Patents by Inventor William Todd Watson

William Todd Watson 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).

  • Publication number: 20160193680
    Abstract: An automated welding device comprises a camera, processing circuitry, a welding torch, and an electromechanical subsystem. The camera is operable to capture, using visible and/or infrared wavelengths, a high dynamic range image of one or more workpieces. The processing circuitry is operable to process the image for determination of physical characteristics of the one or more workpieces. The processing circuitry may be operable to generate, during welding of the one or more workpieces by the welding torch, electrical signals which are based on the determined physical characteristics of the one or more workpieces, and which control one or more welding parameters of the automated welding device during the welding of the one or more workpieces. The electromechanical subsystem is operable to convert the electrical signals into the one or more welding parameters of the automated welding device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2015
    Publication date: July 7, 2016
    Inventors: Francois Pesme, Christopher Hsu, William Todd Watson
  • Publication number: 20150352653
    Abstract: A welding system includes an orientation sensing system associated with a welding torch and is configured to sense a welding torch orientation relative to a direction of gravity. The welding system also includes a processing system communicatively couple to the orientation sensing system and configured to determine an angular position of the welding torch relative to a pipe based at least in part on the sense welding torch orientation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2014
    Publication date: December 10, 2015
    Inventors: Bruce Patrick Albrecht, William Todd Watson
  • Patent number: 8896684
    Abstract: A system and method for enhancing display content includes receiving a video signal made up of video frames from at least one image sensor and identifying a driving path based at least in part on steering wheel data. The system and method also includes performing a first segmentation on the at least one video frame to divide the at least one video frame into a plurality of segments containing input pixel data, altering input pixel data based on a segment associated with the input pixel data to create output pixel data and providing the at least one video frame comprising the output pixel data to a display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: TK Holdings Inc.
    Inventors: Adrian Valentin Muresan, William Todd Watson
  • Publication number: 20140163709
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide an embedment positioning system that facilitates the positioning of a plurality of embedments along an edge of a concrete form. In one embodiment, the present disclosure provides an embedment positioning tape formed with embedment position indicators indicating the positions at which a plurality of embedments are to be positioned along a concrete form. In operation, a user unrolls and attaches the embedment positioning tape along the concrete form such that the control line location indicator lines up with the actual control line. The user then uses the embedment positioning indicators to position the embedments at the correct positions along the edge of the concrete form without having to hand-measure those positions for each embedment. The present disclosure also provides an embedment positioning tape forming system and method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2013
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: lllinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Larry Moeller, Daniel Dina, William Todd Watson, George Matthew Davis
  • Publication number: 20120150387
    Abstract: A system and method configured to receive and improve the quality of image data used to determine the condition of a vehicle driver is provided. The system and method includes a camera positioned to detect image data of the vehicle driver, a lighting system positioned to illuminate an interior of the vehicle, and a controller configured to receive the detected image data and to make a determination of the quality of the image data, alter the lighting system based on the determined image data quality, and determine a condition of the driver based on the received image data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2011
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Inventors: William Todd Watson, Adrian Valentin Muresan, Joseph Kae Krause, Yipeng Tang
  • Patent number: 8180585
    Abstract: A magnetic field is generated by at least one coil in magnetic communication with at least a portion of a vehicle responsive to a first time-varying signal operatively coupled to the at least one coil in series with a sense resistor. A second signal is generated responsive to a voltage across the sense resistor and is response to a magnetic condition of the at least one coil, which is response to the magnetic communication of the at least one coil with the portion of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: TK Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Leonard S. Cech, William Todd Watson, James D. Baal, Scott E. Bauer, Timothy J. Bomya, Richard W. Smith
  • Publication number: 20110317002
    Abstract: A system and method for enhancing display content is provided. The system and method includes receiving a video signal made up of video frames from at least one image sensor and identifying a driving path based at least in part on steering wheel data. The system and method also includes performing a first segmentation on the at least one video frame to divide the at least one video frame into a plurality of segments containing input pixel data, altering input pixel data based on a segment associated with the input pixel data to create output pixel data and providing the at least one video frame comprising the output pixel data to a display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2011
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Inventors: Adrian Valentin Muresan, William Todd Watson
  • Publication number: 20110029203
    Abstract: A system for classifying an occupant located on a seating surface of a vehicle seat. The system includes a movable element and an electrode located in the vehicle seat. A sensing circuit is provided to supply a signal to the conductor. The sensing circuit also includes measurement electronics configured to measure the signal to the conductor and the vibration of the moveable element. A controller is configured to discriminate between different types of objects located on the seating surface based on changes in the signal being supplied to the conductor and the vibration of the moveable element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2010
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Inventors: William Todd Watson, Leonard Cech, James Gregory Stanley, Scott Kerby
  • Patent number: 7839142
    Abstract: At least one time-varying signal is applied to a plurality of coil elements in cooperative relationship with and spanning different portions of a vehicle. The coil elements generate an associated plurality of magnetic field components that interact with the vehicle. At least one detection circuit generates a detected signal responsive to signal components from the coil elements so as to provide for detecting a change in a magnetic condition of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: TK Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Leonard S. Cech, William Todd Watson, Hiroshi Aoki
  • Patent number: 7839143
    Abstract: At least one time-varying signal is applied to a plurality of coil elements in cooperative relationship with and spanning different portions of a vehicle. The coil elements generate an associated plurality of magnetic field components that interact with the vehicle. At least one detection circuit generates a detected signal responsive to signal components from the coil elements so as to provide for detecting a change in a magnetic condition of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: TK Holdings Inc.
    Inventors: Leonard S. Cech, William Todd Watson, Hiroshi Aoki
  • Patent number: 7772839
    Abstract: A magnetic field generated by at least one coil operatively associated with a first portion of a vehicle responsive to a first signal from a signal source causes an eddy current in at least one conductive element operatively associated with or at least a part of a second portion of the vehicle. In one aspect, a circuit operatively coupled to the at least one coil generates a second signal responsive to a self-impedance of the at least one coil, wherein the second signal is at least partially in-phase with the first signal. In another aspect, a magnetic sensor is responsive to an eddy current in the at least one conductive element. In yet another aspect, the at least one conductive element comprises a metal sheet, film or coating of paramagnetic or diamagnetic material that is relatively highly conductive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: TK Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: William Todd Watson, William Merrick, Leonard S. Cech, Timothy J. Bomya, Richard W. Smith, Hiroshi Aoki
  • Publication number: 20090319212
    Abstract: A magnetic field is generated by at least one coil in magnetic communication with at least a portion of a vehicle responsive to a first time-varying signal operatively coupled to the at least one coil in series with a sense resistor. A second signal is generated responsive to a voltage across the sense resistor and is response to a magnetic condition of the at least one coil, which is response to the magnetic communication of the at least one coil with the portion of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2009
    Publication date: December 24, 2009
    Applicant: TK HOLDINGS, INC.
    Inventors: Leonard S. CECH, William Todd WATSON, James D. BAAL, Scott E. BAUER, Timothy J. BOMYA, Richard W. SMITH
  • Publication number: 20090167300
    Abstract: At least one time-varying signal is applied to a plurality of coil elements in cooperative relationship with and spanning different portions of a vehicle. The coil elements generate an associated plurality of magnetic field components that interact with the vehicle. At least one detection circuit generates a detected signal responsive to signal components from the coil elements so as to provide for detecting a change in a magnetic condition of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Inventors: Leonard S. CECH, William Todd WATSON, Hiroshi AOKI
  • Publication number: 20080211646
    Abstract: At least one time-varying signal is applied to a plurality of coil elements in cooperative relationship with and spanning different portions of a vehicle. The coil elements generate an associated plurality of magnetic field components that interact with the vehicle. At least one detection circuit generates a detected signal responsive to signal components from the coil elements so as to provide for detecting a change in a magnetic condition of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Publication date: September 4, 2008
    Inventors: Leonard S. CECH, William Todd WATSON, Hiroshi AOKI
  • Patent number: 7209844
    Abstract: A first magnetic field generated by a first coil operatively associated with a first portion of a vehicle interacts with at least one conductive element operatively associated with or at least a part of a second portion of the vehicle so as to generate an eddy current in the conductive element, which affects the magnetic field sensed by a magnetic sensor. A conductive element operatively coupled to a portion of the vehicle susceptible to a crash, e.g. a bumper or a door, provides for sensing a crash with the signal from the magnetic sensor. In another aspect, a second magnetic field is generated in the frame of a vehicle by a second coil wherein the frame is adapted so that the reluctance of the associated magnetic circuit is responsive to a crash. Signals from the first or second coils may be used to sense the associated magnetic fields.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: Automotive Systems Laboratory, Inc.
    Inventors: William D. Merrick, William Todd Watson, Timothy J. Bomya, Leonard S. Cech
  • Patent number: 7113874
    Abstract: A signal generated responsive to a magnetic field in a magnetic circuit is decomposed into first and second filtered signals, wherein, at at least one first frequency, a magnitude of a component of the first filtered signal is greater than that of the second filtered signal, and at at least one second frequency greater than the at least one first frequency, a magnitude of a component of the second filtered signal is greater than that of the first filtered signal. A condition of a magnetic circuit is sensed responsive to the first and second filtered signals. In one embodiment, actuation of a safety restraint actuator of a vehicle is controlled responsive to the sensed condition of the magnetic circuit that includes a portion of the vehicle susceptible to a crash. A deployment threshold is adjusted responsive to a door opening state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Assignee: Automotive Systems Laboratory, Inc.
    Inventors: William Todd Watson, Leonard S. Cech, Debra A. Rice