Patents by Inventor Eric Hathaway

Eric Hathaway 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).

  • Publication number: 20240062661
    Abstract: Example methods and systems for contingency landing a UAV are provided, comprising sensors configured to detect a position of the UAV and a command module. The command module receives a mission profile comprising a travel path mapped out in multidimensional space over time from an origin to a destination, a first boundary circumscribing at least a portion of the travel path, a second boundary circumscribing the first boundary, and contingent landing sites. The command module sends instructions to the UAV to fly according to the mission profile and determines a position of the UAV relative to the first and the second boundaries. Responsive to determining that the UAV is positioned at the first boundary, the command module sends instructions to land at a contingent landing site, and responsive to determining that the UAV is positioned at the second boundary, the command module sends instructions to land immediately.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2023
    Publication date: February 22, 2024
    Inventors: Brandon Brown, David Mason, Eric Hathaway
  • Patent number: 11858637
    Abstract: Example methods and systems for coupling and controlling transport of cargo using an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) are provided, comprising coupling at least one electronically-controllable attachment device positioned on an underside of the UAV to a sling cable, the sling cable being secured to the cargo. The UAV flies to a predetermined area above the cargo, and responsive to determining that the UAV is positioned within the predetermined area, the UAV elevates above the initial operating height to lift the cargo and navigates to a target location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Joshua B. Jarvis, Roger W. Lacy, Brian Charles Gray, David H. Mason, Douglas Mikita, Justin Fowler Rogers, Brandon Brown, Eric Hathaway, Eric J. Schulze, Corey Seidel
  • Patent number: 11810463
    Abstract: Example methods and systems for contingency landing a UAV are provided, comprising sensors configured to detect a position of the UAV and a command module. The command module receives a mission profile comprising a travel path mapped out in multidimensional space over time from an origin to a destination, a first boundary circumscribing at least a portion of the travel path, a second boundary circumscribing the first boundary, and contingent landing sites. The command module sends instructions to the UAV to fly according to the mission profile and determines a position of the UAV relative to the first and the second boundaries. Responsive to determining that the UAV is positioned at the first boundary, the command module sends instructions to land at a contingent landing site, and responsive to determining that the UAV is positioned at the second boundary, the command module sends instructions to land immediately.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Brandon Brown, David Mason, Eric Hathaway
  • Patent number: 11459103
    Abstract: Example methods and systems for coupling and controlling transport of cargo using an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) are provided, comprising coupling at least one electronically-controllable attachment device positioned on an underside of the UAV to a sling cable, the sling cable being secured to the cargo. The UAV flies to a predetermined area above the cargo, and responsive to determining that the UAV is positioned within the predetermined area, the UAV elevates above the initial operating height to lift the cargo and navigates to a target location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Joshua B. Jarvis, Roger W. Lacy, Brian Charles Gray, David H. Mason, Douglas Mikita, Justin Fowler Rogers, Brandon Brown, Eric Hathaway, Eric J. Schulze, Corey Seidel
  • Publication number: 20210319707
    Abstract: Example methods and systems for contingency landing a UAV are provided, comprising sensors configured to detect a position of the UAV and a command module. The command module receives a mission profile comprising a travel path mapped out in multidimensional space over time from an origin to a destination, a first boundary circumscribing at least a portion of the travel path, a second boundary circumscribing the first boundary, and contingent landing sites. The command module sends instructions to the UAV to fly according to the mission profile and determines a position of the UAV relative to the first and the second boundaries. Responsive to determining that the UAV is positioned at the first boundary, the command module sends instructions to land at a contingent landing site, and responsive to determining that the UAV is positioned at the second boundary, the command module sends instructions to land immediately.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2020
    Publication date: October 14, 2021
    Inventors: Brandon Brown, David Mason, Eric Hathaway
  • Publication number: 20210245881
    Abstract: Example methods and systems for coupling and controlling transport of cargo using an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) are provided, comprising coupling at least one electronically-controllable attachment device positioned on an underside of the UAV to a sling cable, the sling cable being secured to the cargo. The UAV flies to a predetermined area above the cargo, and responsive to determining that the UAV is positioned within the predetermined area, the UAV elevates above the initial operating height to lift the cargo and navigates to a target location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2020
    Publication date: August 12, 2021
    Inventors: Joshua B. Jarvis, Roger W. Lacy, Brian Charles Gray, David H. Mason, Douglas Mikita, Justin Fowler Rogers, Brandon Brown, Eric Hathaway, Eric J. Schulze, Corey Seidel
  • Publication number: 20210245882
    Abstract: Example methods and systems for coupling and controlling transport of cargo using an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) are provided, comprising coupling at least one electronically-controllable attachment device positioned on an underside of the UAV to a sling cable, the sling cable being secured to the cargo. The UAV flies to a predetermined area above the cargo, and responsive to determining that the UAV is positioned within the predetermined area, the UAV elevates above the initial operating height to lift the cargo and navigates to a target location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2020
    Publication date: August 12, 2021
    Inventors: Joshua B. Jarvis, Roger W. Lacy, Brian Charles Gray, David H. Mason, Douglas Mikita, Justin Fowler Rogers, Brandon Brown, Eric Hathaway, Eric J. Schulze, Corey Seidel
  • Publication number: 20110320349
    Abstract: A system operated by a non-bank financial institution (NBFI) for receiving and processing payments made by renters to property management companies, and method of use therefor, are disclosed. The NBFI provides an electronic payment platform for accepting payments from renters of one or more rental communities owned or managed by one or more property management companies. The NBFI platform processes and directs rental payment to the payment processing systems of a partner bank or other financial institution which has bank accounts owned by the rental communities or property management companies. The partner bank directs the renters' payments into the appropriate account after processing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2010
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Inventors: Leslie Olsen, Emiko Gordon, Alan Lane, Eric Hathaway