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).
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Publication number: 20230231987Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 19, 2022Publication date: July 20, 2023Inventors: Robert D. Brown, Ian J. Bull, Tracy J. Barnidge, Daniel J. Henry
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Publication number: 20230213333Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2023Publication date: July 6, 2023Applicant: Snap-On IncorporatedInventors: Steven W. ROGERS, David A. JACKSON, Eric R. SELLERS, Ronald D. SWAYNE, James Rodney HARRELL, Chance ROBINSON, Robert J. D'AGOSTINO, Adam C. BROWN
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Patent number: 11684439Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 14, 2020Date of Patent: June 27, 2023Assignee: 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
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Publication number: 20230114549Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 3, 2022Publication date: April 13, 2023Inventors: Robert D. Brown, Alastair John Grant, Wyatt L. Hendrick, Milan Momcilo Popovich, James H. Stanley, Jonathan David Waldern
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Patent number: 11626750Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 11, 2022Date of Patent: April 11, 2023Assignee: Rheem Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Troy Trant, Robert D. Brown
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Publication number: 20230081115Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 19, 2022Publication date: March 16, 2023Applicants: DigiLens Inc., Rockwell Collins, Inc.Inventors: Robert D. Brown, Alastair John Grant, Wyatt L. Hendrick, Milan Momcilo Popovich, James H. Stanley, Jonathan David Waldern
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Patent number: 11530918Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 1, 2021Date of Patent: December 20, 2022Assignee: 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
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Patent number: 11500457Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 14, 2021Date of Patent: November 15, 2022Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.Inventors: Robert B. Wood, Eric P. Stratton, Kenneth A. Zimmerman, Gary J. Albert, Robert D. Brown, Bruce Hufnagel
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Patent number: 11448937Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 20, 2021Date of Patent: September 20, 2022Assignees: Digilens Inc., Rockwell Collins, IncInventors: Robert D. Brown, Alastair John Grant, Wyatt L. Hendrick, Milan Momcilo Popovich, James H. Stanley, Jonathan David Waldern
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Publication number: 20220239145Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 11, 2022Publication date: July 28, 2022Inventors: Troy Trant, Robert D. Brown
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Publication number: 20220221163Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 24, 2022Publication date: July 14, 2022Inventors: Troy Trant, Robert D. Brown, Edward D. Turner
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Patent number: 11366316Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 14, 2019Date of Patent: June 21, 2022Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.Inventors: Ming Yu, Eric P. Stratton, Robert D. Brown
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Publication number: 20220163728Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 6, 2021Publication date: May 26, 2022Applicants: DigiLens Inc., Rockwell Collins, Inc.Inventors: Jonathan David Waldern, Alastair John Grant, Milan Momcilo Popovich, James H. Stanley, Robert D. Brown
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Transparent waveguide display providing upper and lower fields of view with uniform light extraction
Patent number: 11320571Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 15, 2013Date of Patent: May 3, 2022Assignees: 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: 11303148Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 9, 2019Date of Patent: April 12, 2022Assignee: Rheem Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Troy Trant, Robert D. Brown
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Patent number: 11231182Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 19, 2018Date of Patent: January 25, 2022Assignee: Rheem Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Troy Trant, Robert D. Brown, Edward D. Turner
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Publication number: 20210403354Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 13, 2021Publication date: December 30, 2021Inventors: Troy Trant, Robert D. Brown, Edward D. Turner
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Patent number: 11194098Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 3, 2020Date of Patent: December 7, 2021Assignees: DigiLens Inc., Rockwell Collins Inc.Inventors: Jonathan David Waldern, Alastair John Grant, Milan Momcilo Popovich, James H. Stanley, Robert D. Brown
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Publication number: 20210341995Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 14, 2021Publication date: November 4, 2021Inventors: Robert B. Wood, Eric P. Stratton, Kenneth A. Zimmerman, Gary J. Albert, Robert D. Brown, Bruce Hufnagel
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Patent number: 11117820Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 29, 2019Date of Patent: September 14, 2021Assignee: Rheem Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Troy Trant, Robert D. Brown, Edward D. Turner