Patents by Inventor Mike E. Ciholas
Mike E. Ciholas 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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Publication number: 20150312494Abstract: A system for processing event timing images includes: area scan image sensor for generating sequential digital two-dimensional images of a scene; and time delay integration module for processing the sequential digital two-dimensional images to generate a time delay integration image of a moving object in the scene.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 28, 2014Publication date: October 29, 2015Inventors: Jeremy W. Aldridge, Kirk Sigel, Douglas DeAngelis, Mike E. Ciholas, Evan A. Hallam
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Patent number: 9041546Abstract: A system and method for detecting a position of a person or second machine relative to a machine is provided. The system includes a transmitter system located on the machine, a locator for being carried by the person, means for determining the position of said locator relative to the transmitter system, means for defining one or more safety zones around the machine; and warning means for generating a signal when said locator enters into any of said one or more safety zones. The transmitter system includes a controller for generating a uniquely encoded magnetic signal and a plurality of drivers in communication with the controller for transmitting the uniquely encoded magnetic signal. According to the method a uniquely encoded magnetic signal is generated and transmitted around the machine from a transmitter system located on the machine. The magnetic signal is received and processed at a locator carried by the person.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2014Date of Patent: May 26, 2015Assignee: Matrix Design Group, LLCInventors: Aric M. Pryor, Mike E. Ciholas, Justin E. Bennett, Timothy R. Moore, Ben Lemond, Ryan Jones, Tracy L. Hayford
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Publication number: 20140266759Abstract: A system and method for detecting a position of a person or second machine relative to a machine is provided. The system includes a transmitter system located on the machine, a locator for being carried by the person, means for determining the position of said locator relative to the transmitter system, means for defining one or more safety zones around the machine; and warning means for generating a signal when said locator enters into any of said one or more safety zones. The transmitter system includes a controller for generating a uniquely encoded magnetic signal and a plurality of drivers in communication with the controller for transmitting the uniquely encoded magnetic signal. According to the method a uniquely encoded magnetic signal is generated and transmitted around the machine from a transmitter system located on the machine. The magnetic signal is received and processed at a locator carried by the person.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2014Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: MATRIX DESIGN GROUP, LLCInventors: Aric M. Pryor, Mike E. Ciholas, Justin E. Bennett, Timothy R. Moore, Ben Lemond, Ryan Jones, Tracy L. Hayford
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Patent number: 8375838Abstract: An apparatus for weaponizing a mobile robotic platform with a mechanically triggered weapon and a firing circuit provides a weaponized mobile robotic platform, in which the mechanically triggered weapon can be fired in a safe, secure, and controlled manner in response to a single electrical pulse from the firing circuit.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2007Date of Patent: February 19, 2013Assignee: iRobot CorporationInventors: Pavlo E. Rudakevych, Mike E. Ciholas, Robert Pack
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Publication number: 20120281829Abstract: A remote digital firing system for selectively firing a plurality of remote mission payloads. The remote digital firing system includes a first set of firing circuits communicatively coupled to and operative to fire a corresponding first set of remote mission payloads and a second set of firing circuits communicatively coupled to and operative to fire a corresponding second set of remote mission payloads. The remote digital firing system includes a firing control panel communicatively linked to the first and second sets firing circuits, a first digital code plug configured to be integrated in communicative combination with each firing circuit of the first set and the firing control panel, a second digital code plug configured to be integrated in communicative combination with each firing circuit of the second set and the firing control panel, and a payload selector switch for selecting a remote mission payload.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 6, 2012Publication date: November 8, 2012Applicant: IROBOT CORPORATIONInventors: Pavlo E. Rudakevych, Mike E. Ciholas, Robert T. Pack
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Patent number: 8289170Abstract: A system and method for detecting a proximity of a person to a machine includes a first transmitter unit carried by the person, a plurality of receiver units located on the machine at know locations, and a processing unit including data defining a first boundary around the machine. The first transmitter unit transmits a magnetic proximity signal having a predetermined signal strength and a predetermined signal frequency. Each of the plurality of receiver units is for determining a received signal strength of the received magnetic proximity signal. The processing unit: determines a location of the first transmitter unit relative to the machine based on the received signal strength of the magnetic proximity signal and the known location of the plurality of receiver units; and outputs a proximity warning signal if the location of the transmitter relative to the machine is within the first boundary around the machine.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2009Date of Patent: October 16, 2012Assignee: Alliance Coal, LLCInventors: Aric Pryor, Mark Watson, Mike E. Ciholas, Justin E. Bennett, Paul R. Blaylock, Christopher J. Elpers, Evan M. Buchanan, Christopher Gander, Timothy M. DeBaillie
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Patent number: 8109191Abstract: A remote digital firing system for selectively firing a plurality of remote mission payloads. The remote digital firing system includes a first set of firing circuits communicatively coupled to and operative to fire a corresponding first set of remote mission payloads and a second set of firing circuits communicatively coupled to and operative to fire a corresponding second set of remote mission payloads. The remote digital firing system includes a firing control panel communicatively linked to the first and second sets firing circuits, a first digital code plug configured to be integrated in communicative combination with each firing circuit of the first set and the firing control panel, a second digital code plug configured to be integrated in communicative combination with each firing circuit of the second set and the firing control panel, and a payload selector switch for selecting a remote mission payload.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2009Date of Patent: February 7, 2012Assignee: iRobot CorporationInventors: Pavlo E. Rudakevych, Mike E. Ciholas, Robert T. Pack
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Publication number: 20120011992Abstract: A remote digital firing system for selectively firing a plurality of remote mission payloads. The remote digital firing system includes a first set of firing circuits communicatively coupled to and operative to fire a corresponding first set of remote mission payloads and a second set of firing circuits communicatively coupled to and operative to fire a corresponding second set of remote mission payloads. The remote digital firing system includes a firing control panel communicatively linked to the first and second sets firing circuits, a first digital code plug configured to be integrated in communicative combination with each firing circuit of the first set and the firing control panel, a second digital code plug configured to be integrated in communicative combination with each firing circuit of the second set and the firing control panel, and a payload selector switch for selecting a remote mission payload.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 20, 2009Publication date: January 19, 2012Applicant: iRobot CorporationInventors: Pavlo E. Rudakevych, Mike E. Ciholas, Robert T. Pack
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Patent number: 7843348Abstract: A system for tracking personnel and equipment in hazardous environments in pre or post-accident situations includes an intrinsically safe tracking tag and an intrinsically safe reader system. The intrinsically safe tracking tag transmits identification and status information to the intrinsically safe reader system, which includes a plurality of intrinsically safe antennas and a hub cable driver. In one embodiment, antennas are located at known positions in the hazardous environment and connected via a redundant, wired-mesh topology. The wired-mesh topology also allows more flexible antenna placement than line-of-sight wireless-mesh systems. The hub cable driver provides intrinsically safe power to and communication with the antennas using communication cables, receives data signals from the antennas, and transmits the data signals to a server. The server stores the data signals in a storage device and is connected to a workstation. The workstation retrieves the stored data to track persons or equipment.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2008Date of Patent: November 30, 2010Assignee: Alliance Coal, LLCInventors: Tracy L. Hayford, David Clardy, Mark Watson, Justin E. Bennett, Paul R. Blaylock, Timothy M. Debaillie, Mike E. Ciholas, Evan M. Buchanan, Christopher Elpers
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Publication number: 20090267787Abstract: A system and method for detecting a proximity of a person to a machine includes a first transmitter unit carried by the person, a plurality of receiver units located on the machine at know locations, and a processing unit including data defining a first boundary around the machine. The first transmitter unit transmits a magnetic proximity signal having a predetermined signal strength and a predetermined signal frequency. Each of the plurality of receiver units is for determining a received signal strength of the received magnetic proximity signal. The processing unit: determines a location of the first transmitter unit relative to the machine based on the received signal strength of the magnetic proximity signal and the known location of the plurality of receiver units; and outputs a proximity warning signal if the location of the transmitter relative to the machine is within the first boundary around the machine.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 29, 2009Publication date: October 29, 2009Applicant: Alliance Coal, LLCInventors: Aric Pryor, Mark Watson, Mike E. Ciholas, Justin E. Bennett, Paul R. Blaylock, Christopher J. Elpers, Evan M. Buchanan, Christopher Gander, Timothy M. DeBaillie
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Patent number: 7559269Abstract: A remote digital firing system includes a firing circuit operative to fire remote mission payloads, a firing control panel linked to the firing circuit, and a digital code plug configured to communicate with the firing circuit and firing control panel. The firing circuit can generate, write and store one-time random session variables to the digital code plug. The firing circuit validates digital messages received from the firing control panel by comparing one-time random session variables embodied in the messages with the stored one-time random session variables, before firing the payload.Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 2006Date of Patent: July 14, 2009Assignee: iRobot CorporationInventors: Pavlo E. Rudakevych, Mike E. Ciholas, Robert T. Pack
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Publication number: 20080266110Abstract: A system for tracking personnel and equipment in hazardous environments in pre or post-accident situations includes an intrinsically safe tracking tag and an intrinsically safe reader system. The intrinsically safe tracking tag transmits identification and status information to the intrinsically safe reader system, which includes a plurality of intrinsically safe antennas and a hub cable driver. In one embodiment, antennas are located at known positions in the hazardous environment and connected via a redundant, wired-mesh topology. The wired-mesh topology also allows more flexible antenna placement than line-of-sight wireless-mesh systems. The hub cable driver provides intrinsically safe power to and communication with the antennas using communication cables, receives data signals from the antennas, and transmits the data signals to a server. The server stores the data signals in a storage device and is connected to a workstation. The workstation retrieves the stored data to track persons or equipment.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 13, 2008Publication date: October 30, 2008Applicant: ALLIANCE COAL, LLCInventors: Tracy L. Hayford, David Clardy, Mark Watson, Justin E. Bennett, Paul R. Blaylock, Timothy M. Debaillie, Mike E. Ciholas, Evan M. Buchanan, Christopher Elpers
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Publication number: 20080121097Abstract: An apparatus for weaponizing a mobile robotic platform with a mechanically triggered weapon and a firing circuit provides a weaponized mobile robotic platform, in which the mechanically triggered weapon can be fired in a safe, secure, and controlled manner in response to a single electrical pulse from the firing circuit.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 12, 2007Publication date: May 29, 2008Applicant: IROBOT CORPORATIONInventors: Pavlo E. Rudakevych, Mike E. Ciholas, Robert Pack
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Patent number: 7143696Abstract: The present invention is directed to a remote digital firing system for firing of a remote mission payload that includes a firing circuit communicatively coupled to and operative to fire the remote mission payload, a firing control panel communicatively linked to said firing circuit, and a digital code plug configured to be integrated in communicative combination with said firing circuit and said firing control panel, wherein said firing circuit is operative, with said digital code plug integrated in communicative combination therewith, to generate and write one-time random session variables to said digital code plug and to simultaneously store said one-time random session variables internally in said firing circuit; wherein said firing control panel is operative, with said digital code plug integrated in communicative combination therewith, to generate and transmit messages having said one-time random session variable embodied therein to said firing circuit; and wherein said firing circuit validates said mesType: GrantFiled: December 28, 2004Date of Patent: December 5, 2006Assignee: iRobot CorporationInventors: Pavlo E. Rudakevych, Mike E. Ciholas, Robert T. Pack
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Patent number: 6860206Abstract: The present invention is directed to a remote digital firing system for firing of a remote mission payload that includes a firing circuit communicatively coupled to and operative to fire the remote mission payload, a firing control panel communicatively linked to said firing circuit, and a digital code plug configured to be integrated in communicative combination with said firing circuit and said firing control panel, wherein said firing circuit is operative, with said digital code plug integrated in communicative combination therewith, to generate and write one-time random session variables to said digital code plug and to simultaneously store said one-time random session variables internally in said firing circuit; wherein said firing control panel is operative, with said digital code plug integrated in communicative combination therewith, to generate and transmit messages having said one-time random session variable embodied therein to said firing circuit; and wherein said firing circuit validates said mesType: GrantFiled: December 13, 2002Date of Patent: March 1, 2005Assignee: IRobot CorporationInventors: Pavlo E. Rudakevych, Mike E. Ciholas, Robert T. Pack