Patents Assigned to Merlin Labs, Inc.
  • Publication number: 20250095650
    Abstract: The method S200 can include: at an aircraft, receiving an audio utterance from air traffic control S210, converting the audio utterance to text, determining commands from the text using a question-and-answer model S240, and optionally controlling the aircraft based on the commands S250. The method functions to automatically interpret flight commands from the air traffic control (ATC) stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2024
    Publication date: March 20, 2025
    Applicant: Merlin Labs, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Pust, Joseph Bondaryk, Matthew George
  • Publication number: 20250087105
    Abstract: The method can include performing inference using the system; and can optionally include training the system components. The method functions to automatically interpret flight commands from a stream of air traffic control (ATC) radio communications. The method can additionally or alternatively function to train and/or update a natural language processing system based on ATC communications. Additionally, the method can include or be used in conjunction with collision avoidance and/or directed perception for traffic detection associated therewith.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2024
    Publication date: March 13, 2025
    Applicant: Merlin Labs, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew George, Alexander Naiman, Michael Pust, Joseph Bondaryk
  • Publication number: 20250078821
    Abstract: The method S200 can include: at an aircraft, receiving an audio utterance from air traffic control S210, converting the audio utterance to text, determining commands from the text using a question-and-answer model S240, and optionally controlling the aircraft based on the commands S250. The method functions to automatically interpret flight commands from the air traffic control (ATC) stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2024
    Publication date: March 6, 2025
    Applicant: Merlin Labs, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Pust, Joseph Bondaryk, Matthew George
  • Patent number: 12242285
    Abstract: The method can include: optionally determining an aircraft state; determining a transition event; verifying an aircraft configuration; determining an aircraft alert state; and performing an action. However, the method can additionally or alternatively include any other suitable elements. The method functions to facilitate configuration checking and/or validation of configuration changes. Additionally or alternatively, the method can function to facilitate human-in-the-loop operation of a semi-autonomous aircraft (e.g., with an autonomous agent fulfilling the roles of one pilot of a multi-pilot aircraft). Additionally or alternatively, the method can function to autonomously respond to inconsistencies or failures associated with aircraft configuration changes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2024
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2025
    Assignee: Merlin Labs, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew George, Alexander Naiman, Angel Macias, Aubrey Kalashian, Kevin Elfenbein
  • Patent number: 12198697
    Abstract: The method S200 can include: at an aircraft, receiving an audio utterance from air traffic control S210, converting the audio utterance to text, determining commands from the text using a question-and-answer model S240, and optionally controlling the aircraft based on the commands S250. The method functions to automatically interpret flight commands from the air traffic control (ATC) stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2024
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2025
    Assignee: Merlin Labs, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Pust, Joseph Bondaryk, Matthew George
  • Patent number: 12183214
    Abstract: The method can include performing inference using the system; and can optionally include training the system components. The method functions to automatically interpret flight commands from a stream of air traffic control (ATC) radio communications. The method can additionally or alternatively function to train and/or update a natural language processing system based on ATC communications. Additionally, the method can include or be used in conjunction with collision avoidance and/or directed perception for traffic detection associated therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2024
    Assignee: Merlin Labs, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew George, Alexander Naiman, Michael Pust, Joseph Bondaryk
  • Patent number: 12175969
    Abstract: The method S200 can include: at an aircraft, receiving an audio utterance from air traffic control S210, converting the audio utterance to text, determining commands from the text using a question-and-answer model S240, and optionally controlling the aircraft based on the commands S250. The method functions to automatically interpret flight commands from the air traffic control (ATC) stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2024
    Assignee: Merlin Labs, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Pust, Joseph Bondaryk, Matthew George
  • Patent number: 12136418
    Abstract: The method S200 can include: at an aircraft, receiving an audio utterance from air traffic control S210, converting the audio utterance to text, determining commands from the text using a question-and-answer model S240, and optionally controlling the aircraft based on the commands S250. The method functions to automatically interpret flight commands from the air traffic control (ATC) stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2024
    Assignee: Merlin Labs, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Pust, Joseph Bondaryk, Matthew George
  • Publication number: 20240321126
    Abstract: The method can include performing inference using the system; and can optionally include training the system components. The method functions to automatically interpret flight commands from a stream of air traffic control (ATC) radio communications. The method can additionally or alternatively function to train and/or update a natural language processing system based on ATC communications. Additionally, the method can include or be used in conjunction with collision avoidance and/or directed perception for traffic detection associated therewith.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2023
    Publication date: September 26, 2024
    Applicant: Merlin Labs, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew George, Alexander Naiman, Michael Pust, Joseph Bondaryk
  • Publication number: 20240278932
    Abstract: The method can include: sampling sensor measurements, extracting features from the sensor measurements, identifying a landing site based on the extracted features, determining a confidence score based on the extracted features and landing site features, and controlling the aircraft. The method functions to provide terrain relative navigation during approach to be used for aircraft control; the method can additionally function to establish an aircraft position estimate to be used for controlling the aircraft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2024
    Publication date: August 22, 2024
    Applicant: Merlin Labs, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew George, Alexander Naiman, Joseph Bondaryk
  • Patent number: 12062293
    Abstract: The method can include performing inference using the system; and can optionally include training the system components. The method functions to automatically interpret flight commands from a stream of air traffic control (ATC) radio communications. The method can additionally or alternatively function to train and/or update a natural language processing system based on ATC communications. Additionally, the method can include or be used in conjunction with collision avoidance and/or directed perception for traffic detection associated therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2023
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2024
    Assignee: Merlin Labs, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew George, Alexander Naiman, Michael Pust, Joseph Bondaryk
  • Publication number: 20240255950
    Abstract: The method can include: determining sensor information with an aircraft sensor suite: based on the sensor information, determining a flight command using a set of models: validating the flight command S130; and facilitating execution of a validated flight command. The method can optionally include generating a trained model. However, the method S100 can additionally or alternatively include any other suitable elements. The method can function to facilitate aircraft control based on autonomously generated flight commands. The method can additionally or alternatively function to achieve human-in-the-loop autonomous aircraft control, and/or can function to generate a trained neural network based on validation of autonomously generated aircraft flight commands.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2022
    Publication date: August 1, 2024
    Applicant: Merlin Labs, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander Naiman, Cynthia Comer, Molly Connolly
  • Publication number: 20240248481
    Abstract: The method can include: optionally determining an aircraft state; determining a transition event; verifying an aircraft configuration; determining an aircraft alert state; and performing an action. However, the method can additionally or alternatively include any other suitable elements. The method functions to facilitate configuration checking and/or validation of configuration changes. Additionally or alternatively, the method can function to facilitate human-in-the-loop operation of a semi-autonomous aircraft (e.g., with an autonomous agent fulfilling the roles of one pilot of a multi-pilot aircraft). Additionally or alternatively, the method can function to autonomously respond to inconsistencies or failures associated with aircraft configuration changes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2024
    Publication date: July 25, 2024
    Applicant: Merlin Labs, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew George, Alexander Naiman, Angel Macias, Aubrey Kalashian, Kevin Elfenbein
  • Publication number: 20240231359
    Abstract: The method can include: determining sensor information with an aircraft sensor suite; based on the sensor information, determining a flight command using a set of models; validating the flight command S130; and facilitating execution of a validated flight command. The method can optionally include generating a trained model. However, the method S100 can additionally or alternatively include any other suitable elements. The method can function to facilitate aircraft control based on autonomously generated flight commands. The method can additionally or alternatively function to achieve human-in-the-loop autonomous aircraft control, and/or can function to generate a trained neural network based on validation of autonomously generated aircraft flight commands.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2024
    Publication date: July 11, 2024
    Applicant: Merlin Labs, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander Naiman, Cynthia Comer, Molly Connolly
  • Publication number: 20240221749
    Abstract: The method S200 can include: at an aircraft, receiving an audio utterance from air traffic control S210, converting the audio utterance to text, determining commands from the text using a question-and-answer model S240, and optionally controlling the aircraft based on the commands S250. The method functions to automatically interpret flight commands from the air traffic control (ATC) stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2024
    Publication date: July 4, 2024
    Applicant: Merlin Labs, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Pust, Joseph Bondaryk, Matthew George
  • Patent number: 11987382
    Abstract: The method can include: sampling sensor measurements, extracting features from the sensor measurements, identifying a landing site based on the extracted features, determining a confidence score based on the extracted features and landing site features, and controlling the aircraft. The method functions to provide terrain relative navigation during approach to be used for aircraft control; the method can additionally function to establish an aircraft position estimate to be used for controlling the aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: Merlin Labs, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew George, Alexander Naiman, Joseph Bondaryk
  • Patent number: 11967324
    Abstract: The method S200 can include: at an aircraft, receiving an audio utterance from air traffic control S210, converting the audio utterance to text, determining commands from the text using a question-and-answer model S240, and optionally controlling the aircraft based on the commands S250. The method functions to automatically interpret flight commands from the air traffic control (ATC) stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: Merlin Labs, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Pust, Joseph Bondaryk, Matthew George
  • Patent number: 11914372
    Abstract: The method can include: determining sensor information with an aircraft sensor suite; based on the sensor information, determining a flight command using a set of models; validating the flight command S130; and facilitating execution of a validated flight command. The method can optionally include generating a trained model. However, the method S100 can additionally or alternatively include any other suitable elements. The method can function to facilitate aircraft control based on autonomously generated flight commands. The method can additionally or alternatively function to achieve human-in-the-loop autonomous aircraft control, and/or can function to generate a trained neural network based on validation of autonomously generated aircraft flight commands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Merlin Labs, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander Naiman, Cynthia Comer, Molly Connolly
  • Patent number: 11862031
    Abstract: The method can include performing inference using the system; and can optionally include training the system components. The method functions to automatically interpret flight commands from a stream of air traffic control (ATC) radio communications. The method can additionally or alternatively function to train and/or update a natural language processing system based on ATC communications. Additionally, the method can include or be used in conjunction with collision avoidance and/or directed perception for traffic detection associated therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Merlin Labs, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew George, Alexander Naiman, Michael Pust, Joseph Bondaryk
  • Publication number: 20230178074
    Abstract: The method S200 can include: at an aircraft, receiving an audio utterance from air traffic control S210, converting the audio utterance to text, determining commands from the text using a question-and-answer model S240, and optionally controlling the aircraft based on the commands S250. The method functions to automatically interpret flight commands from the air traffic control (ATC) stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2023
    Publication date: June 8, 2023
    Applicant: Merlin Labs, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Pust, Joseph Bondaryk, Matthew George