Barry D Douglas

US Patent:

20030069648, Apr 10, 2003

Filed:

Sep 10, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/237704

Inventors:

Barry Douglas - Doylestown PA, US
Dan Pohly - Lake Worth FL, US

International Classification:

G05B019/18

US Classification:

700/002000, 705/009000, 340/568100

Abstract:

The present invention relates to a system and method for tracking, monitoring, and managing equipment. An embodiment of the system for monitoring and managing equipment comprises: one or more mobile pieces of equipment; one or more fixed pieces of equipment; a central processing system; and one or more means for communicating data between said equipment and said central processing system. The data may be location or status data, in particular real-time data about the equipment.

US Patent:

60497459, Apr 11, 2000

Filed:

Feb 10, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/795267

Inventors:

Barry D. Douglas - Doylestown PA
Joseph A. Bencel - Quakertown PA

Assignee:

FMC Corporation - Chicago IL

International Classification:

G06F16500

US Classification:

701 23

Abstract:

A method and system for navigating automatic guided vehicles (AGVs) through a workplace having intelligible areas provides multi-vehicle traffic control. A guidance apparatus conveys a plurality of guidance signals, and a plurality of radio frequency tags (RF tags) are provided along the path over which the vehicle travels. Each RF tag is capable of conveying at least one of a plurality of unique radio frequency signals in response to electromagnetic excitation fields. A controller mounts on the vehicles, and includes an AGV computer, a sensor, a radio frequency identification (RFID) reader, and an RF modem for broadcasting messages to other vehicles to facilitate multi-vehicle traffic control. RF tags positioned for identifying characteristic area conditions related to the path of the vehicle reduce the need for custom modifications to guidance software on the host or AGV computers when operating in new environments, e. g. , a new factory floor layout.

US Patent:

46799567, Jul 14, 1987

Filed:

Aug 8, 1986

Appl. No.:

6/894553

Inventors:

Barry D. Douglas - Palo Alto CA
Frederick A. McCurdy - Royal Oak MI

Assignee:

General Motors Corporation - Detroit MI

International Classification:

B25G 300
F16D 100

US Classification:

403 14

Abstract:

A coupling device for connecting a work tool to a support that provides a quick disconnect for electrical and fluid connections and is characterized by the use of two separable members which can be locked together through a ball cage and lock ring arrangement.

US Patent:

49897837, Feb 5, 1991

Filed:

Aug 14, 1989

Appl. No.:

7/393167

Inventors:

Barry D. Douglas - Doylestown PA

Assignee:

FMC Corporation - Chicago IL

International Classification:

B05B 1500

US Classification:

239 77

Abstract:

An air sprayer having an array of vertically arranged transducers mounted in a recess of a shaped forward shroud, which recess forms a plenum into which air is directed by a fan. Each transducer is carried by a pivotal housing which effectively seals the plenum to force air supplied thereto by the fan to exhaust through channels in a cone to protect the transducer from trash.

US Patent:

52305430, Jul 27, 1993

Filed:

Nov 8, 1991

Appl. No.:

7/789516

Inventors:

Barry D. Douglas - Doylestown PA
John M. Kuzmission - Pennsburg PA

Assignee:

FMC Corporation - Chicago IL

International Classification:

B60R 1902
B60T 722

US Classification:

293 2

Abstract:

A band-like safety bumper for an automatic guided vehicle has a hinge pin rigidly attached at either end with a lever rigidly attached to the pin. A proximity switch is located near the lever and sends control signals to stop the vehicle as a result of obstacle induced movement of the lever.

US Patent:

49913417, Feb 12, 1991

Filed:

Sep 29, 1989

Appl. No.:

7/414622

Inventors:

Barry D. Douglas - Mountain View CA

Assignee:

FMC Corporation - Chicago IL

International Classification:

A01C 1300

US Classification:

47 17

Abstract:

A control system for providing uniform spraying of plants and for spraying only areas containing plants. A plurality of plant sensors each detect the presence or absence of plants in a narrow field of view and cause spray nozzles to provide a spray solution to only areas containing plants. A ground speed sensor causes the volume of spray solution to be adjusted to provide a predetermined density of coverage of plants irrespective of the ground speed of a sprayer.

US Patent:

20180089517, Mar 29, 2018

Filed:

Aug 9, 2017

Appl. No.:

15/672765

Inventors:

Barry D. Douglas - Doylestown PA, US
Vadim Linevich - Melrose MA, US

International Classification:

G06K 9/00
G06T 7/60
G06T 7/593

Abstract:

Systems and methods for localizing pallets using images based on point cloud data are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method for localizing a pallet includes acquiring, by a 3D camera, a first image of point cloud data, the first image being representative of the pallet. The method also includes generating a second image by (1) truncating the point cloud data of the first image, and (2) orthogonally projecting the remaining point cloud data of the first image. The method further includes generating a third image by creating a binary image from the second image, and generating a cross-correlation image by cross-correlating the third image with a template of a pallet pocket. The method also includes determining a rotation angle (R) of the pallet by analyzing the cross-correlation image.