Patents by Inventor Todd R. Vernaz

Todd R. Vernaz 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).

  • Infrared obstacle detection in the presence of sunlight
    Patent number: 6812466
    Abstract: In an infrared obstruction detection system, an apparatus is used to detect the presence of ambient light and initiate compensation to minimize the effects of the ambient light on the performance of the system. In one embodiment, the magnitude of the ambient light is measured and an offset proportional to that magnitude is fed to the obstruction detection system such that the data indicative of an obstacle are not obscured. In another embodiment, the apparatus continually monitors the effect of ambient light and adjusts the obstacle detection information during the changing states of the ambient light detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Prospects, Corp.
    Inventors: Christopher J. O'Connor, James D. Davis, Jr., Todd R. Vernaz, Stephen A. Hawley
  • Infrared obstacle detection in the presence of sunlight
    Publication number: 20040056199
    Abstract: In an infrared obstruction detection system, an apparatus is used to detect the presence of ambient light and initiate compensation to minimize the effects of the ambient light on the performance of the system. In one embodiment, the magnitude of the ambient light is measured and an offset proportional to that magnitude is fed to the obstruction detection system such that the data indicative of an obstacle are not obscured. In another embodiment, the apparatus continually monitors the effect of ambient light and adjusts the obstacle detection information during the changing states of the ambient light detected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2002
    Publication date: March 25, 2004
    Inventors: Christopher J. O'Connor, James D. Davis, Todd R. Vernaz, Stephen A. Hawley