Patents by Inventor Michael J. Thompson

Michael J. Thompson 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).

  • Patent number: 11856703
    Abstract: Systems, apparatus, methods, and techniques of assembly of discrete modules of a control panel are disclosed. The modules can be independently wired, tested, and installed into a control panel. Module definitions are defined specifying components to perform the electrical function, a mechanical arrangement of the components, electrical connections, and logical interactions of the module. A bill of materials can be generated based on a designation of a set of modules for a control panel and the module definitions. Modularly assembled control panels are disclosed. An assembly frame is described herein for temporarily mounting components of a module for independent assembly of a control module and for eventual removal and installation into a control panel frame. The assembly frame may include a faceplate frame and side frames and temporary mounting features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Barber, Michael J. Thompson, Beth Larae Corwin, Julian M. Alzate, Robert I. Jayne
  • Patent number: 11576298
    Abstract: A machine control system includes an agricultural work machine having an ECU coupled via a system bus to control engine functions, a GPS receiver, data collector, and specialized guidance system including a stored program. The data collector captures agricultural geospatial data including location data for the work machine and data from the ECU, and executes the stored program to: (a) capture geometries of the farm; (b) capture agricultural geospatial data; (c) automatically classify the agricultural geospatial data using the geometries of the farm, into activity/event categories including operational, travel, and ancillary events; (d) aggregate the classified data to create geospatial data events; (e) match the geospatial data events to a model to generate matched events; (f) use the matched events to generate actionable information for the working machine in real time or near real-time; and (g) send operational directives to the agricultural work machine based on the actionable information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: CropZilla Software, Inc.
    Inventors: Dustin J. Wolters, Brian H. Watkins, Michael J. Thompson
  • Patent number: 11536633
    Abstract: A system is capable of detecting substrates and can differentiate between zero, one, or multiple transparent or semi-transparent substrates in a stack. The system can include an optical sensor, an optically anti-reflective element, and a detector. The optical sensor outputs light towards the optically anti-reflective element. The light detector is positioned to detect light from the light source that is reflected by substrates, if any, positioned within a detection zone between the optically anti-reflective element and the detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: Ventana Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Thompson, Charles Nathan Hassen
  • Publication number: 20220145486
    Abstract: A product includes an aluminum alloy having an anodized layer. The alloy has a bulk composition including at least 1 wt. % of one or more rare earth elements (REEs). A product includes microstructures extending across a boundary defined between an anodized layer and an unoxidized alloy. Each microstructure includes an intermetallic phase transitioning to an oxidized intermetallic phase across the boundary. A product includes an anodized layer where up to 90% of a thickness of the layer includes voids resulting at least in part from dissolution of a rare earth element oxidized intermetallic phase. The voids are in a morphology of the dissolved oxidized intermetallic phase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2021
    Publication date: May 12, 2022
    Inventors: Scott K. McCall, David Weiss, Michael S. Kesler, Michael J. Thompson, Orlando Rios, Hunter B. Henderson, Zachary Cole Sims, Ryan T. Ott
  • Publication number: 20210360845
    Abstract: A machine control system includes an agricultural work machine having an ECU coupled via a system bus to control engine functions, a GPS receiver, data collector, and specialized guidance system including a stored program. The data collector captures agricultural geospatial data including location data for the work machine and data from the ECU, and executes the stored program to: (a) capture geometries of the farm; (b) capture agricultural geospatial data; (c) automatically classify the agricultural geospatial data using the geometries of the farm, into activity/event categories including operational, travel, and ancillary events; (d) aggregate the classified data to create geospatial data events; (e) match the geospatial data events to a model to generate matched events; (f) use the matched events to generate actionable information for the working machine in real time or near real-time; and (g) send operational directives to the agricultural work machine based on the actionable information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2021
    Publication date: November 25, 2021
    Applicant: CropZilla Software, Inc.
    Inventors: Dustin J. Wolters, Brian H. Watkins, Michael J. Thompson
  • Publication number: 20210265823
    Abstract: Systems, apparatus, methods, and techniques of assembly of discrete modules of a control panel are disclosed. The modules can be independently wired, tested, and installed into a control panel. Module definitions are defined specifying components to perform the electrical function, a mechanical arrangement of the components, electrical connections, and logical interactions of the module. A bill of materials can be generated based on a designation of a set of modules for a control panel and the module definitions. Modularly assembled control panels are disclosed. An assembly frame is described herein for temporarily mounting components of a module for independent assembly of a control module and for eventual removal and installation into a control panel frame. The assembly frame may include a faceplate frame and side frames and temporary mounting features.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2021
    Publication date: August 26, 2021
    Applicant: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Barber, Michael J. Thompson, Beth LaRae Corwin, Julian M. Alzate, Robert I. Jayne
  • Patent number: 11096323
    Abstract: A machine control system includes an agricultural work machine having an ECU coupled via a system bus to control engine functions, a GPS receiver, data collector, and specialized guidance system including a stored program. The data collector captures agricultural geospatial data including location data for the work machine and data from the ECU, and executes the stored program to: (a) capture geometries of the farm; (b) capture agricultural geospatial data; (c) automatically classify the agricultural geospatial data using the geometries of the farm, into activity/event categories including operational, travel, and ancillary events; (d) aggregate the classified data to create geospatial data events; (e) match the geospatial data events to a model to generate matched events; (f) use the matched events to generate actionable information for the working machine in real time or near real-time; and (g) send operational directives to the agricultural work machine based on the actionable information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: CropZilla Software, Inc.
    Inventors: Dustin J. Wolters, Brian H. Watkins, Michael J. Thompson
  • Publication number: 20210146492
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed implementing a lighted guard system, which changes from one color (e.g. white) when the guard is down (i.e. closed) and/or a machine associated with the guard is operational, to another color (e.g. red) when the guard is up (i.e. open) and/or the machine associated with the guard is not operational. The triggering of the change in state of the guard may be facilitated by a switch that changes state based upon a position of the guard.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2020
    Publication date: May 20, 2021
    Inventors: Paul V. Schneider, James Shepard, JR., Michael J. Thompson
  • Patent number: 10912247
    Abstract: A system and method for determining the optimal machine working direction(s) of travel for a field boundary to be used in a guidance/navigation system for machine control includes, using specific field boundary information and machine specific information to spatially simulate travel path estimates over a plurality of splayed working directions of travel to determine the optimal working direction(s) of travel for the field boundary. Optimizing the spatial field efficiency by simulating travel path estimates to select an optimal working direction(s) of travel may then be used in accordance with a machine's guidance and/or navigation system, via an information transfer system, as the reference working direction(s) of travel for the machine to guide and control itself while performing fieldwork.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: CropZilla Software, Inc.
    Inventors: Dustin J. Wolters, Brian H. Watkins, Michael J. Thompson
  • Publication number: 20200248837
    Abstract: A valve box assembly includes a pipe within the valve box assembly, a valve coupled to the pipe and a radio-frequency identification tag within the valve box assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2020
    Publication date: August 6, 2020
    Inventors: David S. Hart, Michael J. Thompson, Timothy Pierzynski
  • Publication number: 20200045873
    Abstract: A machine control system includes an agricultural work machine having an ECU coupled via a system bus to control engine functions, a GPS receiver, data collector, and specialized guidance system including a stored program. The data collector captures agricultural geospatial data including location data for the work machine and data from the ECU, and executes the stored program to: (a) capture geometries of the farm; (b) capture agricultural geospatial data; (c) automatically classify the agricultural geospatial data using the geometries of the farm, into activity/event categories including operational, travel, and ancillary events; (d) aggregate the classified data to create geospatial data events; (e) match the geospatial data events to a model to generate matched events; (f) use the matched events to generate actionable information for the working machine in real time or near real-time; and (g) send operational directives to the agricultural work machine based on the actionable information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2019
    Publication date: February 13, 2020
    Applicant: CropZilla Software, Inc.
    Inventors: Dustin J. Wolters, Brian H. Watkins, Michael J. Thompson
  • Publication number: 20200025655
    Abstract: A system is capable of detecting substrates and can differentiate between zero, one, or multiple transparent or semi-transparent substrates in a stack. The system can include an optical sensor, an optically anti-reflective element, and a detector. The optical sensor outputs light towards the optically anti-reflective element. The light detector is positioned to detect light from the light source that is reflected by substrates, if any, positioned within a detection zone between the optically anti-reflective element and the detector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2019
    Publication date: January 23, 2020
    Inventors: Michael J. Thompson, Charles Nathan Hassen
  • Patent number: 10466147
    Abstract: A system is capable of detecting substrates and can differentiate between zero, one, or multiple transparent or semi-transparent substrates in a stack. The system can include an optical sensor, an optically anti-reflective element, and a detector. The optical sensor outputs light towards the optically anti-reflective element. The light detector is positioned to detect light from the light source that is reflected by substrates, if any, positioned within a detection zone between the optically anti-reflective element and the detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: Ventana Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Thompson, Charles Nathan Hassen
  • Publication number: 20190289770
    Abstract: A system and method for determining the optimal machine working direction(s) of travel for a field boundary to be used in a guidance/navigation system for machine control includes, using specific field boundary information and machine specific information to spatially simulate travel path estimates over a plurality of splayed working directions of travel to determine the optimal working direction(s) of travel for the field boundary. Optimizing the spatial field efficiency by simulating travel path estimates to select an optimal working direction(s) of travel may then be used in accordance with a machine's guidance and/or navigation system, via an information transfer system, as the reference working direction(s) of travel for the machine to guide and control itself while performing fieldwork.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2019
    Publication date: September 26, 2019
    Inventors: Dustin J. Wolters, Brian H. Watkins, Michael J. Thompson
  • Patent number: 10368475
    Abstract: A system and method for determining the optimal machine working direction(s) of travel for a field boundary to be used in a guidance/navigation system for machine control includes, using specific field boundary information and machine specific information to spatially simulate travel path estimates over a plurality of splayed working directions of travel to determine the optimal working direction(s) of travel for the field boundary. Optimizing the spatial field efficiency by simulating travel path estimates to select an optimal working direction(s) of travel may then be used in accordance with a machine's guidance and/or navigation system, via an information transfer system, as the reference working direction(s) of travel for the machine to guide and control itself while performing fieldwork.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: Cropzilla Software, Inc.
    Inventors: Dustin J. Wolters, Brian H. Watkins, Michael J. Thompson
  • Publication number: 20190041301
    Abstract: A system is capable of detecting substrates and can differentiate between zero, one, or multiple transparent or semi-transparent substrates in a stack. The system can include an optical sensor, an optically anti-reflective element, and a detector. The optical sensor outputs light towards the optically anti-reflective element. The light detector is positioned to detect light from the light source that is reflected by substrates, if any, positioned within a detection zone between the optically anti-reflective element and the detector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2018
    Publication date: February 7, 2019
    Inventors: Michael J. Thompson, Charles Nathan Hassen
  • Patent number: 10156503
    Abstract: A system is capable of detecting substrates and can differentiate between zero, one, or multiple transparent or semi-transparent substrates in a stack. The system can include an optical sensor, an optically anti-reflective element, and a detector. The optical sensor outputs light towards the optically anti-reflective element. The light detector is positioned to detect light from the light source that is reflected by substrates, if any, positioned within a detection zone between the optically anti-reflective element and the detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: Ventana Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Thompson, Charles Nathan Hassen
  • Publication number: 20180325015
    Abstract: A machine control system includes an agricultural work machine having an ECU coupled via a system bus to control engine functions, a GPS receiver, data collector, and specialized guidance system including a stored program. The data collector captures agricultural geospatial data including location data for the work machine and data from the ECU, and executes the stored program to: (a) capture geometries of the farm; (b) capture agricultural geospatial data; (c) automatically classify the agricultural geospatial data using the geometries of the farm, into activity/event categories including operational, travel, and ancillary events; (d) aggregate the classified data to create geospatial data events; (e) match the geospatial data events to a model to generate matched events; (f) use the matched events to generate actionable information for the working machine in real time or near real-time; and (g) send operational directives to the agricultural work machine based on the actionable information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2018
    Publication date: November 15, 2018
    Applicant: CropZilla Software, Inc.
    Inventors: Dustin J. Wolters, Brian H. Watkins, Michael J. Thompson
  • Publication number: 20170300064
    Abstract: A system and method for determining the optimal machine working direction(s) of travel for a field boundary to be used in a guidance/navigation system for machine control includes, using specific field boundary information and machine specific information to spatially simulate travel path estimates over a plurality of splayed working directions of travel to determine the optimal working direction(s) of travel for the field boundary. Optimizing the spatial field efficiency by simulating travel path estimates to select an optimal working direction(s) of travel may then be used in accordance with a machine's guidance and/or navigation system, via an information transfer system, as the reference working direction(s) of travel for the machine to guide and control itself while performing fieldwork.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2017
    Publication date: October 19, 2017
    Inventors: Dustin J. Wolters, Brian H. Watkins, Michael J. Thompson
  • Patent number: 9496707
    Abstract: The present disclosure is applicable to generators with low motoring power. In one embodiment, a generator protection element may include a generator monitoring subsystem configured to measure a real power output and an imaginary power output of a generator. The system may also include an electrical parameter threshold subsystem configured to determine whether the measured real power output and the measured imaginary power output satisfy a tripping characteristic. The tripping characteristic may be defined by a function having a slope with respect to a real power axis and an imaginary power axis. In some embodiments, the function may be a piecewise function that defines a first linear segment having a first slope and a second linear segment having a second slope. The first slope and the second slope may be equal and opposite. A tripping subsystem may issue a trip command based upon satisfaction of the tripping characteristic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Thompson, Dale S. Finney