Patents by Inventor Michael J. Martin

Michael J. Martin 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).

  • Pipe inspection system camera heads
    Patent number: 9824433
    Abstract: Camera heads for use in pipe inspection systems are disclosed. In one embodiment a camera head includes a body; an image sensor disposed in the body for generating images of an interior of a pipe or cavity in which the camera head is inserted, and processing circuitry operatively coupled to the image sensor to automatically capture images or video frames by the camera head within the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: SEESCAN, INC.
    Inventors: Mark S. Olsson, Michael J Martin, Ray Merewether, Stephanie M Bench, Tran Nguyen
  • Optical ground tracking apparatus, systems, and methods
    Patent number: 9784837
    Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed for tracking movement over the ground or other surfaces of tools or instruments or equipment, such as buried object locators or other devices, and generating motion, position, location, mapping and/or related information for tracked locations, as well as measuring and storing associated signals and other information detected or generated during tracking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: SEESCAN, INC.
    Inventors: Mark S. Olsson, Michael J. Martin, Sequoyah Aldridge, Ray Merewether
  • GROUND TRACKING APPARATUS, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS
    Publication number: 20170263018
    Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed for tracking movement over the ground or other surfaces using two or more spaced apart cameras and an associated processing element to detect ground features in images from the cameras and determine tracking parameters based on the position of the detected ground features in the images.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2015
    Publication date: September 14, 2017
    Applicant: SeeScan, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark S. Olsson, Scott A. Powell, Nicholas A. Smith, Garrett A. Newby, Ryan B. Levin, Thomas R. Kok, Michael J. Martin
  • Portable buried utility locating systems with current signal data communication
    Patent number: 9746573
    Abstract: Systems for locating hidden utilities using a portable transmitter for generating and coupling current signals to the hidden utility and a portable locator including a display for providing a representation of a current signal ratio are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: SEESCAN, INC.
    Inventors: Mark S. Olsson, David A. Cox, Michael J. Martin, Ray Merewether, Amos Jessup
  • OMNI-INDUCER TRANSMITTING DEVICES AND METHODS
    Publication number: 20170235010
    Abstract: Omnidirectional electromagnetic signal inducer (“omni-inducer”) devices are disclosed for generating utility locating current signals, at one or more frequencies in on or more time intervals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2016
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Applicant: SeeScan, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark S. Olsson, Ray Merewether, Jan Soukup, Michael J. Martin
  • Utility locator systems and methods
    Patent number: 9703002
    Abstract: Utility locators for determining information associated with a buried utility are disclosed. The utility locator includes magnetic field antenna elements and processing circuits to determine information associated with a buried utility based at least in part on received magnetic field signals emitted from the buried object. The locator may include one or more modules to receive map information and/or annotate reference objects with the map information on a display of the locator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: SEESCAN, INC.
    Inventors: Mark S. Olsson, Michael J. Martin, Anthony L. Coduti
  • GRADIENT ANTENNA COILS AND ARRAYS FOR USE IN LOCATING SYSTEMS
    Publication number: 20170192120
    Abstract: Buried object locators including an omnidirectional antenna array and a gradient array are disclosed. A locator display may include information associated with a buried object based on both omnidirectional antenna array signals and gradient antenna array signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2016
    Publication date: July 6, 2017
    Applicant: SeeScan, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark S. Olsson, Ray Merewether, Michael J. Martin, Ryan B. Levin
  • Buried object locating methods and apparatus using multiple electromagnetic signals
    Patent number: 9696447
    Abstract: A method of locating buried objects using a locator having at least one antenna array including three mutually orthogonal antennas each sharing a common center point includes simultaneously determining a plurality of magnetic fields associated with a plurality of different electromagnetic signals and providing a visual indication of the determined magnetic fields on a display of the locator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: SEESCAN, INC.
    Inventors: Mark S. Olsson, Dawn E. Schaffer, Ray Merewether, Michael J. Martin, David A. Cox
  • Magnetic sensing user interface device methods and apparatus using electromagnets and associated magnetic sensors
    Patent number: 9678577
    Abstract: User interface devices with electromagnetic dipole array and associated magnetic sensors, control circuits, and processing elements for determining user actuation of the device are disclosed. In one embodiment a user interface device include an electromagnetic dipole array coupled to an actuator, along with a three-axis magnetic sensor and control and processing elements for controlling driving currents to the dipole array and sensing and processing received magnetic field signals to determine movement or displacement of the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: SEESCAN, INC.
    Inventors: Austin S. Rutledge, Ray Merewether, Michael J. Martin, Mark S. Olsson
  • LOCATING DEVICES, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS USING FREQUENCY SUITES FOR UTILITY DETECTION
    Publication number: 20170131422
    Abstract: This disclosure is directed to utility locating systems, devices, and methods using frequency suites of simultaneously processed signals emitted from buried utilities to locate the buried utilities or other hidden or buried conductors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2016
    Publication date: May 11, 2017
    Applicant: SeeScan, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark S. Olsson, Stephanie M. Bench, Michael J. Martin, Ray Merewether, Paul Wisecaver, Austin Rutledge
  • MAGNETICALLY SENSED USER INTERFACE DEVICES
    Publication number: 20170134024
    Abstract: A user interface device including a floating actuator sub-assembly and a base assembly flexibly coupled to the floating actuator assembly is disclosed. The floating actuator assembly may include a magnet array assembly with a plurality of magnets fixed relative to each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2016
    Publication date: May 11, 2017
    Applicant: SeeScan, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark S. Olsson, Austin Rutledge, Loni M. Canepa, Alexander L. Warren, Michael E. Turgeon, Ray Merewether, Michael J. Martin
  • Quad-gradient coils for use in locating systems
    Patent number: 9638824
    Abstract: Buried object locators including an omnidirectional antenna array and a quad gradient array are disclosed. A locator display may include information associated with a buried object based on both omnidirectional antenna array signals and quad gradient antenna array signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: SEESCAN, INC.
    Inventors: Mark S. Olsson, Ray Merewether, Michael J. Martin, Ryan B. Levin
  • GROUND TRACKING APPARATUS, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS
    Publication number: 20170084052
    Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed for tracking movement over the ground or other surfaces using two or more spaced apart cameras and an associated processing element to detect ground features in images from the cameras and determine tracking parameters based on the position of the detected ground features in the images.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2015
    Publication date: March 23, 2017
    Applicant: SeeScan, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark S. Olsson, Scott A. Powell, Nicholas A. Smith, Garrett A. Newby, Ryan B. Levin, Thomas R. Kok, Michael J. Martin
  • PIPE INSPECTION SYSTEM CAMERA HEADS
    Publication number: 20170024872
    Abstract: Camera heads for use in pipe inspection systems are disclosed. In one embodiment a camera head includes a body; an image sensor disposed in the body for generating images of an interior of a pipe or cavity in which the camera head is inserted, and processing circuitry operatively coupled to the image sensor to automatically capture images or video frames by the camera head within the object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2015
    Publication date: January 26, 2017
    Applicant: SeeScan, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark S. Olsson, Michael J. Martin, Ray Merewether, Stephanie M. Bench, Tran Nguyen
  • Magnetic sensing buried object locator including a camera
    Patent number: 9523788
    Abstract: Portable locators for detecting a buried object characterized by an electromagnetic (EM) field emission are disclosed. A locator may include a magnetic field sensor array and associated processing circuitry. A locator may further include a camera and image or video processing circuitry to process images or video received from the camera. A locator may further include a user-reconfigurable user interface (UI).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: SEESCXIN, INC.
    Inventors: Mark S. Olsson, Paul G. Stuart, David A. Cox, Ray Merewether, Dawn E. Shaffer, Ryan B. Levin, Michael J. Martin
  • Virtual terminal display for a vehicle
    Patent number: 9513932
    Abstract: A system and method for displaying data associated with an embedded system is provided that may include a vehicle data bus, an electronic control unit, and a display unit. The display unit may be configured to render a graphical user interface for the electronic control unit. Data may be exchanged between the electronic control unit and the display unit via the vehicle data bus in partial compliance with a virtual terminal protocol, where full compliance with the virtual terminal protocol requires that the graphical user interface rendered by the display unit be defined and controlled by the electronic control unit. Contrary to the requirement of full compliance with the virtual terminal protocol, the graphical user interface in the display unit may be defined and controlled by the display unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Wayne A. Andersen, Michael J. Martin, Steven R. Procuniar, David C. Smart, Michael A. Waldo
  • Omni-inducer transmitting devices and methods
    Patent number: 9494706
    Abstract: Omnidirectional electromagnetic signal inducer (omni-inducer) devices are disclosed. The omni-inducer device may include a housing, which may include a conductive base for coupling signals to ground, and an omnidirectional antenna node including a plurality of antenna coil assemblies, where the node may be disposed on or within the housing. The omni-inducer device may further include one or more transmitter modules for generating ones of a plurality of output signals, which may be generated at ones of a plurality of different frequencies, and one or more control circuits configured to control the transmitters and/or other circuits to selectively switch the ones of the plurality of output signals between ones of the plurality of antenna coil assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: SEESCAN, INC.
    Inventors: Mark S. Olsson, Ray Merewether, Jan Soukup, Michael J. Martin
  • Gradient antenna coils and arrays for use in locating systems
    Patent number: 9488747
    Abstract: Buried object locators including an omnidirectional antenna array and a gradient array are disclosed. A locator display may include information associated with a buried object based on both omnidirectional antenna array signals and gradient antenna array signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: SEESOON, INC.
    Inventors: Mark S. Olsson, Ray Merewether, Michael J. Martin, Ryan B. Levin
  • Image-based mapping locating system
    Patent number: 9465129
    Abstract: A locator system for locating buried utilities such as conduits, cables, pipes or wires incorporates image-capturing and position and orientation measuring devices such as magnetic compass, accelerometers, gyros, GPS, and DGPS. The system may include other sensors such as gas concentration sensors. The system associates images captured during the locate process with buried utility position data and the other sensor data. These data and images may be further associated with terrain images from satellites or aerial photography to provide a highly precision map and database of buried utility locations and visual images of the burial site. Information so obtained may be transferred to a hand-held personal communication device (such as a smart phone) capable of displaying an augmented or virtual reality display showing the location of buried utilities in combination with photo-images and/or terrain maps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: SEE SCAN, INC.
    Inventors: Mark S. Olsson, Paul G. Stuart, Michael J. Martin, Paul Wisecaver, Ray Merewether
  • INSPECTION CAMERA DEVICES AND METHODS WITH SELECTIVELY ILLUMINATED MULTISENSOR IMAGING
    Publication number: 20160261829
    Abstract: Camera head apparatus, systems, and methods for providing wide angle/panoramic images and/or video of the interior of pipes or other cavities using multiple imaging and illumination modules are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2015
    Publication date: September 8, 2016
    Applicant: SeeScan, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark S. Olsson, Alexander L. Warren, Nicholas A. Smith, Michael J. Martin, Scott A. Powell