Patents by Inventor Matthew J. Blackford
Matthew J. Blackford 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: 11979696Abstract: In some examples, a system includes an article of personal protective equipment (PPE) having at least one sensor configured to generate a stream of usage data; and an analytical stream processing component comprising: a communication component that receives the stream of usage data; a memory configured to store at least a portion of the stream of usage data and at least one model for detecting a safety event signature, wherein the at least one model is trained based as least in part on a set of usage data generated by one or more other articles of PPE of a same type as the article of PPE; and one or more computer processors configured to: detect the safety event signature in the stream of usage data based on processing the stream of usage data with the model, and generate an output in response to detecting the safety event signature.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2023Date of Patent: May 7, 2024Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Steven T. Awiszus, Eric C. Lobner, Michael G. Wurm, Kiran S. Kanukurthy, Jia Hu, Matthew J. Blackford, Keith G. Mattson, Ronald D. Jesme, Nathan J. Anderson
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Publication number: 20230394644Abstract: A personal protective equipment (PPE) interrogation device that uses auditory or visual data to ascertain a readiness state of the article of PPE. The auditory or visual data come from an inspection of the article of personal protective equipment in advance of determining whether the article ready for use.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 4, 2021Publication date: December 7, 2023Inventors: Marie D. Manner, Lydia R. Carlson, Joseph P. Kronzer, Jonathan D. Gandrud, Longin J. Kloc, Shane A. Hainey, Matthew J. Blackford, Caroline M. Ylitalo, Muhammad J. Afridi, Michael A. McCoy
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Publication number: 20230276151Abstract: In some examples, a system includes an article of personal protective equipment (PPE) having at least one sensor configured to generate a stream of usage data; and an analytical stream processing component comprising: a communication component that receives the stream of usage data; a memory configured to store at least a portion of the stream of usage data and at least one model for detecting a safety event signature, wherein the at least one model is trained based as least in part on a set of usage data generated by one or more other articles of PPE of a same type as the article of PPE; and one or more computer processors configured to: detect the safety event signature in the stream of usage data based on processing the stream of usage data with the model, and generate an output in response to detecting the safety event signature.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 5, 2023Publication date: August 31, 2023Inventors: Steven T. Awiszus, Eric C. Lobner, Michael G. Wurm, Kiran S. Kanukurthy, Jia Hu, Matthew J. Blackford, Keith G. Mattson, Ronald D. Jesme, Nathan J. Anderson
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Patent number: 11724136Abstract: A fall-protection apparatus that includes a computing device configured to detect a mechanical command signal, and methods of using such an apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2018Date of Patent: August 15, 2023Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Matthew J. Blackford, Steven T. Awiszus, Ronald D. Jesme, Eric C. Lobner
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Patent number: 11689833Abstract: In some examples, a system includes an article of personal protective equipment (PPE) having at least one sensor configured to generate a stream of usage data; and an analytical stream processing component comprising: a communication component that receives the stream of usage data; a memory configured to store at least a portion of the stream of usage data and at least one model for detecting a safety event signature, wherein the at least one model is trained based as least in part on a set of usage data generated by one or more other articles of PPE of a same type as the article of PPE; and one or more computer processors configured to: detect the safety event signature in the stream of usage data based on processing the stream of usage data with the model, and generate an output in response to detecting the safety event signature.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2022Date of Patent: June 27, 2023Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Steven T. Awiszus, Eric C. Lobner, Michael G. Wurm, Kiran S. Kanukurthy, Jia Hu, Matthew J. Blackford, Keith G. Mattson, Ronald D. Jesme, Nathan J. Anderson
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Patent number: 11541256Abstract: A fall arresting device including a device housing, a shaft within the housing, a rotor assembly rotatably connected to the shaft that includes a drum and a disc having at least one region of a ferromagnetic material, an extendable lifeline connected to the drum, a magnetic sensor positioned stationary relative to the device housing and adjacent to the disc, and a that includes a hard-magnetic material. The magnet positioned stationary relative the device housing and the magnetic sensor, where the magnetic sensor is configured to detect a change in a magnetic field produced by the magnet when the disc rotates about the shaft, the change in the magnetic field induced by the at least one region of the ferromagnetic material being brought within close proximity to the magnet as the disc rotates.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2018Date of Patent: January 3, 2023Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Matthew J. Blackford, Zohaib Hameed, Ronald D. Jesme
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Publication number: 20220256257Abstract: In some examples, a system includes an article of personal protective equipment (PPE) having at least one sensor configured to generate a stream of usage data; and an analytical stream processing component comprising: a communication component that receives the stream of usage data; a memory configured to store at least a portion of the stream of usage data and at least one model for detecting a safety event signature, wherein the at least one model is trained based as least in part on a set of usage data generated by one or more other articles of PPE of a same type as the article of PPE; and one or more computer processors configured to: detect the safety event signature in the stream of usage data based on processing the stream of usage data with the model, and generate an output in response to detecting the safety event signature.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 26, 2022Publication date: August 11, 2022Inventors: Steven T. Awiszus, Eric C. Lobner, Michael G. Wurm, Kiran S. Kanukurthy, Jia Hu, Matthew J. Blackford, Keith G. Mattson, Ronald D. Jesme, Nathan J. Anderson
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Publication number: 20220203143Abstract: Fall protection equipment, such as a self-retracting lifeline (SRL), including features that enable the SRL to communicate sound to a user or data, or signals to a wireless device.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 12, 2020Publication date: June 30, 2022Inventors: Matthew J. Blackford, James P. Gardner, Jr., Scott E. Brigham
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Publication number: 20220164746Abstract: In some examples, a system includes an article of hearing protection assigned to a worker, and a portable computing device assigned to the worker; a remote computing device communicatively coupled to the portable computing device, the remote computing device configured to receive sound level data that indicate different sound levels at different, respective locations of a work environment; determine, based on location data received from the portable computing device, an amount of sound received by the worker over a period of time; identify an updated location in the work environment having a sound level that is different from a current location, based at least in part on the article of hearing protection, the amount of sound, and the sound level data that indicates different sound levels at different, respective locations; and generate a notification that instructs the worker to move from the current location to the updated location.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 11, 2022Publication date: May 26, 2022Inventors: Kiran S. Kanukurthy, Steven R. Digre, Darcey L. Holloway, Eric C. Lobner, Ted K. Madison, Philip J. Savoie, Pegeen S. Smith, Lauraine L Wells, Michael G. Wurm, Cameron J. Fackler, James D. Brown, Matthew J. Blackford, Steven T. Awiszus, Elliott H. Berger
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Patent number: 11343598Abstract: In some examples, a system includes an article of personal protective equipment (PPE) having at least one sensor configured to generate a stream of usage data; and an analytical stream processing component comprising: a communication component that receives the stream of usage data; a memory configured to store at least a portion of the stream of usage data and at least one model for detecting a safety event signature, wherein the at least one model is trained based as least in part on a set of usage data generated by one or more other articles of PPE of a same type as the article of PPE; and one or more computer processors configured to: detect the safety event signature in the stream of usage data based on processing the stream of usage data with the model, and generate an output in response to detecting the safety event signature.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2019Date of Patent: May 24, 2022Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Steven T. Awiszus, Eric C. Lobner, Michael G. Wurm, Kiran S. Kanukurthy, Jia Hu, Matthew J. Blackford, Keith G. Mattson, Ronald D. Jesme, Nathan J. Anderson
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Patent number: 11263568Abstract: In some examples, a system includes an article of hearing protection assigned to a worker, and a portable computing device assigned to the worker; a remote computing device communicatively coupled to the portable computing device, the remote computing device configured to receive sound level data that indicate different sound levels at different, respective locations of a work environment; determine, based on location data received from the portable computing device, an amount of sound received by the worker over a period of time; identify an updated location in the work environment having a sound level that is different from a current location, based at least in part on the article of hearing protection, the amount of sound, and the sound level data that indicates different sound levels at different, respective locations; and generate a notification that instructs the worker to move from the current location to the updated location.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2017Date of Patent: March 1, 2022Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Kiran S. Kanukurthy, Steven R. Digre, Darcey L. Holloway, Eric C. Lobner, Ted K. Madison, Philip J. Savoie, Pageen S. Smith, Lauraine L. Wells, Michael G. Wurm, Cameron J. Fackler, James D. Brown, Matthew J. Blackford, Steven T. Awiszus, Elliott H. Berger
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Patent number: 11260252Abstract: A fall protection device comprises an energy harvester to generate electrical power in response to movement of an elongate member and a circuit powered by the generated electrical power; an impact indicator connected to an elongate member, a controller connected to the elongate member and/or the impact indicator to generate a message in response to impact, and a transmitter connected to the controller to transmit the message; and/or a sensor connected to an elongate member and a controller connected to the sensor to generate a message in response to movement of the elongate member. The fall protection device could include a generator to generate electrical power, an energy storage capacitor to store the generated electrical power, a controller powered by the energy storage capacitor to generate a message in response to action, and a wireless transmitter powered by the energy storage capacitor to transmit the message.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2017Date of Patent: March 1, 2022Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Matthew J. Blackford, Jia Hu, Jay A. Esch, Ronald D. Jesme, Orlin B. Knudson, Jonathan E. Reneberg, Jared C. Ferraro
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Patent number: 11143220Abstract: A tether clip for interconnecting an anchor structure and an accessory comprises an upper clamping member, a lower clamping member, and a biasing member. The lower clamping member is pivotally connected to the upper clamping member, and the biasing member biases the upper clamping member and the lower clamping member in a closed position. A lower lanyard receiving end and an upper lanyard receiving end are adapted to receive a lanyard connected to the accessory. When the lanyard is under a tensile load, a lateral force is exerted on the lower lanyard receiving end and the upper lanyard receiving end, which translates to a torsional load on the upper clamping end and the lower clamping end to place a stronger clamping force on the anchor structure in the closed position.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2018Date of Patent: October 12, 2021Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Travis P. Betcher, Matthew P. Thoms, Matthew J. Blackford
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Publication number: 20210308502Abstract: There is provided fall protection equipment, such as a self-retracting lifeline (SRL), including features that enable the SRL to determine a worker's location and a map of a surface on which the worker is working. There is also provided an SRL having a lifeline with a distal end for connection to a user, at least one sensor adapted to determine the tension in the lifeline, and a computing device comprising a processor and a memory.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 5, 2019Publication date: October 7, 2021Inventors: Matthew J. Blackford, Michael A. Boraas, Ronald D. Jesme, Nitsan Ben-Gal Nguyen, Peter L. Olson
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Publication number: 20210216773Abstract: In some examples, a system includes an article of personal protective equipment (PPE) configured to present an (AR) augmented reality display to a user and at least one computing device. The computing device may include a memory and one or more processors coupled to the memory. The memory may include instructions that when executed by the one or more processors identify a field of view of the user, determine information relating to the field of view of the user, generate one or more indicator images related to the determined information of the field of view, and generate the AR display including at least the one or more indicator images.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 1, 2019Publication date: July 15, 2021Inventors: Kandyce M. Bohannon, Britton G. Billingsley, Matthew J. Blackford, Ronald D. Jesme, Johannes P.M. Kusters, Caroline M. Ylitalo
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Publication number: 20210126972Abstract: In some examples, a system includes a set of personal protection equipment (PPE) controlled by a particular user, wherein an article of PPE in the set of PPE is of a particular type. The computing device may be controlled by the particular user and includes one or more computer processors that: execute, based on receiving a message that is generated by the article of PPE in response to a PPE-handshake input that is unique to the particular type of the article of PPE, a set of PPE-handshake operations to establish a connection with the article of PPE; and output for display, using data received by the second communication device from the first communication device via the connection, a graphical user interface that is based at least in part on the data received from the article of PPE that sent the message.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 10, 2018Publication date: April 29, 2021Inventors: Eric C. Lobner, Matthew J. Blackford, Daniel E. G. Gullberg, Emil R. Eriksson, Micayla A. Johnson
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Publication number: 20200206550Abstract: A fall arresting device including a device housing, a shaft within the housing, a rotor assembly rotatably connected to the shaft that includes a drum and a disc having at least one region of a ferromagnetic material, an extendable lifeline connected to the drum, a magnetic sensor positioned stationary relative to the device housing and adjacent to the disc, and a that includes a hard-magnetic material. The magnet positioned stationary relative the device housing and the magnetic sensor, where the magnetic sensor is configured to detect a change in a magnetic field produced by the magnet when the disc rotates about the shaft, the change in the magnetic field induced by the at least one region of the ferromagnetic material being brought within close proximity to the magnet as the disc rotates.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 9, 2018Publication date: July 2, 2020Inventors: Matthew J. Blackford, Zohaib Hameed, Ronald D. Jesme
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Patent number: 10688323Abstract: A safety device with fall arrest and descending modes includes a housing, a drum, a lifeline, first and second brake assemblies, and a control. The drum is rotatably operatively connected to the housing. The lifeline has an intermediate portion interconnecting a first end and a second end. The first end is operatively connected to the drum. The first and second assemblies are operatively connected to the drum. The control is operatively connected to the first and second brake assemblies and has a first position and a second position. The first position selectively engages the first brake assembly in a descending mode and the second position selectively engages the second brake assembly in a fall arrest mode.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2009Date of Patent: June 23, 2020Assignee: D B INDUSTRIES, LLCInventors: J. Thomas Wolner, Scott C. Casebolt, Gabriel Grant Gamache, Matthew J. Blackford, Vincent G. Meillet, Joseph Robert Kaiser
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Publication number: 20200124066Abstract: A tether clip for interconnecting an anchor structure and an accessory comprises an upper clamping member, a lower clamping member, and a biasing member. The lower clamping member is pivotally connected to the upper clamping member, and the biasing member biases the upper clamping member and the lower clamping member in a closed position. A lower lanyard receiving end and an upper lanyard receiving end are adapted to receive a lanyard connected to the accessory. When the lanyard is under a tensile load, a lateral force is exerted on the lower lanyard receiving end and the upper lanyard receiving end, which translates to a torsional load on the upper clamping end and the lower clamping end to place a stronger clamping force on the anchor structure in the closed position.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 5, 2018Publication date: April 23, 2020Inventors: Travis P. BETCHER, Matthew P. THOMS, Matthew J. BLACKFORD
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Publication number: 20200120405Abstract: In some examples, a system includes an article of personal protective equipment (PPE) having at least one sensor configured to generate a stream of usage data; and an analytical stream processing component comprising: a communication component that receives the stream of usage data; a memory configured to store at least a portion of the stream of usage data and at least one model for detecting a safety event signature, wherein the at least one model is trained based as least in part on a set of usage data generated by one or more other articles of PPE of a same type as the article of PPE; and one or more computer processors configured to: detect the safety event signature in the stream of usage data based on processing the stream of usage data with the model, and generate an output in response to detecting the safety event signature.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 16, 2019Publication date: April 16, 2020Inventors: Steven T. Awiszus, Eric C. Lobner, Michael G. Wurm, Kiran S. Kanukurthy, Jia Hu, Matthew J. Blackford, Keith G. Mattson, Ronald D. Jesme, Nathan J. Anderson