Patents by Inventor Preston C. Phillips

Preston C. Phillips 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: 20230280224
    Abstract: A calibration monitoring system is provided to automatically monitor the calibration status of tools and other inventory items, such as upon the items being issued from or returned to the automated calibration monitoring system. The system identifies an inventory item, for example a calibrated torque wrench or other calibrated tool identified based on a unique identifying tag attached thereto. The system retrieves a calibration parameter value for the item from a calibration database, and completes a calibration measurement of the item based on the calibration parameter value. In the example, a torque measurement of the calibrated torque wrench can thus be automatically completed. In turn, the system determines a current calibration status of the item based on the calibration measurement, and selectively enables or disables issuance of the inventory item from the system according to the item's status as being in calibration or out of calibration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2023
    Publication date: September 7, 2023
    Inventors: David C. Fly, Matthew J. Lipsey, Preston C. Phillips, Jason D. Newport, Andrew R. Lobo, Joseph Chwan, Frederick J. Rogers, Sean W. Ryan, Thomas L. Kassouf
  • Publication number: 20230249913
    Abstract: The present application describes an automated inventory control system that comprises a storage device, a sensing system, a data storage, and one or more processors. The storage device includes a plurality of storage locations for storing objects. The sensing system is configured to associate the storage device with a first location and with a second location. The data storage is configured to store configurable data of the storage device. The one or more processors are configured to send configurable data corresponding to the first location to the storage device in response to receiving information associating the storage device with the first location from the sensing system. In response to receiving information associating the storage device with the second location from the sensing system, the one or more processors are configured to send configurable data corresponding to the second location to the storage device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2023
    Publication date: August 10, 2023
    Inventors: David C. FLY, Matthew J. LIPSEY, Preston C. PHILLIPS, Jason NEWPORT, Andrew R. LOBO, Joseph CHWAN, Frederick J. ROGERS, Sean W. RYAN
  • Patent number: 11686635
    Abstract: A calibration monitoring system is provided to automatically monitor the calibration status of tools and other inventory items, such as upon the items being issued from or returned to the automated calibration monitoring system. The system identifies an inventory item, for example a calibrated torque wrench or other calibrated tool identified based on a unique identifying tag attached thereto. The system retrieves a calibration parameter value for the item from a calibration database, and completes a calibration measurement of the item based on the calibration parameter value. In the example, a torque measurement of the calibrated torque wrench can thus be automatically completed. In turn, the system determines a current calibration status of the item based on the calibration measurement, and selectively enables or disables issuance of the inventory item from the system according to the item's status as being in calibration or out of calibration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Snap-On Incorporated
    Inventors: David C. Fly, Matthew J. Lipsey, Preston C. Phillips, Jason D. Newport, Andrew R. Lobo, Joseph Chwan, Frederick J. Rogers, Sean W. Ryan, Thomas L. Kassouf
  • Patent number: 11655102
    Abstract: The present application describes an automated inventory control system that comprises a storage device, a sensing system, a data storage, and one or more processors. The storage device includes a plurality of storage locations for storing objects. The sensing system is configured to associate the storage device with a first location and with a second location. The data storage is configured to store configurable data of the storage device. The one or more processors are configured to send configurable data corresponding to the first location to the storage device in response to receiving information associating the storage device with the first location from the sensing system. In response to receiving information associating the storage device with the second location from the sensing system, the one or more processors are configured to send configurable data corresponding to the second location to the storage device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: Snap-On Incorporated
    Inventors: David C. Fly, Matthew J. Lipsey, Preston C. Phillips, Jason Newport, Andrew R. Lobo, Joseph Chwan, Frederick J. Rogers, Sean W. Ryan
  • Patent number: 11562566
    Abstract: An inventory control system comprises an object storage device, a display device, and one or more processors. The object storage device includes a plurality of compartments, in which each compartment has a plurality of storage locations for storing objects. The display device is configured to display information about the object storage device. The one or more processors are configured to establish a description database of objects configured for storage in the inventory control system. The one or more processors retrieve object keywords corresponding to objects stored in the plurality of storage locations of one of the plurality of compartments. The one or more processors also generate a text block based on the retrieved object keywords. On the display device, the one or more processors display a representation of the plurality of compartments of the object storage device with the text block applied to the one of the plurality of compartments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: Snap-On Incorporated
    Inventors: Matthew J. Lipsey, David C. Fly, Preston C. Phillips, Jason Newport, Cody L. Houston, Joseph Chwan, Frederick J. Rogers, Sean W. Ryan
  • Publication number: 20210396613
    Abstract: A calibration monitoring system is provided to automatically monitor the calibration status of tools and other inventory items, such as upon the items being issued from or returned to the automated calibration monitoring system. The system identifies an inventory item, for example a calibrated torque wrench or other calibrated tool identified based on a unique identifying tag attached thereto. The system retrieves a calibration parameter value for the item from a calibration database, and completes a calibration measurement of the item based on the calibration parameter value. In the example, a torque measurement of the calibrated torque wrench can thus be automatically completed. In turn, the system determines a current calibration status of the item based on the calibration measurement, and selectively enables or disables issuance of the inventory item from the system according to the item's status as being in calibration or out of calibration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2021
    Publication date: December 23, 2021
    Inventors: David C. FLY, Matthew J. LIPSEY, Preston C. PHILLIPS, Jason D. NEWPORT, Andrew R. LOBO, Joseph CHWAN, Frederick J. ROGERS, Sean W. RYAN, Thomas L. KASSOUF
  • Patent number: 11085841
    Abstract: A calibration monitoring system is provided to automatically monitor the calibration status of tools and other inventory items, such as upon the items being issued from or returned to the automated calibration monitoring system. The system identifies an inventory item, for example a calibrated torque wrench or other calibrated tool identified based on a unique identifying tag attached thereto. The system retrieves a calibration parameter value for the item from a calibration database, and completes a calibration measurement of the item based on the calibration parameter value. In the example, a torque measurement of the calibrated torque wrench can thus be automatically completed. In turn, the system determines a current calibration status of the item based on the calibration measurement, and selectively enables or disables issuance of the inventory item from the system according to the item's status as being in calibration or out of calibration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: SNAP-ON INCORPORATED
    Inventors: David C. Fly, Matthew J. Lipsey, Preston C. Phillips, Jason D. Newport, Andrew R. Lobo, Joseph Chwan, Frederick J. Rogers, Sean W. Ryan, Thomas L. Kassouf
  • Publication number: 20210158040
    Abstract: An asset management system automatically generates and updates tool data stored in and used by the system for determining the presence or absence of tools or other inventory objects in the systems. The tool data can be automatically generated when a tool is newly added to the automated asset management system, and can be updated if and when characteristics of the tool and/or automated asset management system change. The automatic generation and updating includes automatically recognizing unique identifiers of tags located on inventory objects, automatically identifying an inventory object to associate with each unique identifier, and automatically populating a database to store each unique identifier in association with stored data for the corresponding inventory object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2021
    Publication date: May 27, 2021
    Inventors: Matthew J. LIPSEY, David C. FLY, Preston C. PHILLIPS, Jason NEWPORT, Andrew R. LOBO, Joseph CHWAN, Frederick J. ROGERS, Sean W. RYAN, Thomas L. KASSOUF
  • Publication number: 20210125141
    Abstract: An inventory control system comprises an object storage device, one or more processors, a display device, and a mobile device. The object storage device includes a plurality of compartments, and each compartment includes a plurality of storage locations for storing objects. The one or more processors are configured to establish a database containing information regarding the object storage device, retrieve the information regarding the object storage device from the database, and generate an optical symbol based on the information regarding the object storage device. The display device is associated with the object storage device and configured to display the optical symbol. The mobile device is configured to capture an image of the optical symbol, obtain the information regarding the object storage device based on the image of the optical symbol, and display the information regarding the object storage device on a display screen of the mobile device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2020
    Publication date: April 29, 2021
    Inventors: Matthew J. LIPSEY, David C. FLY, Preston C. PHILLIPS, Jason NEWPORT, Cody L. HOUSTON, Joseph CHWAN, Frederick J. ROGERS, Sean W. RYAN
  • Publication number: 20210089774
    Abstract: An inventory control system comprises an object storage device, a display device, and one or more processors. The object storage device includes a plurality of compartments, in which each compartment has a plurality of storage locations for storing objects. The display device is configured to display information about the object storage device. The one or more processors are configured to establish a description database of objects configured for storage in the inventory control system. The one or more processors retrieve object keywords corresponding to objects stored in the plurality of storage locations of one of the plurality of compartments. The one or more processors also generate a text block based on the retrieved object keywords. On the display device, the one or more processors display a representation of the plurality of compartments of the object storage device with the text block applied to the one of the plurality of compartments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2020
    Publication date: March 25, 2021
    Inventors: Matthew J. LIPSEY, David C. FLY, Preston C. PHILLIPS, Jason NEWPORT, Cody L. HOUSTON, Joseph CHWAN, Frederick J. ROGERS, Sean W. RYAN
  • Patent number: 10943112
    Abstract: An asset management system automatically generates and updates tool data stored in and used by the system for determining the presence or absence of tools or other inventory objects in the systems. The tool data can be automatically generated when a tool is newly added to the automated asset management system, and can be updated if and when characteristics of the tool and/or automated asset management system change. The automatic generation and updating includes automatically recognizing unique identifiers of tags located on inventory objects, automatically identifying an inventory object to associate with each unique identifier, and automatically populating a database to store each unique identifier in association with stored data for the corresponding inventory object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: SNAP-ON INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Matthew J. Lipsey, David C. Fly, Preston C. Phillips, Jason Newport, Andrew R. Lobo, Joseph Chwan, Frederick J. Rogers, Sean W. Ryan, Thomas L. Kassouf
  • Patent number: 10922648
    Abstract: An automated asset management system includes a plurality of storage locations for storing objects, and first and second sensing subsystems each configured to sense presence or absence of the objects in the plurality of storage locations. The first and second sensing subsystems are used to sense the presence or absence of a same particular object using different respective sensing modalities. In operation, a first scan of the storage locations is performed using the first sensing subsystem, and the presence or absence of the particular object is determined using the first sensing modality. In turn, a second scan of the storage locations is performed using the second sensing subsystem, and the presence or absence of the particular object is confirmed using both the result of the determination made using the first sensing modality and a determination of the presence or absence of the particular object using the second sensing modality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: SNAP-ON INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Frederick J. Rogers, David C. Fly, Preston C. Phillips, Matthew J. Lipsey, Joseph Chwan, Jason Newport, Andrew R. Lobo
  • Publication number: 20200407162
    Abstract: The present application describes an automated inventory control system that comprises a storage device, a sensing system, a data storage, and one or more processors. The storage device includes a plurality of storage locations for storing objects. The sensing system is configured to associate the storage device with a first location and with a second location. The data storage is configured to store configurable data of the storage device. The one or more processors are configured to send configurable data corresponding to the first location to the storage device in response to receiving information associating the storage device with the first location from the sensing system. In response to receiving information associating the storage device with the second location from the sensing system, the one or more processors are configured to send configurable data corresponding to the second location to the storage device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2020
    Publication date: December 31, 2020
    Inventors: David C. Fly, Matthew J. Lipsey, Preston C. Phillips, Jason Newport, Andrew R. Lobo, Joseph Chwan, Frederick J. Rogers, Sean W. Ryan
  • Publication number: 20200410447
    Abstract: The present application describes an automated inventory control system that comprises a storage device, an access control device, and a data storage. The storage device includes a plurality of storage locations for storing objects. The access control device is configured to receive user credentials for access to the storage device. The data storage is configured to store configurable parameters associated with the storage device in a plurality of languages, and information corresponding to respective users of the storage device including an assigned language. In response to the access control device receiving user credentials by the access control device, the storage device is configured to obtain configurable parameters from the data storage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2020
    Publication date: December 31, 2020
    Inventors: David C. FLY, Matthew J. LIPSEY, Preston C. PHILLIPS, Jason NEWPORT, Andrew R. LOBO, Joseph CHWAN, Frederick J. ROGERS, Sean W. RYAN
  • Publication number: 20200410434
    Abstract: The present application describes an automated inventory control system that comprises one or more storage devices containing a plurality of storage locations for storing objects and first and second predefined locations. The first and second predefined locations for receiving one or more objects includes a sensing system that is configured to sense when an object is deposited at the first and second predefined locations, respectively. The one or more processors are configured to automatically assign a first status to the object and cause transmission of an alert indicating the first status of the deposited object when an object is deposited at the first predefined location. The one or more processors are configured to track a plurality of transactions associated with the deposited object after a user checks the deposited object out of the first predefined location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2020
    Publication date: December 31, 2020
    Inventors: David C. Fly, Mathew J. Lipsey, Preston C. Phillips, Jason Newport, Andrew R. Lobo, Joseph Chwan, Frederick J. Rogers, Sean W. Ryan
  • Publication number: 20200160053
    Abstract: An asset management system automatically generates and updates tool data stored in and used by the system for determining the presence or absence of tools or other inventory objects in the systems. The tool data can be automatically generated when a tool is newly added to the automated asset management system, and can be updated if and when characteristics of the tool and/or automated asset management system change. The automatic generation and updating includes automatically recognizing unique identifiers of tags located on inventory objects, automatically identifying an inventory object to associate with each unique identifier, and automatically populating a database to store each unique identifier in association with stored data for the corresponding inventory object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2020
    Publication date: May 21, 2020
    Inventors: Matthew J. LIPSEY, David C. FLY, Preston C. PHILLIPS, Jason NEWPORT, Andrew R. LOBO, Joseph CHWAN, Frederick J. ROGERS, Sean W. RYAN, Thomas L. KASSOUF
  • Patent number: 10579873
    Abstract: An asset management system automatically generates and updates tool data stored in and used by the system for determining the presence or absence of tools or other inventory objects in the systems. The tool data can be automatically generated when a tool is newly added to the automated asset management system, and can be updated if and when characteristics of the tool and/or automated asset management system change. The automatic generation and updating includes automatically recognizing unique identifiers of tags located on inventory objects, automatically identifying an inventory object to associate with each unique identifier, and automatically populating a database to store each unique identifier in association with stored data for the corresponding inventory object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: SNAP-ON INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Matthew J. Lipsey, David C. Fly, Preston C. Phillips, Jason Newport, Andrew R. Lobo, Joseph Chwan, Frederick J. Rogers, Sean W. Ryan, Thomas L. Kassouf
  • Patent number: 10379167
    Abstract: An automated tool control system provides both inventory control of items stored in the system and monitoring of the charging status of rechargeable inventory items such as tools and batteries stored in the system. For these purposes, the tool control system includes storage locations for storing tools and other inventory items, and the storage locations include at least one storage location located in a charger operative to charge a rechargeable tool, battery, or battery pack disposed therein. In operation, the tool control system may monitor the charging status of any tool, battery, or battery pack disposed in the storage location of the charger through monitoring of battery status indicators of the tool, battery, battery pack, or charger; through monitoring of current or voltage drawn by the tool, battery, battery pack, or charger; or through wired or wireless communication with a communication enabled tool, battery, battery pack, or charger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: SNAP-ON INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Jason Newport, David C. Fly, Preston C. Phillips, Matthew J. Lipsey, Frederick J. Rogers, Joseph Chwan, Andrew R. Lobo, Sean W. Ryan
  • Publication number: 20190138981
    Abstract: An automated asset management system includes a plurality of storage locations for storing objects, and first and second sensing subsystems each configured to sense presence or absence of the objects in the plurality of storage locations. The first and second sensing subsystems are used to sense the presence or absence of a same particular object using different respective sensing modalities. In operation, a first scan of the storage locations is performed using the first sensing subsystem, and the presence or absence of the particular object is determined using the first sensing modality. In turn, a second scan of the storage locations is performed using the second sensing subsystem, and the presence or absence of the particular object is confirmed using both the result of the determination made using the first sensing modality and a determination of the presence or absence of the particular object using the second sensing modality.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2019
    Publication date: May 9, 2019
    Inventors: Frederick J. ROGERS, David C. FLY, Preston C. PHILLIPS, Matthew J. LIPSEY, Joseph CHWAN, Jason NEWPORT, Andrew R. LOBO
  • Publication number: 20190101463
    Abstract: A calibration monitoring system is provided to automatically monitor the calibration status of tools and other inventory items, such as upon the items being issued from or returned to the automated calibration monitoring system. The system identifies an inventory item, for example a calibrated torque wrench or other calibrated tool identified based on a unique identifying tag attached thereto. The system retrieves a calibration parameter value for the item from a calibration database, and completes a calibration measurement of the item based on the calibration parameter value. In the example, a torque measurement of the calibrated torque wrench can thus be automatically completed. In turn, the system determines a current calibration status of the item based on the calibration measurement, and selectively enables or disables issuance of the inventory item from the system according to the item's status as being in calibration or out of calibration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2018
    Publication date: April 4, 2019
    Inventors: David C. FLY, Matthew J. LIPSEY, Preston C. PHILLIPS, Jason D. NEWPORT, Andrew R. LOBO, Joseph CHWAN, Frederick J. ROGERS, Sean W. RYAN, Thomas L. KASSOUF