Patents by Inventor Robert D. Brown

Robert D. Brown 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: 20230231987
    Abstract: A system for displaying a stereo image is disclosed. The system includes a stereoscopic head up display (HUD) that includes a combiner and a display configured to display a stereo image. The system further includes either a head tracking sensor or an eye tracking sensor configured to generate a tracking dataset. The system further includes a processor and a memory with instructions that cause the processor to receive the tracking dataset, generate a distortion map based on the tracking dataset and a distortion function, receive a media stereo image, generate a stereo signal based on the distortion map and the media stereo image, and transmit the stereo signal to the display. The system is capable of conveying an image to an operator in the absence of a relay lens.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2022
    Publication date: July 20, 2023
    Inventors: Robert D. Brown, Ian J. Bull, Tracy J. Barnidge, Daniel J. Henry
  • Publication number: 20230213333
    Abstract: Vehicle alignment systems and methods are disclosed which operate based on a calculation of “drive direction,” or the direction in which a vehicle is moving. Since a vehicle can be assumed to be a rigid body, each wheel has the same drive direction. Consequently, an alignment parameter of one wheel can be compared to the same parameter of another wheel by equating their drive direction, eliminating the need for the aligner to “see” both sides of the vehicle at the same time. Embodiments include a system having one or more cameras on a fixture carrying a calibration element for an ADAS system, and one or more targets placed on the vehicle to measure the drive direction of the vehicle. The drive direction is assumed to be parallel to the vehicle thrust line and can be used as the line for orientation of the fixture to the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2023
    Publication date: July 6, 2023
    Applicant: Snap-On Incorporated
    Inventors: Steven W. ROGERS, David A. JACKSON, Eric R. SELLERS, Ronald D. SWAYNE, James Rodney HARRELL, Chance ROBINSON, Robert J. D'AGOSTINO, Adam C. BROWN
  • Patent number: 11684439
    Abstract: A drape includes a first drape portion configured to receive a manipulator arm of a surgical system and a pocket coupled to a distal portion of the first drape portion. The pocket is configured to receive a manipulator of the surgical system. The pocket includes a flexible membrane positionable between an output of the manipulator and an input of a surgical instrument mountable to the manipulator. In some embodiments, the flexible membrane is located at a distal end of the pocket. In some embodiments, the flexible membrane is configured to allow an actuating force to be transmitted from the output of the manipulator to the input of the surgical instrument. In some embodiments, the pocket provides a sterile barrier between the manipulator and the surgical instrument. In some embodiments, the drape further includes a rotatable seal configured to couple a proximal opening of the pocket to the first drape portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Anthony K. McGrogan, Jeffrey D. Brown, Thomas G. Cooper, Eugene F. Duval, Daniel H. Gomez, Robert E. Holop, Craig R. Ramstad
  • Publication number: 20230114549
    Abstract: One embodiment provides an apparatus for displaying an image comprising: a first optical substrate comprising at least one waveguide layer configured to propagate light in a first direction, wherein the at least one waveguide layer of the first optical substrate comprises at least one grating lamina configured to extract the light from the first substrate along the first direction; and a second optical substrate comprising at least one waveguide layer configured to propagate the light in a second direction, wherein the at least one waveguide layer of the second optical substrate comprises at least one grating lumina configured to extract light from the second substrate along the second direction, wherein the at least one grating lamina of at least one of the first and second optical substrates comprises an SBG in a passive mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2022
    Publication date: April 13, 2023
    Inventors: Robert D. Brown, Alastair John Grant, Wyatt L. Hendrick, Milan Momcilo Popovich, James H. Stanley, Jonathan David Waldern
  • Patent number: 11626750
    Abstract: A water heater can include a housing and a heating system disposed within the housing, where the heating system is configured to heat a fluid. The water heater can also include a switch coupled to the heating system, where the switch operates between a first position during normal operations and a second position during an outage. The water heater can further include a primary power source coupled to the switch, where the primary power source is configured to provide primary power to the heating system through the switch during the normal operations. The water heater can also include an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) coupled to the switch, where the UPS is configured to provide reserve power to the heating system through the switch during the outage, and where the UPS is integrated with the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: Rheem Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Troy Trant, Robert D. Brown
  • Publication number: 20230081115
    Abstract: One embodiment provides an apparatus for displaying an image comprising: a first optical substrate comprising at least one waveguide layer configured to propagate light in a first direction, wherein the at least one waveguide layer of the first optical substrate comprises at least one grating lamina configured to extract the light from the first substrate along the first direction; and a second optical substrate comprising at least one waveguide layer configured to propagate the light in a second direction, wherein the at least one waveguide layer of the second optical substrate comprises at least one grating lamina configured to extract light from the second substrate along the second direction; wherein the at least one grating lamina of at least one of the first and second optical substrates comprises an SBG in a passive mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2022
    Publication date: March 16, 2023
    Applicants: DigiLens Inc., Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert D. Brown, Alastair John Grant, Wyatt L. Hendrick, Milan Momcilo Popovich, James H. Stanley, Jonathan David Waldern
  • Patent number: 11530918
    Abstract: An integrity monitoring system for a first image sensor includes an electronic processor configured to receive sensor data for the provision of image data associated with an environment of the avionic sensor. The electronic processor is configured to monitor the avionic sensor for integrity. The electronic processor is configured to perform at least one of: determining a presence of an optical feature associated with optics of the first image sensor, comparing overlap information derived from the sensor data and other sensor data, comparing characteristics of a digital output stream of the sensor data to expected characteristics, or comparing a first motion derived from the image data and a second motion derived from avionic position equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Carlo L. Tiana, Robert D. Brown, Weston J. Lahr, Daniel Chiew, Elisabeth Barnes, Yashaswi M. Narasimha Murthy, Brandon E. Wilson, Robert W. Wood
  • Patent number: 11500457
    Abstract: A display system includes an interface unit, a head worn display in wireless communication with the interface unit, and a first tracker sensor remote from a head of a user and configured to wirelessly sense a head pose and provide first head tracking data to the interface unit. The interface unit is remote from the head worn display. The display system also includes a second tracker sensor associated with the head of the user and configured to provide second head tracking data associated with the head pose to the head worn display. The interface unit is configured to receive the second head tracking data from the head worn display via at least one wireless link and provide video information for display on the head worn display via the at least one wireless link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert B. Wood, Eric P. Stratton, Kenneth A. Zimmerman, Gary J. Albert, Robert D. Brown, Bruce Hufnagel
  • Patent number: 11448937
    Abstract: One embodiment provides an apparatus for displaying an image comprising: a first optical substrate comprising at least one waveguide layer configured to propagate light in a first direction, wherein the at least one waveguide layer of the first optical substrate comprises at least one grating lamina configured to extract the light from the first substrate along the first direction; and a second optical substrate comprising at least one waveguide layer configured to propagate the light in a second direction, wherein the at least one waveguide layer of the second optical substrate comprises at least one grating lamina configured to extract light from the second substrate along the second direction; wherein the at least one grating lamina of at least one of the first and second optical substrates comprises an SBG in a passive mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignees: Digilens Inc., Rockwell Collins, Inc
    Inventors: Robert D. Brown, Alastair John Grant, Wyatt L. Hendrick, Milan Momcilo Popovich, James H. Stanley, Jonathan David Waldern
  • Publication number: 20220239145
    Abstract: A water heater can include a housing and a heating system disposed within the housing, where the heating system is configured to heat a fluid. The water heater can also include a switch coupled to the heating system, where the switch operates between a first position during normal operations and a second position during an outage. The water heater can further include a primary power source coupled to the switch, where the primary power source is configured to provide primary power to the heating system through the switch during the normal operations. The water heater can also include an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) coupled to the switch, where the UPS is configured to provide reserve power to the heating system through the switch during the outage, and where the UPS is integrated with the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2022
    Publication date: July 28, 2022
    Inventors: Troy Trant, Robert D. Brown
  • Publication number: 20220221163
    Abstract: A tankless water heater including a water inlet, a water outlet, a conductivity sensor, a temperature sensor, and a heating chamber connected to the water inlet and the water outlet wherein the heating chamber is configured to heat a flow of water received from the water inlet and output the flow of water to the water outlet. The water heating system can further include a controller communicably coupled to the conductivity sensor and the temperature sensor, where the controller calculates an adjusted conductivity of a flow of water through the water heater.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2022
    Publication date: July 14, 2022
    Inventors: Troy Trant, Robert D. Brown, Edward D. Turner
  • Patent number: 11366316
    Abstract: A head up display can be used in compact environments. The head up display includes a combiner system including at least one light pipe and a waveguide. The at least one light pipe includes a turning grating or mirror array for providing light into the waveguide from the light pipe. An additional light pipe can also be provided. The combiner system can be headworn or stand-alone and can provide dual axis pupil expansion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Ming Yu, Eric P. Stratton, Robert D. Brown
  • Publication number: 20220163728
    Abstract: An optical waveguide comprises at least two TIR surface and contains a grating. Input TIR light with a first angular range along a first propagation direction undergoes at least two diffractions at the grating. Each diffraction directs light into a unique TIR angular range along a second propagation direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2021
    Publication date: May 26, 2022
    Applicants: DigiLens Inc., Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan David Waldern, Alastair John Grant, Milan Momcilo Popovich, James H. Stanley, Robert D. Brown
  • Patent number: 11320571
    Abstract: One embodiment provides an apparatus for displaying an image comprising: a first optical substrate comprising at least one waveguide layer configured to propagate light in a first direction, wherein the at least one waveguide layer of the first optical substrate comprises at least one grating lamina configured to extract the light from the first substrate along the first direction; and a second optical substrate comprising at least one waveguide layer configured to propagate the light in a second direction, wherein the at least one waveguide layer of the second optical substrate comprises at least one grating lamina configured to extract light from the second substrate along the second direction; wherein the at least one grating lamina of at least one of the first and second optical substrates comprises an SBG in a passive mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignees: ROCKWELL COLLINS, INC., DIGILENS INC.
    Inventors: Robert D. Brown, Alastair John Grant, Wyatt L. Hendrick, Milan Momcilo Popovich, James H. Stanley, Jonathan David Waldern
  • Patent number: 11303148
    Abstract: A water heater can include a housing and a heating system disposed within the housing, where the heating system is configured to heat a fluid. The water heater can also include a switch coupled to the heating system, where the switch operates between a first position during normal operations and a second position during an outage. The water heater can further include a primary power source coupled to the switch, where the primary power source is configured to provide primary power to the heating system through the switch during the normal operations. The water heater can also include an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) coupled to the switch, where the UPS is configured to provide reserve power to the heating system through the switch during the outage, and where the UPS is integrated with the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: Rheem Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Troy Trant, Robert D. Brown
  • Patent number: 11231182
    Abstract: A tankless water heater including a water inlet, a water outlet, a conductivity sensor, a temperature sensor, and a heating chamber connected to the water inlet and the water outlet wherein the heating chamber is configured to heat a flow of water received from the water inlet and output the flow of water to the water outlet. The water heating system can further include a controller communicably coupled to the conductivity sensor and the temperature sensor, where the controller calculates an adjusted conductivity of a flow of water through the water heater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: Rheem Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Troy Trant, Robert D. Brown, Edward D. Turner
  • Publication number: 20210403354
    Abstract: An automated descaling system can be integrated into a tankless water heater or can be a separate system that is connected to a tankless water heater. The automatic descaling system comprises a cleaning media chamber and a valve with a motor. The descaling system can be set on an automatic cleaning schedule.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2021
    Publication date: December 30, 2021
    Inventors: Troy Trant, Robert D. Brown, Edward D. Turner
  • Patent number: 11194098
    Abstract: An optical waveguide comprises at least two TIR surface and contains a grating. Input TIR light with a first angular range along a first propagation direction undergoes at least two diffractions at the grating. Each diffraction directs light into a unique TIR angular range along a second propagation direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignees: DigiLens Inc., Rockwell Collins Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan David Waldern, Alastair John Grant, Milan Momcilo Popovich, James H. Stanley, Robert D. Brown
  • Publication number: 20210341995
    Abstract: A display system includes an interface unit, a head worn display in wireless communication with the interface unit, and a first tracker sensor remote from a head of a user and configured to wirelessly sense a head pose and provide first head tracking data to the interface unit. The interface unit is remote from the head worn display. The display system also includes a second tracker sensor associated with the head of the user and configured to provide second head tracking data associated with the head pose to the head worn display. The interface unit is configured to receive the second head tracking data from the head worn display via at least one wireless link and provide video information for display on the head worn display via the at least one wireless link.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2021
    Publication date: November 4, 2021
    Inventors: Robert B. Wood, Eric P. Stratton, Kenneth A. Zimmerman, Gary J. Albert, Robert D. Brown, Bruce Hufnagel
  • Patent number: 11117820
    Abstract: An automated descaling system can be integrated into a tankless water heater or can be a separate system that is attached to a tankless water heater. The automatic descaling system comprises a cleaning media chamber and a four way valve with a motor. The descaling system can be set on an automatic cleaning schedule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: Rheem Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Troy Trant, Robert D. Brown, Edward D. Turner