Patents by Inventor Vincent Neyens

Vincent Neyens 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: 11352973
    Abstract: Operating a machine system includes triggering, based on activation of an on-board electronic control system, interrogation of electronically controlled components installed in a machine to read a plurality of electronic trim files each resident on a different one of the electronically controlled components. A data structure on an electronic storage medium in the control system is populated with the electronic trim files each time the control system is activated, such as by turning on an ignition switch. Operating the machine system also includes outputting control signals based on the electronic trim files to run the machine system based on operation of the electronically controlled components responsive to the outputted control signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Martin Lehman, Vincent Neyens, Scott Shafer, Andrew Marrack
  • Patent number: 10960850
    Abstract: A tamper detection system is disclosed. The tamper detection system may include an electronic control module (ECM) of a machine and a tamper detection module. The tamper detection module may detect, while the machine is powered off, an opening of a switch that is associated with a component of the machine. The opening of the switch may indicate tampering with the component of the machine. The tamper detection module may set, while the machine is powered off, a state of a latch based on detecting the opening of the switch. The state, while set, may indicate that the switch was opened. The tamper detection module may cause, when the machine is powered on, the ECM to provide an indication that tampering with the component of the machine has occurred based on the state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Vincent Neyens, Fernando Venegas, Brian R. Huffman
  • Patent number: 10915069
    Abstract: System and methods for monitoring machine components are disclosed. A method may include detecting, by an electronic chip having a globally unique identifier and being integrated within the component of the machine, installation of the component in the machine. The method may include determining, by a monitoring module operatively connected to the electronic chip via a communication bus, a date or time of the installation based on receiving information regarding the installation from the electronic chip. The method may include monitoring, by the monitoring module, the component to determine an amount of time that the component has been operating. The method may include transmitting, by a transmitter module operatively connected to the monitoring module, information that identities the globally unique identifier, the date or time of the installation of the component in the machine, and the amount of time that the component has been operating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Vincent Neyens
  • Publication number: 20200391697
    Abstract: A tamper detection system is disclosed. The tamper detection system may include an electronic control module (ECM) of a machine and a tamper detection module. The tamper detection module may detect, while the machine is powered off, an opening of a switch that is associated with a component of the machine. The opening of the switch may indicate tampering with the component of the machine. The tamper detection module may set, while the machine is powered off, a state of a latch based on detecting the opening of the switch. The state, while set, may indicate that the switch was opened. The tamper detection module may cause, when the machine is powered on, the ECM to provide an indication that tampering with the component of the machine has occurred based on the state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2019
    Publication date: December 17, 2020
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Vincent NEYENS, Fernando VENEGAS, Brian R. HUFFMAN
  • Publication number: 20200318569
    Abstract: Operating a machine system includes triggering, based on activation of an on-board electronic control system, interrogation of electronically controlled components installed in a machine to read a plurality of electronic trim files each resident on a different one of the electronically controlled components. A data structure on an electronic storage medium in the control system is populated with the electronic trim files each time the control system is activated, such as by turning on an ignition switch. Operating the machine system also includes outputting control signals based on the electronic trim files to run the machine system based on operation of the electronically controlled components responsive to the outputted control signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2019
    Publication date: October 8, 2020
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Martin Lehman, Vincent Neyens, Scott Shafer, Andrew Marrack
  • Publication number: 20200033812
    Abstract: System and methods for monitoring machine components are disclosed. A method may include detecting, by an electronic chip having a globally unique identifier and being integrated within the component of the machine, installation of the component in the machine. The method may include determining, by a monitoring module operatively connected to the electronic chip via a communication bus, a date or time of the installation based on receiving information regarding the installation from the electronic chip. The method may include monitoring, by the monitoring module, the component to determine an amount of time that the component has been operating. The method may include transmitting, by a transmitter module operatively connected to the monitoring module, information that identities the globally unique identifier, the date or time of the installation of the component in the machine, and the amount of time that the component has been operating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2018
    Publication date: January 30, 2020
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Vincent Neyens