Patents by Inventor Christopher Grant
Christopher Grant 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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Publication number: 20250212866Abstract: A farming machine configured for identifying incorrectly configured plant identification models in farming machines is disclosed. The farming machine includes a control system configured to monitor the performance of a plant identification model to determine if it is appropriately configured for detecting plants in the field. To do so, the control system accesses images of plants in the field and applies a first plant identification model to the images to identify a probability plants in the images are a first class of plants. The control system applies a verification model to determine if plants in the field are the second class of plants (rather than the first) based on the determined probability. The farming machine applies a second plant identification model to the images to identify a second class of plants, and treats plants in the field identified as the second class of plant.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 28, 2023Publication date: July 3, 2025Inventors: Anuradha Chandrashekar, Brianne Abramowicz, Christopher Grant Padwick, David Evans, Divya Kulkarni, Filip R. Reese, Olgert Denas, Quan Bui
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Patent number: 12347113Abstract: A farming machine moves through a field and includes an image sensor that captures an image of a plant in the field. A control system accesses the captured image and applies the image to a machine learned plant identification model. The plant identification model identifies pixels representing the plant and categorizes the plant into a plant group (e.g., plant species). The identified pixels are labeled as the plant group and a location of the pixels is determined. The control system actuates a treatment mechanism based on the identified plant group and location. Additionally, the images from the image sensor and the plant identification model may be used to generate a plant identification map. The plant identification map is a map of the field that indicates the locations of the plant groups identified by the plant identification model.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2023Date of Patent: July 1, 2025Assignee: Deere & CompanyInventors: Christopher Grant Padwick, William Louis Patzoldt, Benjamin Kahn Cline, Olgert Denas, Sonali Subhash Tanna
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Publication number: 20250107479Abstract: Systems and methods herein present a multi-modal model, or insight miner, for agricultural use. The model is used for generating actionable insights from time-series agricultural data. To do so, a control system of a farming machine includes the insight miner and a training module. The miner ingests agricultural information (e.g., time series field measurements), identifies trends in the time-series data (e.g., increasing, decreasing, etc.), and determines potential farming actions to take based on identified trends. To do so, the model generates visual representations of the time-series data, inputs the visual representations into a model to obtain a natural language description of that data, and enact farming actions based on the insights obtained. The training module trains the model by generating visual representation and natural language pairs, which are used to train the model.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 2, 2024Publication date: April 3, 2025Inventors: Yawen Zhang, Yunkai Zhang, Kezhen Chen, Ming Zheng, Jinmeng Rao, Xiaoyuan Guo, Hongxu Ma, Jie Yang, Christopher Grant Padwick
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Publication number: 20250072412Abstract: A farming machine includes one or more image sensors for capturing an image as the farming machine moves through the field. A control system accesses an image captured by the one or more sensors and identifies a distance value associated with each pixel of the image. The distance value corresponds to a distance between a point and an object that the pixel represents. The control system classifies pixels in the image as crop, plant, ground, etc. based on depth information in in the pixels. The control system generates a labelled point cloud using the labels and depth information, and identifies features about the crops, plants, ground, etc. in the point cloud. The control system generates treatment actions based on any of the depth information, visual information, point cloud, and feature values. The control system actuates a treatment mechanism based on the classified pixels.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 15, 2024Publication date: March 6, 2025Inventors: Chia-Chun Fu, Christopher Grant Padwick, James Patrick Ostrowski
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Publication number: 20250000015Abstract: A method for calibrating performance characteristics of a farming machine using a performance report is described. The farming machine accesses images of plants in a field captured during the calibration pass. The images are input into a performance model to generate a performance report by identifying plants in the images using a plurality of identification sensitivities and determining expected performance characteristics of the farming machine for each of the identification sensitivities. As such, the performance report includes expected performance characteristics for each identification sensitives. The farming machine accesses a target performance characteristic (e.g., from an operator) for the farming machine corresponding identification sensitivity. Images are input into a plant identification model during a treatment pass which identify a plant in the field using the identification sensitivity corresponding to the target performance characteristic.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2023Publication date: January 2, 2025Inventors: Benjamin Kahn Cline, Christopher Grant Padwick, Chia-Chun Fu, Olgert Denas
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Publication number: 20250000010Abstract: A method for calibrating characteristics of a farming machine as it travels through a field treating plants is presented. Images captured by the farming machine are input into a performance model which identifies plants in the images using an original identification sensitivity and determines expected performance characteristics of the farming machine. The performance model accesses a target performance characteristic for the farming machine and determines a modified identification sensitivity for the performance model that achieves the target performance characteristic. The farming machine inputs additional images captured by the farming machine into the performance model. The performance model identifies a plant using the modified identification sensitivity, and the farming machine treats the plant in the field.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2023Publication date: January 2, 2025Inventors: Benjamin Kahn Cline, Christopher Grant Padwick, Chia-Chun Fu, Olgert Denas
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Patent number: 12171218Abstract: A farming machine includes one or more image sensors for capturing an image as the farming machine moves through the field. A control system accesses an image captured by the one or more sensors and identifies a distance value associated with each pixel of the image. The distance value corresponds to a distance between a point and an object that the pixel represents. The control system classifies pixels in the image as crop, plant, ground, etc. based on depth information in in the pixels. The control system generates a labelled point cloud using the labels and depth information, and identifies features about the crops, plants, ground, etc. in the point cloud. The control system generates treatment actions based on any of the depth information, visual information, point cloud, and feature values. The control system actuates a treatment mechanism based on the classified pixels.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2023Date of Patent: December 24, 2024Assignee: DEERE & COMPANYInventors: Chia-Chun Fu, Christopher Grant Padwick, James Patrick Ostrowski
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Publication number: 20240318605Abstract: A first speed sensor interface is operatively connected to a first time-space partition of a processor. A second speed sensor interface is operatively connected to a second time-space partition of the processor. A high side control is operatively connected to the first time-time space partition to receive a discrete command from the first time-space partition, and to receive a serial command from the first time-space partition. A low side control is operatively connected to the second time-time space partition to receive a discrete command from the second time-space partition, and to receive a serial command from the second time-space partition. The high side control and the low side control are configured to connect to an outside fuel shutoff device in manner that requires consensus between the high side control and the low side control to control the fuel shutoff device to shutoff fuel flow.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 24, 2023Publication date: September 26, 2024Applicant: Hamilton Sundstrand CorporationInventors: Glenn Reese, Christopher Grant, William E. Villano, Dana N. Switzer, James A. Gosse
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Patent number: 12080019Abstract: A farming machine includes one or more image sensors for capturing an image as the farming machine moves through the field. A control system accesses the image(s) and creates a labelled three-dimensional point cloud representing the field. The control system identifies and treats plants based on the labelled point cloud. To do so, the control system applies pre-processing functions to the labelled point cloud to determine characteristics of the field and/or modify labels in the point cloud. Point clusters in the point cloud are identified as plants, crops, weeds, ground, etc., using the determined characteristics and modified labels. The control system derives feature values for the plants based on the determined characteristics and labels. If the feature value indicates that the plant should be treated, the farming machine actuates a treatment mechanism to treat the plant.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2020Date of Patent: September 3, 2024Assignee: BLUE RIVER TECHNOLOGY INC.Inventors: Chia-Chun Fu, Christopher Grant Padwick, James Patrick Ostrowski, Kent Anderson
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Publication number: 20240284895Abstract: A farming machine including a number of treatment mechanisms treats plants as the farming machine moves through the field. The control system of the farming machine executes a plant identification model configured to identify plants in the field for treatment. The plant identification model is also configured to identify plants in non-ideal operating conditions. For example, the control system can identify and treat plants in non-ideal operating conditions where airborne particulates are present in an accessed image. The plant identification model is also configured to determine a particulate level in an accessed image and transmit a notification of the particulate level to an operator of the farming system. The control system generates a treatment map identifying which treatment mechanisms to actuate to treat the plants in the field. The farming machine treats the plants in the field according to the treatment map.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 6, 2024Publication date: August 29, 2024Inventors: Chia-Chun Fu, Christopher Grant Padwick
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Patent number: 12016325Abstract: A farming machine including a number of treatment mechanisms treats plants as the farming machine moves through the field. The control system of the farming machine executes a plant identification model configured to identify plants in the field for treatment. The plant identification model is also configured to identify plants in non-ideal operating conditions. For example, the control system can identify and treat plants in non-ideal operating conditions where airborne particulates are present in an accessed image. The plant identification model is also configured to determine a particulate level in an accessed image and transmit a notification of the particulate level to an operator of the farming system. The control system generates a treatment map identifying which treatment mechanisms to actuate to treat the plants in the field. The farming machine treats the plants in the field according to the treatment map.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2019Date of Patent: June 25, 2024Assignee: BLUE RIVER TECHNOLOGY INC.Inventors: Chia-Chun Fu, Christopher Grant Padwick
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Publication number: 20240046479Abstract: A farming machine moves through a field and includes an image sensor that captures an image of a plant in the field. A control system accesses the captured image and applies the image to a machine learned plant identification model. The plant identification model identifies pixels representing the plant and categorizes the plant into a plant group (e.g., plant species). The identified pixels are labeled as the plant group and a location of the pixels is determined. The control system actuates a treatment mechanism based on the identified plant group and location. Additionally, the images from the image sensor and the plant identification model may be used to generate a plant identification map. The plant identification map is a map of the field that indicates the locations of the plant groups identified by the plant identification model.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 16, 2023Publication date: February 8, 2024Inventors: Christopher Grant Padwick, William Louis Patzoldt, Benjamin Kahn Cline, Olgert Denas, Sonali Subhash Tanna
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Publication number: 20240020951Abstract: A plant treatment platform uses a plant detection model to detect plants as the plant treatment platform travels through a field. The plant treatment platform receives image data from a camera that captures images of plants (e.g., crops or weeds) growing in the field. The plant treatment platform applies pre-processing functions to the image data to prepare the image data for processing by the plant detection model. For example, the plant treatment platform may reformat the image data, adjust the resolution or aspect ratio, or crop the image data. The plant treatment platform applies the plant detection model to the pre-processed image data to generate bounding boxes for the plants. The plant treatment platform then can apply treatment to the plants based on the output of the machine-learned model.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 13, 2023Publication date: January 18, 2024Inventors: Lee Kamp Redden, Christopher Grant Padwick, Rajesh Radhakrishnan, James Patrick Ostrowski
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Publication number: 20230415033Abstract: A head-mounted device (HMID) may include a front portion, a rear portion and one or more bands. The front portion may include an optical display configured to output image light to a user's eyes. The rear portion may be arranged with the front portion to balance the HMID in weight. The one or more bands connect the front portion and the rear portion so that the two portions rest on either side of the user's head.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 28, 2023Publication date: December 28, 2023Inventors: Michael Miller, Maryam Sabour, Austin Shan Darin Young, Philip Antony Rutledge, Uday Kishore Pasupuleti, Christopher Grant Stoski, Dean Lester, Gadi Amit, Quinn Jerome Odette Fitzgerald, Scott Timothy Alberstein, Elliot Waugh Raderman
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Patent number: 11823388Abstract: A farming machine moves through a field and includes an image sensor that captures an image of a plant in the field. A control system accesses the captured image and applies the image to a machine learned plant identification model. The plant identification model identifies pixels representing the plant and categorizes the plant into a plant group (e.g., plant species). The identified pixels are labeled as the plant group and a location of the pixels is determined. The control system actuates a treatment mechanism based on the identified plant group and location. Additionally, the images from the image sensor and the plant identification model may be used to generate a plant identification map. The plant identification map is a map of the field that indicates the locations of the plant groups identified by the plant identification model.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2023Date of Patent: November 21, 2023Assignee: BLUE RIVER TECHNOLOGY INC.Inventors: Christopher Grant Padwick, William Louis Patzoldt, Benjamin Kahn Cline, Olgert Denas, Sonali Subhash Tanna
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Publication number: 20230345928Abstract: A farming machine includes one or more image sensors for capturing an image as the farming machine moves through the field. A control system accesses an image captured by the one or more sensors and identifies a distance value associated with each pixel of the image. The distance value corresponds to a distance between a point and an object that the pixel represents. The control system classifies pixels in the image as crop, plant, ground, etc. based on depth information in in the pixels. The control system generates a labelled point cloud using the labels and depth information, and identifies features about the crops, plants, ground, etc. in the point cloud. The control system generates treatment actions based on any of the depth information, visual information, point cloud, and feature values. The control system actuates a treatment mechanism based on the classified pixels.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 11, 2023Publication date: November 2, 2023Inventors: Chia-Chun Fu, Christopher Grant Padwick, James Patrick Ostrowski
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Patent number: 11771077Abstract: A farming machine includes one or more image sensors for capturing an image as the farming machine moves through the field. A control system accesses an image captured by the one or more sensors and identifies a distance value associated with each pixel of the image. The distance value corresponds to a distance between a point and an object that the pixel represents. The control system classifies pixels in the image as crop, plant, ground, etc. based on depth information in in the pixels. The control system generates a labelled point cloud using the labels and depth information, and identifies features about the crops, plants, ground, etc. in the point cloud. The control system generates treatment actions based on any of the depth information, visual information, point cloud, and feature values. The control system actuates a treatment mechanism based on the classified pixels.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2021Date of Patent: October 3, 2023Assignee: BLUE RIVER TECHNOLOGY INC.Inventors: Chia-Chun Fu, Christopher Grant Padwick, James Patrick Ostrowski
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Patent number: 11777831Abstract: Techniques are described herein that are capable of performing an aggregation-based determination of resiliency of a cloud computing service to chaos events. Chaos events are executed against a cloud computing service during a time frame that includes multiple time periods. For each chaos event, service health indexes (SHIs) that correspond to the time periods are calculated. Each SHI indicates an extent to which indicators, which represent respective measurements of performance of the cloud computing service during the respective time period, satisfy respective criteria. The SHIs for each chaos event are analyzed to provide a respective resiliency score. At least some of the resiliency scores of the respective chaos events are aggregated to provide an aggregated resiliency score, which represents resiliency of the cloud computing service to the chaos events.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2022Date of Patent: October 3, 2023Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: David Dominic Anderson, Piyush Gupta, Jeremy Michael Bares, Weili Zhong McClenahan, Craig Henry Wittenberg, Christopher Grant Ashton, Ritchie Nicholas Hughes
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Publication number: 20230281987Abstract: A farming machine is configured to identify and compensate for occlusions in the field of view of its image acquisition system. To do so, the machine captures an image using a first set of capture parameters associated with a first set of treatment results. The farming machine identifies an occlusion in the first image that obstructs a portion of the first image and determines occlusion characteristics representative of the occlusion based on image data in the first image. The farming machine compensates for the identified occlusion based on the occlusion characteristics. The farming machine captures a second image using modified set of capture parameters that compensate for the occlusion. The second image is associated with a second set of treatment results. The farming machine transmits the second set of treatment results to a manager of the farming machine.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 26, 2022Publication date: September 7, 2023Inventors: Christopher Grant Padwick, Chia-Chun Fu, Anuradha Chandrashekar, Umabharathi Govindarajan
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Patent number: D1044806Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2022Date of Patent: October 1, 2024Assignee: NIANTIC, INC.Inventors: Michael Miller, Maryam Sabour, Bryan De Leon, Austin Shan Drin Young, Christopher Grant Stoski, Skji Conklin, Gadi Amit, Quinn Jerome Odette Fitzgerald, Scott Timothy Alberstein, Elliot Waugh Raderman