Patents by Inventor Tom Plocher
Tom 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: 8346474Abstract: A method of route retrieval is provided comprising initializing a first weighted graph, converting a blueprint of an area into a weighted graph, updating the weighted graph in real time, and calculating an optimal route in the area.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2008Date of Patent: January 1, 2013Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Henry Chen, Tom Plocher, Conrad Bruce Beaulieu, Cheng Jun Li
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Publication number: 20120307052Abstract: A system includes a video sensing device, a computer processor coupled to the video sensing device, and a display unit coupled to the computer processor. The system is configured to display a field of view of the video sensing device as a thumbnail on a main display of an area, receive input from a user, wherein the input received from the user is received via one or more of a pan icon, a zoom icon, and a tilt icon, automatically calculate a change in one or more of a pan, a tilt, and a zoom of the video sensing device as a function of the input, alter one or more of the pan, the tilt, and the zoom of the video sensing device as a function of the calculations, and display a new field of view of the video sensing device in the thumbnail as a function of the alteration of the pan, tilt, and zoom of the video sensing device.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 3, 2011Publication date: December 6, 2012Applicant: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Hari Thiruvengada, Paul Derby, Tom Plocher, Henry Chen
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Publication number: 20120307053Abstract: A system includes a video sensing device, a computer processor coupled to the video sensing device, and a display unit coupled to the computer processor. The system displays on the display unit a field of view of the video sensing device, and displays a three dimensional widget within the field of view. The widget includes one or more features for altering one or more of a location or size of the widget, thereby altering an area in the field of view covered by the widget. The system then alters one or more of a pan, a tilt, and a zoom of the video sensing device as a function of the alteration of the location or size of the widget, thereby altering the field of view of the video sensing device.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 3, 2011Publication date: December 6, 2012Applicant: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Hari Thiruvengada, Paul Derby, Tom Plocher, Henry Chen
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Publication number: 20120307082Abstract: A system includes a video sensing device, a computer processor coupled to the video sensing device, and a display unit coupled to the computer processor. The system is configured to display on the display unit a live feed of a field of view of the video sensing device, and receive input to modify the field of view of the video sensing device by altering one or more of a pan, a tilt, and a zoom of the video sensing device. After receiving the input to modify the field of view of the video sensing device, the system replaces the live feed on the display unit with alternative video data. The display of the alternative video data occurs during a time period when the pan, tilt, and zoom of the video sensing device is being modified. The system redisplays on the display unit the live feed of the video sensing device after completion of the modification of the pan, tilt and zoom of the video sensing device.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 3, 2011Publication date: December 6, 2012Applicant: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Hari Thiruvengada, Paul Derby, Tom Plocher, Henry Chen
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Publication number: 20120306736Abstract: A system includes a video sensing device, a computer processor coupled to the video sensing device, and a display unit coupled to the computer processor. The system is configured to display on the display unit a footprint of the video sensing device in an environment, receive input from a user that directly alters the footprint of the video sensing device, calculate a change in one or more of a pan, a tilt, and a zoom of the video sensing device as a function of the direct alteration of the footprint, alter one or more of the pan, the tilt, and the zoom of the video sensing device as a function of the calculations, and display a field of view of the video sensing device on the display unit as a function of the altered pan, tilt, and zoom of the video sensing device.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 3, 2011Publication date: December 6, 2012Applicant: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Hari Thiruvengada, Paul Derby, Tom Plocher, Henry Chen
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Publication number: 20120307067Abstract: A system for automatically determining the placement of cameras receives data relating to a plurality of polygons. T polygons represent one or more of a surveillance area, a non-surveillance area, a blank area, and an obstacle. The system selects one or more initial cameras, including one or more initial camera positions, initial camera orientations, and initial camera features, wherein the initial camera positions and the initial camera orientations cause one or more fields of view of the initial cameras to cover at least a part of the surveillance area. The system alters one or more of a number of cameras, an orientation of the cameras, a location of the cameras, a type of the cameras, and a crossover of two or more cameras. The system uses a fitness function to evaluate all of the cameras and all of the camera positions, and selects one or more cameras and the locations and orientations of the one or more cameras as a function of the fitness function.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 1, 2011Publication date: December 6, 2012Applicant: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Henry Chen, Hao Bai, Tom Plocher, Hari Thiruvengada
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Patent number: 8306748Abstract: A method for enhanced location sensing based on topology constraints. A potential position value and a corresponding probability value with respect to an observed position data of an object within a structure can be calculated utilizing a normal probability distribution function. Thereafter, an optimal route between adjacent observed time periods may be calculated utilizing a heuristic search algorithm. The potential position value and the optimal route can be calculated by accessing a pre-installed topology data associated with the structure. An optimization problem can then be solved to refine the observed position data. The position between a pair of observed time periods can be interpolated and the position of the object before a next observed time can be predicted by interpolation based on the spatial constraints.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2009Date of Patent: November 6, 2012Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Steve Huseth, Henry Chen, Tom Plocher
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Patent number: 8260590Abstract: A method and system for modeling a three-dimensional smoke propagation animation system. The animation system can be configured to include a particle system manager, a compartment manager, a state variable manager, a three-dimensional space outline rendering module, and a three-dimensional smoke animation rendering module. The particle system manager creates and updates an existing particle system based on an input script and data from the state variable manager. The state variable manager loads smoke propagation data and provides smoke information to the particle system manager to create and update the particle system and space outline. The compartment manager creates a three-dimensional outline with respect to each compartment space from a compartment data and updates the status of the existing three-dimensional outlines based on information from the state variable manager. A final three-dimensional smoke propagation animation can then be rendered by the three-dimensional smoke animation rendering module.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2009Date of Patent: September 4, 2012Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Ji Gu, Zhao Xia Jin, Tom Plocher
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Publication number: 20120218080Abstract: A computer-based system is configured to receive data relating to locations and identities of a plurality of persons in a structure, and display on an output device a plurality of icons representing the locations in the structure and the identities of one or more of an individual person and a group of persons.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 28, 2011Publication date: August 30, 2012Applicant: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Ji Gu, Tingting Zhang, Henry Chen, Peter Lau, Steve D. Huseth, Tom Plocher
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Publication number: 20120197518Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems for providing a location of an individual are described herein. One or more device embodiments include a memory, and a processor coupled to the memory. The processor is configured to execute executable instructions stored in the memory to concurrently provide a location of an individual at least two different points in time, a time identifier for each of the at least two different points in time, and an uncertainty associated with the location of the individual at each of the at least two different points in time to a user.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 28, 2011Publication date: August 2, 2012Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.Inventors: Steve Huseth, Tom Plocher
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Publication number: 20120194415Abstract: Devices, methods, and systems for displaying an image are described herein. One or more device embodiments include a user interface configured to display an image, a motion sensor configured to sense movement of the device, and a processor configured to convert the movement of the device to a corresponding movement of the display of the image.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 19, 2011Publication date: August 2, 2012Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.Inventors: Robert E. De Mers, Tom Plocher
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Publication number: 20120197600Abstract: A process for sensor placement and analysis using a virtual environment includes receiving into a computer processor a model of an area, a position in the model that represents a placement of a virtual sensor, and an orientation of the virtual sensor. A shadow map of the area is generated as a function of the position and orientation of the virtual sensor. The shadow map is used to determine one or more portions of the area that can be sensed by the virtual sensor. The area of the model that is covered as a function of the position and orientation of the virtual sensor is determined, and information relating to the area of the model that is covered as a function of the position and orientation of the virtual sensor is transmitted to an output device.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 31, 2011Publication date: August 2, 2012Applicant: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Hao Bai, Henry Chen, Jian Geng Du, Tom Plocher
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Publication number: 20120194336Abstract: A security system is configured to display a representation of an area on a display unit, receive input from a plurality of different types of sensors that are positioned within the area, display a plurality of icons on the display unit, wherein the plurality of icons represents the locations of the plurality sensors in the area, and display in a panel on the display unit output from the plurality of sensors.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 31, 2011Publication date: August 2, 2012Applicant: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Hari Thiruvengada, Tom Plocher, Paul Derby, Henry Chen, Saad J. Bedros
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Publication number: 20120194692Abstract: There is set forth herein a terminal having an input device. The terminal can be hand held. In one embodiment the terminal can be operative for determining a direction of movement of the terminal by processing of signals generated by the input device. The terminal can further be operative for moving a portion of an electronic record displayed on a display of the terminal responsively to the determining of a direction of movement of the terminal.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 31, 2011Publication date: August 2, 2012Applicant: Hand Held Products, Inc.Inventors: Robert E. De Mers, Tom Plocher
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Publication number: 20120039503Abstract: A method includes receiving into a computer processor a building control subsystem design drawing, and identifying a plurality of objects in the building control subsystem design drawing by comparing the objects to a template of objects. The template of objects includes one or more of a representation of a shape, a color, and a texture. A physical relationship among the plurality of objects is determined, and a three dimensional representation of the plurality of objects is retrieved from a three dimensional device library. A three dimensional building control subsystem graphic is generated by mapping the three dimensional representation of the plurality of objects into a three dimensional user interface as a function of the physical relationship. The three dimensional user interface is animated and interactive to monitor and control a building subsystem.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 12, 2010Publication date: February 16, 2012Applicant: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Henry Chen, Conrad Bruce Beaulieu, Liana Maria Kiff, Tom Plocher
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Patent number: 8085265Abstract: One embodiment of the application provides a method of generating a 3D user interface (UI) in a controller for an appliance in a physical environment. The method includes: abstracting the appliance to obtain to a appliance functionality description having variables of the appliance, operations of the state variables, and relationship among the state variables; converting the state variables into corresponding 3D widgets in the controller, wherein the state variable are mapped respectively into the 3D widgets; laying out the 3D widgets to form the 3D UI in the controller; constructing communication objects in the controller from the state variables, the state variables being mapped into the communication objects; and providing interaction between the 3D UI and the appliance by a communication protocol integrated with the appliance.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2008Date of Patent: December 27, 2011Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Henry Chen, Ji Gu, Cheng Jun Li, Yajun-Edwin Zhang, John R. Hajdukiewicz, Tom Plocher
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Publication number: 20110285851Abstract: An approach for detecting, tracking and capturing images of an intruder in a building. The intruder's bearing and speed, and structural information about the building may provide at least a partial basis for calculating potential paths of the intruder. Cameras along the anticipated paths may be selected. These cameras may be optimized to cover nearly any area where the intruder may appear. Location, one or more images, and possibly other information may provide an intruder situation awareness for display.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 20, 2010Publication date: November 24, 2011Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.Inventors: Tom Plocher, Henry Chen
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Publication number: 20110276264Abstract: A system for guidance and navigation in a building. For example, the system may determine a route for egress or rescue of one or more people from a building with a hazardous condition. The system may process the route into waypoints and segments developed within a set of constraint rules. Semantic information about the building may be associated with the waypoints and/or segments. The waypoints and segments may be processed into navigation commands. The navigation commands may be formed in natural language from sentence templates. The system may additionally have 3D beacon audio to assist in guidance and navigation of the one or more people in the building.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 4, 2010Publication date: November 10, 2011Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.Inventors: Tom Plocher, Henry Chen, Jian Geng Du
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Publication number: 20110270584Abstract: An approach for developing information about a building of which little or no information is known at a time when firefighters need to enter the building. The approach may incorporate obtaining an image of the building from a publicly available resource. An outside boundary of the building may be determined from the image. The number of floors may be determined. A 3D floor plan may be generated from the boundary and the number of floors. Structural components may be added to the 3D floor plan, which are deduced from movements of firefighters, and the movements may be deduced from their locations. The locations may be transmitted by devices on the firefighters. Structural components of the building indicated by persons in the vicinity of the building may also be added to the 3D floor plan.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 3, 2010Publication date: November 3, 2011Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.Inventors: Tom Plocher, Henry Chen
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Publication number: 20110268300Abstract: A tactile-based guidance system incorporating tactors in headgear, such as a hat, helmet, or hood. Tactors may provide tactile sensations at different places about the head to convey information to a person such as direction, bearing, movement, orientation, and the like, of the person wearing the tactors. The system may also include an optional multi-dimensional sound mechanism which provides indications of direction, bearing, and other information. One or more tactors may be resorted to for resolving any ambiguity in the sound indications.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 30, 2010Publication date: November 3, 2011Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.Inventors: Robert E. DeMers, Tom Plocher, Steve Huseth