Patents by Inventor Nicholas Chan

Nicholas Chan 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).

  • Publication number: 20170314381
    Abstract: A control system for a machine including a perception system comprising at least one sensor disposed on the machine and generating data signals pertaining to the machine and an environment associated with the machine and a controller communicably coupled to the perception system for receiving the data signals from the at least one sensor and determining from the data signals terrain features associated with the work site and presence of one or more objects on the work site or the machine, determining geometry of the at least one sensor, location of the at least one sensor on the machine, generating a field of view for the at least one sensor, estimating cast shadow for at least one object of the one or more objects based on the geometry and location of the at least one sensor and comparing the field of view with the cast shadow to determine sensor blockage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2016
    Publication date: November 2, 2017
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Nicolas François-Xavier Christophe Vandapel, Nicholas Chan, Michael Karl Wilhelm Happold, Syed Waqas Hassan Tirmizi
  • Publication number: 20170307362
    Abstract: An environment recognition system for a machine operating at a worksite is provided. A processing device of the environment recognition system receives a plurality of data points from at least one perception sensor. The processing device generates an environment map and detects a plurality of objects. Further, the processing device extracts a geometry and computes an expected shadow of each of the plurality of detected objects. The processing device detects one or more missing data points indicative of a casted shadow of the respective detected object. The processing device computes a geometry of the casted shadow and compares the casted shadow with the expected shadow of the respective detected object. The processing device determines whether the geometry of any of the plurality of detected objects has been misestimated based on the comparison of the casted shadow with the expected shadow of the respective detected object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2016
    Publication date: October 26, 2017
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Nicolas François-Xavier Christophe Vandapel, Michael Karl Wilhelm Happold, Nicholas Chan
  • Patent number: 9703290
    Abstract: A method for operating a machine on a worksite is disclosed. The method includes detecting a forward worksite condition and a rearward worksite condition relative to the machine, respectively by a first image capturing module and a second image capturing module. Thereafter, the method includes determination of a measure of effect of the machine on the worksite by comparing the rearward worksite condition with the forward worksite condition. The measure of effect is one of a deviation of an actual machine path with a baseline operational path or an impression left by the machine on the worksite. Finally, controlling one or more parameters related to a movement of the machine over the worksite, based on the measure of effect, is carried out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Nicolas François-Xavier Christophe Vandapel, Nicholas Chan, Michael Karl Wilhelm Happold, Andrew James Capodieci, Meenal Patel
  • Publication number: 20090265839
    Abstract: A fluid safety liner includes a liner of closed-cell foam that uses a series of channels and reservoirs to spread forces and distribute fluid contained within the liner throughout different areas of the liner. The liner is useable in protective gear such as a helmet and has a shape that conforms to the area of protection. The channel and reservoir system generally includes a mesh of coupled channels and reservoirs in the closed-cell foam. The channel and reservoir system also generally includes an incompressible fluid movable throughout the system for redistributing pressure and absorbing the force of any impact through viscous flow. The reduction in peak force and lengthening of the duration of the force reduces the biomechanical severity (e.g. HIC, Head Injury Criterion) of a blow to the protective gear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2007
    Publication date: October 29, 2009
    Applicant: MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Laurence Young, Nicholas Chan, Jason Ruchelsman