pass to be performed by a machine along a work surface is provided. The method may include monitoring one or more of machine parameters of the machine and profile parameters of the work surface, determining whether one or more predefined trigger conditions suggestive of the need for the ripping pass are met based on the machine parameters and the profile parameters, and generating a ripping pass request if one or more of the trigger conditions are satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Mo Wei, Thandava Krishna Edara, Michael Allen Taylor, Troy Kenneth Becicka, Seth J. Rodenbo, Matthew E. Kontz, Kenneth L. Stratton
  • Publication number: 20160069045
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method for automatically detecting a need for a ripping pass to be performed by a machine along a work surface is provided. The method may include monitoring one or more of machine parameters of the machine and profile parameters of the work surface, determining whether one or more predefined trigger conditions suggestive of the need for the ripping pass are met based on the machine parameters and the profile parameters, and generating a ripping pass request if one or more of the trigger conditions are satisfied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2014
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Mo Wei, Thandava Krishna Edara, Michael Allen Taylor, Troy Kenneth Becicka, Seth J. Rodenbo, Matthew E. Kontz, Kenneth L. Stratton
  • Publication number: 20160040388
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method for determining a cleanup pass profile for a machine implement is provided. The method may include identifying a pass target extending from a first end to a second end along a work surface, determining a plurality of primitives of a cleanup pass profile extending between the first end and the second end where each primitive may be defined based at least partially on volume constraints, determining a cost value associated with moving the machine implement along the cleanup pass profile based on an optimization cost function, and adjusting the volume constraints associated with one or more of the primitives to minimize the cost value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2014
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Matthew E. Kontz, Michael A. Taylor, Kenneth L. Stratton
  • Publication number: 20160040392
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method for determining a cleanup pass profile is provided. The method may include identifying a pass target extending from a first end to a second end along a work surface, determining one or more volume constraints based at least partially on machine load limits and volume differentials between the pass target and the work surface, generating a plurality of primitives between the first end and the second end based on the volume constraints, and adjoining the primitives to form a substantially continuous cleanup pass profile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2014
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventor: Matthew E. Kontz
  • Publication number: 20160040397
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method for determining a cleanup pass profile is provided. The method may include identifying a pass target extending from a first end to a second end along a work surface, generating a plurality of primitives between the first end and the second end such that each primitive has endpoints configured to approximate at least one of the pass target, the work surface, and an endpoint of an adjoining primitive, and adjoining the primitives at the endpoints to form a substantially continuous cleanup pass profile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2014
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventor: Matthew E. Kontz
  • Patent number: 8948984
    Abstract: An operator interface assembly for a machine is disclosed. The operator interface assembly comprises a base, an operator input device operable to move in a first direction in relation to the base to a second position and a third position, a first biasing member including a first spring end, and operatively associated with the base and wherein the first spring end is operable to contact the operator input device at a first position and resist movement of the operator input device in the first direction, a second biasing member including a second spring end, and operatively associated with the base and wherein the second spring end is operable to contact the operator input device at the second position, the second position different than the first position, and resist movement of the operator input device in the first direction, and a position sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew E. Kontz, Jeffrey L. Kuehn, Rustin G. Metzger, David E. Ault
  • Patent number: 8812233
    Abstract: A system for detecting an error in an inertial measurement unit (IMU) is disclosed. The system may have a first IMU including a first plurality of accelerometers and a first rotational rate measurer. The first plurality of accelerometers may be configured to measure acceleration along a plurality of first axes, a first axis of the plurality of first axes being substantially collinear with a collinear axis. The first rotational rate measurer may be configured to measure a first rotational rate about a second axis of the plurality of first axes that is substantially perpendicular to the collinear axis. The system may also have a second IMU and an IMU error detector. The IMU error detector may be configured to receive measurement data from the first IMU and the second IMU; and detect an error based on the measurement data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew E. Kontz, Harold Duane Dabbs
  • Publication number: 20130317695
    Abstract: An operator interface assembly for a machine is disclosed. The operator interface assembly comprises a base, an operator input device operable to move in a first direction in relation to the base to a second position and a third position, a first biasing member including a first spring end, and operatively associated with the base and wherein the first spring end is operable to contact the operator input device at a first position and resist movement of the operator input device in the first direction, a second biasing member including a second spring end, and operatively associated with the base and wherein the second spring end is operable to contact the operator input device at the second position, the second position different than the first position, and resist movement of the operator input device in the first direction, and a position sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2013
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Applicant: Caterpillar INc.
    Inventors: Matthew E. Kontz, Jeffrey L. Kuehn, Rustin G. Metzger, David E. Ault
  • Patent number: 8543298
    Abstract: An operator interface assembly for a machine includes a base, an operator input device, a first biasing member, and a second biasing member. The operator input device is operable to move in a direction in relation to the base. The first biasing member is operable to contact the operator input device at a first position and resist movement of the operator input device in the direction. The second biasing member is operable to contact the operator input device at a second position and resist movement of the operator input device in the direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew E. Kontz, Jeffrey L. Kuehn, Rustin G. Metzger, David E. Ault
  • Publication number: 20130160543
    Abstract: A system for detecting an error in an inertial measurement unit (IMU) is disclosed. The system may have a first IMU including a first plurality of accelerometers and a first rotational rate measurer. The first plurality of accelerometers may be configured to measure acceleration along a plurality of first axes, a first axis of the plurality of first axes being substantially collinear with a collinear axis. The first rotational rate measurer may be configured to measure a first rotational rate about a second axis of the plurality of first axes that is substantially perpendicular to the collinear axis. The system may also have a second IMU and an IMU error detector. The IMU error detector may be configured to receive measurement data from the first IMU and the second IMU; and detect an error based on the measurement data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2011
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Inventors: Matthew E. Kontz, Harold Duane Dabbs
  • Publication number: 20120310490
    Abstract: An operator interface assembly for a machine includes a base, an operator input device, a first biasing member, and a second biasing member. The operator input device is operable to move in a direction in relation to the base. The first biasing member is operable to contact the operator input device at a first position and resist movement of the operator input device in the direction. The second biasing member is operable to contact the operator input device at a second position and resist movement of the operator input device in the direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2011
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew E. Kontz, Jeffrey L. Kuehn, Rustin G. Metzger, David E. Ault