Patents by Inventor Robert MacAllister
Robert MacAllister 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: 7841248Abstract: An improved maintenance, inspection, and/or measurement solution is provided. An embodiment of the invention includes a handheld measurement device for measuring an object, such as a railway wheel on a train. The handheld measurement device can comprise a single unit to provide one handed operation and can include various features, such as onboard evaluation, a graphical user interface, and/or a self-health monitor. Additionally, aspects of the invention provide an inspection environment that incorporates preliminary measurement data, wireless communications, and/or historical data into the measurement and evaluation process.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2008Date of Patent: November 30, 2010Assignee: International Electronic Machines CorporationInventors: Zahid F. Mian, Jeremy C. Mullaney, Robert MacAllister, William Peabody
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Patent number: 7701591Abstract: The invention provides a handheld electronic gauge that is configured to obtain measurement data for an object, such as a wheel, rail, axle, or the like. The gauge includes one or more position sensors that automatically determine when the gauge is in a measurement position. The invention also provides a handheld computing device that can automatically determine when a gauge is in the measurement position and automatically obtain measurement data using the gauge. As a result, the invention provides a solution for measuring an object, such as a railway wheel, that is portable and capable of repeatedly providing various desired measurements, irrespective of the operator.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2009Date of Patent: April 20, 2010Assignee: International Electronic Machines CorporationInventors: Zahid F. Mian, Robert MacAllister, William Peabody
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Publication number: 20090207420Abstract: The invention provides a handheld electronic gauge that is configured to obtain measurement data for an object, such as a wheel, rail, axle, or the like. The gauge includes one or more position sensors that automatically determine when the gauge is in a measurement position. The invention also provides a handheld computing device that can automatically determine when a gauge is in the measurement position and automatically obtain measurement data using the gauge. As a result, the invention provides a solution for measuring an object, such as a railway wheel, that is portable and capable of repeatedly providing various desired measurements, irrespective of the operator.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 27, 2009Publication date: August 20, 2009Inventors: Zahid F. Mian, Robert MacAllister, William Peabody
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Patent number: 7564569Abstract: A solution for optically evaluating a wheel along at least one circumference of the wheel is provided. Image data is obtained while the wheel moves along a path having a length of at least one circumference of the wheel. The path and/or wheel can be illuminated to enhance the resulting image data. One or more attributes of the wheel are measured based on the image data. The attributes can then be used to detect one or more defects in the wheel. In one embodiment, the wheel is a rail wheel, and a rail segment is illuminated. The rail can be specially configured to enhance a contrast between the rail and the rail wheel and/or to provide a consistent path for the rail wheel to travel.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 2006Date of Patent: July 21, 2009Assignee: International Electronic Machines Corp.Inventors: Zahid F. Mian, Jeremy C. Mullaney, Robert MacAllister, Thomas J. Schneider
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Patent number: 7525667Abstract: The invention provides a handheld electronic gauge that is configured to obtain measurement data for an object, such as a wheel, rail, axle, or the like. The gauge includes one or more position sensors that automatically determine when the gauge is in a measurement position. The invention also provides a handheld computing device that can automatically determine when a gauge is in the measurement position and automatically obtain measurement data using the gauge. As a result, the invention provides a solution for measuring an object, such as a railway wheel, that is portable and capable of repeatedly providing various desired measurements, irrespective of the operator.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2005Date of Patent: April 28, 2009Assignee: International Electronic Machines Corp.Inventors: Zahid F. Mian, Robert MacAllister, William Peabody
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Publication number: 20090090163Abstract: An improved maintenance, inspection, and/or measurement solution is provided. An embodiment of the invention includes a handheld measurement device for measuring an object, such as a railway wheel on a train. The handheld measurement device can comprise a single unit to provide one handed operation and can include various features, such as onboard evaluation, a graphical user interface, and/or a self-health monitor. Additionally, aspects of the invention provide an inspection environment that incorporates preliminary measurement data, wireless communications, and/or historical data into the measurement and evaluation process.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 14, 2008Publication date: April 9, 2009Inventors: Zahid F. Mian, Jeremy C. Mullaney, Robert MacAllister, William Peabody
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Patent number: 7478570Abstract: An improved maintenance, inspection, and/or measurement solution is provided. An embodiment of the invention includes a handheld measurement device for measuring an object, such as a railway wheel on a train. The handheld measurement device can comprise a single unit to provide one handed operation and can include various features, such as onboard evaluation, a graphical user interface, and/or a self-health monitor. Additionally, aspects of the invention provide an inspection environment that incorporates preliminary measurement data, wireless communications, and/or historical data into the measurement and evaluation process.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2006Date of Patent: January 20, 2009Assignee: International Electronic Machines Corp.Inventors: Zahid F. Mian, Jeremy C. Mullaney, Robert MacAllister, William Peabody
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Publication number: 20070075192Abstract: An improved maintenance, inspection, and/or measurement solution is provided. An embodiment of the invention includes a handheld measurement device for measuring an object, such as a railway wheel on a train. The handheld measurement device can comprise a single unit to provide one handed operation and can include various features, such as onboard evaluation, a graphical user interface, and/or a self-health monitor. Additionally, aspects of the invention provide an inspection environment that incorporates preliminary measurement data, wireless communications, and/or historical data into the measurement and evaluation process.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2006Publication date: April 5, 2007Inventors: Zahid Mian, Jeremy Mullaney, Robert MacAllister, William Peabody
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Publication number: 20070064244Abstract: A solution for optically evaluating a wheel along at least one circumference of the wheel is provided. Image data is obtained while the wheel moves along a path having a length of at least one circumference of the wheel. The path and/or wheel can be illuminated to enhance the resulting image data. One or more attributes of the wheel are measured based on the image data. The attributes can then be used to detect one or more defects in the wheel. In one embodiment, the wheel is a rail wheel, and a rail segment is illuminated. The rail can be specially configured to enhance a contrast between the rail and the rail wheel and/or to provide a consistent path for the rail wheel to travel.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 4, 2006Publication date: March 22, 2007Inventors: Zahid Mian, Jeremy Mullaney, Robert MacAllister, Thomas Schneider
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Publication number: 20050259273Abstract: The invention provides a handheld electronic gauge that is configured to obtain measurement data for an object, such as a wheel, rail, axle, or the like. The gauge includes one or more position sensors that automatically determine when the gauge is in a measurement position. The invention also provides a handheld computing device that can automatically determine when a gauge is in the measurement position and automatically obtain measurement data using the gauge. As a result, the invention provides a solution for measuring an object, such as a railway wheel, that is portable and capable of repeatedly providing various desired measurements, irrespective of the operator.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 23, 2005Publication date: November 24, 2005Inventors: Zahid Mian, Robert MacAllister, William Peabody
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Patent number: 6768551Abstract: The present invention provides a wheel measurement method and system to measure an attribute of a wheel. Light illumination devices and light sensing devices provide wheel data. A computer then performs a calculation on the wheel data to measure the attribute of the wheel.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2001Date of Patent: July 27, 2004Assignee: International Electronic Machines Corp.Inventors: Zahid F. Mian, Ronald W. Gamache, Robert MacAllister
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Publication number: 20030072001Abstract: The present invention provides a wheel measurement method and system to measure an attribute of a wheel. Light illumination devices and light sensing devices provide wheel data. A computer then performs a calculation on the wheel data to measure the attribute of the wheel.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 17, 2001Publication date: April 17, 2003Inventors: Zahid F. Mian, Ronald W. Gamache, Robert MacAllister