Patents by Inventor Robert Stephen Strong

Robert Stephen Strong 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: 11144041
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for creating three dimensional (3D) visualizations of in-process products. One embodiment is an apparatus that includes a controller and an interface. The controller is able to generate a 3D scene depicting ongoing assembly of a product by a machine tool. The scene includes a 3D model of the product and a 3D model of the machine tool, and the 3D models are placed within the scene based on a location of the product and a location of the machine tool. The interface is able to receive an update from the machine tool indicating a 3D placement of a part that has been attached by the machine tool to the product. The controller is also able to acquire a 3D model of the part, to insert the 3D model of the part within the scene based on the 3D placement, and to provide the scene for display to a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Robert Stephen Strong, Fredrick C. Rudnick, III, Christopher Luis Carpenter, Michael Honea, Kyle W. Lehning
  • Patent number: 10782670
    Abstract: A method for implementing machining tasks for an object. The method identifies location coordinates for a plurality of holes. A task file contains the machining tasks. The robotic devices use the task files to perform the machining tasks. A minimum number of positioning stations is determined where a portion of the machining tasks will be performed by the robotic devices. An ordered sequence for performing the machining tasks is calculated and path a path with the near-minimum distance is determined. Robotic control files are created that cause the robotic devices to perform the machining tasks. The robotic control files are output to the robotic devices to perform the machining tasks to form the plurality of holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Michelle Crivella, Philip L. Freeman, Joshua D. Kalin, Robert Stephen Strong, Patrick Joel Michaels
  • Patent number: 10537910
    Abstract: A method of applying a coating to at least a portion of a surface of a structure using reusable master path rules. The surface of the structure is identified to form surface data. A framework for the surface of the structure is generated using the surface data. The framework comprises a plurality of points. Reusable master path rules are created for a master path connecting the plurality of points. The master path is a continuous line representing a universal route for applying coatings to the surface. The coating is applied to the at least a portion of the surface of the structure using the reusable master path rules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Fredrick Carl Rudnick, III, Robert Stephen Strong, Dennis R. Mathis, Paul J. Shirron
  • Publication number: 20180164775
    Abstract: A method for implementing machining tasks for an object. The method identifies location coordinates for a plurality of holes. A task file contains the machining tasks. The robotic devices use the task files to perform the machining tasks. A minimum number of positioning stations is determined where a portion of the machining tasks will be performed by the robotic devices. An ordered sequence for performing the machining tasks is calculated and path a path with the near-minimum distance is determined. Robotic control files are created that cause the robotic devices to perform the machining tasks. The robotic control files are output to the robotic devices to perform the machining tasks to form the plurality of holes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2016
    Publication date: June 14, 2018
    Inventors: Michelle Crivella, Philip L. Freeman, Joshua D. Kalin, Robert Stephen Strong, Patrick Joel Michaels
  • Publication number: 20180065134
    Abstract: A method of applying a coating to at least a portion of a surface of a structure using reusable master path rules. The surface of the structure is identified to form surface data. A framework for the surface of the structure is generated using the surface data. The framework comprises a plurality of points. Reusable master path rules are created for a master path connecting the plurality of points. The master path is a continuous line representing a universal route for applying coatings to the surface. The coating is applied to the at least a portion of the surface of the structure using the reusable master path rules.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2016
    Publication date: March 8, 2018
    Inventors: Fredrick Carl Rudnick, III, Robert Stephen Strong, Dennis R. Mathis, Paul J. Shirron
  • Patent number: 9569461
    Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method for distributing authority for data objects. Each of the data objects in a replication set is stored at a different data storage site and comprises a copy of a content. An edit authority is assigned to only one of the data storage sites at a time using an edit authority object corresponding to the replication set that is transferable between the data storage sites. Responsive to a change to the content of a data object located at a particular data storage site having the edit authority, an update is propagated to a remaining portion of the data storage sites to affect eventual consistency of the replication set. Usability of the data objects at the remaining portion of the data storage sites is maintained until the update is received and processed to thereby reduce a time and expense associated with maintaining data consistency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Robert Stephen Strong, Max Neal Jensen, Anthony J. Williams, Timothy A. Denney
  • Publication number: 20160124424
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for creating three dimensional (3D) visualizations of in-process products. One embodiment is an apparatus that includes a controller and an interface. The controller is able to generate a 3D scene depicting ongoing assembly of a product by a machine tool. The scene includes a 3D model of the product and a 3D model of the machine tool, and the 3D models are placed within the scene based on a location of the product and a location of the machine tool. The interface is able to receive an update from the machine tool indicating a 3D placement of a part that has been attached by the machine tool to the product. The controller is also able to acquire a 3D model of the part, to insert the 3D model of the part within the scene based on the 3D placement, and to provide the scene for display to a user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2014
    Publication date: May 5, 2016
    Inventors: Robert Stephen Strong, Fredrick C. Rudnick, III, Christopher Luis Carpenter, Michael Honea, Kyle W. Lehning
  • Publication number: 20150363424
    Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method for distributing authority for data objects. Each of the data objects in a replication set is stored at a different data storage site and comprises a copy of a content. An edit authority is assigned to only one of the data storage sites at a time using an edit authority object corresponding to the replication set that is transferable between the data storage sites. Responsive to a change to the content of a data object located at a particular data storage site having the edit authority, an update is propagated to a remaining portion of the data storage sites to affect eventual consistency of the replication set. Usability of the data objects at the remaining portion of the data storage sites is maintained until the update is received and processed to thereby reduce a time and expense associated with maintaining data consistency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2014
    Publication date: December 17, 2015
    Inventors: Robert Stephen Strong, Max Neal Jensen, Anthony J. Williams, Timothy A. Denney