Patents by Inventor Douglas Birkel

Douglas Birkel 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: 8543265
    Abstract: Systems and methods for unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) navigation are presented. In a preferred embodiment, a UAV is configured with at least one flight corridor and flight path, and a first UAV flight plan is calculated. During operation of the first UAV flight plan, the UAV visually detects an obstacle, and calculates a second UAV flight plan to avoid the obstacle. Furthermore, during operation of either the first or the second UAV flight plan, the UAV acoustically detects an unknown aircraft, and calculates a third UAV flight plan to avoid the unknown aircraft. Additionally, the UAV may calculate a new flight plan based on other input, such as information received from a ground control station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: David E. Ekhaguere, Rick E. Annati, Derick L. Gerlock, Douglas Birkel
  • Publication number: 20100100269
    Abstract: Systems and methods for unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) navigation are presented. In a preferred embodiment, a UAV is configured with at least one flight corridor and flight path, and a first UAV flight plan is calculated. During operation of the first UAV flight plan, the UAV visually detects an obstacle, and calculates a second UAV flight plan to avoid the obstacle. Furthermore, during operation of either the first or the second UAV flight plan, the UAV acoustically detects an unknown aircraft, and calculates a third UAV flight plan to avoid the unknown aircraft. Additionally, the UAV may calculate a new flight plan based on other input, such as information received from a ground control station.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2008
    Publication date: April 22, 2010
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: David E. Ekhaguere, Rick E. Annati, Derick L. Gerlock, Douglas Birkel