Patents by Inventor Tod A. Oblak

Tod A. Oblak 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: 11869331
    Abstract: An example wear detection system receives first image data related to at least one ground engaging tool (GET) of a work machine from one or more sensors at a first time instance in a dig-dump cycle of the work machine. The wear detection system processes the first image data to determine a first wear measurement and first wear level for the at least one GET. The wear detection system determines whether the first wear level is indicative of a GET replacement condition. The wear detection system generates an alert when the first wear level is indicative of the GET replacement condition. The wear detection system receives second image data related to the at least one GET a second time instance different from the first time instance when the first wear level is not indicative of the GET replacement condition and determines a second wear measurement and second wear level for the at least one GET.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Lawrence A Mianzo, Tod A Oblak, Shawn Nainan Mathew, John M Plouzek, Raymond Alan Wise, Daniel Paul Adler
  • Patent number: 11821177
    Abstract: An example wear detection system receives a left image and a right image of a bucket of a work machine having at least one ground engaging tool (GET). The example system identifies a first region of interest from the left image corresponding to the GET and a second region of interest from the right image corresponding to the GET. The example system also generates a left-edge digital image corresponding to the first region of interest and a right-edge digital image corresponding to the second region of interest. Further, the example system determines a sparse stereo disparity between the left-edge digital image and the right-edge digital image, and also determines a wear level or loss for the at least one GET based on the sparse stereo disparity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Lawrence A Mianzo, Tod A Oblak, John M Plouzek, Shawn Nainan Mathew, Raymond Alan Wise
  • Patent number: 11669956
    Abstract: An example wear detection system receives first imaging data from one or more sensors associated with a work machine. The first imaging data comprises data related to at least one ground engaging tool (GET) of the work machine. The example system identifies a region of interest including data of the at least one GET within the first imaging data. Based on the identified region of interest, the example system controls a LiDAR sensor to capture second imaging data capturing the at least one GET that is of higher resolution than the first imaging data. The example system generates a three-dimensional point cloud of the at least one GET based on the second imaging data and determines a wear level or loss for the at least one GET based on the three-dimensional point cloud.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Lawrence A Mianzo, Tod A Oblak, John M Plouzek, Raymond Alan Wise, Shawn Nainan Mathew
  • Patent number: 11650147
    Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus for real-time characterization of drilled particles during a drilling operation can be comprised of a light illumination source to output short-wave-infrared (SWIR) light toward the drilled particles as the drilled particles exit a drill hole being drilled by a drilling machine; a sensor to sense reflected short-wave-infrared (SWIR) light reflected from the drilled particles exiting the drill hole; and processing circuitry operatively coupled to at least the sensor. The processing circuitry can be configured to determine a spectrum of the reflected short-wave-infrared light sensed by the sensor, and determine particle characterization for a portion of the drilled particles by performing hyperspectral analysis on the determined spectrum and based on predetermined candidate particle characterizations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Tod A. Oblak, Lyle Taylor, James Peterson, Carl Hendricks, John F. Halterman, Lawrence A. Mianzo, Narayana G. Nadukuru
  • Patent number: 11609322
    Abstract: A ground material density measurement system is disclosed. The ground material density measurement system may receive a moisture measurement associated with an amount of moisture on a ground surface of a section of ground material. The ground material density measurement system may determine a GPR measurement associated with the section of ground material. The ground material density measurement system may process the GPR measurement based on the moisture measurement to account for the amount of moisture. The ground material density measurement system may provide density information associated with the section of ground material based on the processed GPR measurement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas A. Oetken, Tod A. Oblak
  • Publication number: 20230053154
    Abstract: An example wear detection system receives a plurality of images from a plurality of sensors associated with a work machine. Individual sensors of the plurality of sensors have respective fields-of-view different from other sensors of the plurality of sensors. The wear detection system identifies a first region of interest and second region of interest associated with the at least one GET. The wear detection system determines a first set of image points and a second set of images points for the at least one GET based on geometric parameters associated with the GET. The wear detection system determines a wear level or loss for the at least one GET based on the GET measurement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2021
    Publication date: February 16, 2023
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Lawrence A. Mianzo, Tod A. Oblak, John M. Plouzek, Raymond Alan Wise, Shawn Nainan Mathew, Daniel Paul Adler
  • Publication number: 20230051843
    Abstract: An example wear detection system receives first image data related to at least one ground engaging tool (GET) of a work machine from one or more sensors at a first time instance in a dig-dump cycle of the work machine. The wear detection system processes the first image data to determine a first wear measurement and first wear level for the at least one GET. The wear detection system determines whether the first wear level is indicative of a GET replacement condition. The wear detection system generates an alert when the first wear level is indicative of the GET replacement condition. The wear detection system receives second image data related to the at least one GET a second time instance different from the first time instance when the first wear level is not indicative of the GET replacement condition and determines a second wear measurement and second wear level for the at least one GET.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2021
    Publication date: February 16, 2023
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Lawrence A. Mianzo, Tod A. Oblak, Shawn Nainan Mathew, John M. Plouzek, Raymond Alan Wise, Daniel Paul Adler
  • Publication number: 20220383469
    Abstract: An example wear detection system receives first imaging data from one or more sensors associated with a work machine. The first imaging data comprises data related to at least one ground engaging tool (GET) of the work machine. The example system identifies a region of interest including data of the at least one GET within the first imaging data. Based on the identified region of interest, the example system controls a LiDAR sensor to capture second imaging data capturing the at least one GET that is of higher resolution than the first imaging data. The example system generates a three-dimensional point cloud of the at least one GET based on the second imaging data and determines a wear level or loss for the at least one GET based on the three-dimensional point cloud.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2021
    Publication date: December 1, 2022
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Lawrence A. Mianzo, Tod A. Oblak, John M. Plouzek, Raymond Alan Wise, Shawn Nainan Mathew
  • Publication number: 20220307978
    Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus for real-time characterization of drilled particles during a drilling operation can be comprised of a light illumination source to output short-wave-infrared (SWIR) light toward the drilled particles as the drilled particles exit a drill hole being drilled by a drilling machine; a sensor to sense reflected short-wave-infrared (SWIR) light reflected from the drilled particles exiting the drill hole; and processing circuitry operatively coupled to at least the sensor. The processing circuitry can be configured to determine a spectrum of the reflected short-wave-infrared light sensed by the sensor, and determine particle characterization for a portion of the drilled particles by performing hyperspectral analysis on the determined spectrum and based on predetermined candidate particle characterizations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2021
    Publication date: September 29, 2022
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Tod A. OBLAK, Lyle TAYLOR, James PETERSON, Carl HENDRICKS, John F. HALTERMAN, Lawrence A. Mianzo, Narayana G. Nadukuru
  • Publication number: 20220251807
    Abstract: An example wear detection system receives a left image and a right image of a bucket of a work machine having at least one ground engaging tool (GET). The example system identifies a first region of interest from the left image corresponding to the GET and a second region of interest from the right image corresponding to the GET. The example system also generates a left-edge digital image corresponding to the first region of interest and a right-edge digital image corresponding to the second region of interest. Further, the example system determines a sparse stereo disparity between the left-edge digital image and the right-edge digital image, and also determines a wear level or loss for the at least one GET based on the sparse stereo disparity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2021
    Publication date: August 11, 2022
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Lawrence A. Mianzo, Tod A. Oblak, John M. Plouzek, Shawn Nainan Mathew, Raymond Alan Wise
  • Publication number: 20210141080
    Abstract: A ground material density measurement system is disclosed. The ground material density measurement system may receive a moisture measurement associated with an amount of moisture on a ground surface of a section of ground material. The ground material density measurement system may determine a GPR measurement associated with the section of ground material. The ground material density measurement system may process the GPR measurement based on the moisture measurement to account for the amount of moisture. The ground material density measurement system may provide density information associated with the section of ground material based on the processed GPR measurement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2019
    Publication date: May 13, 2021
    Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas A. OETKEN, Tod A. OBLAK
  • Patent number: 10889958
    Abstract: A display system for displaying image data of an environment of a machine includes an imaging device. The imaging device generates image data of the environment of the machine. The imaging device stores the image data in an uncompressed form. The imaging device compresses the image data and generates signals indicative of the compressed image data. The display system further includes a display screen communicably coupled to the imaging device. The display screen receives the signals indicative of the compressed image data from the imaging device and displays the compressed image data on the display screen. The imaging device and the display screen identify whether a region of interest exists in the image data. The display screen displays the image data corresponding to the region of interest in the uncompressed form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Tod A. Oblak, Lawrence A. Mianzo, Jeffrey T. Stringer
  • Patent number: 10250812
    Abstract: A display system for displaying image data of an environment of a machine includes a display screen and a plurality of imaging devices communicably coupled to the display screen. Each of the plurality of imaging devices generates image data of the environment of the machine and has an associated operating parameter. The plurality of imaging devices stores the image data in an uncompressed form. The plurality of imaging devices compresses the image data and generates signals indicative of the compressed image data. The plurality of imaging devices receives the operating parameter associated with at least one another imaging device. The plurality of imaging devices transmits the compressed image data to the display screen based on the associated operating parameter and the received parameter of the at least one another imaging device. The plurality of imaging devices displays an image on the display screen based on the transmitted image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Tod A. Oblak, Lawrence A. Mianzo, Jeffrey T. Stringer
  • Publication number: 20180352162
    Abstract: A display system for displaying image data of an environment of a machine includes an imaging device. The imaging device generates image data of the environment of the machine. The imaging device stores the image data in an uncompressed form. The imaging device compresses the image data and generates signals indicative of the compressed image data. The display system further includes a display screen communicably coupled to the imaging device. The display screen receives the signals indicative of the compressed image data from the imaging device and displays the compressed image data on the display screen. The imaging device and the display screen identify whether a region of interest exists in the image data. The display screen displays the image data corresponding to the region of interest in the uncompressed form.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2017
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Tod A. Oblak, Lawrence A. Mianzo, Jeffrey T. Stringer
  • Publication number: 20180338087
    Abstract: A display system for displaying image data of an environment of a machine includes a display screen and a plurality of imaging devices communicably coupled to the display screen. Each of the plurality of imaging devices generates image data of the environment of the machine and has an associated operating parameter. The plurality of imaging devices stores the image data in an uncompressed form. The plurality of imaging devices compresses the image data and generates signals indicative of the compressed image data. The plurality of imaging devices receives the operating parameter associated with at least one another imaging device. The plurality of imaging devices transmits the compressed image data to the display screen based on the associated operating parameter and the received parameter of the at least one another imaging device. The plurality of imaging devices displays an image on the display screen based on the transmitted image data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2017
    Publication date: November 22, 2018
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Tod A. Oblak, Lawrence A. Mianzo, Jeffrey T. Stringer
  • Patent number: 6426679
    Abstract: An atomic clock of the type having a cell filled with an active vapor through which is projected a light beam. A detector of the projected light provides corresponding detector signals to a microprocessor. An rf frequency synthesizer provides a microwave signal to a microwave cavity adjacent the cell and also provides a clock standard output signal. The rf frequency synthesizer includes a fractional-N frequency synthesizer which compares signals from a voltage controlled crystal reference oscillator and a voltage controlled oscillator. The fractional-N frequency synthesizer is operable to provide an output control signal to precisely lock the voltage controlled oscillator microwave output signal with the voltage controlled crystal reference oscillator signal. The fractional-N frequency synthesizer also periodically causes a predetermined desired dither in the microwave signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2002
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Corporation
    Inventors: Tod A. Oblak, Harvey C. Nathanson
  • Publication number: 20020075079
    Abstract: An atomic clock of the type having a cell filled with an active vapor through which is projected a light beam. A detector of the projected light provides corresponding detector signals to a microprocessor. An rf frequency synthesizer provides a microwave signal to a microwave cavity adjacent the cell and also provides a clock standard output signal. The rf frequency synthesizer includes a fractional-N frequency synthesizer which compares signals from a voltage controlled crystal reference oscillator and a voltage controlled oscillator. The fractional-N frequency synthesizer is operable to provide an output control signal to precisely lock the voltage controlled oscillator microwave output signal with the voltage controlled crystal reference oscillator signal. The fractional-N frequency synthesizer also periodically causes a predetermined desired dither in the microwave signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2000
    Publication date: June 20, 2002
    Inventors: Tod A. Oblak, Harvey C. Nathanson
  • Patent number: 5946095
    Abstract: A natural gas detection system is provided for use with a vehicle. A natural gas detector apparatus is mounted to the vehicle so that the vehicle transports the detector apparatus over an are of interest at speeds of up to 20 miles per hour. The detector apparatus includes a transmitter section and a receiver section displaced a preselected distance from each other. The transmitter section has a light source transmitting a light beam to the receiver section forming a beam path therebetween. The apparatus is arranged such that natural gas intercepts the beam path and absorbs representative wavelengths of the light beam. The receiver section receives a portion of the light beam onto an electro-optical etalon for detecting the gas. A method of detecting natural gas is also provided. The method has the steps of providing a vehicle and mounting a natural gas detector apparatus to the vehicle. The detector apparatus has a transmitter section and a receiver section displaced a preselected distance from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1999
    Assignees: Gas Research Institute, Westinghouse Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Tom Henningsen, Tod A. Oblak, Max Garbuny, John M. Zomp, L. L. (Tom) Altpeter, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5768323
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for synchronizing symbol timing for a QPSK demodulator. A matched filter pair outputs respective "early-punctual-late" signals. The early and late signals are input to a symbol synchronizing estimator that produces an interpolation control signal used by the filters to synchronize the symbol timing to the sample timing. The punctual signal is output as an information bearing signal representing the received inphase and quadrature signals. The matched filters are interpolating matched filters. The symbol synchronizing estimator normalizes the early and late signals in a manner that allow the demodulator to "flywheel" over signals having a low signal to noise ratio below a predetermined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1998
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Brian W. Kroeger, Joseph B. Bronder, Tod A. Oblak, Jeffrey S. Baird
  • Patent number: 5319972
    Abstract: An ultrasonic level measuring system includes a transducer mounted on the bottom of a pipe which launches acoustic pulses up through the pipe wall into the water. The pulses are reflected from the water surface and received by the transducer along with pulses reflected by the pipe wall and reverberations within the pipe wall. The system has a monitor mode in which a variable threshold for the reflected pulses is set by dividing the time after a trigger pulse into time bins and automatically establishing a threshold level for each time bin. In a signal search mode, the time bin containing the liquid level is identified from a histogram recording reflected pulses which exceed the threshold levels for the various time bins. In a normal operating mode, foreground calculations precisely calculating the liquid level in the identified bin alternate with background calculations which reassess the identification of the time bin containing the liquid level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 14, 1994
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.
    Inventors: Tod A. Oblak, Daniel F. Dudek, John R. Smith