Patents by Inventor Shane A. May

Shane A. May 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: 10114370
    Abstract: A Machine Automation System (MAS) for a machine with an implement includes a plurality of Vehicle Electronic Control Modules (ECMs), a local transceiver, an Ethernet Local Area Network (LAN), a first Controller Area Network (CAN), an Autonomy Electronic Control Module (AECM), an environment monitoring system, and a Remote Shutdown Module (RSM). The AECM is configured to generate output control signals, and to transmit the output control signals to at least one ECM of the plurality of Vehicle ECMs, wherein the output control signals control an operation of the machine. The RSM is disposed on the machine and configured to receive a safety control signal from off-board the machine. The MAS is configured to operate advanced machine control features concurrently with execution of the input control signals received from off-board the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony Keith Nathan Nelson, Shane A. May, Suneel Venkata Kandula
  • Publication number: 20180143625
    Abstract: A MAS for a machine that includes an implement, and a related method of controlling such machine is provided. The MAS may comprise a plurality of Vehicle ECMs, a local transceiver, an Ethernet LAN, a first CAN, an AECM, an environment monitoring system and an RSM. The AECM is configured to generate output control signals, and to transmit the output control signals to at least one of the Vehicle ECMs, wherein the output control signals control an operation of the machine. The RSM is disposed on the machine and configured to receive a safety control signal from off-board the machine. The MAS is configured to operate advance machine control features concurrently with execution of the input control signals received from off-board the machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2016
    Publication date: May 24, 2018
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony Keith Nathan Nelson, Shane A. May, Suneel Venkata Kandula
  • Patent number: 9910434
    Abstract: A MAS for a machine that includes an implement, and a related method of controlling such machine is provided. The MAS may comprise a plurality of Vehicle ECMs, a local transceiver, an Ethernet LAN, a first CAN, an AECM, an environment monitoring system and an RSM. The AECM is configured to generate output control signals based, at least in part, on input from the environment monitoring system, and to transmit the output control signals to at least one of the Vehicle ECMs, wherein the output control signals control an operation of the machine. The MAS is configured to execute semi-autonomous functions of the machine based on input from the environment monitoring system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony Keith Nathan Nelson, Shane A. May, Suneel Venkata Kandula
  • Patent number: 9797247
    Abstract: A control system and related method for controlling the machine in a mine. The control system may comprise a LADAR, an interface device, a processor and an AECM. The LADAR may be configured to capture scan data of physical mine walls. The interface device may be configured to display a mine map illustrating a section of the mine. The processor may be configured to add a virtual wall to the mine map in response to a first user input. The processor may be configured to add a temporary wall to the mine map in response to a second user input. The temporary wall may be based on scan data of a physical mine wall captured by the LADAR. The AECM is configured to control an operation of the machine, based on the mine map, to avoid collision of the machine with the virtual wall or the temporary wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony Keith Nathan Nelson, Shane A. May, Suneel Venkata Kandula