Patents by Inventor Cameron Robertson
Cameron Robertson 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).
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Patent number: 12693683Abstract: An indication to perform a recovery action, including by deploying a first and second parachute canopy is output. Sensor data, which includes parachute canopy state information associated with the first parachute canopy and the second parachute canopy, is received from a sensor. It is determined, based at least in part on the sensor data, whether to generate a control signal with a value associated with maneuvering the aircraft into a nose-up position. If the parachute canopy state information indicates the first parachute canopy is collapsed and the second is inflated, the control signal is generated with the value associated with maneuvering the aircraft into the nose-up position. A load on the second parachute canopy is reduced if the aircraft is in the nose-up position compared to the aircraft being in a nose-down position. The control signal is output.Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 2025Date of Patent: July 28, 2026Assignee: Kitty Hawk CorporationInventors: Cameron Robertson, Joseph Roop, Todd Reichert, Damon Vander Lind
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Patent number: 12522353Abstract: A plurality of vertically-stacked multicopters detachably couples to a vertical connector to transport a load that is detachably coupled to the vertical connector. In the event an indication signal of a beam break sensor indicates the vertical connector has broken the beam, the movable gate is configured to close so that the vertical connector is enclosed at least in part by the movable gate. An opening in a frame provides access for the vertical connector to access the beam of the beam break sensor.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2025Date of Patent: January 13, 2026Assignee: Kitty Hawk CorporationInventors: Benjamin Otto Berry, Graham Bowen-Davies, Madeline Elliott Parker, Cameron Robertson, Christopher Scott Saunders
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Publication number: 20250349220Abstract: Boundary information for a three-dimensional (3D) flying space is obtained. An input associated with steering a vehicle is received from an input device and location information associated with the vehicle is received from a location sensor. A control signal for the vehicle is generated based at least in part on the boundary information, the input, and the location information. In the event the input would cause the vehicle to cross the boundary of the 3D flying space if obeyed, the control signal for the vehicle is generated so that the vehicle is prevented from crossing the boundary of the 3D flying space. In response to receiving an indication associated with the vehicle landing, the boundary information is modified so that the 3D flying space includes a landing pathway.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 29, 2025Publication date: November 13, 2025Inventors: Cameron Robertson, Alex Roetter
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Patent number: 12340705Abstract: Boundary information for a three-dimensional (3D) flying space is obtained. An input associated with steering a vehicle is received from an input device and location information associated with the vehicle is received from a location sensor. A control signal for the vehicle is generated based at least in part on the boundary information, the input, and the location information. In the event the input would cause the vehicle to cross the boundary of the 3D flying space if obeyed, the control signal for the vehicle is generated so that the vehicle is prevented from crossing the boundary of the 3D flying space. In response to receiving an indication associated with the vehicle landing, the boundary information is modified so that the 3D flying space includes a landing pathway.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2023Date of Patent: June 24, 2025Assignee: Kitty Hawk CorporationInventors: Cameron Robertson, Alex Roetter
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Publication number: 20250178726Abstract: A plurality of vertically-stacked multicopters detachably couples to a vertical connector to transport a load that is detachably coupled to the vertical connector. In the event an indication signal of a beam break sensor indicates the vertical connector has broken the beam, the movable gate is configured to close so that the vertical connector is enclosed at least in part by the movable gate. An opening in a frame provides access for the vertical connector to access the beam of the beam break sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 6, 2025Publication date: June 5, 2025Inventors: Benjamin Otto Berry, Graham Bowen-Davies, Madeline Elliott Parker, Cameron Robertson, Christopher Scott Saunders
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Publication number: 20250147507Abstract: An indication to perform a recovery action, including by deploying a first and second parachute canopy is output. Sensor data, which includes parachute canopy state information associated with the first parachute canopy and the second parachute canopy, is received from a sensor. It is determined, based at least in part on the sensor data, whether to generate a control signal with a value associated with maneuvering the aircraft into a nose-up position. If the parachute canopy state information indicates the first parachute canopy is collapsed and the second is inflated, the control signal is generated with the value associated with maneuvering the aircraft into the nose-up position. A load on the second parachute canopy is reduced if the aircraft is in the nose-up position compared to the aircraft being in a nose-down position. The control signal is output.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 3, 2025Publication date: May 8, 2025Inventors: Cameron Robertson, Joseph Roop, Todd Reichert, Damon Vander Lind
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Publication number: 20250118216Abstract: Boundary information associated with a flying space, including a boundary of the flying space, is obtained. The flying space is based at least on a flight route of an aircraft, and the flying space dynamically changes based at least on a position of the aircraft within the flight route. A distance between the boundary of the flying space and a location of the aircraft is determined. A user interface presents feedback based at least on the determined distance between the boundary of the flying space and the location of the aircraft including a suggested direction of correction.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 16, 2024Publication date: April 10, 2025Inventors: Cameron Robertson, Alex Roetter
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Patent number: 12252239Abstract: A plurality of propellers generates vertical thrust at least some of the time. An attachment sub-system detachably couples to a vertical connector, where a plurality of vertically-stacked multicopters are configured to detachably couple to the vertical connector in order to transport a load at a bottom end of the vertical connector. There is an opening in a vehicle frame that is configured to: (1) receive the vertical connector prior to the attachment sub-system detachably coupling to the vertical connector and (2) hold the vertical connector while the attachment sub-system is detachably coupled to the vertical connector.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2024Date of Patent: March 18, 2025Assignee: Kitty Hawk CorporationInventors: Benjamin Otto Berry, Graham Bowen-Davies, Madeline Elliott Parker, Cameron Robertson, Christopher Scott Saunders
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Patent number: 12222717Abstract: Sensor data is received from a sensor where the sensor data includes aircraft state information including an aircraft pitch angle and recovery device state information including which parachute canopies are operational and one or more properties associated with the operational parachute canopies. The parachute canopies are coupled aft of a center of mass. It is determined, based at least in part on the aircraft pitch angle, whether to generate a control signal associated with maneuvering the aircraft into a nose-up position. A recovery action is performed, including by selecting a parachute canopy to be deployed, from the operational parachute canopies and based at least in part on the one or more properties, and deploying the selected parachute canopy, where a load on the selected parachute canopy is reduced in the event the aircraft is in the nose-up position compared to the aircraft being in a nose-down position.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2024Date of Patent: February 11, 2025Assignee: Kitty Hawk CorporationInventors: Cameron Robertson, Joseph Roop, Todd Reichert, Damon Vander Lind
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Publication number: 20250033765Abstract: A plurality of propellers generates vertical thrust at least some of the time. An attachment sub-system detachably couples to a vertical connector, where a plurality of vertically-stacked multicopters are configured to detachably couple to the vertical connector in order to transport a load at a bottom end of the vertical connector. There is an opening in a vehicle frame that is configured to: (1) receive the vertical connector prior to the attachment sub-system detachably coupling to the vertical connector and (2) hold the vertical connector while the attachment sub-system is detachably coupled to the vertical connector.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 7, 2024Publication date: January 30, 2025Inventors: Benjamin Otto Berry, Graham Bowen-Davies, Madeline Elliott Parker, Cameron Robertson, Christopher Scott Saunders
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Patent number: 12205482Abstract: Boundary information associated with a three-dimensional (3D) flying space is obtained, including a boundary of the 3D flying space. Location information associated with an aircraft is obtained, including a location of the aircraft. Information is presented based at least in part on the boundary information associated with the 3D flying space and the location information associated with the aircraft, including by presenting feedback in proportion to the distance between the boundary of the flying space and the location of the aircraft. An intensity of the feedback increases in proportion to decreasing distance between the boundary of the flying space and the location of the aircraft.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2024Date of Patent: January 21, 2025Assignee: Kitty Hawk CorporationInventors: Cameron Robertson, Alex Roetter
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Patent number: 12179900Abstract: An inner middle rotor is rotated while an inner front rotor, an inner back rotor, and an outer rotor are not rotated. The inner middle rotor is surrounded by the inner front rotor, the inner back rotor, the outer rotor, and a fuselage. After rotating the inner middle rotor while not rotating the inner front rotor, the inner back rotor, and the outer rotor, the inner middle rotor, the inner front rotor, the inner back rotor, and the outer rotor are simultaneously rotated.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2023Date of Patent: December 31, 2024Assignee: Kitty Hawk CorporationInventors: Todd Reichert, Cameron Robertson, Mark Johnson Cutler
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Patent number: 12065257Abstract: A takeoff location and a landing location are received for an autonomous vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) vehicle that includes a plurality of rotors. An autonomous and noise-reduced flight trajectory for the autonomous VTOL vehicle is determined based at least in part on the takeoff location, the landing location, a jerk function, and a noise function, including by minimizing the jerk function and minimizing the noise function. A set of one or more desired forces or moments is determined for the autonomous VTOL vehicle based at least in part on autonomous and noise-reduced flight trajectory. A plurality of motor control signals is determined for the plurality of rotors based at least in part on the set of one or more desired forces or moments.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2023Date of Patent: August 20, 2024Assignee: Kitty Hawk CorporationInventor: Cameron Robertson
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Publication number: 20240228052Abstract: A takeoff location and a landing location are received for an autonomous vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) vehicle that includes a plurality of rotors. An autonomous and noise-reduced flight trajectory for the autonomous VTOL vehicle is determined based at least in part on the takeoff location, the landing location, a jerk function, and a noise function, including by minimizing the jerk function and minimizing the noise function. A set of one or more desired forces or moments is determined for the autonomous VTOL vehicle based at least in part on autonomous and noise-reduced flight trajectory. A plurality of motor control signals is determined for the plurality of rotors based at least in part on the set of one or more desired forces or moments.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 20, 2023Publication date: July 11, 2024Inventor: Cameron ROBERTSON
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Publication number: 20240221513Abstract: Boundary information associated with a three-dimensional (3D) flying space is obtained, including a boundary of the 3D flying space. Location information associated with an aircraft is obtained, including a location of the aircraft. Information is presented based at least in part on the boundary information associated with the 3D flying space and the location information associated with the aircraft, including by presenting feedback in proportion to the distance between the boundary of the flying space and the location of the aircraft. An intensity of the feedback increases in proportion to decreasing distance between the boundary of the flying space and the location of the aircraft.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 8, 2024Publication date: July 4, 2024Inventors: Cameron Robertson, Alex Roetter
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Publication number: 20240210940Abstract: Sensor data is received from a sensor where the sensor data includes aircraft state information including an aircraft pitch angle and recovery device state information including which parachute canopies are operational and one or more properties associated with the operational parachute canopies. The parachute canopies are coupled aft of a center of mass. It is determined, based at least in part on the aircraft pitch angle, whether to generate a control signal associated with maneuvering the aircraft into a nose-up position. A recovery action is performed, including by selecting a parachute canopy to be deployed, from the operational parachute canopies and based at least in part on the one or more properties, and deploying the selected parachute canopy, where a load on the selected parachute canopy is reduced in the event the aircraft is in the nose-up position compared to the aircraft being in a nose-down position.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 27, 2024Publication date: June 27, 2024Inventors: Cameron Robertson, Joseph Roop, Todd Reichert, Damon Vander Lind
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Publication number: 20240132225Abstract: A takeoff location and a landing location are received for an autonomous vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) vehicle that includes a plurality of rotors. An autonomous and noise-reduced flight trajectory for the autonomous VTOL vehicle is determined based at least in part on the takeoff location, the landing location, a jerk function, and a noise function, including by minimizing the jerk function and minimizing the noise function. A set of one or more desired forces or moments is determined for the autonomous VTOL vehicle based at least in part on autonomous and noise-reduced flight trajectory. A plurality of motor control signals is determined for the plurality of rotors based at least in part on the set of one or more desired forces or moments.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 19, 2023Publication date: April 25, 2024Inventor: Cameron ROBERTSON
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Patent number: 11955019Abstract: Boundary information associated with a three-dimensional (3D) flying space is obtained, including a boundary of the 3D flying space. Location information associated with an aircraft is obtained, including a location of the aircraft. Information is presented based at least in part on the boundary information associated with the 3D flying space and the location information associated with the aircraft, including by presenting, in a display, the boundary of the 3D flying space and an avatar representing the aircraft at the location of the aircraft.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2023Date of Patent: April 9, 2024Assignee: Kitty Hawk CorporationInventors: Cameron Robertson, Alex Roetter
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Patent number: 11947352Abstract: Sensor data that includes or more of the following: (1) aircraft state information associated with an aircraft or (2) parachute canopy state information associated with a parachute canopy is received. The parachute canopy is coupled to the aircraft at a point aft of a center of mass of the aircraft. It is determined, based at least in part on the sensor data, whether to generate a control signal associated with maneuvering the aircraft into a nose-up position. A recovery action is performed, including by deploying the parachute canopy; wherein a load on the parachute canopy is reduced in the event the aircraft is in the nose-up position compared to the aircraft being in a nose-down position.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2021Date of Patent: April 2, 2024Assignee: Kitty Hawk CorporationInventors: Cameron Robertson, Joseph Roop, Todd Reichert, Damon Vander Lind
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Patent number: 11939046Abstract: A plurality of propellers generate vertical thrust at least some of the time. An attachment sub-system detachably couples to a vertical connector, where a plurality of vertically-stacked multicopters are configured to detachably couple to the vertical connector in order to transport a load at a bottom end of the vertical connector. There is an opening in a vehicle frame that is configured to: (1) receive the vertical connector prior to the attachment sub-system detachably coupling to the vertical connector and (2) hold the vertical connector while the attachment sub-system is detachably coupled to the vertical connector.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2021Date of Patent: March 26, 2024Assignee: Kitty Hawk CorporationInventors: Benjamin Otto Berry, Graham Bowen-Davies, Madeline Elliott Parker, Cameron Robertson, Christopher Scott Saunders