Patents by Inventor William G. vonAchen

William G. vonAchen 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: 9482536
    Abstract: A solution for estimating the pose of a platform, such as a vehicle, is provided. Data from a plurality of types of sensing devices located on the platform can be used to independently calculate a plurality of preliminary estimates corresponding to the pose. A plurality of estimates corresponding to the pose can be generated using the preliminary estimates and at least one covariance matrix. One or more entries in the covariance matrix are adjusted based on an uncertainty for the corresponding preliminary estimate. The uncertainty can vary based on time, distance, and/or velocity of the platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignees: International Electronic Machines Corp., CSX Transportation, Inc.
    Inventors: Zahid F. Mian, William G. vonAchen
  • Publication number: 20130325334
    Abstract: A solution for estimating the pose of a platform, such as a vehicle, is provided. Data from a plurality of types of sensing devices located on the platform can be used to independently calculate a plurality of preliminary estimates corresponding to the pose. A plurality of estimates corresponding to the pose can be generated using the preliminary estimates and at least one covariance matrix. One or more entries in the covariance matrix are adjusted based on an uncertainty for the corresponding preliminary estimate. The uncertainty can vary based on time, distance, and/or velocity of the platform.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2013
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: International Electronic Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Zahid F. Mian, William G. vonAchen
  • Patent number: 7899207
    Abstract: The invention provides an image-based visibility measurement solution in which an image is used to calculate a visibility (visual range). In one embodiment, a lighting condition for the image is determined and the visibility calculation is adjusted based on the lighting condition. Further, the invention can obtain image data for a set of portions of the image and estimate a visual range based on each portion. The estimated visual ranges can be combined to calculate the visibility for the image. Still further, multiple metrics can be calculated, each of which is used to estimate a visual range. Subsequently, the visual ranges can be used to calculate the visibility for the image. Even further, configuration data that is based on a set of training images can be used to calculate the visibility for a new image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: International Electronic Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Zahid F. Mian, William G. vonAchen
  • Publication number: 20100027838
    Abstract: The invention provides an image-based visibility measurement solution in which an image is used to calculate a visibility (visual range). In one embodiment, a lighting condition for the image is determined and the visibility calculation is adjusted based on the lighting condition. Further, the invention can obtain image data for a set of portions of the image and estimate a visual range based on each portion. The estimated visual ranges can be combined to calculate the visibility for the image. Still further, multiple metrics can be calculated, each of which is used to estimate a visual range. Subsequently, the visual ranges can be used to calculate the visibility for the image. Even further, configuration data that is based on a set of training images can be used to calculate the visibility for a new image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2009
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Inventors: Zahid F. Mian, William G. vonAchen
  • Patent number: 7602937
    Abstract: The invention provides an image-based visibility measurement solution in which an image is used to calculate a visibility (visual range). In one embodiment, a lighting condition for the image is determined and the visibility calculation is adjusted based on the lighting condition. Further, the invention can obtain image data for a set of portions of the image and estimate a visual range based on each portion. The estimated visual ranges can be combined to calculate the visibility for the image. Still further, multiple metrics can be calculated, each of which is used to estimate a visual range. Subsequently, the visual ranges can be used to calculate the visibility for the image. Even further, configuration data that is based on a set of training images can be used to calculate the visibility for a new image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: International Electronic Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Zahid F. Mian, William G. vonAchen