Patents by Inventor Paul Wierenga

Paul Wierenga 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: 11806600
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and techniques for automated detection of goals and announcement of same are provided. The system includes a modified hockey puck and a set of goal units that can be mounted on a hockey goal. Within the puck are light sources, motion sensors, infrared transmitters, and a power source. Within the goal units are light sources, infrared sensors, and a microcontroller. When the goal units are mounted on the hockey goal, the infrared sensors form a detection area through which the puck must pass in order to count as a goal. The infrared transmitter of the puck and the infrared sensors of the goal units communicate with one another, and, when an infrared signal is received, the microcontroller automatically triggers one or more annunciator devices, such as visual, auditory, or haptic devices, to automatically indicate that a goal has been scored without human intervention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: GLO-FLITE LLC
    Inventors: Jamilla Kounellas, Kevin Hay, Paul Wierenga
  • Patent number: 11395953
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and techniques for automatically detecting and tracking hockey goal events during hockey play are provided. Example embodiments provide an Automated Hockey Goal Detection System or goal detection system, which enables goal events during hockey play to be automatically and immediately detected and notifications generated therefor and for automatically tracking and communicating attributes of such events such as puck speed and location. Automated event information may be automatically recorded and/or communicated to other devices, such as a remote computing device, to analyze player or game effectiveness. An example goal detection system utilizes an infrared transmitting hockey puck and an infrared sensing goal frame with one or more sets of multiple infrared sensors arranged around the perimeter of the goal frame. The goal frame may include a control unit that determines the location and speed of the puck within the goal frame by evaluation of the active sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: Glo-Flite LLC
    Inventors: Jamilla Kounellas, Kevin Hay, Paul Wierenga
  • Publication number: 20220001259
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and techniques for automated detection of goals and announcement of same are provided. The system includes a modified hockey puck and a set of goal units that can be mounted on a hockey goal. Within the puck are light sources, motion sensors, infrared transmitters, and a power source. Within the goal units are light sources, infrared sensors, and a microcontroller. When the goal units are mounted on the hockey goal, the infrared sensors form a detection area through which the puck must pass in order to count as a goal. The infrared transmitter of the puck and the infrared sensors of the goal units communicate with one another, and, when an infrared signal is received, the microcontroller automatically triggers one or more annunciator devices, such as visual, auditory, or haptic devices, to automatically indicate that a goal has been scored without human intervention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2021
    Publication date: January 6, 2022
    Inventors: Jamilla Kounellas, Kevin Hay, Paul Wierenga
  • Publication number: 20210370151
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and techniques for automatically detecting and tracking hockey goal events during hockey play are provided. Example embodiments provide an Automated Hockey Goal Detection System or goal detection system, which enables goal events during hockey play to be automatically and immediately detected and notifications generated therefor and for automatically tracking and communicating attributes of such events such as puck speed and location. Automated event information may be automatically recorded and/or communicated to other devices, such as a remote computing device, to analyze player or game effectiveness. An example goal detection system utilizes an infrared transmitting hockey puck and an infrared sensing goal frame with one or more sets of multiple infrared sensors arranged around the perimeter of the goal frame. The goal frame may include a control unit that determines the location and speed of the puck within the goal frame by evaluation of the active sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2020
    Publication date: December 2, 2021
    Inventors: Jamilla Kounellas, Kevin Hay, Paul Wierenga
  • Patent number: 11161027
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and techniques for automated detection of goals and announcement of same are provided. The system includes a modified hockey puck and a set of goal units that can be mounted on a hockey goal. Within the puck are light sources, motion sensors, infrared transmitters, and a power source. Within the goal units are light sources, infrared sensors, and a microcontroller. When the goal units are mounted on the hockey goal, the infrared sensors form a detection area through which the puck must pass in order to count as a goal. The infrared transmitter of the puck and the infrared sensors of the goal units communicate with one another, and, when an infrared signal is received, the microcontroller automatically triggers one or more annunciator devices, such as visual, auditory, or haptic devices, to automatically indicate that a goal has been scored without human intervention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: Glo-Flite LLC
    Inventors: Jamilla Kounellas, Kevin Hay, Paul Wierenga
  • Publication number: 20070007019
    Abstract: A hybrid fire extinguisher includes a solid propellant gas generator. The properties of the solid propellant selected for the gas generator can provide a predetermined discharge profile. Fire extinguisher discharge characteristics can be tailored for unique applications. In one embodiment, the discharge of the fire suppressant is controlled to be substantially constant throughout the duration or, at least, the majority of the discharge period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2006
    Publication date: January 11, 2007
    Applicant: Aerojet-General Corporation
    Inventors: Paul Wierenga, Charles Vaughan, Gary Holland
  • Publication number: 20050150665
    Abstract: A fire extinguisher includes a tank and a gas generator breech connected to the tank. The gas generator breech is provided with a hermetically sealed gas generator cartridge. The hermetically sealed gas generator cartridge avoids the need to have a release poppet or burst shims on the gas generator breech. The enclosed space that contains combustion gas pressure is provided by the gas generator cartridge itself and not the gas generator breech. The gas generator cartridge is made from a container that can be the precursor to a beverage can used for carbonated beverages. The beverage can may come in a thickness and material of construction that makes it a suitable, cost-effective container for the gas generator cartridge. However, other containers besides precursors of beverage cans can be used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2004
    Publication date: July 14, 2005
    Applicant: Aerojet-General Corporation
    Inventors: Paul Wierenga, Cristy Kumasaka, David Hobson, Alexander Mathers