Patents by Inventor Jacobus du Preez

Jacobus du Preez 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: 11854226
    Abstract: An object identification method is disclosed. The method includes training a first neural network for a first set of conditions regarding a first plurality of objects, training a second neural network for a second set of conditions regarding a second plurality of objects, receiving a plurality of target images associated with a target set of conditions in which to identify objects, analyzing the plurality of target images using the first and second neural networks to identify objects in the plurality of target images resulting in object identification information, and selecting the first neural network or the second neural network as a preferred neural network for the target set of conditions based on an analysis of the object identification information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: TerraClear Inc.
    Inventors: Brent Ronald Frei, Dwight Galen McMaster, Michael Racine, Jacobus du Preez, William David Dimmit, Isabelle Butterfield, Clifford Holmgren, Dafydd Daniel Rhys-Jones, Thayne Kollmorgen, Vivek Ullal Nayak
  • Patent number: 11710255
    Abstract: An object identification and collection method is disclosed. The method includes receiving a pick-up path that identifies a route in which to guide an object-collection system over a target geographical area to pick up objects, determining a current location of the object-collection system relative to the pick-up path, and guiding the object-collection system along the pick-up path over the target geographical area based on the current location. The method further includes capturing images in a direction of movement of the object-collection system along the pick-up path, identifying a target object in the images; tracking movement of the target object through the images, determining that the target object is within range of an object picker assembly on the object-collection system based on the tracked movement of the target object, and instructing the object picker assembly to pick up the target object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: TerraClear Inc.
    Inventors: Brent Ronald Frei, Dwight Galen McMaster, Michael Racine, Jacobus du Preez, William David Dimmit, Isabelle Butterfield, Clifford Holmgren, Dafydd Daniel Rhys-Jones, Thayne Kollmorgen, Vivek Ullal Nayak
  • Publication number: 20220164941
    Abstract: An object-collection system is disclosed. The system including a vehicle connected to a bucket, a camera connected to the vehicle, and an object picking assembly configured to pick up objects off of ground. The system further includes a processor that obtains object information for identified objects, guides the object-collection system over a target geographical area toward the identified objects based on the object information, captures images of the ground relative to the object picker as the object-collection system is guided towards the identified objects, identifies a target object in the images, tracks movement of the target object across the images as the object-collection system is guided towards the identified objects, and employs the tracked movement of the target object to instruct the object picker to pick up the target object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2022
    Publication date: May 26, 2022
    Inventors: Brent Ronald Frei, Dwight Galen McMaster, Michael Racine, Jacobus du Preez, William David Dimmit, Isabelle Butterfield, Clifford Holmgren, Dafydd Daniel Rhys-Jones, Thayne Kollmorgen, Vivek Ullal Nayak
  • Patent number: 11270423
    Abstract: An object-collection system is disclosed. The system including a vehicle connected to a bucket, a camera connected to the vehicle, and an object picking assembly configured to pick up objects off of ground. The system further includes a processor that obtains object information for identified objects, guides the object-collection system over a target geographical area toward the identified objects based on the object information, captures images of the ground relative to the object picker as the object-collection system is guided towards the identified objects, identifies a target object in the images, tracks movement of the target object across the images as the object-collection system is guided towards the identified objects, and employs the tracked movement of the target object to instruct the object picker to pick up the target object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: TerraClear Inc.
    Inventors: Brent Ronald Frei, Dwight Galen McMaster, Michael Racine, Jacobus du Preez, William David Dimmit, Isabelle Butterfield, Clifford Holmgren, Dafydd Daniel Rhys-Jones, Thayne Kollmorgen, Vivek Ullal Nayak
  • Publication number: 20220028048
    Abstract: An object identification method is disclosed. The method includes obtaining images of a target geographical area and telemetry information of an image-collection vehicle at a time of capture, analyzing each image to identify objects, and determining a position of the objects. The method further includes determining an image capture height, determining a position of the image using the capture height and the telemetry information, performing a transform on the image based on the capture height and the telemetry information, identifying the objects in the transformed image, determining first pixel locations of the objects within the transformed image, performing a reverse transform on the first pixel locations to determine second pixel locations in the image, and determining positions of the objects within the area based on the second pixel locations within the captured image and the determined image position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2021
    Publication date: January 27, 2022
    Inventors: Brent Ronald Frei, Dwight Galen McMaster, Michael Racine, Jacobus du Preez, William David Dimmit, Isabelle Butterfield, Clifford Holmgren, Dafydd Daniel Rhys-Jones, Thayne Kollmorgen, Vivek Ullal Nayak
  • Publication number: 20210358104
    Abstract: An object identification and collection method is disclosed. The method includes receiving a pick-up path that identifies a route in which to guide an object-collection system over a target geographical area to pick up objects, determining a current location of the object-collection system relative to the pick-up path, and guiding the object-collection system along the pick-up path over the target geographical area based on the current location. The method further includes capturing images in a direction of movement of the object-collection system along the pick-up path, identifying a target object in the images; tracking movement of the target object through the images, determining that the target object is within range of an object picker assembly on the object-collection system based on the tracked movement of the target object, and instructing the object picker assembly to pick up the target object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2021
    Publication date: November 18, 2021
    Inventors: Brent Ronald Frei, Dwight Galen McMaster, Michael Racine, Jacobus du Preez, William David Dimmit, Isabelle Butterfield, Clifford Holmgren, Dafydd Daniel Rhys-Jones, Thayne Kollmorgen, Vivek Ullal Nayak
  • Patent number: 11138712
    Abstract: An object identification method is disclosed. The method includes obtaining images of a target geographical area and telemetry information of an image-collection vehicle at a time of capture, analyzing each image to identify objects, and determining a position of the objects. The method further includes determining an image capture height, determining a position of the image using the capture height and the telemetry information, performing a transform on the image based on the capture height and the telemetry information, identifying the objects in the transformed image, determining first pixel locations of the objects within the transformed image, performing a reverse transform on the first pixel locations to determine second pixel locations in the image, and determining positions of the objects within the area based on the second pixel locations within the captured image and the determined image position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: TERRACLEAR INC.
    Inventors: Brent Ronald Frei, Dwight Galen McMaster, Michael Racine, Jacobus du Preez, William David Dimmit, Isabelle Butterfield, Clifford Holmgren, Dafydd Daniel Rhys-Jones, Thayne Kollmorgen, Vivek Ullal Nayak
  • Publication number: 20210272264
    Abstract: An object identification method is disclosed. The method includes training a first neural network for a first set of conditions regarding a first plurality of objects, training a second neural network for a second set of conditions regarding a second plurality of objects, receiving a plurality of target images associated with a target set of conditions in which to identify objects, analyzing the plurality of target images using the first and second neural networks to identify objects in the plurality of target images resulting in object identification information, and selecting the first neural network or the second neural network as a preferred neural network for the target set of conditions based on an analysis of the object identification information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2021
    Publication date: September 2, 2021
    Inventors: Brent Ronald Frei, Dwight Galen McMaster, Michael Racine, Jacobus du Preez, William David Dimmit, Isabelle Butterfield, Clifford Holmgren, Dafydd Daniel Rhys-Jones, Thayne Kollmorgen, Vivek Ullal Nayak
  • Patent number: 11074680
    Abstract: An object identification and collection method is disclosed. The method includes receiving a pick-up path that identifies a route in which to guide an object-collection system over a target geographical area to pick up objects, determining a current location of the object-collection system relative to the pick-up path, and guiding the object-collection system along the pick-up path over the target geographical area based on the current location. The method further includes capturing images in a direction of movement of the object-collection system along the pick-up path, identifying a target object in the images; tracking movement of the target object through the images, determining that the target object is within range of an object picker assembly on the object-collection system based on the tracked movement of the target object, and instructing the object picker assembly to pick up the target object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: TERRACLEAR INC.
    Inventors: Brent Ronald Frei, Dwight Galen McMaster, Michael Racine, Jacobus du Preez, William David Dimmit, Isabelle Butterfield, Clifford Holmgren, Dafydd Daniel Rhys-Jones, Thayne Kollmorgen, Vivek Ullal Nayak
  • Patent number: 11017518
    Abstract: An object identification method is disclosed. The method includes training a first neural network for a first set of conditions regarding a first plurality of objects, training a second neural network for a second set of conditions regarding a second plurality of objects, receiving a plurality of target images associated with a third set of conditions in which to identify objects, analyzing the plurality of target images using the first and second neural networks to identify objects in the plurality of target images resulting in object identification information, and selecting the first neural network or the second neural network as a preferred neural network for the third set of conditions based on an analysis of the object identification information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: TERRACLEAR INC.
    Inventors: Brent Ronald Frei, Dwight Galen McMaster, Michael Racine, Jacobus du Preez, William David Dimmit, Isabelle Butterfield, Clifford Holmgren, Dafydd Daniel Rhys-Jones, Thayne Kollmorgen, Vivek Ullal Nayak
  • Patent number: 10817811
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods and apparatuses for exposing a workflow processes definition as a business object. Using the methods and apparatus herein, users can access a business object representing a workflow process definition from any system using standard database constructs. The data for the business object may be combined from a variety of existing sources and/or new data. Using the methods and apparatus a user may generate reports from the business object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: SOURCECODE TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS, INC.
    Inventors: Adriaan van Wyk, Pieter Janson, Wynand du Toit, Jacobus du Preez
  • Publication number: 20200019752
    Abstract: An object identification method is disclosed. The method includes obtaining images of a target geographical area and telemetry information of an image-collection vehicle at a time of capture, analyzing each image to identify objects, and determining a position of the objects. The method further includes determining an image capture height, determining a position of the image using the capture height and the telemetry information, performing a transform on the image based on the capture height and the telemetry information, identifying the objects in the transformed image, determining first pixel locations of the objects within the transformed image, performing a reverse transform on the first pixel locations to determine second pixel locations in the image, and determining positions of the objects within the area based on the second pixel locations within the captured image and the determined image position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2019
    Publication date: January 16, 2020
    Inventors: Brent Ronald Frei, Dwight Galen McMaster, Michael Racine, Jacobus du Preez, William David Dimmit, Isabelle Butterfield, Clifford Holmgren, Dafydd Daniel Rhys-Jones, Thayne Kollmorgen, Vivek Ullal Nayak
  • Publication number: 20200019825
    Abstract: An object identification method is disclosed. The method includes training a first neural network for a first set of conditions regarding a first plurality of objects, training a second neural network for a second set of conditions regarding a second plurality of objects, receiving a plurality of target images associated with a third set of conditions in which to identify objects, analyzing the plurality of target images using the first and second neural networks to identify objects in the plurality of target images resulting in object identification information, and selecting the first neural network or the second neural network as a preferred neural network for the third set of conditions based on an analysis of the object identification information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2019
    Publication date: January 16, 2020
    Inventors: Brent Ronald Frei, Dwight Galen McMaster, Michael Racine, Jacobus du Preez, William David Dimmit, Isabelle Butterfield, Clifford Holmgren, Dafydd Daniel Rhys-Jones, Thayne Kollmorgen, Vivek Ullal Nayak
  • Publication number: 20200019778
    Abstract: An object identification and collection method is disclosed. The method includes receiving a pick-up path that identifies a route in which to guide an object-collection system over a target geographical area to pick up objects, determining a current location of the object-collection system relative to the pick-up path, and guiding the object-collection system along the pick-up path over the target geographical area based on the current location. The method further includes capturing images in a direction of movement of the object-collection system along the pick-up path, identifying a target object in the images; tracking movement of the target object through the images, determining that the target object is within range of an object picker assembly on the object-collection system based on the tracked movement of the target object, and instructing the object picker assembly to pick up the target object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2019
    Publication date: January 16, 2020
    Inventors: Brent Ronald Frei, Dwight Galen McMaster, Michael Racine, Jacobus du Preez, William David Dimmit, Isabelle Butterfield, Clifford Holmgren, Dafydd Daniel Rhys-Jones, Thayne Kollmorgen, Vivek Ullal Nayak
  • Publication number: 20200015401
    Abstract: An object-collection system is disclosed. The system including a vehicle connected to a bucket, a camera connected to the vehicle, and an object picking assembly configured to pick up objects off of ground. The system further includes a processor that obtains object information for identified objects, guides the object-collection system over a target geographical area toward the identified objects based on the object information, captures images of the ground relative to the object picker as the object-collection system is guided towards the identified objects, identifies a target object in the images, tracks movement of the target object across the images as the object-collection system is guided towards the identified objects, and employs the tracked movement of the target object to instruct the object picker to pick up the target object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2019
    Publication date: January 16, 2020
    Inventors: Brent Ronald Frei, Dwight Galen McMaster, Michael Racine, Jacobus du Preez, William David Dimmit, Isabelle Butterfield, Clifford Holmgren, Dafydd Daniel Rhys-Jones, Thayne Kollmorgen, Vivek Ullal Nayak
  • Publication number: 20200020093
    Abstract: An object identification and collection method is disclosed. The method includes employing an image-collection vehicle to capture first images of a target geographical area, identifying one or more objects in the first images, and guiding an object-collection system over the target geographical area toward the one or more identified objects. The method further includes determining object information for each of the identified objects and guiding the object-collection system based on the object information. The method may further include capturing second images of the ground relative to the object-collection system as the object-collection system is guided toward the one or more identified objects, identifying a target object in the second images, and instructing the object-collection system to pick up the target object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2019
    Publication date: January 16, 2020
    Inventors: Brent Ronald Frei, Dwight Galen McMaster, Michael Racine, Jacobus du Preez, William David Dimmit, Isabelle Butterfield, Clifford Holmgren, Dafydd Daniel Rhys-Jones, Thayne Kollmorgen, Vivek Ullal Nayak
  • Patent number: 9729394
    Abstract: A method for allowing user configuration of an endpoint for consuming a business object includes: loading a definition of the business object, the definition having properties and methods; mapping the definition to endpoint-supported protocols; and allowing user configuration of the endpoint based upon at least one of: (i) services configuration, (ii) protocol configuration, or (iii) managed configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: SOURCECODE TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS, INC.
    Inventors: Jacobus du Preez, Richard Grimes Cowan, Jr., Anthony Thomas Petro
  • Publication number: 20140359088
    Abstract: A method for allowing user configuration of an endpoint for consuming a business object includes: loading a definition of the business object, the definition having properties and methods; mapping the definition to endpoint-supported protocols; and allowing user configuration of the endpoint based upon at least one of: (i) services configuration, (ii) protocol configuration, or (iii) managed configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2014
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Inventors: Jacobus du Preez, Richard Grimes Cowan, JR., Anthony Thomas Petro
  • Patent number: 8832175
    Abstract: The system and method disclosed herein is a dynamic endpoint generator that enables a client device or application to consume business objects. The business objects are dynamic business objects whose definitions can be changed by either adding or removing data or actions without the need to involve technical or development resources to reconfigure or recompile the actual objects. The endpoint generator provides updated endpoint information automatically without the need for manual generation of endpoint or contract data. If a business object is modified or newly added, the endpoint generator is automatically notified and publishes information about the modified or newly added object. The client device that is accessing the business object is notified about the modified or newly added object. Or, an endpoint is generated when a client device requests a business object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: SourceCode Technology Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Jacobus du Preez, Richard Grimes Cowan, Anthony Thomas Petro
  • Publication number: 20120143938
    Abstract: The system and method disclosed herein is a dynamic endpoint generator that enables a client device or application to consume business objects. The business objects are dynamic business objects whose definitions can be changed by either adding or removing data or actions without the need to involve technical or development resources to reconfigure or recompile the actual objects. The endpoint generator provides updated endpoint information automatically without the need for manual generation of endpoint or contract data. If a business object is modified or newly added, the endpoint generator is automatically notified and publishes information about the modified or newly added object. The client device that is accessing the business object is notified about the modified or newly added object. Or, an endpoint is generated when a client device requests a business object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2011
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Inventors: Jacobus du Preez, Richard Grimes Cowan, Anthony Thomas Petro