Patents by Inventor Thomas M. Baker

Thomas M. Baker 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).

  • Publication number: 20250093205
    Abstract: Color temperature in a space may be adjusted by controlling one or more lighting control devices (e.g., which control one or more lighting fixtures). Light may enter the space through a window. As a result of daylight control devices associated with the window, the color temperature of light that is entering the space may not be equal to a color temperature of light from outside of the space. A desired color temperature for the space may be input. The color temperature of light emitted by one or more lighting fixtures (e.g., controlled by one or more lighting control devices) may be adjusted to attain the desired color temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2024
    Publication date: March 20, 2025
    Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Rhodes B. Baker, Craig Alan Casey, Thomas M. Shearer
  • Patent number: 12231414
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed relating to multiway communications. In some embodiments, a first electronic device initiates a multiway call between a plurality of electronic devices and exchanges a first secret with a first set of electronic devices participating during a first portion of the multiway call, the first secret being used to encrypt traffic between the first set of electronic devices. The first electronic device receives an indication that first set of participating electronic devices has changed and, in response to the indication, exchanges a second secret with a second set of electronic devices participating during a second portion of the multiway call, the second secret being used to encrypt traffic between the second set of participating electronic devices. In some embodiments, the indication identifies a second electronic device as leaving the multiway call, and the second secret is not exchanged with the second electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2025
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Yan Yang, Jin Hyung Park, Joe S. Abuan, Berkat S. Tung, Sean P. Devlin, Vu H. Chiem, Jose A. Lozano Hinojosa, Thomas P. Devanneaux, Vladimir Goupenko, Hsien-Po Shiang, Daniel B. Pollack, Mark M. Xue, David J. Steele, Yu Xing, Ryan W. Baker, Christopher M. Garrido, Ming Jin
  • Patent number: 12225646
    Abstract: A visible light sensor (VLS) may be configured to sense environmental characteristics using images of a space. The VLS may be controlled in one or more modes, including a daylight glare sensor mode, a daylighting sensor mode, a color sensor mode, and/or an occupancy/vacancy sensor mode. In the daylight glare sensor mode, the VLS may be configured to decrease or eliminate glares. In the daylighting sensor mode and/or color sensor mode, the VLS may be configured to provide a preferred amount of light and color temperature, respectively, within the space. In the occupancy/vacancy sensor mode, the VLS may be configured to detect an occupancy/vacancy condition within the space and adjust one or more control devices according to the occupation or vacancy of the space. The visible light sensor may be configured to protect the privacy of users within the space via software, a removable module, and/or a special sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2025
    Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Rhodes B. Baker, Craig Alan Casey, Galen Edgar Knode, Brent Protzman, Thomas M. Shearer, James P. Steiner
  • Patent number: 11798411
    Abstract: A device may receive three-dimensional geographical map data for a geographical region associated with a vehicle device of a vehicle and may process the three-dimensional geographical map data, with a data model, to transform the three-dimensional geographical map data into transformed geographical map data with a format that corresponds to a particular standard. The device may generate a message based on the transformed geographical map data and may cause the message to be provided to the vehicle device. The device may perform one or more actions based on the message.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas M. Baker, Jr., Randall Paul Carver, Chad Hammond
  • Patent number: 11741167
    Abstract: An illustrative computing system generates, based on a plurality of point-of-interest data records each including data representative of a distinct set of features for a distinct point-of-interest associated with a distinct geographic location, a graph data structure that includes the plurality of point-of-interest data records and a plurality of weighted feature relationships interconnecting the plurality of point-of-interest data records. The computing system generates one or more merged point-of-interest data records based on the graph data structure and provides the one or more merged point-of-interest data records to a mapping system to indicate one or more points-of-interest on a user interface map of a geographic area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc.
    Inventors: Wesley Boyer, Aleksei Maximillian Kac, Mark Romanak, Thomas M. Baker, Jr., Jeremy McKay, Jared David Barnes, Rossi Guiliani
  • Publication number: 20230024757
    Abstract: A device may receive three-dimensional geographical map data for a geographical region associated with a vehicle device of a vehicle and may process the three-dimensional geographical map data, with a data model, to transform the three-dimensional geographical map data into transformed geographical map data with a format that corresponds to a particular standard. The device may generate a message based on the transformed geographical map data and may cause the message to be provided to the vehicle device. The device may perform one or more actions based on the message.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2021
    Publication date: January 26, 2023
    Applicant: Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas M. BAKER, JR., Randall Paul CARVER, Chad HAMMOND
  • Publication number: 20220215054
    Abstract: An illustrative computing system generates, based on a plurality of point-of-interest data records each including data representative of a distinct set of features for a distinct point-of-interest associated with a distinct geographic location, a graph data structure that includes the plurality of point-of-interest data records and a plurality of weighted feature relationships interconnecting the plurality of point-of-interest data records. The computing system generates one or more merged point-of-interest data records based on the graph data structure and provides the one or more merged point-of-interest data records to a mapping system to indicate one or more points-of-interest on a user interface map of a geographic area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2022
    Publication date: July 7, 2022
    Inventors: Wesley Boyer, Aleksei Maximillian Kac, Mark Romanak, Thomas M. Baker, JR., Jeremy McKay, Jared David Barnes, Rossi Guiliani
  • Patent number: 11308165
    Abstract: An exemplary point-of-interest merging system accesses point-of-interest data records. Each point-of-interest data record includes data representative of a distinct set of features for a distinct point-of-interest. The merging system generates, based on the distinct sets of features of the point-of-interest data records, a graph data structure that includes the point-of-interest data records and weighted feature relationships interconnecting the point-of-interest data records. The merging system clusters, based on the graph data structure, the point-of-interest data records into subset groups of point-of-interest data records. The merging system generates one or more merged point-of-interest data records based on the clustered subset groups of point-of-interest data records.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc.
    Inventors: Wesley Boyer, Aleksei Maximillian Kac, Mark Romanak, Thomas M. Baker, Jr., Jeremy McKay, Jared David Barnes, Rossi Guiliani
  • Publication number: 20200342026
    Abstract: An exemplary point-of-interest merging system accesses point-of-interest data records. Each point-of-interest data record includes data representative of a distinct set of features for a distinct point-of-interest. The merging system generates, based on the distinct sets of features of the point-of-interest data records, a graph data structure that includes the point-of-interest data records and weighted feature relationships interconnecting the point-of-interest data records. The merging system clusters, based on the graph data structure, the point-of-interest data records into subset groups of point-of-interest data records. The merging system generates one or more merged point-of-interest data records based on the clustered subset groups of point-of-interest data records.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2019
    Publication date: October 29, 2020
    Inventors: Wesley Boyer, Aleksei Maximillian Kac, Mark Romanak, Thomas M. Baker, JR., Jeremy McKay, David Jared Barnes, Rossi Guiliani
  • Patent number: 9455651
    Abstract: A motor driver for driving a motor is disclosed. The motor driver has a first power bus, a first switching device coupled between the first power bus and a first terminal of the motor, a second power bus, a second switching device coupled between the second power bus and a second terminal of the motor, and an integrated braking chopper coupled between the first and second power buses. The integrated braking chopper is configured to dissipate an extra power generated by the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Rodwan T. Adra, Edward L. Zwilling, Thomas M. Baker, William J. Tate, Eric M. Andris
  • Publication number: 20160173011
    Abstract: A motor driver for driving a motor is disclosed. The motor driver has a first power bus, a first switching device coupled between the first power bus and a first terminal of the motor, a second power bus, a second switching device coupled between the second power bus and a second terminal of the motor, and an integrated braking chopper coupled between the first and second power buses. The integrated braking chopper is configured to dissipate an extra power generated by the motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2014
    Publication date: June 16, 2016
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Rodwan T. ADRA, Edward L. ZWILLING, Thomas M. BAKER, William J. TATE, Eric M. ANDRIS
  • Patent number: 8441827
    Abstract: A power converter assembly includes a housing and at least one transistor module. The housing has a liquid cooled heat transfer surface. The at least one transistor module is mounted directly to the liquid cooled heat transfer surface and positioned at least partially within the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas M. Baker, Robert R. Sychra, Keith E. Dixler, Jon N. Husser
  • Patent number: 7869208
    Abstract: Assembling a power converter for a multiple phase electric drive propulsion system in a machine includes arranging a plurality of rectangular capacitor units of a capacitor subassembly for conditioning electrical power in the power converter in a first packaging arrangement. In the first packaging arrangement, major capacitor axes of each one of the capacitor units are co-linear with one another and minor capacitor axes of each one of the capacitor units are oriented parallel but not co-linear with one another. Assembling the power converter further includes arranging a plurality of IGBT modules of a transistor subassembly for power switching in the power converter in a second packaging arrangement. In the second packaging arrangement major module axes of each one of the IGBT modules are oriented parallel but not co-linear with one another and minor module axes of each one of the IGBT modules are co-linear with one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventors: Jon Husser, Keith E. Dixler, Thomas M. Baker, Robert R. Sychra
  • Publication number: 20100232111
    Abstract: A power converter assembly includes a housing and at least one transistor module. The housing has a liquid cooled heat transfer surface. The at least one transistor module is mounted directly to the liquid cooled heat transfer surface and positioned at least partially within the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2010
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Thomas M. Baker, Robert R. Sychra, Keith E. Dixler, Jon N. Husser
  • Publication number: 20100165575
    Abstract: Assembling a power converter for a multiple phase electric drive propulsion system in a machine includes arranging a plurality of rectangular capacitor units of a capacitor subassembly for conditioning electrical power in the power converter in a first packaging arrangement. In the first packaging arrangement, major capacitor axes of each one of the capacitor units are co-linear with one another and minor capacitor axes of each one of the capacitor units are oriented parallel but not co-linear with one another. Assembling the power converter further includes arranging a plurality of IGBT modules of a transistor subassembly for power switching in the power converter in a second packaging arrangement. In the second packaging arrangement major module axes of each one of the IGBT modules are oriented parallel but not co-linear with one another and minor module axes of each one of the IGBT modules are co-linear with one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2009
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Inventors: Jon Husser, Keith E. Dixler, Thomas M. Baker, Robert R. Sychra
  • Patent number: 7242311
    Abstract: A method is performed to provide a multi-functional user interface on a work machine for displaying suggested corrective action. The process includes receiving status information associated with the work machine and analyzing the status information to determine an abnormal condition. The process also includes displaying a warning message on the display device indicating the abnormal condition and determining one or more corrective actions to handle the abnormal condition. Further, the process includes determining an appropriate corrective action among the one or more corrective actions and displaying a recommendation message on the display device reflecting the appropriate corrective action. The process may also include displaying a list including the remaining one or more corrective actions on the display device to provide alternative actions to an operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Brian D. Hoff, Sivaprasad Akasam, Thomas M. Baker
  • Patent number: 7137839
    Abstract: An electrical connector includes a female component having one or more receptacles, a first test receptacle, and a second test receptacle. The electrical connector also includes a male component having one or more terminals configured to engage the one or more receptacles, a first test pin configured to engage the first test receptacle, and a second test pin configured to engage the second test receptacle. The first test receptacle is electrically connected to the second test receptacle, and at least one of the first test pin and the second test pin is shorter in length than the one or more terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2006
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Jennifer L. Dilliner, Thomas M. Baker, Sivaprasad Akasam, Brian D. Hoff
  • Patent number: 7092848
    Abstract: A method is provided for testing multiple elements of a work machine, including a control system, a component, a sub-component that is influenced by operations of the component, and a sensor that monitors a characteristic of the sub-component. In one embodiment, the method is performed by the control system and includes sending a command to the component to adjust a first parameter associated with an operation of the component. Also, the method includes detecting a sensor signal from the sensor reflecting a second parameter associated with a characteristic of the sub-component and determining whether the second parameter is acceptable based on the command. The control system may diagnose at least one of the elements of the work machine when the second parameter of the sub-component is not acceptable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Brian D. Hoff, Kris W. Johnson, Sivaprasad Akasam, Thomas M. Baker
  • Patent number: 6874695
    Abstract: There are situations in which an operator remains in an operator station of a work machine when an engine of the work machine is inactive. The present invention includes a control system for, and a method of, heating the operator station when the engine is inactive. A heating system of the work machine includes an electrically-powered coolant pump, a power source, and at least one piece of warmed machinery. An operator heat controller is moveable between a first and a second position, and is operable to connect the electrically-powered coolant pump to the power source when the engine is inactive and the operator heat controller is in the first position. Thus, by deactivating the engine and then moving the operator heat controller to the first position, the operator may supply electrical energy to the electrically-powered coolant pump, which is operably coupled to heat the operator station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventors: Thomas M. Baker, Brian D. Hoff, Sivaprasad Akasam
  • Publication number: 20040104280
    Abstract: There are situations in which an operator remains in an operator station of a work machine when an engine of the work machine is inactive. The present invention includes a control system for, and a method of, heating the operator station when the engine is inactive. A heating system of the work machine includes an electrically-powered coolant pump, a power source, and at least one piece of warmed machinery. An operator heat controller is moveable between a first and a second position, and is operable to connect the electrically-powered coolant pump to the power source when the engine is inactive and the operator heat controller is in the first position. Thus, by deactivating the engine and then moving the operator heat controller to the first position, the operator may supply electrical energy to the electrically-powered coolant pump, which is operably coupled to heat the operator station.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2002
    Publication date: June 3, 2004
    Inventors: Thomas M. Baker, Brian D. Hoff, Sivaprasad Akasam