US 12163947

Here's a concise summary of US patent 12163947, effective as of April 26, 2026:

US Patent: 12163947

• Title: Method and system for characterizing undebarked wooden logs and computing optimal debarking parameters in real time
• Assignee: Bid Group Technologies Ltd.
• Inventors: Francis Clement; Guy Morissette
• Filing Date: August 26, 2021 (Application number US17/445,974)
• Issue Date: December 10, 2024
• Abstract: A method and system are described for characterizing undebarked wooden logs and calculating optimal debarking parameters in real time. The method uses a scanning device placed before a debarker to provide data, typically images, to a deep learning artificial intelligence model. This model can be trained with or without human input to accurately identify characteristics of the undebarked logs. These identified characteristics are then fed into optimization software and categorized in an index table. The index table is used to determine the best operating parameters for the debarking machine.

Plain-Language Overview of Independent Claims:

• Independent Claim 1 (Method): This claim describes a computer-implemented process for analyzing an undebarked log in real time. It involves:

  1. Performing a non-contact assessment of the log.
  2. Using a pre-trained deep learning model to identify specific features (characteristics) of the log based on this assessment.
  3. Calculating the best operational settings for a debarker machine based on these identified features. This calculation includes looking up debarker settings linked to the recognized log features.
  4. Sending these calculated settings to the debarker.

• Independent Claim 11 (System): This claim outlines a system for analyzing an undebarked log in real time. The system includes:

  1. A sensor that takes non-contact measurements of the log to capture its attributes.
  2. A characterizing unit connected to the sensor, which contains a deep learning model and a computer. This computer uses the deep learning model and the measured log attributes to identify the log's characteristics.
  3. A debarker optimizer, communicating with the characterizing unit, which is programmed to compute debarker operating parameters based on the identified log characteristics.
  4. A debarker controller, connected to both the optimizer and the debarker, which uses the computed operating parameters to control the debarker.
     The system further specifies that the log characteristics identified by the characterizing unit are organized in a table that contains corresponding operating parameters for the debarker.

Legal Status and Litigation:

As of April 26, 2026, US Patent 12163947 is Active and is projected to expire on May 26, 2043.

Regarding litigation, a Post-Grant Review (PGR) case, PGR2025-00081, was filed on September 30, 2025, with an effective date of August 29, 2025. This case is currently listed as "Pending - Instituted" before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB). The petitioners in this PTAB case are Nicholson Manufacturing Ltd. and Kadant, Inc.

A search of the CAFC 2026 dockets specifically for patent number 12163947 did not yield any direct case listings related to this patent as of April 26, 2026. While the CAFC website lists scheduled cases for May, June, and July 2026, no case number associated with US12163947 was found within these public listings. Patent appeals to the CAFC typically follow decisions from district courts or the PTAB, and as the noted PTAB case is still pending, it would not yet be at the CAFC.