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).
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Patent number: 11856703Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 25, 2021Date of Patent: December 26, 2023Assignee: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.Inventors: Michael Barber, Michael J. Thompson, Beth Larae Corwin, Julian M. Alzate, Robert I. Jayne
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Patent number: 11576298Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 7, 2021Date of Patent: February 14, 2023Assignee: CropZilla Software, Inc.Inventors: Dustin J. Wolters, Brian H. Watkins, Michael J. Thompson
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Patent number: 11536633Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 20, 2019Date of Patent: December 27, 2022Assignee: Ventana Medical Systems, Inc.Inventors: Michael J. Thompson, Charles Nathan Hassen
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Publication number: 20220145486Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 9, 2021Publication date: May 12, 2022Inventors: Scott K. McCall, David Weiss, Michael S. Kesler, Michael J. Thompson, Orlando Rios, Hunter B. Henderson, Zachary Cole Sims, Ryan T. Ott
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Publication number: 20210360845Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 7, 2021Publication date: November 25, 2021Applicant: CropZilla Software, Inc.Inventors: Dustin J. Wolters, Brian H. Watkins, Michael J. Thompson
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Publication number: 20210265823Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 25, 2021Publication date: August 26, 2021Applicant: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.Inventors: Michael Barber, Michael J. Thompson, Beth LaRae Corwin, Julian M. Alzate, Robert I. Jayne
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Patent number: 11096323Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 24, 2018Date of Patent: August 24, 2021Assignee: CropZilla Software, Inc.Inventors: Dustin J. Wolters, Brian H. Watkins, Michael J. Thompson
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Publication number: 20210146492Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 13, 2020Publication date: May 20, 2021Inventors: Paul V. Schneider, James Shepard, JR., Michael J. Thompson
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Patent number: 10912247Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 10, 2019Date of Patent: February 9, 2021Assignee: CropZilla Software, Inc.Inventors: Dustin J. Wolters, Brian H. Watkins, Michael J. Thompson
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Publication number: 20200248837Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 21, 2020Publication date: August 6, 2020Inventors: David S. Hart, Michael J. Thompson, Timothy Pierzynski
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Publication number: 20200045873Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 4, 2019Publication date: February 13, 2020Applicant: CropZilla Software, Inc.Inventors: Dustin J. Wolters, Brian H. Watkins, Michael J. Thompson
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Publication number: 20200025655Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 20, 2019Publication date: January 23, 2020Inventors: Michael J. Thompson, Charles Nathan Hassen
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Patent number: 10466147Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 23, 2018Date of Patent: November 5, 2019Assignee: Ventana Medical Systems, Inc.Inventors: Michael J. Thompson, Charles Nathan Hassen
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Publication number: 20190289770Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 10, 2019Publication date: September 26, 2019Inventors: Dustin J. Wolters, Brian H. Watkins, Michael J. Thompson
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Patent number: 10368475Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 18, 2017Date of Patent: August 6, 2019Assignee: Cropzilla Software, Inc.Inventors: Dustin J. Wolters, Brian H. Watkins, Michael J. Thompson
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Publication number: 20190041301Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 23, 2018Publication date: February 7, 2019Inventors: Michael J. Thompson, Charles Nathan Hassen
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Patent number: 10156503Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 5, 2013Date of Patent: December 18, 2018Assignee: Ventana Medical Systems, Inc.Inventors: Michael J. Thompson, Charles Nathan Hassen
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Publication number: 20180325015Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 24, 2018Publication date: November 15, 2018Applicant: CropZilla Software, Inc.Inventors: Dustin J. Wolters, Brian H. Watkins, Michael J. Thompson
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Publication number: 20170300064Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 18, 2017Publication date: October 19, 2017Inventors: Dustin J. Wolters, Brian H. Watkins, Michael J. Thompson
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Patent number: 9496707Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 22, 2014Date of Patent: November 15, 2016Assignee: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.Inventors: Michael J. Thompson, Dale S. Finney