Patents by Inventor Robert Hoevenaar
Robert Hoevenaar 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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Patent number: 11709099Abstract: A method includes capturing and scaling VLC and an IAS outputs to generate a scaled VLC output and a scaled thermal output (STO), aligning the scaled VLC output to the STO to generate an aligned image based on the scaled VLC output and the STO, determining alignment value(s) based on the aligned image, a laser pointer outputting a light beam to produce a laser dot on a target, and capturing a further output of the VLC. The method includes displaying the further output of the VLC (including a representation of the laser dot (RLD)), and an alignment marker, shifting the alignment marker and/or the RLD to a common position; determining coordinate(s) of the output of the IAS based on coordinate(s) of the further output of the VLC where the alignment marker and the RLD are shown at the common position; and storing the coordinate(s) of the output of the IAS.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2019Date of Patent: July 25, 2023Assignee: Snap-On IncorporatedInventors: Timothy G. Ruther, Gary F. Stefanik, Robert Hoevenaar
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Patent number: 11555743Abstract: A method comprises capturing outputs of a VLC and an infrared array sensor (IAS). A memory includes a calibration based on a position of a laser pointer relative to the IAS. The method includes the laser pointer outputting a light beam to produce a laser dot on a target. The output of the VLC includes a representation of the laser dot. The output of the IAS includes values indicative of infrared radiation from the target. The method includes determining a temperature based on a portion of the values indicative of infrared radiation from the target. The portion of the values includes values associated with a portion of the target at which the laser dot is produced. The method includes displaying, on the display, the output of the VLC and the temperature. Displaying the output of the VLC includes displaying a visible light image showing the laser dot and at least a portion of the target.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2019Date of Patent: January 17, 2023Assignee: Snap-on IncorporatedInventors: Timothy G. Ruther, Gary F. Stefanik, Robert Hoevenaar
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Patent number: 11070763Abstract: A system includes a processor and a memory storing program instructions. The instructions are executable by the processor to generate a first image file representing a thermal image and a second image file representing a visible light image. The instructions are executable to generate a first blended image based on the thermal image, the visible light image, and a display setting. Furthermore, the instructions are executable to display the first blended image on a display and to transmit, via a network interface to a server having an application for serving an image file generated by the processor, an image file upload. The image file upload includes: the first and second image files and a third image file representing the first blended image or the display setting for generating a second blended image based on the thermal and visible light images and the display setting.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2018Date of Patent: July 20, 2021Assignee: Snap-on IncorporatedInventors: Robert Hoevenaar, Joshua C. Covington, Oswaldo Neri, Roy S. Brozovich, Timothy G. Ruther, Michael D. LaFerle
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Patent number: 11010908Abstract: An apparatus comprises a component aligner having a base, a top opposite the base, and a body. The body includes one or more exterior wall surfaces extending from the base to the top. The body includes a first bore configured for fixed placement of a first component. The first bore extends between and through both the top and the base, and is defined at least in part by a first interior wall surface of the body. The body includes a second bore configured for fixed placement of a second component. The second bore extends between and through both the top and the base, and is defined at least in part by a second interior wall surface of the body. The component aligner also includes a first slot within the body. The first slot is open at the first interior wall surface and at the top.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2019Date of Patent: May 18, 2021Assignee: Snap-on IncorporatedInventors: Timothy G. Ruther, Gary F. Stefanik, Robert Hoevenaar
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Publication number: 20210003453Abstract: A method includes capturing and scaling VLC and an IAS outputs to generate a scaled VLC output and a scaled thermal output (STO), aligning the scaled VLC output to the STO to generate an aligned image based on the scaled VLC output and the STO, determining alignment value(s) based on the aligned image, a laser pointer outputting a light beam to produce a laser dot on a target, and capturing a further output of the VLC. The method includes displaying the further output of the VLC (including a representation of the laser dot (RLD)), and an alignment marker, shifting the alignment marker and/or the RLD to a common position; determining coordinate(s) of the output of the IAS based on coordinate(s) of the further output of the VLC where the alignment marker and the RLD are shown at the common position; and storing the coordinate(s) of the output of the IAS.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 1, 2019Publication date: January 7, 2021Inventors: Timothy G. Ruther, Gary F. Stefanik, Robert Hoevenaar
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Publication number: 20210003454Abstract: A method comprises capturing outputs of a VLC and an infrared array sensor (IAS). A memory includes a calibration based on a position of a laser pointer relative to the IAS. The method includes the laser pointer outputting a light beam to produce a laser dot on a target. The output of the VLC includes a representation of the laser dot. The output of the IAS includes values indicative of infrared radiation from the target. The method includes determining a temperature based on a portion of the values indicative of infrared radiation from the target. The portion of the values includes values associated with a portion of the target at which the laser dot is produced. The method includes displaying, on the display, the output of the VLC and the temperature. Displaying the output of the VLC includes displaying a visible light image showing the laser dot and at least a portion of the target.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 1, 2019Publication date: January 7, 2021Inventors: Timothy G. Ruther, Gary F. Stefanik, Robert Hoevenaar
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Publication number: 20210004970Abstract: An apparatus comprises a component aligner having a base, a top opposite the base, and a body. The body includes one or more exterior wall surfaces extending from the base to the top. The body includes a first bore configured for fixed placement of a first component. The first bore extends between and through both the top and the base, and is defined at least in part by a first interior wall surface of the body. The body includes a second bore configured for fixed placement of a second component. The second bore extends between and through both the top and the base, and is defined at least in part by a second interior wall surface of the body. The component aligner also includes a first slot within the body. The first slot is open at the first interior wall surface and at the top.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 1, 2019Publication date: January 7, 2021Inventors: Timothy G. Ruther, Gary F. Stefanik, Robert Hoevenaar
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Patent number: 10841516Abstract: An embodiment includes capturing, via a first camera, a first image having a first pixel density, a pixel of the first image corresponding to the first optical axis is substantially centered within the first image; capturing, via the second camera, a second image having a second pixel density that is greater than the first pixel density, where a pixel of the second image that corresponds to the first optical axis is off-center within the second image; processing the second image to generate a fourth image such that a pixel of the fourth image that corresponds to the first optical axis is substantially centered within the fourth image, where a pixel density of the first image is substantially equal to a pixel density of the fourth image, and where the fourth image represents a field of view that is substantially equal to field of view represented by the first image.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2018Date of Patent: November 17, 2020Assignee: SNAP-ON INCORPORATEDInventors: Robert Hoevenaar, Timothy G. Ruther
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Patent number: 10823553Abstract: An apparatus comprising a component aligner including a base having a first side and a second side opposite the first side, and a first wall with first and second ends. The first wall extends from the second side of the base. The first end of the first wall is adjacent the second side of the base and opposite the second end of the first wall. The first wall includes a first interior wall surface defining a first bore configured for fixed placement of a first component. The apparatus includes a second wall including first and second ends, extending from the second side of the base. The first end of the second wall is adjacent the second side of the base and opposite the second end of the second wall. The second wall includes a second interior wall surface defining a second bore configured for fixed placement of a second component.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2019Date of Patent: November 3, 2020Assignee: Snap-on IncorporatedInventors: Timothy G. Ruther, Gary F. Stefanik, Robert Hoevenaar
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Patent number: 10764514Abstract: Described herein are systems and computer-implemented methods for controlling a gain state of a thermal camera. According to an example method, a processor can obtain, from a thermal camera, temperature readings for respective pixels of a plurality of pixels of an image captured by the thermal camera, and the processor can determine respective weights for the temperature readings using a weight function. The method can also involve the processor determining a weighted average of the temperature readings using the temperature readings and the respective weights for the temperature readings. Further, the method can involve the processor determining based at least on the weighted average, a gain state for the thermal camera, and the processor causing the thermal camera to operate in the gain state.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2018Date of Patent: September 1, 2020Assignee: Snap-on IncorporatedInventors: Robert Hoevenaar, Timothy G. Ruther, Oswaldo Neri
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Publication number: 20200007810Abstract: A system includes a processor and a memory storing program instructions. The instructions are executable by the processor to generate a first image file representing a thermal image and a second image file representing a visible light image. The instructions are executable to generate a first blended image based on the thermal image, the visible light image, and a display setting. Furthermore, the instructions are executable to display the first blended image on a display and to transmit, via a network interface to a server having an application for serving an image file generated by the processor, an image file upload. The image file upload includes: the first and second image files and a third image file representing the first blended image or the display setting for generating a second blended image based on the thermal and visible light images and the display setting.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 27, 2018Publication date: January 2, 2020Inventors: Robert Hoevenaar, Joshua C. Covington, Oswaldo Neri, Roy S. Brozovich, Timothy G. Ruther, Michael D. LaFerle
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Publication number: 20200007796Abstract: An embodiment includes capturing, via a first camera, a first image having a first pixel density, a pixel of the first image corresponding to the first optical axis is substantially centered within the first image; capturing, via the second camera, a second image having a second pixel density that is greater than the first pixel density, where a pixel of the second image that corresponds to the first optical axis is off-center within the second image; processing the second image to generate a fourth image such that a pixel of the fourth image that corresponds to the first optical axis is substantially centered within the fourth image, where a pixel density of the first image is substantially equal to a pixel density of the fourth image, and where the fourth image represents a field of view that is substantially equal to field of view represented by the first image.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 27, 2018Publication date: January 2, 2020Inventors: Robert Hoevenaar, Timothy G. Ruther
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Patent number: 9330508Abstract: A method and system for presenting vehicle information. A functional part of a vehicle is selected to be examined and information related to the selected function part is received. A vehicle model corresponding to the vehicle is retrieved. Based on the selected functional part and the vehicle model, a mode of operation is determined and used in presenting the vehicle model and the information so that a portion of the model corresponding to the functional part is visible and the information is presented with respect to the visible functional part of the presented model.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2014Date of Patent: May 3, 2016Assignee: SNAP-ON INCORPORATEDInventor: Robert Hoevenaar
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Publication number: 20140188330Abstract: A method and system for presenting vehicle information. A functional part of a vehicle is selected to be examined and information related to the selected function part is received. A vehicle model corresponding to the vehicle is retrieved. Based on the selected functional part and the vehicle model, a mode of operation is determined and used in presenting the vehicle model and the information so that a portion of the model corresponding to the functional part is visible and the information is presented with respect to the visible functional part of the presented model.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 7, 2014Publication date: July 3, 2014Applicant: SNAP-ON INCORPORATEDInventor: Robert HOEVENAAR
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Patent number: 8706316Abstract: A method and system for presenting vehicle information. A functional part of a vehicle is selected to be examined and information related to the selected function part is received. A vehicle model corresponding to the vehicle is retrieved. Based on the selected functional part and the vehicle model, a mode of operation is determined and used in presenting the vehicle model and the information so that a portion of the model corresponding to the functional part is visible and the information is presented with respect to the visible functional part of the presented model.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2006Date of Patent: April 22, 2014Assignee: Snap-On IncorporatedInventor: Robert Hoevenaar
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Patent number: 7937198Abstract: A programmable vehicle or engine diagnostic tool includes an interface for receiving a signal relating to a performance parameter of the vehicle or engine, a user interface, and a central processing unit, for processing the signal to generate information for presentation to the user. The system utilizes a fast access non-volatile random access type main memory to store the programming for execution by the central processing unit. Techniques are disclosed for moving applications to the main memory, for fast boot at subsequent operation, based for example on program usage or user selection.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2004Date of Patent: May 3, 2011Assignee: Snap-On IncorporatedInventors: Steve Brozovich, Robert Hoevenaar
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Patent number: 7634337Abstract: A programmable vehicle or engine diagnostic tool includes an interface for receiving a signal relating to a performance parameter of the vehicle or engine, a user interface, and a central processing unit, for processing the signal to generate information for presentation to the user. To facilitate fast boot yet enable re-programming of the diagnostic tool, the system utilizes a non-volatile random access memory main memory for the processor based tool, to store the programming for execution by the central processing unit. Disclosed examples of suitable memories include magnetoresistive random access memory (MRAM), carbon nanotube random access memory (CN-RAM) and programmable metallization memory cell (PMC) memory.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2004Date of Patent: December 15, 2009Assignee: Snap-On IncorporatedInventors: Steven Brozovich, Robert Hoevenaar
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Patent number: 7350159Abstract: An integrated diagnostic system includes interface connectors to connect to a plurality of instruments/instrument modules, including engine analyzers, gas analyzers, oscilloscopes, scanners, network connections, and/or other desired peripheral modules. These modules advantageously interface to the system through diverse parts, connections and with various protocols. The system may connect to a network, wired or wireless, for interfacing among processors and modules, and with an internet connection for interaction with remote resources including databases and expert systems.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2002Date of Patent: March 25, 2008Assignee: Snap-On IncorporatedInventors: Jim J. Cancilla, Bill Duran, Robert Hoevenaar, Arnold Kop, Keith A. Kreft, Tyrone J. Moritz, James M. Normile, Terry R. Ogilvie, Dale A. Trsar, Dennis G. Williamson, Jr., Ken Wang, Robert P. Edwards, Carl T. Raff
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Publication number: 20070250228Abstract: Configurable methods and systems allowing a user remote to a vehicle to designate the types of faults or information that an on-board diagnostic system of the vehicle should monitor and report.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 19, 2006Publication date: October 25, 2007Inventors: Sunil Reddy, Dale Trsar, Robert Hoevenaar
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Publication number: 20060155717Abstract: Communication device for supporting a general-purpose computer to communicate with a vehicle having a control unit for controlling at least one particular function of the vehicle. A first request in XML format for requesting the control unit to return specified information is received from the computer. The request received is converted into a request in control unit specific format and is sent to the control unit of the vehicle. When a reply in control unit specific format including the specified information is received from the vehicle, the reply is also converted into a reply in XML format. The converted reply is sent to the computer.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 29, 2004Publication date: July 13, 2006Inventors: Neil Davis, Bill Welch, Robert Hoevenaar, Michael Robb, Brad Lewis