Patents by Inventor William Joshua Becker

William Joshua Becker 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: 10373304
    Abstract: A system includes a welding device, one or more cameras, and a controller coupled to the one or more cameras. The welding device includes a first set of visual markers oriented in a first direction and a second set of visual markers oriented in a second direction. Each set of visual markers includes at least three visual markers. The one or more cameras are configured to observe the first set of visual markers when the first direction is directed toward the one or more cameras, and to observe the second set of visual markers when the second direction is directed toward the one or more cameras. The controller is configured to track a position and an orientation of the welding device based at least in part on detection of a threshold quantity of the first set of visual markers or the threshold quantity of the second set of visual markers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: William Joshua Becker, Jeffrey Dale Weber
  • Publication number: 20190172195
    Abstract: A system includes one or more sets of reflective visual markers, a light source configured to emit light, and a controller communicatively coupled to the light source. Each set of reflective visual markers is coupled to a component of a welding system. Each reflective visual marker is configured to reflect the emitted light received from the light source towards one or more cameras. The controller is configured to control illumination settings of the light source based at least in part on a status of the welding system being utilized to perform a live-arc welding operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2019
    Publication date: June 6, 2019
    Inventors: William Joshua Becker, Jeffrey Dale Weber
  • Patent number: 10307853
    Abstract: A method of managing welding data, including receiving, via a network, welding data from a data storage system, populating, via a processor, a user viewable dashboard page with one or more user input controls, receiving a user input via the user viewable dashboard page, and populating, via the processor, the user viewable dashboard page with graphical indicia representative of one or more subsets of welding data corresponding to the received user input. The welding data includes welding parameters associated with welding sessions performed by a plurality of welding operators. The user input controls include filter criteria, a search control, or any combination thereof. Each filter criterion of the filter criteria corresponds to a respective subset of the welding data. The user input includes a selection of one or more filter criteria from a user, a search string input via the search control, or any combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventor: William Joshua Becker
  • Patent number: 10210773
    Abstract: A method including determining an orientation of a display of a welding torch relative to a joint of a workpiece, displaying, on the display of the welding torch during a welding operation, a graphical representation of a welding parameter in relation to a predetermined threshold range for the welding parameter as a position of the welding torch changes, the orientation of the welding torch changes, a movement of the welding torch changes, or some combination thereof, and rotating the graphical representation of the welding parameter based at least in part on the determined orientation of the display of the welding torch relative to the joint. The graphical representation of the welding parameter is associated with the position of the welding torch relative to the joint, the orientation of the welding torch relative to the joint, the movement of the welding torch relative to the joint, or some combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: William Joshua Becker, Jeffrey Dale Weber, Jeremy John Erdmann
  • Patent number: 10204406
    Abstract: A system includes one or more sets of reflective visual markers, a light source configured to emit light, and a controller communicatively coupled to the light source. Each set of reflective visual markers is coupled to a component of a welding system. Each reflective visual marker is configured to reflect the emitted light received from the light source towards one or more cameras. The controller is configured to control illumination settings of the light source based at least in part on a status of the welding system being utilized to perform a live-arc welding operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: William Joshua Becker, Jeffrey Dale Weber
  • Publication number: 20190035306
    Abstract: A method of operating a welding system includes receiving welding data corresponding to a welding session for a weld, receiving a location selection from an operator, and displaying on a display a graphical representation of welding parameters of the welding selection corresponding to the location selection. The welding data includes welding parameters, including a work angle of a welding torch, a travel angle of the welding torch, a contact tip to work distance, a travel speed of the welding torch along a path of the weld, an aim of the welding torch, or any combination thereof. The location selection corresponds to a point along the path of the weld traversed by the welding torch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2018
    Publication date: January 31, 2019
    Inventors: William Joshua Becker, Richard Beeson
  • Publication number: 20190005846
    Abstract: Systems and methods for a weld training system are disclosed. An example weld training system includes: a mobile device configured to be attached to a welding accessory using a mount, the mobile device comprising one or more sensors, wherein the mobile device is configured to: gather, via the one or more sensors of the mobile device, information indicative of dynamic position or orientation of the mobile device during a welding procedure; and display, via a display of the mobile device, a welding environment based on the information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2018
    Publication date: January 3, 2019
    Inventors: Anthony Van Bergen Salsich, William Joshua Becker, Bruce Patrick Albrecht
  • Patent number: 10056010
    Abstract: A weld training system is provided. The weld training system includes a welding torch configured to perform a welding procedure and a mobile device coupled to the welding torch. The mobile device is configured to detect, via one or more sensors, dynamic position or orientation information of the welding torch during the welding procedure to determine one or more operating parameters of the welding procedure. The mobile device is also configured to display a welding environment based at least in part on the one or more operating parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony Van Bergen Salsich, William Joshua Becker, Bruce Patrick Albrecht
  • Patent number: 9937578
    Abstract: A welding system including a helmet having one or more sensing devices configured to detect a position and an orientation of a welding torch relative to a workpiece during performance of a welding session, and a controller coupled to the one or more sensing devices and configured to receive arc parameters corresponding to the performance of the welding session.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: William Joshua Becker, Richard Beeson
  • Patent number: 9862049
    Abstract: A welding system including a processor configured to receive a first set of welding data of a live welding session corresponding to welding parameters, arc parameters, or any combination thereof, a memory configured to store the received first set of welding data, and an operator identification system coupled to the processor and to the memory. The operator identification system includes an input device configured to receive a first identifier input from a first operator that performs the welding session and a second identifier input from a second operator. The operator identification system is configured to determine an identity of the first operator based at least in part on the first identifier input, to verify the identity of the first operator based at least in part on the second identifier input, and to associate the received first set of welding data with the first identifier input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: William Joshua Becker
  • Patent number: 9724787
    Abstract: A welding system includes a first position detection system, a second position detection system independent of the first position detection system, and a controller coupled to the first and second position detection systems. The first position detection system is configured to generate a first output corresponding to a first position and a first orientation of a welding torch during a welding session for a weld. The second position detection system is configured to generate a second output corresponding to a second position and a second orientation of the welding torch during the welding session. The controller is configured to determine welding parameters during the welding session based at least in part on the first output, the second output, or any combination thereof. The welding parameters may include a work angle, a travel angle, a contact tip to work distance, a travel speed, an aim, or any combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: William Joshua Becker, Richard Beeson
  • Publication number: 20170095873
    Abstract: A travel speed sensing system includes an optical sensor configured to be coupled to a welding torch. The optical sensor is configured to sense light incident on the optical sensor, and the travel speed sensing system is configured to determine a travel speed of the welding torch, a direction of the welding torch, or both, based on the sensed light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2016
    Publication date: April 6, 2017
    Inventors: Kyle Andrew Pfeifer, Todd Earl Holverson, William Todd Watson, Richard Martin Hutchison, William Joshua Becker
  • Publication number: 20170080509
    Abstract: A welding system includes a first sensor associated with a welding helmet and configured to sense a parameter indicative of a position of a welding torch relative to the welding helmet. The travel speed sensing system also includes a processing system communicatively coupled to the first sensor and configured to determine a position of the welding torch relative to a workpiece based on the sensed first parameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2016
    Publication date: March 23, 2017
    Inventors: Kyle Andrew Pfeifer, William Todd Watson, Richard Martin Hutchison, William Joshua Becker
  • Patent number: 9573215
    Abstract: A weld travel speed sensing system includes at least one sound sensor configured to sense a sound generated to allow determination of a position of a welding torch. The weld travel speed sensing system is configured to determine a position of a point on the welding torch based on the sensed sound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Kyle Andrew Pfeifer, William Joshua Becker, William Todd Watson, Richard Martin Hutchison
  • Publication number: 20170046976
    Abstract: Present embodiments include systems and methods for stick welding applications. In certain embodiments, simulation stick welding electrode holders may include stick electrode retraction assemblies configured to mechanically retract a simulation stick electrode toward the stick electrode retraction assembly to simulate consumption of the simulation stick electrode during a simulated stick welding process. In addition, in certain embodiments, stick welding electrode holders may include various input and output elements that enable, for example, control inputs to be input via the stick welding electrode holders, and operational statuses to be output via the stick welding electrode holders. Furthermore, in certain embodiments, a welding training system interface may be used to facilitate communication and cooperation of various stick welding electrode holders with a welding training system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2016
    Publication date: February 16, 2017
    Inventors: William Joshua Becker, David Paul Marcusen
  • Publication number: 20170046975
    Abstract: Present embodiments include systems and methods for stick welding applications. In certain embodiments, simulation stick welding electrode holders may include stick electrode retraction assemblies configured to mechanically retract a simulation stick electrode toward the stick electrode retraction assembly to simulate consumption of the simulation stick electrode during a simulated stick welding process. In addition, in certain embodiments, stick welding electrode holders may include various input and output elements that enable, for example, control inputs to be input via the stick welding electrode holders, and operational statuses to be output via the stick welding electrode holders. Furthermore, in certain embodiments, a welding training system interface may be used to facilitate communication and cooperation of various stick welding electrode holders with a welding training system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2016
    Publication date: February 16, 2017
    Inventors: William Joshua Becker, David Paul Marcusen
  • Publication number: 20170046977
    Abstract: Present embodiments include systems and methods for stick welding applications. In certain embodiments, simulation stick welding electrode holders may include stick electrode retraction assemblies configured to mechanically retract a simulation stick electrode toward the stick electrode retraction assembly to simulate consumption of the simulation stick electrode during a simulated stick welding process. In addition, in certain embodiments, stick welding electrode holders may include various input and output elements that enable, for example, control inputs to be input via the stick welding electrode holders, and operational statuses to be output via the stick welding electrode holders. Furthermore, in certain embodiments, a welding training system interface may be used to facilitate communication and cooperation of various stick welding electrode holders with a welding training system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2016
    Publication date: February 16, 2017
    Inventors: William Joshua Becker, Anuj Rudresh Patel, Jeremy John Erdmann
  • Publication number: 20170046974
    Abstract: Present embodiments include systems and methods for stick welding applications. In certain embodiments, simulation stick welding electrode holders may include stick electrode retraction assemblies configured to mechanically retract a simulation stick electrode toward the stick electrode retraction assembly to simulate consumption of the simulation stick electrode during a simulated stick welding process. In addition, in certain embodiments, stick welding electrode holders may include various input and output elements that enable, for example, control inputs to be input via the stick welding electrode holders, and operational statuses to be output via the stick welding electrode holders. Furthermore, in certain embodiments, a welding training system interface may be used to facilitate communication and cooperation of various stick welding electrode holders with a welding training system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2016
    Publication date: February 16, 2017
    Inventors: William Joshua Becker, David Paul Marcusen, Nicholas Jon Peterson
  • Patent number: 9522437
    Abstract: A travel speed sensing system includes an optical sensor configured to be coupled to a welding torch. The optical sensor is configured to sense light incident on the optical sensor, and the travel speed sensing system is configured to determine a travel speed of the welding torch, a direction of the welding torch, or both, based on the sensed light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Kyle Andrew Pfeifer, Todd Earl Holverson, William Todd Watson, Richard Martin Hutchison, William Joshua Becker
  • Patent number: 9511443
    Abstract: A welding system includes a first sensor associated with a welding helmet and configured to sense a parameter indicative of a position of a welding torch relative to the welding helmet. The travel speed sensing system also includes a processing system communicatively coupled to the first sensor and configured to determine a position of the welding torch relative to a workpiece based on the sensed first parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Kyle Andrew Pfeifer, William Todd Watson, Richard Martin Hutchison, William Joshua Becker