Patents by Inventor Dennis Dale Castleman

Dennis Dale Castleman 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: 11288767
    Abstract: Systems and methods for unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) course profiling are provided. A plurality of images may be captured by a UAV flying along a course at a first location. A profile may be constructed for the course based on the images captured by the UAV. The constructed course profile is transmitted over a communication network to a virtual reality system at a second location. The virtual reality system may generate a virtual environment corresponding to the course based on the constructed course profile, and a second UAV at the second location may fly along the virtual course.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: SONY INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT INC.
    Inventors: Michael Taylor, Dennis Dale Castleman
  • Patent number: 11222549
    Abstract: A collision avoidance system for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) receives physical space data for a flight area and creates a virtual world model to represent the flight area by mapping the physical space data with a physics engine. The automatic collision avoidance system creates a virtual UAV model to represent the UAV in the virtual world model. The automatic collision avoidance system receives flight data for the UAV and determines a current position of the virtual UAV model within the virtual world model. The automatic collision avoidance system determines a predicted trajectory of the virtual UAV model within the virtual world model, and determines whether the predicted trajectory will result in a collision of the virtual UAV model with the virtual world model. The automatic collision avoidance system performs evasive actions by the UAV, in response to determining that the predicted trajectory will result in a collision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: SONY INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT INC.
    Inventors: Megumi Kikuchi, Michael Taylor, Dennis Dale Castleman, Andrew Stephen Young
  • Patent number: 11125561
    Abstract: A steering assist system for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) receives physical space data for a flight area, and creates a virtual world model to represent the flight area by mapping the physical space data with a physics engine. The steering assist system creates a virtual UAV model to represent the UAV in the virtual world model. The steering assist system determines capability parameters for the UAV, and receives flight data for the UAV. The steering assist system determines a predicted trajectory for the virtual UAV model within the virtual world model, based on the capability parameters and flight data for the UAV. The steering assist system determines a navigation suggestion for the UAV based on the predicted trajectory and capability parameters for the UAV, and displays the navigation suggestion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: SONY INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT INC.
    Inventors: Michael Taylor, Dennis Dale Castleman
  • Publication number: 20200394754
    Abstract: Systems and methods for unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) course profiling are provided. A plurality of images may be captured by a UAV flying along a course at a first location. A profile may be constructed for the course based on the images captured by the UAV. The constructed course profile is transmitted over a communication network to a virtual reality system at a second location. The virtual reality system may generate a virtual environment corresponding to the course based on the constructed course profile, and a second UAV at the second location may fly along the virtual course.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2020
    Publication date: December 17, 2020
    Inventors: Michael Taylor, Dennis Dale Castleman
  • Patent number: 10850838
    Abstract: The present disclosure is related to unmanned aerial vehicles or drones that have a capability of quickly swapping batteries. This may be accomplished even as the drone continues to fly. A drone consistent with the present disclosure may drop one battery and pickup another using an attachment mechanism. Attachment mechanisms of the present disclosure may include electro-magnets, mechanical actuators, pins, or hooks. Systems consistent with the present disclosure may also include locations where replacement batteries may be provided to aircraft via actuation devices coupled to a physical location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: SONY INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT INC.
    Inventors: Dennis Dale Castleman, Ruxin Chen, Frank Zhao, Glenn Black
  • Publication number: 20200372815
    Abstract: A collision avoidance system for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) receives physical space data for a flight area and creates a virtual world model to represent the flight area by mapping the physical space data with a physics engine. The automatic collision avoidance system creates a virtual UAV model to represent the UAV in the virtual world model. The automatic collision avoidance system receives flight data for the UAV and determines a current position of the virtual UAV model within the virtual world model. The automatic collision avoidance system determines a predicted trajectory of the virtual UAV model within the virtual world model, and determines whether the predicted trajectory will result in a collision of the virtual UAV model with the virtual world model. The automatic collision avoidance system performs evasive actions by the UAV, in response to determining that the predicted trajectory will result in a collision.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2020
    Publication date: November 26, 2020
    Inventors: Megumi Kikuchi, Micheal Taylor, Dennis Dale Castleman, Andrew Stephen Young
  • Patent number: 10692174
    Abstract: Systems and methods for unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) course profiling are provided. A plurality of images may be captured by a UAV flying along a course at a first location. A profile may be constructed for the course based on the images captured by the UAV. The constructed course profile is transmitted over a communication network to a virtual reality system at a second location. The virtual reality system may generate a virtual environment corresponding to the course based on the constructed course profile, and a second UAV at the second location may fly along the virtual course.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: SONY INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT INC.
    Inventors: Michael Taylor, Dennis Dale Castleman
  • Patent number: 10679511
    Abstract: A collision avoidance system for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) receives physical space data for a flight area and creates a virtual world model to represent the flight area by mapping the physical space data with a physics engine. The automatic collision avoidance system creates a virtual UAV model to represent the UAV in the virtual world model. The automatic collision avoidance system receives flight data for the UAV and determines a current position of the virtual UAV model within the virtual world model. The automatic collision avoidance system determines a predicted trajectory of the virtual UAV model within the virtual world model, and determines whether the predicted trajectory will result in a collision of the virtual UAV model with the virtual world model. The automatic collision avoidance system performs evasive actions by the UAV, in response to determining that the predicted trajectory will result in a collision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: SONY INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT INC.
    Inventors: Megumi Kikuchi, Michael Taylor, Dennis Dale Castleman, Andrew Stephen Young
  • Publication number: 20200134781
    Abstract: Systems and methods for unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) course profiling are provided. A plurality of images may be captured by a UAV flying along a course at a first location. A profile may be constructed for the course based on the images captured by the UAV. The constructed course profile is transmitted over a communication network to a virtual reality system at a second location. The virtual reality system may generate a virtual environment corresponding to the course based on the constructed course profile, and a second UAV at the second location may fly along the virtual course.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2019
    Publication date: April 30, 2020
    Inventors: Michael Taylor, Dennis Dale Castleman
  • Patent number: 10540746
    Abstract: Systems and methods for unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) course profiling are provided. A plurality of images may be captured by a UAV flying along a course at a first location. A profile may be constructed for the course based on the images captured by the UAV. The constructed course profile is transmitted over a communication network to a virtual reality system at a second location. The virtual reality system may generate a virtual environment corresponding to the course based on the constructed course profile, and a second UAV at the second location may fly along the virtual course.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: SONY INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT INC.
    Inventors: Michael Taylor, Dennis Dale Castleman
  • Publication number: 20190355092
    Abstract: Systems and methods for unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) course profiling are provided. A plurality of images may be captured by a UAV flying along a course at a first location. A profile may be constructed for the course based on the images captured by the UAV. The constructed course profile is transmitted over a communication network to a virtual reality system at a second location. The virtual reality system may generate a virtual environment corresponding to the course based on the constructed course profile, and a second UAV at the second location may fly along the virtual course.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2019
    Publication date: November 21, 2019
    Inventors: Michael Taylor, Dennis Dale Castleman
  • Patent number: 10410320
    Abstract: Systems and methods for unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) course profiling are provided. A plurality of images may be captured by a UAV flying along a course at a first location. A profile may be constructed for the course based on the images captured by the UAV. The constructed course profile is transmitted over a communication network to a virtual reality system at a second location. The virtual reality system may generate a virtual environment corresponding to the course based on the constructed course profile, and a second UAV at the second location may fly along the virtual course.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: SONY INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT INC.
    Inventors: Michael Taylor, Dennis Dale Castleman
  • Patent number: 10377484
    Abstract: Systems and methods for unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) positional anchors. Signals may be broadcast via a signal interface of an anchor in a defined space which also includes a UAV. The UAV is at one location within the defined space, and the anchor is at another location within the defined space. A virtual environment may be generated that corresponds to the defined space. The virtual environment may include at least one virtual element, and a location of the virtual element within the virtual environment may be based on the location of the anchor within the defined space. A visual indication may be generated when the UAV is detected within a predetermined distance from the location of the anchor. In some embodiments, a visual element may be generated to augment the anchor where a location of the visual element is based on a location of the anchor within the defined space. The visual element may be changed when the UAV is flown to the location of the anchor within the defined space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: SONY INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT INC.
    Inventors: Michael Taylor, Dennis Dale Castleman, Glenn Black, Javier Fernandez Rico
  • Publication number: 20190079722
    Abstract: Disclosed are systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable storage media for altering and combining real and simulated audio streams. For example, a system can determine a location of a first unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The system can then determine a location of an object and can receive an audio stream associated with the object. The system can then determine a distance between the location of the first UAV and the location of the object. The system can adjust the audio stream volume according to the distance. The system can then send the audio stream to a listener.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2018
    Publication date: March 14, 2019
    Inventors: Michael Taylor, Dennis Dale Castleman
  • Patent number: 10210905
    Abstract: A flight path management system manages flight paths for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The flight path management system receives a sequence of controller inputs for the UAV, and stores the sequence of controller inputs in a memory. The flight path management system accesses the memory and selects a selected section of the sequence of controller inputs corresponding to a time period. The flight management system outputs the selected section to a playback device in real time over a length of the time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: SONY INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT INC.
    Inventors: Dennis Dale Castleman, Ruxin Chen, Frank Zhao, Glenn Black
  • Patent number: 10067736
    Abstract: Disclosed are systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable storage media for altering and combining real and simulated audio streams. For example, a system can determine a location of a first unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The system can then determine a location of an object and can receive an audio stream associated with the object. The system can then determine a distance between the location of the first UAV and the location of the object. The system can adjust the audio stream volume according to the distance. The system can then send the audio stream to a listener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: SONY INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT INC.
    Inventors: Michael Taylor, Dennis Dale Castleman
  • Publication number: 20180095461
    Abstract: Systems and methods for unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) positional anchors. Signals may be broadcast via a signal interface of an anchor in a defined space which also includes a UAV. The UAV is at one location within the defined space, and the anchor is at another location within the defined space. A virtual environment may be generated that corresponds to the defined space. The virtual environment may include at least one virtual element, and a location of the virtual element within the virtual environment may be based on the location of the anchor within the defined space. A visual indication may be generated when the UAV is detected within a predetermined distance from the location of the anchor. In some embodiments, a visual element may be generated to augment the anchor where a location of the visual element is based on a location of the anchor within the defined space. The visual element may be changed when the UAV is flown to the location of the anchor within the defined space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2016
    Publication date: April 5, 2018
    Inventors: Michael Taylor, Dennis Dale Castleman, Glenn Black, Javier Fernandez Rico
  • Publication number: 20180094931
    Abstract: A steering assist system for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) receives physical space data for a flight area, and creates a virtual world model to represent the flight area by mapping the physical space data with a physics engine. The steering assist system creates a virtual UAV model to represent the UAV in the virtual world model. The steering assist system determines capability parameters for the UAV, and receives flight data for the UAV. The steering assist system determines a predicted trajectory for the virtual UAV model within the virtual world model, based on the capability parameters and flight data for the UAV. The steering assist system determines a navigation suggestion for the UAV based on the predicted trajectory and capability parameters for the UAV, and displays the navigation suggestion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2016
    Publication date: April 5, 2018
    Inventors: Michael Taylor, Dennis Dale Castleman
  • Publication number: 20180095714
    Abstract: Disclosed are systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable storage media for altering and combining real and simulated audio streams. For example, a system can determine a location of a first unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The system can then determine a location of an object and can receive an audio stream associated with the object. The system can then determine a distance between the location of the first UAV and the location of the object. The system can adjust the audio stream volume according to the distance. The system can then send the audio stream to a listener.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2016
    Publication date: April 5, 2018
    Inventors: Michael Taylor, Dennis Dale Castleman
  • Publication number: 20180096611
    Abstract: A collision avoidance system for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) receives physical space data for a flight area and creates a virtual world model to represent the flight area by mapping the physical space data with a physics engine. The automatic collision avoidance system creates a virtual UAV model to represent the UAV in the virtual world model. The automatic collision avoidance system receives flight data for the UAV and determines a current position of the virtual UAV model within the virtual world model. The automatic collision avoidance system determines a predicted trajectory of the virtual UAV model within the virtual world model, and determines whether the predicted trajectory will result in a collision of the virtual UAV model with the virtual world model. The automatic collision avoidance system performs evasive actions by the UAV, in response to determining that the predicted trajectory will result in a collision.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2016
    Publication date: April 5, 2018
    Inventors: Megumi Kikuchi, Michael Taylor, Dennis Dale Castleman, Andrew Stephen Young