Patents by Inventor Eric D. Schwartz
Eric D. Schwartz 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: 20250389673Abstract: A system and method that reduces the time needed to identify infrastructure that has been damaged due to a storm, earthquake, or other event. At a high level, the presently claimed invention includes the following steps. Step 1: Assigned airborne response equipped with high-powered lidar sensors to fly over impacted areas to collect a 3D point cloud. This data focuses on the 3D geometry of the built environment and may be processed in a highly automated fashion to derive the locations of downed poles and wires. Step 2: run automated processes to identify highly impacted areas—providing an output of precise XY locations of downed poles and wires. And step 3: develop unique resource allocation response given the areas of known major damage.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 20, 2024Publication date: December 25, 2025Inventors: Mackenzie VECCHIO, Eric D. SCHWARTZ, Jackson BEEBE, John P. CANNON, Paul R. HYNES
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Publication number: 20250371892Abstract: A condition generator analyzes a set of utility asset images of a particular utility asset using the ML (machine learning) model identify a type and condition of the particular utility asset depicted in the set of utility asset images. The identified condition is assigned a confidence score, and the set of utility asset images includes at least two images of the particular utility asset captured at different angles. The condition generator generates a descriptive tag for the set of utility asset images based on the identified type and condition. The descriptive tag characterizes an operational status of the particular utility asset. The condition generator stores the set of utility asset images and the generated descriptive tag in a utility asset database. The utility asset database stores images of utility assets.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 31, 2024Publication date: December 4, 2025Inventors: Mackenzie VECCHIO, Christopher H. MCLEMORE, Andre Rashard WILLIAMS, Richard A. BAUDER, Stephen S. CROSS, David J. SUNDERMAN, Dmitri SOROKA, Rohan N. SHAH, Kyle A. BUSH, Paul R. HYNES, Eric D. SCHWARTZ
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Publication number: 20250308269Abstract: An image caption generator analyzes a set of images of a region of an environment captured during or after environmental emergency event to provide a set of utility images selected from the set of images that include a utility asset. The image caption generator also generates descriptive tags for the set of utility images. The descriptive tags each characterize a type and a state of a respective utility asset included in a respective image of the set of utility images. A verification engine cross-references the set of utility images with information from an external data source to confirm an accuracy of the descriptive tags for the set of utility images and providing feedback to the image caption generator based on results of the cross-referencing. The image caption generator adjusts the parameters of the ML model based on the feedback to increase accuracy of the descriptive tags.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 26, 2024Publication date: October 2, 2025Inventors: Mackenzie Vecchio, Andre R. Williams, Richard Bauder, Stephen S. Cross, Rohan N. Shah, Kyle A. Bush, Paul R. Hynes, Eric D. Schwartz, Dmitri Soroka, David J. Sunderman
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Publication number: 20250308140Abstract: Systems and methods for defining bounding polygons in a view of a three-dimensional scene. Rays are defined that each extend from a viewpoint of a virtual three-dimensional model to a vertex of an object of interest in the virtual three-dimensional model. A set of occluded rays is determined that include rays intercepting occluding objects in the virtual three-dimensional model prior to reaching a vertex of the object of interest when extending from the viewpoint. A set of visible rays is defined with respect to the object of interest that excludes the occluded set of rays. A bounding polygon for the object of interest that encompasses each vertex intercepted by the set of visible rays and excludes at least one vertex intercepted by a respective ray in the set of occluded rays is defined in an image of the virtual three-dimensional model that is created from the viewpoint.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 2, 2024Publication date: October 2, 2025Inventors: Jack P. ABRAMS, Stephen S. CROSS, Mackenzie VECCHIO, Kyle A. BUSH, Paul R. HYNES, Eric D. SCHWARTZ
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Publication number: 20250246882Abstract: Systems and methods of monitoring infrastructure systems. Indications of problem reports are received and analyzed to determine an estimated location of a problem in an infrastructure system. Based on analyzing the indications, a selected drone that is pre-deployed at a location near the estimated location is selected. Operations of the selected drone are remotely control, based on determining the selected drone, to inspect an area or equipment in a vicinity of the estimated location of the problem.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 26, 2024Publication date: July 31, 2025Inventors: Kyle BUSH, Guillermo ALEMAN, Eric D. Schwartz, Michael WENELL, Troy D. LEWIS, Christopher H. McLemore
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Publication number: 20240402706Abstract: An autonomous vehicle control system of an autonomous vehicle system is described. The autonomous vehicle control system is configured to receive problem data characterizing a problem detected in a green energy generation system, wherein the problem data includes location data specifying a location of the problem. The autonomous vehicle control system is further configured to deploy the autonomous vehicle system to the location of the problem, the autonomous vehicle system including a rover and a drone docked with the rover in a docking bay, cause the rover to inspect the problem and determine one or more solutions for resolving the problem. The autonomous vehicle control system is further configured to select a solution from the one or more solutions for resolving the problem, wherein the selected solution has a lowest energy consumption among the one or more solutions and cause the autonomous vehicle system to execute the selected solution.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 2, 2023Publication date: December 5, 2024Inventors: RACHANA VIDHI, ERIC D. SCHWARTZ, PRASANNA SHRIVASTAVA, KYLE A. BUSH
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Patent number: 11930804Abstract: An avian streamer deterrent system includes an electric power line support structure coupled to a plurality of conducting wires. Each conducting wire of the plurality of conducting wires is coupled to an insulator. At least one avian streamer deterrent is disposed above the insulator of at least one of the conducting wires of the plurality of conducting wires. The at least one avian streamer deterrent may be disposed on a that is absent an insulator and situated above the plurality of conducting wires. The at least one avian streamer deterrent or an additional avian streamer deterrent may extend over one or more jumpers coupling at least a first conducting wire of the plurality of conducting wires to a second conducting wire of the plurality of conducting wires. In addition, the at least one avian streamer deterrent may comprise a rotatable configuration or a collapsible configuration.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2020Date of Patent: March 19, 2024Assignee: Florida Power & Light CompanyInventors: Eric D. Schwartz, David C. Niebch
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Patent number: 11854411Abstract: Systems and methods coordinate drone flights in an operating windfarm. A drone flight path that is removed from any location where the drone is conducting observations of a wind turbine and that extends through at least part of a windfarm to a destination location is determined. A respective wake pattern along at least one portion of the drone fight path is determined based on respective operating parameters for each of at least one wind turbine in the windfarm. Flight time commands to adjust at least one respective operating parameter of the respective wind turbine to reduce the effect of the respective wake pattern at a point ahead of the drone on the drone flight path are sent by a windfarm controller controlling the at least one wind turbine.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2020Date of Patent: December 26, 2023Assignee: Florida Power & Light CompanyInventors: Christopher H. McLemore, Eric D. Schwartz, Steven J. Shelp, Travis B. Pedriani
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Patent number: 11561251Abstract: Unmanned monitoring devices, such as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), drones or rovers may inspect system components within an area of interest (AOI) such an electric power distribution system including generation, transmission, and distribution elements for autonomous detection of damage to the components. Work orders for repairing the damage are autonomously generated and resources identified within the work orders are autonomously provisioned.Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 2018Date of Patent: January 24, 2023Assignee: Florida Power & Light CompanyInventors: Eric D. Schwartz, Stephen S. Cross, Bryan M. Kitchener
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Publication number: 20220198944Abstract: Systems and methods coordinate drone flights in an operating windfarm. A drone flight path that is removed from any location where the drone is conducting observations of a wind turbine and that extends through at least part of a windfarm to a destination location is determined. A respective wake pattern along at least one portion of the drone fight path is determined based on respective operating parameters for each of at least one wind turbine in the windfarm. Flight time commands to adjust at least one respective operating parameter of the respective wind turbine to reduce the effect of the respective wake pattern at a point ahead of the drone on the drone flight path are sent by a windfarm controller controlling the at least one wind turbine.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2020Publication date: June 23, 2022Inventors: Christopher H. MCLEMORE, Eric D. SCHWARTZ, Steven J. SHELP, Travis B. PEDRIANI
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Patent number: 11275376Abstract: Large-scale unmanned monitoring devices, such as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), drones or rovers capable of operating within environmental conditions not suitable for human personnel and lesser capable monitoring devices may inspect system components within an area of interest (AOI) such an electric power distribution system including generation, transmission, and distribution elements for autonomous detection of damage to the components. The large-scale unmanned monitoring devices may inspect the system components while the environmental conditions are occurring. Work orders for repairing the damage are autonomously generated and resources identified within the work orders are autonomously provisioned.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2019Date of Patent: March 15, 2022Assignee: Florida Power & Light CompanyInventors: Iliana Maria Rentz, Eric D. Schwartz, Jeffrey D. Dubs
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Patent number: 11263482Abstract: Systems and methods to label images for inclusion into a machine learning image recognition training data set. A coded labeling definition is defined. A set of digital images is collected that includes images of different types of piece of equipment. A digital image is presented that includes an image of a particular piece of equipment. A received numeric code corresponding to the particular piece of equipment within the present image is received. The received numeric code is associated with the present image and the present image is stored in association with the received numeric code into a machine learning image recognition data set. A machine learning image recognition is trained based on the machine learning image recognition data set to automatically associate unlabeled images with the respective numeric code that corresponds to the particular piece of equipment in the unlabeled image.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2019Date of Patent: March 1, 2022Assignee: Florida Power & Light CompanyInventors: Eric D. Schwartz, Yinuo Du, Aaron J. Epel, Daniel J. Barbosa, Melanie A. Deangelis, Griffin M. Bracci
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Publication number: 20210360912Abstract: An avian streamer deterrent system includes an electric power line support structure coupled to a plurality of conducting wires. Each conducting wire of the plurality of conducting wires is coupled to an insulator. At least one avian streamer deterrent is disposed above the insulator of at least one of the conducting wires of the plurality of conducting wires. The at least one avian streamer deterrent may be disposed on a that is absent an insulator and situated above the plurality of conducting wires. The at least one avian streamer deterrent or an additional avian streamer deterrent may extend over one or more jumpers coupling at least a first conducting wire of the plurality of conducting wires to a second conducting wire of the plurality of conducting wires. In addition, the at least one avian streamer deterrent may comprise a rotatable configuration or a collapsible configuration.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 21, 2020Publication date: November 25, 2021Inventors: Eric D. SCHWARTZ, David C. Niebch
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Publication number: 20210042574Abstract: Systems and methods to label images for inclusion into a machine learning image recognition training data set. A coded labeling definition is defined. A set of digital images is collected that includes images of different types of piece of equipment. A digital image is presented that includes an image of a particular piece of equipment. A received numeric code corresponding to the particular piece of equipment within the present image is received. The received numeric code is associated with the present image and the present image is stored in association with the received numeric code into a machine learning image recognition data set. A machine learning image recognition is trained based on the machine learning image recognition data set to automatically associate unlabeled images with the respective numeric code that corresponds to the particular piece of equipment in the unlabeled image.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 9, 2019Publication date: February 11, 2021Inventors: Eric D. SCHWARTZ, Yinuo DU, Aaron J. EPEL, Daniel J. BARBOSA, Melanie A. DEANGELIS, Griffin M. BRACCI
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Publication number: 20200401138Abstract: Large-scale unmanned monitoring devices, such as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), drones or rovers capable of operating within environmental conditions not suitable for human personnel and lesser capable monitoring devices may inspect system components within an area of interest (AOI) such an electric power distribution system including generation, transmission, and distribution elements for autonomous detection of damage to the components. The large-scale unmanned monitoring devices may inspect the system components while the environmental conditions are occurring. Work orders for repairing the damage are autonomously generated and resources identified within the work orders are autonomously provisioned.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 20, 2019Publication date: December 24, 2020Inventors: Iliana Maria RENTZ, Eric D. SCHWARTZ, Jeffrey D. DUBS
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Patent number: 10856542Abstract: Systems and methods for deterring avian species from approaching a sensitive area. A determination is made that a bird is approaching a sensitive area. A predefined flight path is selected from a plurality of predefined flight paths based on the determination that the bird is approaching the sensitive area. Each of the predefined flight paths of the plurality of predefined flight paths is configured to avoid objects within the sensitive area. An unmanned aerial vehicle is instructed to traverse the predefined flight path that has been selected.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2017Date of Patent: December 8, 2020Assignee: Florida Power & Light CompanyInventors: Eric D. Schwartz, David C. Niebch
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Patent number: 10861033Abstract: Systems and methods to manage a crowd sourced observation program. A plurality of participant cameras are determined where each participant camera is within a threshold distance of a geographic location for observation. An accepting participant camera is selected. Based on selecting the accepting participant camera, a cancellation of the offer is sent to each participant in the plurality of participants other than the accepting participant. Based on selecting the accepting participant camera, the accepting participant camera is instructed to go to the geographic location for image capture. The image capture is received.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2018Date of Patent: December 8, 2020Assignee: Florida Power & Light CompanyInventors: Eric D. Schwartz, Steve D. Shnider, Donna M. Miceli, Hari B. Dumpa
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Patent number: 10852341Abstract: Systems and methods to combine line fault location probabilities. A first and second location probability distribution are received for a location of an line fault along an electrical line based upon at least electrical current measurements reported by a first electrical current monitor at a first location and at least a second electrical current measurements reported by a second electrical current monitor at a second location. The second electrical current measurements being made within a time interval of the first electrical current measurements. A composite location probability distribution is determined for the location of the line fault along the electrical line based on an algorithm processing the first location probability distribution and the second location probability distribution. The composite location probability distribution is provided.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 2018Date of Patent: December 1, 2020Assignee: FLORIDA POWER & LIGHT COMPANYInventors: Eric D. Schwartz, Ronald A. Capute
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Patent number: 10850840Abstract: Unmanned monitoring devices, such as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), drones or rovers may survey an area of interest (AOI) such an electric power distribution system including generation, transmission, and distribution elements to automatically determine components in the AOI to be monitored. Types, placements locations, and pathways taken by other unmanned monitoring devices to facilitate the monitoring of the components of the AOI are also automatically determined.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2018Date of Patent: December 1, 2020Assignee: Florida Power & Light CompanyInventors: Eric D. Schwartz, Stephen S. Cross, Bryan M. Kitchener
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Patent number: 10837995Abstract: Systems and methods to combine line fault location probabilities. A first and second location probability distribution are received for a location of an line fault along an electrical line based upon at least electrical current measurements reported by a first electrical current monitor at a first location and at least a second electrical current measurements reported by a second electrical current monitor at a second location. The second electrical current measurements being made within a time interval of the first electrical current measurements. A composite location probability distribution is determined for the location of the line fault along the electrical line based on an algorithm processing the first location probability distribution and the second location probability distribution. The composite location probability distribution is provided.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2017Date of Patent: November 17, 2020Assignee: Florida Power & Light CompanyInventors: David L. Herlong, II, Eric D. Schwartz, Ronald A. Capute, Alexandra J. Hayes, Michael A. Gonzalez, Prashant R. Kansakar, Carmen J. Seppy, Andres Gomez, Giovanni Herazo