Patents by Inventor Thomas A. Plocher
Thomas A. Plocher 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: 11797967Abstract: A sales device allows for self-checkout of goods in a store. The sales device has a controller configured to control the sales device and a communication device configured to receive and send data from and to a network. At least one camera is included that is configured to create an image of at least one view of an open side of a shopping cart or a shopping basket. The sales device also has a support plate that is configured such that the shopping cart or the shopping basket are placeable on it. A detector is included that is configured to detect the shopping cart or shopping basket on the support plate; as is a sensor that is configured to automatically detect a unique identification number of the shopping cart or shopping basket upon the detector detecting the shopping cart or the shopping basket on the support plate.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2019Date of Patent: October 24, 2023Assignee: BIZERBA SE & CO. KGInventor: Thomas Plocher
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Publication number: 20200151696Abstract: A sales device allows for self-checkout of goods in a store. The sales device has a controller configured to control the sales device and a communication device configured to receive and send data from and to a network. At least one camera is included that is configured to create an image of at least one view of an open side of a shopping cart or a shopping basket. The sales device also has a support plate that is configured such that the shopping cart or the shopping basket are placeable on it. A detector is included that is configured to detect the shopping cart or shopping basket on the support plate; as is a sensor that is configured to automatically detect a unique identification number of the shopping cart or shopping basket upon the detector detecting the shopping cart or the shopping basket on the support plate.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 8, 2019Publication date: May 14, 2020Inventor: Thomas Plocher
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Patent number: 10261092Abstract: Compositions and methods for determining immunologically cross-reactive molecules comprising a cross-reactive antigenic determinant are provided, in particular for determining proteins comprising cross-reactive antigenic determinants, in particular for determining proteins that are cross-reactive based on serological screens using sequential immunological challenges to an animal, including determining cross-reactive H. parasuis proteins. Also provided are compositions, vaccines, and kits using the molecules for diagnostics and methods for preventing or treating a disease, disorder, condition, or symptoms thereof associated with infectious agents, in particular infectious microorganisms, in particular for preventing or treating a disease, disorder, condition, or symptom thereof associated with H. parasuis infection.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2015Date of Patent: April 16, 2019Assignee: Elanco Tiergesundheit AGInventors: Thomas Plocher, Manuel Campos, Richard Harland, Todd Johnson, Trent Harbison, Dan Keil
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Publication number: 20150293118Abstract: Compositions and methods for determining immunologically cross-reactive molecules comprising a cross-reactive antigenic determinant are provided, in particular for determining proteins comprising cross-reactive antigenic determinants, in particular for determining proteins that are cross-reactive based on serological screens using sequential immunological challenges to an animal, including determining cross-reactive H. parasuis proteins. Also provided are compositions, vaccines, and kits using the molecules for diagnostics and methods for preventing or treating a disease, disorder, condition, or symptoms thereof associated with infectious agents, in particular infectious microorganisms, in particular for preventing or treating a disease, disorder, condition, or symptom thereof associated with H. parasuis infection.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 27, 2015Publication date: October 15, 2015Applicant: NOVARTIS TIERGESUNDHEIT AGInventors: Thomas Plocher, Manuel Campos, Richard Harland, Todd Johnson, Trent Harbison, Dan Keil
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Patent number: 9046528Abstract: Compositions and methods for determining immunologically cross-reactive molecules comprising a cross-reactive antigenic determinant are provided, in particular for determining proteins comprising cross-reactive antigenic determinants, in particular for determining proteins that are cross-reactive based on serological screens using sequential immunological challenges to an animal, including determining cross-reactive H. parasuis proteins. Also provided are compositions, vaccines, and kits using the molecules for diagnostics and methods for preventing or treating a disease, disorder, condition, or symptoms thereof associated with infectious agents, in particular infectious microorganisms, in particular for preventing or treating a disease, disorder, condition, or symptom thereof associated with H. parasuis infection.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2009Date of Patent: June 2, 2015Assignee: Novartis Tiergesundheit AGInventors: Thomas Plocher, Manuel Campos, Richard Harland, Todd Johnson, Trent Harbison, Dan Keil
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Patent number: 8443302Abstract: A contactless display system enables a user to interact with a displayed image by moving a finger, or pointer, toward a selected portion of the image. Images can be enlarged, or translated dynamically in response to detected movement. Operational methodology can be manually switched between contact-type and contactless operation to enhance flexibility.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2008Date of Patent: May 14, 2013Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Rui Zhang, Yingfei Wu, Thomas A. Plocher
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Patent number: 8253574Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for establishing smoke flow paths and times of flow between a plurality of ambient condition detectors. Such information can be used in establishing, in real time, dynamically changing evacuation flow routes.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2006Date of Patent: August 28, 2012Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Qing Li, Thomas A. Plocher
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Patent number: 8233008Abstract: A method, system and program product for distinctively displaying selected floors with sufficient details in a three-dimensional building model includes graphical metaphors that permit a selected or highlighted floor and their respective elements to be absolutely clear and distinct from the floors immediately above and below. The graphically displayed metaphors comprise “drawers”, “wireframe”, “expansion/compression”, “projected floor”, “sliding unselected floors”, “turning the pages”, “big map-small map”, and “fisheye” graphical configurations. Such graphically displayed metaphors can be utilized to highlight a selected floor, separate it from adjacent floors, and provide a graphical effect of depicting the floor's vertical position within a building.Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 2007Date of Patent: July 31, 2012Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Janet JZX Jin, Zhang ZYJ Yajun, Thomas A. Plocher, Rui Zhang, Enyi Chen
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Patent number: 8229131Abstract: A public address system installed in a building or other region being monitored can communicate with a regional fire detection system. Responsive to information received from the fire detection system as to developing dangerous conditions, a control unit for the public address system can adaptively create one or more evacuation routes for a region associated with a developing condition. One or more loud speakers in the region can be used to communicate a preferred evacuation route to individuals in the region. The route can be dynamically altered as the condition varies over time.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2007Date of Patent: July 24, 2012Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Thomas A. Plocher, Andrew G. Berezowski, Walter L. Heimerdinger
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Patent number: 8112722Abstract: A method of controlling a cursor displayed on a display device is provided. A three-dimensional environment is displayed on a display device. A cursor and a plurality of objects are displayed on the display device within the three-dimensional environment. The cursor comprises a zone defining a volume to identify at least one object that is at least partially located within the volume. The size of the volumetric activation zone is dynamically adjusted so that a predetermined constraint is satisfied. The predetermined constraint is a function of at least a relationship between the volumetric activation zone of the cursor and at least one of the plurality of objects.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2008Date of Patent: February 7, 2012Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Enyi Chen, Zhao Xia Jin, Thomas A. Plocher
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Patent number: 8082132Abstract: A method and computer-readable medium for modeling smoke propagation in a structure are presented, along with applications of the method. A model is provided of a multiplicity of compartments within the structure, and the presence of a fire within a compartment is determined. The energy and smoke released by the fire is estimated, and smoke flows out of the compartment are determined. Each compartment having a smoke source is analyzed, individually, for the propagation of smoke. Each compartment is assumed to have a homogenous upper smoke layer and a lower cool air layer. The analysis includes a mass and energy balance to determine the change in characteristics of the upper smoke layer, where a known pressure for the lower cool air layer is used for the balance. For multiple smoke sources into a compartment, the contributions to the mass and energy balance of each smoke source are considered additive.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2007Date of Patent: December 20, 2011Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Qing Li, Thomas A. Plocher
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Patent number: 7982628Abstract: A verbal language based output system includes data defining a geometrical region, such as a building, configuration data relative to various detectors in the region, and a plurality of event inputs associated with the detectors. Verbal language generation software, in response to the data and the event inputs, produces verbal descriptions of developing events. Such verbal descriptions can be audibly output for use by personnel needing to enter the region to address the events.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2008Date of Patent: July 19, 2011Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Thomas A. Plocher, Henry Chen
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Patent number: 7954070Abstract: A display for identifying a floor of a building being monitored presents a plurality of groups of floors and a plurality of floors in a group. The groups can be of floors and selected plurality of floors automatically presented to identify one or more floors that are exhibiting a selected ambient condition being monitored. Alternately, a slide can be used to identify one of a plurality of floors. A zoom function can also be provided.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2005Date of Patent: May 31, 2011Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Thomas A. Plocher, Jeffrey M. Rye, Xianghong Sun
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Publication number: 20110094184Abstract: A method of displaying smoke propagation in a region minimizes distractions due to building structural elements so that a user can focus on the smoke flow. An associated apparatus includes a plurality of smoke detectors and a display device which respond to smoke in the building. The apparatus generates the displays indicating the path of propagation of the developing smoke between floors. The display device can be wirelessly coupled to the apparatus.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 28, 2009Publication date: April 28, 2011Applicant: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Ji Gu, Yusi Liu, Thomas A. Plocher
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Publication number: 20110014225Abstract: Compositions and methods for determining immunologically cross-reactive molecules comprising a cross-reactive antigenic determinant are provided, in particular for determining proteins comprising cross-reactive antigenic determinants, in particular for determining proteins that are cross-reactive based on serological screens using sequential immunological challenges to an animal, including determining cross-reactive H. parasuis proteins. Also provided are compositions, vaccines, and kits using the molecules for diagnostics and methods for preventing or treating a disease, disorder, condition, or symptoms thereof associated with infectious agents, in particular infectious microorganisms, in particular for preventing or treating a disease, disorder, condition, or symptom thereof associated with H. parasuis infection.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 20, 2009Publication date: January 20, 2011Applicant: NOVARTIS AGInventors: Thomas Plocher, Manuel Campos, Richard Harland, Todd Johnson, Trent Harbison, Dan Kiel
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Patent number: 7728853Abstract: A method and system of rendering buildings in three-dimensional space first renders a respective floor, then adds objects and finally walls to bound each of the floors. The result, a three-dimensional rendering of a building illustrates the position of objects within the building in addition to presenting the overall shape of the building. The rendering can be discontinuously rotated, about an axis, in response to user inputs.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2006Date of Patent: June 1, 2010Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Thomas A. Plocher, Jeffrey M. Rye
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Publication number: 20100102983Abstract: A verbal language based output system includes data defining a geometrical region, such as a building, configuration data relative to various detectors in the region, and a plurality of event inputs associated with the detectors. Verbal language generation software, in response to the data and the event inputs, produces verbal descriptions of developing events. Such verbal descriptions can be audibly output for use by personnel needing to enter the region to address the events.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 29, 2008Publication date: April 29, 2010Inventors: Thomas A. Plocher, Henry Chen
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Patent number: 7683793Abstract: An adaptive evacuation system and method for providing a safety route to evacuees. Active smoke and heat detector information can be obtained from a fire panel. Routes and exits in proximity to the active detectors are assumed to be unsafe and closed for use in evacuation. Evacuation planning is accomplished with the remaining “safe” routes. The progression of fire and smoke and the time-dependent degradation of evacuation route safety associated with progression of fire and smoke can be predicted and initial classification and signaling of route safety can be performed. As the fire progresses, the initial time-dependent classifications are updated and initially safe routes are reclassified as unsafe and then evacuation directions are modified.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2006Date of Patent: March 23, 2010Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Qing Li, Thomas A. Plocher
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Publication number: 20100013597Abstract: A locked medication container can be unlocked opened in response to a person's matching biometric characteristic and satisfaction of pre-established rules of access relating to day and time. One type of characteristic is a finger or thumb print. A communication can be sent to a remote site indicating that access was attempted by a specific person at a specific date and time and was successful or unsuccessful.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 13, 2005Publication date: January 21, 2010Inventors: Gary E. Determan, Thomas A. Plocher, Rand P. Whillock, Yong Ming Kow, Liana M. Kiff, George A. Kilgore
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Patent number: 7646307Abstract: A system and method for visualizing the location and movement of people in facilities. The facility is provided with a plurality of sensors such as RF or IR sensors that communicate with a badge worn by each individual and selected physical assets in the facility. The sensors send data to a processor which displays the data on a monitor in a form that permits ready visualization of the individuals, and allows the observer to select information as needed. The display may directly indicate certain specifics about an individual based on data stored in the processor or entered by the observer.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2005Date of Patent: January 12, 2010Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Thomas A. Plocher, Jeffrey M. Rye, Liana M. Kiff, Michelle A. Raymond