Patents by Inventor Michael S. McDaniel

Michael S. McDaniel 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: 8730233
    Abstract: A method for generating a three dimensional grid of terrain includes receiving data representing a three-dimensional point cloud and generating a plurality of slices of the data. The method evaluates the slices using a swarm intelligence algorithm. The method is able to identify both terrain and objects. The terrain can also be identified as traversable terrain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Michael S. McDaniel, Andrea Cappalunga, Susmita Dutta, Alberto Broggi, Stefano Cattani
  • Patent number: 8320627
    Abstract: A control system for a mobile machine is disclosed. The control system may have a first sensor mounted on the mobile machine and configured to capture a first image of a region near the mobile machine, a second sensor mounted on the mobile machine and configured to capture a second image of the region, and a controller in communication with the first and second sensors. The controller may be configured to generate a stereo image from the first and second images, compute a disparity map of the stereo image, and generate an output to affect operation of the machine when a density of the disparity map is less than a threshold density.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Michael S. McDaniel, Susmita Dutta
  • Publication number: 20120092486
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a system for controlling a plurality of machines. The system includes a camera disposed on a second machine and configured to record at least one image of a first machine. A controller is configured to be in communication with the first machine and the second machine. The controller is configured to track information associated with the recorded image of the first machine. The controller is also configured to determine a direction of movement of the second machine based on an analysis of the tracked information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Michael S. McDaniel, Jeffrey E. Jensen
  • Publication number: 20110311102
    Abstract: A control system for a mobile machine is disclosed. The control system may have a first sensor mounted on the mobile machine and configured to capture a first image of a region near the mobile machine, a second sensor mounted on the mobile machine and configured to capture a second image of the region, and a controller in communication with the first and second sensors. The controller may be configured to generate a stereo image from the first and second images, compute a disparity map of the stereo image, and generate an output to affect operation of the machine when a density of the disparity map is less than a threshold density.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2010
    Publication date: December 22, 2011
    Inventors: Michael S. McDANIEL, Susmita Dutta
  • Publication number: 20110254833
    Abstract: A method for generating a three dimensional grid of terrain includes receiving data representing a three-dimensional point cloud and generating a plurality of slices of the data. The method evaluates the slices using a swarm intelligence algorithm. The method is able to identify both terrain and objects. The terrain can also be identified as traversable terrain.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2011
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Michael S. McDaniel, Andrea Cappalunga, Susmita Dutta, Alberto Broggi, Stefano Cattani
  • Patent number: 7268671
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing an audible alarm signal. The method and apparatus includes creating a rectangular pulse signal having a desired period and a desired first amplitude, adding a shaped modulation component to the rectangular pulse signal from the desired first amplitude to a desired second amplitude to create a modulating waveform, creating a carrier signal, and combining the carrier signal and the modulating waveform to create the audible alarm signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Michael S. McDaniel, David C. Copley, Daniel E. Zimmermann
  • Patent number: 6196328
    Abstract: A drive arrangement (62) for transferring rotational motion from a pin (44) of a draft arm (14,16) of a hitch assembly (10) to a position sensor (64). The drive arrangement (62) includes a driver (68) that acts as a wear compensation mechanism (66).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Michael S. McDaniel, Vern I. Woodruff