Patents by Inventor Nicholas Craft

Nicholas Craft 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).

  • Device and method for generating a virtual model of an installation
    Patent number: 7054793
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for generating a virtual installation model (2) as an image of a real installation (1). As a database therefor, digital picture data (4) representing pictures of a real installation (1) on the one hand and installation components (13) of a component library (6) on the other hand are used. The data of the installation components as well as the digital picture data (4) of the real installation (1) is evaluated by means of an image analysis (5). Based on this analysis, the identified installation components (13) are assigned to the virtually generated installation model (2). The virtual image of the real installation thus created serves to document the actual structure of the installation/facility, to simplify failure analysis, e.g., in areas that are difficult to access, and/or to operate and monitor the installation/facility. In addition to geometric data, functional data, etc. of the installation components are also stored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Soeren Moritz, Wolfgang Friedrich, Ali-Reza Bani-Hashemi, Nicholas Craft, Nassir Navab, Frank Sauer
  • Device and method for generating a virtual model of an installation
    Publication number: 20010025229
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for generating a virtual installation model (2) as an image of a real installation (1). As a database therefor, digital picture data (4) representing pictures of a real installation (1) on the one hand and installation components (13) of a component library (6) on the other hand are used. The data of the installation components as well as the digital picture data (4) of the real installation (1) is evaluated by means of an image analysis (5). Based on this analysis, the identified installation components (13) are assigned to the virtually generated installation model (2). The virtual image of the real installation thus created serves to document the actual structure of the installation/facility, to simplify failure analysis, e.g., in areas that are difficult to access, and/or to operate and monitor the installation/facility. In addition to geometric data, functional data, etc. of the installation components are also stored.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2001
    Publication date: September 27, 2001
    Inventors: Soeren Moritz, Wolfgang Friedrich, Ali-Reza Bani-Hashemi, Nicholas Craft, Nassir Navab, Frank Sauer