Patents by Inventor Daniel R. Hedman

Daniel R. Hedman 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: 12650689
    Abstract: A common command and control architecture (alternatively termed herein as a “universal control architecture”) is disclosed that allows different unmanned systems, including different types of unmanned systems (e.g., air, ground, and/or maritime unmanned systems), to be controlled simultaneously through a common control device (e.g., a controller that can be an input and/or output device). The universal control architecture brings significant efficiency gains in engineering, deployment, training, maintenance, and future upgrades of unmanned systems. In addition, the disclosed common command and control architecture breaks the traditional stovepipe development involving deployment models and thus reducing hardware and software maintenance, creating a streamlined training/proficiency initiative, reducing physical space requirements for transport, and creating a scalable, more connected interoperable approach to control of unmanned systems over existing unmanned systems technology.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2026
    Assignee: Tomahawk Robotics, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew D. Summer, William S. Bowman, Andrew D. Falendysz, Daniel R. Hedman, Brad Truesdell, Jeffrey S. Cooper, Michael E. Bowman, Sean Wagoner, Kevin Makovy
  • Publication number: 20260153943
    Abstract: Methods and systems are described herein for detecting motion-induced errors received from inertial-type input devices and for generating accurate vehicle control commands that account for operator movement. These methods and systems may determine, using motion data from inertial sensors, whether the hand/arm of the operator is moving in the same motion as the body of the operator, and if both are moving in the same way, these systems and methods may determine that the motion is not intended to be a motion-induced command. However, if the hand/arm of the operator is moving in a different motion from the body of the operator, these methods and systems may determine that the operator intended the motion to be a motion-induced command to a vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2026
    Publication date: June 4, 2026
    Applicant: Tomahawk Robotics, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael E. BOWMAN, William S. BOWMAN, Daniel R. HEDMAN, Matthew D. SUMMER, Andrew D. FALENDYSZ, Kevin MAKOVY, Michael W. HOLT
  • Patent number: 12638844
    Abstract: Systems and methods of manipulating/controlling robots. In many scenarios, data collected by a sensor (connected to a robot) may not have very high precision (e.g., a regular commercial/inexpensive sensor) or may be subjected to dynamic environmental changes. Thus, the data collected by the sensor may not indicate the parameter captured by the sensor with high accuracy. The present robotic control system is directed at such scenarios. In some embodiments, the disclosed embodiments can be used for computing a sliding velocity limit boundary for a spatial controller. In some embodiments, the disclosed embodiments can be used for teleoperation of a vehicle located in the field of view of a camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2024
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2026
    Assignee: Tomahawk Robotics, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew D. Summer, William S. Bowman, Andrew D. Falendysz, Kevin M. Makovy, Daniel R. Hedman, Bradley D. Truesdell
  • Publication number: 20260138600
    Abstract: Methods and systems are described herein for predicting collisions between uncrewed vehicles and preventing those collisions. A collision prevention system may generate collision spheroids for a multitude of uncrewed vehicles. Those collision spheroids may represent a plurality of three-dimensional points around each uncrewed vehicle. When the collision prevention system determines that collision spheroids corresponding to two uncrewed vehicles intersect, the collision prevention system may determine that a collision is imminent and may attempt to prevent the collision by causing one or both uncrewed vehicles to change velocity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2026
    Publication date: May 21, 2026
    Applicant: AeroVironment, Inc.
    Inventors: William S. BOWMAN, Mark B. MOFFETT, Daniel R. HEDMAN, Michael E. BOWMAN, Bryce KORTE, Matthew D. SUMMER
  • Patent number: 12566509
    Abstract: Methods and systems are described herein for detecting motion-induced errors received from inertial-type input devices and for generating accurate vehicle control commands that account for operator movement. These methods and systems may determine, using motion data from inertial sensors, whether the hand/arm of the operator is moving in the same motion as the body of the operator, and if both are moving in the same way, these systems and methods may determine that the motion is not intended to be a motion-induced command. However, if the hand/arm of the operator is moving in a different motion from the body of the operator, these methods and systems may determine that the operator intended the motion to be a motion-induced command to a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2025
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2026
    Assignee: Tomahawk Robotics, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael E. Bowman, William S. Bowman, Daniel R. Hedman, Matthew D. Summer, Andrew D. Falendysz, Kevin Makovy, Michael W. Holt
  • Patent number: 12559096
    Abstract: Methods and systems are described herein for predicting collisions between uncrewed vehicles and preventing those collisions. A collision prevention system may generate collision spheroids for a multitude of uncrewed vehicles. Those collision spheroids may represent a plurality of three-dimensional points around each uncrewed vehicle. When the collision prevention system determines that collision spheroids corresponding to two uncrewed vehicles intersect, the collision prevention system may determine that a collision is imminent and may attempt to prevent the collision by causing one or both uncrewed vehicles to change velocity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2024
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2026
    Assignee: AeroVironment, Inc.
    Inventors: William S. Bowman, Mark B. Moffett, Daniel R. Hedman, Michael E. Bowman, Bryce Korte, Matthew D. Summer
  • Patent number: 12561837
    Abstract: Methods and systems are described herein for determining three-dimensional locations of objects within identified portions of images. An image processing system may receive an image and an identification of location within an image. The image may be input into a machine learning model to detect one or more objects within the identified location. Multiple images may then be used to generate location estimations of those objects. Based on the location estimations, an accurate three-dimensional location may be calculated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2024
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2026
    Assignee: Tomahawk Robotics, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel R. Hedman, Matthew D. Summer, William S. Bowman, Michael E. Bowman, Brad Truesdell, Andrew D. Falendysz
  • Publication number: 20260001529
    Abstract: Methods and systems are described herein for predicting collisions between uncrewed vehicles and preventing those collisions. A collision prevention system may generate collision spheroids for a multitude of uncrewed vehicles. Those collision spheroids may represent a plurality of three-dimensional points around each uncrewed vehicle. When the collision prevention system determines that collision spheroids corresponding to two uncrewed vehicles intersect, the collision prevention system may determine that a collision is imminent and may attempt to prevent the collision by causing one or both uncrewed vehicles to change velocity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2024
    Publication date: January 1, 2026
    Applicant: AeroVironment, Inc.
    Inventors: William S. BOWMAN, Mark B. MOFFETT, Daniel R. HEDMAN, Michael E. BOWMAN, Bryce KORTE, Matthew D. SUMMER
  • Publication number: 20250391171
    Abstract: Methods and systems are described herein for generating composite data streams. A data stream processing system may receive multiple data streams from, for example, multiple unmanned vehicles and determine, based on the type of data within each data stream, a machine learning model for each data stream for processing the type of data. Each machine learning model may receive the frames of a corresponding data stream and output indications and locations of objects within those data streams. The data stream processing system may then generate a composite data stream with indications of the detected objects.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2025
    Publication date: December 25, 2025
    Applicant: Tomahawk Robotics, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew D. FALENDYSZ, William S. BOWMAN, Matthew D. SUMMER, Daniel R. HEDMAN, Sean WAGONER
  • Patent number: 12417629
    Abstract: Methods and systems are described herein for generating composite data streams. A data stream processing system may receive multiple data streams from, for example, multiple unmanned vehicles and determine, based on the type of data within each data stream, a machine learning model for each data stream for processing the type of data. Each machine learning model may receive the frames of a corresponding data stream and output indications and locations of objects within those data streams. The data stream processing system may then generate a composite data stream with indications of the detected objects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2025
    Assignee: Tomahawk Robotics, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew D. Falendysz, William S. Bowman, Matthew D. Summer, Daniel R. Hedman, Sean Wagoner
  • Patent number: 12372958
    Abstract: Systems and methods of manipulating/controlling robots. In many scenarios, data collected by a sensor (connected to a robot) may not have very high precision (e.g., a regular commercial/inexpensive sensor) or may be subjected to dynamic environmental changes. Thus, the data collected by the sensor may not indicate the parameter captured by the sensor with high accuracy. The present robotic control system is directed at such scenarios. In some embodiments, the disclosed embodiments can be used for computing a sliding velocity limit boundary for a spatial controller. In some embodiments, the disclosed embodiments can be used for teleoperation of a vehicle located in the field of view of a camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2025
    Assignee: Tomahawk Robotics, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew D. Summer, William S. Bowman, Andrew D. Falendysz, Kevin M. Makovy, Daniel R. Hedman, Bradley D. Truesdell
  • Publication number: 20250147598
    Abstract: Methods and systems are described herein for detecting motion-induced errors received from inertial-type input devices and for generating accurate vehicle control commands that account for operator movement. These methods and systems may determine, using motion data from inertial sensors, whether the hand/arm of the operator is moving in the same motion as the body of the operator, and if both are moving in the same way, these systems and methods may determine that the motion is not intended to be a motion-induced command. However, if the hand/arm of the operator is moving in a different motion from the body of the operator, these methods and systems may determine that the operator intended the motion to be a motion-induced command to a vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2025
    Publication date: May 8, 2025
    Applicant: Tomahawk Robotics, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael E. BOWMAN, William S. BOWMAN, Daniel R. HEDMAN, Matthew D. SUMMER, Andrew D. FALENDYSZ, Kevin MAKOVY, Michael W. HOLT
  • Publication number: 20250086831
    Abstract: Methods and systems are described herein for determining three-dimensional locations of objects within identified portions of images. An image processing system may receive an image and an identification of location within an image. The image may be input into a machine learning model to detect one or more objects within the identified location. Multiple images may then be used to generate location estimations of those objects. Based on the location estimations, an accurate three-dimensional location may be calculated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2024
    Publication date: March 13, 2025
    Applicant: Tomahawk Robotics, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel R. HEDMAN, Matthew D. SUMMER, William S. BOWMAN, Michael E. BOWMAN, Brad TRUESDELL, Andrew D. FALENDYSZ
  • Patent number: 12223124
    Abstract: Methods and systems are described herein for detecting motion-induced errors received from inertial-type input devices and for generating accurate vehicle control commands that account for operator movement. These methods and systems may determine, using motion data from inertial sensors, whether the hand/arm of the operator is moving in the same motion as the body of the operator, and if both are moving in the same way, these systems and methods may determine that the motion is not intended to be a motion-induced command. However, if the hand/arm of the operator is moving in a different motion from the body of the operator, these methods and systems may determine that the operator intended the motion to be a motion-induced command to a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2025
    Assignee: Tomahawk Robotics, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael E. Bowman, William S. Bowman, Daniel R. Hedman, Matthew D. Summer, Andrew D. Falendysz, Kevin Makovy, Michael W. Holt
  • Publication number: 20250028317
    Abstract: Systems and methods of manipulating/controlling robots. In many scenarios, data collected by a sensor (connected to a robot) may not have very high precision (e.g., a regular commercial/inexpensive sensor) or may be subjected to dynamic environmental changes. Thus, the data collected by the sensor may not indicate the parameter captured by the sensor with high accuracy. The present robotic control system is directed at such scenarios. In some embodiments, the disclosed embodiments can be used for computing a sliding velocity limit boundary for a spatial controller. In some embodiments, the disclosed embodiments can be used for teleoperation of a vehicle located in the field of view of a camera.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2024
    Publication date: January 23, 2025
    Applicant: Tomahawk Robotics, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew D. SUMMER, William S. BOWMAN, Andrew D. FALENDYSZ, Kevin M. MAKOVY, Daniel R. HEDMAN, Bradley D. TRUESDELL
  • Publication number: 20250022167
    Abstract: Methods and systems are described herein for determining three-dimensional locations of objects within identified portions of images. An image processing system may receive an image and an identification of location within an image. The image may be input into a machine learning model to detect one or more objects within the identified location. Multiple images may then be used to generate location estimations of those objects. Based on the location estimations, an accurate three-dimensional location may be calculated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2023
    Publication date: January 16, 2025
    Applicant: Tomahawk Robotics, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel R. HEDMAN, Matthew D. SUMMER, William S. BOWMAN, Michael E. BOWMAN, Brad TRUESDELL, Andrew D. FALENDYSZ
  • Patent number: 12198377
    Abstract: Methods and systems are described herein for determining three-dimensional locations of objects within identified portions of images. An image processing system may receive an image and an identification of location within an image. The image may be input into a machine learning model to detect one or more objects within the identified location. Multiple images may then be used to generate location estimations of those objects. Based on the location estimations, an accurate three-dimensional location may be calculated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2025
    Assignee: Tomahawk Robotics, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel R. Hedman, Matthew D. Summer, William S. Bowman, Michael E. Bowman, Brad Truesdell, Andrew D. Falendysz
  • Patent number: 12189386
    Abstract: Systems and methods of manipulating/controlling robots. In many scenarios, data collected by a sensor (connected to a robot) may not have very high precision (e.g., a regular commercial/inexpensive sensor) or may be subjected to dynamic environmental changes. Thus, the data collected by the sensor may not indicate the parameter captured by the sensor with high accuracy. The present robotic control system is directed at such scenarios. In some embodiments, the disclosed embodiments can be used for computing a sliding velocity limit boundary for a spatial controller. In some embodiments, the disclosed embodiments can be used for teleoperation of a vehicle located in the field of view of a camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2025
    Assignee: Tomahawk Robotics, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew D. Summer, William S. Bowman, Andrew D. Falendysz, Kevin M. Makovy, Daniel R. Hedman, Bradley D. Truesdell
  • Publication number: 20240111303
    Abstract: Systems and methods of manipulating/controlling robots. In many scenarios, data collected by a sensor (connected to a robot) may not have very high precision (e.g., a regular commercial/inexpensive sensor) or may be subjected to dynamic environmental changes. Thus, the data collected by the sensor may not indicate the parameter captured by the sensor with high accuracy. The present robotic control system is directed at such scenarios. In some embodiments, the disclosed embodiments can be used for computing a sliding velocity limit boundary for a spatial controller. In some embodiments, the disclosed embodiments can be used for teleoperation of a vehicle located in the field of view of a camera.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2023
    Publication date: April 4, 2024
    Applicant: Tomahawk Robotics, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew D. SUMMER, William S. BOWMAN, Andrew D. FALENDYSZ, Kevin M. MAKOVY, Daniel R. HEDMAN, Bradley D. TRUESDELL
  • Publication number: 20240078763
    Abstract: Methods and systems are described herein for determining three-dimensional locations of objects within a video stream and linking those objects with known objects. An image processing system may receive an image and image metadata and detect an object and a location of the object within the image. The estimated location of each object is then determined within the three-dimensional space. In addition, the image processing system may retrieve, for a plurality of known objects, a plurality of known locations within the three-dimensional space and determine, based on estimated location and the known location data, which of the known objects matches the detected object in the image. An indicator for the object is then generated at the location of the object within the image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2022
    Publication date: March 7, 2024
    Applicant: Tomahawk Robotics, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel R. HEDMAN, William S. BOWMAN, Matthew D. SUMMER, Bryce KORTE, Andrew D. FALENDYSZ