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).

  • Patent number: 7841248
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: International Electronic Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Zahid F. Mian, Jeremy C. Mullaney, Robert MacAllister, William Peabody
  • Patent number: 7701591
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: International Electronic Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Zahid F. Mian, Robert MacAllister, William Peabody
  • Publication number: 20090207420
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2009
    Publication date: August 20, 2009
    Inventors: Zahid F. Mian, Robert MacAllister, William Peabody
  • Patent number: 7564569
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: International Electronic Machines Corp.
    Inventors: Zahid F. Mian, Jeremy C. Mullaney, Robert MacAllister, Thomas J. Schneider
  • Patent number: 7525667
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignee: International Electronic Machines Corp.
    Inventors: Zahid F. Mian, Robert MacAllister, William Peabody
  • Publication number: 20090090163
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2008
    Publication date: April 9, 2009
    Inventors: Zahid F. Mian, Jeremy C. Mullaney, Robert MacAllister, William Peabody
  • Patent number: 7478570
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2009
    Assignee: International Electronic Machines Corp.
    Inventors: Zahid F. Mian, Jeremy C. Mullaney, Robert MacAllister, William Peabody
  • Publication number: 20070075192
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2006
    Publication date: April 5, 2007
    Inventors: Zahid Mian, Jeremy Mullaney, Robert MacAllister, William Peabody
  • Publication number: 20070064244
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2006
    Publication date: March 22, 2007
    Inventors: Zahid Mian, Jeremy Mullaney, Robert MacAllister, Thomas Schneider
  • Publication number: 20050259273
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2005
    Publication date: November 24, 2005
    Inventors: Zahid Mian, Robert MacAllister, William Peabody
  • Patent number: 6768551
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2004
    Assignee: International Electronic Machines Corp.
    Inventors: Zahid F. Mian, Ronald W. Gamache, Robert MacAllister
  • Publication number: 20030072001
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2001
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventors: Zahid F. Mian, Ronald W. Gamache, Robert MacAllister