Patents by Inventor Vernon R. Smith
Vernon R. Smith 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: 9959686Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for analyzing operation of a machine. The system includes a memory device configured to store a data stream that includes values of a plurality of parameters. The system further includes a data interface configured to receive a first script associated with a first set of parameters selected from the plurality of parameters, and a second script associated with a second set of parameters selected from the plurality of parameters. A processing device is in communication with the memory device and the data interface. The processing device is configured to analyze the data stream according to the first and second scripts to produce a first result associated with the first set of parameters and a second result associated with the second set of parameters. The processing device is further configured to render for display the first result and the second result.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2016Date of Patent: May 1, 2018Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Vernon R. Smith, James G. Katter, Jr., Vishnu Sugnath Prabhakaran
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Publication number: 20170243409Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for analyzing operation of a machine. The system includes a memory device configured to store a data stream that includes values of a plurality of parameters. The system further includes a data interface configured to receive a first script associated with a first set of parameters selected from the plurality of parameters, and a second script associated with a second set of parameters selected from the plurality of parameters. A processing device is in communication with the memory device and the data interface. The processing device is configured to analyze the data stream according to the first and second scripts to produce a first result associated with the first set of parameters and a second result associated with the second set of parameters. The processing device is further configured to render for display the first result and the second result.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 23, 2016Publication date: August 24, 2017Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Vernon R. SMITH, James G. KATTER, JR., Vishnu Suganth PRABHAKARAN
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Patent number: 8300844Abstract: A sensor is provided in a machine having a continuously variable transmission, for example, and the amount of force exerted by the machine against a load is sensed. Based on the sensed power, an appropriate audio signal is generated which simulates the sounds an operator would expect to hear when such force is applied with a machine having a conventional geared transmission. The sounds can include engine noises, as well as sounds associated with the flow of oil or other hydraulic fluids. In addition, the sounds can be generated from digitally pre-recorded audible data, or can be output based on calculated audible data. User controls are also provided to adjust the volume and frequency or pitch of the generated sounds.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2006Date of Patent: October 30, 2012Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Kent A. Casey, Norval P. Thomson, Vernon R. Smith
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Patent number: 8266581Abstract: A software system development apparatus is provided. The software system development apparatus may include a processor and a computer-readable medium operatively coupled to the processor. The apparatus may also include a system design tool program stored on the computer-readable medium that, when executed by the processor, is operable to regulate user access to at least one aspect of the system design tool according to one or more authorization categories of users of the system design tool. The system design tool may also be operable to generate a real-time embedded control software system by selecting from a collection of reusable software components stored and described in a catalog in accordance with the Reusable Asset Specification (RAS).Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2005Date of Patent: September 11, 2012Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Wayne D. Brandt, Vernon R. Smith, Walt E. Earleson, Michael E. Roth, Dale B. Herget, Steven C. Bray, Wayne J. Wulfert, Jeffrey S. Morris
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Patent number: 7761921Abstract: The present disclosure is associated with a user requesting access to the software option associated with a machine, a remote facility receiving the request, authorizing access to the software option, and sending an enabling signal to enable the software. The enabling signal (e.g., a software key) may then be used to access and use the software option. An intermediary may be used to authenticate the enabling signal.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2003Date of Patent: July 20, 2010Assignee: Caterpillar IncInventors: Julie A. Gannon, Steven W. O'Neal, April D. Scott, Vernon R. Smith, Kenneth L. Stratton
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Publication number: 20070147626Abstract: A sensor is provided in a machine having a continuously variable transmission, for example, and the amount of force exerted by the machine against a load is sensed. Based on the sensed power, an appropriate audio signal is generated which simulates the sounds an operator would expect to hear when such force is applied with a machine having a conventional geared transmission. The sounds can include engine noises, as well as sounds associated with the flow of oil or other hydraulic fluids. In addition, the sounds can be generated from digitally pre-recorded audible data, or can be output based on calculated audible data. User controls are also provided to adjust the volume and frequency or pitch of the generated sounds.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 5, 2006Publication date: June 28, 2007Inventors: Kent A. Casey, Norval P. Thomson, Vernon R. Smith
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Patent number: 6202012Abstract: An electronic control system for controlling operation of a machine is described. The system includes a first control system connected to a first electronic control module, a second control system connected to a second electronic control module, and a first data link connected between the first electronic control module and the second electronic control module for transmission of data between the first control system and the second control system. The first data link provides transmission of data at a high speed.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 1999Date of Patent: March 13, 2001Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: David V. Gile, Vernon R. Smith
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Patent number: 5634448Abstract: A structure and method for electronically minimizing or eliminating performance variation of an apparatus controllable by a control signal, such as an electronically-controlled fuel injector, is disclosed. The method includes the steps of measuring the resultant characteristics of the apparatus at a plurality of operating conditions, such as timing and delivery characteristics of the fuel injector, adjusting the control signal as a function of the measured resultant characteristics, such as by adjusting a base timing and duration or pulse width of a fuel delivery command signal for a fuel injector, and controlling the apparatus in accordance with the adjusted control signal to reduce performance variation.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 1994Date of Patent: June 3, 1997Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Ronald D. Shinogle, Vernon R. Smith, Richard A. DeKeyser, Stephen F. Glassey, Yasser A. Al-Charif
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Patent number: 5315972Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, an apparatus is provided for a vehicle equipped with a drive system and a controller for regulating the operating speed of the drive system. The apparatus includes at least one sensor for sensing a vehicle parameter and producing a parameter signal in response to the sensed parameter. A diagnostic device is provided for receiving the parameter signal, processing the parameter signal to detect the presence of an undesirable operating condition; determining the severity of the undesirable operating condition in accordance with a preselected strategy and responsively producing a severity level signal. The controller receives the severity level signal and limits the maximum speed of the vehicle in response to the severity level signal, whereby the maximum allowable vehicle speed decreases as the severity level signal increases.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 1991Date of Patent: May 31, 1994Assignee: Caterpiller Inc.Inventors: Steven W. Judy, Vernon R. Smith, Alan L. Stahl
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Patent number: 5249422Abstract: A drive system for a work vehicle is provided which includes first and second hydrostatic transmissions which are responsive to respective control signals for driving first and second ground engaging devices at a rate responsive thereto. A sensor is provided sensing the position of a manually operable control element and responsively producing a desired speed signal. A memory device is adapted to store data relates the desired speed signal to the first and second control signals in a preselected manner. A processor is provided for receiving the desired speed signal, responsively retrieving at least a portion of the data from the memory device, and producing the first and second control signals in response to the retrieved data and the desired speed signal. An adjusting device is provided for receiving at least one of the control signals, permitting controllable adjustment of the control signal so as to vary the speed of a respective ground engaging device.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 1991Date of Patent: October 5, 1993Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Vernon R. Smith, Alan L. Stahl
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Patent number: 5047982Abstract: The subject invention provides an apparatus for controllably programming an EEPROM, thereby reducing the likelihood of an inadvertent EEPROM write. The apparatus includes a first circuit which repeatedly produces a pseudo address signal at a preselected frequency. A second circuit receives the pseudo address signal and deliveries a write-enable signal to the EEPROM in response to receiving the pseudo address signal a preselected number of times. A third circuit delivers an address signal and a corresponding data signal to the EEPROM during at least a portion of the production of the write-enable signal. The address signal is indicative of an address location in said EEPROM and the data signal corresponds to the data to be stored in the EEPROM address location.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 1990Date of Patent: September 10, 1991Assignee: Caterpillar, Inc.Inventors: Vernon R. Smith, Alan L. Stahl
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Patent number: RE37807Abstract: A structure and method for electronically minimizing or eliminating performance variation of an apparatus controllable by a control signal, such as an electronically-controlled fuel injector, is disclosed. The method includes the steps of measuring the resultant characteristics of the apparatus at a plurality of operating conditions, such as timing and delivery characteristics of the fuel injector, adjusting the control signal as a function of the measured resultant characteristics, such as by adjusting a base timing and duration or pulse width of a fuel delivery command signal for a fuel injector, and controlling the apparatus in accordance with the adjusted control signal to reduce performance variation.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 1999Date of Patent: July 30, 2002Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Ronald D. Shinogle, Richard A. De Keyser, Vernon R. Smith, Stephen F. Glassey, Yasser A. Al Charif