Patents by Inventor Michael Sean McDaniel

Michael Sean 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: 9041589
    Abstract: A system for determining a coverage region of a radar device is disclosed. The system may have one or more processors and a memory. The memory may store instructions that, when executed, enable the one or more processors to receive radar data generated by a radar device and lidar data generated by a lidar device. The radar data may include radar data points representing objects detected by the radar device and the lidar data may include lidar data points representing objects detected by the lidar device. The one or more processors may be further enabled to determine a radar coverage region for the radar device by comparing one or more radar data points to one or more lidar data points, and to generate data used to display a graphical representation of the radar coverage region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Hong Chang, Bradley Scott Kriel, Michael Sean McDaniel
  • Patent number: 8912878
    Abstract: A guidance system for a machine may include a scanning device configured to detect a presence of an object within a minimum desired distance of the machine, and a controller in communication with the scanning device. The controller may be configured to compare a number of times the object is detected during a time period to a number of times the object is permitted to be detected during the time period. The controller may be configured to adjust the number of times the object is permitted to be detected. Further, the controller may be configured to output an indication, when the number of times the object is detected is equal to or greater than the number of times the object is permitted to be detected, that the object is less than the minimum desired distance from the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Sean McDaniel
  • Publication number: 20130265189
    Abstract: A system for determining a coverage region of a radar device is disclosed. The system may have one or more processors and a memory. The memory may store instructions that, when executed, enable the one or more processors to receive radar data generated by a radar device and lidar data generated by a lidar device. The radar data may include radar data points representing objects detected by the radar device and the lidar data may include lidar data points representing objects detected by the lidar device. The one or more processors may be further enabled to determine a radar coverage region for the radar device by comparing one or more radar data points to one or more lidar data points, and to generate data used to display a graphical representation of the radar coverage region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2012
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Inventors: Hong Chang, Bradley Scott Kriel, Michael Sean McDaniel
  • Publication number: 20120299695
    Abstract: A guidance system for a machine may include a scanning device configured to detect a presence of an object within a minimum desired distance of the machine, and a controller in communication with the scanning device. The controller may be configured to compare a number of times the object is detected during a time period to a number of times the object is permitted to be detected during the time period. The controller may be configured to adjust the number of times the object is permitted to be detected. Further, the controller may be configured to output an indication, when the number of times the object is detected is equal to or greater than the number of times the object is permitted to be detected, that the object is less than the minimum desired distance from the machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2011
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Inventor: Michael Sean McDaniel
  • Patent number: 8099205
    Abstract: A guidance system for a mobile machine is disclosed. The guidance system may have a scanning device configured to generate a signal indicative of a lateral distance from the machine to a roadway marker, a locating device configured to determine a geographical location of the machine, and a controller in communication with the scanning device and the locating device. The controller may be configured to receive a desired lateral distance from the machine to the roadway marker, and to compare the desired lateral distance to the actual lateral distance. The controller may further be configured to implement a response to the comparison based on the geographical location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Robert M. Coats, Michael Sean McDaniel, David J. Edwards, Ramkumar Subramanian, Kenneth L. Stratton
  • Publication number: 20100010703
    Abstract: A guidance system for a mobile machine is disclosed. The guidance system may have a scanning device configured to generate a signal indicative of a lateral distance from the machine to a roadway marker, a locating device configured to determine a geographical location of the machine, and a controller in communication with the scanning device and the locating device. The controller may be configured to receive a desired lateral distance from the machine to the roadway marker, and to compare the desired lateral distance to the actual lateral distance. The controller may further be configured to implement a response to the comparison based on the geographical location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2008
    Publication date: January 14, 2010
    Inventors: Robert M. Coats, Michael Sean McDaniel, David J. Edwards, Ramkumar Subramanian, Kenneth L. Stratton