Patents by Inventor Paul D. Bratton
Paul D. Bratton 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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Patent number: 11854216Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to a method of non-contact motion detection. A one-dimensional optical sensor detects motion of a target or objects on a conveyor belt through a continuous measurement of targets or objects and a real-time comparison of the pixel images captured by the one-dimensional optical sensor. In an illustrative embodiment, a one-dimensional sensor may be configured to determine motion of objects based on changes to the captured intensities of pixel images over time. The sensor may continually capture photoelectric pixel images and compare a current pixel image with a previous pixel image to determine a frame differential image value. The frame differential image value is evaluated against a predetermined threshold over a predetermined time period. Based on the evaluation, a signal is output indicating whether the objects on the conveyor belt are moving or jammed.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2022Date of Patent: December 26, 2023Assignee: Banner Engineering Corp.Inventors: Wade Oberpriller, Paul D. Bratton, Jeff Bromen
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Publication number: 20230105280Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to a method of non-contact motion detection. A one-dimensional optical sensor detects motion of a target or objects on a conveyor belt through a continuous measurement of targets or objects and a real-time comparison of the pixel images captured by the one-dimensional optical sensor. In an illustrative embodiment, a one-dimensional sensor may be configured to determine motion of objects based on changes to the captured intensities of pixel images over time. The sensor may continually capture photoelectric pixel images and compare a current pixel image with a previous pixel image to determine a frame differential image value. The frame differential image value is evaluated against a predetermined threshold over a predetermined time period. Based on the evaluation, a signal is output indicating whether the objects on the conveyor belt are moving or jammed.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 19, 2022Publication date: April 6, 2023Applicant: Banner Engineering Corp.Inventors: Wade Oberpriller, Paul D. Bratton, Jeff Bromen
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Patent number: 11521328Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to a method of non-contact motion detection. A one-dimensional optical sensor detects motion of a target or objects on a conveyor belt through a continuous measurement of targets or objects and a real-time comparison of the pixel images captured by the one-dimensional optical sensor. In an illustrative embodiment, a one-dimensional sensor may be configured to determine motion of objects based on changes to the captured intensities of pixel images over time. The sensor may continually capture photoelectric pixel images and compare a current pixel image with a previous pixel image to determine a frame differential image value. The frame differential image value is evaluated against a predetermined threshold over a predetermined time period. Based on the evaluation, a signal is output indicating whether the objects on the conveyor belt are moving or jammed.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2020Date of Patent: December 6, 2022Assignee: BANNER ENGINEERING CORPInventors: Wade Oberpriller, Paul D. Bratton, Jeff Bromen
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Patent number: 11275196Abstract: In one aspect, an object detection system is provided that adapts to the distance between the emitter and receiver. The system may utilize a range determining operation whereby the receiver will adjust an operation threshold, such as the detected signal strength required for the receiver to indicate that no object is present. The system may increase the threshold of the receiver as the strength of the received signal from the emitter increases, and upon certain conditions, decrease the threshold of the receiver as the strength of the received signal decreases. The system may utilize different receiver thresholds corresponding with different distance ranges between the emitter and receiver. By increasing the threshold of the receiver, the system may disregard low-level reflected light, thereby avoiding ignoring legitimate obstructions, while allowing the system to operate reliably over a wide physical range between the emitter and receiver.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2020Date of Patent: March 15, 2022Assignee: The Chamberlain Group LLCInventors: Paul D. Bratton, Michael Joseph Davies, Scott E. Gavett
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Publication number: 20210118154Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to a method of non-contact motion detection. A one-dimensional optical sensor detects motion of a target or objects on a conveyor belt through a continuous measurement of targets or objects and a real-time comparison of the pixel images captured by the one-dimensional optical sensor. In an illustrative embodiment, a one-dimensional sensor may be configured to determine motion of objects based on changes to the captured intensities of pixel images over time. The sensor may continually capture photoelectric pixel images and compare a current pixel image with a previous pixel image to determine a frame differential image value. The frame differential image value is evaluated against a predetermined threshold over a predetermined time period. Based on the evaluation, a signal is output indicating whether the objects on the conveyor belt are moving or jammed.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 15, 2020Publication date: April 22, 2021Applicant: Banner Engineering Corp.Inventors: Wade Oberpriller, Paul D. Bratton, Jeff Bromen
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Publication number: 20200284943Abstract: In one aspect, an object detection system is provided that adapts to the distance between the emitter and receiver. The system may utilize a range determining operation whereby the receiver will adjust an operation threshold, such as the detected signal strength required for the receiver to indicate that no object is present. The system may increase the threshold of the receiver as the strength of the received signal from the emitter increases, and upon certain conditions, decrease the threshold of the receiver as the strength of the received signal decreases. The system may utilize different receiver thresholds corresponding with different distance ranges between the emitter and receiver. By increasing the threshold of the receiver, the system may disregard low-level reflected light, thereby avoiding ignoring legitimate obstructions, while allowing the system to operate reliably over a wide physical range between the emitter and receiver.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 6, 2020Publication date: September 10, 2020Inventors: Paul D. Bratton, Michael Joseph Davies, Scott E. Gavett
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Patent number: 10620337Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to a photoelectric sensor system with a primary photo-detector to receive an on-axis return reflected by a retro-reflective target, and a monitor photo-detector to detect off-axis light indicative of a diffuse reflective object blocking the optical path between an emitter and the retro-reflective target. In an illustrative example, the optical path may include a coaxial transceiver module that includes a beam splitter mirror to redirect the optical path. In some embodiments, a bifurcated lens may provide, for example, a lateral offset of the emitter axis through one lens, and the return axis through an adjacent parallel lens. The second photo-detector may provide, for example, an array of one or more detection surfaces to detect off-axis light associated with a diffuse reflective object, such as a white card, for example.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2019Date of Patent: April 14, 2020Assignee: Banner Engineering Corp.Inventors: Eric Lindmark, Paul D. Bratton, Dennis John Smith, Neal A. Schumacher
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Publication number: 20190331829Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to a photoelectric sensor system with a primary photo-detector to receive an on-axis return reflected by a retro-reflective target, and a monitor photo-detector to detect off-axis light indicative of a diffuse reflective object blocking the optical path between an emitter and the retro-reflective target. In an illustrative example, the optical path may include a coaxial transceiver module that includes a beam splitter mirror to redirect the optical path. In some embodiments, a bifurcated lens may provide, for example, a lateral offset of the emitter axis through one lens, and the return axis through an adjacent parallel lens. The second photo-detector may provide, for example, an array of one or more detection surfaces to detect off-axis light associated with a diffuse reflective object, such as a white card, for example.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 11, 2019Publication date: October 31, 2019Inventors: Eric Lindmark, Paul D. Bratton, Dennis John Smith, Neal A. Schumacher
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Patent number: 10393918Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to a photoelectric sensor system with a primary photo-detector to receive an on-axis return reflected by a retro-reflective target, and a monitor photo-detector to detect off-axis light indicative of a diffuse reflective object blocking the optical path between an emitter and the retro-reflective target. In an illustrative example, the optical path may include a coaxial transceiver module that includes a beam splitter mirror to redirect the optical path. In some embodiments, a bifurcated lens may provide, for example, a lateral offset of the emitter axis through one lens, and the return axis through an adjacent parallel lens. The second photo-detector may provide, for example, an array of one or more detection surfaces to detect off-axis light associated with a diffuse reflective object, such as a white card, for example.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2017Date of Patent: August 27, 2019Assignee: Banner Engineering Corp.Inventors: Eric Lindmark, Paul D. Bratton, Dennis John Smith, Neal A. Schumacher
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Publication number: 20180284321Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to a photoelectric sensor system with a primary photo-detector to receive an on-axis return reflected by a retro-reflective target, and a monitor photo-detector to detect off-axis light indicative of a diffuse reflective object blocking the optical path between an emitter and the retro-reflective target. In an illustrative example, the optical path may include a coaxial transceiver module that includes a beam splitter mirror to redirect the optical path. In some embodiments, a bifurcated lens may provide, for example, a lateral offset of the emitter axis through one lens, and the return axis through an adjacent parallel lens. The second photo-detector may provide, for example, an array of one or more detection surfaces to detect off-axis light associated with a diffuse reflective object, such as a white card, for example.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 28, 2017Publication date: October 4, 2018Inventors: Eric Lindmark, Paul D. Bratton, Dennis John Smith, Neal A. Schumacher