Patents by Inventor Frederik Schaffalitzky
Frederik Schaffalitzky 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: 11926428Abstract: The disclosure describes an automated aerial vehicle (AAV) and system for automatically detecting a contact or an imminent contact between a propeller of the AAV and an object (e.g., human, pet, or other animal). When a contact or an imminent contact is detected, a safety profile may be executed to reduce or avoid any potential harm to the object and/or the AAV. For example, if a contact with a propeller of the AAV by an object is detected, the rotation of the propeller may be stopped to avoid harming the object. Likewise, an object detection component may be used to detect an object that is nearing a propeller, stop the rotation of the propeller, and/or navigate the AAV away from the detected object.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2020Date of Patent: March 12, 2024Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Daniel Buchmueller, Brian C. Beckman, Amir Navot, Brandon William Porter, Gur Kimchi, Jeffrey P. Bezos, Frederik Schaffalitzky
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Patent number: 11111009Abstract: This disclosure describes a configuration of a multirotor aircraft that will facilitate enhanced yaw control. The multirotor aircraft includes one or more adjustable members that will twist the frame of the multirotor aircraft, thereby adjusting the orientation of the motors and propellers and enhance the yaw control of the multirotor aircraft. In some implementations, the adjustable member(s) are passive and twist in response to differential thrusts generated by the propellers. In other implementations, the adjustable members are active and twist in response to a yaw command from the multirotor aircraft control system.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2017Date of Patent: September 7, 2021Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Brian C. Beckman, Michael John Elzinga, Scott Raymond Harris, Louis Leroi LeGrand, III, Frederik Schaffalitzky
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Patent number: 10997544Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems for delivery of items using an unmanned aerial vehicle (“UAV”). A user may be provided with a delivery location identifier (“DLI”) that is to be placed at a delivery location within a delivery destination to identify where a UAV is to position an item as part of a delivery to the delivery destination. For example, the delivery destination may be a user's home. Within the deliver destination of the user's home, the user may select a delivery location, such as a spot in the back yard wherein the UAV is to position the ordered item as part of the delivery. To aid the UAV in navigating to the delivery location, the user places the DLI at the delivery location. The UAV detects the DLI and positions the item at or near the DLI as part of the item delivery.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2017Date of Patent: May 4, 2021Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Avi Bar-Zeev, Brian C. Beckman, Steven Gregory Dunn, Atishkumar Kalyan, Amir Navot, Frederik Schaffalitzky
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Patent number: 10908285Abstract: This disclosure describes an automated mobile vehicle that includes one or more distance determining elements configured to detect the presence of objects and to cause the automated mobile vehicle to alter its path to avoid the object. For example, a distance determining element may be incorporated into one or more of the motors of the automated mobile vehicle and configured to determine a distance to an object. Based on the determined distance, a path of the automated mobile vehicle may be altered.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2018Date of Patent: February 2, 2021Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Gur Kimchi, Scott Isaacs, Amir Navot, Brian C. Beckman, Frederik Schaffalitzky, Scott A. Green
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Publication number: 20200385134Abstract: The disclosure describes an automated aerial vehicle (AAV) and system for automatically detecting a contact or an imminent contact between a propeller of the AAV and an object (e.g., human, pet, or other animal). When a contact or an imminent contact is detected, a safety profile may be executed to reduce or avoid any potential harm to the object and/or the AAV. For example, if a contact with a propeller of the AAV by an object is detected, the rotation of the propeller may be stopped to avoid harming the object. Likewise, an object detection component may be used to detect an object that is nearing a propeller, stop the rotation of the propeller, and/or navigate the AAV away from the detected object.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 24, 2020Publication date: December 10, 2020Inventors: Daniel Buchmueller, Brian C. Beckman, Amir Navot, Brandon William Porter, Gur Kimchi, Jeffrey P. Bezos, Frederik Schaffalitzky
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Patent number: 10809712Abstract: In some examples, an unmanned aerial vehicle is provided. The unmanned aerial vehicle may include a propulsion device, a sensor device, and a management system. In some examples, the management system may be configured to receive sensor information associated with visible human gestures via the sensor device and, in response, instruct the propulsion device to perform an action associated with an identified visible human gesture.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2018Date of Patent: October 20, 2020Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Frederik Schaffalitzky
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Patent number: 10780988Abstract: An automated aerial vehicle (AAV) and system for automatically detecting a contact or an imminent contact between a propeller of the AAV and an object (e.g., human, pet, or other animal) are described. A safety profile for the AAV may be selected based on various factors including a position or configuration of the AAV. When a contact or an imminent contact is detected, the selected safety profile may be executed to reduce or avoid any potential harm to the object and/or the AAV. For example, if a contact with a propeller of the AAV by an object is detected, the rotation of the propeller may be stopped to avoid harming the object. Likewise, an object detection component may be used to detect an object that is nearing a propeller, stop the rotation of the propeller, and/or navigate the AAV away from the detected object.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2014Date of Patent: September 22, 2020Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Daniel Buchmueller, Brian C. Beckman, Amir Navot, Brandon William Porter, Gur Kimchi, Jeffrey P. Bezos, Frederik Schaffalitzky
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Patent number: 10762797Abstract: This disclosure describes an automated aerial vehicle that includes one or more object detection elements configured to detect the presence of objects and an avoidance determining element configured to cause the automated aerial vehicle to automatically determine and execute an avoidance maneuver to avoid the objects. For example, an object may be detected and an avoidance maneuver determined based on a position of the object and an object vector representative of a direction and a magnitude of velocity of the object.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2017Date of Patent: September 1, 2020Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Amir Navot, Gur Kimchi, Brian C. Beckman, Frederik Schaffalitzky, Daniel Buchmueller, Robert John Anderson
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Patent number: 10223799Abstract: Embodiments are disclosed for methods and systems of distinguishing movements of features in a physical environment. For example, on a head-mounted display device, one embodiment of a method includes obtaining a representation of real-world features in two or more coordinate frames and obtaining motion data from one or more sensors external to the head-mounted display device. The method further includes distinguishing features in one coordinate frame from features in another coordinate frame based upon the motion data.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2017Date of Patent: March 5, 2019Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLCInventors: Adam G. Poulos, Arthur Tomlin, Tony Ambrus, Jeffrey Cole, Ian Douglas McIntyre, Drew Steedly, Frederik Schaffalitzky, Georg Klein, Kathleen P. Mulcahy
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Patent number: 10207794Abstract: This disclosure describes a system and method for determining the center of gravity of a payload engaged by an automated aerial vehicle and adjusting components of the automated aerial vehicle and/or the engagement location with the payload so that the center of gravity of the payload is within a defined position with respect to the center of gravity of the automated aerial vehicle. Adjusting the center of gravity to be within a defined position improves the efficiency, maneuverability and safety of the automated aerial vehicle. In some implementations, the stability of the payload may also be determined to ensure that the center of gravity does not change or shift during transport due to movement of an item of the payload.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2016Date of Patent: February 19, 2019Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Brian C. Beckman, Brandon William Porter, Gur Kimchi, Daniel Buchmueller, Jeffrey P. Bezos, Frederik Schaffalitzky, Amir Navot
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Publication number: 20180372868Abstract: This disclosure describes an automated mobile vehicle that includes one or more distance determining elements configured to detect the presence of objects and to cause the automated mobile vehicle to alter its path to avoid the object. For example, a distance determining element may be incorporated into one or more of the motors of the automated mobile vehicle and configured to determine a distance to an object. Based on the determined distance, a path of the automated mobile vehicle may be altered.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 14, 2018Publication date: December 27, 2018Inventors: Gur Kimchi, Scott Isaacs, Amir Navot, Brian C. Beckman, Frederik Schaffalitzky, Scott A. Green
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Patent number: 10078136Abstract: This disclosure describes an automated mobile vehicle that includes one or more distance determining elements configured to detect the presence of objects and to cause the automated mobile vehicle to alter its path to avoid the object. For example, a distance determining element may be incorporated into one or more of the motors of the automated mobile vehicle and configured to determine a distance to an object. Based on the determined distance, a path of the automated mobile vehicle may be altered.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2014Date of Patent: September 18, 2018Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Gur Kimchi, Scott Isaacs, Amir Navot, Brian C. Beckman, Frederik Schaffalitzky, Scott A. Green
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Patent number: 9921579Abstract: In some examples, an unmanned aerial vehicle is provided. The unmanned aerial vehicle may include a propulsion device, a sensor device, and a management system. In some examples, the management system may be configured to receive human gestures via the sensor device and, in response, instruct the propulsion device to affect an adjustment to the behavior of the unmanned aerial vehicle. Human gestures may include visible gestures, audible gestures, and other gestures capable of recognition by the unmanned vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2016Date of Patent: March 20, 2018Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Frederik Schaffalitzky
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Publication number: 20180040251Abstract: This disclosure describes an automated aerial vehicle that includes one or more object detection elements configured to detect the presence of objects and an avoidance determining element configured to cause the automated aerial vehicle to automatically determine and execute an avoidance maneuver to avoid the objects. For example, an object may be detected and an avoidance maneuver determined based on a position of the object and an object vector representative of a direction and a magnitude of velocity of the object.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 5, 2017Publication date: February 8, 2018Inventors: Amir Navot, Gur Kimchi, Brian C. Beckman, Frederik Schaffalitzky, Daniel Buchmueller, Robert John Anderson
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Patent number: 9851787Abstract: A system and related methods for a resource management in a head-mounted display device are provided. In one example, the head-mounted display device includes a plurality of sensors and a display system for presenting holographic objects. A resource management program is configured to operate a selected sensor in a default power mode to achieve a selected fidelity. The program receives user-related information from one or more of the sensors, and determines whether target information is detected. Where target information is detected, the program adjusts the selected sensor to operate in a reduced power mode that uses less power than the default power mode.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2012Date of Patent: December 26, 2017Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLCInventors: Stephen Latta, Jedd Anthony Perry, Rod G. Fleck, Jack Clevenger, Frederik Schaffalitzky, Drew Steedly, Daniel McCulloch, Ian McIntyre, Alexandru Balan, Ben Sugden, Ryan Hastings, Brian Mount
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Patent number: 9812021Abstract: This disclosure describes an automated aerial vehicle that includes one or more object detection elements configured to detect the presence of objects and an avoidance determining element configured to cause the automated aerial vehicle to automatically determine and execute an avoidance maneuver to avoid the objects. For example, an object may be detected and an avoidance maneuver determined based on a position of the object and an object vector representative of a direction and a magnitude of velocity of the object.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2014Date of Patent: November 7, 2017Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Amir Navot, Gur Kimchi, Brian C. Beckman, Frederik Schaffalitzky, Daniel Buchmueller, Robert John Anderson
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Publication number: 20170287227Abstract: Embodiments that relate to sharing mixed reality experiences among multiple display devices are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method includes receiving current versions of a plurality of data subtypes geo-located at a keyframe location. A world map data structure is updated to include the current versions, and a neighborhood request including the keyframe location is received from a display device. Based on the keyframe location, an identifier and current version indicator for each data subtype is provided to the device. A data request from the device for two or more of the data subtypes is received, and the two or more data subtypes are prioritized based on a priority hierarchy. Based on the prioritization, current versions of the data subtypes are sequentially provided to the device for augmenting an appearance of a mixed reality environment.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 14, 2017Publication date: October 5, 2017Applicant: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: Gavin Lazarow, Frederik Schaffalitzky, Dan Hou
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Patent number: 9764829Abstract: A configuration of a multirotor aircraft that will facilitate enhanced yaw control includes one or more adjustable members that will twist the frame of the multirotor aircraft, thereby adjusting the orientation of the motors and propellers and enhancing the yaw control of the multirotor aircraft. In some implementations, the adjustable member(s) are passive and twist in response to differential thrusts generated by the propellers. In other implementations, the adjustable members are active and twist in response to a yaw command from the multirotor aircraft control system.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2015Date of Patent: September 19, 2017Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Brian C. Beckman, Michael John Elzinga, Scott Raymond Harris, Louis LeRoi LeGrand, III, Frederik Schaffalitzky
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Patent number: 9759918Abstract: Embodiments related to mapping an environment of a machine-vision system are disclosed. For example, one disclosed method includes acquiring image data resolving one or more reference features of an environment and computing a parameter value based on the image data, wherein the parameter value is responsive to physical deformation of the machine-vision system.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2014Date of Patent: September 12, 2017Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLCInventors: Michael John Ebstyne, Frederik Schaffalitzky, Drew Steedly, Georg Klein, Ethan Eade, Michael Grabner
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Publication number: 20170206668Abstract: Embodiments are disclosed for methods and systems of distinguishing movements of features in a physical environment. For example, on a head-mounted display device, one embodiment of a method includes obtaining a representation of real-world features in two or more coordinate frames and obtaining motion data from one or more sensors external to the head-mounted display device. The method further includes distinguishing features in one coordinate frame from features in another coordinate frame based upon the motion data.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 30, 2017Publication date: July 20, 2017Applicant: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: Adam G. Poulos, Arthur Tomlin, Tony Ambrus, Jeffrey Cole, Ian Douglas McIntyre, Drew Steedly, Frederik Schaffalitzky, Georg Klein, Kathleen P. Mulcahy