Patents by Inventor Geoffrey D. Ashton

Geoffrey D. Ashton 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: 9360320
    Abstract: A method of controlling movement of an agent operating within an autonomous system includes determining, using a processing device associated with the agent, at least one point of interest (POI) within an area of operation by the autonomous system; determining, from the at least one POI, a POI of highest attraction for the agent and calculating an attraction force for the agent, based on the location of the POI of highest attraction; determining proximity of the agent to one or more additional agents operating within the autonomous system, and calculating a repulsion force for the agent so as to maintain a minimum separating distance between the agent and the one or more additional agents; calculating a resultant force for the agent based on the attraction force and the repulsion force; and changing a direction of the agent based on the resultant force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: RAYTHEON COMPANY
    Inventor: Geoffrey D. Ashton
  • Publication number: 20160025495
    Abstract: A method of controlling movement of an agent operating within an autonomous system includes determining, using a processing device associated with the agent, at least one point of interest (POI) within an area of operation by the autonomous system; determining, from the at least one POI, a POI of highest attraction for the agent and calculating an attraction force for the agent, based on the location of the POI of highest attraction; determining proximity of the agent to one or more additional agents operating within the autonomous system, and calculating a repulsion force for the agent so as to maintain a minimum separating distance between the agent and the one or more additional agents; calculating a resultant force for the agent based on the attraction force and the repulsion force; and changing a direction of the agent based on the resultant force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2014
    Publication date: January 28, 2016
    Inventor: Geoffrey D. Ashton
  • Patent number: 8494689
    Abstract: A method of controlling movement of an agent operating within an autonomous system includes determining, using a processing device associated with the agent, a highest attraction point for the agent on a line of optimal transmission between a detected event within an area of surveillance by the autonomous system and a base station within the autonomous system, and calculating an attraction force for the agent, based on the line of optimal transmission and location of the detected event; determining proximity of the agent to one or more additional agents operating within the autonomous system, and calculating a repulsion force for the agent so as to maintain a minimum separating distance between the agent and the one or more additional agents; calculating a resultant force for the agent based on the attraction force and the repulsion force; and changing a direction of the agent based on the resultant force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventor: Geoffrey D. Ashton