Patents by Inventor Michael J. Sobel
Michael J. Sobel 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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Publication number: 20210248841Abstract: A system for automatically detecting an operational event for a bulk material hauler vehicle. The system includes a sensor mounted on the bulk material hauler vehicle, which is adapted for hauling a bulk material such as an aggregate. The system further includes a telematics system provided on the bulk material hauler vehicle. The telematics system includes a processor running software (or executing instructions or code) for detecting the operational event (e.g., providing functions of a load and unload detection module or discriminator as described herein). During vehicle operations, the sensor transmits sensor data to the telematics system, and the detecting of the operational event includes retrieving a signature definition for the operational event and then verifying the sensor data meets requirements of the signature definition. In some embodiments of the system, the operational event is loading the bulk material on or unloading the bulk material from the vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 30, 2021Publication date: August 12, 2021Inventors: JEREMY D. HELMS, MICHAEL J. SOBEL, DALE L. SPROUL, JEFFREY L. WHEELER
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Patent number: 11010991Abstract: A system for automatically detecting an operational event for a bulk material hauler vehicle. The system includes a sensor mounted on the bulk material hauler vehicle, which is adapted for hauling a bulk material such as an aggregate. The system further includes a telematics system provided on the bulk material hauler vehicle. The telematics system includes a processor running software (or executing instructions or code) for detecting the operational event (e.g., providing functions of a load and unload detection module or discriminator as described herein). During vehicle operations, the sensor transmits sensor data to the telematics system, and the detecting of the operational event includes retrieving a signature definition for the operational event and then verifying the sensor data meets requirements of the signature definition. In some embodiments of the system, the operational event is loading the bulk material on or unloading the bulk material from the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: December 31, 2018Date of Patent: May 18, 2021Assignee: Command Alkon IncorporatedInventors: Jeremy D. Helms, Michael J. Sobel, Dale L. Sproul, Jeffrey L. Wheeler
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Publication number: 20200211300Abstract: A system for automatically detecting an operational event for a bulk material hauler vehicle. The system includes a sensor mounted on the bulk material hauler vehicle, which is adapted for hauling a bulk material such as an aggregate. The system further includes a telematics system provided on the bulk material hauler vehicle. The telematics system includes a processor running software (or executing instructions or code) for detecting the operational event (e.g., providing functions of a load and unload detection module or discriminator as described herein). During vehicle operations, the sensor transmits sensor data to the telematics system, and the detecting of the operational event includes retrieving a signature definition for the operational event and then verifying the sensor data meets requirements of the signature definition. In some embodiments of the system, the operational event is loading the bulk material on or unloading the bulk material from the vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 31, 2018Publication date: July 2, 2020Inventors: JEREMY D. HELMS, MICHAEL J. SOBEL, DALE L. SPROUL, JEFFREY L. WHEELER
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Patent number: 6630993Abstract: Positions can be precisely and accurately fixed instantaneously within a three-dimensional workspace. A system of two or more transmitters each continuously sweep the workspace with two fanned laser beams which are preferably about 90 degrees apart on the rotational axis of the transmitter. A receiving instrument includes, preferably, two light detectors which detect the time at which each fanned laser beam is incident thereon. The light detectors also detect a synchronization pulse from each transmitter that is emitted once per revolution. Beams from different transmitters are differentiated by different rotational speeds and, therefore, different beam incidence cycles. Because three intersecting planes uniquely define a point in three-dimensional space, by detecting at least three of the fan beams from the transmitters, the receiving instrument can calculate its position in the workspace. A Quick Calc setup procedure allows the use to define a desired coordinate system within the workspace.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2000Date of Patent: October 7, 2003Assignee: ARC Second Inc.Inventors: Thomas M. Hedges, Scott C. Casteel, Andrew Dornbusch, Doug Gaff, Edmund S. Pendleton, Michael J. Sobel, Frey Wain
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Patent number: 6545751Abstract: An improved low cost theodolite position measurement system and process which is particularly useful in enabling a single operator to conveniently set up the system and calculate elevation (el) and azimuth (az) angle data. Only a single optical transmitter is positioned within a predetermined workspace thus significantly decreasing equipment costs and setup time. The single transmitter is positioned and leveled at a predetermined point in the workspace. In operation the single rotatably mounted transmitter head illuminates the workspace volume with a pair of spaced apart precalibrated fan beams which sweep the space and a periodically emitted reference strobe pulse. At least one optical receiver is selectively positionable within said workspace so that during each revolution of said single transmitter head said receiver receives a first position strike and a second position strike of said fan beams.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2001Date of Patent: April 8, 2003Assignee: Arc Second, Inc.Inventors: Sean Beliveau, Edward R. Barrientos, Yvan Beliveau, Thomas M. Hedges, Eric J. Lundberg, Edmund S. Pendleton, Timothy Pratt, Rick Slater, Michael J. Sobel
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Patent number: 6535282Abstract: An improved three-dimensional position detector and measurement system includes one or more transmitters that each transmit planar light beams and a strobe pulse and a receiver that responds to illumination from the beams and the strobe. The receiver in the system includes calibration logic for executing a quadratic mathematical algorithm to uniquely characterize said planar beams of each of said optical transmitters active in said measurement field. In one embodiment, the quadratic mathematical algorithm uses cones to represent the scan path of the planar beams.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2001Date of Patent: March 18, 2003Assignee: Arc Second, Inc.Inventors: Thomas M. Hedges, Hiro Takagi, Timothy Pratt, Michael J. Sobel
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Patent number: 6501543Abstract: An improved receiver for use in a robotic theodolite spatial positioning apparatus that allows a single user to determine elevation and azimuth angle data. To determine elevation angle of the receiver, the receiver has a sensor that receives a first position signal and a second position signal emitted from an optical transmitter. The receiver outputs a first and a second receive signal. A calculator in the receiver determines the first interval time separation between the first and second receive signals, converts the first time interval separation into elevation angle data and outputs the elevation angle data. A display in the receiver receives and displays the elevation angle data. The receiver is selectively positionable within a workspace.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2001Date of Patent: December 31, 2002Assignee: Arc Second, Inc.Inventors: Tom M. Hedges, Sean Beliveau, Timothy Pratt, Rick Slater, Michael J. Sobel
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Publication number: 20020154294Abstract: An improved three-dimensional position detector and measurement system includes one or more transmitters that each transmit planar light beams and a strobe pulse and a receiver that responds to illumination from the beams and the strobe. The receiver in the system includes calibration logic for executing a quadratic mathematical algorithm to uniquely characterize said planar beams of each of said optical transmitters active in said measurement field. In one embodiment, the quadratic mathematical algorithm uses cones to represent the scan path of the planar beams.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 30, 2001Publication date: October 24, 2002Inventors: Thomas M. Hedges, Hiro Takagi, Timothy Pratt, Michael J. Sobel
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Publication number: 20020033940Abstract: An improved receiver for use in a robotic theodolite spatial positioning apparatus that allows a single user to determine elevation and azimuth angle data. To determine elevation angle of the receiver, the receiver has a sensor that receives a first position signal and a second position signal emitted from an optical transmitter. The receiver outputs a first and a second receive signal. A calculator in the receiver determines the first interval time separation between the first and second receive signals, converts the first time interval separation into elevation angle data and outputs the elevation angle data. A display in the receiver receives and displays the elevation angle data. The receiver is selectively positionable within a workspace.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 26, 2001Publication date: March 21, 2002Inventors: Tom M. Hedges, Sean Beliveau, Timothy Pratt, Rick Slater, Michael J. Sobel
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Publication number: 20020008870Abstract: An improved low cost theodolite position measurement system and process which is particularly useful in enabling a single operator to conveniently set up the system and calculate elevation (el) and azimuth (az) angle data. Only a single optical transmitter is positioned within a predetermined workspace thus significantly decreasing equipment costs and setup time. The single transmitter is positioned and leveled at a predetermined point in the workspace. In operation the single rotatably mounted transmitter head illuminates the workspace volume with a pair of spaced apart precalibrated fan beams which sweep the space and a periodically emitted reference strobe pulse. At least one optical receiver is selectively positionable within said workspace so that during each revolution of said single transmitter head said receiver receives a first position strike and a second position strike of said fan beams.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 26, 2001Publication date: January 24, 2002Inventors: Sean Beliveau, Edward R. Barrientos, Yvan Beliveau, Thomas M. Hedges, Eric J. Lundberg, Edmund S. Pendleton, Timothy Pratt, Rick Slater, Michael J. Sobel