Patents by Inventor Edward Dale Steakley
Edward Dale Steakley 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: 11915598Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media for fleet management of unmanned aerial vehicles, including flight authorization. One of the methods includes maintaining one or more rules associated with authorizing UAVs to implement flight plans. A request to generate a flight plan associated with a job is received, the request including information indicating a flight pattern comprising, at least, one or more waypoints associated with geospatial references. The flight plan is generated based on the request, and an initial authorization check is determined based on the maintained rules and the generated flight plan. Upon a positive determination, access to the generated flight plan is provided by a ground control system, and the flight plan is implemented.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2021Date of Patent: February 27, 2024Assignee: Skydio, Inc.Inventors: Jason de la Cruz, Brad Mandala, Charles Taylor, Edward Dale Steakley
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Patent number: 11897607Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media for unmanned aerial vehicle beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) flight operations. In an embodiment, a flight planning system of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) can identify handoff zones along a UAV flight corridor for transferring control of the UAV between ground control stations. The start of the handoff zones can be determined prior to a flight or while the UAV is in flight. For handoff zones determined prior to flight, the flight planning system can identify suitable locations to place a ground control station (GCS). The handoff zone can be based on a threshold visual line of sight range between a controlling GCS and the UAV. For determining handoff zones while in flight, the UAV can monitor RF signals from each GCS participating in the handoff to determine the start of a handoff period.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2021Date of Patent: February 13, 2024Assignee: Skydio, Inc.Inventors: Bernard J. Michini, Logan Kaminski, Edward Dale Steakley
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Patent number: 11885759Abstract: Methods, systems, and program products of inspecting solar panels using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are disclosed. A UAV can obtain a position of the Sun in a reference frame, a location of a solar panel in the reference frame, and an orientation of the solar panel in the reference frame. The UAV can determine a viewing position of the UAV in the reference frame based on at least one of the position of the Sun, the location of the solar panel, and the orientation of the solar panel. The UAV can maneuver to the viewing position and point a thermal sensor onboard the UAV at the solar panel. The UAV can capture, by the thermal sensor, a thermal image of at least a portion of the solar panel. A server onboard the UAV or connected to the UAV can detect panel failures based on the thermal image.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2022Date of Patent: January 30, 2024Assignee: Skydio, Inc.Inventors: Bernard J. Michini, Fabien Blanc-Paques, Edward Dale Steakley
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Patent number: 11854413Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media for unmanned aerial vehicle visual line of sight flight operations. A UAV computer system may be configured to ensure the UAV is operating in visual line of sight of one or more ground operators. The UAV may confirm that it has a visual line of sight with the one or more user devices, such as a ground control station, or the UAV may ensure that the UAV does not fly behind or below a structure such that the ground operator would not be able to visually spot the UAV. The UAV computer system may be configured in such a way that UAV operation will maintain the UAV in visual line of sight of a base location.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2021Date of Patent: December 26, 2023Assignee: Skydio, IncInventors: Volkan Gurel, Bernard J. Michini, Edward Dale Steakley
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Publication number: 20230394982Abstract: A property is identified for inspection based on a determination of a weather event impacting the property. A flight plan usable by an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) in identifying an extent of damage to the property caused by the weather event is determined. A user interface is presented at a user device. The user interface includes user interface controls configured for toggling layers of the user interface. The layers include a first layer that includes a geofence, a second layer that includes an inspection area of the property, a third layer that includes one of a launch location or a landing location of the UAV, and a fourth layer that includes a base map layer of an area that includes the property. A modification to the flight plan is received via the user interface.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 2, 2023Publication date: December 7, 2023Inventors: Caity Cronkhite, Brent Davidson, Kartik Ghorakavi, Lauren Gimmillaro, Edward Dale Steakley
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Patent number: 11705010Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media for generation of autonomous unmanned aerial vehicle flight plans based on triggered sensor information. One of the methods includes accessing information correlated from sensors monitoring features of weather events, and determining an upcoming weather event, the determination comprising one or more areas expected to be affected by the weather event. A likelihood of damage associated with the weather event is determined to be greater than a threshold in the areas. The weather event is monitored while areas in which the likelihood is greater than the threshold are updated accordingly. Subsequent to the weather event, properties to be inspected by unmanned aerial vehicles are determined based on severity information associated with the weather event.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2017Date of Patent: July 18, 2023Assignee: Skydio, Inc.Inventors: Caity Cronkhite, Brent Davidson, Kartik Ghorakavi, Lauren Gimmillaro, Edward Dale Steakley
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Publication number: 20230133257Abstract: Methods, systems, and program products of inspecting solar panels using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are disclosed. A UAV can obtain a position of the Sun in a reference frame, a location of a solar panel in the reference frame, and an orientation of the solar panel in the reference frame. The UAV can determine a viewing position of the UAV in the reference frame based on at least one of the position of the Sun, the location of the solar panel, and the orientation of the solar panel. The UAV can maneuver to the viewing position and point a thermal sensor onboard the UAV at the solar panel. The UAV can capture, by the thermal sensor, a thermal image of at least a portion of the solar panel. A server onboard the UAV or connected to the UAV can detect panel failures based on the thermal image.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 29, 2022Publication date: May 4, 2023Inventors: Bernard J. Michini, Fabien Blanc-Paques, Edward Dale Steakley
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Patent number: 11567019Abstract: Methods, systems, and program products of inspecting solar panels using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are disclosed. A UAV can obtain a position of the Sun in a reference frame, a location of a solar panel in the reference frame, and an orientation of the solar panel in the reference frame. The UAV can determine a viewing position of the UAV in the reference frame based on at least one of the position of the Sun, the location of the solar panel, and the orientation of the solar panel. The UAV can maneuver to the viewing position and point a thermal sensor onboard the UAV at the solar panel. The UAV can capture, by the thermal sensor, a thermal image of at least a portion of the solar panel. A server onboard the UAV or connected to the UAV can detect panel failures based on the thermal image.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2021Date of Patent: January 31, 2023Assignee: Skydio, Inc.Inventors: Bernard J. Michini, Fabien Blanc-Paques, Edward Dale Steakley
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Publication number: 20220392353Abstract: Disclosed in this specification are methods, systems and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on non-transitory computer storage media for unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) flight operation and privacy controls. Based on geofence types, and UAV distance from a geofence, sensors and other devices connected to a UAV are conditionally operational. Image data collected during a UAV flight may be obfuscated by the UAV while in flight, or via a post-flight process using log data generated by the UAV.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 10, 2022Publication date: December 8, 2022Inventors: Dana Livonia Contreras, Lucas Palage Doyle, Justin Eugene Kuehn, Volkan Gurel, Eric David Johnson, Edward Dale Steakley
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Publication number: 20220205938Abstract: Methods, systems, and program products of inspecting solar panels using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are disclosed. A UAV can obtain a position of the Sun in a reference frame, a location of a solar panel in the reference frame, and an orientation of the solar panel in the reference frame. The UAV can determine a viewing position of the UAV in the reference frame based on at least one of the position of the Sun, the location of the solar panel, and the orientation of the solar panel. The UAV can maneuver to the viewing position and point a thermal sensor onboard the UAV at the solar panel. The UAV can capture, by the thermal sensor, a thermal image of at least a portion of the solar panel. A server onboard the UAV or connected to the UAV can detect panel failures based on the thermal image.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 23, 2021Publication date: June 30, 2022Inventors: Bernard J. Michini, Fabien Blanc-Paques, Edward Dale Steakley
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Publication number: 20220185471Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media for unmanned aerial vehicle beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) flight operations. In an embodiment, a flight planning system of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) can identify handoff zones along a UAV flight corridor for transferring control of the UAV between ground control stations. The start of the handoff zones can be determined prior to a flight or while the UAV is in flight. For handoff zones determined prior to flight, the flight planning system can identify suitable locations to place a ground control station (GCS). The handoff zone can be based on a threshold visual line of sight range between a controlling GCS and the UAV. For determining handoff zones while in flight, the UAV can monitor RF signals from each GCS participating in the handoff to determine the start of a handoff period.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2021Publication date: June 16, 2022Inventors: Bernard J. Michini, Logan Kaminski, Edward Dale Steakley
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Patent number: 11361665Abstract: Disclosed in this specification are methods, systems and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on non-transitory computer storage media for unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) flight operation and privacy controls. Based on geofence types, and UAV distance from a geofence, sensors and other devices connected to a UAV are conditionally operational. Image data collected during a UAV flight may be obfuscated by the UAV while in flight, or via a post-flight process using log data generated by the UAV.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2020Date of Patent: June 14, 2022Assignee: Skydio, Inc.Inventors: Dana Livonia Contreras, Lucas Palage Doyle, Justin Eugene Kuehn, Volkan Gurel, Eric David Johnson, Edward Dale Steakley
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Publication number: 20220148438Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media for unmanned aerial vehicle visual line of sight flight operations. A UAV computer system may be configured to ensure the UAV is operating in visual line of sight of one or more ground operators. The UAV may confirm that it has a visual line of sight with the one or more user devices, such as a ground control station, or the UAV may ensure that the UAV does not fly behind or below a structure such that the ground operator would not be able to visually spot the UAV. The UAV computer system may be configured in such a way that UAV operation will maintain the UAV in visual line of sight of a base location.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 27, 2021Publication date: May 12, 2022Inventors: Volkan Gurel, Bernard J. Michini, Edward Dale Steakley
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Patent number: 11242143Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media for unmanned aerial vehicle beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) flight operations. In an embodiment, a flight planning system of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) can identify handoff zones along a UAV flight corridor for transferring control of the UAV between ground control stations. The start of the handoff zones can be determined prior to a flight or while the UAV is in flight. For handoff zones determined prior to flight, the flight planning system can identify suitable locations to place a ground control station (GCS). The handoff zone can be based on a threshold visual line of sight range between a controlling GCS and the UAV. For determining handoff zones while in flight, the UAV can monitor RF signals from each GCS participating in the handoff to determine the start of a handoff period.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2017Date of Patent: February 8, 2022Assignee: Skydio, Inc.Inventors: Bernard J. Michini, Logan Kaminski, Edward Dale Steakley
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Publication number: 20220005361Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media for fleet management of unmanned aerial vehicles, including flight authorization. One of the methods includes maintaining one or more rules associated with authorizing UAVs to implement flight plans. A request to generate a flight plan associated with a job is received, the request including information indicating a flight pattern comprising, at least, one or more waypoints associated with geospatial references. The flight plan is generated based on the request, and an initial authorization check is determined based on the maintained rules and the generated flight plan. Upon a positive determination, access to the generated flight plan is provided by a ground control system, and the flight plan is implemented.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 14, 2021Publication date: January 6, 2022Inventors: Jason de la Cruz, Brad Mandala, Charles Taylor, Edward Dale Steakley
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Patent number: 11189180Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media for unmanned aerial vehicle visual line of sight flight operations. A UAV computer system may be configured to ensure the UAV is operating in visual line of sight of one or more ground operators. The UAV may confirm that it has a visual line of sight with the one or more user devices, such as a ground control station, or the UAV may ensure that the UAV does not fly behind or below a structure such that the ground operator would not be able to visually spot the UAV. The UAV computer system may be configured in such a way that UAV operation will maintain the UAV in visual line of sight of a base location.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2017Date of Patent: November 30, 2021Assignee: Skydio, Inc.Inventors: Volkan Gurel, Bernard J. Michini, Edward Dale Steakley
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Patent number: 11156573Abstract: Methods, systems, and program products of inspecting solar panels using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are disclosed. A UAV can obtain a position of the Sun in a reference frame, a location of a solar panel in the reference frame, and an orientation of the solar panel in the reference frame. The UAV can determine a viewing position of the UAV in the reference frame based on at least one of the position of the Sun, the location of the solar panel, and the orientation of the solar panel. The UAV can maneuver to the viewing position and point a thermal sensor onboard the UAV at the solar panel. The UAV can capture, by the thermal sensor, a thermal image of at least a portion of the solar panel. A server onboard the UAV or connected to the UAV can detect panel failures based on the thermal image.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2017Date of Patent: October 26, 2021Assignee: Skydio, Inc.Inventors: Bernard J. Michini, Fabien Blanc-Paques, Edward Dale Steakley
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Patent number: 11094205Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media for fleet management of unmanned aerial vehicles, including flight authorization. One of the methods includes maintaining one or more rules associated with authorizing UAVs to implement flight plans. A request to generate a flight plan associated with a job is received, the request including information indicating a flight pattern comprising, at least, one or more waypoints associated with geospatial references. The flight plan is generated based on the request, and an initial authorization check is determined based on the maintained rules and the generated flight plan. Upon a positive determination, access to the generated flight plan is provided by a ground control system, and the flight plan is implemented.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2017Date of Patent: August 17, 2021Assignee: Skydio, Inc.Inventors: Jason de la Cruz, Brad Mandala, Charles Taylor, Edward Dale Steakley
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Publication number: 20200402410Abstract: Disclosed in this specification are methods, systems and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on non-transitory computer storage media for unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) flight operation and privacy controls. Based on geofence types, and UAV distance from a geofence, sensors and other devices connected to a UAV are conditionally operational. Image data collected during a UAV flight may be obfuscated by the UAV while in flight, or via a post-flight process using log data generated by the UAV.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 31, 2020Publication date: December 24, 2020Inventors: Dana Livonia Contreras, Lucas Palage Doyle, Justin Eugene Kuehn, Volkan Gurel, Eric David Johnson, Edward Dale Steakley
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Patent number: 10762795Abstract: Disclosed in this specification are methods, systems and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on non-transitory computer storage media for unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) flight operation and privacy controls. Based on geofence types, and UAV distance from a geofence, sensors and other devices connected to a UAV are conditionally operational. Image data collected during a UAV flight may be obfuscated by the UAV while in flight, or via a post-flight process using log data generated by the UAV.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2016Date of Patent: September 1, 2020Assignee: Skydio, Inc.Inventors: Dana Livonia Contreras, Lucas Palage Doyle, Justin Eugene Kuehn, Volkan Gurel, Eric David Johnson, Edward Dale Steakley