Patents by Inventor Rick Klein

Rick Klein 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).

  • Virtual blasting system for removal of coating and/or rust from a virtual surface
    Patent number: 7817162
    Abstract: A computer simulation and virtual reality system simulates the use of a blasting nozzle to remove one or more coatings and/or rust from a virtual surface. The user operates an electronic controller in the form of a blasting nozzle that outputs a signal indicating whether the blasting nozzle controller is in an “on” position or in an “off” position. The system also has a motion tracking system that tracks the position and orientation of the blasting nozzle controller with respect to the virtual surface defined on the display screen. Simulation software in a computer generates virtual blast pattern data, and the removal of the virtual coating(s) and/or rust image from the virtual surface is displayed in real time on the display screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: University of Northern Iowa Research Foundation
    Inventors: Michael Bolick, Chris Lampe, Jason Ebensberger, Jeremiah Treloar, Rick Klein, Eric Conrad Peterson, Chad Jason Zalkin