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| 1 | 10875648 | Loading structure with tether guide for unmanned aerial vehicle | A payload loading system is disclosed. The payload loading system includes a UAV and a loading structure. A retractable tether is coupled to a payload coupling apparatus at a distal end and the UAV at a proximate end. A payload is loaded to the UAV by coupling the payload to the payload coupling apparatus. The loading structure of the payload loading system includes a landing platform and a tether guide. The tether guide is coupled to the landing platform and directs the tether as the UAV approaches and travels across at least a portion of the landing platform such that the payload coupling apparatus arrives at a target location. The payload is loaded to the payload coupling apparatus while the payload coupling apparatus is within the target location. | Jim Schmalzried (San Jose, CA), Jesse Blake (Sunnyvale, CA), Andre Prager (Sunnyvale, CA), Evan Twyford (Mountain View, CA) | Wing Aviation Llc (Mountain View, CA) | 2018-06-11 | 2020-12-29 | B64D1/22, G06Q10/08, B64C39/02 | 16/005288 |
| 2 | 10875626 | Foldable wings for UAS having a geared interface | A foldable wing system for an unmanned aerial system having a fuselage includes a left wing frame having an inboard gear rotatably coupled to the fuselage, a right wing frame having an inboard gear rotatably coupled to the fuselage and a wing actuator coupled to a linkage point on at least one of the wing frames. The wing frames are movable between a plurality of positions including a deployed position and a stowed position. The inboard gear of the left wing frame is engaged with the inboard gear of the right wing frame such that the wing frames move symmetrically between the plurality of positions in response to movement of the linkage point by the wing actuator. | Levi Charles Hefner (Wichita, KS), Dakota Charles Easley (Dallas, TX), Danielle Lynn Moore (Fort Worth, TX) | Textron Innovations Inc. (Providence, RI) | 2018-10-01 | 2020-12-29 | B64C3/56, B64C39/02, B64C29/02, B64C11/48, B64C39/00, F16H1/06 | 16/148005 |
| 3 | 10871774 | Three-dimensional analytic tools and methods for inspections using unmanned aerial vehicles | In various embodiments, three-dimensional models of terrestrial structures are developed and scaled utilizing images acquired during the flight path of an unmanned aerial vehicle. | Eyal Stein (Sharon, MA) | 5X5 Technologies, Inc. (St. Petersburg, FL) | 2017-09-08 | 2020-12-22 | B64C39/00, B64C39/02, G06T17/05, G06K9/00, G05D1/00 | 15/698683 |
| 4 | 10870479 | Multi-architecture modular unmanned aerial system | Disclosed herein is a modular aerial vehicle system having a fuselage module configured to couple with a plurality of lift generation modules. The modular aerial vehicle system may comprise a fuselage module and a lift generation module. The fuselage module can include a first attachment interface, an avionics system operatively coupled with a power unit (e.g., via an ESC) , and a communications system operatively coupled with the flight controller. The lift generation module can include a second attachment interface and a plurality of propulsors. The fuselage module may be configured to removably couple with the lift generation module via the first and second attachment interfaces. The first and second attachment interfaces may comprise (1) a plurality of electrical contacts to facilitate electrical communication between the fuselage module and the lift generation module and/or (2) one or more retention devices to couple structurally the lift generation module with said fuselage module. | Christopher Courtin (Manassas, VA) | Aurora Flight Sciences Corporation (Manassas, VA) | 2018-03-22 | 2020-12-22 | B64C1/26, B64C39/02 | 15/928355 |
| 5 | 10869004 | Shooting method controlling movement of unmanned aerial robot in unmanned aerial system and apparatus for supporting same | A unmanned aerial vehicle system which includes a unmanned aerial robot, a unmanned aerial robot station, and a base station to control a movement of the unmanned aerial robot is provided. The unmanned aerial robot photographs an area of a predetermined range using a camera in a state of being seated on the unmanned aerial robot station, photographs a set path while flying along the set path according to a preset condition, and transmits information on a photographed image to the base station. The base station transmits control information instructing a specific operation to the unmanned aerial robot based on the information on the photographed image, and the unmanned aerial robot station can charges a battery of the unmanned aerial robot through a charging pad when the unmanned aerial robot is seated on the unmanned aerial robot station. | Yuseung Jeong (Seoul, KR), Nakyeong Kim (Seoul, KR), Jeongkyo Seo (Seoul, KR), Sanghak Lee (Seoul, KR) | Lg Electronics Inc. (Seoul, KR) | 2019-09-11 | 2020-12-15 | H04N5/232, H04N7/18, B64C39/02, B64F1/36, H02J7/02, H04W84/04 | 16/567782 |
| 6 | 10868611 | Network capacity management | An example embodiment may involve flying, by an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) , to a geographical location, where a wireless router is at the geographical location. The example embodiment may also involve detecting, by the UAV, a wireless coverage area defined by the wireless router. The example embodiment may also involve accessing, by the UAV, the wireless coverage area using a network identifier and a password. The example embodiment may also involve establishing, by the UAV, a backhaul link to a data network. The example embodiment may also involve transmitting, by the UAV, a notification to a client device served by the wireless coverage area, where the notification indicates that the UAV is a default gateway for the wireless coverage area. The example embodiment may also involve exchanging, by the UAV, data transmissions between (i) the client device, and (ii) one or more other devices accessible via the data network. | David Vos (Mountain View, CA), Andrew Patton (Mountain View, CA), Sean Mullaney (Mountain View, CA), Behnam Motazed (Mountain View, CA), Siegfried Zerweckh (Mountain View, CA) | Wing Aviation Llc (Mountain View, CA) | 2019-12-10 | 2020-12-15 | H04B7/185, H04W24/02, H04W84/00, H04W84/04 | 16/708948 |
| 7 | 10866065 | Drone-assisted systems and methods of calculating a ballistic solution for a projectile | A drone-assisted ballistic system is provided. The ballistic system may include a plurality of mobile devices, a ballistic computer, and a data interface. Each mobile device may be operable to gather wind data along or adjacent to a flight path of a projectile to a target, each mobile device measuring at least wind speed and wind direction. The ballistic system may include at least one static device operable to gather wind data at or near a launch or firing position. The ballistic computer may be in data communication with the plurality of mobile devices to receive the wind data. The ballistic computer may be configured to calculate a wind compensation value for the projectile based on the wind data. The data interface may be in data communication with the ballistic computer to output the wind compensation value to a user in real-time. | Daniel Baumgartner (Beverly Hills, CA) | --- | 2020-03-18 | 2020-12-15 | F41G3/08, B64C39/02, F41G3/00 | 16/822925 |
| 8 | 10855904 | Focusing method and apparatus, image photographing method and apparatus, and photographing system | A focusing method includes obtaining a first image, determining a focusing area from the first image, performing a digital zoom process on the focusing area according to a zoom-in ratio to obtain a second image, and performing a focus process on the second image. | Lifu Yu (Shenzhen, CN) | Sz Dji Technology Co., Ltd. (Shenzhen, CN) | 2019-03-25 | 2020-12-01 | H04N5/232, H04N5/341, H01L27/146 | 16/363113 |
| 9 | 10853755 | Interactive transport services provided by unmanned aerial vehicles | Embodiments relate to a client-facing application for interacting with a transport service that transports items via unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) . An example graphic interface may allow a user to order items to specific delivery areas associated with their larger delivery location, and may dynamically provide status updates and other functionality during the process of fulfilling a UAV transport request. | Jonathan Lesser (Mountain View, CA), Michael Bauerly (Mountain View, CA), James Ryan Burgess (Mountain View, CA), May Cheng (Mountain View, CA), Rue Song (Mountain View, CA) | Wing Aviation Llc (Mountain View, CA) | 2019-09-24 | 2020-12-01 | G06Q10/08, G01C21/16, G06F3/0484, G06F3/0482, B64D1/08, B64C39/02, B64D47/08 | 16/580767 |
| 10 | 10853014 | Head wearable device, system, and method | A head wearable device, a method, and a system. The head wearable device may include a transparent display and a non-transparent display. The transparent display may be implemented in or on the head wearable device. The transparent display may be configured to present first content to a user of the head wearable device. The non-transparent display may be implemented in or on the head wearable device. The non-transparent display may be configured to present second content to the user of the head wearable device. The non-transparent display may be viewable at least in part through the transparent display. | Christopher L. George (Winchester, VA), Emily M. Flaherty-Woods (Cedar Rapids, IA), Geoffrey A. Shapiro (Cedar Rapids, IA) | Rockwell Collins, Inc. (Cedar Rapids, IA) | 2018-04-17 | 2020-12-01 | G06F3/14, G06F3/01, G06T19/00, G06F3/16, B64D43/02, G06F3/0484 | 15/955062 |
| 11 | 10852485 | Optical energy transfer and conversion system for planetary rover having drum configured fiber spooler mounted thereon | An optical energy transfer and conversion system comprising a fiber spooler and an electrical power extraction subsystem connected to the spooler with an optical waveguide. Optical energy is generated at and transferred from a base station through fiber wrapped around the spooler, and ultimately to the power extraction system at a remote mobility platform for conversion to another form of energy. The fiber spooler may reside on the remote mobility platform which may be a vehicle, or apparatus that is either self-propelled or is carried by a secondary mobility platform either on land, under the sea, in the air or in space. | William C. Stone (Del Valle, TX), Bartholomew P. Hogan (Rockville, MD) | Stone Aerospace, Inc. (Del Valle, TX) | 2018-01-15 | 2020-12-01 | G02B6/36, B64D33/00, H02J50/30, E21B47/135, H01L35/30, E21B41/00, H02J50/90, G02B6/44, G02B6/42 | 15/871774 |
| 12 | 10850836 | Spherical VTOL aerial vehicle | An embodiment of the present disclosure relates to an unmanned flying robotic object that contains a wheeled mechanism that encircles its spherical exoskeleton. This feature allows the flying spherical vehicle to readily transform into a ground maneuverable vehicle. A robotic motor with differential speed capability is used to operate each wheel to provide effective ground maneuverability. There are examples provided herein of wheel configurations suitable for use with an embodiment. One is the straight- (or parallel) wheel design, and another is tilted-wheel design as are illustrated and discussed hereinafter. One embodiment of an unmanned flying robotic object taught herein is foldable. | Jamey D. Jacob (Stillwater, OK), Weng Kheong Loh (Stillwater, OK) | The Board of Regents for Oklahoma State University (Stillwater, OK) | 2015-03-27 | 2020-12-01 | B64C37/00, B64C15/02, B64C1/30, B64C39/02, B62D57/00 | 15/129555 |
| 13 | 10836466 | Toroidal propeller | The propeller includes a hub supporting a plurality of elongate propeller elements in which a tip of a leading propeller element curves into contact with a trailing propeller element to form a closed structure with increased stiffness and reduced acoustic signature. | Thomas Sebastian (Maynard, MA), Christopher Strem (Ellicott City, MD) | Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Cambridge, MA) | 2017-11-06 | 2020-11-17 | B64C11/18, B64C11/00, F01D5/14, B64C11/20, F01D5/16, B64C11/02, B64C39/02 | 15/803961 |
| 14 | 10825345 | Devices, methods and systems for close proximity identification of unmanned aerial systems | Embodiments described herein include an electronic beacon system mounted to an unmanned aerial system (UAS) broadcasting identification and sensor data including a UAS identification code, global positioning system data and other telemetry information. In certain embodiments, identification and global positioning system data of the unmanned aerial system is transmitted to and displayed upon a mobile handheld device. Other embodiments include using the identification data to ascertain the identity of the owner/operator of an unmanned aerial system. Related systems, hardware, firmware, and software are disclosed. | Thomas Kenji Sugahara (Salem, OR) | --- | 2018-03-09 | 2020-11-03 | G08G5/00, H04W4/80, H04L29/06, H04W12/06, H04W4/40, G06F16/955 | 15/917390 |
| 15 | 10824170 | Autonomous cargo delivery system | An autonomous aerial vehicle includes a flight controller and a mission manager in communication with the flight controller. The flight controller is configured to navigate the autonomous aerial vehicle. The mission manager is configured to receive mission data. The mission data identifies both a landing zone and a designated touchdown zone located within the landing zone. The mission manager is further configured to provide flight control data to the flight controller. The flight control data causes the flight controller to navigate the autonomous aerial vehicle to a predetermined distance from the landing zone. The mission manager is further configured to determine, subsequent to the autonomous aerial vehicle reaching the predetermined distance, whether landing at the designated touchdown zone is feasible. The mission manager is further configured, in response to determining that landing at the designated touchdown zone is not feasible, to identify an alternate touchdown zone located within the landing zone for landing the autonomous aerial vehicle. | James D. Paduano (Boston, MA), John B. Wissler (Waltham, MA), Michael D. Piedmonte (Stow, MA), David A. Mindell (Cambridge, MA) | Aurora Flight Sciences Corporation (Manassas, VA) | 2019-04-09 | 2020-11-03 | G05D1/00, G06Q50/26, G06Q50/28, G06Q10/08, G06Q10/00, G05D1/06, G05D1/02, G05D1/10, G05D1/04 | 16/379357 |
| 16 | 10810885 | Method and apparatus for transmitting data of unmanned aerial vehicle control system | Disclosed is a method and apparatus for transmitting data of an unmanned aerial vehicle control system. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, provided is a method of transmitting data of an unmanned aerial vehicle control system, the method including: connecting an unmanned aerial vehicle to a ground radio station via a mission data link and a non-mission data link, checking a maximum transmit power of the non-mission data link, checking a margin value of the non-mission data link considering a state of the unmanned aerial vehicle, checking a required transmit power of the non-mission data link by applying the margin value of the non-mission data link, and determining a transmit power of the non-mission data link by comparing the maximum transmit power with the required transmit power. | Hee Wook Kim (Daejeon, KR) | Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (Daejeon, KR) | 2018-09-25 | 2020-10-20 | G08G5/00, H04W52/38, H04W52/36, H04W4/40, H04W52/32, B64C39/02, G07C5/00 | 16/141763 |
| 17 | 10809347 | Aircraft navigation light power transcoder | The ADS-B power transcoder extracts transponder data from parasitic oscillations on the aircraft power line induced by transmissions of ownship radar transponder reply signals (e.g., responses to interrogations of the transponder) . The radio is configured for replacement installation of an aircraft lighting assembly, and connection thereby to legacy onboard power sources without resorting to wireless or wired radar transponder, or pneumatic connections. | Paul Beard (Bigfork, MT) | Uavionix Corporation (Bigfork, MT) | 2018-12-17 | 2020-10-20 | H04L27/26, B64D47/02, G01S5/00, G01S5/02 | 16/222574 |
| 18 | 10807715 | Method for automatic drone package pickup | A payload retrieval apparatus including a structure having an outwardly facing portion, a payload support member adapted for having a payload positioned thereon, one or more magnets or a metal positioned on or within the outwardly facing portion of the structure adapted to magnetically engage one or more magnets or a metal positioned on a payload retriever attached to a tether suspended from a UAV, wherein when the payload is positioned on the payload support member, the payload support member is movable to position a handle of the payload adjacent the one or more magnets or the metal on or within the outwardly facing portion of the structure. | Trevor Shannon (Mountain View, CA) | Wing Aviation Llc (Mountain View, CA) | 2018-05-22 | 2020-10-20 | B64D1/22, B64C39/02 | 15/986616 |
| 19 | 10800547 | Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) recovery system | A UAV recovery system. The UAV recovery system may comprise: a mast having a mast pulley with a swivel, a base, upper and lower booms extending somewhat horizontally from the mast, a cable and pulley arrangement, a shock absorber, and a mast cable coupled between the mast pulley and the shock absorber. The cable and pulley arrangement may comprise: upper boom pulleys coupled near an associated end of the upper boom, lower boom pulleys coupled near an associated end of the lower boom, and a cable forming a loop around the upper and lower boom pulleys. The cable and pulley arrangement may also comprise a net for capturing the UAV. The shock absorber may urge the mast to rotate into a neutral position, but permit the mast to rotate not more than a controlled-tensioned position. | Shawn Kerry McGann (Ridgecrest, CA), Nicholas McGaha (Ridgecrest, CA) | The United States of America, As Represented By The Secretary of The Navy (Washington, DC) | 2018-07-25 | 2020-10-13 | B64F1/02, F16F7/116, B64C39/02 | 16/045525 |
| 20 | 10800546 | Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and system and method for capture of threat UAVs | An apparatus for use as part of, or attached to, an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to intercept and entangle a threat unmanned aerial vehicle, includes a flight and payload control system for controlling power to the UAV and for controlling maneuvering of the UAV. A host-side mount may be coupled to the UAV and is in communication with the flight and payload control system. A payload-side mount is removably attached to the host-side mount and includes a power interface and a control interface between the payload-side mount and the host-side mount. A counter-UAV system is coupled to the payload-side mount and includes a deployable chute net having a cross-sectional area sized for intercepting and entangling the threat unmanned aerial vehicle, and a deployment mechanism for mounting to the unmanned aerial vehicle. | James C. Kilian (Tyngsborough, MA), Brede J. Wegener (Cambridge, MA), Eric Wharton (Hopkinton, MA), David R. Gavelek (Bedford, MA) | Lockheed Martin Corporation (Bethesda, MD) | 2018-02-19 | 2020-10-13 | B64F1/02, B64C25/68, B64C39/02 | 15/898850 |
| 21 | 10796189 | Automated system and methodology for feature extraction | Automated methods and systems for feature extraction are disclosed, including automated methods performed by at least one processor running computer executable instructions stored on at least one non-transitory computer readable medium, comprising determining and isolating an object of interest within a point cloud, forming a modified point cloud having one or more data points with first location coordinates of the object of interest, and generating a boundary outline having second location coordinates of the object of interest using spectral analysis of at least one section of at least one image identified with the first location coordinates and depicting the object of interest. | Yandong Wang (Webster, NY), Frank Giuffrida (Honeoye Falls, NY) | Pictometry International Corp. (Rochester, NY) | 2019-08-22 | 2020-10-06 | G06K9/46, G06T7/50, G06K9/62, G06T7/73, G06K9/00 | 16/548219 |
| 22 | 10795010 | Systems and methods for detecting, tracking and identifying small unmanned systems such as drones | A system for providing integrated detection and countermeasures against unmanned aerial vehicles include a detecting element, a location determining element and an interdiction element. The detecting element detects an unmanned aerial vehicle in flight in the region of, or approaching, a property, place, event or very important person. The location determining element determines the exact location of the unmanned aerial vehicle. The interdiction element can either direct the unmanned aerial vehicle away from the property, place, event or very important person in a non-destructive manner, or can cause disable the unmanned aerial vehicle in a destructive manner. | Dwaine A. Parker (Naples, FL), Damon E. Stern (Riverview, FL), Lawrence S. Pierce (Huntsville, AL) | Xidrone Systems, Inc. (Naples, FL) | 2019-03-22 | 2020-10-06 | G01S13/06, F41H13/00, G01S7/38, G01S7/02, G01S13/86, G01S13/42, G01S7/41, G01S13/933, G01S3/782, G01S13/88, G01S13/91, F41H11/02 | 16/362285 |
| 23 | 10793403 | Method of actively controlling winch swing via modulated uptake and release | An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) including a winch system, wherein the winch system includes a single winch line, wherein a payload is suspended from a first end of the winch line, and the winch system is controllable to vary the rate of ascent of the payload to the UAV, and a control system including a processor and program instructions stored in a non-transitory computer readable medium and executable by the processor to control the winch, the control system configured to (a) receive data regarding oscillations of the payload, and (b) operate the winch system to vary a retraction rate of the winch line to damp oscillations of the payload during ascent of the payload to the UAV. | Joshua John Bialkowski (San Mateo, CA), John Roberts (Mountain View, CA), Abraham Bachrach (Mountain View, CA) | Wing Aviation Llc (Mountain View, CA) | 2018-04-17 | 2020-10-06 | B66D1/48, G05D1/08, B66C13/06, B64C39/02, B64D1/22 | 15/955388 |
| 24 | 10793274 | Payload coupling apparatus for UAV and method of delivering a payload | A payload coupling apparatus is provided including a housing, wherein the housing is adapted for attachment to a first end of a tether, a slot extending downwardly from an outer surface of the housing towards a center of the housing thereby forming a lower tip on the housing beneath the slot, and wherein the slot is adapted to receive a handle of a payload. A method of delivering a payload using the payload coupling apparatus is also provided. | Andre Prager (Sunnyvale, CA), Trevor Shannon (Mountain View, CA) | Wing Aviation Llc (Mountain View, CA) | 2016-12-22 | 2020-10-06 | B64D1/22, B64C39/02, B64D1/12, G06Q10/08 | 15/389074 |
| 25 | 10793272 | Unmanned aerial vehicle and techniques for securing a payload to the UAV in a desired orientation | An unmanned aerial vehicle system is provided including an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) having a fuselage, a tether having a first end secured to a winch system positioned in the UAV and a second end secured to a payload coupling apparatus, a payload coupling apparatus receptacle positioned in the fuselage of the UAV, a payload having a handle, wherein the handle of the payload is positioned within a slot in the payload coupling apparatus. A method of securing a payload to a UAV is also provided. | Trevor Shannon (Mountain View, CA), Andre Prager (Sunnyvale, CA), Zhefei Li (Mountain View, CA), Kyle Liske (Mountain View, CA) | Wing Aviation Llc (Mountain View, CA) | 2016-12-22 | 2020-10-06 | B64D1/12, G06Q10/08, B64D1/22, B64C39/02 | 15/389138 |
| 26 | 10793269 | Vision based calibration system for unmanned aerial vehicles | An unmanned aircraft system includes a testing and calibration system that enables automated testing of movable parts of an unmanned aircraft. The testing and calibration system uses a camera-based technique to determine the position and angle of movable parts, in order to establish whether or not those parts are moving in a manner consistent with correct function. | Peter Abeles (Redwood City, CA), Keenan Wyrobek (Half Moon Bay, CA) | Zipline International Inc. (San Francisco, CA) | 2018-06-25 | 2020-10-06 | B64C39/02, G06T7/73, B64F5/60 | 16/017831 |
| 27 | 10788584 | Apparatus and method for determining defects in dielectric materials and detecting subsurface objects | An apparatus travels within a 3-dimensional space collecting data that may be used to expose defects in structures and objects beneath the ground surface. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus includes an unmanned aerial vehicle controlled by a user. The apparatus carries LIDAR and ground penetrating radar and correlates data received from both to facilitate displaying a map with data superimposed on it representing locations of defects in structures and buried objects. | Michael Leon Scott (Kensington, MD) | --- | 2017-08-22 | 2020-09-29 | G01S17/00, G01S13/88, G01S17/89, G01S13/86 | 15/682990 |
| 28 | 10783478 | Unmanned aerial vehicle delivery system | Disclosed are systems, mediums, and methods of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) delivery system. The system controls and manages UAVs for delivering packages. The system receives a drop off location for a package and instructs a UAV to navigate to the drop off location with the package. The system notifies a recipient of the package delivery through a device of the recipient, and in response to receiving one or more responses to the notification, causes the UAV to allow access to the package being delivered. | Todd Murray Studnicka (San Jose, CA) | Paypal, Inc. (San Jose, CA) | 2016-03-30 | 2020-09-22 | G06Q10/08, G06Q20/26, G06Q20/42, G06Q20/32, G06Q20/40, G06Q20/38, G06Q20/20, B64C39/02 | 15/084919 |
| 29 | 10782482 | Optical energy transfer and conversion system for unmanned aerial vehicle having drum configured fiber spooler mounted thereon | An optical energy transfer and conversion system comprising a fiber spooler and an electrical power extraction subsystem connected to the spooler with an optical waveguide. Optical energy is generated at and transferred from a base station through fiber wrapped around the spooler, and ultimately to the power extraction system at a remote mobility platform for conversion to another form of energy. The fiber spooler may reside on the remote mobility platform which may be a vehicle, or apparatus that is either self-propelled or is carried by a secondary mobility platform either on land, under the sea, in the air or in space. | William C. Stone (Del Valle, TX), Bartholomew P. Hogan (Rockville, MD) | Stone Aerospace, Inc. (Del Valle, TX) | 2018-01-15 | 2020-09-22 | G02B6/36, H02J50/90, H02J7/02, E21B41/00, H01L35/30, G02B6/42, E21B47/135, H02J50/30, B64D33/00, G02B6/44 | 15/871754 |
| 30 | 10773800 | Vehicle-based deployment of a tethered surveillance drone | An unmanned aerial vehicle subsystem includes a vehicle-mountable light bar. The light bar includes a periphery and a plurality of lights configured to illuminate through at least a portion of the periphery. The light bar further defines a volume within which is positioned an unmanned aerial vehicle pad and a tether extension and retraction mechanism. The subsystem further includes an unmanned aerial vehicle having at least one camera. A tether is operable with the tether extension and retraction mechanism and extendable from the tether extension and retraction mechanism to the unmanned aerial vehicle. The tether is configured to, during flight of the unmanned aerial vehicle, transmit power to the unmanned aerial vehicle and transmit data signals to and from the unmanned aerial vehicle. | Mathieu Buyse (Genval, BE), Jean Marc Coulon (Sant Julia de Loria, AD) | Rsq-Systems Sprl (Genval, BE) | 2019-06-04 | 2020-09-15 | B64C39/02 | 16/431324 |
| 31 | 10766615 | Hover airlift logistics operations guided expeditionary autonomous scalable and modular VTOL platform | A vertical takeoff and landing aircraft has a circular body with a cockpit at the center, and multiple vertical, horizontal, and other directional through tunnels inside the body. A propelling device such as ducted fan, jet turbine or rocket is provided inside each tunnel. Each propelling device is completely disposed within a tunnel with no exposed parts. The bottom surface of the aircraft has a circular lip forming the lowest part of the aircraft, and the portion of the bottom surface surrounded by the circular lip is concave, where the multiple vertical through tunnels open to the concave portion. A control system controls the thrust produced by each propelling device so as to precisely control the horizontal and vertical speed and the pitch, roll, and yaw angles of the aircraft. Communication and positioning equipment are provided onboard, as well as various sensors. The aircraft may be manned or unmanned. | Lindsay O'Brien Quarrie (Socorro, NM) | --- | 2018-02-01 | 2020-09-08 | B64C29/00, B64C27/24, B64C27/20, B64C39/00 | 15/886606 |
| 32 | 10761525 | Unmanned aerial vehicle inspection system | Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for an unmanned aerial system inspection system. One of the methods is performed by a UAV and includes obtaining, from a user device, flight operation information describing an inspection of a vertical structure to be performed, the flight operation information including locations of one or more safe locations for vertical inspection. A location of the UAV is determined to correspond to a first safe location for vertical inspection. A first inspection of the structure is performed is performed at the first safe location, the first inspection including activating cameras. A second safe location is traveled to, and a second inspection of the structure is performed. Information associated with the inspection is provided to the user device. | Brett Michael Bethke (Millbrae, CA), Hui Li (San Francisco, CA), Bernard J. Michini (San Franisco, CA) | Skydio, Inc. (Redwood City, CA) | 2017-08-09 | 2020-09-01 | H04B7/185, G05D1/00, B64C39/02, B64D47/08, G08G5/00, B64D47/00 | 15/672764 |
| 33 | 10755582 | Drone physical and data interface for enhanced distance coverage | There are provided systems and methods for a drone physical and data interface for enhanced distance coverage. An unmanned aerial vehicle or a drone may be unable to operate over a distance due to range limitations. The drone may utilize onboard systems and communications with other devices and servers to detect another vehicle operating over at least a portion of the distance, where connecting to the vehicle and using the vehicles resources for travel over the portion of the distance decreases the flight time of the drone. The drone may utilize a camera and communications with the vehicle or server to determine a connection point to the vehicle, and may connect to the vehicle to travel the portion of the distance. If the drone has not yet arrived at the destination and still requires further assistance reaching it, the drone may locate another vehicle to further use. | Michael Charles Todasco (Santa Clara, CA), Timothy Resudek (San Jose, CA), Titus Woo (Santa Clara, CA), Anush Vishwanath (Santa Clara, CA), Gautam Madaan (San Jose, CA), Zachary Joseph Berman (San Jose, CA), Braden Christopher Ericson (San Jose, CA), Lars Holger Alexander Steinmetzger (San Jose, CA) | Paypal, Inc. (San Jose, CA) | 2017-12-28 | 2020-08-25 | G08G5/00, B64C39/02, G05D1/00 | 15/856942 |
| 34 | 10750313 | Map display of unmanned aircraft systems | Described herein is a method comprising (a) sending unmanned aircraft system (UAS) data providing a first UAS location indication on a map on a display of the computing device, wherein the first UAS location indication comprises an aggregate indication of a plurality of UASs located within a first area on the map, (b) receiving data comprising a request for additional information related to the first UAS location indication, (c) in response to receiving the request for additional information, sending additional location data related to the plurality of UASs, including a plurality of second UAS location indications at a plurality of locations within the first area on the map, wherein each second UAS indication corresponds to a subset of the plurality of UASs represented by the first UAS location indication, and (d) updating the display of the computing device to show the plurality of second UAS location indications. | James Burgess (Mountain View, CA), Reinaldo Negron (Mountain View, CA), Jeremy Chalmer (Mountain View, CA) | Wing Aviation Llc (Mountain View, CA) | 2018-06-04 | 2020-08-18 | H04W4/021, H04W4/42, G01C21/00, G08G5/00, H04W4/44, G06F16/29, G01C21/36, G05D1/00 | 15/997615 |
| 35 | 10745126 | Unmanned aerial system with transportable screen | An unmanned aerial system (UAS) that displays an image, video or other effect is described. The UAS may include a camera that captures the image for display. The UAS may be used in connection with a water display, and multiple UASs may operate together. | Dezso Molnar (Sun Valley, CA), John Canavan (Sun Valley, CA) | Wet (Sun Valley, CA) | 2016-12-28 | 2020-08-18 | B64C39/02, H04N7/18, H04N5/232, B64D47/08, B64D1/22, B05B17/08, G03B21/56, G03B21/00, H04N9/31, G03B21/608 | 15/393118 |
| 36 | 10739525 | Optical energy transfer and conversion system for autonomous underwater vehicle having drum configured fiber spooler mounted thereon | An optical energy transfer and conversion system comprising a fiber spooler and an electrical power extraction subsystem connected to the spooler with an optical waveguide. Optical energy is generated at and transferred from a base station through fiber wrapped around the spooler, and ultimately to the power extraction system at a remote mobility platform for conversion to another form of energy. The fiber spooler may reside on the remote mobility platform which may be a vehicle, or apparatus that is either self-propelled or is carried by a secondary mobility platform either on land, under the sea, in the air or in space. | William C. Stone (Del Valle, TX), Bartholomew P. Hogan (Rockville, MD) | Stone Aerospace, Inc. (Del Valle, TX) | 2018-01-15 | 2020-08-11 | G02B6/36, H02J7/02, H02J50/30, E21B41/00, H01L35/30, E21B47/135, B64D33/00, G02B6/44, G02B6/42, H02J50/90 | 15/871727 |
| 37 | 10739524 | Optical energy transfer and conversion system for planetary rover having axially configured fiber spooler mounted thereon | An optical energy transfer and conversion system comprising a fiber spooler and an electrical power extraction subsystem connected to the spooler with an optical waveguide. Optical energy is generated at and transferred from a base station through fiber wrapped around the spooler, and ultimately to the power extraction system at a remote mobility platform for conversion to another form of energy. The fiber spooler may reside on the remote mobility platform which may be a vehicle, or apparatus that is either self-propelled or is carried by a secondary mobility platform either on land, under the sea, in the air or in space. | William C. Stone (Del Valle, TX), Bartholomew P. Hogan (Rockville, MD) | Stone Aerospace, Inc. (Del Valle, TX) | 2018-01-15 | 2020-08-11 | G02B6/36, H02J7/02, H02J50/90, E21B41/00, H01L35/30, E21B47/135, B64D33/00, G02B6/44, G02B6/42, H02J50/30 | 15/871708 |
| 38 | 10739523 | Optical energy transfer and conversion system for unmanned aerial vehicle having axially configured fiber spooler mounted thereon | An optical energy transfer and conversion system comprising a fiber spooler and an electrical power extraction subsystem connected to the spooler with an optical waveguide. Optical energy is generated at and transferred from a base station through fiber wrapped around the spooler, and ultimately to the power extraction system at a remote mobility platform for conversion to another form of energy. The fiber spooler may reside on the remote mobility platform which may be a vehicle, or apparatus that is either self-propelled or is carried by a secondary mobility platform either on land, under the sea, in the air or in space. | William C. Stone (Del Valle, TX), Bartholomew P. Hogan (Rockville, MD) | Stone Aerospace, Inc. (Del Valle, TX) | 2018-01-15 | 2020-08-11 | G02B6/36, B64D33/00, E21B47/135, H01L35/30, E21B41/00, H02J50/90, H02J7/02, G02B6/44, H02J50/30, G02B6/42 | 15/871693 |
| 39 | 10739522 | Optical energy transfer and conversion system for remotely operated vehicle having axially configured fiber spooler mounted thereon | An optical energy transfer and conversion system comprising a fiber spooler and an electrical power extraction subsystem connected to the spooler with an optical waveguide. Optical energy is generated at and transferred from a base station through fiber wrapped around the spooler, and ultimately to the power extraction system at a remote mobility platform for conversion to another form of energy. The fiber spooler may reside on the remote mobility platform which may be a vehicle, or apparatus that is either self-propelled or is carried by a secondary mobility platform either on land, under the sea, in the air or in space. | William C. Stone (Del Valle, TX), Bartholomew P. Hogan (Rockville, MD) | Stone Aerospace, Inc. (Del Valle, TX) | 2018-01-15 | 2020-08-11 | G02B6/36, B64D33/00, E21B47/135, H02J50/90, E21B41/00, G02B6/42, H02J50/30, H01L35/30, H02J7/02, G02B6/44 | 15/871671 |
| 40 | 10739451 | Systems and methods for detecting, tracking and identifying small unmanned systems such as drones | A system for providing integrated detection and countermeasures against unmanned aerial vehicles include a detecting element, a location determining element and an interdiction element. The detecting element detects an unmanned aerial vehicle in flight in the region of, or approaching, a property, place, event or very important person. The location determining element determines the exact location of the unmanned aerial vehicle. The interdiction element can either direct the unmanned aerial vehicle away from the property, place, event or very important person in a non-destructive manner, or can cause disable the unmanned aerial vehicle in a destructive manner. | Dwaine A. Parker (Naples, FL), Damon E. Stern (Riverview, FL), Lawrence S. Pierce (Huntsville, AL) | Xidrone Systems, Inc. (Naples, FL) | 2020-05-05 | 2020-08-11 | G01S13/06, G01S3/782, F41H11/02, G01S13/42, G01S13/91, G01S13/933, G01S13/88, F41H13/00, G01S7/38, G01S7/02, G01S13/86, G01S7/41 | 16/867145 |
| 41 | 10737783 | Control systems for unmanned aerial vehicles | Unmanned aerial systems including an unmanned aerial vehicle and a command device. The unmanned aerial vehicle includes a propulsion system, a vehicle power source, a vehicle electronic controller, and a vehicle coupling mechanism. The command device includes a command power source, a command electronic controller, and a command coupling mechanism. The vehicle electronic controller is without power from the vehicle power source when the vehicle coupling mechanism is connected to the command coupling mechanism. The command electronic controller is without power from the command power source when the vehicle coupling mechanism is connected to the command coupling mechanism. The vehicle electronic controller receives power from the vehicle power source when the vehicle coupling mechanism is separate from the command coupling mechanism. The command electronic controller receives power from the command power source when the vehicle coupling mechanism is separate from the command coupling mechanism. | Mathieu Buyse (Genval, BE), Jean Marc Coulon (Sant Julia de Loria, AD), Mike Blavier (Vilvoorde, BE) | Rsq-Systems Sprl (Genval, BE) | 2018-01-16 | 2020-08-11 | B64C39/02, B64C27/50 | 15/872588 |
| 42 | 10733894 | Direct-broadcast remote identification (RID) device for unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) | A direct-broadcast remote identification (RID) device attachable to an unmanned aircraft system (UAS) encodes identifier signals based on a unique identifier of the UAS and position data, e.g., the current and originating (launch) positions of the UAS, and transmits encoded data signals receivable and decodable by specially configured receiver devices in range. The encoded identifier signals may be transmitted at low power via radio-control frequencies, whitespace frequencies, ISM frequencies, DME frequencies, or ADS-B frequencies as needed. The receiver devices may decode identifier signals to display the relative positions of, and information about, nearby UAS even in internet-denied areas (standalone mode) . The receiver devices may retrieve additional data, such as operator information and flight plans, from remote databases by establishing wireless connections when said connections are available (connected mode) . | Paul Beard (Bigfork, MT), Christian Ramsey (Purcellville, VA) | Uavionix Corporation (Bigfork, MT) | 2018-02-26 | 2020-08-04 | G08G5/00, B64C39/02, G05D1/00, H04W4/06, G01C5/06, G01S19/14 | 15/905340 |
| 43 | 10733442 | Optical surveillance system | An optical surveillance system for detecting and tracking targets of interest is configured to capture optical data of a first region of the atmosphere at a first refresh rate and to capture optical data of a second region of the atmosphere at a second refresh rate that is different than the first refresh rate. | John Stryjewski (Merritt Island, FL), Raymond Rodgers (Melbourne, FL) | Vision Engineering Solutions, Llc (Merritt Island, FL) | 2018-05-08 | 2020-08-04 | G06K9/00, B64C39/02, G06K9/62, G06K9/32, G06K9/64, G06K9/20 | 15/974016 |
| 44 | 10727457 | System for supplying power to a portable battery using at least one solar panel | A system for supplying power to a portable battery pack including a battery enclosed by a wearable and replaceable pouch or skin using at least one solar panel is disclosed, wherein the pouch or skin can be provided in different colors and/or patterns. Further, the pouch or skin can be MOLLE-compatible. The battery comprises a battery element housed between a battery cover and a back plate, wherein the battery element, battery cover, and back plate have a slight curvature or contour. Further, the battery comprises flexible leads. | Laura Thiel (Raleigh, NC), Giancarlo Urzi (Raleigh, NC), Carlos Cid (Raleigh, NC) | Lat Enterprises, Inc. (Raleigh, NC) | 2018-05-09 | 2020-07-28 | H01M2/06, H01M2/10, F02K1/72, F02K1/76, H02S40/38, A41D13/015, A41D1/00, A41D1/04, A45C13/10 | 15/975116 |
| 45 | 10726729 | System and method for unmanned aerial system (UAS) modernization for avoidance and detection | A method for securing flight operations of an unmanned aerial system (UAS) includes a processor receiving a flight operation for a UAS, the flight operation defining a UAS flight profile, and the processor, based on a designation of the flight operation as sensitive, controlling an automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) transponder on the UAS to broadcast a dummy aircraft identification different from an ICAO-assigned transponder code, and dummy airframe information during at least a portion of the flight operation. | Evan Eaves (Alexandria, VA), William Colligan (Vienna, VA) | Architecture Technology Corporation (Minneapolis, MN) | 2017-10-25 | 2020-07-28 | G08G5/00 | 15/793304 |
| 46 | 10710722 | Payload-release device position tracking | An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is disclosed that includes a retractable payload delivery system. The payload delivery system can lower a payload to the ground using a delivery device that secures the payload during descent and releases the payload upon reaching the ground. The location of the delivery device can be determined as it is lowered to the ground using image tracking. The UAV can include an imaging system that captures image data of the suspended delivery device and identifies image coordinates of the delivery device, and the image coordinates can then be mapped to a location. The UAV may also be configured to account for any deviations from a planned path of descent in real time to effect accurate delivery locations of released payloads. | James Ryan Burgess (Redwood City, CA), Joanna Cohen (Mountain View, CA) | Wing Aviation Llc (Mountain View, CA) | 2017-11-20 | 2020-07-14 | B64D1/12, G05D1/00, G05D1/04, B64C39/02, B64D1/22 | 15/818621 |
| 47 | 10710720 | Apparatuses for releasing a payload from an aerial tether | Described herein are apparatuses for passively releasing a payload of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) . An example apparatus may include, among other features, (i) a housing, (ii) a swing arm coupled to the housing, wherein the swing arm is operable to toggle between an open position and a closed position, (iii) a spring mechanism adapted to exert a force on the swing arm from the open position toward the closed position, (iv) a receiving system of a UAV adapted to receive the housing, wherein the receiving system causes the swing arm to be arranged in the open position, and (v) a spool operable to unwind and wind a tether coupled to the housing, wherein unwinding the tether causes a descent of the housing from the receiving system, and wherein winding the tether causes an ascent of the housing to the receiving system. | Trevor Shannon (Mountain View, CA), Zhefei Li (Sunnyvale, CA) | Wing Aviation Llc (Mountain View, CA) | 2019-05-06 | 2020-07-14 | B64D1/02, B64D1/12, B64C39/02, B64D3/00, B64D9/00 | 16/404090 |
| 48 | 10710561 | Deceleration pedal control for braking systems | Systems and methods for aircraft braking are disclosed. The systems and methods may comprise a control mode executive configured to receive a pedal input and calculate a gear deceleration command comprising a desired deceleration rate based on the pedal input, a pedal deceleration controller in electronic communication with the control mode executive configured to receive the gear deceleration command from the control mode executive and calculate a gear pedal command based on at least one of the gear deceleration command and a deceleration feedback, and a pedal executive in electronic communication with the pedal deceleration controller configured to receive the gear pedal command, and generate a pedal braking command based on the gear pedal command. | Marc Georgin (Dayton, OH) | Goodrich Corporation (Charlotte, NC) | 2019-03-01 | 2020-07-14 | B60T8/172, B64C25/42, B60T8/17, B60T8/171, B60T8/32, B60T8/1761, B60T7/04, B60T8/176 | 16/290420 |
| 49 | 10705297 | Method of launching a spacecraft into low earth orbit using a non-line-of-sight optical power transfer system | A method of launching a spacecraft into low Earth orbit using a non-line-of-sight optical power transfer system. The method includes generating optical power at a base station and using an optical fiber to transmit the optical power generated to a launch vehicle via an actively cooled fiber spooler thereon. The optical power received by the launch vehicle is converted to another form of energy usable by the launch vehicle. The optical power is optically focused into a reaction chamber to impinge on a refractory target. A working fluid is regeneratively fed to a heat exchanger contained within the actively cooled fiber spooler. The working fluid is pre-heated within the heat exchanger and injected into the reaction chamber where the working fluid heats and expands. The exhaust is channeled through a rocket nozzle to produce thrust. In an alternative embodiment, the optical fiber expended during launch of a spacecraft is recovered. | William C. Stone (Del Valle, TX), Bartholomew P. Hogan (Rockville, MD) | Stone Aerospace, Inc. (Del Valle, TX) | 2018-10-25 | 2020-07-07 | G02B6/36, H01L35/30, E21B41/00, G02B6/42, H02J7/02, E21B47/135, B64D33/00, H02J50/30, G02B6/44, H02J50/90 | 16/171167 |
| 50 | 10705296 | Optical energy transfer and conversion system for remotely operated vehicle having drum configured fiber spooler mounted thereon | An optical energy transfer and conversion system comprising a fiber spooler and an electrical power extraction subsystem connected to the spooler with an optical waveguide. Optical energy is generated at and transferred from a base station through fiber wrapped around the spooler, and ultimately to the power extraction system at a remote mobility platform for conversion to another form of energy. The fiber spooler may reside on the remote mobility platform which may be a vehicle, or apparatus that is either self-propelled or is carried by a secondary mobility platform either on land, under the sea, in the air or in space. | William C. Stone (Del Valle, TX), Bartholomew P. Hogan (Rockville, MD) | Stone Aerospace, Inc. (Del Valle, TX) | 2018-01-15 | 2020-07-07 | G02B6/36, G02B6/44, G02B6/42, H02J7/02, H02J50/30, B64D33/00, E21B47/135, H01L35/30, E21B41/00, H02J50/90 | 15/871739 |
| 51 | 10701296 | Thermal camera with image enhancement derived from microelectromechanical sensor | A camera system and methods of enhancing images using direct measurement of angular displacement are disclosed. The camera system includes an optical element, a focal plane array (FPA) , a motion sensor and a processor. The FPA has pixels sensing image pixel data from the optical element. The pixels have an angular resolution dependent upon a configuration of the optical element and a dimension of the pixels. The pixels detect electromagnetic waves having a wavelength within a range from 800 nanometers to 20 micrometers. The motion sensor senses angular displacement in 3D. The processor receives the image pixel data generated at distinct first instants of time during an image capture period from the FPA and motion reading (s) during the image capture period, converts the motion readings into angular displacement of the FPA, and selects an image processing algorithm to generate at least one image enhancement for the image pixel data. | Matthew Dock (Stillwater, OK), Michael Fox (Stillwater, OK), Jon Stewart (Stillwater, OK) | Rpx Technologies, Inc. (Stillwater, OK) | 2018-10-18 | 2020-06-30 | H04N5/33, G01J5/10, G01J5/08, H04N5/365, G01J5/00 | 16/164528 |
| 52 | 10699585 | Unmanned aerial system detection and mitigation | The present subject matter provides various technical solutions to technical problems facing UAV detection and mitigation. Information received from UAV detection sensors may be analyzed or matched against known UAV characteristics. The analysis or matching may be used to identify the UAV, analyze the UAV characteristics or navigational behavior, and classify the UAV behavior and the UAV itself. The UAV may be classified as either compliant, ignorant (e.g., unintentional) and noncompliant, or purposeful (e.g., intentional) and noncompliant. The UAV classification may be improved by using UAV characteristic analysis performed by an artificial neural network (ANN) algorithm using specific UAV classifiers. A UAV mitigation command or mitigation response may be generated based on the UAV characteristic analysis combined with a UAV safety risk assessment. The mitigation command may cause nondestructive interference, destruction, capture, or another UAV mitigation response. | Joseph James Vacek (Grand Forks, ND) | University of North Dakota (Grand Forks, ND) | 2018-08-02 | 2020-06-30 | G05D1/00, B64C39/02, G08G5/00, F41H11/02 | 16/053076 |
| 53 | 10698492 | Wearable electronic, multi-sensory, human/machine, human/human interfaces | A wearable Haptic Human Machine Interface (HHMI) receives electrical activity from muscles and nerves of a user. An electrical signal is determined having characteristics based on the received electrical activity. The electrical signal is generated and applied to an object to cause an action dependent on the received electrical activity. The object can be a biological component of the user, such as a muscle, another user, or a remotely located machine such as a drone. Exemplary uses include mitigating tremor, accelerated learning, cognitive therapy, remote robotic, drone and probe control and sensing, virtual and augmented reality, stroke, brain and spinal cord rehabilitation, gaming, education, pain relief, entertainment, remote surgery, remote participation in and/or observation of an event such as a sporting event, biofeedback and remotality. Remotality is the perception of a reality occurring remote from the user. The reality may be remote in time, location and/or physical form. The reality may be consistent with the natural world, comprised of an alternative, fictional world or a mixture of natural and fictional constituents. | John James Daniels (Madison, CT) | --- | 2019-06-26 | 2020-06-30 | G06F3/01, G06F1/16 | 16/452611 |
| 54 | 10696396 | Stability systems for tethered unmanned aerial vehicles | An unmanned aerial vehicle including a body, a platform, a rotor, a tether cable, and an actuation system. The platform is coupled to the body such that the platform is rotatable relative to the body about a first horizontal axis of rotation. The rotor is rigidly coupled to the platform such that the rotor and the platform rotate together about the first horizontal axis of rotation. The tether cable extends away from the body and is coupled to the body such that the tether cable is rotatable relative to the body about a second horizontal axis of rotation. The first and second horizontal axes of rotation are normal to a vertical plane. The actuation system is configured to rotate the platform in a clockwise direction about the first horizontal axis of rotation when the tether cable rotates in a counter-clockwise direction about the second horizontal axis of rotation. | Mathieu Buyse (Genval, BE), Jean Marc Coulon (Sant Julia de Loria, AD), Mike Blavier (Vilvoorde, BE) | Rsq-Systems Us Llc (College Station, TX) | 2018-03-05 | 2020-06-30 | B64C39/02 | 15/912130 |
| 55 | 10696395 | Tethered unmanned aerial system | A tethered unmanned aerial system (UAS) is described, wherein the flight of one or more UASs may be used in connection with a water and light display. | Dezso Molnar (Sun Valley, CA), John Canavan (Sun Valley, CA) | Wet (Sun Valley, CA) | 2016-12-28 | 2020-06-30 | B64C39/02, B05B17/08, B66D1/60, G03B21/10, B66D1/48, B66D1/28, G09F13/00, G09F21/06, G09F19/18, B64D47/04, B64F3/02, G03B21/608, F21S10/00, G03B21/60, G03B15/00 | 15/393106 |
| 56 | 10691142 | Anticipatory dispatch of UAVs to pre-staging locations | An example method involves determining an expected demand level for a first type of a plurality of types of transport tasks for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) , the first type of transport tasks associated with a first payload type. Each of the UAVs is physically reconfigurable between at least a first and a second configuration corresponding to the first payload type and a second payload type, respectively. The method also involves determining based on the expected demand level for the first type of transport tasks, (i) a first number of UAVs having the first configuration and (ii) a second number of UAVs having the second configuration. The method further involves, at or near a time corresponding to the expected demand level, providing one or more UAVs to perform the transport tasks, including at least the first number of UAVs. | Jesse Blake (Sunnyvale, CA), James Schmalzried (San Jose, CA), Scott Velez (Mountain View, CA), Andre Prager (Sunnyvale, CA), Eric Teller (Palo Alto, CA), Matthew Nubbe (Santa Clara, CA) | Wing Aviation Llc (Mountain View, CA) | 2017-12-21 | 2020-06-23 | G05D1/10, G06Q50/30, G06Q10/08, G05D1/00, B64C39/02, G06Q10/06 | 15/851693 |
| 57 | 10690781 | Unmanned aerial vehicle drive testing and mapping of carrier signals | Example methods, apparatus, systems, and machine-readable mediums for unmanned aerial vehicle drive testing and mapping of carrier signals are disclosed. An example method may include determining that an unmanned aerial vehicle is travelling on a flight route at an altitude for determination of network performance of a cellular network. The method may further include determining, using an antenna, signal diagnostics of the cellular network during travel of the unmanned aerial vehicle on the flight route. The method may conclude with transmitting the signal diagnostics of the cellular network to a service provider. | Mario Kosseifi (Roswell, GA), Giuseppe De Rosa (Atlanta, GA), Ronald Kiefer (Louisville, KY) | At&T Intellectual Property I, L.P. (Atlanta, GA) | 2017-04-05 | 2020-06-23 | G01C23/00, G08G5/00, H04B7/00, B60L53/30, B60L53/51, G05D1/00, G08G5/04, H04W4/44, H04W16/18, G01S19/42, H04L29/08, H04B17/318, H04W84/04, H04W84/06, H04W4/38 | 15/480028 |
| 58 | 10690525 | Systems and methods associated with unmanned aerial vehicle targeting accuracy | System and methods may evaluate and/or improve target aiming accuracy for a sensor of an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (''UAV'') . According to some embodiments, a position and orientation measuring unit may measure a position and orientation associated with the sensor. A pose estimation platform may execute a first order calculation using the measured position and orientation as the actual position and orientation to create a first order model. A geometry evaluation platform may receive planned sensor position and orientation from a targeting goal data store and calculate a standard deviation for a target aiming error utilizing: (i) location and geometry information associated with the industrial asset, (ii) a known relationship between the sensor and a center-of-gravity of the UAV, (iii) the first order model as a transfer function, and (iv) an assumption that the position and orientation of the sensor have Gaussian-distributed noises with zero mean and a pre-determined standard deviation. | Yang Zhao (Niskayuna, NY), Huan Tan (Clifton Park, NY), Steven Gray (Niskayuna, NY), Ghulam Baloch (Niskayuna, NY), Mauricio Castillo-Effen (Rexford, NY), Judith Guzzo (Niskayuna, NY), Shiraj Sen (Niskayuna, NY), Douglas Forman (Schenectady, NY) | General Electric Company (Schenectady, NY) | 2018-01-03 | 2020-06-23 | G01D18/00, G01S17/89, G05D1/00, H04N5/232, G01S17/86, G01C21/20, G06T7/73, G06K9/62, G06T7/77, G01S17/06, G01C19/5776, B64C39/02, G01C23/00 | 15/861054 |
| 59 | 10689113 | Active position control of tethered hook | An example system includes an aerial vehicle, a sensor, and a winch system. The winch system includes a tether disposed on a spool, a motor operable to apply a torque to the tether, and a payload coupling apparatus coupled to the tether and configured to mechanically couple to a payload. The system also includes a repositioning apparatus configured to reposition the payload coupling apparatus in at least a horizontal direction. A control system is configured to control the aerial vehicle to deploy the payload coupling apparatus by unwinding the tether from the spool, receive, while the aerial vehicle hovers above the payload and from the sensor, data indicative of a position of the payload coupling apparatus in relation to the payload, and reposition, using the repositioning apparatus and based on the data, the payload coupling apparatus in the horizontal direction to mechanically couple to the payload. | Andre Prager (Sunnyvale, CA), Trevor Shannon (Mountain View, CA), Adam Woodworth (San Jose, CA) | Wing Aviation Llc (Mountain View, CA) | 2017-12-21 | 2020-06-23 | B64D1/22, B66C1/42, G05D1/00, B66D1/12, B64C39/02 | 15/851654 |
| 60 | 10689109 | Interceptor unmanned aerial system | The present disclosure primarily relates to interceptor unmanned aerial systems and methods for countering Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) , although the inventions disclosed herein are useful for capture of any aerial object. The system utilizes a rigid effector frame, an effector attached directly to the frame, and at least two propulsion elements connected to the effector frame, and is configured to intercept and disable threat UAS. The disclosed systems can be oriented to any virtually any angle to maximize the chances of intercept. | Aaron Wypyszynski (Meridianville, AL), Bill Martin (Madison, AL), John Roy (Madison, AL), Stephen R. Norris (Madison, AL) | --- | 2017-07-21 | 2020-06-23 | B64C39/02, F41H11/04 | 15/656295 |
| 61 | 10689095 | Fiber sheet stacked rotor design | A rotor unit is disclosed. The rotor unit includes a hub and a stacked rotor blade. The hub is configured to rotate about an axis in a first rotation direction. The stacked rotor blade is rotatable about the axis and further includes a first blade element and a second blade element. The first blade element has a first leading edge and the second blade element has a second leading edge. The blade elements are arranged in a stacked configuration. A leading edge of the stacked rotor blade is formed by at least a portion of the first leading edge of the first blade element as well as at least as portion of the second leading edge of the second blade element. In some embodiments, the rotor unit is coupled to an unmanned aerial vehicle. | Siegfried Zerweckh (Berkeley, CA) | Wing Aviation Llc (Mountain View, CA) | 2017-12-19 | 2020-06-23 | B64F5/10, B64C27/473, B64C11/22, B64C11/48, B32B1/00, B64C39/02 | 15/847515 |
| 62 | 10683195 | Methods and systems for detecting and resolving failure events when raising and lowering a payload | Described herein are methods and systems for detecting and correcting errors when picking up and lowering a payload coupled to a tether of a winch system arranged on an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) . for example, the winch system may include a motor for winding and unwinding the tether from a spool, and the UAV's control system may control the motor to lower the tether and monitor an electric current supplied to the motor to determine whether a payload has detached from the tether. This process of lowering the tether and monitoring the motor current may be repeated up to a predetermined number of times, at which point the control system may operate the motor to detach the tether from the spool, leaving both the tether and the payload behind. | Trevor Shannon (Mountain View, CA), Andre Prager (Sunnyvale, CA) | Wing Aviation Llc (Mountain View, CA) | 2018-05-11 | 2020-06-16 | B64C39/00, B66D1/60, B66D1/12, B64C39/02, B64D1/22 | 15/977908 |
| 63 | 10683102 | Home station for unmanned aerial vehicle | Described herein are apparatuses that provided various features related to unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) . An example apparatus may include, among other features, (i) a launch system for a UAV, (ii) a landing feature that is arranged on the apparatus so as to receive the UAV when the UAV returns from a flight, and (iii) a mechanical battery-replacement system that is configured to (a) remove a first battery from the UAV, and (b) after removal of the first battery, install a second battery in the UAV. | Joanna Cohen (Mountain View, CA), Parsa Dormiani (San Mateo, CA), Mathias Samuel Fleck (Milpitas, CA), James Ryan Burgess (Redwood City, CA), Sean Mullaney (Mountain View, CA) | Wing Aviation Llc (Mountain View, CA) | 2019-02-20 | 2020-06-16 | B64F1/00, B64F1/18, B64C39/02, B64F1/02, B64F1/04 | 16/280476 |
| 64 | 10683091 | Aerodynamic tote package | A tote package including a middle section that forms a bottom portion, a first side section connecting the first side section and the middle section, wherein the first side section creates a first side portion of the tote package that tapers upwardly from the bottom portion to a top portion of the tote package, and a second side section that is opposite of the that connecting the second side section and the middle section, wherein the second side section creates a second side portion of the tote package that tapers upwardly from the bottom portion to the top portion of the top portion of the tote package, a handle positioned on the top portion of the tote package, wherein the middle section, first side section, and second side section intersect to create a tapered front portion of the tote package that extends beyond the bottom portion. | Clark Sopper (Redwood City, CA), Matthew Day (Oakland, CA), Adam Woodworth (Santa Clara, CA), Joanna Cohen (Mountain View, CA) | Wing Aviation Llc (Mountain View, CA) | 2019-04-11 | 2020-06-16 | B64D1/08, B65D5/20, B65D5/18, B65D5/24, B65D81/00, B65D5/42, B64C39/02, B65D5/468 | 16/381811 |
| 65 | 10679368 | Methods and apparatus to reduce depth map size in collision avoidance systems | Methods and apparatus to reduce a depth map size for use in a collision avoidance system are described herein. Examples described herein may be implemented in an unmanned aerial vehicle. An example unmanned aerial vehicle includes a depth sensor to generate a first depth map. The first depth map includes a plurality of pixels having respective distance values. The unmanned aerial vehicle also includes a depth map modifier to divide the plurality of pixels into blocks of pixels and generate a second depth map having fewer pixels than the first depth map based on distance values of the pixels in the blocks of pixels. The unmanned aerial vehicle further includes a collision avoidance system to analyze the second depth map. | Daniel Pohl (Puchheim, DE), Markus Achtelik (Deutsch, DE) | Intel Ip Corporation (Santa Clara, CA) | 2017-12-21 | 2020-06-09 | G06T7/55, G08G5/04, H04N19/176, G06T7/73, G06T3/40, B64C39/02 | 15/851127 |
| 66 | 10678268 | Method and system for controlling unmanned air vehicle | A method and a system for establishing a route of an unmanned aerial vehicle are provided. The method includes identifying an object from surface scanning data and shaping a space, which facilitates autonomous flight, as a layer, collecting surface image data for a flight path from the shaped layer, and analyzing a change in image resolution according to a distance from the object through the collected surface image data and extracting an altitude value on a flight route. | Young-Kuk Ham (Suwon-si, KR), Tae Kyu Han (Seoul, KR) | Thinkware Corporation (Seongnam-si, KR) | 2018-08-21 | 2020-06-09 | G05D1/10, G01C5/00, G01S17/933, G08G5/00, G01S17/86, B64C39/02, G01S17/89, G05D1/00, G08G5/02 | 16/107924 |
| 67 | 10678267 | Method and system for providing route of unmanned air vehicle | A method and a system for establishing a route of an unmanned aerial vehicle are provided. The method includes identifying an object from surface scanning data and shaping a space, which facilitates autonomous flight, as a layer, collecting surface image data for a flight path from the shaped layer, and analyzing a change in image resolution according to a distance from the object through the collected surface image data and extracting an altitude value on a flight route. | Young-Kuk Ham (Suwon-si, KR), Tae Kyu Han (Seoul, KR) | Thinkware Corporation (Seongnam-si, KR) | 2018-08-21 | 2020-06-09 | B64C39/02, G01S17/89, G05D1/00, G05D1/10, G01S17/933, G08G5/00, G08G5/02, G01S17/86, G01C5/00 | 16/107886 |
| 68 | 10677953 | Magneto-optical detecting apparatus and methods | A system for magnetic detection includes a magneto-optical defect center material including at least one magneto-optical defect center that emits an optical signal when excited by an excitation light, a radio frequency (RF) exciter system configured to provide RF excitation to the magneto-optical defect center material, an optical light source configured to direct the excitation light to the magneto-optical defect center material, and an optical detector configured to receive the optical signal emitted by the magneto-optical defect center material. | John B. Stetson (New Hope, NJ), Arul Manickam (Mount Laurel, NJ), Peter G. Kaup (Marlton, NJ), Gregory Scott Bruce (Abington, PA), Wilbur Lew (Mount Laurel, NJ), Joseph W. Hahn (Erial, NJ), Nicholas Mauriello Luzod (Seattle, WA), Kenneth Michael Jackson (Westville, NJ), Jacob Louis Swett (Redwood City, CA), Peter V. Bedworth (Los Gatos, CA), Steven W. Sinton (Palo Alto, CA), Duc Huynh (Princeton Junction, NJ), Michael John Dimario (Doylestown, PA), Jay T. Hansen (Hainesport, NJ), Andrew Raymond Mandeville (Delran, NJ), Bryan Neal Fisk (Madison, AL), Joseph A. Villani (Moorestown, NJ), Jon C. Russo (Cherry Hill, NJ), David Nelson Coar (Philadelphia, PA), Julie Lynne Miller (Auberry, CA), Anjaney Pramod Kottapalli (San Jose, CA), Gary Edward Montgomery (Palo Alto, CA), Margaret Miller Shaw (Silver Spring, MD), Stephen Sekelsky (Princeton, NJ), James Michael Krause (Saint Michael, MN), Thomas J. Meyer (Corfu, NY) | Lockheed Martin Corporation (Bethesda, MD) | 2017-05-31 | 2020-06-09 | G01V3/14, G01R33/26, G01R33/032, G01V3/10 | 15/610526 |
| 69 | 10672542 | Electrified-cable system for carriage transit and method of making same | An electrified-cable system is disclosed herein. The system includes first and second wires each having a longitudinally-extending uninsulated region comprising at least a portion of the circumference of the first wire, and a longitudinally-extending insulated region comprising the remaining circumference of the first wire, and an insulating connector that couples the insulated region of the first wire to the insulated region of the second wire. The system is configured to form an electrical circuit from the first wire to the second wire through a carriage in electrical contact with the uninsulated region of the first wire and the uninsulated region of the second wire. A corresponding method is also disclosed. | Rodger Lynn Gibson (Stamford, CT) | Airbornway Corporation (Stamford, CT) | 2019-03-18 | 2020-06-02 | H01B17/56, D07B5/00, H01B7/02, H01B13/00, D07B1/14, B61B7/02, B60L1/00 | 16/355889 |
| 70 | 10670696 | Drone threat assessment | A system for providing integrated detection and deterrence against an unmanned vehicle including but not limited to aerial technology unmanned systems using a detection element, a tracking element, an identification element and an interdiction or deterrent element. Elements contain sensors that observe real time quantifiable data regarding the object of interest to create an assessment of risk or threat to a protected area of interest. This assessment may be based e.g., on data mining of internal and external data sources. The deterrent element selects from a variable menu of possible deterrent actions. Though designed for autonomous action, a Human in the Loop may override the automated system solutions. | Dwaine A. Parker (Naples, FL), Damon E Stern (Riverview, FL), Lawrence S. Pierce (Huntsville, AL) | Xidrone Systems, Inc. (Naples, FL) | 2018-11-08 | 2020-06-02 | G01S7/38, G01S7/02, F41H11/02, G01S13/66, G01S13/86, F41H13/00, G01S13/88, G01S3/782, G01S7/41, G01S13/42, G01S13/91, G01S13/933 | 16/183935 |
| 71 | 10656650 | Method for guiding and controlling drone using information for controlling camera of drone | The present invention relates to a method of guiding and controlling an unmanned aerial system based on camera control information of the unmanned aerial system, the method comprising the steps of: (a) controlling a vertical axis of the unmanned aerial system by controlling a zoom of a gimbal camera 330 by a zoom controller 120 of a camera control unit 100 so as to control an elevation and speed of the unmanned aerial system 300 with a corresponding camera control signal, and (b) controlling a horizontal axis of the unmanned aerial system by controlling an angle of the gimbal camera 330 by an angle controller 110 of the camera control unit 100. Accordingly, the present invention is applicable by just modifying software without changing a general system of an unmanned aerial system, has an advantage that a camera controller is enough to control a mission flight of the unmanned aerial system, and is improved in convenience and tracking performance since the speed, elevation, flight path, etc. of the unmanned aerial system are automatically controlled when a camera is used to continuously track a specific target. | Jung Ho Moon (Daejeon, KR), Da Hyoung Jeon (Daejeon, KR), Youn Han Choi (Daejeon, KR) | Korean Air Lines Co., Ltd. (Seoul, KR) | 2016-01-11 | 2020-05-19 | G05D1/00, H04N5/232, B64C39/02, G05D1/12, B64D47/08 | 15/542417 |
| 72 | 10650285 | Platform, systems, and methods for identifying property characteristics and property feature conditions through aerial imagery analysis | In an illustrative embodiment, methods and systems for automatically categorizing a condition of a property characteristic may include obtaining aerial imagery of a geographic region including the property, identifying features of the aerial imagery corresponding to the property characteristic, analyzing the features to determine a property characteristic classification, and analyzing a region of the aerial imagery including the property characteristic to determine a condition classification. | Takeshi Okazaki (Tokyo, JP) | Aon Benfield Inc. (Chicago, IL) | 2020-01-03 | 2020-05-12 | G06Q40/00, G06N3/08, G06K9/46, G06T7/00, G06N20/20, G06K9/00, G06K9/62 | 16/733888 |
| 73 | 10647425 | Interactive transport services provided by unmanned aerial vehicles | Embodiments relate to a client-facing application for interacting with a transport service that transports items via unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) . An example graphic interface may allow a user to order items to specific delivery areas associated with their larger delivery location, and may dynamically provide status updates and other functionality during the process of fulfilling an aerial vehicle transport request. | Jonathan Lesser (Mountain View, CA), Michael Bauerly (Mountain View, CA), May Cheng (Mountain View, CA), Rue Song (Mountain View, CA) | Wing Aviation Llc (Mountain View, CA) | 2019-02-20 | 2020-05-12 | B64D45/00, G01C23/00, B64C39/02, G06Q10/02, G06Q50/30, G06Q50/28, G06F3/0488, G06F3/0481, G06Q10/08 | 16/280448 |
| 74 | 10640215 | Modular refueling systems for aircraft | A modular refueling system for an aircraft includes a modular bay recessed within the aircraft. The modular bay includes a modular bay interface. The modular refueling system includes a plurality of payload modules each having a respective function and a payload interface adapted to connect to at least a portion of the modular bay interface. The plurality of payload modules includes an aerial refueling module. The payload modules are interchangeably insertable into the modular bay to enable the modular bay to support the functions of the payload modules. The aerial refueling module is insertable into the modular bay to enable the aircraft to provide fuel to recipient aircraft during flight. | Steven Ray Ivans (Ponder, TX) | Textron Innovations Inc. (Providence, RI) | 2018-03-13 | 2020-05-05 | B64D39/00, B64D39/02, B64D39/06, B64D9/00, B64C39/02, B64D7/06 | 15/919459 |
| 75 | 10631186 | Multi-thread tx/rx and video data to improve throughput and reliability over cellular based communications systems | The disclosed apparatuses and processes utilize multiple threads over multiple paths (towers and/or carriers) in order to improve the above noted problems by dynamically splitting multiple data streams, sending these multiple data streams over multiple data link paths over a cellular network and then combining some or all of the data streams to provide error free availability of relevant data and control while intelligently mitigating bandwidth limitations and ''loss of link'' or connection, for secure and safe UAS operations. Also described are processes to improve Throughput and/or Reliability of Video data when transmitted over multi-threaded, primarily but not limited to, cellular based communications systems, with a particular emphasis on video used in support of UAS missions. | Tim Krout (Columbia, MD) | Unmanned Aerial Systems Safeflight Inc. (Columbia, MD) | 2018-10-25 | 2020-04-21 | H04W24/08, H04W84/04, H04L29/08, H04W72/08 | 16/170586 |
| 76 | 10630082 | Power communication to regulate charge of unmanned aerial vehicle | In an embodiment, an apparatus includes a plurality of electrical contacts, wherein first and second electrical contacts of the plurality of electrical contacts electrically couple with a charging device, one or more rechargeable batteries configured to be charged from power received, via the first and second electrical contacts, from the charging device, and circuitry configured to obtain battery state information associated with the one or more rechargeable batteries during charging of the one or more rechargeable batteries and generate battery charge rate data based on the battery state information. At least one of the first and second electrical contacts is configured to transmit the battery charge rate data to the charging device, and the battery charge rate data is configured to be used by the charging device to regulate charging of the one or more rechargeable batteries. | Kaiwen Gu (Sunnyvale, CA), Matthew Nubbe (Sunnyvale, CA) | Wing Aviation Llc (Mountain View, CA) | 2018-11-06 | 2020-04-21 | H01M10/46, B60L53/31, H02J7/00, B64F1/36, B60L53/60 | 16/182397 |
| 77 | 10627386 | System for monitoring crops and soil conditions | According to an aspect, a system for monitoring crops and soil conditions below a crop canopy includes a retractable boom assembly adapted to be coupled to an unmanned aerial vehicle. Further according to this aspect, the boom assembly includes an actuator and an elongate probe is coupled to the retractable boom assembly. Still further, the system includes a controller for maneuvering the elongate probe below the crop canopy while the boom assembly is extended by the actuator. | Orlando Saez (Chicago, IL), Tim Golly (Lakeville, MN), Todd Golly (Winnebago, MN) | Aker Technologies, Inc. (Chicago, IL) | 2017-10-12 | 2020-04-21 | G01N33/24, B64D47/00, G01N33/00, B64C39/02, A01B79/00, G01N33/02 | 15/782806 |
| 78 | 10625843 | Energy dispersion plug for UAV | An energy dispersion plug for use in an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) includes a blunt head section, a wedge section, and a rim section. The blunt head section has an outer side for receiving an impact force and an inner side opposite the outer side. The wedge section has a base end and a distal end opposite the base end. The wedge section extends at the base end from the inner side of the blunt head section towards the distal end and the distal end has a smaller cross-sectional area than the base end. The wedge section is shaped and sized to fit into an open end of a hollow structural member of the UAV and to transfer impact energy incident upon the blunt head section into the hollow structural member to shatter the hollow structural member into fragments. | Stephen Benson (San Carlos, CA), Adam Woodworth (San Jose, CA), Michael Nowakowski (Santa Clara, CA), James Schmalzried (San Jose, CA), Adem Rudin (Mountain View, CA) | Wing Aviation Llc (Mountain View, CA) | 2017-11-16 | 2020-04-21 | B64C1/06, B64C39/02, B64C27/26, B64C29/00 | 15/815428 |
| 79 | 10621876 | Supervisory safety system for controlling and limiting unmanned aerial system (UAS) operations | Systems, devices, and methods for determining, by a processor, an unmanned aerial system (UAS) position relative to at least one flight boundary, and effecting, by the processor, at least one flight limitation of a UAS if the determined UAS position crosses the at least one flight boundary. | Andrew Joseph Thurling (Simi Valley, CA), Joseph Frank Mohos (Burbank, CA) | Aerovironment, Inc. (Simi Valley, CA) | 2015-12-18 | 2020-04-14 | G08G5/00 | 14/974259 |
| 80 | 10620628 | Control station for unmanned air vehicles and working procedure | An Unmanned Air Vehicle control station, comprising critical systems implementing safety involved functions, non-critical systems implementing non-safety involved functions and a gateway computer. The critical systems comprise at least two redundant critical computers, a redundant critical network and critical back-up network, and at least two redundant UAV-specific computers that implement UAV-specific functions and communicate with the UAV, wherein the at least two critical computers and the at least two UAV-specific computers are connected to the critical network and to the critical back-up network. The non-critical systems comprise at least one non-critical computer, and a non-critical network, wherein the at least one non-critical computer is connected to the non-critical network. The gateway computer centralizes and supervises data exchanges between the critical and non-critical systems, such that the control station comprises a plurality of redundant operator consoles, each operator console comprising at least two redundant critical computers and a non-critical computer. | Francisco Javier Ramos Salas (Getafe, ES), Cesar Castro Gomez (Getafe, ES), Anibal Fernandez Vazquez (Getafe, ES) | Airbus Defence and Space S.A. (Getafe, ES) | 2017-11-28 | 2020-04-14 | G06F11/00, H04W84/06, H04B7/185, G08G5/00, G05D1/00, G06F11/20, B64C39/02 | 15/823833 |
| 81 | 10618650 | Unmanned aerial vehicles | Unmanned aerial vehicles (1) , and methods of flying such, comprising at least four rotors (2) arranged such that the plane of rotation of each rotor (2) is co-planar with a face of a notional polyhedron, and wherein each face of the notional polyhedron is co-planar with the plane of rotation of at least one rotor (2) . Such methods comprise: a first step of flying the vehicle (1) using a first rotor set (2a-c) to provide lift, and, a second step using a second rotor set (2d-f) to provide lift, wherein, the second rotor set (2d-f) includes at least one rotor (2) that is not used to provide lift in the first step or that operates so that airflow through the rotor (2) is in the opposite direction to that through the rotor (2) during the first step, and, wherein at least one of the first and second sets (2a-c, 2d-f) comprises a plurality of rotors (2) . | Julian Hasinski (Gwent, GB), Brian Turton (Gwent, GB) | Airbus Defence and Space Ltd. (Stevenage, GB) | 2015-07-22 | 2020-04-14 | B64C39/02 | 15/328352 |
| 82 | 10618648 | System of play platform for multi-mission application spanning any one or combination of domains or environments | A vehicle is described having an aerodynamically contoured lifting body comprising a plurality of cooperating body modules, wherein at least two of the modules are displaceably secured to each other. The modules include a trust vectoring module operatively coupled to a propulsive mechanism. The thrust vectoring module is dynamically controlled to affect positioning and actuation of the propulsive mechanism to attain a desired positioning of the vehicle and at least one of a plurality of modes of operation thereof. The thrust vectoring module includes a nacelle module carrying the propulsive mechanism thereon and rotatably displaceable about one or more axes extending from the lifting body. The propulsive mechanism is positioned externally, internally, or in combinations thereof of the nacelle module and is tiltably displaceable about one or more axes of the nacelle module. | Evandro Gurgel do Amaral Valente (Sykesville, MD), Eduardo Gurgel do Amaral Valente (Adelphi, MD), Tanner Ray Miller (Mount Gretna, PA), Bryan Phillip Jensen (Silver Spring, MD) | Airgility, Inc. (Reston, VA) | 2019-07-23 | 2020-04-14 | G01C23/00, G05D1/08, G06F17/00, B64C29/00, B64C39/02, G06F7/00, G05D3/00, G05D1/00 | 16/520261 |
| 83 | 10616534 | Personal tactical system and network | A personal tactical system including a ballistic load-bearing garment, a pouch with one or more batteries enclosed in the pouch, an electronic processor, a communication device, and at least one camera. The camera is incorporated into or removably attachable to the load-bearing garment, the pouch is removably attachable to the load-bearing garment and the one or more batteries are operable to power the camera and communication device. The processor runs image recognition software operable to identify approaching objects and alert the user. A plurality of personal tactical systems is operable to form an ad hoc network to share images and other information for determining object direction, location, and movement. | Laura Thiel (Raleigh, NC), Giancarlo Urzi (Raleigh, NC), Carlos Cid (Raleigh, NC) | Lat Enterprises, Inc. (Raleigh, NC) | 2018-04-27 | 2020-04-07 | H01M2/14, A41D1/00, A41D27/20, A41D1/04, H04N7/18, H04N5/225, A41D13/00, H01M10/42, G08B25/01, F41H1/02, H01M2/02, H01M2/10, H01M10/48, H02J7/00, H02J7/34 | 15/965098 |
| 84 | 10611479 | Inset turret assemblies for aircraft | A nose assembly of an aircraft includes a nose airframe having a nonhorizontal mounting surface and a turret assembly mounted on the nonhorizontal mounting surface. The turret assembly includes a turret device housing rotatable relative to the nonhorizontal mounting surface. The nose airframe includes a nose skin forming a nose fairing having an apex aperture. The nose skin at least partially covers the turret assembly such that the turret assembly is at least partially inset in the apex aperture of the nose fairing. | Steven Ray Ivans (Ponder, TX) | Bell Textron Inc. (Fort Worth, TX) | 2019-07-25 | 2020-04-07 | B64D7/06, B64C7/00 | 16/522369 |
| 85 | 10607406 | Automated and adaptive three-dimensional robotic site surveying | A method for generating a three-dimensional model of an asset includes receiving input parameters corresponding to constraints of a mission plan for operating an unmanned vehicle around an asset, generating the mission plan based on the input parameters including information of a representative asset type, wherein the mission plan includes waypoints identifying locations and orientations of one or more image sensors of the unmanned vehicle, generating a flight path for the unmanned vehicle connecting the waypoints that satisfy one or more predefined criteria, monitoring a vehicle state of the unmanned vehicle during execution of the flight path from one waypoint to the next waypoint, determining, at each waypoint, a local geometry of the asset sensed by the one or more image sensors, changing the mission plan on-the-fly based on the local geometry, and capturing images of the asset along waypoints of the changed mission plan. | Shiraj Sen (Clifton Park, NY), Steven Robert Gray (Niskayuna, NY), Arpit Jain (Niskayuna, NY), Huan Tan (Clifton Park, NY), Douglas Forman (Niskayuna, NY), Judith Ann Guzzo (Niskayuna, NY) | General Electric Company (Schenectady, NY) | 2018-01-25 | 2020-03-31 | G06T17/10, G06T7/70, G06T17/05, G01B21/20, G01B17/06, G01S17/89, G05D1/10, G01B11/24, G01B15/04, G06T19/00, B63G8/00, B64C39/02 | 15/879743 |
| 86 | 10604252 | Landing and payload loading structures | An example UAV landing structure includes a landing platform for a UAV, a cavity within the landing platform, and a track that runs along the landing platform and at least a part of the cavity. The UAV may include a winch system that includes a tether that may be coupled to a payload. Furthermore, the cavity may be aligned over a predetermined target location. The cavity may be sized to allow the winch system to pass a tethered payload through the cavity. The track may guide the UAV to a docked position over the cavity as the UAV moves along the landing platform. When the UAV is in the docked position, a payload may be loaded to or unloaded from the UAV through the cavity. | Jesse Blake (Sunnyvale, CA), Jim Schmalzried (San Jose, CA), Trevor Shannon (Mountain View, CA), Michael Simonian (San Francisco, CA), Sindre Klepp (San Francisco, CA), Stephen Benson (San Carlos, CA), Adam Woodworth (San Jose, CA) | Wing Aviation Llc (Mountain View, CA) | 2016-11-22 | 2020-03-31 | B64C39/02 | 15/358935 |
| 87 | 10604245 | Rotor units having asymmetric rotor blades | An aerial vehicle is provided including rotor units connected to the aerial vehicle, and a control system configured to operate at least one of the rotor units. The rotor unit includes rotor blades, wherein each rotor blade includes a surface area, and wherein an asymmetric parameter is defined, at least in part, by the relationship between the surface areas of the rotor blades. The value of the asymmetric parameter is selected such that the operation of the rotor unit: (i) moves the rotor blades such that each rotor blade produces a respective vortex and (ii) the respective vortices cause the rotor unit to produce a sound output having an energy distribution defined, at least in part, by a set of frequencies, wherein the set of frequencies includes a fundamental frequency, one or more harmonic frequencies, and one or more non-harmonic frequencies having a respective strength greater than a threshold strength. | Giulia Pantalone (San Francisco, CA), Adam Woodworth (Santa Clara, CA) | Wing Aviation Llc (Mountain View, CA) | 2016-12-30 | 2020-03-31 | B64C27/46, B64C27/08, B64C39/02, B64C27/467, B64C27/32 | 15/396399 |
| 88 | 10604236 | Fault-tolerant aircraft flight control using a subset of aerodynamic control surfaces | A method for controlling an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is described. In one example, the method includes: detecting, by one or more processors of a controller within a UAV, whether flight control surfaces of the UAV are operating nominally, switching, by the one or more processors of the controller, in response to detecting that one or more of the flight control surfaces of the UAV are not operating nominally, to implementing a backup control mode configured to operate the UAV in flight with non-nominal operability of one or more of the control surfaces of the UAV, and operating, by the one or more processors of the controller, the UAV in the backup control mode. | Raghu Venkataraman (Minneapolis, MN), Peter Seiler (St. Paul, MN), Brian Taylor (Portland, OR) | Regents of The University of Minnesota (Minneapolis, MN) | 2017-05-31 | 2020-03-31 | B64C13/18, B64C39/02, G05D1/08 | 15/610315 |
| 89 | 10599138 | Autonomous package delivery system | The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods for enabling unmanned and optionally-manned cargo delivery to personnel on the ground. for example, an aircraft may be used to provide rapid response cargo delivery to widely separated small units in demanding and unpredictable conditions that pose unacceptable risks to both ground resupply personnel and aircrew. Together with a ground vehicle, packages from the aircraft may be deployed to ground personnel in disbursed operating locations without exposing the ground personnel to the aircraft's open landing zone. | William Bosworth (Cambridge, MA) | Aurora Flight Sciences Corporation (Manassas, VA) | 2017-09-08 | 2020-03-24 | G05D1/00, G05D1/02, G06Q10/08, G06Q50/28, B64D1/08, B64C39/02 | 15/699276 |
| 90 | 10593219 | Automated air traffic communications | Apparatus and methods related to aviation communications are included. A computing device can receive position data indicating a position of an aerial vehicle. The position can include an altitude. The computing device can determine, from a plurality of possible airspace classifications, a first airspace classification at the position of the aerial vehicle, where each airspace classification specifies one or more communication parameters for communication within an associated airspace. The computing device can select, from a plurality of communication repositories, a first communication repository that is associated with the first airspace classification, where each communication repository specifies a set of pre-defined communication components for at least one associated airspace classification. The computing device can generate a communication related to the aerial vehicle using the first communication repository. The computing device can send the generated communication to at least one recipient. | James Burgess (Mountain View, CA), Chirath Thouppuarachchi (Redwood City, CA), Gregory Whiting (Menlo Park, CA) | Wing Aviation Llc (Mountain View, CA) | 2018-12-12 | 2020-03-17 | G08G5/00, H04W4/40, H04W4/46, H04B7/185, H04W4/029, G06F3/16, G07C5/00 | 16/217678 |
| 91 | 10587124 | Mobile hybrid transmit/receive node for near-field wireless power delivery | A system and method for a mobile hybrid transmitter/receiver (TX/RX) node for wireless resonant power delivery is disclosed. A hybrid TX/RX can be configured to travel to remote, wirelessly-powerable receivers and deliver power to them wirelessly. A hybrid TX/RX device can include a transmitter component (TX) , a receiver (RX) component, and a power store for storing power for supply to remote receivers. The TX/RX device can be configured in an autonomous unmanned vehicle operational to travel between a fixed source transmitter devices and one or more specified locations that may be host to one or more remote receivers. In the location of the one or more remote receivers, the TX component may function to wirelessly transfer power from the power store to the one or more remote receivers. In the location of the fixed source transmitter device, RX component can be configured to receive power via wireless power transfer, and to use the received power to at least partially replenish the power store. | Richard Wayne DeVaul (Mountain View, CA), Brian John Adolf (Mountain View, CA), Raj B. Apte (Mountain View, CA) | X Development Llc (Mountain View, CA) | 2018-10-01 | 2020-03-10 | H02J5/00, H02J7/02, H02J50/80, H02J50/05, B64C39/02, H02J50/12, H02J7/00 | 16/148479 |
| 92 | 10586462 | Methods of safe operation of unmanned aerial vehicles | In various embodiments, a safety system for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) enables the safe operation of the UAV within an airspace by initiating various actions based on the position of the UAV relative to one or more flight zones and/or relative to other aircraft in the airspace. | Eyal Stein (Sharon, MA), Steven Lu (Burlington, MA) | 5X5 Technologies, Inc. (St. Petersburg, FL) | 2016-10-04 | 2020-03-10 | B64C39/02, H04B7/185, G08G5/04, G08G5/02, G05D1/00, H04L29/06, G08G5/00, B64D17/80 | 15/285078 |
| 93 | 10584947 | Drag separating reduced dispersion pusher | A sub-projectile carrier which uses aerodynamic drag to delay the release of a payload in a tailorable manner to control the spread of the payload over a desired range. A 40 mm shotgun style cartridge is shown for use for counter unmanned aerial systems, and for short range anti-personnel applications. | David Chalfant Manley (Hackettstown, NJ), Thomas Michael Presutti, Jr. (Long Valley, NJ) | The United States of America As Represented By The Secretary of The Army (Washington, DC) | 2017-08-15 | 2020-03-10 | F42B7/04, F42B12/64, F42B10/38, F42B14/06, F42B12/72, F42B12/56, F42B7/10 | 15/677484 |
| 94 | 10580311 | UAV group charging based on demand for UAV service | Example embodiments can help to more efficiently charge unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in a plurality of UAVs that provide delivery services. An example method includes: determining demand data indicating demand for item-transport services by the plurality of UAVs during a period of time, determining battery state information for the plurality of UAVs, wherein the battery state information is based at least in part on individual battery state information for each of two or more of the UAVs, based at least in part on (a) the demand data for item-transport services by the plurality of UAVs, and (b) the battery state information for the fleet of UAVs, determining respective charge-rate profiles for one or more of the UAVs, and sending instructions to cause respective batteries of the one or more of the UAVs to be charged according to the respectively determined charge-rate profiles. | Jim Schmalzried (San Jose, CA), Jesse Blake (Sunnyvale, CA) | Wing Aviation Llc (Mountain View, CA) | 2017-10-26 | 2020-03-03 | H02J7/00, G06Q10/06, B60L53/36, G06Q10/08, B60L53/64, G06Q10/04, B60L53/68, B60L53/67, B64C39/02, G05D1/10, G08G5/00, B60L53/65, B60L58/12 | 15/794925 |
| 95 | 10580310 | UAV routing in utility rights of way | Using power line rights of way for UAV routing provides a direct, uninterrupted, aerially clear path to the vast majority of lots and buildings from nearby substations and generating stations. Segmenting or separating the UAV traffic by airframe glide ratio improves safety for people on the ground and utilization of the limited airspace. Further segmenting UAV traffic by airframe speed and size allows greater traffic throughput. | Izak Jan van Cruyningen (Saratoga, CA) | --- | 2017-07-11 | 2020-03-03 | G08G5/00, G05D1/10, B64C39/02, H02J7/02, G05D1/04, G06Q50/28 | 15/647242 |
| 96 | 10580230 | System and method for data recording and analysis | A system and apparatus for data recording and analyzing operational data monitors and records data generated by a plurality of operational and extended sensors each positioned on a moving platform. The data recording and analysis system analyzes the sensor data during movement and, by performing a statistical analysis of the operational data, adjusts one or more selected performance capabilities of the platform. The performance envelope of a platform is altered according to the experience of an operator. The recorded data is transmitted at any suitable time, including during and/or after travel. The apparatus provides redundant storage capability and the ability to store information on removable media to enable sharing of data. Thereby, the system, apparatus and method advantageously optimizes the operator's overall experience controlling a platform. | Renli Shi (Shenzhen, CN), Jianyu Song (Shenzhen, CN), Xi Chen (Shenzhen, CN) | Sz Dji Technology Co., Ltd. (Shenzhen, CN) | 2018-01-15 | 2020-03-03 | B64D47/08, G05D1/00, G07C5/08, G07C5/02, B64C39/02, B64C29/00 | 15/871822 |
| 97 | 10578808 | Fiber optic rotary joint for use in an optical energy transfer and conversion system | A fiber optic rotary joint for use in an optical power transfer system. The fiber optic rotary joint comprising a first housing element and a second housing element rotatable with respect to the first housing element. The first and second housing elements define a chamber. Optical connectors are disposed through the housing elements and have a beam expansion block positioned in the chamber. A laser is optically connected with the fiber optic rotary joint and transmits optical energy therethrough. Collimating optics aligned with the beam expansion blocks are orientated to direct the received optical energy to a position. The optical connectors and housing elements define a continuous coolant communication path with a coolant inlet and outlet. A rotary water coupling traverses through the housing elements. In an alternative embodiment, the fiber optic rotary joint also contains an actively cooled mirror positioned optically between the collimating optics. | William C. Stone (Del Valle, TX), Bartholomew P. Hogan (Rockville, MD) | Stone Aerospace, Inc. (Del Valle, TX) | 2015-05-27 | 2020-03-03 | G02B6/36, G02B6/42, G02B6/44, H02J7/02, H02J50/90, E21B41/00, E21B47/12, H01L35/30, B64D33/00, H02J50/30 | 14/723161 |
| 98 | 10577105 | Package loading mechanism | A payload retrieval apparatus including an extending member having an upper end and a lower end, a channel having a first end and a second end, the channel coupled to the extending member, a first tether engager that extends in a first direction from the first end of the channel section, and a payload holder positioned near the second end of the channel and is adapted to secure a payload. | Andre Prager (Sunnyvale, CA) | Wing Aviation Llc (Mountain View, CA) | 2018-02-19 | 2020-03-03 | B64D1/22, B64C39/02 | 15/899214 |
| 99 | 10574341 | Channel reconfigurable millimeter-wave RF system | A channel reconfigurable millimeter-wave RF system is disclosed including, a high altitude platform, a first and second radio frequency module connected to the high altitude platform. The first radio frequency module includes a first transceiver configured to operate the first antenna at a frequency of greater than approximately 30 GHz and includes a first controller connected to the first transceiver and configured to transmit and received data through a first antenna. The first controller is configured to disable the second radio frequency module based on data received through the first antenna. | Jing Liang (Santa Clara, CA), Dedi David Haziza (Sunnyvale, CA) | Loon Llc (Mountain View, CA) | 2015-10-13 | 2020-02-25 | H04B7/185, H04L5/14, H04W72/04 | 14/881206 |
| 100 | 10571930 | Method and system for landing an unmanned aerial vehicle | A method (100) of landing an unmanned aerial vehicle (101) on another vehicle (103) , the method including: determining (110) the velocity of the unmanned aerial vehicle, determining (120) the velocity of the other vehicle, and adjusting (130) the velocity of at least one of the unmanned aerial vehicle and the other vehicle to ensure that the difference between the velocity of the unmanned aerial vehicle and the velocity of the other vehicle is greater than a predetermined amount as the unmanned aerial vehicle lands on the other vehicle. | Jonathan H. Coleman (Saline, MI) | Ford Global Technologies, Llc (Dearborn, MI) | 2018-08-16 | 2020-02-25 | G05D1/04, B60W30/18, B60P3/11, G05D1/06, B64C7/00, B64F1/36, B64C39/02 | 15/998832 |
| 101 | 10565804 | Sustainable real-time parking availability system | The present invention relates in general to parking availability systems and methods of parking, and more specifically, to a parking system that manages individual parking spaces in real-time. Notably, the present invention gives a parking asset owner flexibility to adjust parking prices for individual parking spaces within a parking facility in real-time depending upon dynamic market conditions such as demand, convenience, and location. The purpose of the invention is to offer parking consumers a choice in parking price tiers to encourage turnover and maximize revenue streams for the parking asset owner. Additional benefits of the present invention to the parking asset owner include improved service to customers, obtaining LEED credits, reducing harmful carbon emissions, mitigating transportation demand, saving time through stream-lined parking operations, and eco-friendly solutions to parking problems not solved by traditional parking models. The present invention may further utilize unmanned systems technology to help parking consumers locate available parking spaces within the parking facility and to provide supervision at the parking facility. | Warren C. Vander Helm (Sioux Center, IA), David L. Vogel (Sioux Center, IA), Michael T. Holm (Sioux Center, IA) | Park Green, Llc (Sioux Center, IA) | 2019-04-12 | 2020-02-18 | G07B15/02, G06Q10/02, G08G1/14 | 16/382841 |
| 102 | 10564650 | Trajectory tracking controllers for rotorcraft unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVS) | Apparatus, systems, methods, and articles of manufacture for tracking a trajectory by rotorcraft unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are described herein. An example trajectory tracking controller includes an altitude controller to calculate an output value of a thrust control variable based on a trajectory of a rotorcraft independent of one or more system parameters of the rotorcraft. The example trajectory tracking controller also includes an attitude controller to calculate output values of roll, pitch, and yaw control variables based on the trajectory independent of the one or more of the system parameters. The example trajectory tracking controller further includes a motor speed selector to select speeds for propeller motors of the rotorcraft based on the output values of the thrust, roll, pitch, and yaw control variables and activate the propeller motors based on the selected motor speeds. | David Gomez Gutierrez (Tlaquepaque, MX), Maynard C. Falconer (Portland, OR), Kirk W. Skeba (Fremont, CA), Rodrigo Aldana Lopez (Zapopan, MX) | Intel Corporation (Santa Clara, CA) | 2017-07-27 | 2020-02-18 | G05D1/10, B64D31/06, B64C39/02 | 15/662097 |
| 103 | 10564649 | Flight planning for unmanned aerial tower inspection | FIG. 1 is a perspective view of transmission tower 10, phase conductors 12, insulators 14, and shield wires 16. They are to be inspected by unmanned aerial vehicle UAV 20 with embedded processor and memory 22, radio 24, location rover 26, and camera 28. Base station 30 has processor and memory 32, radio 34, and location base 36. The relative location between UAV 20 and base station 30 can be accurately calculated by location base 36 and location rover 26 communicating over radios 24 and 34. Camera 28 on UAV 20 is first used to capture two or more orientation images 38 and 39 of tower 10, lines 12 and 16, and insulators 14 from different vantage points. Terrestrial or close-range photogrammetry techniques are used create a three dimensional model of tower 10, lines 12 and 16, and insulators 14. Based on inspection resolution and safety objectives, a standoff distance 50 is determined. Then a flight path with segments for ascent 40, one or more loops 42, 44, 46, and a descent 48 is designed to ensure full inspection coverage via inspection images like 52 and 54. | Izak Jan van Cruyningen (Saratoga, CA) | --- | 2016-03-01 | 2020-02-18 | G01B21/04, G06T17/05, G05D1/10, B64C39/02, B64D47/08, G01S17/89, G01B21/00, B64C19/00, G05D1/00 | 15/553763 |
| 104 | 10558186 | Detection of drones | A pre-trained convolutional network is trained to accurately distinguish between video images of different types of drones. In addition, a neural network is also trained to distinguish between the drones based upon their audio signatures. | Farrokh Mohamadi (Irvine, CA) | --- | 2017-10-13 | 2020-02-11 | G05B17/02, G06K9/32, G06K9/46 | 15/783865 |
| 105 | 10556675 | System and method for autobraking with course trajectory adjustment | Systems and methods for aircraft autobraking are disclosed. The systems and methods may allow for autobraking in both manned and autonomous aircrafts, and may assist in maintaining a desired course during autobraking. The systems and methods may include an aircraft control mode executive module configured to receive manual and/or autonomous brake signal inputs and deceleration signal inputs. The systems and methods may also include various modules configured to aid in calculating, transmitting, and executing pedal brake commands on a braking system, such as, an autobrake controller, a pedal balance controller, an autobrake pedal executive module, a pedal executive module, and/or a pedal braking controller. | Marc Georgin (Dayton, OH) | Goodrich Corporation (Charlotte, NC) | 2017-01-17 | 2020-02-11 | B64C25/42, B60T8/17, B64C25/46, B60T8/176, B60T8/32 | 15/407778 |
| 106 | 10556349 | Multipurpose robotic system | A robotic system is disclosed. The robotic system includes a robot with an arm. The arm is configured to be selectively extendable and retractable. An enclosure is coupled to a distal end of the arm. The enclosure includes a limited range network. The limited range network is configured to communicate with another computing device, when the arm is selectively extended. | Maan Alduaiji (San Jose, CA) | --- | 2017-06-06 | 2020-02-11 | B25J13/00, G05D1/10, B25J11/00, B08B1/04, B25J9/16, G06Q10/08, B64D1/08, B64C39/02, G05D1/00, B25J9/08 | 15/615725 |
| 107 | 10543984 | Multipurpose robotic system | A robotic system is disclosed. The robotic system includes a robot. A module is coupled to the robot. An item is disposed within the module. The module includes a release door configured to be selectively opened and closed. When the release door is selectively opened, the item is dropped from the module. | Maan Alduaiji (San Jose, CA) | --- | 2017-06-06 | 2020-01-28 | B65G1/137, B65G1/10, B65G1/06, B64D1/08, G06Q10/08, B25J9/16, G05D1/00, G05D1/10, B64C39/02, B08B1/04, B65G65/00, B65G67/04, B65G67/00 | 15/615720 |
| 108 | 10540778 | System for determining anatomical feature orientation | The systems and methods disclosed herein provide determination of an orientation of a feature towards a reference target. As a non-limiting example, a system consistent with the present disclosure may include a processor, a memory, and a single camera affixed to the ceiling of a room occupied by a person. The system may analyze images from the camera to identify any objects in the room and their locations. Once the system has identified an object and its location, the system may prompt the person to look directly at the object. The camera may then record an image of the user looking at the object. The processor may analyze the image to determine the location of the user's head and, combined with the known location of the object and the known location of the camera, determine the direction that the user is facing. This direction may be treated as a reference value, or ''ground truth.'' The captured image may be associated with the direction, and the combination may be used as training input into an application. | Glen J. Anderson (Beaverton, OR), Giuseppe Raffa (Portland, OR), Carl S. Marshall (Portland, OR), Meng Shi (Hillsboro, OR) | Intel Corporation (Santa Clara, CA) | 2017-06-30 | 2020-01-21 | G06K9/00, G06K9/66, G06F3/01, G06T7/70, A61B90/00, A61B5/00 | 15/639555 |
| 109 | 10539394 | Interactive weapon targeting system displaying remote sensed image of target area | Systems, devices, and methods for determining a predicted impact point of a selected weapon and associated round based on stored ballistic information, provided elevation data, provided azimuth data, and provided position data. | John C. McNeil (Tujunga, CA), Earl Clyde Cox (La Cresenta, CA), Makoto Ueno (Simi Valley, CA), Jon Andrew Ross (Moorpark, CA) | Aerovironment, Inc. (Simi Valley, CA) | 2019-02-19 | 2020-01-21 | F41G5/14 | 16/279876 |
| 110 | 10538327 | Systems and methods for transporting products via unmanned aerial vehicles | In some embodiments, methods and systems of facilitating movement of product-containing pallets include at least one forklift unit configured to lift and move the product-containing pallets, at least one motorized transport unit configured to mechanically engage and disengage a respective forklift unit, and a central computer system in communication with the at least one motorized transport unit. The central computer system is configured to transmit at least one signal to the at least one motorized transport unit. The signal is configured to cause the at least one motorized transport unit to control the at least one forklift unit to move at least one of the product-containing pallets. | Donald R. High (Noel, MO), Nathan G. Jones (Bentonville, AR), Gregory A. Hicks (Rogers, AR) | Walmart Apollo, Llc (Bentonville, AR) | 2017-05-02 | 2020-01-21 | B64C39/02, G05D1/00, B64D1/02, G06Q10/08 | 15/584322 |
| 111 | 10535986 | Tethered unmanned aerial vehicle system | Example dynamically adjustable tether systems are described herein. An example tether system for use with an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) may include a base and a vertically-oriented elongate structure having an adjustable height. for instance, the elongate structure may include a lower end, and an upper end. The elongate structure may also couple to the base proximate the lower end. The system may further include a tether that extends from a first coupling-point positioned proximate the upper end of the elongate structure to a second coupling-point positioned on the UAV and a computing system configured for performing a set of acts, such as detecting a change in height of the elongate structure, and causing the tether to be reconfigured within the tether system based on the detected change in height of the elongate structure. | Hank J. Hundemer (Bellevue, KY) | Tribune Broadcasting Company, Llc (Chicago, IL) | 2017-01-25 | 2020-01-14 | H02G11/02, B64C39/02, B60P7/06, B60P3/11, E04H12/18, B65H75/42, B65H75/44 | 15/415777 |
| 112 | 10531590 | System for supplying power to at least one power distribution and data hub using a portable battery pack | A system for supplying power to at least one power distribution and data hub using a portable battery pack including a battery enclosed by a wearable and replaceable pouch or skin is disclosed, wherein the pouch or skin can be provided in different colors and/or patterns. Further, the pouch or skin can be MOLLE-compatible. The battery comprises a battery element housed between a battery cover and a back plate, wherein the battery element, battery cover, and back plate have a slight curvature or contour. Further, the battery comprises flexible leads. | Laura Thiel (Raleigh, NC), Giancarlo Urzi (Raleigh, NC), Carlos Cid (Raleigh, NC) | Lat Enterprises, Inc. (Raleigh, NC) | 2018-02-01 | 2020-01-07 | H01M2/10, H05K7/14, H01M2/04, H04L29/04, H02B1/26, H01M2/02 | 15/886351 |
| 113 | 10531505 | Communicating with unmanned aerial vehicles and air traffic control | The present disclosure includes devices, systems, and methods for communicating with unmanned aerial vehicles. In one embodiment, the present disclosure includes a server including a communication interface, a memory, and an electronic processor communicatively connected to the memory. The electronic processor is configured to communicate with one or more unmanned aerial vehicles via the communication interface and a satellite network, communicate with the one or more unmanned aerial vehicles via the communication interface and a terrestrial network, and communicate with the one or more unmanned aerial vehicles via the communication interface and a combination of the satellite network and the terrestrial network. | Michael Gagne (Reston, VA) | Atc Technologies, Llc (Reston, VA) | 2018-04-16 | 2020-01-07 | H04W4/10, H04W4/02, B64C39/00, H04B7/155, H04W76/14, G05D1/00, G01S19/07, G05D1/02, H04W84/12, H04W84/06 | 15/954001 |
| 114 | 10529221 | Modular approach for smart and customizable security solutions and other applications for a smart city | A modular approach is provided for sensing and responding to detected activity or an event in a region that can be implemented quickly and easily using existing city infrastructure to establish a grid of sensors and detectors to provide localized or wide area coverage. The approach provides a turnkey solution or smart city in a box that can be adapted to different situations and needs to provide communications functionality and/or a desired or customized functionality for a wide range of different applications. | John A. Jarrell (Tiburon, CA), Ernest C. Brown (Berkeley, CA) | Navio International, Inc. (San Francisco, CA) | 2017-04-17 | 2020-01-07 | G08B25/10, H04W4/70, H04W84/18, H04L29/08, H04W4/50 | 15/489526 |
| 115 | 10527711 | Laser speckle system and method for an aircraft | A system for registering multiple point clouds captured by an aircraft is disclosed. The system includes a speckle generator, at least one three-dimensional (3D) scanner, and a processor coupled thereto. In operation, the speckle generator projects a laser speckle pattern onto a surface (e.g., a featureless surface) . The at least one 3D scanner scans the surface to generate a plurality of point clouds of the surface and to image at least a portion of the laser speckle pattern. The processor, which is communicatively coupled with the at least one 3D scanner, registers the plurality of point clouds to generate a complete 3D model of the surface based at least in part on the laser speckle pattern. | Jae-Woo Choi (Manassas, VA), James Paduano (Manassas, VA) | Aurora Flight Sciences Corporation (Manassas, VA) | 2017-07-10 | 2020-01-07 | G01S5/16, B64D47/08, B64C39/02, G05D1/06, G06T7/73, G02B27/48, H04N13/271 | 15/645148 |
| 116 | 10518892 | Motor mounting for an unmanned aerial system | Systems and methods for mounting a motor to a receiving device of a UAS are disclosed herein. The motor may include a number of protruding elements, each protruding element including a shank segment having a first diameter and a head segment having a second diameter that is larger than the first diameter. The receiving device may include a base configured to couple the receiving device to the UAS, a first sidewall extending upwardly from a first side of the base, and a second sidewall extending upwardly from a second side of the base. Both the first and second sidewalls may include at least one receptacle. The head segment of each protruding element may be configured to interlock with one or more of the receptacles of the first sidewall or the second sidewall when the protruding elements are inserted between the first sidewall and the second sidewall of the receiving device. | Raymond Gradwohl (Saratoga, CA) | Wing Aviation Llc (Mountain View, CA) | 2017-09-05 | 2019-12-31 | B64D27/26, B64C39/02, H02K5/04, F16M11/04, B64F5/40, G01C21/00, F16B2/24, B64C29/02 | 15/695156 |
| 117 | 10517139 | Systems and methods for intelligent event response | A system for coordinating a response comprising a plurality of mobile devices for use by persons responding to an event, a mobile application configured to send, via the corresponding mobile device, information concerning a response to the event of the person using the corresponding mobile device, and a server configured to receive and share the information with each of the other mobile devices so as to provide continuously updated information concerning the response of each person to the event for use in coordinating a collective response to the event by the persons. A method for coordinating a response comprising sending, via a plurality of mobile devices, information concerning a response to the event by a corresponding user of the corresponding mobile device, sharing the information with each of the other mobile devices, and displaying the shared information for facilitating coordination of a collective response to the event by the persons. | Scott H. Adams (Boca Raton, FL), James Chin (Boca Raton, FL), Heath Glass (Boca Raton, FL) | Strax Technologies, Llc (Boca Raton, FL) | 2016-03-11 | 2019-12-24 | H04W92/18, H04W76/50, H04W4/021, H04W4/02, H04W4/90 | 15/067667 |
| 118 | 10516473 | Network capacity management | An example embodiment may involve flying, by an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) , to a geographical location, where a wireless router is at the geographical location. The example embodiment may also involve detecting, by the UAV, a wireless coverage area defined by the wireless router. The example embodiment may also involve accessing, by the UAV, the wireless coverage area using a network identifier and a password. The example embodiment may also involve establishing, by the UAV, a backhaul link to a data network. The example embodiment may also involve transmitting, by the UAV, a notification to a client device served by the wireless coverage area, where the notification indicates that the UAV is a default gateway for the wireless coverage area. The example embodiment may also involve exchanging, by the UAV, data transmissions between (i) the client device, and (ii) one or more other devices accessible via the data network. | David Vos (Mountain View, CA), Andrew Patton (Mountain View, CA), Sean Mullaney (Mountain View, CA), Behnam Motazed (Mountain View, CA), Siegfried Zerweckh (Mountain View, CA) | Wing Aviation Llc (Mountain View, CA) | 2019-03-20 | 2019-12-24 | H04W84/00, H04B7/185 | 16/359532 |
| 119 | 10516147 | Battery pack with reduced magnetic field emission | Implementations of a battery pack with reduced magnetic field emission are provided. In some implementations, the battery pack may be configured to reduce and/or eliminate the magnetic field normally generated while electrical current is being drawn from one or more cylindrical-steel electrochemical cells (e.g., AA batteries) by a connected electrical device. In some implementations, each electrochemical cell of a battery pack may include a conductive sleeve comprised of four conductive strips that are separated from the electrochemical cell by a thin insulating layer of material. In this way, the conductive sleeve provides a return path for electrical current that minimizes the loop area between the electrochemical cell and the conductive sleeve thereof. In some implementations, the four conductive strips of a conductive sleeve may be equally spaced 90 degrees apart and/or positioned longitudinally on a cylindrical-steel electrochemical cell, separated therefrom by the insulating layer of material. | David Giessel (Waterloo, CA), Bruce Hildesheim (Kitchener, CA) | 9013733 Canada Inc. (CA) | 2017-08-14 | 2019-12-24 | H01B3/18, H01M2/10, H01B1/02, H01M2/20 | 15/676986 |
| 120 | 10515560 | System and method for obstacle avoidance in aerial systems | An aerial system includes a body, a lift mechanism coupled to the body, a processing system, and at least one camera. The aerial system also includes a first motor configured to rotate the at least one camera about a first axis and a second motor configured to rotate the at least one camera about a second axis. The processing system is configured to determine a direction of travel of the aerial system and to cause the first motor and the second motor to automatically orient the at least one camera about the first axis and the second axis such that the at least one camera automatically faces the direction of travel of the aerial system. | Lei Zhang (Zhejiang, CN), Xian Su (Zhejiang, CN), Zhaozhe Wang (Zhejiang, CN), Wei Sun (Zhejiang, CN), Tong Zhang (Zhejiang, CN), Mengqiu Wang (Zhejiang, CN) | Hangzhou Zero Zero Technology Co., Ltd. (Hangzhou, CN) | 2018-10-26 | 2019-12-24 | G08G5/04, H04N13/239, B64D47/08, G05D1/10, H04N5/225, H04N13/296, G05D1/00, G08G5/00, B64C39/02 | 16/171703 |
| 121 | 10514232 | Launching aerial devices | A launch container apparatus for ejection from a submerged launch platform and a method for ejecting a launch container apparatus are disclosed. The apparatus comprises an enclosure for carrying an unmanned aerial device and a surfacing sensor configured to generate a control signal in response to detection of surfacing of the launch container apparatus. Petals are configured to provide buoyancy and stabilization for the launch container apparatus are also provided. A petal drive mechanism moves, in response to the control signal, the petals from a folded position to an expanded position. | Thomas William Smoker (Hants, GB) | Lockheed Martin Corporation (Bethesda, MD) | 2015-06-17 | 2019-12-24 | F41F3/07, F41F3/042 | 15/319397 |
| 122 | 10509417 | Flight planning for unmanned aerial tower inspection with long baseline positioning | Inspections of towers with unmanned aerial vehicles is challenging because judging the distance to narrow tower members, phase conductors, or guy wires is very difficult for people. These flights may be automated by first creating a three dimensional model of the tower from a scan, determining a safe standoff distance for the unmanned aerial vehicle, generating flight segments to provide complete inspection coverage of the tower while maintaining the standoff distance, and then safely and accurately flying the segments in most wind conditions by using location correction messages from remote reference stations. | Izak Jan van Cruyningen (Saratoga, CA) | --- | 2016-03-17 | 2019-12-17 | G05D1/00, G01S19/14, G01S17/89, G05D1/10, G01S19/43 | 15/558363 |
| 123 | 10507914 | Spooler for unmanned aerial vehicle system | In an aspect, in general, a spooling apparatus includes a filament feeding mechanism for deploying and retracting filament from the spooling apparatus to an aerial vehicle, an exit geometry sensor for sensing an exit geometry of the filament from the spooling apparatus, and a controller for controlling the feeding mechanism to feed and retract the filament based on the exit geometry. | Jason S. Walker (Medford, MA), John W. Ware (Brookline, MA), Samuel A. Johnson (Loveland, CO), Andrew M. Shein (Winchester, MA) | Flir Detection, Inc. (Stillwater, OK) | 2016-02-11 | 2019-12-17 | B64C39/02, B64D47/08, H02G11/02, B64F3/00 | 15/041211 |
| 124 | 10505622 | Methods of operating one or more unmanned aerial vehicles within an airspace | In various embodiments, a safety system for an unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) enable the safe operation of the UAV, alone or with other UAVs, within an airspace by initiating various actions based on the position of the UAV and/or one or more of the other UAVs relative to one or more flight zones and/or relative to other aircraft in the airspace. | Eyal Stein (Sharon, MA), Steven Lu (Burlington, MA) | 5X5 Technologies, Inc. (St. Petersburg, FL) | 2016-10-04 | 2019-12-10 | G08G5/00, B64C39/02, G08G5/04, H04L29/06, H04B7/185, G01S19/13, G06F3/0481, G05D1/00, H04W84/20 | 15/285080 |
| 125 | 10503843 | Supervised automatic roof modeling | An automated method is disclosed that classifies a first component and a second component of a roof with data points being part of, or extracted from at least one image. The first component and the second component have a ridge, at least one eave parallel to the ridge and a rectangular base. Evidence of a soft constraint and a hard constraint is identified via the data points and such evidence is associated with the first component and the second component. At least one hypothesis model of the roof is generated using relationships between the first component and the second component, the soft constraint and the hard constraint. The hypothesis model is transformed into a three dimensional model, and the three dimensional model is used to generate a roof report of the roof. | John Francis Keane (Kenmore, WA) | Eagle View Technologies, Inc. (Bellevue, WA) | 2018-02-28 | 2019-12-10 | G06F17/50, G06Q30/02, G06T17/00, G06T7/00, G06Q30/06, G06Q50/16, G06Q10/06, G06Q50/08, G06T17/05 | 15/907987 |
| 126 | 10499628 | Dispensers and methods of use thereof for dispensing solid mosquito larvicides and other materials of interest | Dispenser devices suitable for use on unmanned aerial vehicles are described having utility for dispensing solid larvicides to difficult to reach insect habitats. | Gregory M. Williams (Milltown, NJ), Randy Gaugler (North Brunswick, NJ) | Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey (New Brunswick, NJ) | 2016-09-09 | 2019-12-10 | B65D83/04, A01M1/20 | 15/261235 |
| 127 | 10495421 | Aerial vehicle interception system | The subject disclosure relates an aerial defense system to defend against a detected threat. The aerial defense system may comprise a plurality of defensive aircraft, an aircraft storage system to house the plurality of defensive aircraft, an aircraft controller in communication with each of a targeting system and the plurality of defensive aircraft, and a human machine interface (HMI) device to provide operator interaction. In operation, one or more of the plurality of defensive aircraft may engage the detected threat. At least one of the plurality of defensive aircraft may include a target neutralization device to strike, or otherwise engage, the detected threat. | Boris Abramov (Manassas, VA), John B. Wissler (Waltham, MA), Martin Kearney-Fischer (Manassas, VA), Jason Ryan (Manassas, VA), Jae-Woo Choi (Manassas, VA), James D. Paduano (Boston, MA) | Aurora Flight Sciences Corporation (Manassas, VA) | 2018-07-02 | 2019-12-03 | F41H11/02, G05D1/10, F41H13/00, B64C39/02, G05D1/12, G05D1/00 | 16/025713 |
| 128 | 10494121 | Tethered unmanned aerial vehicle system | In one aspect, an example system includes: (i) a base including a bottom surface and a first coupling-point, (ii) a vertically-oriented elongate structure comprising a lower end, an upper end, and an inner channel, wherein the inner channel comprises an upper access-point disposed proximate the upper end, wherein the base is coupled to the elongate structure proximate the lower end, (iii) a deployable cushioning-device coupled to the elongate structure, and (iv) a tether comprising a first portion, a second portion, a third portion, and a fourth portion, wherein the first portion is coupled to the first coupling-point, the second portion is coupled to a second coupling-point of the UAV, the third portion extends through the inner channel, the fourth portion extends from the upper access-point to the second coupling-point, and the fourth portion has a length that is less than a distance between the upper access-point and the bottom surface. | Hank J. Hundemer (Bellevue, KY) | Tribune Boradcasting Company, Llc (Chicago, IL) | 2018-10-23 | 2019-12-03 | B64F1/02, B64C39/02, B64F3/00 | 16/168352 |
| 129 | 10488860 | Geocoding data for an automated vehicle | Systems and methods for collecting and geocoding object data are described. More particularly, a system for collecting and geocoding object data includes an AV, a chronicle server, and a user device. The AV receives a mission specification that includes a route to be traversed by the AV. The AV traverses the route and collects object data along the way. The AV collects location data along the route. The chronicle server receives the object data and the location data from the content generating device. The object data and the location data are associated with a geocoded object (GLOB) . The chronicle server generates a GLOB chronicle from a plurality of GLOBs, in which a time is associated with each of the GLOBs and a location is associated with each of the GLOBs. A user device displays the GLOB. | Edward Lee Koch (San Rafael, CA), Daniel Allan Hennage (Mill Valley, CA) | Automodality, Inc. (Syracuse, NY) | 2016-06-07 | 2019-11-26 | G01S5/02, G05D1/00, G06F16/29, G06F16/9537 | 15/175374 |
| 130 | 10488500 | System and method for enhancing image resolution | A method for enhancing image resolution includes obtaining one or more images of a scene. The one or more images are associated with a first depth map. The method further includes determining a second depth map of the scene based upon the one or more images. The second depth map has a higher resolution than the first depth map. | Zhenyu Zhu (Shenzhen, CN), Cong Zhao (Shenzhen, CN), Ketan Tang (Shenzhen, CN) | Sz Dji Technology Co., Ltd. (Shenzhen, CN) | 2017-10-25 | 2019-11-26 | G01S7/486, G01S17/89, G01S17/02, G06T3/40, G06T5/50, G01S17/10 | 15/793284 |
| 131 | 10488095 | Evaporative cooling systems and methods of controlling product temperatures during delivery | In some embodiments, systems and methods are provided that limit the change in temperature and/or control a temperature of a product during delivery. Some embodiments provide systems to limit temperature changes, comprising: an evaporative product cooling system comprising: a product cavity that supports a product while the product is transported to a delivery location, wherein the product cooling system comprises an interior wall defining the product cavity, an exterior wall, an evaporative cavity between the interior and exterior walls, a coolant dispensing system, at least one evaporative opening, and a temperature sensor, and a temperature control circuit configured to receive temperature data from the temperature sensor while the product is in transit, determine that a temperature of the product is greater than a transport temperature threshold, and autonomously activate the coolant dispensing system to release evaporative coolant into the evaporative cavity while the product is transported. | David C. Winkle (Bella Vista, AR), Brian G. McHale (Chadderton Oldham, GB), Donald R. High (Noel, MO), Todd D. Mattingly (Bentonville, AR) | Walmart Apollo, Llc (Bentonville, AR) | 2017-05-18 | 2019-11-26 | F25D3/06, F25D7/00, F25D29/00, F25D3/10 | 15/598699 |
| 132 | 10486809 | Unmanned aerial system targeting | An unmanned aerial system (UAS) includes a body and a lift and propulsion system coupled to the body. The UAS includes a weapon coupled to the body. The weapon has an aiming axis oriented in a fixed direction relative to the body. The UAS includes a control system operatively coupled to the lift and propulsion system and the weapon. The control system is configured to determine a roll angle and a flight path such that the aiming axis is directed at a target when the UAS moves according to at least a portion of the flight path at the roll angle. The control system is further configured to control the lift and propulsion system such that the UAS moves according to the at least the portion of the flight path at the roll angle. | Ryan L. Hupp (Creve Coeur, MO), Sean R. Wakayama (Cypress, CA) | The Boeing Company (Chicago, IL) | 2016-10-13 | 2019-11-26 | G05D1/00, F41G9/00, G05D3/00, B64C39/02 | 15/293020 |
| 133 | 10476054 | Portable battery pack comprising a battery enclosed by a wearable and replaceable pouch or skin | A portable battery pack comprising a battery enclosed by a wearable and replaceable pouch or skin is disclosed, wherein the pouch or skin can be provided in different colors and/or patterns. Further, the pouch or skin can be MOLLE-compatible. The battery comprises a battery element housed between a battery cover and a back plate, wherein the battery element, battery cover, and back plate have a slight curvature or contour. Further, the battery comprises flexible leads. | Laura Thiel (Raleigh, NC), Giancarlo Urzi (Raleigh, NC), Carlos Cid (Raleigh, NC) | Lat Enterprises, Inc. (Raleigh, NC) | 2017-12-08 | 2019-11-12 | H01M2/10, H01M2/26, A41D27/20, A45C3/00, A45C11/00, A45C13/08, A45C13/10, A41D1/00, A45C13/36, A45F5/02, A45C13/30 | 15/836259 |
| 134 | 10472051 | Apparatus and method for stabilizing an unmanned aerial system | Systems, apparatuses, and methods are provided herein for stabilizing an unmanned aerial system. An apparatus for stabilizing an unmanned aerial system comprises a ring member and a pair of attachment members each having a first end and a second end, the first end being configured to attach to a multicopter and a second end being coupled to the ring member. Wherein the pair of attachment members holds the ring member such that a plane of a circumference of the ring member is generally parallel to blades of the multicopter. | Donald R. High (Noel, MO), Michael D. Atchley (Springdale, AR), John P. Thompson (Bentonville, AR), Chandrashekar Natarajan (San Ramon, CA) | Walmart Apollo, Llc (Bentonville, AR) | 2016-11-03 | 2019-11-12 | B64C17/04, B64C25/52, B64C39/02, B64C27/08, B64C25/32 | 15/342980 |
| 135 | 10467914 | Methods and systems for autonomous generation of shortest lateral paths for unmanned aerial systems | Methods and systems for autonomous generation of shortest lateral paths for unmanned aerial systems are described. An example system includes memory storing code and at least one processor to execute the code to cause the at least one processor to access an initial scenario including a source point, a target point, and a no flight zone, determine a computation time for identifying a lateral path for an aircraft to traverse that avoids the no flight zone, determine whether the determined computation time satisfies a threshold of a reference computation time, change the first number of vertices to a second number of vertices when the reference computation time is not satisfied, determine a buffer area surrounding the no flight zone, construct a visibility graph including lateral paths, and identify one of the lateral paths as being shorter than others of the lateral paths. | Ernesto Valls Hernandez (Madrid, ES), Francisco A. Navarro Felix (Madrid, ES), David Sanchez Tamargo (Madrid, ES), Carlos Querejeta Masaveu (Madrid, ES), Jes s Cuadrado Sanchez (Madrid, ES) | The Boeing Company (Chicago, IL) | 2018-04-03 | 2019-11-05 | G08G5/00, G01C21/20, B64C39/02 | 15/944545 |
| 136 | 10467578 | Methods and systems for requesting and displaying UAV information | Described herein are methods and systems that help facilitate the summoning and loading of a pickup and delivery unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) . In particular, a computing system may display a graphical interface including an interface feature that indicates UAV assignments. That computing system may receive a message including a UAV identifier that identifies a particular UAV assigned to a particular item based on a UAV-assignment request for the particular item. and the computing system may use the received UAV identifier as a basis for displaying, on the graphical interface, (i) a graphical identifier of the particular UAV assigned to the particular item based on the UAV-assignment request for the particular item and (ii) a graphical identifier of the particular item. | Luke Barrington (Mountain View, CA), Jonathan Lesser (Mountain View, CA) | Wing Aviation Llc (Mountain View, CA) | 2017-05-08 | 2019-11-05 | G06Q10/08, B64D1/22, B64C39/02, G06Q50/28 | 15/588915 |
| 137 | 10461289 | Portable battery pack comprising a battery enclosed by a wearable and replaceable pouch or skin | A portable battery pack comprising a battery enclosed by a wearable and replaceable pouch or skin is disclosed, wherein the pouch or skin can be provided in different colors and/or patterns. Further, the pouch or skin can be MOLLE-compatible. The battery comprises a battery element housed between a battery cover and a back plate, wherein the battery element, battery cover, and back plate have a slight curvature or contour. Further, the battery comprises flexible leads. | Laura Thiel (Raleigh, NC), Giancarlo Urzi (Raleigh, NC), Carlos Cid (Raleigh, NC) | Lat Enterprises, Inc. (Raleigh, NC) | 2017-09-29 | 2019-10-29 | H01M2/06, H01M2/10, A45C13/36, A45C13/08, A45C3/00, A41D27/20, A45C11/00, A45C13/10, A41D13/015, A41D1/04, A41D1/00, A45C13/30, A45F5/02 | 15/720270 |
| 138 | 10460280 | Methods and systems for multiple drone delivery system | Embodiments for delivering goods to customers by a processor are described. An item is selected to be delivered to a delivery point. The selected item is loaded onto a first drone. The delivery point is scanned with a second drone. Based on the scanning of the delivery point, the delivery point is determined to be in a first condition or a second condition. If the delivery point is in the first condition, the first drone delivers the selected item to the delivery point. | David B. Lection (Raleigh, NC), Sarbajit K. Rakshit (Kolkata, IN), Mark B. Stevens (Austin, TX), John D. Wilson (League City, TX) | International Business Machines Corporation (Armonk, NY) | 2016-10-11 | 2019-10-29 | G06Q10/08, G05D1/00, G05D1/10, B64C39/02, B64D47/08, B64D45/08 | 15/290215 |
| 139 | 10460279 | Interactive transport services provided by unmanned aerial vehicles | Embodiments relate to a client-facing application for interacting with a transport service that transports items via unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) . An example graphic interface may allow a user to order items to specific delivery areas associated with their larger delivery location, and may dynamically provide status updates and other functionality during the process of fulfilling a UAV transport request. | Jonathan Lesser (Mountain View, CA), Michael Bauerly (Mountain View, CA), James Ryan Burgess (Mountain View, CA), May Cheng (Mountain View, CA), Rue Song (Mountain View, CA) | Wing Aviation Llc (Mountain View, CA) | 2016-06-28 | 2019-10-29 | G06Q10/08, B64D1/08, B64C39/02, G01C21/16, G06F3/0484, G06F3/0482, B64D47/08 | 15/195607 |
| 140 | 10460252 | System and method of chaining algorithms for global object recognition to improve probability of correctness and reduce processing load | A system and method improves the probability of correctly detecting an object from a collection of source data and reduces the processing load. A plurality of algorithms for a given data type are selected and ordered based on a cumulative trained probability of correctness (Pc) that each of the algorithms, which are processed in a chain and conditioned upon the result of the preceding algorithms, produce a correct result and a processing. The algorithms cull the source data to pass forward a reduced subset of source data in which the conditional probability of detecting the object is higher than the a priori probability of the algorithm detecting that same object. The Pc and its confidence interval is suitably computed and displayed for each algorithm and the chain and the final object detection. | Paul C. Hershey (Ashburn, VA), Richard Radcliffe (Chantilly, VA), Brianne R. Hoppes (Westminster, CO) | Raytheon Company (Waltham, MA) | 2016-02-25 | 2019-10-29 | G06F16/29, G06F16/583, G06N7/00, G06N20/00 | 15/053959 |
| 141 | 10457391 | Method and system for a small unmanned aerial system for delivering electronic warfare and cyber effects | A system and method for conducting electronic warfare on a target site includes the use of a small unmanned aircraft system (SUAS) having a fuselage and a Prandtl wing, wherein at least two electric ducted fans are positioned on the fuselage. A power system of the SUAS has a plurality of hydrogen fuel cells positioned within the Prandtl wing. An electronic warfare payload is carried by the fuselage, wherein the electronic warfare payload and the at least two electric ducted fans are powered by at least a portion of the plurality of hydrogen fuel cells. During an operation, the SUAS may launch near an IAD site and initiate an electronic warfare effect on an integrated air defense site with electronic warfare payload carried by the SUAS to interfere with at least one surface-to-air missile (SAM) system. | Matthew Keegan (McLean, VA), Stephen Leonard Engelson Wyatt (Diamondhead, MS) | Selex Galileo Inc. (Arlington, VA) | 2016-03-15 | 2019-10-29 | B64C39/02, B64C3/26, B64C3/38, B64C39/10, H04K3/00 | 15/071018 |
| 142 | 10437335 | Wearable electronic, multi-sensory, human/machine, human/human interfaces | A wearable Haptic Humaxi/Machine Interface (HHMI) receives electrical activity from muscles and nerves of a user. An electrical signal is determined having characteristics based on the received electrical activity. The electrical signal is generated and applied to an object to cause an action dependent on the received electrical activity. The object can be a biological component of the user, such as a muscle, another user, or a remotely located machine such as a drone. Exemplary uses include mitigating tremor, accelerated learning, cognitive therapy, remote robotic, drone and probe control and sensing, virtual and augmented reality, stroke, brain and spinal cord rehabilitation, gaming, education, pain relief, entertainment, remote surgery, remote participation in and/or observation of an event such as a sporting event, biofeedback and remotality. Remotality is the perception of a reality occurring remote from the user. The reality may be remote in time, location and/or physical form. The reality may be consistent with the natural world, comprised of an alternative, fictional world or a mixture of natural and fictional constituents. | John James Daniels (Madison, CT) | --- | 2016-04-11 | 2019-10-08 | G06F3/01, G06F1/16 | 15/562752 |
| 143 | 10422478 | Vapor cooled shielding liner for cryogenic storage in composite pressure vessels | A novel tank cryogenic-compatible composite pressure vessel that beneficially utilizes Vapor Cooled Shielding (VCS) is introduced to minimize thermal gradients along support structures and reduces heat loads on cryogenic systems. In particular, the configurations and mechanisms to be utilized herein include: providing for a desired number of passageways and a given thickness of the VCS, reducing the thermal conductivity of the VCS material, and increasing the cooling capacitance of the hydrogen vapors. | Jacob William Leachman (Pullman, WA), Patrick Marshall Adam (Pullman, WA) | Washington State University (Pullman, WA) | 2017-09-11 | 2019-09-24 | F17C3/04, F17C3/10 | 15/700269 |
| 144 | 10414488 | Methods and systems for damping oscillations of a payload | Described herein are methods and systems to dampen oscillations of a payload coupled to a tether of a winch system arranged on an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) . for example, the UAV's control system may dampen the oscillations by causing the UAV to switch to a forward flight mode in which movement of the UAV results in drag on the payload, thereby damping the oscillations. In another example, the control system may cause the UAV to reduce an extent flight stabilization along at least one dimension, thereby resulting in damping of the detected oscillations due to energy dissipation during movement of the UAV along the dimension. In this way, the control system could select and carry out one or more such techniques, and could do so during retraction and/or deployment of the tether. | Andre Prager (Sunnyvale, CA), Trevor Shannon (Mountain View, CA) | Wing Aviation Llc (Mountain View, CA) | 2016-12-22 | 2019-09-17 | B64C19/00, G05D1/02, B66D1/60, B64C39/02, B66D1/48, G05D1/08, B64D1/12, B66D1/12, B64D1/22 | 15/389290 |
| 145 | 10410291 | Systems and methods for analyzing unmanned aerial missions | A system for determining drone operation rules configured to (i) receive a plurality of telematics data from a plurality of missions, (ii) analyze the plurality of telematics data to determine one or more mission trends, and (iii) determine one or more rules based upon the one or more mission trends. | Todd Binion (Bloomington, IL), Jennifer Criswell Kellett (Bloomington, IL), Jeremy Carnahan (Bloomington, IL), Matt Megyese (Bloomington, IL) | State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company (Bloomington, IL) | 2017-04-07 | 2019-09-10 | G06Q40/08, G07C5/00, G01C23/00, B64C39/02 | 15/482300 |
| 146 | 10408591 | Stackable kinetic energy ring cartridge | A projectile which can be used to defeat an unmanned aerial system. The projectile features sabots which do not impart any forward impedance to the sub-projectiles, and carries a payload of stacked rings enclosed in the projectile. The rings are backed by a support ring, and abut a pusher aft section. The projectile's sabots discard cleanly upon muzzle exit, releasing the ring sub-projectiles to cover a large area, thereby increasing the probability of impacting the target. The rings create large holes in the target, despite comparatively low mass of a given ring as a defeat element, allowing for multiple sub-projectiles to be fired with a single shot, thereby creating the effect of firing multiple projectiles with a single shot. | David Chalfant Manley (Hackettstown, NJ), Thomas Michael Presutti, Jr. (Long Valley, NJ) | The United States of America As Represented By The Secretary of The Army (Washington, DC) | 2017-09-05 | 2019-09-10 | F42B14/06, F42B10/36, F42B5/03 | 15/695160 |
| 147 | 10403161 | Interface for accessing airspace data | A process is described that includes the generation and transmission of collision avoidance data and/or collision avoidance instructions based on data from 3-D radar scans of an airspace. The transmitted data and/or instructions could facilitate collision avoidance by aerial vehicles operating in the airspace. The transmitted data could be limited to protect the security, privacy, and/or safety of other aerial vehicles, airborne objects, and/or individuals within the airspace. The transmitted data could be limited such that only information pertaining to a region of the airspace proximate to a particular aerial vehicle was transmitted. The transmitted data could be limited such that it included instructions that could be executed by a particular aerial vehicle to avoid collisions and such that the transmitted data did not include location or other data associated with other aerial vehicles or airborne objects in the airspace. | Adam Bry (San Mateo, CA), Abraham Bachrach (San Francisco, CA), Bruno Andre Posokhow (Redwood City, CA) | Wing Aviation Llc (Mountain View, CA) | 2016-07-07 | 2019-09-03 | G08G5/04, B64C39/02, G01S13/93, G05D1/00, G05D1/10, G01S13/00 | 15/204949 |
| 148 | 10403153 | Autonomous emergency flight management system for an unmanned aerial system | An autonomous emergency flight management system may find safe and clear landing sites for unmanned aerial systems (UASs) in emergency situations. Emergency flight management software may reside on an onboard computing system. The computing system may continuously look at internal databases and input from other systems (e.g., a global positioning system (GPS) , camera, compass, radar, sonar, etc.) , depending on what is available. The emergency flight management system may make decisions on its own without human intervention. for instance, a database may provide some local likely candidates for landing sites. Information associated with the candidates may include latitude, longitude, altitude for top of a building, etc. Position updates may be continuously provided from an autopilot or other suitable system. | Patricia C. Glaab (Hampton, VA), Louis J. Glaab (Hampton, VA) | United States of America As Represented By The Administrator of Nasa (Washington, DC) | 2017-01-03 | 2019-09-03 | G08G5/00, G05D1/00, G01C23/00, B64D47/06, B64C39/02, G08G5/02, G05D1/06, B64D45/00 | 15/397140 |
| 149 | 10402676 | Automated system and methodology for feature extraction | An automated method performed by at least one processor running computer executable instructions stored on at least one non-transitory computer readable medium, comprising: classifying first data points identifying at least one man-made roof structure within a point cloud and classifying second data points associated with at least one of natural structures and ground surface to form a modified point cloud, identifying at least one feature of the man-made roof structure in the modified point cloud, and generating a roof report including the at least one feature. | Yandong Wang (Webster, NY), Frank Giuffrida (Honeoye Falls, NY) | Pictometry International Corp. (Rochester, NY) | 2017-02-09 | 2019-09-03 | G06K9/00, G06K9/46, G06T7/50, G06T7/73, G06K9/62 | 15/428860 |
| 150 | 10395543 | Unmanned aerial vehicle management system | An Unmanned Aerial System configured to receive a request from a user and fulfill that request using an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle. The Unmanned Aerial System selects a distribution center that is within range of the user, and deploys a suitable Unmanned Aerial Vehicle to fulfill the request from that distribution center. The Unmanned Aerial System is configured to provide real-time information about the flight route to the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle during its flight, and the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle is configured to dynamically update its mission based on information received from the Unmanned Aerial System. | Andrew Chambers (San Francisco, CA), Bryan Wade (Redwood City, CA), Catalin Drula (Bucharest, RO), David Halley (Los Osos, CA), Igor Napolskikh (Mississauga, CA), Keenan Wyrobek (Half Moon Bay, CA), Keller Rinaudo (Menlo Park, CA), Nicholas Brake (San Luis Obispo, CA), Ryan Oksenhorn (Pacifica, CA), Ryan Patterson (Littleton, CO), William Hetzler (San Mateo, CA) | Zipline International Inc. (South San Francisco, CA) | 2017-07-26 | 2019-08-27 | B64C39/02, G05D1/10, G06Q10/08, G08G5/00, G01C21/20 | 15/659735 |
| 151 | 10395113 | Polarization-based detection and mapping method and system | A method for detecting and tracking aerial objects and vehicles comprises recording raw image data using a polarimeter to obtain polarized images of the sky. The images are then corrected for non-uniformity, optical distortion, and registration. IR and polarization data products are computed, and the resultant data products are converted to a multi-dimensional data set for exploitation. Contrast enhancement algorithms are applied to the multi-dimensional imagery to form enhanced object images. The enhanced object images may then be displayed to a user, and/or an annunciator may announce the presence of an object. | Todd M. Aycock (Huntsville, AL), David B. Chenault (Huntsville, AL), John S. Harchanko (Huntsville, AL) | Polaris Sensor Technologies, Inc. (Huntsville, AL) | 2017-03-06 | 2019-08-27 | G06K9/00, G01J4/04, G01V8/10, G06K9/46, H04N9/64, G06K9/20, G06K9/62, G02B5/20, G02B27/28 | 15/450948 |
| 152 | 10389514 | Optical time distributor and process for optical two-way time-frequency transfer | An optical time distributor includes: a master clock including: a master comb, a transfer comb, and a free-space optical terminal, and a remote clock in optical communication with the master clock via a free space link and including: a remote comb that produces: a remote clock coherent optical pulse train output, a remote coherent optical pulse train, a free-space optical terminal in optical communication: with the remote comb, and with the free-space optical terminal of the master clock via the free space link, and that: receives the remote coherent optical pulse train from the remote comb, receives the master optical signal from the free-space optical terminal of the master clock, produces the remote optical signal in response to receipt of the remote coherent optical pulse train, and communicates the remote optical signal to the free-space optical terminal of the master clock. | Laura C. Sinclair (Boulder, CO), Nathan R. Newbury (Boulder, CO), William C. Swann (Boulder, CO), Hugo Bergeron (Quebec, CA), Jean-Daniel Deschenes (Quebec, CA) | Government of The United States of America, As Represented By The Secretary of Commerce (Gaithersburg, MD) | 2017-11-30 | 2019-08-20 | H04B10/11, H04B10/112, H04B10/548, H04B10/61, H04B10/40, H04L7/00, H04J3/00 | 15/827482 |
| 153 | 10389140 | Wireless power near-field repeater system that includes metamaterial arrays to suppress far-field radiation and power loss | Embodiments described herein may relate to a system including a transmit resonator configured to couple power from a source into an oscillating field generated with a reference phase by the transmit resonator resonating at an oscillation frequency, one or more repeaters, each at a respective location, each including: a repeat resonator configured to resonate at the oscillation frequency, where each of the one or more repeaters is configured to regenerate the oscillating field with a phase shift relative to a phase at the respective location, and at least one receiver, the at least one receiver including: a receive resonator configured to resonate at the oscillation frequency in response to coupling to the oscillating field, where the at least one receiver is configured to transfer a power of the oscillating field to a load associated with the at least one receiver. | Brian John Adolf (Mountain View, CA), Richard Wayne DeVaul (Mountain View, CA) | X Development Llc (Mountain View, CA) | 2015-11-13 | 2019-08-20 | H01F38/00, H02J50/05, H02J5/00, H02J50/12, H02J7/02 | 14/940747 |
| 154 | 10387727 | Backup navigation system for unmanned aerial vehicles | Described is a method that involves operating an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to begin a flight, where the UAV relies on a navigation system to navigate to a destination. During the flight, the method involves operating a camera to capture images of the UAV's environment, and analyzing the images to detect features in the environment. The method also involves establishing a correlation between features detected in different images, and using location information from the navigation system to localize a feature detected in different images. Further, the method involves generating a flight log that includes the localized feature. Also, the method involves detecting a failure involving the navigation system, and responsively operating the camera to capture a post-failure image. The method also involves identifying one or more features in the post-failure image, and determining a location of the UAV based on a relationship between an identified feature and a localized feature. | Dinuka Abeywardena (Mountain View, CA), Damien Jourdan (Mountain View, CA) | Wing Aviation Llc (Mountain View, CA) | 2017-09-13 | 2019-08-20 | G06K9/00, G01C11/06, B64D47/08, G05D1/10, G01C21/32 | 15/703948 |
| 155 | 10384778 | Tethered unmanned aerial vehicle system | In one aspect, an example system includes: (i) a base including a bottom surface and a first coupling-point, (ii) a vertically-oriented elongate structure comprising a lower end, an upper end, and an inner channel, wherein the inner channel comprises an upper access-point disposed proximate the upper end, wherein the base is coupled to the elongate structure proximate the lower end, (iii) a deployable cushioning-device coupled to the elongate structure, and (iv) a tether comprising a first portion, a second portion, a third portion, and a fourth portion, wherein the first portion is coupled to the first coupling-point, the second portion is coupled to a second coupling-point of the UAV, the third portion extends through the inner channel, the fourth portion extends from the upper access-point to the second coupling-point, and the fourth portion has a length that is less than a distance between the upper access-point and the bottom surface. | Hank J. Hundemer (Bellevue, KY) | Tribune Broadcasting Company, Llc (Chicago, IL) | 2018-09-10 | 2019-08-20 | B64C39/02, B64F3/02, B64F1/02, B64F3/00 | 16/126020 |
| 156 | 10382225 | Asymmetric CAN-based communication for aerial vehicles | An example embodiment includes a plurality of flight modules including a primary flight module and a secondary flight module. The embodiment includes a CAN controller, a second CAN controller, a first CAN bus configured to transmit primary control signals from the first CAN controller to the primary flight module and to the secondary flight module, and a second CAN bus configured to transmit secondary control signals from the second CAN controller to the primary flight module and the secondary flight module. The primary flight module is configured to perform functions responsive to receiving the primary control signals, and not in response to receiving the secondary control signals and the secondary flight module is configured to perform functions responsive to receiving the secondary control signals, and not in response to receiving the primary control signals. | Parsa Dormiani (Mountain View, CA), Brian Viele (Mountain View, CA) | Wing Aviation Llc (Mountain View, CA) | 2017-07-27 | 2019-08-13 | H04L12/40, B64C39/02, B64C13/50, G05D1/00 | 15/661974 |
| 157 | 10380801 | Head wearable device, system, and method for displaying teamed asset information | A head wearable device, a method, and a system. The head wearable device may include a display, a head tracking system, a user input system, and a processor. The processor may be configured to output a stream of image data to the display for presentation to the user, the image data associated with images aligned with a determined position and a determined orientation of the head of the user relative to an environment, the images including a user-selectable depiction of a teamed asset. The processor may be further configured to receive user input data from the user input system, wherein the user input data includes user selection data associated with a selected teamed asset. The processor may be further configured to update the stream of image data associated with the images such that the images further include a depiction of information associated with the selected teamed asset. | Emily M. Flaherty-Woods (Cedar Rapids, IA), Geoffrey A. Shapiro (Cedar Rapids, IA) | Rockwell Collins, Inc. (Cedar Rapids, IA) | 2018-02-07 | 2019-08-13 | G06T19/00, G06F3/01, G06F3/0484, G06F3/16 | 15/891190 |
| 158 | 10377486 | Drone deployed speaker system | A drone speaker system is configured to deploy a fleet of drone speaker units. Each drone speaker unit includes a speaker configured to broadcast acoustic signals and a flight system configured to aerially transport a speaker. The drone speaker system initially generates a spatial map of a location where the drone speaker units are to be deployed. The drone speaker system then identifies suitable perching locations for the drone speaker units. Then, the drone speaker system deploys the fleet of drone speaker units to those perching locations to place one or more speakers. Once positioned in this manner, the speakers can generate a sound field. The drone speaker units may also reconfigure the speakers to achieve different sound fields having varying characteristics. | Sven Kratz (San Jose, CA), Joseph Verbeke (San Francisco, CA), Stefan Marti (Oakland, CA), Adam Boulanger (Palo Alto, CA) | Harman International Industries, Incorporated (Stamford, CT) | 2017-12-07 | 2019-08-13 | B64C39/02, H04R3/12, H04R5/02 | 15/834957 |
| 159 | 10370121 | Launcher for an unmanned aircraft | A launcher for an unmanned aircraft may comprise: a launch rail, a carriage, pair of pulley drivers, and a cable and pulley system. The pulley drivers may produce opposing pulley drive forces, which may be converted into a single launching force via the cable and pulley system for launching the carriage. The cable and pulley system may comprise: launch rail pulleys, pulley block pulleys, cam pulleys, drive cables, and one or more winches. Embodiments of the launcher may apply a constant force to the aircraft uniformly over the launch distance, such that the unmanned aircraft may be propelled within a relatively short distance by applying energy to the aircraft in the smallest period of time and without exceeding the aircraft's acceleration limits. | Shawn Kerry McGann (Ridgecrest, CA), Nicholas McGaha (Ridgecrest, CA), Alvin L. Quintana (Ridgecrest, CA) | The Government of The United States of America As Represented By The Secretary of The Navy (Washington, DC) | 2017-04-13 | 2019-08-06 | B64F1/06, B64C39/02, B64F1/08 | 15/486988 |
| 160 | 10370120 | Launcher for an unmanned aircraft and methods of use thereof | A launcher for an unmanned aircraft may comprise: a launch rail, a carriage, pair of pulley drivers, and a cable and pulley system. The pulley drivers may produce opposing pulley drive forces, which may be converted into a single launching force via the cable and pulley system for launching the carriage. The cable and pulley system may comprise: launch rail pulleys, pulley block pulleys, cam pulleys, drive cables, and one or more winches. Embodiments of the launcher may apply a constant force to the aircraft uniformly over the launch distance, such that the unmanned aircraft may be propelled within a relatively short distance by applying energy to the aircraft in the smallest period of time and without exceeding the aircraft's acceleration limits. | Shawn Kerry McGann (Ridgecrest, CA), Nicholas McGaha (Ridgecrest, CA), Alvin L. Quintana (Ridgecrest, CA) | The Government of The United States of America As Represented By The Secretary of The Navy (Washington, DC) | 2017-04-13 | 2019-08-06 | B64F1/06, F41B3/03, B64C39/02 | 15/486481 |
| 161 | 10365645 | System and method for human operator intervention in autonomous vehicle operations | An autonomous vehicle system is configured to receive vehicle commands from one or more parties and to execute those vehicle commands in a way that prevents the execution of stale commands. The autonomous vehicle system includes a finite state machine and a command counter or stored vehicle timestamp, which are used to help reject invalid or stale vehicle commands. | Andrew Chambers (San Francisco, CA), Keenan Wyrobek (Half Moon Bay, CA), Keller Rinaudo (Menlo Park, CA), Ryan Oksenhorn (Pacifica, CA), William Hetzler (San Mateo, CA) | Zipline International Inc. (San Francisco, CA) | 2018-03-05 | 2019-07-30 | G05D1/00, G05D1/10, B64C39/02 | 15/912311 |
| 162 | 10364548 | Method of optimizing performance of machines at a worksite | A method of controlling machines for performing operations at a worksite is disclosed. The method includes receiving pre-construction terrain data, design terrain data, and resource data and then defining a plurality of constraints based on the data. Operations of the machines are simulated based on the data. The method includes estimating process variables associated with the operations and defining and scheduling tasks to be performed by the machines. The method includes collecting real time data from the worksite and updating the estimated process variables and the scheduled tasks of the machines based on the collected real time data. Instructions are then provided to the machines for executing the tasks. | Liqun Chi (Peoria, IL), Sanat A. Talmaki (Watertown, MA), Paul T. Corcoran (Washington, IL), Scott A. Leman (Eureka, IL), Brad L. Holsapple (Metamora, IL), Mark W. Whiting (Peru, IL), Allen J. DeClerk (Princeton, IL) | Caterpillar Inc. (Deerfield, IL) | 2017-10-02 | 2019-07-30 | E02F9/00, G06Q50/08, G06F17/00, G06Q10/06, G06F16/2455, E02F9/20, E02F9/26, G06F3/0484, G05B15/02, G06F3/00, G06Q10/00 | 15/722414 |
| 163 | 10364030 | Methods and systems for user interaction and feedback via control of tether | Described herein are methods and systems for motorized control of a tether, such as for purposes of user interaction and feedback. In particular, a UAV's control system may determine one or more operational parameters of a motor for a winch disposed in the UAV, the winch including the tether and a spool. The control system may then detect in the one or more operational parameters, an operational pattern of the motor that is indicative of an intentional user-interaction with the tether. Based on the detected operational pattern of the motor that is indicative of the intentional user-interaction with the tether, the control system may determine a motor response process. Then, the control system may operate the motor in accordance with the determined motor response process. | Andre Prager (Sunnyvale, CA), Trevor Shannon (Mountain View, CA) | Wing Aviation Llc (Mountain View, CA) | 2016-12-22 | 2019-07-30 | B64D1/22, B64C39/02 | 15/389304 |
| 164 | 10362392 | Aerial acoustic sensing, acoustic sensing payload and aerial vehicle including the same | An aerial acoustic acquisition system including: an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) , an acoustic sensing payload attached to the UAV including: at least one SOI microphone configured to detect a first audio signal including a signal of interest, and at least one noise detection microphone configured to detect a second audio signal including sound generated by the UAV, and a processing suite including a processor configured to receive first audio data corresponding to the first audio signal and second audio data corresponding to the second audio signal from the acoustic sensing suite, and process the first audio data using the second audio data to extract the signal of interest from the first audio data. | David Alvord (Atlanta, GA), Alessio Medda (Atlanta, GA) | Georgia Tech Research Corporation (Atlanta, GA) | 2016-10-25 | 2019-07-23 | H04R3/00, B64C39/02, B64D43/00, H04R1/40, H04R1/02 | 15/333668 |
| 165 | 10353388 | Drop-off location planning for delivery vehicle | An example method may include receiving, from a client computing device, an indication of a target drop-off spot for an object within a first virtual model of a first region of a delivery destination. A second virtual model of a second region of the delivery destination may be determined based on sensor data received from one or more sensors on a delivery vehicle. A mapping may be determined between physical features represented in the first virtual model and physical features represented in the second virtual model to determine an overlapping region between the first and second virtual models. A position of the target drop-off spot within the second virtual model may be determined based on the overlapping region. Based on the position of the target drop-off spot within the second virtual model, the delivery vehicle may be navigated to the target drop-off spot to drop off the object. | Martin Schubert (Mountain view, CA), Michael Grundmann (San Jose, CA), Clifford Biffle (Redwood City, CA), Philip Watson (Mountain View, CA) | X Development Llc (Mountain Veiw, CA) | 2016-10-17 | 2019-07-16 | G05D1/04, G05D1/06, G08G5/00, G08G5/02, G01C21/20, G01C21/00, G06N7/00, G05D1/10, G05D1/00, B64C39/02 | 15/295995 |
| 166 | 10351240 | Methods and systems for cooperative operation and configuration of aerially-mobile devices | Methods and systems for autonomous device reconfiguration are described herein. A system may include aerially-mobile devices each configured to perform a respective end-use function and carry out a portion of a reconfiguration operation, which involves arranging the one or more aerially-mobile devices according to a device configuration. A given device configuration may specify spatial locations within an environment corresponding to the aerially-mobile devices. The system may also include a control system configured to facilitate a reconfiguration operation by executing instructions including: (i) determining, for each aerially-mobile device, a respective spatial location associated with a particular device configuration, (ii) detecting a triggering event indicative of an instruction to arrange aerially-mobile devices according to the particular device configuration, and (iii) responsive to the detection of the triggering event, causing each aerially-mobile device to begin flying to its respective spatial location associated with the particular configuration. | Maxwell Andrew Sills (San Francisco, CA), Ian Wetherbee (San Jose, CA), Robert Samuel Gordon (San Bruno, CA) | Wing Aviation Llc (Mountain View, CA) | 2016-12-29 | 2019-07-16 | G05D1/10, B64F1/00, G05D1/00, B64C39/02, B64C39/00, H04B7/185 | 15/394531 |
| 167 | 10347401 | Electrified-cable system for carriage transit and method of making same | An electrified-cable system is disclosed herein. The system includes first and second wires each having a longitudinally-extending uninsulated region comprising at least a portion of the circumference of the first wire, and a longitudinally-extending insulated region comprising the remaining circumference of the first wire, and an insulating connector that couples the insulated region of the first wire to the insulated region of the second wire. The system is configured to form an electrical circuit from the first wire to the second wire through a carriage in electrical contact with the uninsulated region of the first wire and the uninsulated region of the second wire. A corresponding method is also disclosed. | Rodger Lynn Gibson (Stamford, CT) | Airbornway Corporation (Stamford, CT) | 2018-02-20 | 2019-07-09 | H01B17/56, H01B7/02, H01B13/00, D07B1/14, D07B5/00, B61B7/02, B60L1/00 | 15/900406 |
| 168 | 10347136 | Air traffic communication | Apparatus and methods related to autonomous aerial communications are included. A computing device can detect data associated with relevant events, determine information related to the event that should be communicated and a target aerial vehicle for that information, identify one or more operational parameters of the target aerial vehicle, and, based on those operational parameters, select a language associated with the target aerial vehicle, and generate and transmit a message expressing that information in the selected language to the target aerial vehicle. In a further aspect, a computing device can detect data associated with relevant events, determine information related to the event that should be communicated and a target recipient for that information, identify one or more operational parameters of the target recipient, and, based on those operational parameters, select a language associated with those operational parameters, and generate and transmit a message expressing that information in the selected language to the target recipient. | Gregory Whiting (Menlo Park, CA), James Burgess (Redwood City, CA), Chirath Thouppuarachchi (Mountain View, CA) | Wing Aviation Llc (Mountain View, CA) | 2016-12-23 | 2019-07-09 | G08G5/00, H04B7/185 | 15/390255 |
| 169 | 10346958 | Methods for agronomic and agricultural monitoring using unmanned aerial systems | A method for agronomic and agricultural monitoring includes designating an area for imaging, determining a flight path above the designated area, operating an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) along the flight path, acquiring images of the area using a camera system attached to the UAV, and processing the acquired images. | Doug Sauder (Tremont, IL), Justin L. Koch (Tremont, IL), Troy L. Plattner (Tremont, IL), Phil Baurer (Tremont, IL) | The Climate Corporation (San Francisco, CA) | 2017-12-22 | 2019-07-09 | G06K9/00, G05D1/00, A01B79/00, G06T5/00, G06T11/60 | 15/853356 |
| 170 | 10345803 | Multi-part navigation process by an unmanned aerial vehicle for navigation | Embodiments described herein may relate to an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) navigating to a target in order to provide medical support. An illustrative method involves a UAV (a) determining an approximate target location associated with a target, (b) using a first navigation process to navigate the UAV to the approximate target location, where the first navigation process generates flight-control signals based on the approximate target location, (c) making a determination that the UAV is located at the approximate target location, and (d) in response to the determination that the UAV is located at the approximate target location, using a second navigation process to navigate the UAV to the target, wherein the second navigation process generates flight-control signals based on real-time localization of the target. | Eric Peeters (Mountain View, CA), Eric Teller (Palo Alto, CA), William Graham Patrick (San Francisco, CA) | Wing Aviation Llc (Mountain View, CA) | 2017-10-16 | 2019-07-09 | G05D1/00, B64C39/02, G01S5/02, G05D1/12, G08G5/00, B64C19/00, G01S13/94, G01S15/93, G01S17/93, G01S13/88, G01S5/00, G01S13/93 | 15/785212 |
| 171 | 10340820 | Electrical system for unmanned aerial vehicles | An example unmanned aerial vehicle includes a power source, a processor module having one or more processors, and a plurality of boom arms, each boom arm being couplable to a printed circuit board (PCB) and a plurality of propellers. In the example UAV, a PCB of each boom arm includes a power hub electrically couplable to the power source and to corresponding propellers of the boom arm, and a signal hub electrically couplable to at least one processor of the processor module and to the corresponding propellers. Further, in the example UAV, the power hub of each PCB is configured to transfer power from the power source to the corresponding propellers, and wherein the signal hub of each PCB is configured to transfer signals from the processor module to the corresponding propellers such that the processor module controls the plurality of propellers. | Adam Woodworth (Santa Clara, CA), Greg Vulikh (Redwood City, CA), John FitzSimons (San Jose, CA) | Wing Aviation Llc (Mountain View, CA) | 2016-12-30 | 2019-07-02 | G06F7/00, H02P5/00, B64C39/02, H02P6/16 | 15/395996 |
| 172 | 10339818 | Drone defense system | A drone defense system (DDS) beacon detects unmanned aerial systems (UAS) traffic and transmits a broadcast signal over a transmission region indicating a no-fly zone in which only UAS having an authorization are allowed to fly. The beacon allows UAS with clearance to enter the no-fly zone. Those UAS without clearance are diverted around the no-fly zone, denied Wi-Fi and/or RF connection, forced to return to home launch sites via activation of standard preprogrammed Return to Home (RTH) routines, or forced to land at specified locations where they may be captured. Military, emergency medical services (EMS) , and other UAS are allowed to enter no-fly zones in which other UAS, such as commercial, or consumer UAS, cannot enter. DDS cloud collects and stores log data from all deployed DDS beacons. DDS cloud can send system software updates to DDS beacons, make real-time statistical analysis, and provide report data to outside systems. | Linda J. Ziemba (Highlands, NJ), Dennis J. Ziemba (Highlands, NJ), Taylor J. Sinatra (Piscataway, NJ), Ziang Gao (North Brunswick, NJ) | Drone Go Home, Llc (Highlands, NJ) | 2016-11-22 | 2019-07-02 | G08G5/00, H04B1/713, H04K3/00, H04W4/021, H04W12/04, H04W76/10, H04W12/06 | 15/358574 |
| 173 | 10338207 | Gated range scanning LFMCW radar structure | The present disclosure provides a gated range scanning linear frequency modulated continuous wave (LFMCW) radar structure, including: a frequency synthesizer, a first mixer, a second mixer, a first filter, and a third mixer. The frequency synthesizer is configured for generating a first local oscillating signal and a second local oscillating signal, a frequency of the first local oscillating signal varying in a frequency range, each frequency corresponding to a sub-range of a coverage range scanned by the LFMCW radar structure. The first mixer is configured for mixing a copy of a transmitted signal and the first local oscillating signal to generate a first output signal (the receiver's first local oscillator) . The second mixer is configured for mixing the first output signal and a received signal from a receiving antenna to generate a second output signal that includes an intermediate frequency (IF) signal being received by the first filter. | Zhonghai Wang (Germantown, MD), XingPing Lin (Germantown, MD), Genshe Chen (Germantown, MD), Dan Shen (Germantown, MD), Bin Jia (Germantown, MD), Gang Wang (Germantown, MD), Khanh Pham (Germantown, MD), Erik Blasch (Rome, NY) | Intelligent Fusion Technology, Inc. (Germantown, MD) | 2016-11-04 | 2019-07-02 | G01S7/35, G01S13/18, G01S13/34 | 15/344365 |
| 174 | 10336543 | Selective encoding of packages | Systems and methods are provided for worksite automation. One example method includes receiving a work request indicative of at least one of a first item or one or more work request parameters, where the first item is one of a plurality of items stored in an item-storage environment, and where each item is associated with a co-located identifier device, in response to receipt of the work request: identifying the first item, determining a target location corresponding to the first item, selecting an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) from a plurality of encoder UAVs in the item-storage environment, where each encoder UAV includes an encoder device configured to encode data to the identifier devices associated with the plurality of items, and causing the selected UAV to: (a) travel to the target location, and (b) while hovering near to the location, encode particular identification data to the device associated with the first item. | Maxwell Andrew Sills (San Francisco, CA), Ian Wetherbee (San Jose, CA), Robert Samuel Gordon (San Bruno, CA) | Wing Aviation Llc (Mountain View, CA) | 2016-12-29 | 2019-07-02 | B65G1/137, B65G1/04, G06Q10/08, G05D1/00, B64C39/02, B64D1/22 | 15/394568 |
| 175 | 10332405 | Unmanned aircraft systems traffic management | The present invention provides a traffic management system for managing unmanned aerial systems (UASs) operating at low-altitude. The system includes surveillance for locating and tracking UASs in uncontrolled airspace, for example, in airspace below 10,000 feet MSL. The system also includes flight rules for safe operation of UASs in uncontrolled airspace. The system further includes computers for processing said surveillance and for applying the flight rules to UASs. The traffic management system may be portable, persistent, or a hybrid thereof. | Parimal Kopardekar (Cupertino, CA) | The United States of America As Represented By The Administrator of Nasa (Washington, DC) | 2014-12-19 | 2019-06-25 | G08G5/00 | 14/577272 |
| 176 | 10328805 | Battery management system for electric vehicles | An electric vehicle system includes a battery management system that optimizes the performance and useful life of vehicle batteries by selecting the optimal batteries in an inventory for each electric vehicle mission based on the mission energy requirements, the energy storage capacities of batteries, and the predicted performance degradation of batteries. | Keenan Wyrobek (Half Moon Bay, CA), James Laird Martz, III (Belmont, CA), Keller Rinaudo (Menlo Park, CA) | Zipline International Inc. (San Francisco, CA) | 2015-10-01 | 2019-06-25 | H02J7/00 | 14/872974 |
| 177 | 10322817 | Impact velocity reduction by mass ejection | A ballistic parachute associated with an aircraft is deployed where the aircraft includes a first part and a second part, the two parts are detachably coupled to each other when the ballistic parachute is deployed, and the ballistic parachute is coupled to the first part of the aircraft. A landing zone associated with the second part of the aircraft is determined and it is decided whether to decouple the two parts, including by deciding whether the landing zone associated with the second part of the aircraft is inhabited. If it is decided to decouple the two parts from each other, they are decoupled from each other. | Zachais Vawter (Sunnyvale, CA), Todd Reichert (Mountain View, CA) | Kitty Hawk Corporation (Mountain View, CA) | 2018-01-24 | 2019-06-18 | B64C39/00, B64D1/12, B64D1/10, B64D17/80, B64C39/02, B64D45/04, G05D1/10, B64D25/08, B64D17/72, B64D45/00 | 15/879166 |
| 178 | 10318809 | Unmanned aircraft structure evaluation system and method | A computerized system, comprising: a computer system having an input unit, a display unit, one or more processors and one or more non-transitory computer readable medium, the one or more processors executing image display and analysis software to cause the one or more processors to: receive an identification of a structure from the input device, the structure having multiple sides, an outline, and a height, obtain characteristics of a camera mounted onto an unmanned aircraft, generate unmanned aircraft information including: flight path information configured to direct the unmanned aircraft to fly a flight path around the structure that is laterally and vertically offset from the structure, the lateral and vertical offset being dependent upon the height of the structure, an orientation of the camera relative to the unmanned aircraft, and the characteristics of the camera, and, store the unmanned aircraft information on the one or more non-transitory computer readable medium. | Stephen L. Schultz (West Henrietta, NY), John Monaco (Penfield, NY) | Pictometry International Corp. (Rochester, NY) | 2018-07-30 | 2019-06-11 | G01S19/39, G06T11/60, H04N5/445, G05D1/00, G06K9/00, G06F16/51, G06F16/583, G06F16/58, B64D47/08, B64C39/02, G08G5/00, G08G5/04, B60R1/00, G06Q40/08 | 16/049253 |
| 179 | 10317963 | Modular mechanism enabled by mid-range wireless power | A computer system includes at least one power transmitter that includes a first resonator to generate an oscillating field at a resonant frequency in response to receiving power from a power source. The at least one power transmitter provides a wireless power delivery system within a spatial bound. The computer system also includes a plurality of modular computer components. Each modular computer component includes a power receiver that includes a second resonator to be wirelessly coupled to the at least one power transmitter. The second resonator resonates at the resonant frequency in response to the oscillating field generated by the first resonator. Each modular component also includes a wireless communication interface. The respective wireless communication interfaces of the plurality of modular computer components provide a wireless data communication network that allows each modular computer component to communicate data with at least another of the plurality of modular computer components. | Richard Wayne DeVaul (Mountain View, CA), Brian John Adolf (Mountain View, CA), Raj B. Apte (Mountain View, CA) | X Development Llc (Mountain View, CA) | 2015-11-13 | 2019-06-11 | H02J7/02, G06F1/26, H02J5/00, H04W84/10 | 14/941136 |
| 180 | 10317518 | Phased array radar systems for small unmanned aerial vehicles | Phased array radar systems for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are disclosed. A disclosed example radar apparatus for a small UAVs includes a transmitter to transmit a transmit signal in the X-band, a receive phased array including at least two receive antennas, wherein the receive phased array provides a field-of-view of at least 100 degrees in a first direction and at least 20 degrees in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, a first processor programmed to determine a location of an object based on an output from each of the at least two antennas, a second processor programmed to perform collision avoidance based on the location of the object, and a mount to mechanically couple the radar apparatus to the UAV. | Karl Foster Warnick (Spanish Fork, UT), Jonathan Cullinan Spencer (Provo, UT) | Brigham Young University (BYU), (Provo, Ut) | 2016-07-20 | 2019-06-11 | G01S7/35, H01Q21/06, H01Q3/34, G01S13/02, G01S13/06, G01S13/32, H01Q13/08, G01S13/93, B64C39/02 | 15/215333 |
| 181 | 10315764 | Apparatuses for releasing a payload from an aerial tether | Described herein are apparatuses for passively releasing a payload of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) . An example apparatus may include, among other features, (i) a housing, (ii) a swing arm coupled to the housing, wherein the swing arm is operable to toggle between an open position and a closed position, (iii) a spring mechanism adapted to exert a force on the swing arm from the open position toward the closed position, (iv) a receiving system of a UAV adapted to receive the housing, wherein the receiving system causes the swing arm to be arranged in the open position, and (v) a spool operable to unwind and wind a tether coupled to the housing, wherein unwinding the tether causes a descent of the housing from the receiving system, and wherein winding the tether causes an ascent of the housing to the receiving system. | Trevor Shannon (Mountain View, CA), Zhefei Li (Sunnyvale, CA) | Wing Aviation Llc (Mountain View, CA) | 2016-06-10 | 2019-06-11 | B64D1/02, B64D1/12, B64D3/00, B64D9/00, B64C39/02 | 15/179585 |
| 182 | 10315759 | Multi-rotor vehicle with yaw control and autorotation | A vehicle with superior performance and reliability. The vehicle, such as an unmanned aerial vehicle, is capable of vertical takeoff and landing, uses three swashless, variable-pitch vertical lift main rotors with a yaw tail rotor system. Two rear main rotors are optionally tiltrotors, which pivot to increase forward speed without the increased coefficient of drag inherent in tilting the entire vehicle. The three main rotors are positioned in an equilateral triangular configuration, improving balance, increasing load-bearing strength, and making it more compact in size. Movements are controlled through changes in pitch of the rotors, allowing the motors to maintain constant governed rotations per minute, maximizing drivetrain efficiency. Various embodiments allow for smaller vehicle size with greater performance than prior art vehicles. | Reza Nemovi (San Marcos, CA), Robert Bartlett (Kalispell, MT) | California Institute of Technology (Pasadena, CA) | 2016-04-03 | 2019-06-11 | B64C27/82, B64C27/08, B64C39/02, B64C29/00, B64C27/80, B64C27/52, B64C27/14, B64C27/68, B64C27/28 | 15/089576 |
| 183 | 10312993 | Cooperative clustering for enhancing MU-massive-MISO-based UAV communication | Methods, apparatuses, and systems for organizing data delivering unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are provided. Inter-cluster coordinators can organize data delivering unmanned aerial vehicle base stations (UAV-BSs) . Various beamforming techniques (e.g., LZFBF and ZFBF) can be incorporated, and the inter-cluster coordinator can operate on a base station that serves as a controlling network node. | Nadisanka Rupasinghe (Raleigh, NC), Ismail Guvenc (Miramar, FL), Ahmed Salah Ibrahim Mohamed (Miami, FL) | The Florida International University Board of Trustees (Miami, FL) | 2016-10-28 | 2019-06-04 | H04B7/185, H04B7/0452, G05D1/10, B64C39/02 | 15/337346 |
| 184 | 10310517 | Autonomous cargo delivery system | An autonomous aerial system for delivering a payload to a waypoint. The autonomous aerial system may comprise an aerial vehicle to transport the payload to the waypoint and an onboard supervisory control system operatively coupled with the aerial vehicle. The aerial vehicle may be configured to navigate to the waypoint and to land at a designated touchdown zone within a landing zone at the waypoint. The onboard supervisory control system having a processor operatively coupled with a non-volatile memory device and a sensor package. The processor may be configured to generate flight control signal data based at least in part on data received via the sensor package, the sensor package configured to (1) dynamically sense and avoid obstacles along a flight route to the waypoint, and (2) perceive physical characteristics of the landing zone. The processor may be configured to autonomously navigate the aerial vehicle to the waypoint and to determine whether to touchdown at the designated touchdown zone based at least in part on physical characteristics of the designated touchdown zone perceived via said sensor package. | James D. Paduano (Boston, MA), John B. Wissler (Waltham, MA), Michael D. Piedmonte (Stow, MA), David A. Mindell (Cambridge, MA) | Aurora Flight Sciences Corporation (Manassas, VA) | 2018-04-04 | 2019-06-04 | G01C21/00, G05D1/04, G05D1/06, G06Q10/00, G06Q10/08, G05D1/02, G05D1/10, G06Q50/28, G06Q50/26 | 15/945351 |
| 185 | 10308360 | Aerodynamic tote package | An example tote package is disclosed for carrying a load external to a UAV. The tote package may be generated by folding a sheet of material. The sheet may include a middle section, a first side section, and a second side section. When the sheet is folded, the middle section may create a bottom portion of the tote package. Additionally, the first side section may create a first side portion tapering up from the edge of the bottom portion to the middle of the top portion of the tote package. Furthermore, the second side section may create a second side portion tapering up from the opposite edge to the middle of the top portion. At the top portion, the first and second sections may connect to create a handle. The first side, second side, and middle sections may be folded to create front and back portions of the tote package. | Clark Sopper (Redwood City, CA), Matthew Day (Oakland, CA), Adam Woodworth (Santa Clara, CA), Joanna Cohen (Mountain View, CA) | Wing Aviation Llc (Mountain View, CA) | 2016-10-17 | 2019-06-04 | B64D1/08, B65D5/24, B65D5/468, B64C39/02, B65D5/42, B65D81/00, B65D5/18, B65D5/20 | 15/295494 |
| 186 | 10302759 | Automatic dependent surveillance broadcast (ADS-B) system with radar for ownship and traffic situational awareness | The present invention proposes an automatic dependent surveillance broadcast (ADS-B) architecture and process, in which priority aircraft and ADS-B IN and radar traffic information are included in the transmission of data through the telemetry communications to a remote ground control station. The present invention further proposes methods for displaying general aviation traffic information in three and/or four dimension trajectories using an industry standard Earth browser for increased situation awareness and enhanced visual acquisition of traffic for conflict detection. The present invention enable the applications of enhanced visual acquisition of traffic, traffic alerts, and en-route and terminal surveillance used to augment pilot situational awareness through ADS-B IN display and information in three or four dimensions for self-separation awareness. | Ricardo A Arteaga (Lancaster, CA) | The United States of America As Represented By The Administrator of The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (Washington, DC) | 2016-05-09 | 2019-05-28 | G01S13/91, G01S13/86, G01S7/00, G01S19/03, G01S13/93 | 15/149451 |
| 187 | 10301024 | Aerodynamic package | An example package is disclosed for carrying a load external to a UAV. The package may be generated by folding a sheet of material and include a cavity formed by a top surface section, a bottom surface section, a first side surface section, a second side surface section, a leading edge section, and a trailing edge section of the sheet. The top surface section may include an attachment feature for attaching the package to the UAV. The leading edge section may include leading edge surfaces formed from folds along creases of the sheet to define a front end of the cavity and deflect airflow over a top surface and under a bottom surface of the package. The trailing edge section may include upper and lower surfaces formed from folds along creases and extend from the top and bottom surfaces to intersect and define a back end of the cavity. | Clark Sopper (Redwood City, CA), Adam Woodworth (Santa Clara, CA) | Wing Aviation Llc (Mountain View, CA) | 2015-12-24 | 2019-05-28 | B64C1/22, B64D9/00, B65D75/04, B64C39/02, B64D1/22, B65D75/58 | 14/998303 |
| 188 | 10296005 | Apparatus and method for monitoring a field | Systems, apparatuses, and methods are provided herein for field monitoring. A system for field monitoring comprises a plurality of types of sensor modules, an unmanned vehicle comprising a sensor system, and a control circuit configured to: receive onboard sensor data from the sensor system of the unmanned vehicle, detect an alert condition at a monitored area based on the onboard sensor data, select one or more types of sensor modules from the plurality of types of sensor modules to deploy at the monitored area based on the onboard sensor data, and cause the unmanned vehicle and/or one or more other unmanned vehicles to transport one or more sensor modules of the one or more types of sensor modules to the monitored area and deploy the one or more sensor modules by detaching from the one or more sensor modules at the monitored area. | Robert L. Cantrell (Herndon, VA), John P. Thompson (Bentonville, AR), David C. Winkle (Bella Vista, AR), Michael D. Atchley (Springdale, AR), Donald R. High (Noel, MO), Todd D. Mattingly (Bentonville, AR), John J. O'Brien (Farmington, AR), John F. Simon (Pembroke Pines, FL), Nathan G. Jones (Bentonville, AR), Robert C. Taylor (Charlotte, NC) | Walmart Apollo, Llc (Bentonville, AR) | 2017-09-06 | 2019-05-21 | G05D1/00, B64C39/02 | 15/697293 |
| 189 | 10291878 | System and method for optical and laser-based counter intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance | Systems and methods for preventing image capture and exploitation by optically transmitting a disruptive effect to a digital imaging system. The disruptive effect interferes with the algorithms used to compress and analyze digital images and can be used to disable the imaging equipment or inject foreign code into the imaging system or image processing computer. | Matthew Keegan (Arlington, VA), Mark McElhinney (Tucson, AZ), Jean Michel Maillard (Tucson, AZ) | Selex Galileo Inc. (Arlington, VA) | 2016-05-27 | 2019-05-14 | H04N7/18, H04B10/50, H04N5/913, H04L29/12, H04N5/232, H04B7/185 | 15/167854 |
| 190 | 10283971 | Wireless power delivery over medium range distances using magnetic, and common and differential mode-electric, near-field coupling | Embodiments described herein may relate to a system comprising a power source configured to provide a signal at an oscillation frequency, a transmitter coupled to the power source, wherein the transmitter comprises at least one transmit resonator, one or more receivers, wherein the at least one receive resonator is operable to be coupled to the transmit resonator via a wireless resonant coupling link, one or more loads, wherein each of the one or more loads is switchably coupled to one or more respective receive resonators. The system includes a controller configured to determine an operational state of the system, wherein the operational state comprises at least one of three coupling modes (common mode, differential mode, and inductive mode) , and is configured to cause the transmitter to provide electrical power to each of the one or more loads via the wireless resonant coupling link according to the determined operational state. | Brian John Adolf (Mountain View, CA), Richard Wayne DeVaul (Mountain View, CA) | X Development Llc (Mountain View, CA) | 2017-12-25 | 2019-05-07 | H02J5/00, H02J50/05, H02J50/12, H02J7/02 | 15/853909 |
| 191 | 10283000 | Unmanned aerial vehicle deployment system | A system for enabling an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to respond to an alert on a premises, where the UAV may either confront the alert situation or monitor the alert situation from a distance. The UAV may respond to the alert situation after a controller receives alert event data from an alert generator. The controller may further match the data received to a number of event types stored in a database. This information allows a flight plan to be determined which will allow the UAV to navigate to a location associated with the alert situation. | Michael John Marr (Penrose, NZ), Andrew Stanley Grant (Penrose, NZ), Benjamin Yong Liang Kuek (Penrose, NZ), Yexi Zhu (Penrose, NZ) | --- | 2016-10-20 | 2019-05-07 | G08G5/00, B64C39/02, G08B13/196, G08B15/00 | 15/298696 |
| 192 | 10281570 | Systems and methods for detecting, tracking and identifying small unmanned systems such as drones | A system for providing integrated detection and countermeasures against unmanned aerial vehicles include a detecting element, a location determining element and an interdiction element. The detecting element detects an unmanned aerial vehicle in flight in the region of, or approaching, a property, place, event or very important person. The location determining element determines the exact location of the unmanned aerial vehicle. The interdiction element can either direct the unmanned aerial vehicle away from the property, place, event or very important person in a non-destructive manner, or can cause disable the unmanned aerial vehicle in a destructive manner. | Dwaine A. Parker (Naples, FL), Damon E. Stern (Riverview, FL), Lawrence S. Pierce (Huntsville, AL) | Xidrone Systems, Inc. (Naples, FL) | 2018-04-30 | 2019-05-07 | G01S7/02, G01S7/38, G01S3/782, G01S13/93, G01S13/91, G01S13/88, G01S13/86, G01S13/42, G01S13/06, F41H13/00, G01S7/41, F41H11/02 | 15/967291 |
| 193 | 10277319 | Phase sensitive beam tracking system | The method includes receiving axis signals from a multi-axis position sensing detector, generating a reference signal by summing the axis signals, determining a mirror position of a mirror directing the optical beam based on the beam position error of each axis of the multi-axis position sensing detector, and actuating the mirror to move to the mirror position. Each axis signal is indicative of a beam position of an optical beam incident on the multi-axis position sensing detector, each axis signal corresponding to an axis of the multi-axis position sensing detector. for each axis of the multi-axis position sensing detector, the method includes converting a phase of an axis to have a 90 degree phase difference from a signal of the axis, generating an axis-phasor signal by summing the axis signals, and comparing the axis-phasor signal and the reference signal to determine a phase difference. | Robert Steinkraus (San Francisco, CA), Klaus Ulander (Livermore, CA) | X Development Llc (Mountain View, CA) | 2018-02-05 | 2019-04-30 | H04B10/118, H04B10/11, H04B10/29 | 15/889193 |
| 194 | 10277307 | Network capacity management | An example embodiment may involve flying, by an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) , to a geographical location, where a wireless router is at the geographical location. The example embodiment may also involve detecting, by the UAV, a wireless coverage area defined by the wireless router. The example embodiment may also involve accessing, by the UAV, the wireless coverage area using a network identifier and a password. The example embodiment may also involve establishing, by the UAV, a backhaul link to a data network. The example embodiment may also involve transmitting, by the UAV, a notification to a client device served by the wireless coverage area, where the notification indicates that the UAV is a default gateway for the wireless coverage area. The example embodiment may also involve exchanging, by the UAV, data transmissions between (i) the client device, and (ii) one or more other devices accessible via the data network. | David Vos (Mountain View, CA), Andrew Patton (Mountain View, CA), Sean Mullaney (Mountain View, CA), Behnam Motazed (Mountain View, CA), Siegfried Zerweckh (Mountain View, CA) | Wing Aviation Llc (Mountain View, CA) | 2018-08-10 | 2019-04-30 | H04W84/00, H04B7/185 | 16/100837 |
| 195 | 10266266 | Payload delivery system with removable spool | An apparatus may include (i) a support structure, (ii) at least one shaft coupled to the support structure via at least one swing arm, wherein the swing arm allows upward movement, and restricts downward movement, of the at least one shaft from a resting position, (iii) a spool, wherein in the spool is shaped so as to rest on the at least one shaft when the at least one shaft is in the resting position, and wherein the spool is operable to unwind a tether coupled to a payload, and (iv) at least one fan coupled to the at least one shaft, wherein rotation of the spool when unwinding the tether also causes rotation of the at least one fan coupled to the at least one shaft, thereby controlling a descent rate of the payload. | Clark Sopper (Mountain View, CA), Andre Prager (Mountain View, CA) | Wing Aviation Llc (Mountain View, CA) | 2016-05-23 | 2019-04-23 | B64D1/22, B64C39/02, B66D5/02 | 15/161848 |
| 196 | 10261263 | Non-line-of-sight optical power transfer system for launching a spacecraft into low earth orbit | An optical power transfer system for launching a spacecraft into low Earth orbit comprising a ground-based laser power generation station and a launch vehicle optically connected thereto. The generation station is capable of generating high optical power in the range of kilowatts to tens of megawatts and transferring the optical power generated to a launch vehicle to generate thrust. The generation station comprises a high power source, a chilling station, a laser, optical fiber, and at least one coupler. The launch vehicle comprises an actively cooled fiber spooler mounted thereon with a length of fiber for transmission of high optical energy circumscribing at least part thereof. The launch vehicle also contains a working fluid and fluid reservoir, a thruster assembly, an air intake and a storage chamber. In alternative embodiments, the launch vehicle may contain a beam switch assembly, multiple fiber spoolers and multiple thruster assemblies wherein at least one thruster assembly is gimbaled. | William C. Stone (Del Valle, TX), Bartholomew P. Hogan (Rockville, MD) | Stone Aerospace, Inc. (Del Valle, TX) | 2015-05-27 | 2019-04-16 | G02B6/36, E21B41/00, B64D33/00, H02J50/90, H02J7/02, G02B6/44, G02B6/42, E21B47/12, H02J50/30, H01L35/30 | 14/723138 |
| 197 | 10259435 | Deceleration pedal control for braking systems | Systems and methods for aircraft braking are disclosed. The systems and methods may comprise a control mode executive configured to receive a pedal input and calculate a gear deceleration command comprising a desired deceleration rate based on the pedal input, a pedal deceleration controller in electronic communication with the control mode executive configured to receive the gear deceleration command from the control mode executive and calculate a gear pedal command based on at least one of the gear deceleration command and a deceleration feedback, and a pedal executive in electronic communication with the pedal deceleration controller configured to receive the gear pedal command, and generate a pedal braking command based on the gear pedal command. | Marc Georgin (Dayton, OH) | Goodrich Corporation (Charlotte, NC) | 2017-05-15 | 2019-04-16 | B64C25/42, B60T8/32, B60T7/04, B60T8/1761, B60T8/171, B60T8/17, B60T8/172, B60T8/176 | 15/595499 |
| 198 | 10258534 | Methods and systems for providing feedback based on information received from an aerial vehicle | Described herein is a control system that facilitates assistance mode (s) . In particular, the control system may determine a particular assistance mode associated with an account. This particular assistance mode may specify (i) operations for an aerial vehicle to carry out in order to obtain sensor data providing environment information corresponding to a location associated with the account and (ii) feedback processes to provide feedback, via a feedback system associated with the account, that corresponds to respective environment information. The control system may transmit to the aerial vehicle an indication of the particular operations corresponding to the particular assistance mode and may then receive environment information for the location associated with the account. Based on the received environment information, the control system may apply the specified feedback processes to initiate feedback in accordance with the particular assistance mode via the associated feedback system. | Maxwell Andrew Sills (San Francisco, CA), Robert Samuel Gordon (San Bruno, CA), Ian Wetherbee (San Jose, CA) | Wing Aviation Llc (Mountain View, CA) | 2017-02-14 | 2019-04-16 | A61H3/06, B64C39/02, G08G5/00, G05D1/10, G05D1/00, G06F3/01, G06T11/60, G06F3/16 | 15/432416 |
| 199 | 10255818 | Systems and methods for weather detection and avoidance | Various vehicular systems may benefit from the appropriate use of detection and avoidance of potentially dangerous scenarios. for example, autonomous aircraft may benefit from systems and methods for weather detection and avoidance. A method can include sensing, by an aircraft, an environmental condition of the aircraft. The method can also include controlling, by the aircraft, flight of the aircraft based on the sensed environmental condition. | Arnold Oldach (Phoenix, AZ) | Aviation Communication & Surveillance Systems, Llc (Phoenix, AZ) | 2016-02-11 | 2019-04-09 | G08G5/06, G08G5/00, B64C39/02, G01S13/95, G01S7/00 | 15/041964 |
| 200 | 10247518 | Interactive weapon targeting system displaying remote sensed image of target area | Systems, devices, and methods for determining a predicted impact point of a selected weapon and associated round based on stored ballistic information, provided elevation data, provided azimuth data, and provided position data. | John C. McNeil (Tujunga, CA), Earl Clyde Cox (La Cresenta, CA), Makoto Ueno (Simi Valley, CA), Jon Andrew Ross (Moorpark, CA) | Aerovironment, Inc. (Monrovia, CA) | 2017-10-11 | 2019-04-02 | F41G5/14, F41G3/16, F41G3/14, F41G3/02 | 15/730250 |
| 201 | 10239638 | Home station for unmanned aerial vehicle | Described herein are apparatuses that provided various features related to unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) . An example apparatus may include, among other features, (i) a launch system for a UAV, (ii) a landing feature that is arranged on the apparatus so as to receive the UAV when the UAV returns from a flight, and (iii) a mechanical battery-replacement system that is configured to (a) remove a first battery from the UAV, and (b) after removal of the first battery, install a second battery in the UAV. | Joanna Cohen (Mountain View, CA), Parsa Dormiani (San Mateo, CA), Mathias Samuel Fleck (Milpitas, CA), James Ryan Burgess (Redwood City, CA), Sean Mullaney (Mountain View, CA) | Wing Aviation Llc (Mountain View, CA) | 2015-02-11 | 2019-03-26 | B64F1/00, B64F1/02, B64F1/04, B64C39/02, B64F1/18 | 14/619673 |
| 202 | 10239637 | System and method for arresting and neutralizing unmanned vehicles | The use of shielded material in a deployable vehicle arresting and containment device that, when used for the interception of an unmanned vehicle, effectively achieves RF isolation of that vehicle, breaking all external communications with that vehicle. This apparatus, which may have internal and external antennas, could enable a variety of advanced effects such as localized GPS and command and control link spoofing and jamming as well as providing a vehicle for signal intercept and intelligence solutions. Additionally, due to the shielding properties of the arresting and containment device, semi-destructive means such as localized EMPs could be used to damage the encapsulated unmanned vehicle electronics. | Jonathan Ashdown (Greenwich, NY), Paul Sikora (Holland Patent, NY), Brendon Poland (Holland Patent, NY) | The United States of America As Represented By The Secretary of The Air Force (Washington, DC) | 2016-08-25 | 2019-03-26 | B64F1/02, B63B35/00, F41H13/00, F41H7/00, B64C39/02 | 15/246850 |
| 203 | 10239616 | Apparatus and method for providing package release to unmanned aerial system | Systems, apparatuses, and methods are provided herein for providing package release for an unmanned aerial system. An apparatus for releasing packages for retrieval by an unmanned aerial system comprises a plurality of arms configured to surround a plurality of packages stacked vertically in an extended position, a plurality of powered hinges at a base of each of the plurality of arms, and a control circuit coupled to the plurality of powered hinges. The control circuit being configured to: determine a height for a first lowered position for the plurality of arms at which the plurality of arms do not obstruct an unmanned aerial vehicle from coupling with a coupling structure on a first package of the plurality of packages positioned at a top of the plurality of packages, and cause the plurality of powered hinges to pivot the plurality of arms from the extended position to the first lowered position. | Donald R. High (Noel, MO), Michael D. Atchley (Springdale, AR), John P. Thompson (Bentonville, AR), Chandrashekar Natarajan (Valencia, CA) | Walmart Apollo, Llc (Bentonville, AR) | 2018-07-16 | 2019-03-26 | B64D9/00, B64C39/02, B64D1/22, B60P3/00 | 16/035987 |
| 204 | 10239614 | Interactive transport services provided by unmanned aerial vehicles | Embodiments relate to a client-facing application for interacting with a transport service that transports items via unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) . An example graphic interface may allow a user to order items to specific delivery areas associated with their larger delivery location, and may dynamically provide status updates and other functionality during the process of fulfilling an aerial vehicle transport request. | Jonathan Lesser (Mountain View, CA), Michael Bauerly (Mountain View, CA), May Cheng (Mountain View, CA), Rue Song (Mountain View, CA) | Wing Aviation Llc (Mountain View, CA) | 2018-10-05 | 2019-03-26 | B64D45/00, B64C39/02, G06F3/0488, G06Q50/28, G06Q10/08, G06F3/0481, G01C23/00 | 16/153507 |
| 205 | 10232940 | Methods and systems for raising and lowering a payload | Described herein are methods and systems for picking up, transporting, and lowering a payload coupled to a tether of a winch system arranged on an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) . for example, the winch system may include a motor for winding and unwinding the tether from a spool, and the UAV's control system may operate the motor to lower the tether toward the ground so a payload may be attached to the tether. The control system may monitor an electric current supplied to the motor to determine whether the payload has been attached to the tether. In another example, when lowering a payload, the control system may monitor the motor current to determine that the payload has reached the ground and responsively operate the motor to detach the payload from the tether. The control system may then monitor the motor current to determine whether the payload has detached from the tether. | Trevor Shannon (Mountain View, CA), Andre Prager (Sunnyvale, CA) | Wing Aviation Llc (Mountain View, CA) | 2016-12-22 | 2019-03-19 | B64D1/22, B64C39/02, B66D1/60, B66D1/12 | 15/389326 |
| 206 | 10207816 | Aerially dispersible massively distributed sensorlet system | A distributed sensor module system comprises a plurality of sensor modules configured to be aerially deployable from a deployment device, the deployment device including an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) or an aeronautically deployable unitized container, the plurality of sensor modules configured to communicate with each other. A first sensor module comprises a first sensor configured to obtain first sensor information from a first environment proximate to the first sensor, a processor coupled to the first sensor, the processor configured to process the first sensor information to obtain locally processed first sensor information, and a communication transceiver coupled to the processor, the communication transceiver configured to communicate the locally processed first sensor information to a second sensor module, the first sensor module and the second sensor module configured to be aerially deployable. | Syed Mohammad Amir Husain (Georgetown, TX), John Rutherford Allen (Alexandria, VA) | Sparkcognition, Inc. (Austin, TX) | 2017-09-14 | 2019-02-19 | B64D45/00, G01M17/00, G07C5/08 | 15/704991 |
| 207 | 10204269 | Unmanned aircraft obstacle avoidance | Apparatuses, systems, and methods are disclosed including an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) , comprising: a collision detection and avoidance system comprising at least one active distance detector, and one or more processors configured to: receive a flight path with instructions for the UAV to travel from its current location to at least one other location, determine direction priorities for the collision detection and avoidance system based at least in part on the flight path, determine an obstacle for avoidance by the UAV based on the flight path going through the obstacle, receive distance data generated by the collision detection and avoidance system concerning the obstacle, process the distance data based at least in part on the determined direction priorities, and execute a target path for traveling around the obstacle and to the at least one other location based at least in part on the flight path and the distance data. | Stephen L. Schultz (West Henrietta, NY), John Monaco (Penfield, NY) | Pictometry International Corp. (Rochester, NY) | 2017-11-03 | 2019-02-12 | G06K9/00, B64C39/02, G05D1/00, G08G5/00, B64D47/08, B60R1/00, G01S19/39, G06T11/60, H04N5/445, G08G5/04, G06Q40/08 | 15/803211 |
| 208 | 10197365 | Scalable effects net warhead | A spin launched unmanned aerial system projectile includes a net means for disabling a selected target. The net means includes deployment mechanism and weights attached thereto which are cast at said target through use of an ejection spring means. Centripetal forces on the still spinning petals/weights open the net means as it is cast at the target. | Tomasz Blyskal (Flemington, NJ), Richard Fong (Boonton, NJ), LaMar Thompson (Bloomfield, NJ) | The United States of America As Represented By The Secretary of The Army (Washington, DC) | 2017-10-20 | 2019-02-05 | F41H13/00, F42B12/56, F42B12/02, F42B12/66, F42B12/68 | 15/788946 |
| 209 | 10196143 | System and method for modular unmanned aerial system | A modular Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) has first and second flight configurations, and includes an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) parent module and a plurality of UAV child modules. The parent module may have a fuselage, forward and aft wings connected to the fuselage, and a first plurality of flight propulsion devices. The child modules have a corresponding second plurality of flight propulsion devices. Each child module docks wingtip-to-wingtip with the parent module or an adjacent edge of a child module using the docking mechanisms. The child modules undock and separate from the forward wing and each other, and achieve controlled flight independently of the parent module while in the second flight configuration. A method for controlling the modular UAS is also disclosed. | Jesse R. Quinlan (Yorktown, VA), Michael D. Patterson (Yorktown, VA) | The United States of America As Represented By The Administrator of The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (Washington, DC) | 2017-06-02 | 2019-02-05 | B64C39/02, B64C3/00, B64D1/12, B64C29/00 | 15/612206 |
| 210 | 10196142 | Method for adaptive mission execution on an unmanned aerial vehicle | A method for adaptive mission execution by an unmanned aerial vehicle includes receiving a set of pre-calculated mission parameters corresponding to an initial UAV mission, collecting UAV operation data during flight of the unmanned aerial vehicle, calculating a set of modified mission parameters from the set of pre-calculated mission parameters and the UAV operation data, the set of modified mission parameters corresponding to a modified UAV mission, and executing the modified UAV mission on the unmanned aerial vehicle. | Michael Winn (San Francisco, CA), Jonathan Millin (San Francisco, CA), Nicholas Pilkington (San Francisco, CA), Jeremy Eastwood (San Francisco, CA) | Infatics, Inc. (San Francisco, CA) | 2017-05-22 | 2019-02-05 | G05D1/00, B64C39/02, G05D1/02 | 15/601867 |
| 211 | 10189565 | Modular unmanned aerial system with multi-mode propulsion | A modular Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) includes an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) parent module and UAV child modules. A main wing extends from a respective fuselage of the modules. The UAS includes docking mechanisms coupled to wingtips of the main wings. The child modules dock with the wingtips of the parent or an adjacent child module. Docking forms a linked-flight configuration, with undocking and separation from the parent or adjacent child module achieving an independent-flight configuration. The modules have booms arranged transverse to the main wings and parallel to the longitudinal axis, as well as front and rear rotors/propellers. The front and rear propellers have axes of rotation that are normal to a plane of the longitudinal axis in a vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) configuration, with the axis of rotation of the rear propellers parallel to the longitudinal axis in a forward-flight configuration. | Michael D. Patterson (Yorktown, VA), Jesse R. Quinlan (Yorktown, VA), William J. Fredericks (Williamsburg, VA) | The United States of America As Represented By The Administrator of The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (Washington, DC) | 2017-11-30 | 2019-01-29 | B64C37/02, B64C29/00, B64C3/00, B64C39/02, B64C9/00, B64D37/04 | 15/827776 |
| 212 | 10187029 | Phase shifter | A phase shifter includes an input port, a first coupling line connected to the input port, an output port, and a second coupling line connected to the output port and arranged substantially parallel to the first coupling line. The phase shifter also includes a substrate disposed between the first coupling line and the second coupling line, a first variable capacitor disposed on the first coupling line, and a second variable capacitor disposed on the second coupling line. Adjustment of one or more of the variable capacitors causes a phase shift between the input port and the output port. | Farbod Tabatabai (Menlo Park, CA), Dedi David Haziza (Sunnyvale, CA) | Google Llc (Mountain View, CA) | 2016-03-09 | 2019-01-22 | H01Q3/00, H01Q3/34, H01Q1/50, H03H7/20, H01Q25/00, H01Q3/36, H01Q3/26 | 15/064976 |
| 213 | 10186158 | Automated air traffic communications | Apparatus and methods related to aviation communications are included. A computing device can receive position data indicating a position of an aerial vehicle. The position can include an altitude. The computing device can determine, from a plurality of possible airspace classifications, a first airspace classification at the position of the aerial vehicle, where each airspace classification specifies one or more communication parameters for communication within an associated airspace. The computing device can select, from a plurality of communication repositories, a first communication repository that is associated with the first airspace classification, where each communication repository specifies a set of pre-defined communication components for at least one associated airspace classification. The computing device can generate a communication related to the aerial vehicle using the first communication repository. The computing device can send the generated communication to at least one recipient. | James Burgess (Mountain View, CA), Chirath Thouppuarachchi (Redwood City, CA), Gregory Whiting (Menlo Park, CA) | X Development Llc (Mountain View, CA) | 2018-01-03 | 2019-01-22 | G08G5/00, H04W4/40, G06F3/16, G07C5/00, H04W4/029, H04W4/46, H04B7/185 | 15/860809 |
| 214 | 10181729 | Mobile hybrid transmit/receive node for near-field wireless power delivery | A system and method for a mobile hybrid transmitter/receiver (TX/RX) node for wireless resonant power delivery is disclosed. A hybrid TX/RX can be configured to travel to remote, wirelessly-powerable receivers and deliver power to them wirelessly. A hybrid TX/RX device can include a transmitter component (TX) , a receiver (RX) component, and a power store for storing power for supply to remote receivers. The TX/RX device can be configured in an autonomous unmanned vehicle operational to travel between a fixed source transmitter devices and one or more specified locations that may be host to one or more remote receivers. In the location of the one or more remote receivers, the TX component may function to wirelessly transfer power from the power store to the one or more remote receivers. In the location of the fixed source transmitter device, RX component can be configured to receive power via wireless power transfer, and to use the received power to at least partially replenish the power store. | Richard Wayne DeVaul (Mountain View, CA), Brian John Adolf (Mountain View, CA), Raj B. Apte (Mountain View, CA) | X Development Llc (Mountain View, CA) | 2015-11-13 | 2019-01-15 | H02J5/00, H02J7/02 | 14/940417 |
| 215 | 10181081 | Unmanned aircraft structure evaluation system and method | A computerized system, comprising: a computer system having an input unit, a display unit, one or more processors and one or more non-transitory computer readable medium, the one or more processors executing image display and analysis software to cause the one or more processors to: receive an identification of a structure from the input device, the structure having multiple sides, an outline, and a height, obtain characteristics of a camera mounted onto an unmanned aircraft, generate unmanned aircraft information including: flight path information configured to direct the unmanned aircraft to fly a flight path around the structure that is laterally and vertically offset from the structure, the lateral and vertical offset being dependent upon the height of the structure, an orientation of the camera relative to the unmanned aircraft, and the characteristics of the camera, and, store the unmanned aircraft information on the one or more non-transitory computer readable medium. | Stephen L. Schultz (West Henrietta, NY), John Monaco (Penfield, NY) | Pictometry International Corp. (Rochester, NY) | 2018-07-30 | 2019-01-15 | G05D1/00, G08G5/04, G08G5/00, H04N5/445, B64C39/02, G06K9/00, B64D47/08, G01S19/39, B60R1/00, G06T11/60, G06Q40/08 | 16/049056 |
| 216 | 10181080 | Unmanned aircraft structure evaluation system and method | Methods and systems are disclosed including a computer storage medium, comprising instructions that when executed by one or more processors included in an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) , cause the UAV to perform operations, comprising: receiving, by the UAV, a flight plan configured to direct the UAV to fly a flight path having a plurality of waypoints adjacent to and above a structure and to capture sensor data of the structure from a camera on the UAV while the UAV is flying the flight path, adjusting an angle of an optical axis of the camera mounted to a gimbal to a predetermined angle within a range of 25 degrees to 75 degrees relative to a downward direction, and capturing sensor data of at least a portion of a roof of the structure with the optical axis of the camera aligned with at least one predetermined location on the structure. | Stephen L. Schultz (West Henrietta, NY), John Monaco (Penfield, NY) | Pictometry International Corp. (Rochester, NY) | 2018-07-30 | 2019-01-15 | G06K9/00, G05D1/00, G08G5/00, B64C39/02, B64D47/08, H04N5/445, G06Q40/08 | 16/048537 |
| 217 | 10171564 | Systems and methods for cloud-based agricultural data processing and management | A cloud-based system for integration of agricultural data with geolocation-based agricultural operations is provided. The system receives agricultural-related data associated with a given geographic area and transforms the received data into an analysis-ready format. The system processes the received data through one or more algorithms to determine at least one operation to be performed within the given geographic area. The system generates a set of instructions for execution of the at least one operation within the given geographic area as a function of geolocation, where the instructions are coded for direct use by a controller of a specified type of agricultural equipment. The system transmits the instructions over a wireless communication channel to the controller, where the instructions cause the controller to direct operation of the agricultural equipment to perform the at least one operation within the given geographic area as a function of geolocation in an automated manner. | Michael Wilbur (Hillsborough, CA), Jason Ellsworth (Kennewick, WA), Toji Oommen (Sammamish, WA), Adarsha Mohapatra (Redmond, WA), David Thayer (Renton, WA) | Agverdict, Inc. (San Francisco, CA) | 2017-05-22 | 2019-01-01 | H04L29/08, H04W4/60 | 15/601558 |
| 218 | 10163177 | System and method for controlling drone delivery or pick up during a delivery or pick up phase of drone operation | A system including a landing location where a drone at least one of delivers and acquires a parcel, and a homing device to interact with the drone to guide the drone to the landing location independent of interaction from another source. The homing device guides the drone during the landing phase of a flight plan. A method is also disclosed. | Emmett Farris (Jacksonville, FL), William F. McGee, II (Saint Johns, FL) | --- | 2015-07-30 | 2018-12-25 | G05D1/00, G01C21/20, A47G29/122, G05D1/06, G05D1/02, G06Q50/28, G01C21/00 | 14/814501 |
| 219 | 10156631 | Deterrent for unmanned aerial systems | A system for providing integrated detection and deterrence against an unmanned vehicle including but not limited to aerial technology unmanned systems using a detection element, a tracking element, an identification element and an interdiction or deterrent element. Elements contain sensors that observe real time quantifiable data regarding the object of interest to create an assessment of risk or threat to a protected area of interest. This assessment may be based e.g., on data mining of internal and external data sources. The deterrent element selects from a variable menu of possible deterrent actions. Though designed for autonomous action, a Human in the Loop may override the automated system solutions. | Dwaine A. Parker (Naples, FL), Damon E. Stern (Riverview, FL), Lawrence S. Pierce (Huntsville, AL) | Xidrone Systems, Inc. (Naples, FL) | 2017-06-19 | 2018-12-18 | G01S7/38, G01S13/66, G01S13/88, G01S3/782, G01S7/41, G01S13/42, G01S13/86, G01S7/02, F41H11/02, F41H13/00, G01S13/91, G01S13/93 | 15/627229 |
| 220 | 10156627 | Aircraft navigation light ADS-B radio | The ADS-B radio extracts Mode transponder data from parasitic oscillations on the aircraft power line induced by transmissions of ownship radar transponder reply signals. The radio is configured for replacement installation of an aircraft lighting assembly, and connection thereby to legacy onboard power sources without resorting to wireless or wired radar transponder, or pneumatic connections. | Paul Beard (Bigfork, MT) | Uavionix Corporation (Bigfork, MT) | 2017-12-20 | 2018-12-18 | H04L27/26, G01S5/02, G01S5/00, B64D47/02 | 15/849327 |
| 221 | 10153644 | Delivering and negotiating wireless power delivery in a multi-receiver system | A transmitter includes a first resonator to generate an oscillating field at a resonant frequency in response to receiving power from a power source. The transmitter includes a first communication interface and a first controller to control the first resonator and to communicate data via the first communication interface. One of a plurality of receivers includes a second resonator to be wirelessly coupled to the first resonator. The second resonator resonates at the common mode resonant frequency in response to the oscillating field. The one receiver includes a second communication interface to establish wireless side-channel communications with the first communication interface and to communicate the data with the first communication interface via the wireless side-channel communications. The first controller identifies the one receiver from the plurality of receivers according to the communicated data, and in response, the first resonator transfers the power to the second resonator. | Richard Wayne DeVaul (Mountain View, CA), Brian John Adolf (Mountain View, CA) | X Development Llc (Mountain View, CA) | 2015-11-13 | 2018-12-11 | H02J5/00, H04B5/00, H02J50/40, H02J50/12, H02J50/05, H04W76/14, H02J50/80 | 14/941017 |
| 222 | 10151588 | Determining position and orientation for aerial vehicle in GNSS-denied situations | On-board, computer-based systems and methods compute continuously updated, real-time state estimates for an aerial vehicle by appropriately combining, by a suitable Kalman filter, local, relative, continuous state estimates with global, absolute, noncontinuous state estimates. The local, relative, continuous state estimates can be provided by visual odometry (VO) and/or an inertial measurement unit (IMU) . The global, absolute, noncontinuous state estimates can be provided by terrain-referenced navigation, such as map-matching, and GNSS. The systems and methods can provide the real-time, continuous estimates even when reliable GNSS coordinate data is not available. | Sanjiv Singh (Pittsburgh, PA), Jeffrey Mishler (Pittsburgh, PA), Michael Kaess (Pittsburgh, PA), Garrett Hemann (Pittsburgh, PA) | Near Earth Autonomy, Inc. (Pittsburgh, PA) | 2017-09-21 | 2018-12-11 | G01C21/16, G06T7/70, G05D1/10, B64C27/04, G06T7/73, G06T7/246 | 15/711492 |
| 223 | 10138002 | Tethered unmanned aerial vehicle system | In one aspect, an example system includes: (i) a base including a bottom surface and a first coupling-point, (ii) a vertically-oriented elongate structure comprising a lower end, an upper end, and an inner channel, wherein the inner channel comprises an upper access-point disposed proximate the upper end, wherein the base is coupled to the elongate structure proximate the lower end, (iii) a deployable cushioning-device coupled to the elongate structure, and (iv) a tether comprising a first portion, a second portion, a third portion, and a fourth portion, wherein the first portion is coupled to the first coupling-point, the second portion is coupled to a second coupling-point of the UAV, the third portion extends through the inner channel, the fourth portion extends from the upper access-point to the second coupling-point, and the fourth portion has a length that is less than a distance between the upper access-point and the bottom surface. | Hank J. Hundemer (Bellevue, KY) | Tribune Broadcasting Company, Llc (Chicago, IL) | 2016-07-14 | 2018-11-27 | B64F1/02, B64F3/00, B64C39/02 | 15/210072 |
| 224 | 10137983 | Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) having vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) capability | An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) , or drone, includes a fuselage, left and right airfoil-shaped wings connected to the fuselage to generate lift in forward flight, a left thrust-generating device supported by the left wing, and a right thrust-generating device supported by the right wing. The UAV further includes a vertical stabilizer, a top thrust-generating device mounted to a top portion of the vertical stabilizer, and a bottom thrust-generating device mounted to a bottom portion of the vertical stabilizer. An onboard power source is provided for powering the thrust-generating devices. The left, right, top and bottom thrust-generating devices provide forward thrust during forward flight and also provide vertical thrust to enable the unmanned aerial vehicle to take-off and land vertically when the fuselage is substantially vertical and further enabling the unmanned aerial vehicle to transition between forward flight and vertical take-off and landing. | David Horn (Markham, CA) | Skyx Limited (Markham, Ontario, CA) | 2016-05-31 | 2018-11-27 | B64C39/02, B64D47/08, B64C29/02, G08G5/00 | 15/168842 |
| 225 | 10137982 | Propeller units | An aerial vehicle includes one or more propeller units operable to provide thrust for takeoff or hover flight and one or more propulsion units operable to provide thrust for forward flight. At least one propeller unit includes a shaft coupled to a motor, and a first propeller blade and a second propeller blade that are both connected to the shaft. The second propeller blade is located substantially opposite the first propeller blade, and the second propeller blade has a surface area substantially perpendicular to an axis of rotation that is greater than a corresponding surface area of the first propeller blade. While the aerial vehicle is in forward flight in a first direction and the motor is turned off, the first propeller blade and the second propeller blade are each configured to orient in a second direction that is substantially parallel to the first direction, such that the first propeller blade is oriented substantially upwind of the second propeller blade. | Parsa Dormiani (San Mateo, CA), James Ryan Burgess (Redwood City, CA) | Wing Aviation Llc (Mountain View, CA) | 2015-05-07 | 2018-11-27 | B64C27/22, B64C39/02, B64C27/24, B64C27/26, B64C27/39 | 14/706162 |
| 226 | 10135257 | Extending the distance range of near-field wireless power delivery | A system and method for wireless resonant power transfer is disclosed. The system may include a transmitter that, in addition to being configured for resonantly coupling power into an oscillating electric and/or magnetic field, is also configured to transmit one or more test signals. Test signals can include single frequency continuous wave test signals, frequency sweep test signals, and time-pulsed modulated test signals. By comparing measurements of phase and amplitude of both the transmitted test signal and one or more reflections of the test signal reflected by one or more reflecting entities, electromagnetic properties of the one or more reflecting entities may be determined. The determined properties may then be used to enhance the efficiency and/or effectiveness of power transfer, and/or to distinguish between legitimate and illegitimate consumption of wirelessly transferred power by devices in the oscillating field. | Brian John Adolf (Mountain View, CA), Richard Wayne DeVaul (Mountain View, CA) | X Development Llc (Mountain View, CA) | 2015-11-13 | 2018-11-20 | H02J50/00, H02J5/00 | 14/940391 |
| 227 | 10133272 | Methods and apparatus to deploy and recover a fixed wing unmanned aerial vehicle via a non-fixed wing aircraft | Example methods and apparatus to deploy and recover a fixed wing unmanned aerial vehicle via a non-fixed wing aircraft are described herein. An example method includes tracking a location of a non-fixed wing aircraft in flight, tracking a location of a fixed wing aircraft in flight, positioning the non-fixed wing aircraft relative to the fixed wing aircraft based on the locations of the non-fixed wing aircraft and the fixed wing aircraft and coupling, via a gripper, the fixed wing aircraft to the non-fixed wing aircraft in mid-flight at a recovery location. | Darcy Davidson (Dallesport, WA) | The Boeing Company (Chicago, IL) | 2015-05-07 | 2018-11-20 | G05D1/00, G01S19/07, B64D47/08, B64D5/00, G01S19/13, B64C39/02 | 14/706723 |
| 228 | 10131428 | Inflatable packaging for use with UAV | An inflatable package enclosure for use on an aerial vehicle including an inflatable exterior chamber, a first inner cavity positioned within the inflatable exterior chamber, an inflation valve positioned on the inflatable exterior chamber, and a handle on the inflatable exterior chamber for securing the inflatable package enclosure to the aerial vehicle, wherein when the inflatable exterior chamber is inflated and when a package is positioned in the first inner cavity, inner surfaces of the inflatable exterior chamber conform to outer surfaces of the package to secure the package within the inflatable exterior chamber. | Clark Sopper (Redwood City, CA), Adam Woodworth (Santa Clara, CA) | Wing Aviation Llc (Mountain View, CA) | 2016-02-18 | 2018-11-20 | B64D1/08, B65D77/22, B65D81/38, B65D65/46, G08G5/00, B64C27/08, B64C39/02, G06Q10/08 | 15/046830 |
| 229 | 10129884 | Multi-thread tx/rx and video data to improve throughput and reliability over cellular based communications systems | This process utilizes multiple threads over multiple paths (towers and/or carriers) in order to improve the above noted problems by dynamically splitting multiple data streams, sending these multiple data streams over multiple data link paths over a cellular network and then combining some or all of the data streams to provide error free availability of relevant data and control while intelligently mitigating bandwidth limitations and ''loss of link'' or connection, for secure and safe UAS operations. Also described is a process to improve Throughput and/or Reliability of Video data when transmitted over multi-threaded, primarily but not limited to, cellular based communications systems, with a particular emphasis on video used in support of UAS missions. | Tim Krout (Gainesville, FL) | Unmanned Autonomous Systems Safeflight Inc. (Columbia, MD) | 2016-08-01 | 2018-11-13 | H04L12/26, H04L29/08, H04W76/10, H04W72/04 | 15/225496 |
| 230 | 10118699 | Interactive transport services provided by unmanned aerial vehicles | Embodiments relate to a client-facing application for interacting with a transport service that transports items via unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) . An example graphic interface may allow a user to order items to specific delivery areas associated with their larger delivery location, and may dynamically provide status updates and other functionality during the process of fulfilling a UAV transport request. | Jonathan Lesser (Mountain View, CA), Michael Bauerly (Mountain View, CA), May Cheng (Mountain View, CA), Rue Song (Mountain View, CA) | Wing Aviation Llc (Mountain View, CA) | 2018-05-08 | 2018-11-06 | B64D45/00, G01C23/00, B64C39/02 | 15/974311 |
| 231 | 10115048 | Method and system for configurable and scalable unmanned aerial vehicles and systems | An unmanned aircraft system (UAS) making use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for more than one task. The inventors discovered that an improved UAS could be provided by combining one or more of these three elements: (1) hot-swappable modular kits (e.g., a plurality of components useful in UAVs to perform particular user-selectable tasks) , (2) an interconnection mechanism for each component with identification protocols that provides both a physical and a data connection, and (3) an intelligent system that interprets the identification protocols and determines the configuration for a selected task, error checking, airworthiness, and calibration. The system and associated methods for the task based drone configuration and verification reduces the possibility of task failure by an operator. | Errin T. Weller (Superior, CO), Jeffrey B. Franklin (Superior, CO) | Limitless Computing, Inc. (Superior, CO) | 2016-07-11 | 2018-10-30 | B64F5/10, B64C39/02, B64D47/08, G06K19/07, B64F5/60, B64D45/00, G08G5/00, G06F3/00, G06F11/00, G06Q10/00, G06Q50/30, G06F3/0482 | 15/206645 |
| 232 | 10106257 | Mechanisms for lowering a payload to the ground from a UAV | Embodiments described herein may help to provide medical support via a fleet of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) . An illustrative UAV may include a housing, a payload, a line-deployment mechanism coupled to the housing and a line, and a payload-release mechanism that couples the line to the payload, wherein the payload-release mechanism is configured to release the payload from the line. The UAV may further include a control system configured to determine that the UAV is located at or near a delivery location and responsively: operate the line-deployment mechanism according to a variable deployment-rate profile to lower the payload to or near to the ground, determine that the payload is touching or is within a threshold distance from the ground, and responsively operate the payload-release mechanism to release the payload from the line. | William Graham Patrick (Palo Alto, CA), James Ryan Burgess (Redwood City, CA), Andrew Conrad (Malibu, CA) | X Development Llc (Mountain View, CA) | 2018-03-28 | 2018-10-23 | B64D1/22, B64D1/12, B64C39/02 | 15/939093 |
| 233 | 10099782 | Tethered unmanned aerial vehicle system | In one aspect, an example system includes: (i) a base including a bottom surface and a first coupling-point, (ii) a vertically-oriented elongate structure comprising a lower end, an upper end, and an inner channel, wherein the inner channel comprises an upper access-point disposed proximate the upper end, wherein the base is coupled to the elongate structure proximate the lower end, (iii) a deployable cushioning-device coupled to the elongate structure, and (iv) a tether comprising a first portion, a second portion, a third portion, and a fourth portion, wherein the first portion is coupled to the first coupling-point, the second portion is coupled to a second coupling-point of the UAV, the third portion extends through the inner channel, the fourth portion extends from the upper access-point to the second coupling-point, and the fourth portion has a length that is less than a distance between the upper access-point and the bottom surface. | Hank J. Hundemer (Bellevue, KY) | Tribune Broadcasting Company, Llc (Chicago, IL) | 2016-07-14 | 2018-10-16 | B64C39/02, B64F3/00, B64F3/02, B64F1/02 | 15/210039 |
| 234 | 10095087 | Unmanned aerial vehicle system for taking close-up picture of facility and photography method using the same | Provided are an unmanned aerial vehicle system for taking a close-up picture of a facility and a photography method using the same. The unmanned aerial vehicle system can safely bring a drone, which is an unmanned aerial vehicle, close to a facility surface, which is a subject, using supports and settling members to precisely photograph damage, deterioration, and defects on the facility surface and can safely bring the unmanned aerial vehicle close to the facility and fix the unmanned aerial vehicle on the facility in a perpendicular direction with respect to the subject surface of the facility to improve the quality of an image captured by a camera when the unmanned aerial vehicle is remotely controlled or autonomously navigates. | Hyeong Yeol Kim (Gyeonggi-do, KR) | Korea Institute of Civil Engineering and Building Technology (Gyeonggi-Do, KR) | 2016-12-14 | 2018-10-09 | G03B39/00, B64C39/02, G05D1/00, B64C25/10, G03B15/00, B64D47/08 | 15/378057 |
| 235 | 10088319 | Method for determining states of a system using an estimation filter | Method for determining states of a system by means of an estimation filter, in which first state values are determined by calculating a mean value of a probability distribution for the states, in which a probability for deviation for the case that the first state values deviate from the actual states of the system is calculated, and in which the states of the system are measured as state data. In the method the first state values are corrected by means of the state data then, if the probability for deviation is larger than a threshold. | Uwe Herberth (Hugstetten, DE), Tim Martin (Freiburg, DE) | Northrop Grumman Litef Gmbh (DE) | 2016-03-23 | 2018-10-02 | G01C21/16, G01C21/20, G01S19/49, G01D1/14, G01C21/36 | 15/572566 |
| 236 | 10083616 | Unmanned aerial vehicle rooftop inspection system | Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for an unmanned aerial system inspection system. One of the methods is performed by a UAV and includes receiving, by the UAV, flight information describing a job to perform an inspection of a rooftop. A particular altitude is ascended to, and an inspection of the rooftop is performed including obtaining sensor information describing the rooftop. Location information identifying a damaged area of the rooftop is received. The damaged area of the rooftop is traveled to. An inspection of the damaged area of the rooftop is performed including obtaining detailed sensor information describing the damaged area. A safe landing location is traveled to. | Mark Patrick Bauer (San Francisco, CA), Brian Richman (San Francisco, CA), Alan Jay Poole (San Francisco, CA), Bernard J. Michini (San Francisco, CA), Jonathan Anders Lovegren (San Francisco, CA), Brett Michael Bethke (Millbrae, CA), Hui Li (San Francisco, CA) | Unmanned Innovation, Inc. (San Francisco, CA) | 2016-03-11 | 2018-09-25 | G05D1/00, G08G5/00, B64C39/02, B64D47/08, G06F17/00, G06F7/00, G05D3/00, G05D1/06 | 15/068272 |
| 237 | 10082803 | Method and system for providing route of unmanned air vehicle | A method and a system for establishing a route of an unmanned aerial vehicle are provided. The method includes identifying an object from surface scanning data and shaping a space, which facilitates autonomous flight, as a layer, collecting surface image data for a flight path from the shaped layer, and analyzing a change in image resolution according to a distance from the object through the collected surface image data and extracting an altitude value on a flight route. | Young-Kuk Ham (Suwon-si, KR), Tae Kyu Han (Seoul, KR) | Thinkware Corporation (Seongnam-si, KR) | 2017-02-27 | 2018-09-25 | B64C39/02, G01S17/93, G01S17/02, G08G5/00, G05D1/00, G01C5/00, G05D1/10, G01S17/89, G08G5/02 | 15/443514 |
| 238 | 10082800 | Method for stabilizing mission equipment using unmanned aerial vehicle command and posture information | A method of stabilizing mission equipment by a mission equipment stabilization system using an unmanned aerial system command and posture information, includes, receiving and transmitting a roll or pitch posture command signal to an autopilot control loop and a posture prediction unit, transmitting a command signal to a control surface so that the aerial system follows the command signal, receiving the posture command signal, filtering a posture prediction through angular velocity limitation and time-delayed filtering, simulating/predicting a response from the autopilot control loop, and outputting a posture prediction signal, converting the posture prediction signal predicted by the posture prediction unit into an azimuth command signal, differentiating the azimuth command signal into an angular velocity command signal, removing noise from the differentiated angular velocity command signal, and receiving the angular velocity command signal and stably doing a mission. | Jung Ho Moon (Daejeon, KR) | Korean Air Lines Co., Ltd. (Seoul, KR) | 2016-01-11 | 2018-09-25 | G05D1/00, G05D1/08, B64C39/02 | 15/542416 |
| 239 | 10079635 | Network capacity management | An example embodiment may involve receiving a request to provide unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) based wireless coverage to a particular geographical location. Possibly in response to the request, a UAV may fly to the particular geographical location. A first wireless interface of the UAV may define a wireless coverage area that covers at least part of the particular geographical location. A second wireless interface of the UAV may establish a wireless backhaul link to a data network. The UAV may provide wireless data transfer services to at least one device in the particular geographical location, where the wireless data transfer services allow the device to exchange data communication with the data network via the UAV. | David Vos (Mountain View, CA), Andrew Patton (Mountain View, CA), Sean Mullaney (Mountain View, CA), Behnam Motazed (Mountain View, CA), Siegfried Zerweckh (Mountain View, CA) | X Development Llc (Mountain View, CA) | 2018-03-08 | 2018-09-18 | H04W84/00, H04B7/185 | 15/915547 |
| 240 | 10061470 | Unmanned aerial vehicle rooftop inspection system | Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for an unmanned aerial system inspection system. One of the methods is performed by a UAV and includes receiving, by the UAV, flight information describing a job to perform an inspection of a rooftop. A particular altitude is ascended to, and an inspection of the rooftop is performed including obtaining sensor information describing the rooftop. Location information identifying a damaged area of the rooftop is received. The damaged area of the rooftop is traveled to. An inspection of the damaged area of the rooftop is performed including obtaining detailed sensor information describing the damaged area. A safe landing location is traveled to. | Brian Richman (San Francisco, CA), Mark Patrick Bauer (San Francisco, CA), Bernard J. Michini (San Francisco, CA), Alan Jay Poole (San Francisco, CA) | Unmanned Innovation, Inc. (San Francisco, CA) | 2017-03-27 | 2018-08-28 | G01C21/20, G05D1/04, B64C39/02, G06F3/0481, H04N7/18, G06F3/048 | 15/470614 |
| 241 | 10059451 | Apparatus and method for providing package release to unmanned aerial system | Systems, apparatuses, and methods are provided herein for providing package release for an unmanned aerial system. An apparatus for releasing packages for retrieval by an unmanned aerial system comprises a plurality of arms configured to surround a plurality of packages stacked vertically in an extended position, a plurality of powered hinges at a base of each of the plurality of arms, and a control circuit coupled to the plurality of powered hinges. The control circuit being configured to: determine a height for a first lowered position for the plurality of arms at which the plurality arms do not obstruct an unmanned aerial vehicle from coupling with a coupling structure on a first package of the plurality of packages positioned at a top of the plurality of packages, and cause the plurality of powered hinges to pivot the plurality of arms from the extended position to the first lowered position. | Donald R. High (Noel, MO), Michael D. Atchley (Springdale, AR), John P. Thompson (Bentonville, AR), Chandrashekar Natarajan (San Ramon, CA) | Walmart Apollo, Llc (Bentonville, AR) | 2016-10-28 | 2018-08-28 | B64D1/12, B64D9/00, B64D1/22, B64C39/02 | 15/337397 |
| 242 | 10059437 | Multi-rotor safety shield | The Multi-Rotor Safety Shield (MRSS) provides a complete and substantial encasement system which can be secured about a Drone, protecting a multitude of aircraft components from contact with any outside disturbance and which can protect the sensitive components from dust, water, wind, rain, snow, fingers, toes, appendages of any kind, and atmospheric changes as example, from disabling the Drone and can protect people, places or things from high velocity spinning exposed rotor/propellers. The MRSS provides rigid non-permeable platform for attaching or incorporating additional safety devices as found in the Drone industry (or other industries) resulting in a safety device that completely prevents the loss a Drone due to the catastrophic failure of any Drone system or combination of systems which would typically result in rapid decent, and/or uncontrolled flight. The MRSS makes Drones safe near humans and safe to use around public gatherings, stadium events, accident scenes, disaster search and rescue and disaster relief, and indoors for the security and communications markets among others expanding the availability of Drones to further assist humanity. | Robert Stanley Cooper (Apopka, FL) | --- | 2016-01-08 | 2018-08-28 | B64C27/20, A63H27/00, B64C39/00, B64C39/02, B64C1/06 | 14/991141 |
| 243 | 10054941 | Systems and methods for regulating the location of an unmanned aerial system (UAS) | A system and related method for regulating the location of an unmanned aircraft system (UAS) determines the current position of the UAS via onboard sensors or via decoding and derivation of ADS-B signals received from other vehicles. The system may operate in inert mode, where the position of the UAS is not broadcast, or alert mode, where the position of the UAS is continually broadcast via ADS-B Out signal. Based on the position of the UAS, the system detects proximate vehicles, restricted airspaces, or other problem statuses of the UAS. If a problem status is detected, the UAS may activate the alert mode. If a problem status is critical, the UAS may execute an auto-landing or correct course to exit a restricted airspace or avoid a detected vehicle. | Paul Beard (Bigfork, MT) | Uavionix Corporation (Bigfork, MT) | 2016-10-11 | 2018-08-21 | G05D1/00, G05D1/02 | 15/290790 |
| 244 | 10054939 | Unmanned aerial vehicle systems and methods of use | An improved unmanned aerial vehicular system having a rotor head assembly with any balanced number of rotary wings or blades, a generally tubular body assembly, a gimballed neck connecting the head to the body, and a navigation, communications and control unit such as for military and humanitarian operations, including payload delivery and pickup. The vehicle is generally guided using a global positioning satellite signal, and by pre-programmed or real time targeting. The vehicle is generally electrically powered and may be launched by one of (a) hand-launch, (b) air-drop, (c) catapult, (d) tube-launch, or (e) sea launch, and is capable of landing on both static and dynamic targets. Once launched, unmanned aerial vehicles may be formed into arrays on a target area and find use in surveillance, warfare, and in search-and-rescue operations. | Paul G. Applewhite (Seattle, WA) | --- | 2013-09-22 | 2018-08-21 | B64C27/82, G05D1/00, B64C39/02, B64F1/04, B64F1/06, B64C29/00, B64C29/02 | 14/033511 |
| 245 | 10054005 | Turbocharger with oil-free hydrostatic bearing | A turbocharger for an internal combustion engine, the turbocharger being supported by hydrostatic bearings in both a radial and an axial direction by a compressed air supplied from a compressor of the turbocharger and boosted in pressure by a separate boost pump to a high enough pressure to support the rotor of the turbocharger. The turbocharger hydrostatic bearings are damped using wire mesh or dispersed friction dampers. | Alex Pinera (Jupiter, FL), Timothy J Miller (Jupiter, FL) | Florida Turbine Technologies, Inc (Jupiter, FL) | 2015-01-28 | 2018-08-21 | F01D25/22, F02B37/04 | 14/607846 |
| 246 | 10046856 | System and method for controlling takeoff and landing of drone | Disclosed herein is a system and method for controlling the takeoff and landing of a drone. The system for controlling the takeoff and landing of a drone includes: a landing control device configured to vary the transmission range of Low Frequency (LF) landing control signals based on whether a response signal to a transmitted landing control signal in the transmission range is received, and to transmit a landing signal if the varied transmission range is less than a minimum radius, and a drone configured to fly in a control signal-based flight mode based on a landing control signal when receiving the landing control signal transmitted from the landing control device during GPS signal-based flight, and to land at a destination by flying in a landing mode when receiving a landing signal from the landing control device during flight in the control signal-based flight mode. | Yong-Moo Lee (Seoul, KR) | Namsung Co., Ltd. (Seoul, KR) | 2015-10-22 | 2018-08-14 | G05D1/00, B64C39/02, G05D1/06 | 14/920121 |
| 247 | 10041833 | System and method for active multispectral imaging and optical communications | Provided is a system and method for active multispectral imaging having a transmitter that uses narrowband optical radiation to dynamically illuminate an object with modulated structured light in multiple spectral bands, and a receiver that includes an independent panchromatic imager. The transmitter and receiver can be operated in a bistatic decoupled configuration to enable passive multispectral synthesis, illumination-invariant sensing, optical communications, and the ability for the transmitter to emit a sequence of spectral bands in an order that is unknown to the receiver, and the receiver is able to passively decode the spectral identity from a band identifier embedded in the modulated structured light. The receiver passively decodes embedded high-bandwidth simplex communications while reconstructing calibrated multispectral images at video frame rates. | Ved Chirayath (Palo Alto, CA) | The United States of America As Represented By The Adminstrator of The Nasa (Washington, DC) | 2017-04-05 | 2018-08-07 | G01N21/00, G01J3/28, G01J3/42 | 15/480318 |
| 248 | 10037464 | Unmanned aircraft structure evaluation system and method | Methods and systems are disclosed including a computer storage medium, comprising instructions that when executed by one or more processors included in an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) , cause the UAV to perform operations, comprising: receiving, by the UAV, a flight plan configured to direct the UAV to fly a flight path having a plurality of waypoints adjacent to and above a structure and to capture sensor data of the structure from a camera on the UAV while the UAV is flying the flight path, adjusting an angle of an optical axis of the camera mounted to a gimbal to a predetermined angle within a range of 25 degrees to 75 degrees relative to a downward direction, and capturing sensor data of at least a portion of a roof of the structure with the optical axis of the camera aligned with at least one predetermined location on the structure. | Stephen L. Schultz (West Henrietta, NY), John Monaco (Penfield, NY) | Pictometry International Corp. (Rochester, NY) | 2017-11-03 | 2018-07-31 | G01C23/00, G08G5/00, G05D1/00, B64C39/02, B64D47/08, H04N5/445, G06F17/30, G06K9/00, G06Q40/08 | 15/803129 |
| 249 | 10037463 | Unmanned aircraft structure evaluation system and method | A computerized method performed by an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) , comprising: receiving, by the UAV, a flight plan comprising a plurality of inspection locations for a structure, wherein the plurality of inspection locations each comprise a waypoint having a geospatial reference, navigating to ascend to a first altitude above the structure, conducting an inspection for an object of interest in at least one of the plurality of inspection locations according to the flight plan, the inspection comprising: navigating to a position above a surface of the structure associated with the object of interest based on monitoring an active sensor, and obtaining, while within a particular distance from the surface of the structure, information from one or more sensors describing the structure such that obtained information includes at least a particular level of detail, navigating to another inspection location of the plurality of inspection locations, and navigating to a landing location. | Stephen L. Schultz (West Henrietta, NY), John Monaco (Penfield, NY) | Pictometry International Corp. (Rochester, NY) | 2017-11-03 | 2018-07-31 | G05D1/00, G01S19/39, G06F17/30, G06T11/60, H04N5/445, G06K9/00, B60R1/00, G08G5/04, G08G5/00, B64D47/08, B64C39/02, G06Q40/08 | 15/802950 |
| 250 | 10035623 | Package for drone delivery | A package enclosure for use on an aerial vehicle including an outer skin having left and right side walls and a front end and a rear end, a base positioned within the outer skin exerting a force against inner surfaces of the left and right side walls of the outer skin, and a handle upwardly extending from the base. | Andre Prager (Sunnyvale, CA), Clark Sopper (Redwood City, CA), Kyle A. Liske (Mountain View, CA) | X Development Llc (Mountain View, CA) | 2016-08-19 | 2018-07-31 | B65D5/46, B65D5/42, B65D5/20, B64D1/22, B64C39/02 | 15/241721 |
| 251 | 10035597 | Sonotube deployable multicopter | An unmanned aerial system (UAS) including a sonotube deployable multicopter (SDM) having a plurality of rotors for propulsion, a plurality of extension arms, and a central pivot device. Each extension arm supports at least one of the plurality of rotors. The central pivot device supports the plurality of extension arms radially extending from the central pivot device. Pivotal movement of a first arm-support structure of the central pivot device relative to a second arm-support structure of the central pivot device rotates a first pair of the plurality of extension arms in unison relative to a second pair of the plurality of extension arms. The pivotal movement is biased to rotate the plurality of extension arms from a compact configuration to an expanded configuration while the UAS is airborne. The SDM configured to be held inside a sonoshell in the compact configuration. | Douglas Desrochers (Burke, VA), David Desrochers (Burke, VA) | --- | 2016-08-16 | 2018-07-31 | B64C25/00, B64C1/30, B64D17/80, B64C39/02, B64D1/08 | 15/238200 |
| 252 | 10032383 | Methods and systems for autonomous generation of shortest lateral paths for unmanned aerial systems | Methods and systems for autonomous generation of shortest lateral paths for unmanned aerial systems are described. An example method includes defining an area between a source point and a target point, identifying a first no flight zone within the area, identifying a second no flight zone outside of the area, estimating a first computation time to determine a first lateral path between the source point and the target point, the estimating to consider the first no flight zone, the estimating not to consider the second no flight zone, comparing the first computation time to a reference computation time, in response to the first computation time not satisfying a threshold of the reference computation time, modifying the first no flight zone to be a third no flight zone, and estimating a second computation time to determine a second lateral path between the source point and the target point, the estimating to consider the third no flight zone. | Ernesto Valls Hernandez (Madrid, ES), Francisco A. Navarro Felix (Madrid, ES), David Sanchez Tamargo (Madrid, ES), Carlos Querejeta Masaveu (Madrid, ES), Jes s Cuadrado Sanchez (Madrid, ES) | The Boeing Company (Chicago, IL) | 2016-07-08 | 2018-07-24 | G08G1/123, G08G5/00, B64C39/02 | 15/206189 |
| 253 | 10032078 | Unmanned aircraft structure evaluation system and method | Methods and systems are disclosed including a computerized system, comprising: a computer system having an input unit, a display unit, one or more processors, and one or more non-transitory computer readable medium, the one or more processors executing software to cause the one or more processors to: display on the display unit one or more images, from an image database, depicting a structure, receive a validation from the input unit indicating a validation of a location of the structure depicted in the one or more images, generate unmanned aircraft information including flight path information configured to direct an unmanned aircraft to fly a flight path above the structure and capture sensor data from a camera on the unmanned aircraft while the unmanned aircraft is flying the flight path, receive the sensor data from the unmanned aircraft, and generate a structure report based at least in part on the sensor data. | Stephen L. Schultz (West Henrietta, NY), John Monaco (Penfield, NY) | Pictometry International Corp. (Rochester, NY) | 2017-11-03 | 2018-07-24 | G01C23/00, B64C39/02, G05D1/00, B64D47/08, G06K9/00, G08G5/00, G08G5/04, B60R1/00, G01S19/39, G06F17/30, G06T11/60, H04N5/445, G06Q40/08 | 15/803291 |
| 254 | 10029788 | Vision based calibration system for unmanned aerial vehicles | An unmanned aircraft system includes a testing and calibration system that enables automated testing of movable parts of an unmanned aircraft. The testing and calibration system uses a camera-based technique to determine the position and angle of movable parts, in order to establish whether or not those parts are moving in a manner consistent with correct function. | Peter Abeles (Redwood City, CA), Keenan Wyrobek (Half Moon Bay, CA) | Zipline International Inc. (San Francisco, CA) | 2016-08-04 | 2018-07-24 | B64C39/02, B64F5/60 | 15/229099 |
| 255 | 10029787 | Interactive transport services provided by unmanned aerial vehicles | Embodiments relate to a client-facing application for interacting with a transport service that transports items via unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) . An example graphic interface may allow a user to order items to specific delivery areas associated with their larger delivery location, and may dynamically provide status updates and other functionality during the process of fulfilling a UAV transport request. | Jonathan Lesser (Mountain View, CA), Michael Bauerly (Mountain View, CA), May Cheng (Mountain View, CA), Rue Song (Mountain View, CA) | X Development Llc (Mountain View, CA) | 2016-06-30 | 2018-07-24 | B64D45/00, B64C39/02, G01C23/00 | 15/199675 |
| 256 | 10026323 | Unmanned aerial system position reporting system | An unmanned aerial system (UAS) position reporting system may include an air traffic control reporting system (ATC-RS) coupled with a ground control station (GCS) of a UAS and at least one remote terminal. The ATC-RS may include an automatic dependent surveillance broadcast (ADS-B) and traffic information services broadcast (TIS-B) transceiver and one or more telecommunications modems. The ATC-RS may receive position data of at least one UAS in an airspace from the GCS and the at least one remote terminal and selectively communicate the position of the at least one UAS in the airspace to a civilian air traffic control center (ATC) , to a military command and control (C2) communication center, or to both through the ADS-B and TIS-B transceiver. The ATC-RS may display the position of the at least one UAS in the airspace on a display screen coupled with the ATC-RS. | Douglas V. Limbaugh (Phoenix, AZ), David H. Barnhard (Lilburn, GA), Thomas H. Rychener (Phoenix, AZ) | Kutta Technologies, Inc. (Phoenix, AZ) | 2017-02-17 | 2018-07-17 | G01S3/02, B64C39/02, H04J3/00, G08G5/00 | 15/436155 |
| 257 | 10023323 | Estimating wind from an airborne vehicle | Embodiments are described for determining wind by an airborne aerial vehicle without reliance on direct measurements of airspeed by the vehicle. Instead, wind may be computationally estimated using disclosed techniques for utilizing measurements of only ground-speed and heading, or only measurements of forces experienced by the airborne aerial vehicle during flight. In one technique, samples of ground-speed measurements and corresponding heading measurements of an airborne vehicle are used in a mathematical optimization of a wind-driven hypothesis of deviations between the two types of measurement at each of multiple sampling times. In another technique, an aerodynamic model of an aerial vehicle can be used to adjust parameters of a wind hypothesis in order to achieve a best-fit between predicted and measured forces on the aerial vehicle during flight. | Richard Joseeph William Roberts (Mountain View, CA), Joshua John Bialkowski (San Mateo, CA), Justin Sadowski (San Francisco, CA), John Roberts (Mountain View, CA) | X Development Llc (Mountain View, CA) | 2015-04-29 | 2018-07-17 | B64D43/00, B64C39/02 | 14/699058 |
| 258 | 10020792 | Phase shifter | An interdigital capacitor low loss and high resolution phase shifter is disclosed. The phase shifter includes an input port, a first electrode connected to the input port, an output port and a second electrode connected to the output port and arranged substantially parallel to the first electrode. The phase shifter also includes a substrate disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode, a first variable capacitor disposed on the first electrode and a second variable capacitor disposed on the second electrode. Adjustment of one or more of the variable capacitors causes a phase shift between the input port and the output port. | Farbod Tabatabai (Sausalito, CA), Kirk Garrett Laursen (Palo Alto, CA), Dedi David Haziza (Sunnyvale, CA) | Google Llc (Mountain View, CA) | 2015-09-24 | 2018-07-10 | H03H7/20, H01P9/04, H01P5/18, H01P1/18, H01Q1/50, H01Q3/26 | 14/863746 |
| 259 | 10014704 | Integrated energy and power device | A lithium ion energy and power system including: a housing containing: at least three electrodes including: at least one first electrode including a cathodic faradaic energy storage material, at least one second electrode including an anodic faradaic energy storage material, and at least one third electrode including a cathodic non-faradaic energy storage material, wherein the at least one first, second, and third electrodes are adjacent as defined herein, and the at least one second electrode is electrically isolated from the electrically coupled at least one first electrode and the at least one third electrode, a separator between the electrodes, and a liquid electrolyte between the electrodes. Also disclosed is a method of making and using the disclosed lithium ion energy and power system. | Kishor Purushottam Gadkaree (Painted Post, NY), Rahul Suryakant Kadam (Corning, NY) | Corning Incorporated (Corning, NY) | 2015-01-30 | 2018-07-03 | H02J7/00, H01M16/00, H01M4/58, H01M4/136, H01M4/133, H01G11/72, H01M4/131, H01G11/68, H01G11/58, H01G11/50, H01M12/00, H01M4/587, H01M4/525, H01M4/505, H01G11/32, H01G11/06, H01M10/42, H01M4/02, H01M10/44 | 14/610706 |
| 260 | 10013785 | Methods and systems for object based geometric fitting | Described herein are various implementations of a process and a system for automatically performing object based geometric fitting. The process may include spatially superimposing a mask dataset comprising mask-objects on a raster image comprising image-objects, and locally superimposing individual mask-objects on individual image-objects, until a dataset is obtained wherein mask-objects are geometrically fitted to image-objects. | Geoffrey J. Hay (Calgary, CA), Isabelle Couloigner (Calgary, CA) | Myheat Inc. (Calgary, CA) | 2016-05-20 | 2018-07-03 | G06T3/00, G06T7/33, G06T11/60, G06K9/36 | 15/160459 |
| 261 | 10013611 | System and method for preparing an aerial hydrological-assay for golf courses | Systems and methods for performing an aerial hydrological-assay of a topographical site require the use of an Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) for collecting image data of the site. Included in a system for the present invention is a ground-based soil moisture sensor for collecting moisture data at the site. A computer is then used to combine the image data and the moisture data to create an assay report on hydrological conditions at the site. The assay report is used to implement a water conservation plan for the topographical site which efficiently and efficaciously controls water usage at the site. | Timothy John Barrier (Oceanside, CA), Javier David Spyker (Tigard, OR), Aaron Douglas Crawford (Salem, OR) | --- | 2016-10-24 | 2018-07-03 | G06K9/00, G08G5/00, A01G25/16, G05D1/00, B64C39/02, B64D47/08 | 15/332276 |
| 262 | 10012735 | GPS offset calibrations for UAVs | An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) assessment and reporting system may conduct micro scans of a wide variety of property types. A site identification system may allow for identification of a point or points of interest to be scanned via the micro scans. A coordinate offset system may calculate a coordinate offset of location coordinates from a satellite-based mapping system relative to real-time coordinate readings from an on-site UAV. Satellite-based location coordinates for the identified point (s) of interest may be adjusted based on the calculated coordinate offset to enhance the scanning itself, data association, visualization of scan data, and/or reporting of scan data. | Jim Loveland (Alpine, UT), Leif Larson (Alpine, UT), Dan Christiansen (Alpine, UT), Tad Christiansen (Alpine, UT), Cam Christiansen (Alpine, UT) | Loveland Innovations, Llc (Alpine, UT) | 2017-11-21 | 2018-07-03 | G01S19/07, G05D1/10, B64C39/02, G05D1/00 | 15/820244 |
| 263 | 10000285 | Methods and systems for detecting and resolving failure events when raising and lowering a payload | Described herein are methods and systems for detecting and correcting errors when picking up and lowering a payload coupled to a tether of a winch system arranged on an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) . for example, the winch system may include a motor for winding and unwinding the tether from a spool, and the UAV's control system may control the motor to lower the tether and monitor an electric current supplied to the motor to determine whether a payload has detached from the tether. This process of lowering the tether and monitoring the motor current may be repeated up to a predetermined number of times, at which point the control system may operate the motor to detach the tether from the spool, leaving both the tether and the payload behind. | Trevor Shannon (Mountain View, CA), Andre Prager (Sunnyvale, CA) | X Development Llc (Mountain View, CA) | 2016-12-22 | 2018-06-19 | B64C39/00, G05D1/02, B66D1/60, B66D1/12, B64C39/02, B64D1/02 | 15/389338 |
| 264 | 9998157 | Adaptive dual polarized MIMO for dynamically moving transmitter and receiver | Systems and methods are presented for increasing throughput between mobile transmitters/receivers (e.g., between an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle and a ground station) using orthogonally polarized transmission channels. The system may first calibrate the receiver and transmitter antenna pairs using pilot signals and then may update look up tables for feedforward correction. The system may decouple and predict the cross polarization interference due to relative dynamic movement between the transmitter and the receiver. The system may perform a closed-loop suboptimal estimation to generate refined corrections by minimizing a difference between a training vector and a pilot-signal feedback. Cross-polarization discrimination between the transmission and reception antennas may then be Cancelled to improve signal to noise and interference ratio and performance of the system. | Hong Gan (San Diego, CA) | Facebook, Inc. (Menlo Park, CA) | 2016-11-14 | 2018-06-12 | H04B7/10, H04B1/08, H04B7/06 | 15/351329 |
| 265 | 9997080 | Decentralized air traffic management system for unmanned aerial vehicles | An unmanned aircraft system includes an aircraft control system that enables the safe operation of multiple unmanned aerial vehicles in the same airspace, through the use of a decentralized air traffic management system. The decentralized air traffic management system is robust against loss of communication between the unmanned aerial vehicle and does not require a centralized ground control system to coordinate the vehicles. | Andrew Chambers (San Francisco, CA), Ryan Oksenhorn (Pacifica, CA), Jeremy Schwartz (Redwood City, CA), Keenan Wyrobek (Half Moon Bay, CA) | Zipline International Inc. (San Francisco, CA) | 2015-12-11 | 2018-06-12 | G08G5/00, G08G5/04, B64C39/02 | 14/966265 |
| 266 | 9990854 | Unmanned aerial system mission flight representation conversion techniques and traffic management scheme | A system and method are provided for implementing unmanned aircraft system (UAS) deconfliction schemes by accepting representations of UAS flight plans in disparate native forms, and to converting them into a common format in support of evaluating potential conflicts, and providing flight plan approval/disapproval, and/or flight plan execution restrictions or warnings regarding potentially conflicting manned and unmanned aerial vehicle operations. The disclosed UAS Traffic Management (UTM) scheme may validate a UAS flight plan based on the provided flight plan representation, approving or disapproving the flight plan, and may provide suggestions for modification of a submitted UAS flight plan to enhance operational deconfliction without completely rejecting, through disapproval, the flight plan. Different levels of alerts and/or warnings may be provided to alert the UAS platform operators and National Airspace System operators/controllers to potential conflicts and conflict avoidance. | George Elmasry (San Marcos, CA), Benjamin J Haan (Marion, IA), Rolf R Stefani (West River, MD), James Gary Cooper, Jr. (Annapolis, MD) | Rockwell Collins, Inc. (Cedar Rapids, IA) | 2016-03-15 | 2018-06-05 | G08G5/00 | 15/070710 |
| 267 | 9986440 | Interference and mobility management in UAV-assisted wireless networks | Techniques and systems are disclosed for addressing the challenges in interference and mobility management in broadband, UAV-assisted heterogeneous network (BAHN) scenarios. Implementations include BAHN control components, for example, at a controlling network node of a BAHN. Generally, a component implementing techniques for managing interference and handover in a BAHN gathers state data from network nodes or devices in the BAHN, determines a candidate BAHN model that optimizes interference and handover metrics, and determines and performs model adjustments to the network parameters, BS parameters, and UAV-assisted base station (UABS) device locations and velocities to conform to the optimized candidate BAHN model. Also described is a UABS apparatus having a UAV, communications interface for communicating with a HetNet in accordance with wireless air interface standards, and a computing device suitable for implementing BAHN control or reinforcement learning components. | Ismail Guvenc (Raleigh, NC) | The Florida International University Board of Trustees (Miami, FL) | 2017-02-27 | 2018-05-29 | H04M11/04, H04W16/14, H04W36/20, H04B7/185, H04W16/22, H04W16/28, H04W84/04 | 15/443147 |
| 268 | 9981834 | Method of actively controlling winch swing via modulated uptake and release | An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) including a winch system, wherein the winch system includes a winch line having a first end that is secured to the payload, and wherein the winch system is controllable to vary the rate of descent of the payload, an inertial measurement unit positioned on the payload or on the first end of the winch line, wherein the inertial measurement unit is configured to measure oscillations of the payload, and a control system configured to (a) receive data from the IMU, (b) determine oscillations of the payload based on the data received from the IMU, and (c) operate the winch system to vary the deployment rate of the winch line so to damp oscillations of the payload. | Joshua John Bialkowski (San Mateo, CA), John Roberts (Mountain View, CA), Abraham Bachrach (Mountain View, CA) | X Development Llc (Mountain View, CA) | 2016-07-28 | 2018-05-29 | B66D1/48, B66C13/06, B64D1/08, B64C39/02, B64D1/22 | 15/222150 |
| 269 | 9977117 | Systems and methods for detecting, tracking and identifying small unmanned systems such as drones | A system for providing integrated detection and countermeasures against unmanned aerial vehicles include a detecting element, a location determining element and an interdiction element. The detecting element detects an unmanned aerial vehicle in flight in the region of, or approaching, a property, place, event or very important person. The location determining element determines the exact location of the unmanned aerial vehicle. The interdiction element can either direct the unmanned aerial vehicle away from the property, place, event or very important person in a non-destructive manner, or can cause disable the unmanned aerial vehicle in a destructive manner. | Dwaine A. Parker (Naples, FL), Damon E. Stern (Riverview, FL), Lawrence S. Pierce (Huntsville, AL) | Xidrone Systems, Inc. (Naples, FL) | 2017-05-17 | 2018-05-22 | G01S7/38, G01S13/42, G01S3/782, G01S13/88, G01S7/41, F41H11/02 | 15/598112 |
| 270 | 9975633 | Collapsible ducted fan unmanned aerial system | A ducted fan UAV that can be collapsed into a stowed configuration and then deployed for flight by, for example, inflating the duct to a deployed configuration. The UAV includes a plurality of rotor blades, a plurality of struts and a plurality of control vanes each being pivotally mounted to a center body by a hinge so that the rotor blades, the struts and the control vanes can be folded into the stowed configuration to be substantially parallel to the center body and be unfolded into the deployed configuration to be substantially perpendicular to the center body. The UAV also includes a pressurization system providing a pressurant to a chamber within the duct so as to inflate the duct and cause the struts, the rotor blades and the control vanes to move from the stowed configuration to the deployed configuration. | Stephen D. Johnson (Laguna Niguel, CA), Barnaby S. Wainfan (Long Beach, CA) | Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation (Falls Church, VA) | 2016-05-10 | 2018-05-22 | B64C39/02, B64C3/00, B64C11/00, B64C7/02 | 15/151287 |
| 271 | 9975632 | Aerial vehicle system | A system is provided for maneuvering a payload in an air space constrained by one or more obstacles, and may include first and second aerial vehicles coupled by a tether to a ground station. Sensor systems and processors in the ground station and aerial vehicles may track obstacles and the tether's and the vehicles' positions and attitude to maneuver the payload and the tether to carry out a mission. The sensor system may include airborne cameras providing data for a scene reconstruction process and simultaneous mapping of obstacles and localization of aerial vehicles relative to the obstacles. The aerial vehicles may include a frame formed substantially of a composite material for preventing contact of the rotors with the tether segments. | Loren Alegria (Portland, OR) | Drona, Llc (Portland, OR) | 2016-04-08 | 2018-05-22 | G05D1/00, B64C39/02, G01S19/13, G01S17/02, G01S15/02, G01S13/02, G01C21/16, B64D47/08 | 15/095011 |
| 272 | 9973268 | Reusing frequencies among high altitude platforms | A method for determining a frequency usage pattern of one or more satellites includes receiving, at data processing hardware, identifications of one or more satellite communication frequencies used by a satellite at corresponding locations of the satellite along a non-geostationary satellite orbit. The method includes determining, by the data processing hardware, a pattern of frequency usage by the satellite at the corresponding locations of the satellite. The method also includes instructing, by the data processing hardware, communication between a high altitude platform and a ground terminal using an identified satellite communication frequency during a non-interfering period of time based on the pattern of frequency usage by the satellite. The high altitude platform has an altitude lower than the satellite. | Paul James Husted (San Jose, CA) | Google Llc (Mountain View, CA) | 2016-05-16 | 2018-05-15 | H04W40/00, H04W56/00, H04J11/00, H04W72/04, H04B7/185 | 15/155741 |
| 273 | 9958875 | Autonomous cargo delivery system | An autonomous aerial system for delivering a payload to a waypoint. The autonomous aerial system may comprise an aerial vehicle to transport the payload to the waypoint and an onboard supervisory control system operatively coupled with the aerial vehicle. The aerial vehicle may be configured to navigate to the waypoint and to land at a designated touchdown zone within a landing zone at the waypoint. The onboard supervisory control system having a processor operatively coupled with a non-volatile memory device and a sensor package. The processor may be configured to generate flight control signal data based at least in part on data received via the sensor package, the sensor package configured to (1) dynamically sense and avoid obstacles along a flight route to the waypoint, and (2) perceive physical characteristics of the landing zone. The processor may be configured to autonomously navigate the aerial vehicle to the waypoint and to determine whether to touchdown at the designated touchdown zone based at least in part on physical characteristics of the designated touchdown zone perceived via said sensor package. | James D. Paduano (Boston, MA), John B. Wissler (Waltham, MA), Michael D. Piedmonte (Stow, MA), David A. Mindell (Cambridge, MA) | Aurora Flight Sciences Corporation (Manassas, VA) | 2017-08-16 | 2018-05-01 | G05D1/00, G05D1/04, G05D1/10, G05D1/02 | 15/678871 |
| 274 | 9957046 | Mechanisms for lowering a payload to the ground from a UAV | Embodiments described herein may help to provide medical support via a fleet of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) . An illustrative UAV may include a housing, a payload, a line-deployment mechanism coupled to the housing and a line, and a payload-release mechanism that couples the line to the payload, wherein the payload-release mechanism is configured to release the payload from the line. The UAV may further include a control system configured to determine that the UAV is located at or near a delivery location and responsively: operate the line-deployment mechanism according to a variable deployment-rate profile to lower the payload to or near to the ground, determine that the payload is touching or is within a threshold distance from the ground, and responsively operate the payload-release mechanism to release the payload from the line. | William Graham Patrick (Palo Alto, CA), James Ryan Burgess (Redwood City, CA), Andrew Conrad (Malibu, CA) | X Development Llc (Mountain View, CA) | 2017-09-21 | 2018-05-01 | B64D1/12, B64D1/22, B64C39/02 | 15/711758 |
| 275 | 9948380 | Network capacity management | An example embodiment may involve receiving a request to provide unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) based wireless coverage to a particular geographical location. Possibly in response to the request, a UAV may fly to the particular geographical location. A first wireless interface of the UAV may define a wireless coverage area that covers at least part of the particular geographical location. A second wireless interface of the UAV may establish a wireless backhaul link to a data network. The UAV may provide wireless data transfer services to at least one device in the particular geographical location, where the wireless data transfer services allow the device to exchange data communication with the data network via the UAV. | David Vos (Mountain View, CA), Andrew Patton (Mountain View, CA), Sean Mullaney (Mountain View, CA), Behnam Motazed (Mountain View, CA), Siegfried Zerweckh (Mountain View, CA) | X Development Llc (Mountain View, CA) | 2016-10-27 | 2018-04-17 | H04B7/185, H04W84/00 | 15/336376 |
| 276 | 9928969 | Method of pre-doping a lithium ion capacitor | A method for pre-doping a lithium ion capacitor, including: compressing a lithium ion capacitor of the formula: C/S/A/S/C/S/A/S/C, where: /A/ is an anode coated on both sides with an anode carbon layer, and each anode carbon layer is further coated with lithium composite powder (LCP) layer, C/ is a cathode coated on one side with a layer of an cathode carbon mixture, and S is a separator, and a non-aqueous electrolyte, and conditioning the resulting compressed lithium ion capacitor, for example, at a rate of from C/20 to 4C, and the conditioning redistributes the impregnated lithium as lithium ions in the anode carbon structure. Also disclosed is an carbon coated anode having lithium composite powder (LCP) layer compressed on the carbon coated anode. | Kishor Purushottam Gadkaree (Painted Post, NY), Rahul Suryakant Kadam (Corning, NY) | Corning Incorporated (Corning, NY) | 2017-08-23 | 2018-03-27 | H01G11/50, H01G11/14, H01G11/84, H01G11/06, H01G11/38, H01G11/86 | 15/684050 |
| 277 | 9922405 | Methods for agronomic and agricultural monitoring using unmanned aerial systems | A method for agronomic and agricultural monitoring includes designating an area for imaging, determining a flight path above the designated area, operating an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) along the flight path, acquiring images of the area using a camera system attached to the UAV, and processing the acquired images. | Doug Sauder (Tremont, IL), Justin L. Koch (Tremont, IL), Troy L. Plattner (Tremont, IL), Phil Baurer (Tremont, IL) | The Climate Corporation (San Francisco, CA) | 2015-08-20 | 2018-03-20 | G06K9/00, G05D1/00, A01B79/00, G06T5/00, G06T11/60 | 14/831165 |
| 278 | 9922282 | Automated readiness evaluation system (ARES) for use with an unmanned aircraft system (UAS) | Methods and systems for an Automated Readiness Evaluation System (ARES) , which is adapted for use with unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) . The ARES (and UAS with such an ARES) is configured for a particular task or application selected by the user based upon their level of specific knowledge. The system may include: hardware components with communication protocols, a task, module data, and skill level repository, a user device, and an optional base system. Methods are provided for configuration, calibration, error checking, and operation of a UAS whereby the ARES serves as a mission planner by calculating the mission parameters for a user-selected task to minimize mission failure by determining the variables for task completion. | Errin T. Weller (Superior, CO), Jeffrey B. Franklin (Superior, CO) | Limitless Computing, Inc. (Boulder, CO) | 2016-06-28 | 2018-03-20 | G05D1/02, G06Q10/00, G06Q50/30, G06F11/00, G06F3/00, B64F5/60, B64F5/10, G08G5/00, B64D45/00, G05D1/00, G06K19/07, B64C39/02, B64D47/08 | 15/195735 |
| 279 | 9917645 | Phase sensitive beam tracking | The method includes receiving axis signals from a multi-axis position sensing detector, generating a reference signal by summing the axis signals, determining a mirror position of a mirror directing the optical beam based on the beam position error of each axis of the multi-axis position sensing detector, and actuating the mirror to move to the mirror position. Each axis signal is indicative of a beam position of an optical beam incident on the multi-axis position sensing detector, each axis signal corresponding to an axis of the multi-axis position sensing detector. for each axis of the multi-axis position sensing detector, the method includes converting a phase of an axis to have a 90 degree phase difference from a signal of the axis, generating an axis-phasor signal by summing the axis signals, and comparing the axis-phasor signal and the reference signal to determine a phase difference. | Robert Steinkraus (San Francisco, CA), Klaus Ulander (Livermore, CA) | Google Llc (Mountain View, CA) | 2016-05-25 | 2018-03-13 | H04B10/00, H04B10/118, H04B10/29, H04B10/11 | 15/163745 |
| 280 | 9915946 | Unmanned aerial vehicle rooftop inspection system | Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for an unmanned aerial system inspection system. One of the methods is performed by a UAV and includes receiving, by the UAV, flight information describing a job to perform an inspection of a rooftop. A particular altitude is ascended to, and an inspection of the rooftop is performed including obtaining sensor information describing the rooftop. Location information identifying a damaged area of the rooftop is received. The damaged area of the rooftop is traveled to. An inspection of the damaged area of the rooftop is performed including obtaining detailed sensor information describing the damaged area. A safe landing location is traveled to. | Alan Jay Poole (San Francisco, CA), Mark Patrick Bauer (San Francisco, CA), Volkan Gurel (San Francisco, CA), Bernard J. Michini (San Francisco, CA), Justin Eugene Kuehn (San Francisco, CA) | Unmanned Innovation, Inc. (San Francisco, CA) | 2017-03-17 | 2018-03-13 | G05D1/00, B64C39/02, G06Q10/06, G06K9/00, G06Q50/16, G06Q10/10, G06T17/05, G05D1/04, G08G5/00 | 15/462245 |
| 281 | 9915945 | Lost person rescue drone | A system and method for optimizing a rescue operation of an individual. The method comprises maintaining, by an individual engaged in an activity, an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) associated with and in proximity to the individual. for storage at the UAV, the individual records at a recording device a message. A sensor device is configured to detect a situation requiring a need to rescue the individual at a current location, and generates a trigger signal in response to a detection. In response to the receipt of the trigger signal, a current GPS location of the individual is recorded and a launching of the UAV to traverse a flight-path to a destination location. At or before arriving at the destination location, the UAV contemporaneously provides the stored recorded message and current GPS location of the individual to an emergency response authority to inform of the individual's situation and location. | Jeremy R. Fox (Georgetown, TX), Andrew R. Jones (Round Rock, TX), Norman Tsu-Han Liu (Austin, TX), Balasubramanian Sivasubramanian (Austin, TX) | International Business Machines Corporation (Armonk, NY) | 2016-08-04 | 2018-03-13 | G05D1/00, H04W4/02, B64C39/02, G08G5/00, G01S19/17, H04B7/185, A62B99/00 | 15/228391 |
| 282 | 9911545 | Phenolic resin sourced carbon anode in a lithium ion capacitor | An anode in a lithium ion capacitor, including: a carbon composition comprising: a phenolic resin sourced carbon, a conductive carbon, and a binder as defined herein, and an electrically conductive substrate supporting the carbon composition, wherein the phenolic resin sourced carbon has a disorder by Raman analysis as defined herein, and a hydrogen content, a nitrogen content, an and oxygen content as defined herein. Also disclosed is a method of making the anode, a method of making the lithium ion capacitor, and methods of use thereof. | Kishor Purushottam Gadkaree (Painted Post, NY), Rahul Suryakant Kadam (Corning, NY) | Corning Incorporated (Corning, NY) | 2015-01-30 | 2018-03-06 | H01G11/38, H01G11/84, H02J7/00, H01G11/86, H01G11/06, H01G11/42, H01G11/44, H01G11/50, H01G11/34, H01G11/26, H02J7/34 | 14/610848 |
| 283 | 9910432 | System and method for human operator intervention in autonomous vehicle operations | An autonomous vehicle system is configured to receive vehicle commands from one or more parties and to execute those vehicle commands in a way that prevents the execution of stale commands. The autonomous vehicle system includes a finite state machine and a command counter or stored vehicle timestamp, which are used to help reject invalid or stale vehicle commands. | Andrew Chambers (San Francisco, CA), Keenan Wyrobek (Half Moon Bay, CA), Keller Rinaudo (Menlo Park, CA), Ryan Oksenhorn (Pacifica, CA), William Hetzler (San Mateo, CA) | Zipline International Inc. (San Francisco, CA) | 2016-10-07 | 2018-03-06 | G05D1/00, G05D1/10, B64C39/02 | 15/288733 |
| 284 | 9908638 | Impact velocity reduction by mass ejection | A ballistic parachute is released to slow descent of a cabin and an airframe where the airframe supports a plurality of rotors and the cabin removably attaches to the airframe. A ground condition is detected and it is decided whether to detach the airframe from the cabin. The airframe is detached from the cabin in response to the decision. | Zachais Vawter (Sunnyvale, CA), Todd Reichert (Mountain View, CA) | Kitty Hawk Corporation (Mountain View, CA) | 2016-05-27 | 2018-03-06 | B64C27/00, B64D17/72, B64D25/08, G05D1/10, B64D1/10, B64C39/02, B64D17/80, B64D1/12, B64D45/04, B64D45/00 | 15/167424 |
| 285 | 9905060 | System and method for data recording and analysis | A data analyzing method includes retrieving selected operational data from a plurality of prior events, analyzing the selected operational data to determine an experience level of the platform operator, characterizing the experience level of the platform operator based on analyzing the selected operational data, and performing at least one of increasing platform performance characteristics of the moving platform when the moving platform is operated by an experienced platform operator or decreasing the platform performance characteristics when the moving platform is operated by a novice platform operator. | Renli Shi (Shenzhen, CN), Jianyu Song (Shenzhen, CN), Xi Chen (Shenzhen, CN) | Sz Dji Technology Co., Ltd. (Shenzhen, CN) | 2017-04-18 | 2018-02-27 | G07C5/08, B64C39/02, G05D1/00, B64C29/00, B64D47/08 | 15/490442 |
| 286 | 9896221 | Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) having a deployable net for capture of threat UAVs | An apparatus for use as part of, or attached to, an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to intercept and entangle a threat unmanned aerial vehicle, includes a flight and payload control system for controlling power to the UAV and for controlling maneuvering of the UAV. A host-side mount may be coupled to the UAV and is in communication with the flight and payload control system. A payload-side mount is removably attached to the host-side mount and includes a power interface and a control interface between the payload-side mount and the host-side mount. A counter-UAV system is coupled to said payload-side mount and includes a deployable net having a cross-sectional area sized for intercepting and entangling the threat unmanned aerial vehicle, and a deployment mechanism for mounting to the unmanned aerial vehicle including a rigid mounting bar and a pair of cords, between which the deployable net is disposed. | James C. Kilian (Tyngsborough, MA), Brede J. Wegener (Cambridge, MA), Eric Wharton (Hopkinton, MA), David R. Gavelek (Bedford, MA) | Lockheed Martin Corporation (Bethesda, MD) | 2015-07-20 | 2018-02-20 | B64F1/02, B64C39/02 | 14/803888 |
| 287 | 9886862 | Automated air traffic communications | Apparatus and methods related to aviation communications are included. A computing device can receive position data indicating a position of an aerial vehicle. The position can include an altitude. The computing device can determine, from a plurality of possible airspace classifications, a first airspace classification at the position of the aerial vehicle, where each airspace classification specifies one or more communication parameters for communication within an associated airspace. The computing device can select, from a plurality of communication repositories, a first communication repository that is associated with the first airspace classification, where each communication repository specifies a set of pre-defined communication components for at least one associated airspace classification. The computing device can generate a communication related to the aerial vehicle using the first communication repository. The computing device can send the generated communication to at least one recipient. | James Burgess (Redwood City, CA), Chirath Thouppuarachchi (Mountain View, CA), Gregory Whiting (Menlo Park, CA) | X Development Llc (Mountain View, CA) | 2016-12-23 | 2018-02-06 | G08G5/00, H04W4/02, G06F3/16, G07C5/00 | 15/390043 |
| 288 | 9881213 | Unmanned aerial vehicle rooftop inspection system | Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for an unmanned aerial system inspection system. One of the methods is performed by a UAV and includes receiving, by the UAV, flight information describing a job to perform an inspection of a rooftop. A particular altitude is ascended to, and an inspection of the rooftop is performed including obtaining sensor information describing the rooftop. Location information identifying a damaged area of the rooftop is received. The damaged area of the rooftop is traveled to. An inspection of the damaged area of the rooftop is performed including obtaining detailed sensor information describing the damaged area. A safe landing location is traveled to. | Bernard J. Michini (San Francisco, CA), Hui Li (San Francisco, CA), Brett Michael Bethke (Millbrae, CA) | Unmanned Innovation, Inc. (San Francisco, CA) | 2017-03-17 | 2018-01-30 | G06K9/00, G06K9/62, H04N5/445, G05D1/10, H04N5/232, G05D1/00, G05D1/04, B64C39/02 | 15/462577 |
| 289 | 9880140 | Continual crop development profiling using dynamical extended range weather forecasting with routine remotely-sensed validation imagery | A modeling framework for estimating crop growth and development over the course of an entire growing season generates a continuing profile of crop development from any point prior to and during a growing season until a crop maturity date is reached. The modeling framework applies extended range weather forecasts and remotely-sensed imagery to improve crop growth and development estimation, validation and projection. Output from the profile of crop development profile generates a combination of data for use in auxiliary farm management applications. | Leon F. Osborne (Grand Forks, ND), Brent L. Shaw (Grand Forks, ND), John J. Mewes (Mayville, ND), Dustin M. Salentiny (Grand Forks, ND) | Clearag, Inc. (Santa Ana, CA) | 2015-09-14 | 2018-01-30 | A01G7/00, G01N33/00, G06F17/50 | 14/853593 |
| 290 | 9869819 | Optical energy transfer and conversion system | An optical energy transfer and conversion system comprising a fiber spooler and an electrical power extraction subsystem connected to the spooler with an optical waveguide. Optical energy is generated at and transferred from a base station through fiber wrapped around the spooler, and ultimately to the power extraction system at a remote mobility platform for conversion to another form of energy. The fiber spooler may reside on the remote mobility platform which may be a vehicle, or apparatus that is either self-propelled or is carried by a secondary mobility platform either on land, under the sea, in the air or in space. | William C. Stone (Del Valle, TX), Bartholomew P. Hogan (Rockville, MD) | Stone Aerospace, Inc. (Del Valle, TX) | 2015-07-27 | 2018-01-16 | G02B6/36, G02B6/42, F25C5/08, H02J7/02, G02B6/44, B63B35/12, H02J50/90, H02J50/30, H01L35/30, E21B47/12, E21B41/00, H01L35/00, B64D33/00, G02B19/00, G02B7/182, G02B7/00, E01H5/10 | 14/810121 |
| 291 | 9866039 | Wireless power delivery over medium range distances using magnetic, and common and differential mode-electric, near-field coupling | Embodiments described herein may relate to a system comprising a power source configured to provide a signal at an oscillation frequency, a transmitter coupled to the power source, wherein the transmitter comprises at least one transmit resonator, one or more receivers, wherein the at least one receive resonator is operable to be coupled to the transmit resonator via a wireless resonant coupling link, one or more loads, wherein each of the one or more loads is switchably coupled to one or more respective receive resonators. The system includes a controller configured to determine an operational state of the system, wherein the operational state comprises at least one of three coupling modes (common mode, differential mode, and inductive mode) , and is configured to cause the transmitter to provide electrical power to each of the one or more loads via the wireless resonant coupling link according to the determined operational state. | Brian John Adolf (Mountain View, CA), Richard Wayne DeVaul (Mountain View, CA) | X Development Llc (Mountain View, CA) | 2015-11-13 | 2018-01-09 | H02J5/00, H02J50/05, H02J50/12, H02J7/02 | 14/940762 |
| 292 | 9849981 | Payload-release device position tracking | An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is disclosed that includes a retractable payload delivery system. The payload delivery system can lower a payload to the ground using a delivery device that secures the payload during descent and releases the payload upon reaching the ground. The location of the delivery device can be determined as it is lowered to the ground using image tracking. The UAV can include an imaging system that captures image data of the suspended delivery device and identifies image coordinates of the delivery device, and the image coordinates can then be mapped to a location. The UAV may also be configured to account for any deviations from a planned path of descent in real time to effect accurate delivery locations of released payloads. | James Ryan Burgess (Redwood City, CA), Joanna Cohen (Mountain View, CA) | X Development Llc (Mountain View, CA) | 2014-12-29 | 2017-12-26 | B64D1/12, B64C39/02, G05D1/04 | 14/584189 |
| 293 | 9849979 | Providing services using unmanned aerial vehicles | Embodiments described herein may help to provide support via a fleet of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) . An illustrative medical-support system may include multiple UAVs, which are configured to provide support for a number of different situations. Further, the medical-support system may be configured to: (a) identify a remote situation, (b) determine a target location corresponding to the situation, (c) select a UAV from the fleet of UAVs, where the selection of the UAV is based on a determination that the selected UAV is configured for the identified situation, and (d) cause the selected UAV to travel to the target location to provide support. | Eric Peeters (Mountain View, CA), Eric Teller (Palo Alto, CA), William Graham Patrick (San Francisco, CA) | X Development Llc (Mountain View, CA) | 2016-05-05 | 2017-12-26 | B64C39/02, B64C29/00, G05D1/10, G06Q10/08, B64C19/00, B64D1/08, G08G5/00 | 15/147762 |
| 294 | 9846429 | Systems and methods for target tracking | The present invention provides systems, methods, and devices related to target tracking by UAVs. The UAV may be configured to receive target information from a control terminal related to a target to be tracked by an imaging device coupled to the UAV. The target information may be used by the UAV to automatically track the target so as to maintain predetermined position and/or size of the target within one or more images captured by the imaging device. The control terminal may be configured to display images from the imaging device as well as allowing user input related to the target information. | Bo Zang (Shenzhen, CN) | Sz Dji Technology Co., Ltd. (Shenzhen, CN) | 2016-06-14 | 2017-12-19 | G05D1/12, G05D1/10, B64C39/02, G08G5/00, G06K9/00, G05D1/00, G06F3/0488, B64D47/08 | 15/182553 |
| 295 | 9841616 | Mobile system incorporating flexible and tunable anti-reflective skin and method of use | A mobile system includes a self-supporting platform, a tunable anti-reflective (AR) skin or film disposed on and secured to the mobile platform, one or more actuators and a controller. The tunable AR skin or film includes one or more layers that are at least partially transmitting to optical energy at one or more optical wavelengths. The skin or film is substantially flexible and/or stretchable and has an optical AR to incident electromagnetic radiation of a given wavelength which is selectively variable when flexed and/or stretched. The actuators are able to flex and/or stretch the skin or film in response to receipt of a control signal. The controller generates the control signal based on a measured value of the electromagnetic radiation transmitted through the tunable AR skin or film. | Allan James Bruce (Scotch Plains, NJ), Sergey Frolov (Murray Hill, NJ), Michael Cyrus (Castle Rock, CO) | Sunlight Photonics Inc. (Edison, NJ) | 2016-12-16 | 2017-12-12 | G02F1/01, H04B10/61, G02B1/11, H04B10/116, H04N5/232 | 15/382276 |
| 296 | 9840328 | UAS platforms flying capabilities by capturing top human pilot skills and tactics | A system and method for an unmanned combat system programmed with autonomous combat capabilities. The system and method include at least one unmanned combat vehicle and a computing subsystem that includes a database, the database storing interview data about combat experiences from a plurality of vehicle operators and recorded vehicle simulator data from simulations of vehicle operations performed by the plurality of vehicle operators, the computing subsystem being configured to program the interview data and the recorded vehicle simulator data stored in the database into the at least one unmanned combat vehicle. | Robert F. Howard (East Islip, NY) | Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation (Falls Church, VA) | 2015-11-23 | 2017-12-12 | B64C39/02, G06F17/30, G08G5/00 | 14/948779 |
| 297 | 9833647 | Wildfire arrest and prevention system | An apparatus, operations controller and methods for controlling unmanned aerial vehicles for detection, prevention and suppression of fires in a designated zone are presented. Monitored information is received and analyzed to detect a presence of a fire event or a fire risk in the designated zone. A cargo unmanned aerial vehicle is directed to a vicinity of the fire event or the fire risk and instructed to deploy a fire retardant or a fire suppressant at a location of the fire event or the fire risk, if the presence of the fire event or the fire risk is detected. | Grzegorz M. Kawiecki (Madrid, ES) | The Boeing Company (Chicago, IL) | 2013-07-09 | 2017-12-05 | A62C2/00, A62C3/02, B64D1/16, G08B17/00, A62C37/00, G08B17/12 | 13/937217 |
| 298 | 9831906 | Active electronically scanned array with power amplifier drain bias tapering | An active electronically scanned array (AESA) includes a plurality of power amplifiers including first power amplifiers and second power amplifiers. The first power amplifiers are biased by a first drain voltage. The second power amplifiers are biased by a second drain voltage. The second drain voltage is different from the first drain voltage. | Chenggang Xie (Marion, IA), James B. West (Cedar Rapids, IA) | Rockwell Collins, Inc. (Cedar Rapids, IA) | 2015-01-28 | 2017-11-28 | H04B1/40, H03F3/24, H03F3/19, H03F1/02, H04B1/04 | 14/607878 |
| 299 | 9831833 | Power amplifier | A power amplifier including a power amplifier stage. The power amplifier stage may be configured to receive a signal, amplify the signal at saturation with substantially zero amplitude-phase (AM-PM) distortion, and output the amplified signal as an output signal. The power amplifier may be a single stage power amplifier or a multi-stage power amplifier. | Chenggang Xie (Marion, IA) | Rockwell Collins, Inc. (Cedar Rapids, IA) | 2016-01-28 | 2017-11-28 | H04B1/04, H03F1/32, H03F1/02, H03F3/68, H03F3/193, H04B1/10, H03F3/21, H04B1/40 | 15/009378 |
| 300 | 9826941 | Pilot health monitoring and hypoxia prevention system and method | A vehicular system includes a wearable device and a computing device. The wearable device is configured to be worn by an operator of a vehicle. The wearable device includes a sensor configured to measure a physiological state of the operator. The wearable device is configured to output physiological data indicative of the physiological state of the operator or operator health alert data indicative of a determined health problem associated with the operator. The computing device includes a processor configured to receive the physiological data associated with the operator or the operator health alert data from the wearable device and to determine whether the operator is experiencing a health problem based on the physiological data or the operator health alert data. | Rick M. Serovy (Cedar Rapids, IA), Charles J. Sitter (Robins, IA) | Rockwell Collins, Inc. (Cedar Rapids, IA) | 2015-06-26 | 2017-11-28 | A61B5/00, A61B5/1455 | 14/752468 |
| 301 | 9823654 | Multi-part navigation process by an unmanned aerial vehicle for navigation | Embodiments described herein may relate to an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) navigating to a target in order to provide medical support. An illustrative method involves a UAV (a) determining an approximate target location associated with a target, (b) using a first navigation process to navigate the UAV to the approximate target location, where the first navigation process generates flight-control signals based on the approximate target location, (c) making a determination that the UAV is located at the approximate target location, and (d) in response to the determination that the UAV is located at the approximate target location, using a second navigation process to navigate the UAV to the target, wherein the second navigation process generates flight-control signals based on real-time localization of the target. | Eric Peeters (Mountain View, CA), Eric Teller (Palo Alto, CA), William Graham Patrick (San Francisco, CA) | X Development Llc (Mountain View, CA) | 2016-03-28 | 2017-11-21 | G08G5/00, G05D1/12, G01S5/02, B64C39/02, B64C19/00, G05D1/00, G01S13/93, G01S13/94 | 15/082205 |
| 302 | 9822509 | Method of controlling machines at a worksite | A method of controlling machines for performing operations at a worksite is disclosed. The method includes receiving pre-construction terrain data, design terrain data, and resource data and then defining a plurality of constraints based on the data. Operations of the machines are simulated based on the data. The method includes estimating process variables associated with the operations and defining and scheduling tasks to be performed by the machines. The method includes collecting real time data from the worksite and updating the estimated process variables and the scheduled tasks of the machines based on the collected real time data. Instructions are then provided to the machines for executing the tasks. | Liqun Chi (Peoria, IL), Sanat A. Talmaki (Peoria, IL), Paul T. Corcoran (Washington, IL), Scott A. Leman (Eureka, IL), Brad L. Holsapple (Metamora, IL), Mark W. Whiting (Peur, IL), Allen J. DeClerk (Princeton, IL) | Caterpillar Inc. (Peoria, IL) | 2016-05-02 | 2017-11-21 | E02F9/00, G06F17/00, E02F9/20, E02F9/26, G05B15/02, G06F3/0484, G06F17/30 | 15/143985 |
| 303 | 9817396 | Supervisory control of an unmanned aerial vehicle | An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is disclosed that may allow for supervisory control interaction by a remote operator to assist with navigation to a target location. The UAV may navigate to a target area and capture and send an image of the target area to the remote operator. The remote operator can then provide a user input that indicates a target location within the target area. Upon receiving an indication of the target area, the UAV can then autonomously navigate to the target location. In some examples, after reaching the target location, the UAV may initiate delivery of a payload at the target location using a retractable delivery system while the UAV hovers above. | Leila Takayama (Mountain View, CA), Brandon Alexander (San Francisco, CA), Roger William Graves (San Francisco, CA), Justin Sadowski (San Francisco, CA), Abraham Bachrach (Berkeley, CA) | X Development Llc (Mountain View, CA) | 2014-12-31 | 2017-11-14 | G05D1/02, G05D1/00, B64C39/02, G05D1/12, G08G5/00, B64C27/00 | 14/587091 |
| 304 | 9816785 | Interactive weapon targeting system displaying remote sensed image of target area | Systems, devices, and methods for determining a predicted impact point of a selected weapon and associated round based on stored ballistic information, provided elevation data, provided azimuth data, and provided position data. | John C. McNeil (Tujunga, CA), Earl Clyde Cox (La Cresenta, CA), Makoto Ueno (Simi Valley, CA), Jon Andrew Ross (Moorpark, CA) | Aerovironment, Inc. (Monrovia, CA) | 2014-10-31 | 2017-11-14 | F41G5/14, F41G3/02, F41G3/16, F41G3/14 | 14/530486 |
| 305 | 9813512 | Systems and methods for efficiently generating a geospatial data map for use in agricultural operations | A data receiving module receives sampled agricultural-related data associated with a given geographic area. An analysis module processes the received sampled agricultural-related data to generate a sub-sampled raster of agricultural-related data over the given geographic area. The analysis module processes the sub-sampled raster of agricultural-related data to generate a final output raster of agricultural-related data over the given geographic area. The final output raster has a higher resolution than the sub-sampled raster. A geospatial data map generation module generates image data that when used to control a display of a remote subscriber computing device causes the display to show a geospatial data map based on the final output raster of agricultural-related data over the given geographic area. A communication module transmits instructions including the generated image data to the remote subscriber computing device to cause processing of the image data to display the geospatial data map on the display. | Michael Wilbur (Hillsborough, CA), Jason Ellsworth (Kennewick, WA), Toji Oommen (Sammamish, WA), Adarsha Mohapatra (Redmond, WA), David Thayer (Renton, WA) | Agverdict, Inc. (San Francisco, CA) | 2016-10-21 | 2017-11-07 | G06F15/16, H04W4/00, H04L29/08 | 15/299881 |
| 306 | 9809307 | Methods and systems for providing a safety apparatus to distressed persons | Various embodiments of the present invention comprise systems for providing a lifesaving apparatus to a distressed individual. Such systems may comprise an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) configured to selectably support a lifesaving apparatus. The UAV may comprise a release mechanism configured to release the lifesaving apparatus when proximate a distressed person. The system may additionally comprise a control device configured to wirelessly communicate with the UAV such that a user can pilot the UAV from a distance and deliver the lifesaving apparatus to a distressed person. Methods of using the same may comprise piloting the UAV proximate a distressed person, providing a signal to the UAV to release the lifesaving apparatus by operating the release mechanism, and then pulling the lifesaving apparatus and the distressed person to safety via a control line secured to the lifesaving apparatus. | James Sommerfield Richardson (Duluth, GA) | --- | 2017-07-27 | 2017-11-07 | B64D1/02, B63C9/01, B64C39/02, G05D1/00 | 15/661859 |
| 307 | 9791866 | Autonomous cargo delivery system | The present invention is directed to a system and methods of providing platform-agnostic systems and methods capable of providing an integrated processor and sensor suite with supervisory control software and interfaces to perform small unit rapid response resupply and CASEVAC into hazardous and unpredictable environments. | James D. Paduano (Boston, MA), John B. Wissler (Waltham, MA), Michael D. Piedmonte (Stow, MA), David A. Mindell (Cambridge, MA) | Aurora Flight Sciences Corporation (Manassas, VA) | 2016-10-17 | 2017-10-17 | G01C23/00, G05D1/04, G05D1/10, G05D1/02 | 15/295028 |
| 308 | 9791316 | System and method for calibrating imaging measurements taken from aerial vehicles | Systems and methods are provided for calibrating spectral measurements taken of one or more targets from an aerial vehicle. Multiple photo sensors may be configured to obtain spectral measurements of one or more ambient light sources. The obtained spectral measurements of the one or more ambient light sources may be used to calibrate the obtained spectral measurements of the target. | Michael Ritter (San Diego, CA), Michael Milton (San Diego, CA) | Slantrange, Inc. (San Diego, CA) | 2016-09-23 | 2017-10-17 | G01J3/46, G01J3/02, G01J3/28, G01J1/42, G01J1/44, G01J1/04 | 15/275194 |
| 309 | 9783297 | Mechanisms for lowering a payload to the ground from a UAV | Embodiments described herein may help to provide medical support via a fleet of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) . An illustrative UAV may include a housing, a payload, a line-deployment mechanism coupled to the housing and a line, and a payload-release mechanism that couples the line to the payload, wherein the payload-release mechanism is configured to release the payload from the line. The UAV may further include a control system configured to determine that the UAV is located at or near a delivery location and responsively: operate the line-deployment mechanism according to a variable deployment-rate profile to lower the payload to or near to the ground, determine that the payload is touching or is within a threshold distance from the ground, and responsively operate the payload-release mechanism to release the payload from the line. | William Graham Patrick (Palo Alto, CA), James Ryan Burgess (Redwood City, CA), Andrew Conrad (Malibu, CA) | X Development Llc (Mountain View, CA) | 2016-05-05 | 2017-10-10 | B64D1/12, B64C39/02, B64D1/22 | 15/147766 |
| 310 | 9783295 | Interaction during delivery from aerial vehicle | An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is disclosed that includes a retractable payload delivery system. The payload delivery system can lower a payload to the ground using an assembly that secures the payload during descent and releases the payload upon reaching the ground. The assembly can also include a bystander communication module for generating cues for bystander perception. While the assembly securing the payload is being lowered from the UAV, the bystander communication module can generate an avoidance cue indicating that bystanders should avoid interference with the assembly. The assembly also includes sensors that generate data used, at least in part, to determine when the descending assembly is at or near the ground, at which point the assembly releases the payload. The bystander communication module can then cease the avoidance cue and the UAV can retract the assembly. | Leila Takayama (Mountain View, CA), Matthew Ball (Mountain View, CA), Joanna Cohen (Mountain View, CA), Roger William Graves (San Francisco, CA), Mathias Samuel Fleck (Milpitas, CA), Andrew Lambert (Mountain View, CA), James Ryan Burgess (Redwood City, CA), Paul Richard Komarek (San Jose, CA), Trevor Shannon (Menlo Park, CA) | X Development Llc (Mountain View, CA) | 2017-03-27 | 2017-10-10 | B64D1/02, B64D1/22, B64D1/12, B64C39/02, B64D47/06 | 15/470610 |
| 311 | 9779885 | Method of pre-doping a lithium ion capacitor | A method for pre-doping a lithium ion capacitor, including: compressing a lithium ion capacitor of the formula: C/S/A/S/C/S/A/S/C, where: /A/ is an anode coated on both sides with an anode carbon layer, and each anode carbon layer is further coated with lithium composite powder (LCP) layer, C/ is a cathode coated on one side with a layer of an cathode carbon mixture, and S is a separator, and a non-aqueous electrolyte, and conditioning the resulting compressed lithium ion capacitor, for example, at a rate of from C/20 to 4C, and the conditioning redistributes the impregnated lithium as lithium ions in the anode carbon structure. Also disclosed is an carbon coated anode having lithium composite powder (LCP) layer compressed on the carbon coated anode. | Kishor Purushottam Gadkaree (Painted Post, NY), Rahul Suryakant Kadam (Corning, NY) | Corning Incorporated (Corning, NY) | 2015-08-26 | 2017-10-03 | H01G11/50, H01G11/06, H01G11/84, H01G11/38, H01G11/14, H01G11/86 | 14/836099 |
| 312 | 9778628 | Optimization of human supervisors and cyber-physical systems | A method and system for optimizing a human supervised cyber-physical system determines a state of the human operator based on data from multiple psycho physiological sensors, determines a state of each of multiple cyber-physical systems in the human supervised cyber-physical system based on data provided by the cyber-physical systems, and fuses the state of the human operator and the state of each of the plurality of cyber-physical systems into a single state of the human supervised cyber-physical system. The single state is then used to generate recommendations for optimizing a user interface and to generate high level control signals for the cyber-physical systems. | Francesco Leonardi (Glastonbury, CT), Luca F. Bertuccelli (Manchester, CT), Amit Surana (West Hatford, CT) | Goodrich Corporation (Charlotte, NC) | 2014-08-07 | 2017-10-03 | G05B13/04, G05B23/02 | 14/454301 |
| 313 | 9777889 | Vapor cooled shielding liner for cryogenic storage in composite pressure vessels | A novel tank cryogenic-compatible composite pressure vessel that beneficially utilizes Vapor Cooled Shielding (VCS) is introduced to minimize thermal gradients along support structures and reduces heat loads on cryogenic systems. In particular, the configurations and mechanisms to be utilized herein include: providing for a desired number of passageways and a given thickness of the VCS, reducing the thermal conductivity of the VCS material, and increasing the cooling capacitance of the hydrogen vapors. | Jacob William Leachman (Pullman, WA), Patrick Marshall Adam (Pullman, WA) | Washington State University (Pullman, WA) | 2015-07-28 | 2017-10-03 | F17C1/00, F17C3/04 | 14/810597 |
| 314 | 9776200 | Systems and methods for unmanned aerial painting applications | Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to an Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) for applying a liquid to a surface. According to various embodiments, the UAS includes an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) including flight control mechanisms. The UAV is configured to receive first control signals and to adjust an operational configuration of the flight control mechanisms in response to the first control signals. The UAS further includes a delivery assembly coupled to the UAV, where the delivery assembly is configured to receive second control signals and to apply the liquid to the surface located proximately to the UAV in response to the second control signals. The UAS further includes a control unit coupled to the UAV and the delivery assembly, the control unit configured to transmit the first and second control signals to the UAV and the delivery assembly, respectively. | Luke Andrew Busby (Reno, NV), Todd Iverson (Reno, NV), Ryan McMaster (Reno, NV) | Luryto, Llc (Reno, NV) | 2014-09-19 | 2017-10-03 | G05D1/00, B05B9/04, G06F7/00, G05D3/00, G06F17/00, B05B13/00, B05B9/00, B05B12/12, B64C27/00 | 14/491780 |
| 315 | 9774382 | Integrated wafer scale, high data rate, wireless repeater placed on fixed or mobile elevated platforms | Methods and systems are provided for relocatable repeaters for wireless communication links to locations that may present accessibility problems using, for example, small unmanned aerial systems (sUAS) . An sUAS implemented as an easy-to-operate, small vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft with hovering capability for holding station position may provide an extended range, highly secure, high data rate, repeater system for extending the range of point-to-point wireless communication links (also referred to as ''crosslinks'') in which repeater locations are easily relocatable with very fast set-up and relocating times. A repeater system using beam forming and power combining techniques enables a very high gain antenna array with very narrow beam width and superb pointing accuracy. The aircraft includes a control system enabling three-dimensional pointing and sustaining directivity of the beam independently of flight path of the aircraft. | Farrokh Mohamadi (Irvine, CA) | --- | 2015-07-09 | 2017-09-26 | H04B7/155, H04W16/00, B64C19/00, H04W16/26, H04W16/28, B64C39/02, H04W72/04 | 14/795713 |
| 316 | 9773398 | Localized flood alert system | A flood warning system and method are described. The system obtains localized flood depth information and, based upon alert parameter information provided by registered users, creates personalized flood alerts for the registered users. The method uses ultrasound derived localized flood depth information and alert parameter information provided by registered users to provide personalized flood alerts to the registered users. | Faried Abrahams (Laytonsville, MD), Amol Ashok Dhondse (Pune, IN), Kerrie Holley (Montara, CA), Anand Pikle (Pune, IN), Gandhi Sivakumar (Bentleigh, AU) | International Business Machines Corporation (Armonk, NY) | 2017-01-03 | 2017-09-26 | G08B21/00, G08B25/10, G08B21/10 | 15/397007 |
| 317 | 9766623 | Detection and tracking of land, maritime, and airborne objects using a radar on a parasail | A method and apparatuses may be provided for detection, tracking, and classification of one or more land, maritime, or airborne objects using a real-aperture radar mounted on a parasail airborne platform. Both wide-area and localized radar surveillance can be provided, and the radar can be either a non-coherent radar or coherent radar. A method and apparatus may use a low-cost, rotating, single-beam, non-coherent, X-band radar that is mounted on an unmanned powered parasail and operated remotely like an Unattended Airborne System (UAS) . The parasail, which may be expendable or recoverable, manned or unmanned, powered or unpowered, may have a low operational cost, can carry a heavy payload, stay on station for a long time, circle or move to a specified location for surveillance, operate at an optimal altitude and look-angle, and automatically cue or manually steer an EO/IR camera to a target of interest for classification and identification. | George W. Moe (Columbia, MD), Phillip A. Fox (Hertford, NC), Joseph W. Maresca, Jr. (Sunnyvale, CA) | Vista Research, Inc. (Sunnyvale, CA) | 2013-01-11 | 2017-09-19 | G01S13/66, G01S7/04, G01S13/88, G01S7/00, H04N7/18, G05D1/00, G01S7/41, G01S13/04, G01S13/86, G01S13/89, G01S13/91, G01S13/42 | 13/739382 |
| 318 | 9763037 | Network architecture for synchronized display | Systems and methods are provided that couple one or more devices to one or more user interfaces and to one or more servers via network connections allowing a human operator to provide tailored content to an autonomous or semi-autonomous robotic agent that is responsive to human interpretable commands. Various devices can be identified on a network and location data regarding each of the mobile devices can be delivered to the servers. Data can be displayed on a user interface that is a presentation screen based on mobile devices in its proximity, for example. | Barbara J. Manges (Cincinnati, OH) | Medappit Llc (Cincinnati, OH) | 2016-06-14 | 2017-09-12 | G06F15/173, H04N1/00, H04W4/04, H04W12/06, H04W64/00, H04W84/00, G06F3/14, H04W4/00, H04W4/02, H04L29/08, H04W76/02, G06F15/177, G06F19/00, B64C39/02, H04W84/18, H04W84/10 | 15/182321 |
| 319 | 9754734 | Poly-vinylidene difluoride anode binder in a lithium ion capacitor | A lithium ion capacitor, including: an anode including: a conductive support, a first mixture coated on the conductive support including: an interclating carbon, a conductive carbon black, and a PVDF binder in amounts as defined herein, and where the PVDF binder has a weight average molecular weight of from 300,000 to 400,000, and a second mixture coated on the first mixture, the second mixture comprising micron-sized lithium metal particles having an encapsulating shell comprised of LiPF.sub.6, mineral oil, and a thermoplastic binder. Also disclosed is a method of making and using the lithium ion capacitor. | Kishor Purushottam Gadkaree (Painted Post, NY), Rahul Suryakant Kadam (Corning, NY) | Corning Incorporated (Corning, NY) | 2017-02-08 | 2017-09-05 | H01G11/62, H01G11/38, H01G11/52, H01G11/06, H01G11/60, H01G11/44, H01G11/50 | 15/427382 |
| 320 | 9747808 | Unmanned aerial vehicle management system | An Unmanned Aerial System configured to receive a request from a user and fulfill that request using an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle. The Unmanned Aerial System selects a distribution center that is within range of the user, and deploys a suitable Unmanned Aerial Vehicle to fulfill the request from that distribution center. The Unmanned Aerial System is configured to provide real-time information about the flight route to the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle during its flight, and the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle is configured to dynamically update its mission based on information received from the Unmanned Aerial System. | Andrew Chambers (San Francisco, CA), Bryan Wade (Redwood City, CA), Catalin Drula (Bucharest, RO), David Halley (Los Osos, CA), Igor Napolskikh (Mississauga, CA), Keenan Wyrobek (Half Moon Bay, CA), Keller Rinaudo (Menlo Park, CA), Nicholas Brake (San Luis Obispo, CA), Ryan Oksenhorn (Pacifica, CA), Ryan Patterson (Littleton, CO), William Hetzler (San Mateo, CA) | Zipline International Inc. (San Francisco, CA) | 2016-05-09 | 2017-08-29 | B64C39/02, G06Q10/08, G05D1/10, G08G5/00, G01C21/20 | 15/150269 |
| 321 | 9745062 | Methods and systems for providing a safety apparatus to distressed persons | Various embodiments of the present invention comprise systems for providing a lifesaving apparatus to a distressed individual. Such systems may comprise an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) configured to selectably support a lifesaving apparatus. The UAV may comprise a release mechanism configured to release the lifesaving apparatus when proximate a distressed person. The system may additionally comprise a control device configured to wirelessly communicate with the UAV such that a user can pilot the UAV from a distance and deliver the lifesaving apparatus to a distressed person. Methods of using the same may comprise piloting the UAV proximate a distressed person, providing a signal to the UAV to release the lifesaving apparatus by operating the release mechanism, and then pulling the lifesaving apparatus and the distressed person to safety via a control line secured to the lifesaving apparatus. | James Sommerfield Richardson (Duluth, GA) | James Sommerfield Richardson (Duluth, GA) | 2015-04-17 | 2017-08-29 | B64D1/02, B64C39/02, G05D1/00 | 14/689323 |
| 322 | 9740200 | Unmanned aerial vehicle inspection system | Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for an unmanned aerial system inspection system. One of the methods is performed by a UAV and includes obtaining, from a user device, flight operation information describing an inspection of a vertical structure to be performed, the flight operation information including locations of one or more safe locations for vertical inspection. A location of the UAV is determined to correspond to a first safe location for vertical inspection. A first inspection of the structure is performed is performed at the first safe location, the first inspection including activating cameras. A second safe location is traveled to, and a second inspection of the structure is performed. Information associated with the inspection is provided to the user device. | Brett Michael Bethke (Millbrae, CA), Hui Li (San Francisco, CA), Bernard J. Michini (San Francisco, CA) | Unmanned Innovation, Inc. (San Francisco, CA) | 2016-09-16 | 2017-08-22 | G08G5/04, G05D1/00, B64C39/02, B64D47/08, G08G5/00 | 15/268241 |
| 323 | 9721158 | 3D terrain mapping system and method | A terrain mapping system includes an aerial system including at least one camera configured to capture a plurality of aerial images of an area and transmit the plurality of aerial images to an image database, a plurality of machines each having a ground control point (GCP) disposed thereon, and each being configured to periodically record a global location of the GCP in a location history database, and a mapping unit configured to construct a preliminary three-dimensional (3D) terrain map based on the plurality of aerial images, detect at least one GCP within at least one aerial image, determine an estimated global location and an accurate global location of the at least one GCP, and calibrate the preliminary 3D terrain map based on the estimated global location and the accurate global location of the at least one GCP. | Qi Wang (Pittsburgh, PA), Paul Edmund Rybski (Pittsburgh, PA) | Caterpillar Inc. (Peoria, IL) | 2015-10-19 | 2017-08-01 | G06K9/00, G06K9/46, G06F17/30, G06T11/20, H04N7/18 | 14/886192 |
| 324 | 9718544 | Methods and systems for providing aerial assistance | Embodiments described herein may relate to systems and methods for navigating to a supply request. An alert device may be controlled to issue alerts to draw the attention of bystanders to associated supplies for a situation. An illustrative method involves (a) receiving, by a computing system, a transmission indicating a situation at a designated location, (b) the computing system determining an approximate target area associated with the designated location, (c) the computing system making a determination that an alert device is located within the approximate target area, and (d) in response to the determination that the alert device is located within the approximate target area, the computing system executing instructions to activate at least one alert on the alert device indicating the situation and the designated location of the situation. | Mathias Samuel Fleck (Milpitas, CA) | X Development Llc (Mountain View, CA) | 2016-07-06 | 2017-08-01 | B64C39/02, G05D1/00, G05D1/10, B64D1/14, G05D1/12, G07C5/00, G08B25/00, B64G1/52, A61B5/00 | 15/203388 |
| 325 | 9715009 | Deterent for unmanned aerial systems | A system (100) for providing an integrated multi-sensor detection and countermeasure against commercial unmanned aerial systems/vehicles (44) and includes a detecting element (103, 104, 105) , a tracking element (103,104, 105) an identification element (103, 104, 105) and an interdiction element (102) . The detecting element detects an unmanned aerial vehicle in flight in the region of, or approaching, a property, place, event or very important person. The tracking element determines the exact location of the unmanned aerial vehicle. The identification/classification element utilizing data from the other elements generates the identification and threat assessment of the UAS. The interdiction element, based on automated algorithms can either direct the unmanned aerial vehicle away from the property, place, event or very important person in a non-destructive manner, or can disable the unmanned aerial vehicle in a destructive manner. The interdiction process may be over ridden by intervention by a System Operator/HiL. | Dwaine A. Parker (Naples, FL), Damon E. Stern (Riverview, FL), Lawrence S. Pierce (Huntsville, AL) | Xidrone Systems, Inc. (Naples, FL) | 2016-12-02 | 2017-07-25 | G01S13/88, G01S13/86, F41H11/02, G01S7/38, G01S13/66, G01S13/91, G01S13/93, G01S7/02, F41H13/00 | 15/368269 |
| 326 | 9689976 | Deterent for unmanned aerial systems | A system for providing integrated detection and countermeasures against unmanned aerial vehicles include a detecting element, an location determining element and an interdiction element. The detecting element detects an unmanned aerial vehicle in flight in the region of, or approaching, a property, place, event or very important person. The location determining element determines the exact location of the unmanned aerial vehicle. The interdiction element can either direct the unmanned aerial vehicle away from the property, place, event or very important person in a non-destructive manner, or can cause disable the unmanned aerial vehicle in a destructive manner. | Dwaine A. Parker (Naples, FL), Damon E. Stern (Riverview, FL), Lawrence S. Pierce (Huntsville, AL) | Xidrone Systems, Inc. (Naples, FL) | 2015-08-10 | 2017-06-27 | G01S13/86, G01S7/38, F41H13/00, G01S13/88, F41H11/02, G01S7/02, G01S13/42, G01S7/41, G01S3/782, G01S13/06, G01S13/91, G01S13/93 | 14/821907 |
| 327 | 9688403 | Method for adaptive mission execution on an unmanned aerial vehicle | A method for adaptive mission execution by an unmanned aerial vehicle includes receiving a set of pre-calculated mission parameters corresponding to an initial UAV mission, collecting UAV operation data during flight of the unmanned aerial vehicle, calculating a set of modified mission parameters from the set of pre-calculated mission parameters and the UAV operation data, the set of modified mission parameters corresponding to a modified UAV mission, and executing the modified UAV mission on the unmanned aerial vehicle. | Michael Winn (San Francisco, CA), Jonathan Millin (San Francisco, CA), Nicholas Pilkington (San Francisco, CA), Jeremy Eastwood (San Francisco, CA) | Infatics, Inc. (San Francisco, CA) | 2015-05-20 | 2017-06-27 | G05D1/00, B64C39/02, G05D1/02 | 14/717955 |
| 328 | 9679704 | Cathode for a lithium ion capacitor | A cathode in a lithium ion capacitor, including: a carbon composition comprising: an activated carbon, a conductive carbon, and a binder in in amounts as defined herein, and a current collector that supports the carbon composition, wherein the activated carbon has: a surface area of from 500 to 3000 m.sup.2/g, a pore volume where from 50 to 80% of the void volume is in pores less than 10 .ANG., a pore volume higher than 0.3 cm.sup.3/gm occupied by the micropores less than 10 .ANG., and a microporosity of greater than 60% of the total pore volume. Also disclosed is a method of making the cathode and using the cathode in a lithium ion capacitor. | Kishor Purushottam Gadkaree (Painted Post, NY), Rahul Suryakant Kadam (Corning, NY), Jia Liu (Painted Post, NY) | Corning Incorporated (Corning, NY) | 2015-01-30 | 2017-06-13 | H01G11/26, H01G11/50, H01M4/133, H01G11/34, H01G11/24, H01G11/06, H01G11/38, H01G11/42, H01G11/52, H01G11/56, H01G11/86, H02J7/00, H01M4/587, H01G11/68 | 14/610868 |
| 329 | 9677564 | Magnetic propeller safety device | A magnetic propeller device for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) includes a propeller and a shaft mount that engage with a motor shaft of a UAV. The propeller and shaft mount each have a magnetic element. When both magnetic elements are aligned, the propeller engages the shaft mount by way of a magnetic holding force between the magnetic elements. When a propeller contacts an object and the propeller is displaced, the magnetic elements passively disengage the propeller from the shaft mount due to misalignment of the magnetic elements. Passive disengagement allows the propeller to rotate independently of the motor shaft. Once the UAV moves clear of the object, the magnetic elements can realign, such that the propeller re-engages the shaft mount and resumes rotation with the motor shaft. | Adam Woodworth (Santa Clara, CA), Clark Sopper (Redwood City, CA) | X Development Llc (Mountain View, CA) | 2015-01-15 | 2017-06-13 | B64D35/00, F04D25/02, B64D45/00, B64C39/02 | 14/598009 |
| 330 | 9673877 | Radiofrequency processor | A multiple input, multiple function, multiple output (MIMFMO) radiofrequency (RF) processor including a MIMFMO RF processor element. The MIMFMO RF processor element is configured to receive multiple RF input signals, perform multiple RF operations on the multiple RF input signals, and output processed RF output signals to multiple output circuits. | Russell D. Wyse (Center Point, IA), Michael L. Hageman (Mount Vernon, IA), Theodore J. Hoffmann (Palo, IA) | Rockwell Collins, Inc. (Cedar Rapids, IA) | 2016-05-05 | 2017-06-06 | H04B7/04, H04B7/0413, H04L27/26 | 15/147477 |
| 331 | 9671781 | Responsive navigation of an unmanned aerial vehicle to a remedial facility | The present disclosure relates to a deployment system for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) . In one aspect, an illustrative deployment system includes a communication system configured for receiving diagnostic data corresponding to an object included in a UAV, wherein the UAV has an expiration condition, and a logic module configured for (i) determining that the expiration condition has been satisfied based, at least in part, on the received diagnostic data, and (ii) responsive to determining that the expiration condition has been satisfied, initiating an action that includes sending to the UAV both (a) navigation data relating to a remedial facility, and (b) instructions to navigate to the remedial facility based, at least in part, on the navigation data. | Eric Peeters (Mountain View, CA), Eric Teller (Palo Alto, CA), William Graham Patrick (San Francisco, CA) | X Development Llc (Mountain View, CA) | 2014-11-14 | 2017-06-06 | G07C5/00, G05D1/00 | 14/542203 |
| 332 | 9667710 | Systems and methods for cloud-based agricultural data processing and management | A cloud-based system for integration of agricultural data with geolocation-based agricultural operations is provided. The system receives agricultural-related data associated with a given geographic area and transforms the received data into an analysis-ready format. The system processes the received data through one or more algorithms to determine at least one operation to be performed within the given geographic area. The system generates a set of instructions for execution of the at least one operation within the given geographic area as a function of geolocation, where the instructions are coded for direct use by a controller of a specified type of agricultural equipment. The system transmits the instructions over a wireless communication channel to the controller, where the instructions cause the controller to direct operation of the agricultural equipment to perform the at least one operation within the given geographic area as a function of geolocation in an automated manner. | Michael Wilbur (Hillsborough, CA), Jason Ellsworth (Kennewick, WA), Toji Oommen (Sammamish, WA), Adarsha Mohapatra (Redmond, WA), David Thayer (Renton, WA) | Agverdict, Inc. (San Francisco, CA) | 2016-04-20 | 2017-05-30 | G06F15/16, H04L29/08, H04W4/00, G06F17/30 | 15/133658 |
| 333 | 9665094 | Automatically deployed UAVs for disaster response | Embodiments relate to a container that can be installed at a remote location, detect a disaster event, and automatically deploy a UAV. In response to detection of the disaster event, such a container may be configured to: (i) determine whether or not one or more weather conditions affecting operation of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) are conducive to deployment of the UAV to fly to the first geographic area, (ii) if the one or more conditions are conducive to deployment of the UAV, then deploy the UAV to fly to the first geographic area, and (iii) if the one or more conditions are not conducive to deployment of the UAV, then monitor the second data until it is determined that the one or more conditions are conducive to deployment of the UAV, and then deploy the UAV to fly to the first geographic area. | Daniel Martin Russell (Palo Alto, CA) | X Development Llc (Mountain View, CA) | 2014-11-10 | 2017-05-30 | G05D1/00, B64C39/02, G01P5/00, B64D47/08 | 14/537855 |
| 334 | 9652904 | System and method for data recording and analysis | A system and apparatus for data recording and analyzing operational data and methods for making and using the same. The apparatus can monitor and record data generated by a plurality of operational and extended sensors each positioned on a moving platform. The data recording and analysis system can analyze the sensor data during movement and, by performing a statistical analysis of the operational data, can advantageously adjust one or more selected performance capabilities of the platform. The performance envelope of a platform can be increased or decreased according to the experience of an operator. The recorded data can be transmitted at any suitable time, including during and/or after travel. The apparatus provides redundant storage capability and the ability to store information on removable media to enable sharing of data. Thereby, the system, apparatus and method advantageously can optimize the operator's overall experience controlling a platform. | Renli Shi (Guangdong, CN), Jianyu Song (Guangdong, CN), Xi Chen (Guangdong, CN) | Sz Dji Technology Co., Ltd. (Shenzhen, CN) | 2015-10-16 | 2017-05-16 | G06F17/00, G07C5/08, G07C5/02, B64C39/02 | 14/885589 |
| 335 | 9650137 | Movement detection of hanging loads | Embodiments described herein provide for detecting an angle of a cable attached to a rotorcraft for transporting a hanging payload using a pair of linear displacement sensors that are coupled to both the rotorcraft and the cable. One embodiment is a cable angle detector mounted to an underside of a rotorcraft. A cable has one end coupled to the rotorcraft and another end coupled to a payload. A pair of linear displacement sensors has one end coupled to the underside of the rotorcraft and another end coupled to the cable. The detector measures the displacement of the sensors and calculates an angle of the cable relative to the rotorcraft based on the measurements. | Suhat Limvorapun (Huntington Beach, CA), John Sumerel (Long Beach, CA) | The Boeing Company (Chicago, IL) | 2014-02-27 | 2017-05-16 | G01L5/00, B64D1/22, G01B5/24, G01R27/02 | 14/191742 |
| 336 | 9650134 | Unmanned aerial rescue system | Embodiments of unmanned aerial rescue systems are disclosed, which may comprise: a frame or chassis, a landing member, a control system, a propulsion system, a propulsion system support member, a propulsion system orientation mechanism, a rotor shield or protector, a sealed equipment container, a cover or shroud, an equipment carrier, an equipment release mechanism, a navigation system, a sensor system, a sound system, a light system, a data communication system, an emergency equipment system, and a power management system. In some embodiments, a parabolic shroud increases the performance of sensor systems of the unmanned aerial rescue system, such as sound and light systems. | Dana R. Chappell (San Diego, CA) | --- | 2015-06-05 | 2017-05-16 | B64C27/52, B64D47/06, B60Q5/00, B64D1/10, B64C39/02, B64D47/08 | 14/732165 |
| 337 | 9648313 | Aviation display system and method | An aviation display system includes an input source configured to provide a left eye input channel including a first band and an input source configured to provide a right eye input channel having a second band different from the first band. A processor is coupled with the input sources and with a non-transitory processor readable medium storing processor executable code, which causes the processor to receive data indicative of the left eye and right eye input channels from the input sources and to generate a left eye output channel and a right eye output channel. A display is configured to receive the left and right eye output channels from the processor and to provide an image indicative of the left eye output channel to a left eye of a user, and an image indicative of the right eye output channel to a right eye of the user. | Daniel J. Henry (Cedar Rapids, IA), Matthew J. Cunnien (Marion, IA), Michael J. Armstrong (Central City, IA), Peter J. Flugstad (Marion, IA), Shawn M. Spencer (Richardson, TX), Thomas Schnell (Iowa City, IA), Donald E. Glass (Mukilteo, WA), Max G. Taylor (Hiawatha, IA) | Rockwell Collins, Inc. (Cedar Rapids, IA) | 2015-03-11 | 2017-05-09 | H04N13/02, G06F3/01, G02B27/01, B64D45/00, H04N13/04 | 14/644284 |
| 338 | 9630715 | Interaction during delivery from aerial vehicle | An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is disclosed that includes a retractable payload delivery system. The payload delivery system can lower a payload to the ground using an assembly that secures the payload during descent and releases the payload upon reaching the ground. The assembly can also include a bystander communication module for generating cues for bystander perception. While the assembly securing the payload is being lowered from the UAV, the bystander communication module can generate an avoidance cue indicating that bystanders should avoid interference with the assembly. The assembly also includes sensors that generate data used, at least in part, to determine when the descending assembly is at or near the ground, at which point the assembly releases the payload. The bystander communication module can then cease the avoidance cue and the UAV can retract the assembly. | Leila Takayama (Mountain View, CA), Matthew Ball (Mountain View, CA), Joanna Cohen (Mountain View, CA), Roger William Graves (San Francisco, CA), Mathias Samuel Fleck (Milpitas, CA), Andrew Lambert (Mountain View, CA), James Ryan Burgess (Redwood City, CA), Paul Richard Komarek (San Jose, CA), Trevor Shannon (Menlo Park, CA) | X Development Llc (Mountain View, CA) | 2016-10-31 | 2017-04-25 | B64D1/02, B64D1/12, B64C39/02, B64D1/22, B64D47/06 | 15/339400 |
| 339 | 9622133 | Interference and mobility management in UAV-assisted wireless networks | Techniques and systems are disclosed for addressing the challenges in interference and mobility management in broadband, UAV-assisted heterogeneous network (BAHN) scenarios. Implementations include BAHN control components, for example, at a controlling network node of a BAHN. Generally, a component implementing techniques for managing interference and handover in a BAHN gathers state data from network nodes or devices in the BAHN, determines a candidate BAHN model that optimizes interference and handover metrics, and determines and performs model adjustments to the network parameters, BS parameters, and UAV-assisted base station (UABS) device locations and velocities to conform to the optimized candidate BAHN model. Also described is a UABS apparatus having a UAV, communications interface for communicating with a HetNet in accordance with wireless air interface standards, and a computing device suitable for implementing BAHN control or reinforcement learning components. | Ismail Guvenc (Miramar, FL) | The Florida International University Board of Trustees (Miami, FL) | 2015-10-23 | 2017-04-11 | H04W24/08, H04W74/08, H04B7/185, H04W36/20, H04W36/30 | 14/921392 |
| 340 | 9621258 | Bi-directional communication for control of unmanned systems | Bi-directional personal communication systems and processes may be utilized to control unmanned systems. Such systems and processes may enable operator interface with unmanned systems as a replacement or a supplement to use of specialized hardware and rich, graphical interfaces. The bi-directional communication systems and methods also may be integrated as a subsystem within a ground control station. The system may include a personal communications device with a native interface for an operator to select command, control and/or communication (C3) messages to interact with the unmanned system, and a communication link operable to send the C3 messages selected by the operator to the unmanned system, wherein the unmanned system includes a receiver that receives the C3 messages over the communication link and an onboard computing device that processes and responds to the C3 messages received by the receiver. | Douglas V. Limbaugh (Phoenix, AZ), David Howard Barnhard (Lilburn, GA), Geoffrey David Simms (Phoenix, AZ) | Kutta Technologies, Inc. (Phoenix, AZ) | 2015-02-26 | 2017-04-11 | H04M3/00, G08C17/02, H04B7/26 | 14/632708 |
| 341 | 9618940 | Unmanned aerial vehicle rooftop inspection system | Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for an unmanned aerial system inspection system. One of the methods is performed by a UAV and includes receiving, by the UAV, flight information describing a job to perform an inspection of a rooftop. A particular altitude is ascended to, and an inspection of the rooftop is performed including obtaining sensor information describing the rooftop. Location information identifying a damaged area of the rooftop is received. The damaged area of the rooftop is traveled to. An inspection of the damaged area of the rooftop is performed including obtaining detailed sensor information describing the damaged area. A safe landing location is traveled to. | Bernard J. Michini (San Francisco, CA), Hui Li (San Francisco, CA), Brett Michael Bethke (Millbrae, CA) | Unmanned Innovation, Inc. (San Francisco, CA) | 2016-03-11 | 2017-04-11 | G05D1/10, B64C39/02, G05D1/04, G05D1/00 | 15/068292 |
| 342 | 9616350 | Enhanced interactivity in an amusement park environment using passive tracking elements | A dynamic signal to noise ratio tracking system enables detection and tracking of machines and people within the field of view of the tracking system. The tracking system may include an emitter configured to emit electromagnetic radiation within an area, a detector configured to detect electromagnetic radiation reflected back from within the area, and a control unit configured to evaluate signals from the detector and control the machines or other equipment as a result of this evaluation. | Paula Stenzler (Orlando, FL), Robert J. Cortelyou (Orlando, FL), Brian B. McQuillian (Orlando, FL), Christopher Oliver (Orlando, FL), Steven C. Blum (Orlando, FL), Amanda K. Zielkowski (Orlando, FL) | Universal City Studios Llc (Universal City, CA) | 2015-05-20 | 2017-04-11 | A63F13/00, G06K9/32, G01J1/02, A63G33/00, G06K9/00 | 14/717664 |
| 343 | 9613538 | Unmanned aerial vehicle rooftop inspection system | Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for an unmanned aerial system inspection system. One of the methods is performed by a UAV and includes receiving, by the UAV, flight information describing a job to perform an inspection of a rooftop. A particular altitude is ascended to, and an inspection of the rooftop is performed including obtaining sensor information describing the rooftop. Location information identifying a damaged area of the rooftop is received. The damaged area of the rooftop is traveled to. An inspection of the damaged area of the rooftop is performed including obtaining detailed sensor information describing the damaged area. A safe landing location is traveled to. | Alan Jay Poole (San Francisco, CA), Mark Patrick Bauer (San Francisco, CA), Volkan Gurel (San Francisco, CA), Bernard J. Michini (San Francisco, CA), Justin Eugene Kuehn (San Francisco, CA) | Unmanned Innovation, Inc. (San Francisco, CA) | 2016-03-11 | 2017-04-04 | B64C39/02, G08G5/02, G08G5/00, G06K9/00 | 15/068255 |
| 344 | 9613536 | Distributed flight management system | A method for operating a distributed flight management system. The method includes operating a control station instance of the distributed flight management system. The method includes receiving flight management system data from a remotely accessed vehicle. The method includes receiving time-space-position information of the remotely accessed vehicle from the remotely accessed vehicle. The method includes updating the control station instance of the distributed flight management system based at least on the received flight management system data and the time-space-position information of the remotely accessed vehicle. The method includes outputting updated flight management system data for transmission to the remotely accessed vehicle to synchronize a remotely accessed vehicle instance of the distributed flight management system with the control station instance of the distributed flight management system. | Brian R. Wolford (Cedar Rapids, IA), Thomas L. Vogl (Cedar Rapids, IA), Stephanie D. Burns (Ely, IA), Steven C. Morling (Cedar Rapids, IA), Matthew M. Lorch (Cedar Rapids, IA) | Rockwell Collins, Inc. (Cedar Rapids, IA) | 2015-04-13 | 2017-04-04 | G08G5/00 | 14/685455 |
| 345 | 9612598 | Unmanned aircraft structure evaluation system and method | An unmanned aircraft structure evaluation system includes a computer system with an input unit, a display unit, one or more processors, and one or more non-transitory computer readable medium. Image display and analysis software causes the one or more processors to generate unmanned aircraft information. The unmanned aircraft information includes flight path information configured to direct an unmanned aircraft to fly a flight path around the structure. | Stephen L. Schultz (West Henrietta, NY), John Monaco (Penfield, NY) | Pictometry International Corp. (Rochester, NY) | 2015-01-07 | 2017-04-04 | G01C23/00, B64D47/08, G05D1/00, B60R1/00, B64C39/02, G08G5/00, G08G5/04, G01S19/39, G06F17/30, G06K9/00, G06T11/60 | 14/591556 |
| 346 | 9609288 | Unmanned aerial vehicle rooftop inspection system | Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for an unmanned aerial system inspection system. One of the methods is performed by a UAV and includes receiving, by the UAV, flight information describing a job to perform an inspection of a rooftop. A particular altitude is ascended to, and an inspection of the rooftop is performed including obtaining sensor information describing the rooftop. Location information identifying a damaged area of the rooftop is received. The damaged area of the rooftop is traveled to. An inspection of the damaged area of the rooftop is performed including obtaining detailed sensor information describing the damaged area. A safe landing location is traveled to. | Brian Richman (San Francisco, CA), Mark Patrick Bauer (San Francisco, CA), Bernard J. Michini (San Francisco, CA), Alan Jay Poole (San Francisco, CA) | Unmanned Innovation, Inc. (San Francisco, CA) | 2016-03-11 | 2017-03-28 | B64C39/02, G06K9/00, G08G5/00, G06T7/60, G06K9/52, G06K9/46, G06T7/00, H04N7/18 | 15/068327 |
| 347 | 9607778 | Poly-vinylidene difluoride anode binder in a lithium ion capacitor | A lithium ion capacitor, including: an anode including: a conductive support, a first mixture coated on the conductive support including: a carbon sourced from coconut shell flour, a conductive carbon black, and a PVDF binder in amounts as defined herein, and where the PVDF binder has a weight average molecular weight of from 300,000 to 400,000, and a second mixture coated on the first mixture, the second mixture comprising micron-sized lithium metal particles having an encapsulating shell comprised of LiPF.sub.6, mineral oil, and a thermoplastic binder. Also disclosed is a method of making and using the lithium ion capacitor. | Kishor Purushottam Gadkaree (Painted Post, NY), Rahul Suryakant Kadam (Corning, NY) | Corning Incorporated (Corning, NY) | 2015-01-30 | 2017-03-28 | H01G11/60, H01G11/50, H01G11/38, H01G11/62, H01G11/06, H01G11/52, H01G11/44, H01M4/60, H01M4/62 | 14/610811 |
| 348 | 9600997 | Localized flood alert system and method | A flood warning system and method are described. The system obtains localized flood depth information and, based upon alert parameter information provided by registered users, creates personalized flood alerts for the registered users. The method uses ultrasound derived localized flood depth information and alert parameter information provided by registered users to provide personalized flood alerts to the registered users. | Faried Abrahams (Laytonsville, MD), Amol Ashok Dhondse (Pune, IN), Kerrie Holley (Montara, CA), Anand Pikle (Pune, IN), Gandhi Sivakumar (Bentleigh, AU) | International Business Machines Corporation (Armonk, NY) | 2015-11-03 | 2017-03-21 | G08B1/08, G08B21/10, G08B27/00, B64C39/02 | 14/931219 |
| 349 | 9595198 | Unmanned aerial system position reporting system | An unmanned aerial system (UAS) position reporting system may include an air traffic control reporting system (ATC-RS) coupled with a ground control station (GCS) of a UAS and at least one network-connected remote terminal. The ATC-RS may include an automatic dependent surveillance broadcast (ADS-B) and traffic information services broadcast (TIS-B) transceiver and one or more telecommunications modems. The ATC-RS may receive position data of at least one UAS in an airspace from the GCS and the at least one network-connected remote terminal and selectively communicate the position of the at least one UAS in the airspace to a civilian air traffic control center (ATC) , to a military command and control (C2) communication center, or to both through the ADS-B and TIS-B transceiver. The ATC-RS may display the position of the at least one UAS in the airspace on a display screen coupled with the ATC-RS. | Douglas V. Limbaugh (Phoenix, AZ), David H. Barnhard (Lilburn, GA), Thomas H. Rychener (Phoenix, AZ) | Kutta Technologies, Inc. (Phoenix, AZ) | 2015-08-05 | 2017-03-14 | G08G5/00 | 14/819119 |
| 350 | 9594372 | Methods and systems for providing feedback based on information received from an aerial vehicle | Described herein is a control system that facilitates assistance mode (s) . In particular, the control system may determine a particular assistance mode associated with an account. This particular assistance mode may specify (i) operations for an aerial vehicle to carry out in order to obtain sensor data providing environment information corresponding to a location associated with the account and (ii) feedback processes to provide feedback, via a feedback system associated with the account, that corresponds to respective environment information. The control system may transmit to the aerial vehicle an indication of the particular operations corresponding to the particular assistance mode and may then receive environment information for the location associated with the account. Based on the received environment information, the control system may apply the specified feedback processes to initiate feedback in accordance with the particular assistance mode via the associated feedback system. | Maxwell Andrew Sills (San Francisco, CA), Robert Samuel Gordon (San Bruno, CA), Ian Wetherbee (San Jose, CA) | X Development Llc (Mountain View, CA) | 2016-01-21 | 2017-03-14 | G05D1/00, G05D1/10, G01C21/36, B64C39/02 | 15/002733 |
| 351 | 9580173 | Translational correction of payload-release device based on tracked position | An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is disclosed that includes a retractable payload delivery system. The payload delivery system can lower a payload to the ground using a delivery device that secures the payload during descent and releases the payload upon reaching the ground. The location of the delivery device can be determined as it is lowered to the ground using image tracking. The UAV can include an imaging system that captures image data of the suspended delivery device and identifies image coordinates of the delivery device, and the image coordinates can then be mapped to a location. The UAV may also be configured to account for any deviations from a planned path of descent in real time to effect accurate delivery locations of released payloads. | James Ryan Burgess (Redwood City, CA), Joanna Cohen (Mountain View, CA) | X Development Llc (Mountain View, CA) | 2014-12-29 | 2017-02-28 | B64D1/12, B64C39/02 | 14/584195 |
| 352 | 9567078 | Systems and methods for target tracking | The present invention provides systems, methods, and devices related to target tracking by UAVs. The UAV may be configured to receive target information from a control terminal related to a target to be tracked by an imaging device coupled to the UAV. The target information may be used by the UAV to automatically track the target so as to maintain predetermined position and/or size of the target within one or more images captured by the imaging device. The control terminal may be configured to display images from the imaging device as well as allowing user input related to the target information. | Bo Zang (Shenzhen, CN) | Sz Dji Technology Co., Ltd (Shenzhen, CN) | 2015-09-04 | 2017-02-14 | B64C39/02, G05D1/00, G05D1/12, G05D1/10 | 14/845894 |
| 353 | 9557742 | Autonomous cargo delivery system | The present invention is directed to a system and methods of providing platform-agnostic systems and methods capable of providing an integrated processor and sensor suite with supervisory control software and interfaces to perform small unit rapid response resupply and CASEVAC into hazardous and unpredictable environments. | James D. Paduano (Boston, MA), John B. Wissler (Waltham, MA), Michael D. Piedmonte (Stow, MA), David A. Mindell (Cambridge, MA) | Aurora Flight Sciences Corporation (Manassas, VA) | 2014-11-26 | 2017-01-31 | G05D3/00, G05D1/10, G05D1/02, G05D1/04 | 14/554852 |
| 354 | 9555884 | Method for improving ground travel capability and enhancing stealth in unmanned aerial vehicles | A method for improving ground movement capability and enhancing stealth in unmanned aerial vehicles is provided. The present method comprises providing, in an unmanned aerial vehicle equipped with wheels, one or more onboard drive means capable of translating torque through the vehicle wheels and controllable to move the unmanned aerial vehicle on the ground without reliance on the unmanned aerial vehicle main motive power source. The onboard drive means is controllably powered by a power source with substantially no acoustic signature to move the unmanned aerial vehicle quietly on the ground with only a minimal audible or visible footprint. This method provides a significant expansion of ground movement capability and expands the potential ground uses of unmanned aerial vehicles, particularly in military applications. The present method can also be applied to move any manned aerial vehicle or aircraft on the ground with only minimal audible or visible footprints. | Joseph Cox (Portland, OR), Rodney T. Cox (North Plains, OR), Isaiah W. Cox (Baltimore, MD) | Borealis Technical Limited (Gibraltar, GI) | 2013-02-19 | 2017-01-31 | B64C39/02, B64C25/40 | 13/769839 |
| 355 | 9551990 | Unmanned aerial vehicle landing system | The present disclosure provides an unmanned flying vehicle (UAV) operable in a plurality of operating modes including a normal operations mode, a safe landing mode and an emergency landing mode. The normal operations mode is initiated when no errors are detected in the system. The safe landing mode is initiated when one or more non-critical components of the UAV are in non-responsive mode or do not work as desired. The emergency landing mode is initiated when one or more critical components are in non-responsive mode or do not work as desired. Further, the safe landing mode overrides the normal operations mode and the emergency landing mode overrides both the normal operations mode and the safe landing mode. | Tero Heinonen (Jarvenpaa, FI) | Sharper Shape Oy (Espoo, FI) | 2015-03-17 | 2017-01-24 | G05D1/00, B64C39/02, B64D1/08, G05D1/10, B64D17/80, G08G5/00 | 14/660145 |
| 356 | 9540952 | Turbocharger with oil-free hydrostatic bearing | A turbocharger for an internal combustion engine, the turbocharger being supported by hydrostatic bearings in both a radial and an axial direction by a compressed air supplied from a compressor of the turbocharger and boosted in pressure by a separate boost pump to a high enough pressure to support the rotor of the turbocharger. | Timothy J Miller (Jupiter, FL), Alex Pinera (Jupiter, FL) | S & J Design, Llc (Jupiter, FL) | 2014-04-04 | 2017-01-10 | F01D25/22, F02B37/04 | 14/245199 |
| 357 | 9536174 | Fault-aware matched filter and optical flow | In one embodiment, a fault-aware matched filter augments the output of a component matched filter to provide both fault-aware matched filter output and a measure of confidence in the accuracy of the fault-aware matched filter output. In another embodiment, an optical flow engine derives, from a plurality of images, both optical flow output and a measure of confidence in the optical flow output. The measure of confidence may be derived using a fault-aware matched filter. | Walter Lee Hunt, Jr. (Gainesville, FL) | Prioria Robotics, Inc. (Gainesville, FL) | 2015-03-06 | 2017-01-03 | G06K9/64, G06K9/62, G06T7/20, H03H17/02, G06K9/03 | 14/640789 |
| 358 | 9525475 | Adaptive dual polarized MIMO for dynamically moving transmitter and receiver | Systems and methods are presented for increasing throughput between mobile transmitters/receivers (e.g., between an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle and a ground station) using orthogonally polarized transmission channels. The system may first calibrate the receiver and transmitter antenna pairs using pilot signals and then may update look up tables for feedforward correction. The system may decouple and predict the cross polarization interference due to relative dynamic movement between the transmitter and the receiver. The system may perform a closed-loop suboptimal estimation to generate refined corrections by minimizing a difference between a training vector and a pilot-signal feedback. Cross-polarization discrimination between the transmission and reception antennas may then be Cancelled to improve signal to noise and interference ratio and performance of the system. | Hong Gan (San Diego, CA) | Facebook, Inc. (Menlo Park, CA) | 2015-09-14 | 2016-12-20 | H04B7/06, H04B1/08, H04B7/04 | 14/852987 |
| 359 | 9513635 | Unmanned aerial vehicle inspection system | Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for an unmanned aerial system inspection system. One of the methods is performed by a UAV and includes obtaining, from a user device, flight operation information describing an inspection of a vertical structure to be performed, the flight operation information including locations of one or more safe locations for vertical inspection. A location of the UAV is determined to correspond to a first safe location for vertical inspection. A first inspection of the structure is performed is performed at the first safe location, the first inspection including activating cameras. A second safe location is traveled to, and a second inspection of the structure is performed. Information associated with the inspection is provided to the user device. | Brett Michael Bethke (Millbrae, CA), Hui Li (San Francisco, CA), Bernard J. Michini (San Francisco, CA) | Unmanned Innovation, Inc. (San Francisco, CA) | 2016-03-02 | 2016-12-06 | G01C21/12, G01C21/00, B64C39/02, G05D1/04 | 15/059154 |
| 360 | 9493238 | Bystander interaction during delivery from aerial vehicle | An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is disclosed that includes a retractable payload delivery system. The payload delivery system can lower a payload to the ground using an assembly that secures the payload during descent and releases the payload upon reaching the ground. The assembly can also include a bystander communication module for generating cues for bystander perception. While the assembly securing the payload is being lowered from the UAV, the bystander communication module can generate an avoidance cue indicating that bystanders should avoid interference with the assembly. The assembly also includes sensors that generate data used, at least in part, to determine when the descending assembly is at or near the ground, at which point the assembly releases the payload. The bystander communication module can then cease the avoidance cue and the UAV can retract the assembly. | Leila Takayama (Mountain View, CA), Matthew Ball (Mountain View, CA), Joanna Cohen (Mountain View, CA), Roger William Graves (San Francisco, CA), Mathias Samuel Fleck (Milpitas, CA), Andrew Lambert (Mountain View, CA), James Ryan Burgess (Redwood City, CA), Paul Richard Komarek (San Jose, CA), Trevor Shannon (Menlo Park, CA) | X Development Llc (Mountain View, CA) | 2016-03-22 | 2016-11-15 | B64D1/02, B64C39/02, B64D47/06 | 15/077571 |
| 361 | 9489852 | Unmanned aerial vehicle management system | An Unmanned Aerial System configured to receive a request from a user and fulfill that request using an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle. The Unmanned Aerial System selects a distribution center that is within range of the user, and deploys a suitable Unmanned Aerial Vehicle to fulfill the request from that distribution center. The Unmanned Aerial System is configured to provide real-time information about the flight route to the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle during its flight, and the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle is configured to dynamically update its mission based on information received from the Unmanned Aerial System. | Andrew Chambers (San Francisco, CA), Bryan Wade (Redwood City, CA), Catalin Drula (Bucharest, RO), David Halley (Los Osos, CA), Igor Napolskikh (Mississauga, CA), Keenan Wyrobek (Half Moon Bay, CA), Keller Rinaudo (Menlo Park, CA), Nicholas Brake (San Luis Obispo, CA), Ryan Oksenhorn (Pacifica, CA), Ryan Patterson (Littleton, CO), William Hetzler (San Mateo, CA) | Zipline International Inc. (San Francisco, CA) | 2015-01-22 | 2016-11-08 | G06Q10/08, G08G5/00 | 14/603267 |
| 362 | 9488979 | System and method for human operator intervention in autonomous vehicle operations | An autonomous vehicle system is configured to receive vehicle commands from one or more parties and to execute those vehicle commands in a way that prevents the execution of stale commands. The autonomous vehicle system includes a finite state machine and a command counter or stored vehicle timestamp, which are used to help reject invalid or stale vehicle commands. | Andrew Chambers (San Francisco, CA), Keenan Wyrobek (Half Moon Bay, CA), Keller Rinaudo (Menlo Park, CA), Ryan Oksenhorn (Pacifica, CA), William Hetzler (San Mateo, CA) | Zipline International Inc. (San Francisco, CA) | 2015-04-14 | 2016-11-08 | G05D3/00, G05D1/00, G01S13/00 | 14/686698 |
| 363 | 9477230 | Method for the acquisition and processing of geographical information of a path | The present invention provides a method for the simultaneous acquisition and processing of geographical information of a path acquired by tandem terrestrial and aerial missions comprising a terrestrial vehicle and an unmanned aircraft whose trajectory is slaved to the terrestrial vehicle. The method comprises: acquiring geographical data and information from the terrestrial vehicle, sending trajectory information to the aircraft from a control station hosted on the terrestrial vehicle, the aircraft determining its trajectory according to the trajectory information of the terrestrial vehicle received, acquiring geographical data and information, including images, from the aircraft, obtaining, in a processing module, the orientation of the sensors of both terrestrial vehicle and aircraft from the geographical data and information acquired, calibrating, in a processing module, the sensors of both terrestrial vehicle and aircraft from the geographical data and information acquired, and associating every image acquired with the orientation and calibration obtained. | Jaume Sastre I Sastre (Barcelona, ES) | Geonumerics, S.L. (Castelldefels, Barcelona, ES) | 2013-07-22 | 2016-10-25 | G01C22/00, G01C21/04, G01C11/02, G05D1/08, G01C25/00, G05D1/00 | 14/417435 |
| 364 | 9470579 | System and method for calibrating imaging measurements taken from aerial vehicles | Systems and methods are provided for calibrating spectral measurements taken of one or more targets from an aerial vehicle. Multiple photo sensors may be configured to obtain spectral measurements of one or more ambient light sources. The obtained spectral measurements of the one or more ambient light sources may be used to calibrate the obtained spectral measurements of the target. | Michael Ritter (San Diego, CA), Michael Milton (San Diego, CA) | Slantrange, Inc. (San Diego, CA) | 2014-09-08 | 2016-10-18 | G01J3/46, G01J3/02, G01J3/28 | 14/480565 |
| 365 | 9465104 | ADS-B radar | The reliability and safety of Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) are improved by using the signals transmitted from an ADS-B unit as a radar transmitter with a receiver used to receive reflections. | Jed Margolin (VC Highlands, NV) | --- | 2014-01-02 | 2016-10-11 | G01S13/00, G01S13/93, G01S13/42 | 14/146202 |
| 366 | 9436784 | Validating and calibrating a forecast model | Disclosed are methods and systems of rapidly validating accuracy in particle cloud forecast transport and dispersion models. An example method can comprise accessing a forecast model of a volcanic ash cloud. An example method can comprise generating first data based at least on the forecast model. The first data can have at least one fewer spatial dimension than second data associated with the forecast model. An example method can comprise determining accuracy of the forecast model based at least on measurements of at least a portion of the volcanic ash cloud. An example method can comprise refining the forecast model based at least on the determined accuracy, thereby improving a representation of the volcanic ash cloud. | Keith W. Cunningham (Fairbanks, AK), Peter Webley (Fairbanks, AK) | University of Alaska Fairbanks (Fairbanks, AK) | 2014-02-10 | 2016-09-06 | G06F17/50, G06F19/00 | 14/176449 |
| 367 | 9436181 | Multi-part navigation process by an unmanned aerial vehicle for navigation | Embodiments described herein may relate to an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) navigating to a target in order to provide medical support. An illustrative method involves a UAV (a) determining an approximate target location associated with a target, (b) using a first navigation process to navigate the UAV to the approximate target location, where the first navigation process generates flight-control signals based on the approximate target location, (c) making a determination that the UAV is located at the approximate target location, and (d) in response to the determination that the UAV is located at the approximate target location, using a second navigation process to navigate the UAV to the target, wherein the second navigation process generates flight-control signals based on real-time localization of the target. | Eric Peeters (Mountain View, CA), Eric Teller (Palo Alto, CA), William Graham Patrick (San Francisco, CA) | Google Inc. (Mountain View, CA) | 2014-12-05 | 2016-09-06 | G05D1/00, B64C39/02, B64C19/00, G05D1/12, G01S5/02 | 14/562324 |
| 368 | 9434473 | Providing services using unmanned aerial vehicles | Embodiments described herein may help to provide support via a fleet of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) . An illustrative medical-support system may include multiple UAVs, which are configured to provide support for a number of different situations. Further, the medical-support system may be configured to: (a) identify a remote situation, (b) determine a target location corresponding to the situation, (c) select a UAV from the fleet of UAVs, where the selection of the UAV is based on a determination that the selected UAV is configured for the identified situation, and (d) cause the selected UAV to travel to the target location to provide support. | Eric Peeters (Mountain View, CA), Eric Teller (Palo Alto, CA), William Graham Patrick (San Francisco, CA) | Google Inc. (Mountain View, CA) | 2015-05-06 | 2016-09-06 | B64C39/02, G06Q10/08, B64C19/00, G05D1/10 | 14/705879 |
| 369 | 9433870 | Ride vehicle tracking and control system using passive tracking elements | A dynamic signal to noise ratio tracking system enables detection and tracking of ride vehicles within the field of view of the tracking system. The tracking system may include an emitter configured to emit electromagnetic radiation within an area, a detector configured to detect electromagnetic radiation reflected back from within the area, and a control unit configured to evaluate signals from the detector and control the ride vehicles or other equipment as a result of this evaluation. | Steven C. Blum (Orlando, FL), Christopher Oliver (Orlando, FL) | Universal City Studios Llc (Universal City, CA) | 2015-05-20 | 2016-09-06 | A63G31/16, G06K9/32, G01J1/02, A63G33/00, G06K9/00 | 14/717701 |
| 370 | 9422139 | Method of actively controlling winch swing via modulated uptake and release | An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) including a winch system, wherein the winch system includes a winch line having a first end that is secured to the payload, and wherein the winch system is controllable to vary the rate of descent of the payload, an inertial measurement unit positioned on the payload or on the first end of the winch line, wherein the inertial measurement unit is configured to measure oscillations of the payload, and a control system configured to (a) receive data from the IMU, (b) determine oscillations of the payload based on the data received from the IMU, and (c) operate the winch system to vary the deployment rate of the winch line so to damp oscillations of the payload. | Joshua John Bialkowski (San Mateo, CA), John Roberts (Mountain View, CA), Abraham Bachrach (Mountain View, CA) | Google Inc. (Mountain View, CA) | 2014-05-19 | 2016-08-23 | B66C13/06, B64C39/02, B64D1/08, B66D1/48 | 14/281846 |
| 371 | 9420737 | Three-dimensional elevation modeling for use in operating agricultural vehicles | Novel tools and techniques for creating and implementing three-dimensional guidance paths for use in conjunction with more or one agricultural vehicles operating in an area of operation. | Stephanie Anne Spiller (Denver, CO), Jeffrey Hamilton (Broomfield, CO) | Trimble Navigation Limited (Sunnyvale, CA) | 2014-08-27 | 2016-08-23 | G01S5/16, A01B69/04, A01B79/00, G05D1/02, G01C21/00 | 14/469790 |
| 372 | 9417325 | Interface for accessing radar data | A process is described that includes the generation and transmission of collision avoidance data and/or collision avoidance instructions based on data from 3-D radar scans of an airspace. The transmitted data and/or instructions could facilitate collision avoidance by aerial vehicles operating in the airspace. The transmitted data could be limited to protect the security, privacy, and/or safety of other aerial vehicles, airborne objects, and/or individuals within the airspace. The transmitted data could be limited such that only information pertaining to a region of the airspace proximate to a particular aerial vehicle was transmitted. The transmitted data could be limited such that it included instructions that could be executed by a particular aerial vehicle to avoid collisions and such that the transmitted data did not include location or other data associated with other aerial vehicles or airborne objects in the airspace. | Adam Bry (San Mateo, CA), Abraham Bachrach (San Francisco, CA), Bruno Andre Posokhow (Redwood City, CA) | Google Inc. (Mountain View, CA) | 2014-01-10 | 2016-08-16 | G01S13/93, G08G5/00, G01S5/00, G01S13/00 | 14/152630 |
| 373 | 9409646 | Methods and systems for providing aerial assistance | Embodiments described herein may relate to systems and methods for navigating to an emergency situation. An alert device may be controlled to issue alerts to draw the attention of bystanders to associated supplies for a situation. An illustrative method involves (a) receiving, by a computing system, a transmission indicating a situation at a designated location, (b) the computing system determining an approximate target area associated with the designated location, (c) the computing system making a determination that an alert device is located within the approximate target area, and (d) in response to the determination that the alert device is located within the approximate target area, the computing system executing instructions to activate at least one alert on the alert device indicating the situation and the designated location of the situation. | Mathias Samuel Fleck (Milpitas, CA) | Google Inc. (Mountain View, CA) | 2015-09-14 | 2016-08-09 | G05D1/00, B64C39/02, G05D1/10, B64G1/52, G08B25/00, G07C5/00, G05D1/12, A61B5/00 | 14/854012 |
| 374 | 9405533 | Unmanned vehicle systems and methods of operation | The present invention is directed to unmanned vehicle (UV) systems and methods. A method may include capturing data with at least one UV proximate an area of interest. The method may also include processing the data at a computing device. In addition, the method may include at least storing the processed data, sharing the processed data with another device, combining the processed data with related historical data, developing a model based at least partially on the processed data, determining at least one future task to be performed by the UV based at least partially on the processed data, or any combination thereof. | Horacio Ricardo Bouzas (Houston, TX), Reishin Toolsi (Houston, TX) | Schlumberger Technology Corporation (Sugar Land, TX) | 2015-01-06 | 2016-08-02 | B25J11/00, G06F7/00, G06F9/00, G06F9/48, G06F3/00 | 14/590697 |
| 375 | 9405005 | Automatic dependent surveillance broadcast (ADS-B) system for ownership and traffic situational awareness | The present invention proposes an automatic dependent surveillance broadcast (ADS-B) architecture and process, in which priority aircraft and ADS-B IN traffic information are included in the transmission of data through the telemetry communications to a remote ground control station. The present invention further proposes methods for displaying general aviation traffic information in three and/or four dimension trajectories using an industry standard Earth browser for increased situation awareness and enhanced visual acquisition of traffic for conflict detection. The present invention enable the applications of enhanced visual acquisition of traffic, traffic alerts, and en-route and terminal surveillance used to augment pilot situational awareness through ADS-B IN display and information in three or four dimensions for self-separation awareness. | Ricardo A. Arteaga (Lancaster, CA) | The United States of America As Represented By The Administrator of The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (Washington, DC) | 2013-03-05 | 2016-08-02 | G01S13/93, G01S13/91 | 13/785661 |
| 376 | 9383520 | Optical power transfer system for powering a remote mobility system for multiple missions | An optical power transfer system for powering a remote mobility system for multiple missions comprising a high power source and a chilling station connected to a laser source. The laser source transmits a high optical energy to a beam switch assembly via an optical fiber. The beam switch assembly is optically connected to actively cooled fiber spoolers. Docking stations are adapted for securing the fiber spoolers until alternatively ready for use by a remote mobility system. The remote mobility system is optically connected to the fiber spoolers and has a receiving port adapted for securing the fiber spoolers thereon. The fiber spooler transmits the optical energy to a power conversion system which converts the optical energy received to another usable form of energy. More than one power source may be used where the remote mobility system transfers from one source to another while maintaining an operational radius to each source. | William C. Stone (Del Valle, TX), Bartholomew P. Hogan (Rockville, MD) | Piedra-Sombra Corporation, Inc. (Del Valle, TX) | 2015-05-27 | 2016-07-05 | G02B6/00, H02G3/00, G02B6/36, B63B35/12, F25C5/08, G02B6/42, G02B6/44, H01L35/00, E21B41/00, E21B47/12, H01L35/30, G02B7/00, G02B7/182, G02B19/00, B64D33/00, E01H5/10 | 14/723206 |
| 377 | 9369839 | Network architecture for synchronized display | Systems and methods are provided that couple one or more devices to one or more presentation screens and to one or more servers via network connections. Various devices can be identified on a network and location data regarding each of the mobile devices can be delivered to the servers. Data can be displayed on a presentation screen based on mobile devices in its proximity, for example. | Barbara J. Manges (Cincinnati, OH) | Medappit Llc (Cincinnati, unknown) | 2015-08-24 | 2016-06-14 | G06F15/173, H04W4/02, G06F15/177, H04W12/06, H04N1/00, H04W4/00, H04W76/02, G06F3/14, H04W64/00, H04W84/18, H04W84/10 | 14/834108 |
| 378 | 9346547 | Mechanisms for lowering a payload to the ground from a UAV | Embodiments described herein may help to provide medical support via a fleet of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) . An illustrative UAV may include a housing, a payload, a line-deployment mechanism coupled to the housing and a line, and a payload-release mechanism that couples the line to the payload, wherein the payload-release mechanism is configured to release the payload from the line. The UAV may further include a control system configured to determine that the UAV is located at or near a delivery location and responsively: operate the line-deployment mechanism according to a variable deployment-rate profile to lower the payload to or near to the ground, determine that the payload is touching or is within a threshold distance from the ground, and responsively operate the payload-release mechanism to release the payload from the line. | William Graham Patrick (San Francisco, CA), James Ryan Burgess (Mountain View, CA), Andrew Conrad (Mountain View, CA) | Google Inc. (Mountain View, CA) | 2013-08-26 | 2016-05-24 | B64D1/12, B64D1/22, B64C39/02 | 13/975590 |
| 379 | 9329001 | Remote detection, confirmation and detonation of buried improvised explosive devices | A small unmanned aerial system (sUAS) is used for remotely detecting concealed explosive devices--such as buried or otherwise hidden improvised explosive devices (IED) --and exploding or disarming the device while an operator of the sUAS, or other personnel, remain at a safe distance. The sUAS system can be operated at an extended, e.g., greater than 100 meters, standoff from the detection apparatus, explosive, and potential harm and may be operated by a single member of an explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) team. The sUAS may be implemented as an easy-to-operate, small vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft with a set of optical, thermal, and chemical detection modules for detecting an IED by aerial surveillance, confirming the existence of explosives, and providing options for detonating the IED electrically or by delivery of a payload (e.g., object or device) to neutralize the IED while maintaining the sUAS itself safe from harm. | Farrok Mohamadi (Irvine, CA) | Farrokh Mohamadi (Irvine, CA) | 2012-10-19 | 2016-05-03 | F41H11/136, F41H11/16, F41H11/13, B64D47/08, B64C19/00 | 13/656382 |
| 380 | 9321531 | Bystander interaction during delivery from aerial vehicle | An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is disclosed that includes a retractable payload delivery system. The payload delivery system can lower a payload to the ground using an assembly that secures the payload during descent and releases the payload upon reaching the ground. The assembly can also include a bystander communication module for generating cues for bystander perception. While the assembly securing the payload is being lowered from the UAV, the bystander communication module can generate an avoidance cue indicating that bystanders should avoid interference with the assembly. The assembly also includes sensors that generate data used, at least in part, to determine when the descending assembly is at or near the ground, at which point the assembly releases the payload. The bystander communication module can then cease the avoidance cue and the UAV can retract the assembly. | Leila Takayama (Mountain View, CA), Matthew Ball (Mountain View, CA), Joanna Cohen (Mountain View, CA), Roger William Graves (San Francisco, CA), Mathias Samuel Fleck (Milpitas, CA), Andrew Lambert (Berkeley, CA), James Ryan Burgess (Redwood City, CA), Paul Richard Komarek (San Jose, CA), Trevor Shannon (Menlo Park, CA) | Google Inc. (Mountain View, CA) | 2014-07-08 | 2016-04-26 | B64D1/12 | 14/325994 |
| 381 | 9307383 | Request apparatus for delivery of medical support implement by UAV | An illustrative apparatus may include a UAV request apparatus having a housing with at least one interface configured to accept one or more inputs that are each indicative of a particular type of medical situation. A control system may be configured to receive, via the interface, a first input that corresponds to a first type of medical situation in which a defibrillator is configured to provide medical support, and send, via a first network interface to an access system for a network of UAVs, a medical support request including a unique electronic identifier for the apparatus and an indication of the first type of medical situation, such that a UAV delivers a defibrillator to a location associated with the unique electronic identifier. | William Graham Patrick (Mountain View, CA) | Google Inc. (Mountain View, CA) | 2013-06-12 | 2016-04-05 | H04M11/04, H04W4/22 | 13/916328 |
| 382 | 9302770 | Payload-release device and operation thereof | An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is disclosed that includes a retractable payload delivery system. The payload delivery system can lower a payload to the ground using a delivery device that secures the payload during descent and releases the payload upon reaching the ground. The delivery device can include a channel in which a payload mount attachment for a payload can be inserted. The payload mount attachment can include an aperture for receiving a retaining rod to secure the attachment, and thus the payload, to the delivery device. The retaining rod can assume either an engaged position, in which a portion of the retaining rod engages the payload mount attachment while the payload mount attachment is inserted in the channel, or a disengaged position, in which the retaining rod does not engage the payload mount attachment. | James Ryan Burgess (Redwood City, CA), Joanna Cohen (Mountain View, CA) | Google Inc. (Mountain View, CA) | 2015-10-05 | 2016-04-05 | B64D1/12, B64C39/02, B64D9/00 | 14/875362 |
| 383 | 9291707 | Device and method for 3D sampling with avian radar | A 3D avian radar sampling system comprises a 3D volume scanning radar system and an avian track interpreter. Scanning methods employed ensure that volume revisit times are suitably short and track data produce 3D target trajectories. The avian interpreter uses the track data from the volume scanning radar to create detailed avian activity reports that convey bird abundance and behavior within a 3D cylindrical volume on intervals including hourly, daily, weekly, monthly and yearly. Hourly activity reports (updated typically every 15 minutes) provide enhanced situational awareness of developing hazards and are actionable, allowing operators to dispatch wildlife control personnel to respond to threats. | Timothy J. Nohara (Fonthill, CA), Peter T. Weber (Dundas, CA), Andrew M. Ukrainec (Etobicoke, CA), Al-Nasir Premji (North Vancouver, CA), Graeme S. Jones (Waterloo, CA), Nelson Costa (Grimsby, CA), Robert C. Beason (Huron, OH) | Accipiter Radar Technologies Nc. (Fenwick, CA) | 2012-09-07 | 2016-03-22 | G01S13/72, G01S13/88, G01S13/87, G01S13/42, G01S7/00, G01S13/58, G01S13/00, G01S7/41 | 13/606222 |
| 384 | 9274521 | Employing local, opportunistic automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) information processed by an unmanned aerial vehicle ground control station to augment other source ''knowledge'' of local aircraft position information for improving situational awareness | A system and method are provided for employing local, opportunistic Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) information to augment other source ''knowledge'' of local aircraft position information for improving situational awareness in areas lacking ADS-B coverage provided by other aircraft control agencies including the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) , other Civil Aviation Authorities (CAAs) , and/or other Air Traffic Control (ATC) entities. Locally-received, e.g., in a vicinity of a UAV or sUAS, ADS-B positional information is received by a UAV, sUAS or associated ground control station and integrated on a display component of the ground control station, e.g., a pilot display, for the UAV or sUAS. Received positional information is forwarded to other interested users/systems, including those associated with agencies or entities in overall tactical, operational or surveillance control of a particular area of operations, as appropriate as an integrated situational awareness map display picture. | Rolf R. Stefani (West River, MD), James Gary Cooper, Jr. (Annapolis, MD) | Rockwell Collins, Inc. (Cedar Rapids, IA) | 2015-02-02 | 2016-03-01 | G05D1/10, G05D1/00, G06K9/46, G08G5/00, B64C39/00, B64C39/02 | 14/612273 |
| 385 | 9266611 | Flight path development for remote sensing vehicles in a moving reference frame | Embodiments of the invention relate to a method and apparatus to produce a flightplan for a sUAS. Embodiments can produce such a flightplan for a variety of environmental and/or geographical parameters. A specific embodiment produces an optimal flightplan based on one or more metrics and/or one or more assumptions or boundary conditions. Embodiments take in vehicle parameters and/or the properties of the sensor systems used for imaging, and compute a partial, or complete, flightplan. Such a flightplan can include altitude, airspeeds, flight paths encompassing the target area, and/or the direction and/or path to turn in-between flightlines. Embodiments can improve the flight planning procedure compared to a manual process, which can be completely dependent on the operator, to implement a partially, or totally, automated process. Specific embodiments can produce a flightplan that results in the optimal data collection path. | Thomas Jeffrey Rambo (Gainesville, FL) | University of Florida Research Foundation, Inc. (Gainesville, FL) | 2014-06-20 | 2016-02-23 | B64C39/02, G01C21/20, G05D1/10, G01C11/00 | 14/310809 |
| 386 | 9262929 | Ground-sensitive trajectory generation for UAVs | Embodiments described herein may help to automatically create flight plans that incorporate information regarding a number of different societal considerations. An illustrative computer-implemented method may involve receiving societal-consideration data for a plurality of geographic areas over which unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are deployable. for a given geographic area from the plurality of geographic areas, the societal-consideration data may include one or more land-use indications for the geographic area that are indicative of a type of land use in the geographic area. The method may also involve, for each of one or more of the plurality of geographic areas: applying a cost function to the one or more land-use indications for the geographic area to determine a societal-consideration cost of UAV flight over the geographic area, and sending an indication of the determined societal-consideration cost to a computer-based flight planner. | Nick Roy (Newark, CA), Leila Takayama (Mountain View, CA), Mathias Samuel Fleck (Milpitas, CA), Roger William Graves (San Francisco, CA) | Google Inc. (Mountain View, CA) | 2014-05-10 | 2016-02-16 | G01C23/00, G08G5/00 | 14/274694 |
| 387 | 9235763 | Integrated aerial photogrammetry surveys | Novel tools and techniques for generating survey data about a survey site. Aerial photography of at least part of the survey site can be analyzed using photogrammetric techniques. In some cases, an unmanned aerial system can be used to collect site imagery. The use of a UAS can reduce the fiscal and chronological cost of a survey, compared to the use of other types aerial imagery and/or conventional terrestrial surveying techniques used alone. | Kenneth R. Joyce (Denver, CO), Troy L. Brown (Westminster, CO) | Trimble Navigation Limited (Sunnyvale, CA) | 2012-11-26 | 2016-01-12 | H04N7/18, G01C11/04, G01C15/00, G06K9/00 | 13/685375 |
| 388 | 9230453 | Open-ditch pipeline as-built process | Imaging, attribution, and 3D modeling of utility pipelines and other assets is accomplished through the processing of terrestrial photogrammetric, aerial photogrammetric, and/or 3D LiDAR scanning measurements, all of which may be augmented by an Inertial Measurement Unit. These measurements are spatially controlled by photo-identifiable targets whose positions are established by real-time or post-processed GPS measurements which, in turn, determine the relative and absolute positions of the resulting 3D model. The necessary attribute information is available the moment an optically readable code is affixed to the asset. All proposed data collection methods provide imagery and point clouds systematically. It is therefore possible to read the attributes encoded in the optically readable code directly from the imagery or point cloud. Both the attributes of the feature and the position of the encoded attributes on the feature are captured. The information unique to each joint of pipe is attached to that joint positionally. | Jan Lee Van Sickle (Denver, CO) | --- | 2014-05-08 | 2016-01-05 | G09B25/02, G06Q10/06, G01C11/02 | 14/273122 |
| 389 | 9174733 | Payload-release device and operation thereof | An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is disclosed that includes a retractable payload delivery system. The payload delivery system can lower a payload to the ground using a delivery device that secures the payload during descent and releases the payload upon reaching the ground. The delivery device can include a channel in which a payload mount attachment for a payload can be inserted. The payload mount attachment can include an aperture for receiving a retaining rod to secure the attachment, and thus the payload, to the delivery device. The retaining rod can assume either an engaged position, in which a portion of the retaining rod engages the payload mount attachment while the payload mount attachment is inserted in the channel, or a disengaged position, in which the retaining rod does not engage the payload mount attachment. | James Ryan Burgess (Redwood City, CA), Joanna Cohen (Mountain View, CA) | Google Inc. (Mountain View, CA) | 2014-12-29 | 2015-11-03 | B64D1/12, B64D9/00, B64C39/02 | 14/584181 |
| 390 | 9164357 | Extending sensor dynamic range by use of a photochromic filter | A system and method for enhanced conditioning light so a camera can capture images from it in a variety of brightness ranges is presented. A camera has an optical lens and a photochromic filter. The photochromic filter may be placed in front of the lens. The photochromic filter extends an exposure range of the camera without the need for a mechanical iris. | Raymond J. Silva (Saugus, MA), Gerard M. Perron (Acton, MA), Scott A. Derushia (Amherst, NH), James D. Targove (Lunenberg, MA) | Bae Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc. (Nashua, NH) | 2013-07-23 | 2015-10-20 | G02F1/03, G03B11/00, H04N5/225, G02B5/23, G02F1/01 | 13/948471 |
| 391 | 9162753 | Unmanned aerial vehicle for monitoring infrastructure assets | An unmanned aerial vehicle and associated methods for inspecting infrastructure assets includes a multirotor, electrically driven helicopter apparatus and power supply, a flight computer, positioning and collision avoidance equipment, and at least one sensor such as a camera. The flight computer is programmed for automated travel to and inspection of selected waypoints, at which condition data is collected for further analysis. The method also includes protocols for segmenting the flight path to accomplish sequential inspection of a linear asset such as a power line using limited-range equipment. | Andrew S. Panto (Charlotte, NC), Barry Wyeth Thomas (Charlotte, NC), Barry Craig Thomas (Charlotte, NC) | Southern Electrical Equipment Company, Inc. (Charlotte, NC) | 2013-12-31 | 2015-10-20 | B64C19/00, B64D47/08, G08G5/04, B64D43/00, B64C27/08, B64C39/02 | 14/145545 |
| 392 | 9158304 | Methods and systems for alerting and aiding an emergency situation | Embodiments described herein may relate to systems and methods for navigating to an emergency situation. An alert device may be controlled to issue alerts to draw the attention of bystanders to associated supplies for a situation. An illustrative method involves (a) receiving, by a computing system, a transmission indicating a situation at a designated location, (b) the computing system determining an approximate target area associated with the designated location, (c) the computing system making a determination that an alert device is located within the approximate target area, and (d) in response to the determination that the alert device is located within the approximate target area, the computing system executing instructions to activate at least one alert on the alert device indicating the situation and the designated location of the situation. | Mathias Samuel Fleck (Milpitas, CA) | Google Inc. (Mountain View, CA) | 2013-11-10 | 2015-10-13 | G05D1/00, G05D1/12, B64C39/02, G05D1/10 | 14/076236 |
| 393 | 9147110 | Field and crop evaluation tool and methods of use | A method for determining a percent ground cover over an area of land is provided. An image of the area of land is captured, and an area of interest within the image is defined. The area of interest image is converted to a gray scale image, a user-adjustable threshold is specified for distinguishing ground cover from soil and the percent ground cover present in the gray scale image is calculated and reported. | Barry L. Anderson (Lake Crystal, MN), Chad C. Berghoefer (North Mankato, MN), Brent A. Brueland (Boone, IA), Neal A. Fitch (Grimes, IA) | Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. (Johnston, IA) | 2014-04-07 | 2015-09-29 | G06K9/00, G01N33/00 | 14/246804 |
| 394 | 9129520 | Unmanned aerial system position reporting system | An unmanned aerial system (UAS) position reporting system may include an air traffic control reporting system (ATC-RS) coupled with a ground control station (GCS) of an unmanned aerial system. The ATC-RS may include an automatic dependent surveillance broadcast (ADS-B) and traffic information services broadcast (TIS-B) transceiver and one or more telecommunications modems. The ATC-RS may be adapted to receive position data of the UAS in an airspace from the GCS and to selectively communicate the position of the UAS in the airspace to a civilian air traffic control center (ATC) , to a military command and control (C2) communication center, or to both the civilian ATC and the military C2 communication center through the ADS-B and TIS-B transceiver. The ATC-RS may also be adapted to display the position of the UAS in the airspace on a display screen coupled with the ATC-RS. | Douglas V. Limbaugh (Phoenix, AZ), David H. Barnhard (Lilburn, GA), Thomas H. Rychener (Phoenix, AZ) | Kutta Technologies, Inc. (Phoenix, AZ) | 2013-01-29 | 2015-09-08 | G08G5/00 | 13/752438 |
| 395 | 9119061 | Integrated wafer scale, high data rate, wireless repeater placed on fixed or mobile elevated platforms | Methods and systems are provided for relocatable repeaters for wireless communication links to locations that may present accessibility problems using, for example, small unmanned aerial systems (sUAS) . An sUAS implemented as an easy-to-operate, small vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft with hovering capability for holding station position may provide an extended range, highly secure, high data rate, repeater system for extending the range of point-to-point wireless communication links (also referred to as ''crosslinks'') in which repeater locations are easily relocatable with very fast set-up and relocating times. A repeater system using beam forming and power combining techniques enables a very high gain antenna array with very narrow beam width and superb pointing accuracy. The aircraft includes a control system enabling three-dimensional pointing and sustaining directivity of the beam independently of flight path of the aircraft. | Farrokh Mohamadi (Irvine, CA) | Farrokh Mohamadi (Irvine, CA) | 2012-12-20 | 2015-08-25 | B64C13/20, H04W16/26, B64C19/00, H04W16/00, H04W16/28, B64C39/02, H04B7/155 | 13/722868 |
| 396 | 9110168 | Software-defined multi-mode ultra-wideband radar for autonomous vertical take-off and landing of small unmanned aerial systems | A small unmanned aerial system (sUAS) is used for aerial and on the ground surveillance while an operator of the sUAS, or other personnel, remain at a safe distance. The sUAS system can perform an autonomous landing and can be operated at an extended, e.g., greater than 100 meters, standoff from the detection apparatus and potential harm. The sUAS may be implemented as an easy-to-operate, small vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft with a set of optical, thermal, and chemical detection modules for performing aerial surveillance and ground surveillance after landing. | Farrokh Mohamadi (Irvine, CA) | Farrokh Mohamadi (Irvine, CA) | 2012-11-16 | 2015-08-18 | G01S15/00, G01S7/28, G01S13/91, G01S7/02, G01S13/00, G01S13/02, G01S13/88 | 13/678835 |
| 397 | 9090315 | Optical energy transfer and conversion system | An optical power transfer system comprising a fiber spooler, a fiber optic rotary joint mechanically connected to the fiber spooler, and an electrical power extraction subsystem connected to the fiber optic rotary joint with an optical waveguide. Optical energy is generated at and transferred from a base station through fiber wrapped around the spooler, through the rotary joint, and ultimately to the power extraction system at a remote mobility platform for conversion to another form of energy. | William C. Stone (Del Valle, TX), Bartholomew P. Hogan (Gaithersburg, MD) | Piedra--Sombra Corporation, Inc. (TX) | 2011-11-23 | 2015-07-28 | G02B6/34, B63B35/12, F25C5/08, E01H5/10 | 13/303449 |
| 398 | 9085362 | Counter-unmanned aerial vehicle system and method | A deployable net capture apparatus which is mounted on an unmanned aerial vehicle to enable the interception and entanglement of a threat unmanned aerial vehicle. The deployable net capture apparatus includes a deployable net having a cross-sectional area sized for intercepting and entangling the threat unmanned aerial vehicle, and a deployment mechanism capable of being mounted to the unmanned aerial vehicle. The deployment mechanism includes an inflatable frame or a rod for positioning the net in a deployed position. | James C. Kilian (Tyngsborough, MA), Brede J. Wegener (Cambridge, MA), Eric Wharton (Hopkinton, MA), David R. Gavelek (Bedford, MA) | Lockheed Martin Corporation (Bethesda, MD) | 2012-11-21 | 2015-07-21 | B64C25/68, B64F1/02 | 13/683033 |
| 399 | 9060342 | System and method for passively determining own position listening to wireless time synchronization communications | The system and method of the present invention provides a mobile node (e.g., target) , such as an aircraft, vehicle or mobile piece of equipment, the ability to determine its own position by passively listening to wireless time synchronization communications, such as IEEE 1588 Precision Time Protocol (PTP) messages, exchanged between nodes over a wireless network. | Ryan Haoyun Wu (Manlius, NY) | Saab Sensis Corporation (East Syracuse, NY) | 2012-04-03 | 2015-06-16 | H04W64/00, H04W56/00, G01S5/10 | 13/438314 |
| 400 | 9051043 | Providing emergency medical services using unmanned aerial vehicles | Embodiments described herein may help to provide medical support via a fleet of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) . An illustrative medical-support system may include multiple UAVs, which are configured to provide medical support for a number of different medical situations. Further, the medical-support system may be configured to: (a) identify a remote medical situation, (b) determine a target location corresponding to the medical situation, (c) select a UAV from the fleet of UAVs, where the selection of the UAV is based on a determination that the selected UAV is configured for the identified medical situation, and (d) cause the selected UAV to travel to the target location to provide medical support. | Eric Peeters (Mountain View, CA), Eric Teller (Palo Alto, CA), William Graham Patrick (San Francisco, CA) | Google Inc. (Mountain View, CA) | 2012-12-28 | 2015-06-09 | B64C29/00, B64C19/00, G06Q10/08, B64C39/02 | 13/730298 |
| 401 | 9014880 | Trajectory based sense and avoid | A trajectory-based sense-and-avoid system for use on an aircraft is provided that utilizes 4-D constructs, such as 4-D trajectories or 4-D polytopes, to maintain separation from other aircraft and/or to avoid collisions with other aircraft. In certain embodiments the trajectory-based sense-and-avoid system utilizes 4-D trajectories provided from an external source and/or 4-D trajectories estimated based on a variety of data sources during operation. | Michael Richard Durling (Saratoga Springs, NY), Harold Woodruff Tomlinson, Jr. (Ballston Spa, NY), Nikita Visnevski (Niskayuna, NY), Craig Alan Hoover (Grand Rapids, MI), Glenn Alan Forman (Niskayuna, NY), Thomas Baby Sebastian (Niskayuna, NY), Mauricio Castillo-Effen (Rexford, NY), Steven Richard Hansen (Gaithersburg, MD), Douglas Stuart Abernathy (Aledo, TX) | General Electric Company (Niskayuna, NY) | 2010-12-21 | 2015-04-21 | G05D1/02, G08G5/04 | 12/975164 |
| 402 | 8983682 | Unlocking mobile-device and/or unmanned aerial vehicle capability in an emergency situation | An illustrative emergency-support system may include multiple unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) , which are configured to provide emergency support for a number of different emergency situations. Further, the emergency-support system may be configured to: (a) identify a request for assistance in a remote emergency situation, (b) identify a remote device associated with the request for assistance, (c) determine a target location corresponding to the emergency situation, (d) control a UAV to travel to the target location to provide emergency support, and (e) enable an otherwise restricted capability of one or more of the remote device or the UAV after controlling the UAV to travel to the target location, wherein the capability is enabled to help provide emergency support in the remote emergency situation. | Eric Peeters (Mountain View, CA), Eric Teller (Palo Alto, CA), William Graham Patrick (San Francisco, CA) | Google Inc. (Mountain View, CA) | 2012-12-28 | 2015-03-17 | G05D1/12, G05D1/10, B64C39/02, B64C29/00 | 13/730189 |
| 403 | 8977665 | Fault-aware matched filter and optical flow | In one embodiment, a fault-aware matched filter augments the output of a component matched filter to provide both fault-aware matched filter output and a measure of confidence in the accuracy of the fault-aware matched filter output. In another embodiment, an optical flow engine derives, from a plurality of images, both optical flow output and a measure of confidence in the optical flow output. The measure of confidence may be derived using a fault-aware matched filter. | Walter Lee Hunt, Jr. (Gainesville, FL) | Prioria Robotics, Inc. (Gainsville, FL) | 2010-05-27 | 2015-03-10 | G06F17/15 | 12/789144 |
| 404 | 8967029 | Toxic mosquito aerial release system | A device for the aerial release of mosquitoes includes an unmanned aerial vehicle operable by remote control. It carries a container holding a central processing unit and a mosquito breeding bin, which is a self-contained volume housing mosquitoes and a mosquito food having a toxin suitable to be transmitted by mosquito bite after the mosquito consumes the mosquito food. A release tube is connected to the mosquito breeding bin and sized to release mosquitoes from the mosquito breeding bin. A valve is connected to the release tube and is operable by remote control so that when opened, the mosquitoes have an open pathway out of the container through the release tube. | S. Mill Calvert (Manassas, VA) | Tmars Associates, Trustee for Toxic Mosquito Aerial Release System Crt Trust (Manassas, VA) | 2014-11-20 | 2015-03-03 | B64D1/18 | 14/549305 |
| 405 | 8955110 | IP jamming systems utilizing virtual dispersive networking | An unmanned aerial system includes: a plurality of unmanned aerial vehicles, each unmanned aerial vehicle comprising, or having secured thereto, electronic components having software loaded thereon configured to spawn a virtual machine that virtualizes network capabilities of the electronic components, and an electronic device having software loaded thereon configured to spawn a virtual machine that virtualizes network capabilities of the respective electronic device. Each of the plurality of unmanned aerial vehicles is configured for air-to-air electronic communications over a connection with other of the unmanned aerial vehicles, the connection being associated with a virtual machine spawned at the electronic components associated with that respective unmanned aerial vehicle that virtualizes network capabilities of the electronic components. Each of the plurality of unmanned aerial vehicles is configured for air-to-ground communications over a connection with the electronic device, the connection being associated with a virtual machine spawned at the electronic components associated with that respective unmanned aerial vehicle that virtualizes network capabilities of the electronic components. A method for IP jamming utilizing a plurality of electronic devices each having software loaded thereon configured to spawn a virtual machine that virtualizes network capabilities of that respective electronic device, the method includes: communicating from a first electronic device, utilizing virtual dispersive routing, networking information for a network attack to a plurality of other electronic devices, commencing, by the plurality of other electronic devices, a network attack using received networking information, communicating, to each of the plurality of other electronic devices, instructions to modify the network attack, and adapting, in response to received instructions to modify the network attack, by one or more of the plurality of other electronic devices, operations forming part of the commenced network attack. | Robert W. Twitchell, Jr. (Cumming, GA) | --- | 2011-01-14 | 2015-02-10 | H04L29/06 | 13/007588 |
| 406 | 8948935 | Providing a medical support device via an unmanned aerial vehicle | Embodiments described herein may relate to an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) navigating to a medical situation in order to provide medical support. An illustrative method involves a UAV (a) housing a medical-support device, (b) determining a target location associated with at least one individual in need of medical assistance, (c) navigating the UAV from a remote location to the target location, (d) the computing system making a determination that the UAV is located at the target location, and (e) in response to the determination that the UAV is located at the target location, delivering by a delivery mechanism the medical-support device for providing medical assistance for the at least one individual in need of medical assistance. | Eric Peeters (Mountain View, CA), Eric Teller (Palo Alto, CA), William Graham Patrick (San Francisco, CA), Sergey Brin (Palo Alto, CA) | Google Inc. (Mountain View, CA) | 2013-01-02 | 2015-02-03 | G06Q10/00 | 13/732958 |
| 407 | 8930044 | Multi-part navigation process by an unmanned aerial vehicle for navigating to a medical situatiion | Embodiments described herein may relate to an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) navigating to a medical situation in order to provide medical support. An illustrative method involves a UAV (a) determining an approximate target location associated with a medical situation, (b) using a first navigation process to navigate the UAV to the approximate target location, where the first navigation process generates flight-control signals based on the approximate target location, (c) making a determination that the UAV is located at the approximate target location, and (d) in response to the determination that the UAV is located at the approximate target location, using a second navigation process to navigate the UAV to the medical situation, wherein the second navigation process generates flight-control signals based on real-time localization of the medical situation. | Eric Peeters (Mountain View, CA), Eric Teller (Palo Alto, CA), William Graham Patrick (San Francisco, CA) | Google Inc. (Mountain View, CA) | 2012-12-28 | 2015-01-06 | G06Q10/00 | 13/730317 |
| 408 | 8909391 | Responsive navigation of an unmanned aerial vehicle to a remedial facility | The present disclosure relates to a deployment system for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) . In one aspect, an illustrative deployment system includes a communication system configured for receiving diagnostic data corresponding to an object held by a UAV, wherein the object has an expiration condition, and a logic module configured for (i) determining that the expiration condition has been satisfied based, at least in part, on the received diagnostic data, and (ii) responsive to determining that the expiration condition has been satisfied, initiating an action that includes sending to the UAV both (a) navigation data relating to a remedial facility, and (b) instructions to navigate to the remedial facility based, at least in part, on the navigation data. | Eric Peeters (Mountain View, CA), Eric Teller (Palo Alto, CA), William Graham Patrick (San Francisco, CA) | Google Inc. (Mountain View, CA) | 2012-12-28 | 2014-12-09 | G06Q10/00 | 13/730110 |
| 409 | 8894007 | Systems and methods for launching a folding aircraft | A canister system for a folding aircraft may include a canister housing and a launch mechanism powered by one or more compression springs. A hand-operated drive mechanism may rotate a plurality of threaded rods to drive the launch mechanism from a released position to a cocked position, in which mechanical energy is stored in the springs. A latch mechanism may capture the launch mechanism in the cocked position. The canister may include a housing for receiving and storing the aircraft when the launch mechanism is in the cocked position. A trigger mechanism may release the latch mechanism, permitting the energy stored in the compressed springs to drive the launch mechanism toward the released position and propel the aircraft from the housing at launch velocity. | Andrew McComas (Boundridge Island, WA), Jon Clark (Kirkland, WA) | Stark Aerospace, Inc. (Redmond, WA) | 2012-07-26 | 2014-11-25 | B64F1/04 | 13/558728 |
| 410 | 8894006 | Man-portable, multi-mode unmanned aerial system launcher | A man-portable unmanned aerial system launcher (UAS) launcher includes a rail assembly having an internal track and a carriage assembly having a base configured to translate within the internal track. The carriage assembly also includes a cradle configured to support a UAS and a bracket configured to support the cradle above the base. The UAS launcher includes a launch control system configured to secure the carriage assembly in the launch-ready position until the launch control system receives a launch signal. The UAS launcher also includes one or more elastic members configured to engage the carriage assembly and the rail assembly. Once the carriage assembly is translated to the launch-ready position, strain is applied to the carriage assembly by the one or more elastic members. Release of the carriage assembly enables force generated by strain of the elastic members to propel the carriage assembly toward a launch position. | John Charles Jones (Land O'Lakes, FL), Artem Igorevich Grigoryev (Lutz, FL), Luis Carlos Espinosa (Tampa, FL) | Wintec Arrowmaker, Inc. (Fort Washington, MD) | 2012-04-19 | 2014-11-25 | B64F1/04 | 13/450887 |
| 411 | 8880241 | Vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) small unmanned aerial system for monitoring oil and gas pipelines | Extended-range monitoring and surveillance of facilities and infrastructure--such as oil, water, and gas pipelines and power lines--employs autonomous vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) capable, small unmanned aerial system (sUAS) aircraft and docking platforms for accommodating the sUAS aircraft. Monitoring and surveillance of facilities using one or more embodiments may be performed continually by the sUAS flying autonomously along a pre-programmed flight path. The sUAS aircraft may have an integrated gas collector and analyzer unit, and capability for downloading collected data and analyzer information from the sUAS aircraft to the docking platforms. The gas collector and analyzer unit may provide remote sensing and in-situ investigation of leaks and other environmental concerns as part of a ''standoff'' (e.g., remote from operators of the system or the facilities) survey that can keep field operators out of harm's way and monitor health of the environment. | Farrokh Mohamadi (Irvine, CA) | Farrokh Mohamadi (Irvine, CA) | 2013-02-20 | 2014-11-04 | G05D1/10, G01S19/01, B64C27/10, G01C21/00 | 13/772161 |
| 412 | 8838289 | System and method for safely flying unmanned aerial vehicles in civilian airspace | A system and method for safely flying an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) , unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) , or remotely piloted vehicle (RPV) in civilian airspace uses a remotely located pilot to control the aircraft using a synthetic vision system during at least selected phases of the flight such as during take-offs and landings. | Jed Margolin (VC Highlands, NV) | --- | 2007-04-17 | 2014-09-16 | G06F19/00 | 11/736356 |
| 413 | 8820672 | Environmental sampling with an unmanned aerial vehicle | Environmental samples are collected and analyzed using an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) . In some examples, the sample is drawn into engagement with a sensor onboard a UAV by the existing fluid flow generated by a rotor fan through a duct of a ducted fan of the UAV. The quality characteristics of the fluid sample may be physically or wirelessly delivered to a remote location. In some examples, samples are drawn into engagement with the sensor by a flexible tube that is attached to an outer surface of the UAV. The flexible tube may allow the UAV to precisely target and collect samples of dust and moisture and other materials from the ground over which the UAV operates. | Erik Erben (Rio Rancho, NM), Robert Habing (Albuquerque, NM), Nader Tubbeh (Albuquerque, NM) | Honeywell International Inc. (Morristown, NJ) | 2012-05-07 | 2014-09-02 | B64C29/00 | 13/465948 |
| 414 | 8712426 | Location-based method to specify ratio frequency spectrum rights | The disclosed methods, systems, and computer-program products generate location-based RF spectrum rights for components in a radio frequency (RF) system. In an embodiment, a location-based spectrum right for an RF system's operational use of RF spectrum includes the spectrum rights of each component of the system, a definition of all locations at which each component might possibly operate, and a specified time period of this operational use. In an additional embodiment, the location-based RF spectrum right include a transmitter right and a receiver right, and the transmitter and receiver rights may be based on a combination of maximum power density, spectrum masks, underlay masks, power maps, locations, minimum power density, start times, end times, protocol specifications, and rules. Most transmitter rights and all receiver rights include propagation maps to articulate the rate at which signals attenuate away from transmitters and toward receivers. | John Andrew Stine (McLean, VA) | The Mitre Corporation (McLean, VA) | 2007-11-20 | 2014-04-29 | H04W4/00, H04W72/00 | 11/984671 |
| 415 | 8643534 | System for sensing aircraft and other objects | A system for sensing aircraft and other objects uses bistatic radar with spread-spectrum signals transmitted from remotely located sources such as aircraft flying at very high altitudes or from a satellite constellation. A bistatic spread spectrum radar system using a satellite constellation can be integrated with a communications system and/or with a system using long baseline radar interferometry to validate the digital terrain elevation database. The reliability and safety of TCAS and ADS-B are improved by using the signals transmitted from a TCAS or ADS-B unit as a radar transmitter with a receiver used to receive reflections. Aircraft and other objects using spread spectrum radar are detected by using two separate receiving systems. Cross-Correlation between the outputs of the two receiving systems reveals whether a noise signal is produced by the receiving systems themselves or is coming from the outside. | Jed Margolin (VC Highlands, NV) | --- | 2012-08-25 | 2014-02-04 | G01S13/93, G01S13/75 | 13/594815 |
| 416 | 8635937 | Systems and methods for launching munitions | Systems and methods for launching munitions are provided. In some embodiments, the system may include a launcher coupled to a vehicle and configured to retain a munition during transport by a vehicle and configured to route electrical signals from the vehicle to the munition. The system may also include a flexible, peel-away connector coupled to the launcher, the peel-away connector comprising an adhesive for coupling to at least a portion of the munition. The flexible, peel-away connector may be configured to route electrical signals from the launcher to the munition during transport and detach from the munition as the munition exits from the launcher during a launch. | Mark A. Angeloff (Indianapolis, IN), Roy P. McMahon (Indianapolis, IN) | Raytheon Company (Waltham, MA) | 2010-09-03 | 2014-01-28 | F41F3/04 | 12/875797 |
| 417 | 8577535 | System and method for providing perceived first-order control of an unmanned vehicle | A system for providing perceived first order control of an unmanned vehicle contains a memory and a processor configured by the memory to perform the steps of: receiving instructions for updating x-axis location, y-axis location, z-axis location, and/or heading of the unmanned vehicle, converting received instructions for updating x-axis location, y-axis location, z-axis location, and/or heading of the unmanned vehicle into a set of relative distance coordinates from a current location of the unmanned vehicle, and adjusting the set of relative distance coordinates by a gain control, to minimize coordinate change, wherein gain control provides a rate change in the x-axis location, y-axis location, z-axis location, and/or heading, resulting in a new set of coordinates. A screen displays a location dot representing current location of the unmanned vehicle and an outer limit circle surrounding the location dot representing an outer boundary for movement of the unmanned vehicle. | Mary Louise Cummings (Cambridge, MA), David Joseph Pitman (Broomfield, CO), Paul Westlake Quimby (Acton, MA) | Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Cambridge, MA) | 2010-03-31 | 2013-11-05 | G01C22/00, G05D1/00 | 12/751629 |
| 418 | 8497809 | Electronically scanned antenna | An aperture of an antenna for a radar system comprises a first waveguide comprising a first protrusion and a second protrusion, each protrusion extending longitudinally along one side of the first waveguide. The aperture further comprises a second waveguide comprising a third protrusion and a fourth protrusion, each protrusion extending longitudinally along one side of the second waveguide. The first and third protrusions and second and fourth protrusions adjoin to form a radio frequency choke at least partially suppressing cross polarization of radio frequencies between the first and second waveguides. | Brian J. Herting (Marion, IA), James B. West (Cedar Rapids, IA), Wajih A. ElSallal (Cedar Rapids, IA), John C. Mather (Cedar Rapids, IA), Bret W. Spars (Marion, IA), Daniel L. Woodell (Cedar Rapids, IA) | Rockwell Collins, Inc. (Cedar Rapids, IA) | 2011-12-19 | 2013-07-30 | H01Q13/00 | 13/330515 |
| 419 | 8494760 | Airborne widefield airspace imaging and monitoring | A Widefield Airspace Imaging and Navigation System to provide UASs with wide field airspace imaging and collision avoidance capabilities. An array of optical lenses are distributed throughout the aircraft to provide an unobstructed view in all directions around the aircraft. Each collection lens is coupled through an optical fiber to a camera that multiplexes the several images. A processing system is connected to the wide array imaging system, and it runs an image interpolation program for resolving a background image and for distinguishing objects that are not moving with the background. In addition, a navigation control program reads the image interpolation software and, upon detection of an approaching object, implements a rule-based avoidance maneuver by sending an appropriate signal to the existing UAS autopilot. | David William Yoel (Radnor, PA), John E. Littlefield (Delanco, NJ), Robert Duane Hill (Madison, AL) | American Aerospace Advisors, Inc. (Radnor, PA) | 2010-12-14 | 2013-07-23 | G08G5/04 | 12/967718 |
| 420 | 8489528 | Systems and methods for training neural networks based on concurrent use of current and recorded data | Various embodiments of the invention are neural network adaptive control systems and methods configured to concurrently consider both recorded and current data, so that persistent excitation is not required. A neural network adaptive control system of the present invention can specifically select and record data that has as many linearly independent elements as the dimension of the basis of the uncertainty. Using this recorded data along with current data, the neural network adaptive control system can guarantee global exponential parameter convergence in adaptive parameter estimation problems. Other embodiments of the neural network adaptive control system are also disclosed. | Girish V. Chowdhary (Atlanta, GA), Eric N. Johnson (Atlanta, GA), Seung Min Oh (Daejon, KR) | Georgia Tech Research Corporation (Atlanta, GA) | 2010-07-28 | 2013-07-16 | G06N3/08 | 12/845567 |
| 421 | 8437956 | Unmanned aerial system position reporting system and related methods | Methods of communicating the location of an unmanned aerial system (UAS) . Implementations of the method may include receiving position data for a UAS with an air traffic control reporting system (ATC-RS) from a ground control station (GCS) in communication with the UAS, where the ATC-RS and the GCS are coupled together and located on the ground. The method may include transmitting the position data using one or more telecommunication modems included in the ATC-RS to an air traffic control center (ATC) and transmitting the position data using an automatic dependent surveillance broadcast (ADS-B) and traffic information services broadcast (TIS-B) receiver to one or more aircraft. | Douglas V. Limbaugh (Glendale, AZ), David H. Barnhard (Liburn, GA), Thomas H. Rychener (Phoenix, AZ) | Kutta Technologies, Inc. (Phoenix, AZ) | 2009-02-12 | 2013-05-07 | G01C21/00, G01S1/00, G01S5/02 | 12/370480 |
| 422 | 8424439 | Systems and methods for launching munitions | Systems and methods for launching munitions are provided. In some embodiments, a launcher configured to retain a munition during transport by a vehicle may comprise a first housing, circuitry, and a second housing. The first housing may define a tube configured to hold a munition for transportation. The circuitry may provide electrical communication with a munition present within the tube. The second housing may define a tube corresponding to the tube defined by the first housing. The second housing may be configured to mount to the first housing so that the tubes defined by the first housing and the second housing combine to house and launch a munition. | Robert A. Bailey (Avon, IN) | Raytheon Company (Waltham, MA) | 2010-09-03 | 2013-04-23 | F41F3/04 | 12/875777 |
| 423 | 8411346 | Gravity operated, rotatable lens curtain for thermal imager | A device for in-situ thermal imager calibration having a rotatable lens curtain with an aperture for the lens of a thermal imager to observe a scene. The lens curtain includes a balancing weight and blocking portion having a thermally uniform interior calibration surface that is rotatably disposed such that when the UAS is in level flight, the lens views the scene through the aperture. When the UAS is laterally rotated about its flight path, the lens curtain maintains its absolute position relative to the Earth by virtue of the balance weight and the lens rotates within the lens curtain for viewing a thermally uniform interior surface for calibration. | Itzhak Sapir (Irvine, CA) | Isc8 Inc. (Costa Mesa, CA) | 2010-06-18 | 2013-04-02 | G02B23/00 | 12/803134 |
| 424 | 8400511 | Optical detection and ranging sensor system for sense and avoid, and related methods | An apparatus carried by an unmanned vehicle to provide passive sensing and facilitate avoiding airborne aerial obstacles is provided. The apparatus can include at least one, but typically multiple optical systems installed, for example, in the nose of the aerial vehicle to passively sense and determine a range, direction, and velocity of the airborne obstacles to allow the aerial vehicle to avoid the airborne obstacles. The typical optical system includes at least one focal plane array or other imaging device configured to receive a wide field of view and at least one focal plane array or other imaging device configured to receive a steerable narrow field of view within the wide field of view to allow concentrated determination of the range, direction, and/or velocity of obstacles detected by the wide field of view imaging devices. | Rhande P. Wood (Weatherford, TX), Michael I. Jones (Fort Worth, TX) | Lockheed Martin Corporation (Bethesda, MD) | 2009-12-04 | 2013-03-19 | H04N5/33, H04N7/18 | 12/630925 |
| 425 | 8386175 | Unmanned aerial system position reporting system | An unmanned aerial system (UAS) position reporting system. Implementations may include an air traffic control reporting system (ATC-RS) coupled with a ground control station (GCS) of an unmanned aerial system where the ATC-RS includes an automatic dependent surveillance broadcast (ADS-B) and a traffic information services broadcast (TIS-B) transceiver and one or more telecommunications modems. The ATC-RS may be adapted to receive position data of the UAS in an airspace from the GCS and communicate the position of the UAS in the airspace to a civilian air traffic control center (ATC) or to a military command and control (C2) communication center through an ADS-B signal or through a TIS-B signal through the ADS-B and TIS-B transceiver. The ATC-RS may also be adapted to display the position of the UAS in the airspace on one or more display screens coupled with the ATC-RS. | Douglas V. Limbaugh (Glendale, AZ), David H. Barnhard (Lilburn, GA), Thomas H. Rychener (Phoenix, AZ) | Kutta Technologies, Inc. (Phoenix, AZ) | 2009-02-12 | 2013-02-26 | G01C21/00, G01S5/02, G01S1/00 | 12/370407 |
| 426 | 8373591 | System for sensing aircraft and other objects | A system for sensing aircraft and other objects uses bistatic radar with spread-spectrum signals transmitted from remotely located sources such as aircraft flying at very high altitudes or from a satellite constellation. A bistatic spread spectrum radar system using a satellite constellation can be integrated with a communications system and/or with a system using long baseline radar interferometry to validate the digital terrain elevation database. The reliability and safety of TCAS and ADS-B are improved by using the signals transmitted from a TCAS or ADS-B unit as a radar transmitter with a receiver used to receive reflections. Aircraft and other objects using spread spectrum radar are detected by using two separate receiving systems. Cross-Correlation between the outputs of the two receiving systems reveals whether a noise signal is produced by the receiving systems themselves or is coming from the outside. | Jed Margolin (VC Highlands, NV) | --- | 2010-10-22 | 2013-02-12 | G01S13/48, G01S13/93 | 12/910779 |
| 427 | 8366055 | Controllable miniature mono-wing aircraft | Micro/nano mono-wing aircraft with the wing configured as a winged seed (Samara) is uniquely suited for autonomous or remotely controlled operation in confined environments for surrounding images acquisition. The aircraft is capable of effective autorotation and steady hovering. The wing is flexibly connected to a fuselage via a servo-mechanism which is controlled to change the wing's orientation to control the flight trajectory and characteristics. A propeller on the fuselage rotates about the axis oriented to oppose a torque created about the longitudinal axis of the fuselage and is controlled to contribute in the aircraft maneuvers. A controller, either ON-board or OFF-board, creates input command signals to control the operation of the aircraft based on a linear control model identified as a result of extensive experimentations with a number of models. | Evan R. Ulrich (Frederick, MD), Darryll J. Pines (Clarksville, MD), Joseph Park (Pasadena, MD), Steven Gerardi (Salisbury, MD) | University of Maryland (College Park, MD) | 2010-06-18 | 2013-02-05 | B64C27/00, B64C27/06, B64C27/57 | 12/818826 |
| 428 | 8359128 | Solar energy collection flight path management system for aircraft | A method and apparatus for managing solar power collection. A position of the sun is identified relative to an aerospace vehicle while the aerospace vehicle is moving along a flight path. A level of power generation is identified by a solar power generation system while the aerospace vehicle moves along the flight path using a threat management module and equivalent radar signature data. The threat management module uses the equivalent radar signature data to identify the level of power generation by the aerospace vehicle from different positions of the sun relative to the aerospace vehicle, and the equivalent radar signature data is based on solar power generation signature data identifying the level of power generation for the different positions of the sun relative to the aerospace vehicle. A change in the flight path that results in a desired level of power generation is identified by the solar power generation system. | Matthew Jonathan Segal (Calabasas, CA), Kevin Andrew Wise (St. Charles, MO) | The Boeing Company (Chicago, IL) | 2011-07-13 | 2013-01-22 | G01C23/00, G06F7/00, G06F17/00, G05D1/00, G05D3/00 | 13/182065 |
| 429 | 8352097 | Method for managing power boost in a fuel cell powered aerial vehicle | An aerial vehicle is configured to operate in a base fuel cell operating mode and a fuel cell boost operating mode. A method for controlling the aerial includes providing a base fuel cell upper power limit. The method further includes controlling the fuel cell power level below the base fuel cell upper power limit when the aerial vehicle is operating in the base fuel cell operating mode. The method further includes operating the fuel cell above the base upper fuel cell power limit when the aerial vehicle is operating in the fuel cell boost operating mode. | Aaron T. Crumm (Ann Arbor, MI), Timothy LaBreche (Ann Arbor, MI), Gregory Ohl (Ann Arbor, MI), Nathan Ernst (Ann Arbor, MI), Michael Gorski (Dexter, MI) | Adaptive Materials, Inc. (Ann Arbor, MI) | 2009-09-23 | 2013-01-08 | G01C23/00 | 12/565565 |
| 430 | 8259032 | Metamaterial and finger slot for use in low profile planar radiating elements | An array antenna may include a substrate, an array of metamaterial elements including radiating elements suspended in the substrate and integrated with the array of dipoles, where the metamaterial elements include a first metal layer and a second metal layer connected by a via, an array of dipoles, a groundplane coupled with a first side of the substrate, the ground plane having a symmetric slot aperture and not contacting the array of metamaterial elements, and a stripline feed for the radiating elements, where the stripline feed passes from a groundplane first side through the symmetric slot aperture to a groundplane second side. | Michael J. Buckley (Marion, IA) | Rockwell Collins, Inc. (Cedar Rapids, IA) | 2009-09-09 | 2012-09-04 | H01Q15/02, H01Q1/40 | 12/556126 |
| 431 | 8146855 | Unmanned air vehicle | An unmanned air vehicle for military, land security and the like operations includes a fuselage provided with foldable wings having leading edge flaps and trailing edge ailerons which are operable during ascent from launch to control the flight pattern with the wings folded, the wings being deployed into an open unfolded position when appropriate. The vehicle is contained within a pod from which it is launched and a landing deck is provided to decelerate and arrest the vehicle upon its return to land. | Anvar Ismailov (Montreal, CA) | Anvar Ismailov (Montreal, Quebec, CA), Muhabbat Ismailova (Montreal Quebec CA) | 2008-09-03 | 2012-04-03 | B64C3/56 | 12/230638 |
| 432 | 8098207 | Electronically scanned antenna | An aperture of an antenna for a radar system comprises a first waveguide comprising a first protrusion and a second protrusion, each protrusion extending longitudinally along one side of the first waveguide. The aperture further comprises a second waveguide comprising a third protrusion and a fourth protrusion, each protrusion extending longitudinally along one side of the second waveguide. The first and third protrusions and second and fourth protrusions adjoin to form a radio frequency choke at least partially suppressing cross polarization of radio frequencies between the first and second waveguides. | Brian J. Herting (Marion, IA), James B. West (Cedar Rapids, IA), Wajih A. ElSallal (Cedar Rapids, IA), John C. Mather (Cedar Rapids, IA), Bret W. Spars (Marion, IA), Daniel L. Woodell (Cedar Rapids, IA) | Rockwell Collins, Inc. (Cedar Rapids, IA) | 2008-09-16 | 2012-01-17 | H01Q13/00 | 12/211703 |
| 433 | 8074918 | Unmanned aerial system launch from water | An unmanned aerial system (UAS) is described that is operable on or in water, in addition to being able to fly in the air. The UAS can float in a body of water, or submerge itself underneath the water, and then later launch from the water without human intervention to perform a flying mission. The UAS can then return back to the water. The UAS incorporates an electric ducted fan acting as the propulsion engine for the UAS in the water as well as in the air. | Robert J. Monson (St. Paul, MN), Scott E. Morgan (St. Paul, MN) | Lockheed Martin Corporation (Bethesda, MD) | 2009-05-06 | 2011-12-13 | B64C15/00 | 12/436441 |
| 434 | 8019447 | Method and system to control operation of a device using an integrated simulation with a time shift option | A method to control a device may include forming an integrated simulation model of an actual environment in which the device is or will be operating. The integrated simulation model may be formed using pre-existing data and real-time data related to the actual environment. The method may also include presenting a simulation including a representation of the device operable in the integrated simulation model of the actual environment and allowing control of operation of the simulation of the device in the integrated simulation model of the actual environment. The method may further include controlling operation of the device in the actual environment using the simulation of the representation of the device in the integrated simulation model of the actual environment. | Zachary C. Hoisington (San Clemente, CA), Blaine K. Rawdon (San Pedro, CA) | The Boeing Company (Chicago, IL) | 2007-09-14 | 2011-09-13 | G05B13/02 | 11/855717 |
| 435 | 7991516 | Apparatus for airfield management | A system for supervising the landing of an aircraft by a supervisor in a control station, each of the aircraft being incapable of being controlled by any personnel onboard, the system comprises a control station and onboard aircraft control apparatus. The station includes an input device, responsive to the supervisor, for producing a control signal for controlling the landing of the aircraft, and a transmitting device, coupled to the input device, for communication with the aircraft. The aircraft apparatus includes a receiving device for communication with the station, a logic device, coupled to the receiving device, for controlling the aircraft which is programmed to pilot the aircraft to the vicinity of the airfield. The control signal is selected by the supervisor, based on the supervisor's observations of the aircraft and is transmitted to the logic device, in response thereto, the logic device controls the aircraft. | Jeffrey A. Matos (New Rochelle, NY) | --- | 2007-09-04 | 2011-08-02 | G06D1/00 | 11/899048 |
| 436 | 7969346 | Transponder-based beacon transmitter for see and avoid of unmanned aerial vehicles | A transponder-based beacon transmitter system in an unmanned aerial vehicle is provided. The transponder-based beacon transmitter system comprises a global positioning system interface communicatively coupled to receive position information indicative of a current location of the unmanned aerial vehicle, a message formatter communicatively coupled to the global positioning system interface, and a transponder-based beacon transmitter. The message formatter formats vehicle identification of the unmanned aerial vehicle and the position information indicative of the current location of the unmanned aerial vehicle into an automatic dependent surveillance broadcast mode-select squitter message. The message formatter operates in one of a military mode, a National Airspace System mode, and a combined military/National Airspace System mode. The transponder-based beacon transmitter transmits the automatic dependent surveillance broadcast mode-select squitter messages from the unmanned aerial vehicle. Receivers in the vicinity of the unmanned aerial vehicle receive unsolicited vehicle identification and location of the unmanned aerial vehicle. | Michael R. Franceschini (Centerport, NY), David W. Meyers (Brooklyn Park, MN), Kelly P. Muldoon (Minneapolis, MN) | Honeywell International Inc. (Morristown, NJ) | 2008-10-07 | 2011-06-28 | G08G5/04, G01S13/74, G01S13/00 | 12/246644 |
