Patents by Inventor Nicholas L. Butts

Nicholas L. Butts 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: 12145744
    Abstract: An aviation integrated optics and lighting unit for securing to a light receptacle of an aircraft. The aviation integrated optics and lighting unit comprises a housing, a light-emitting device, and an optical sensor. The light-emitting device is secured to the housing. The optical sensor is positioned in the housing and is configured to capture optical data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2024
    Assignee: Appareo Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Matt Dondoneau, Kristofer Garberg, Nicholas L. Butts
  • Publication number: 20240034483
    Abstract: An aviation integrated optics and lighting unit for securing to a light receptacle of an aircraft. The aviation integrated optics and lighting unit comprises a housing, a light-emitting device, and an optical sensor. The light-emitting device is secured to the housing. The optical sensor is positioned in the housing and is configured to capture optical data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2023
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Inventors: Matt Dondoneau, Kristofer Garberg, Nicholas L. Butts
  • Patent number: 11858655
    Abstract: An aviation integrated optics and lighting unit for securing to a light receptacle of an aircraft. The aviation integrated optics and lighting unit comprises a housing, a light-emitting device, and an optical sensor. The light-emitting device is secured to the housing. The optical sensor is positioned in the housing and is configured to capture optical data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Appareo Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Matt Dondoneau, Kristofer Garberg, Nicholas L. Butts
  • Publication number: 20230022495
    Abstract: An aviation integrated optics and lighting unit for securing to a light receptacle of an aircraft. The aviation integrated optics and lighting unit comprises a housing, a light-emitting device, and an optical sensor. The light-emitting device is secured to the housing. The optical sensor is positioned in the housing and is configured to capture optical data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2022
    Publication date: January 26, 2023
    Applicant: Appareo Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Matt Dondoneau, Kristofer Garberg, Nicholas L. Butts
  • Patent number: 11250847
    Abstract: A wireless communication system includes a smart device configured for transcribing text-to-speech (STT) for display. The smart device interfaces with a radio communications device, for example, in an aircraft (AC). The system includes a filter for optimizing STT functions. Such functions are further optimized by restricting the databases of information, including geographic locations, aircraft identifications and carrier information, whereby the database search functions are optimized. Methods for wireless communications using smart devices and STT functionality are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: Appareo Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Joshua N. Gelinske, Bradley R. Thurow, Jesse S. Trana, Dakota M. Smith, Nicholas L. Butts, Jeffrey L. Johnson, Derek B. Aslakson, Jaden C. Young
  • Patent number: 11018754
    Abstract: An RF communications (COMM) system includes a COMM antenna connected to a signal processing unit including a multi-channel analog navigation/communications (NAV/COMM) transceiver and an analog COMM transmitter. The system is configured for switching between the transceiver and the transmitter, based on preprogrammed parameters including prioritizing signals based on keywords, system location and other parameters. An aircraft application is disclosed. A global navigation satellite subsystem (GNSS) subsystem can be connected to the signal processing unit for locating the telecommunications system. A method includes the steps of providing an RF communications system for aircraft and other applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: Appareo Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Greg M. Middlestead, Robert M. Allen, Nicholas L. Butts, Jordan M. Dahl, Joshua N. Gelinske, John Michael Zietz
  • Patent number: 10890657
    Abstract: An ADS-B transponder system is associated with a vehicle including a transponder. The system includes a universal access transceiver (UAT) subsystem configured for detecting and responding to an interrogation signal by broadcasting a signal representing a vehicle parameter. The interrogation signal can be detected by monitoring current fluctuations in a power bus on the vehicle. The UAT subsystem is connected to a smart antenna configured for transmitting and receiving ADS-B signals. In an aircraft (A/C) application the vehicle parameter can comprise squawk code, altitude, heading vector, airspeed and other flight data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: Appareo Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Nicholas L. Butts, Robert M. Allen, Bradley R. Thurow, Greg S. Middlestead
  • Patent number: 10821460
    Abstract: An innovative spraying system, comprising features such as a weather station that senses environmental factors that may affect spraying operations, a system for creating and distributing droplets of a uniform and appropriate size, a flow management system that would allow the sprayer to control nozzle rate and direction individually, a high-rate flow system capable of filling the sprayer at rates of up to at least 400 gallons per minute, a modular chemical cartridge system, in which various chemicals are stored in pre-loaded, easy to install cartridges, a direct injection system, mixing chemicals and water as needed, optionally based on sensed changing conditions, electrostatic application of chemical to optimize the amount of chemical applied to plant matter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: Intelligent Agricultural Solutions LLC
    Inventors: David C. Batcheller, Barry D. Batcheller, Marshall T. Bremer, Bradley R. Thurow, Nicholas L. Butts, Jeffrey L. Johnson, Paul A. Nystuen, Joseph A. Heilman, Robert J. Volesky, Jonathan L. Tolstedt
  • Publication number: 20200322040
    Abstract: An RF communications (COMM) system includes a COMM antenna connected to a signal processing unit including a multi-channel analog navigation/communications (NAV/COMM) transceiver and an analog COMM transmitter. The system is configured for switching between the transceiver and the transmitter, based on preprogrammed parameters including prioritizing signals based on keywords, system location and other parameters. An aircraft application is disclosed. A global navigation satellite subsystem (GNSS) subsystem can be connected to the signal processing unit for locating the telecommunications system. A method includes the steps of providing an RF communications system for aircraft and other applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2019
    Publication date: October 8, 2020
    Inventors: Greg M. Middlestead, Robert M. Allen, Nicholas L. Butts, Jordan M. Dahl, Joshua N. Gelinske, John Michael Zietz
  • Publication number: 20200027457
    Abstract: A wireless communication system includes a smart device configured for transcribing text-to-speech (STT) for display. The smart device interfaces with a radio communications device, for example, in an aircraft (AC). The system includes a filter for optimizing STT functions. Such functions are further optimized by restricting the databases of information, including geographic locations, aircraft identifications and carrier information, whereby the database search functions are optimized. Methods for wireless communications using smart devices and STT functionality are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2019
    Publication date: January 23, 2020
    Inventors: Joshua N. Gelinske, Bradley R. Thurow, Jesse S. Trana, Dakota M. Smith, Nicholas L. Butts, Jeffrey L. Johnson, Derek B. Aslakson, Jaden C. Young
  • Patent number: 10318138
    Abstract: A harvesting machine capable of automatic adjustment, comprising a plurality of acoustic material flow sensors, a control system, a processor, and application software, wherein the plurality of acoustic material flow sensors are mounted internal to the harvesting machine at points of crop material flow and are capable of sensing an amount of crop material passing by them. The control system operates in a cause-and-affect mode for interactively enabling manual or automatic responses to Mass Material Distribution (MMD) information and equipment-related performance parameters. An interactive combine control method is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: INTELLIGENT AGRICULTURAL SOLUTIONS LLC
    Inventors: Flemming Schøler, Barry D. Batcheller, Marshall T. Bremer, Nicholas L. Butts, Paul A. Nystuen, Adam A. Reich, Bradley K. Schleusner, Bradley R. Thurow
  • Publication number: 20190049576
    Abstract: An ADS-B transponder system is associated with a vehicle including a transponder. The system includes a universal access transceiver (UAT) subsystem configured for detecting and responding to an interrogation signal by broadcasting a signal representing a vehicle parameter. The interrogation signal can be detected by monitoring current fluctuations in a power bus on the vehicle. The UAT subsystem is connected to a smart antenna configured for transmitting and receiving ADS-B signals. In an aircraft (A/C) application the vehicle parameter can comprise squawk code, altitude, heading vector, airspeed and other flight data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2018
    Publication date: February 14, 2019
    Inventors: Nicholas L. Butts, Robert M. Allen, Bradley R. Thurow, Greg S. Middlestead
  • Patent number: 10085379
    Abstract: A grain quality sensor comprising a photosite array, an illumination source, a filter, and an electronics module, wherein the illumination source directs light onto a crop sample, wherein the filter limits passage of light into different parts of the photosite array such that certain locations on the photosite array only receive certain wavelengths of light reflected or fluoresced by the crop sample, wherein an electronics module is electrically connected to the photosite array and capable of determining which parts of the photosite array received light and the wavelengths of the light received, wherein the electronics module can analyze the optical data received by the photosite array, and wherein the analysis of the optical data is used to determine the composition of the crop sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: Appareo Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Bradley K. Schleusner, Marshall T. Bremer, Nicholas L. Butts
  • Publication number: 20180111148
    Abstract: An innovative spraying system, comprising features such as a weather station that senses environmental factors that may affect spraying operations, a system for creating and distributing droplets of a uniform and appropriate size, a flow management system that would allow the sprayer to control nozzle rate and direction individually, a high-rate flow system capable of filling the sprayer at rates of up to at least 400 gallons per minute, a modular chemical cartridge system, in which various chemicals are stored in pre-loaded, easy to install cartridges, a direct injection system, mixing chemicals and water as needed, optionally based on sensed changing conditions, electrostatic application of chemical to optimize the amount of chemical applied to plant matter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2016
    Publication date: April 26, 2018
    Inventors: David C. Batcheller, Barry D. Batcheller, Marshall T. Bremer, Bradley R. Thurow, Nicholas L. Butts, Jeffrey L. Johnson, Paul A. Nystuen, Joseph A. Heilman, Robert J. Volesky, Jonathan L. Tolstedt
  • Publication number: 20180000011
    Abstract: A grain quality sensor comprising a photosite array, an illumination source, a filter, and an electronics module, wherein the illumination source directs light onto a crop sample, wherein the filter limits passage of light into different parts of the photosite array such that certain locations on the photosite array only receive certain wavelengths of light reflected or fluoresced by the crop sample, wherein an electronics module is electrically connected to the photosite array and capable of determining which parts of the photosite array received light and the wavelengths of the light received, wherein the electronics module can analyze the optical data received by the photosite array, and wherein the analysis of the optical data is used to determine the composition of the crop sample.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2017
    Publication date: January 4, 2018
    Inventors: Bradley K. Schleusner, Marshall T. Bremer, Nicholas L. Butts
  • Patent number: 9775290
    Abstract: A crop mass predictive sensor, comprising an imaging device, a laser-based device such as a LIDAR, a first radar emitting a frequency of energy that is absorbed by plant mass, and a second radar emitting a frequency of energy that passes through plant mass without being absorbed, wherein the imaging device, laser-based device, first radar, and second radar are focused on the crop material in front of an agricultural vehicle, and the information gathered from the imaging device, laser-based device, first radar, and second radar is used to calculate an estimated mass for the crop material that is about to enter the agricultural vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Intelligent Agricultural Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Bradley K. Schleusner, Marshall T. Bremer, Nicholas L. Butts, Flemming Schøler
  • Patent number: 9756785
    Abstract: A grain quality sensor comprising a lens, a filter, a photosite array, an illumination source, and an electronics module, wherein the illumination source directs light containing a known set of wavelengths onto a crop sample, wherein the lens picks up light reflected by the crop sample and directs it into the filter, which allows light to pass into different parts of the photosite array such that certain locations on the photosite array only get certain frequencies of the reflected light, wherein the electronics module is electrically connected to the photosite array and capable of determining which parts of the photosite array received light and what frequency the light received was, wherein the electronics module can analyze the optical data received by the photosite array, and wherein the analysis of the optical data is used to determine the composition of different parts of the crop sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: Appareo Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Nicholas L. Butts, Marshall T. Bremer, Jonathan L. Tolstedt
  • Publication number: 20170235471
    Abstract: A harvesting machine capable of automatic adjustment, comprising a plurality of acoustic material flow sensors, a control system, a processor, and application software, wherein the plurality of acoustic material flow sensors are mounted internal to the harvesting machine at points of crop material flow and are capable of sensing an amount of crop material passing by them. The control system operates in a cause-and-affect mode for interactively enabling manual or automatic responses to Mass Material Distribution (MMD) information and equipment-related performance parameters. An interactive combine control method is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2017
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Inventors: Flemming Schøler, Barry D. Batcheller, Marshall T. Bremer, Nicholas L. Butts, Paul A. Nystuen, Adam A. Reich, Bradley K. Schleusner, Bradley R. Thurow
  • Patent number: 9723784
    Abstract: A crop quality sensor, comprising an illumination source, an imaging device, and a processor executing application software. The illumination source is shone onto a crop sample, and an image is taken with the imaging device of the illuminated crop sample. The software executing on the processor is used to analyze the image to identify the outlines of individual kernels and to identify which of those outlines contain a specular highlight, indicative that the kernel is whole and unbroken, while the absence of such a specular highlight is indicative of a broken kernel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: Appareo Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Marshall T. Bremer, Nicholas L. Butts
  • Patent number: 9629308
    Abstract: A harvesting machine capable of automatic adjustment, comprising a plurality of acoustic material flow sensors, a control system, a processor, and application software, wherein the plurality of acoustic material flow sensors are mounted internal to the harvesting machine at points of crop material flow and are capable of sensing an amount of crop material passing by them, wherein the control system is capable of adjusting a plurality of internal elements of the harvesting machine, wherein the software is hosted on the processor, and the processor is operatively coupled to the control system and the acoustic material flow sensors, wherein the software uses information sensed by the acoustic material flow sensors to determine if the internal elements of the harvesting machine are set for optimal machine performance, and the software sends commands to the internal elements of the harvesting machine in order to improve the machine performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: Intelligent Agricultural Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Flemming Schøler, Barry D. Batcheller, Marshall T. Bremer, Nicholas L. Butts, Paul A. Nystuen, Adam A. Reich, Bradley K. Schleusner, Bradley R Thurow