Patents by Inventor Johannes J. Liebenberg

Johannes J. Liebenberg has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 10677569
    Abstract: An aspect includes an agent carrier and an agent disposed in an inner cavity of the agent carrier. The agent includes an expandable foaming material and electromechanical signal blocking particles embedded in the expandable foaming material. An aspect further includes a sensor and agent release mechanism configured to release the agent from the agent carrier based at least in part on a determination, via the sensor, that the agent carrier is within a predetermined distance via the sensor from a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Guillaume Hoareau, Johannes J. Liebenberg, John G. Musial, Todd R. Whitman
  • Patent number: 10583814
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for replacing a power source element is provided. The method includes enabling a first vehicle comprising a first power source apparatus comprising a first multiple compartment housing comprising a first plurality of receptacles retaining a first plurality of power source elements, a controller, and a communication interface. The first vehicle receives a notification indicating that a second vehicle requires replacement of a power source element of a second plurality of power source elements within a second power source apparatus of the second vehicle. The first vehicle is directed to a current location of the second vehicle and the first vehicle is docked to the second vehicle. The power source element of the second vehicle is replaced with a fully charged power source element of the first plurality of power source elements from the first vehicle during operation of the first vehicle and the second vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Guillaume Hoareau, Johannes J. Liebenberg, John G. Musial, Todd R. Whitman
  • Patent number: 10370103
    Abstract: According to an aspect, a package transport container for a UAV includes a manifest device having a computer processor, a receptacle including a base that secures contents of the receptacle, a locking mechanism that couples the manifest device to the receptacle during transport, and a connector coupling the manifest device to the UAV. The processor transmits material properties of the contents of the receptacle to the UAV, receives routing information for a package to be transported, monitors coordinates of the package transport container during transport, and upon determining the coordinates match coordinates of a delivery location specified in the routing information: sends a release request signal to the UAV to release the receptacle; receives a release command from the UAV; and disengages the locking mechanism to release the manifest device from the base. The routing information is determined at least in part based on the material properties of the contents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Guillaume Hoareau, Johannes J. Liebenberg, John G. Musial, Todd R. Whitman
  • Patent number: 10220802
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for replacing a power source element is provided. The apparatus includes a multiple compartment housing attached to a vehicle, power source elements, a controller, and a communications interface. The power source elements are placed within receptacles of the multiple compartment housing. Each power source element is electrically connected to an input power coupler for electrical connection to the vehicle such that each power source element is configured to supply power to the vehicle independently without requiring power supplied by any other power source element. The controller is configured to monitor a power level of each power source element and generate an associated power level reading. The communication interface is configured to retrieve each associated power level reading from the controller and to an external system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Guillaume Hoareau, Johannes J. Liebenberg, John G. Musial, Todd R. Whitman
  • Patent number: 10215581
    Abstract: An aspect of vehicle navigation assistance includes generating a route based on a starting point of a vehicle and a user-inputted destination location. The route specifies a set of directions defined by location points, actions, and distance values. An aspect also includes comparing the generated route to previously travelled routes stored in the memory, identifying, from the comparing, a segment of the generated route that is in common with a segment from at least one of the previously travelled routes, and determining a frequency count indicating a number of instances that the segment of the generated route appears in the previously travelled routes. A further aspect includes upon determining that the frequency count exceeds a specified threshold value, muting output of audio-based directions through a speaker of the vehicle during traversal of the vehicle through the segment of the generated route.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Guillaume Hoareau, Johannes J. Liebenberg, John G. Musial, Todd R. Whitman
  • Publication number: 20180346120
    Abstract: According to an aspect, a package transport container for a UAV includes a manifest device having a computer processor, a receptacle including a base that secures contents of the receptacle, a locking mechanism that couples the manifest device to the receptacle during transport, and a connector coupling the manifest device to the UAV. The processor transmits material properties of the contents of the receptacle to the UAV, receives routing information for a package to be transported, monitors coordinates of the package transport container during transport, and upon determining the coordinates match coordinates of a delivery location specified in the routing information: sends a release request signal to the UAV to release the receptacle; receives a release command from the UAV; and disengages the locking mechanism to release the manifest device from the base. The routing information is determined at least in part based on the material properties of the contents.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: GUILLAUME HOAREAU, JOHANNES J. LIEBENBERG, JOHN G. MUSIAL, TODD R. WHITMAN
  • Patent number: 10071803
    Abstract: According to an aspect, a package transport container for a UAV includes a manifest device having a computer processor, a receptacle including a base that secures contents of the receptacle, a locking mechanism that couples the manifest device to the receptacle during transport, and a connector coupling the manifest device to the UAV. The processor transmits material properties of the contents of the receptacle to the UAV, receives routing information for a package to be transported, monitors coordinates of the package transport container during transport, and upon determining the coordinates match coordinates of a delivery location specified in the routing information: sends a release request signal to the UAV to release the receptacle; receives a release command from the UAV; and disengages the locking mechanism to release the manifest device from the base. The routing information is determined at least in part based on the material properties of the contents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Guillaume Hoareau, Johannes J. Liebenberg, John G. Musial, Todd R. Whitman
  • Patent number: 9897456
    Abstract: Dynamically establishing a temporary safe evacuation route away from an unsafe situation using unmanned vehicles. The temporary safe evacuation route is determined based on real-time information regarding the unsafe situation. A network of unmanned vehicles are deployed and positioned at determined points along the safe evacuation route. Guidance is provided to the network of unmanned vehicles for display along the safe evacuation route by the unmanned vehicle to aid people in evacuating from the unsafe situation. Information in real time regarding the unsafe situation may be received from the unmanned vehicles. Based on the information received, the safe evacuation route may be adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Guillaume Hoareau, Johannes J. Liebenberg, John G. Musial, Todd R. Whitman
  • Publication number: 20180003518
    Abstract: An aspect of vehicle navigation assistance includes generating a route based on a starting point of a vehicle and a user-inputted destination location. The route specifies a set of directions defined by location points, actions, and distance values. An aspect also includes comparing the generated route to previously travelled routes stored in the memory, identifying, from the comparing, a segment of the generated route that is in common with a segment from at least one of the previously travelled routes, and determining a frequency count indicating a number of instances that the segment of the generated route appears in the previously travelled routes. A further aspect includes upon determining that the frequency count exceeds a specified threshold value, muting output of audio-based directions through a speaker of the vehicle during traversal of the vehicle through the segment of the generated route.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2016
    Publication date: January 4, 2018
    Inventors: Guillaume Hoareau, Johannes J. Liebenberg, John G. Musial, Todd R. Whitman
  • Publication number: 20170321996
    Abstract: An aspect includes an agent carrier and an agent disposed in an inner cavity of the agent carrier. The agent includes an expandable foaming material and electromechanical signal blocking particles embedded in the expandable foaming material. An aspect further includes a sensor and agent release mechanism configured to release the agent from the agent carrier based at least in part on a determination, via the sensor, that the agent carrier is within a predetermined distance via the sensor from a vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2016
    Publication date: November 9, 2017
    Inventors: Guillaume Hoareau, Johannes J. Liebenberg, John G. Musial, Todd R. Whitman
  • Publication number: 20170313272
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for replacing a power source element is provided. The apparatus includes a multiple compartment housing attached to a vehicle, power source elements, a controller, and a communications interface. The power source elements are placed within receptacles of the multiple compartment housing. Each power source element is electrically connected to an input power coupler for electrical connection to the vehicle such that each power source element is configured to supply power to the vehicle independently without requiring power supplied by any other power source element. The controller is configured to monitor a power level of each power source element and generate an associated power level reading. The communication interface is configured to retrieve each associated power level reading from the controller and to an external system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2017
    Publication date: November 2, 2017
    Inventors: Guillaume Hoareau, Johannes J. Liebenberg, John G. Musial, Todd R. Whitman
  • Patent number: 9796529
    Abstract: According to an aspect, an autonomous loading and transfer pad includes a frame having driver assembly configured to transport the frame. The frame includes a surface configured to receive a container. A communications interface is communicatively coupled to the autonomous loading and transfer pad. The autonomous loading and transfer pad also includes an order control system communicatively coupled to the communications interface. The order control system is configured to direct movement of the autonomous loading and transfer pad, via the communications interface, to a pickup point in a storage facility. The autonomous loading and transfer pad receives an item at the pickup point, directs movement of the autonomous loading and transfer pad, via the communications interface, to a transfer point external to the storage facility, and directs an autonomous pick-up and delivery vehicle, via the communications interface, to the transfer point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Guillaume Hoareau, Johannes J. Liebenberg, John G. Musial, Todd R. Whitman
  • Publication number: 20170274875
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for replacing a power source element is provided. The method includes enabling a first vehicle comprising a first power source apparatus comprising a first multiple compartment housing comprising a first plurality of receptacles retaining a first plurality of power source elements, a controller, and a communication interface. The first vehicle receives a notification indicating that a second vehicle requires replacement of a power source element of a second plurality of power source elements within a second power source apparatus of the second vehicle. The first vehicle is directed to a current location of the second vehicle and the first vehicle is docked to the second vehicle. The power source element of the second vehicle is replaced with a fully charged power source element of the first plurality of power source elements from the first vehicle during operation of the first vehicle and the second vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2017
    Publication date: September 28, 2017
    Inventors: Guillaume Hoareau, Johannes J. Liebenberg, John G. Musial, Todd R. Whitman
  • Patent number: 9764703
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for replacing a power source element is provided. The apparatus includes a multiple compartment housing attached to a vehicle, power source elements, a controller, and a communications interface. The power source elements are placed within receptacles of the multiple compartment housing. Each power source element is electrically connected to an input power coupler for electrical connection to the vehicle such that each power source element is configured to supply power to the vehicle independently without requiring power supplied by any other power source element. The controller is configured to monitor a power level of each power source element and generate an associated power level reading. The communication interface is configured to retrieve each associated power level reading from the controller and to an external system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Guillaume Hoareau, Johannes J. Liebenberg, John G. Musial, Todd R. Whitman
  • Patent number: 9760087
    Abstract: According to an aspect, a distributed package transport system includes unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), each of which is configured to transport packages within a geographic area and along a travel route. The system also includes UAV enclosures dispersed within the geographic area. The UAV enclosures include a number of cells, each of which provides a receptacle to temporarily house a UAV. At least one of the UAV enclosures is dynamically assigned to a location within the geographic area. Each of the UAV enclosures includes a computer processor and communication network interface and, for each of the UAVs in transit, the UAV enclosures communicate information specifying an origination point, drop off point, and return point amongst each other and coordinate to define, based on locations of the UAV enclosures and capacities of the UAV enclosures, a refined travel route including a subset of the UAV enclosures to serve as hops.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Guillaume Hoareau, Johannes J. Liebenberg, John G. Musial, Todd R. Whitman
  • Patent number: 9731821
    Abstract: According to an aspect, an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is provided that is capable of flying between a pick up point and a delivery point with respect to a package transfer operation. The delivery point is identifiable by the UAV through global positioning system (GPS) coordinates of the delivery point and verification of a device identifier of a package docking device (PDD) associated with a package transfer request. A control processor coupled to the UAV receives a transaction packet for the operation that includes the GPS coordinates and the device identifier of the PDD associated with the request. Upon arrival of the UAV at the delivery point, the control processor verifies that a device identifier of a PDD located at the delivery point matches the device identifier in the transaction packet, implements the package transfer operation, and transmits confirmation of completion of the operation to an originator of the request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Guillaume Hoareau, Johannes J. Liebenberg, John G. Musial, Todd R. Whitman
  • Publication number: 20170210313
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for replacing a power source element is provided. The apparatus includes a multiple compartment housing attached to a vehicle, power source elements, a controller, and a communications interface. The power source elements are placed within receptacles of the multiple compartment housing. Each power source element is electrically connected to an input power coupler for electrical connection to the vehicle such that each power source element is configured to supply power to the vehicle independently without requiring power supplied by any other power source element. The controller is configured to monitor a power level of each power source element and generate an associated power level reading. The communication interface is configured to retrieve each associated power level reading from the controller and to an external system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2016
    Publication date: July 27, 2017
    Inventors: Guillaume Hoareau, Johannes J. Liebenberg, John G. Musial, Todd R. Whitman
  • Publication number: 20170210355
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for replacing a power source element is provided. The method includes enabling a first vehicle comprising a first power source apparatus comprising a first multiple compartment housing comprising a first plurality of receptacles retaining a first plurality of power source elements, a controller, and a communication interface. The first vehicle receives a notification indicating that a second vehicle requires replacement of a power source element of a second plurality of power source elements within a second power source apparatus of the second vehicle. The first vehicle is directed to a current location of the second vehicle and the first vehicle is docked to the second vehicle. The power source element of the second vehicle is replaced with a fully charged power source element of the first plurality of power source elements from the first vehicle during operation of the first vehicle and the second vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2016
    Publication date: July 27, 2017
    Inventors: Guillaume Hoareau, Johannes J. Liebenberg, John G. Musial, Todd R. Whitman
  • Patent number: 9714012
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for replacing a power source element is provided. The method includes enabling a first vehicle comprising a first power source apparatus comprising a first multiple compartment housing comprising a first plurality of receptacles retaining a first plurality of power source elements, a controller, and a communication interface. The first vehicle receives a notification indicating that a second vehicle requires replacement of a power source element of a second plurality of power source elements within a second power source apparatus of the second vehicle. The first vehicle is directed to a current location of the second vehicle and the first vehicle is docked to the second vehicle. The power source element of the second vehicle is replaced with a fully charged power source element of the first plurality of power source elements from the first vehicle during operation of the first vehicle and the second vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Guillaume Hoareau, Johannes J. Liebenberg, John G. Musial, Todd R. Whitman
  • Publication number: 20170199044
    Abstract: Dynamically establishing a temporary safe evacuation route away from an unsafe situation using unmanned vehicles. The temporary safe evacuation route is determined based on real-time information regarding the unsafe situation. A network of unmanned vehicles are deployed and positioned at determined points along the safe evacuation route. Guidance is provided to the network of unmanned vehicles for display along the safe evacuation route by the unmanned vehicle to aid people in evacuating from the unsafe situation. Information in real time regarding the unsafe situation may be received from the unmanned vehicles. Based on the information received, the safe evacuation route may be adjusted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2016
    Publication date: July 13, 2017
    Inventors: Guillaume Hoareau, Johannes J. Liebenberg, John G. Musial, Todd R. Whitman