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).

  • Publication number: 20210248841
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2021
    Publication date: August 12, 2021
    Inventors: JEREMY D. HELMS, MICHAEL J. SOBEL, DALE L. SPROUL, JEFFREY L. WHEELER
  • Patent number: 11010991
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: Command Alkon Incorporated
    Inventors: Jeremy D. Helms, Michael J. Sobel, Dale L. Sproul, Jeffrey L. Wheeler
  • Publication number: 20200211300
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2018
    Publication date: July 2, 2020
    Inventors: JEREMY D. HELMS, MICHAEL J. SOBEL, DALE L. SPROUL, JEFFREY L. WHEELER
  • Patent number: 6630993
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2003
    Assignee: ARC Second Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas M. Hedges, Scott C. Casteel, Andrew Dornbusch, Doug Gaff, Edmund S. Pendleton, Michael J. Sobel, Frey Wain
  • Patent number: 6545751
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: 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
  • Patent number: 6535282
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Arc Second, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas M. Hedges, Hiro Takagi, Timothy Pratt, Michael J. Sobel
  • Patent number: 6501543
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Assignee: Arc Second, Inc.
    Inventors: Tom M. Hedges, Sean Beliveau, Timothy Pratt, Rick Slater, Michael J. Sobel
  • Publication number: 20020154294
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2001
    Publication date: October 24, 2002
    Inventors: Thomas M. Hedges, Hiro Takagi, Timothy Pratt, Michael J. Sobel
  • Publication number: 20020033940
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2001
    Publication date: March 21, 2002
    Inventors: Tom M. Hedges, Sean Beliveau, Timothy Pratt, Rick Slater, Michael J. Sobel
  • Publication number: 20020008870
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2001
    Publication date: January 24, 2002
    Inventors: Sean Beliveau, Edward R. Barrientos, Yvan Beliveau, Thomas M. Hedges, Eric J. Lundberg, Edmund S. Pendleton, Timothy Pratt, Rick Slater, Michael J. Sobel