Patents by Inventor Michael E. Bowman
Michael E. Bowman 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: 20260138600Abstract: Methods and systems are described herein for predicting collisions between uncrewed vehicles and preventing those collisions. A collision prevention system may generate collision spheroids for a multitude of uncrewed vehicles. Those collision spheroids may represent a plurality of three-dimensional points around each uncrewed vehicle. When the collision prevention system determines that collision spheroids corresponding to two uncrewed vehicles intersect, the collision prevention system may determine that a collision is imminent and may attempt to prevent the collision by causing one or both uncrewed vehicles to change velocity.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 15, 2026Publication date: May 21, 2026Applicant: AeroVironment, Inc.Inventors: William S. BOWMAN, Mark B. MOFFETT, Daniel R. HEDMAN, Michael E. BOWMAN, Bryce KORTE, Matthew D. SUMMER
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Publication number: 20260079500Abstract: Methods and systems are described herein for navigating a vehicle. A target location may be received, and based on the target location and vehicle parameters, an acceleration profile for the vehicle may be generated. The acceleration profile may include a first duration for accelerating the vehicle and a second duration for not accelerating the vehicle. When the acceleration profile is generated, a trajectory profile for travelling to the target location may be generated using the acceleration profile. The trajectory profile may include multiple instances of the acceleration profile. When the trajectory profile is being executed, a distance travelled by the vehicle after each instance of the acceleration profile is executed may be calculated. Based on the distance travelled after each instance of the acceleration profile is executed, an instance of when the target location is reached may be determined.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 10, 2024Publication date: March 19, 2026Applicant: Tomahawk Robotics, Inc.Inventors: William S. BOWMAN, Michael E. BOWMAN, Mark B. MOFFETT, Matthew D. SUMMER, Matthew R. DANKO
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Patent number: 12566509Abstract: Methods and systems are described herein for detecting motion-induced errors received from inertial-type input devices and for generating accurate vehicle control commands that account for operator movement. These methods and systems may determine, using motion data from inertial sensors, whether the hand/arm of the operator is moving in the same motion as the body of the operator, and if both are moving in the same way, these systems and methods may determine that the motion is not intended to be a motion-induced command. However, if the hand/arm of the operator is moving in a different motion from the body of the operator, these methods and systems may determine that the operator intended the motion to be a motion-induced command to a vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2025Date of Patent: March 3, 2026Assignee: Tomahawk Robotics, Inc.Inventors: Michael E. Bowman, William S. Bowman, Daniel R. Hedman, Matthew D. Summer, Andrew D. Falendysz, Kevin Makovy, Michael W. Holt
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Patent number: 12559096Abstract: Methods and systems are described herein for predicting collisions between uncrewed vehicles and preventing those collisions. A collision prevention system may generate collision spheroids for a multitude of uncrewed vehicles. Those collision spheroids may represent a plurality of three-dimensional points around each uncrewed vehicle. When the collision prevention system determines that collision spheroids corresponding to two uncrewed vehicles intersect, the collision prevention system may determine that a collision is imminent and may attempt to prevent the collision by causing one or both uncrewed vehicles to change velocity.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2024Date of Patent: February 24, 2026Assignee: AeroVironment, Inc.Inventors: William S. Bowman, Mark B. Moffett, Daniel R. Hedman, Michael E. Bowman, Bryce Korte, Matthew D. Summer
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Patent number: 12561837Abstract: Methods and systems are described herein for determining three-dimensional locations of objects within identified portions of images. An image processing system may receive an image and an identification of location within an image. The image may be input into a machine learning model to detect one or more objects within the identified location. Multiple images may then be used to generate location estimations of those objects. Based on the location estimations, an accurate three-dimensional location may be calculated.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 2024Date of Patent: February 24, 2026Assignee: Tomahawk Robotics, Inc.Inventors: Daniel R. Hedman, Matthew D. Summer, William S. Bowman, Michael E. Bowman, Brad Truesdell, Andrew D. Falendysz
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Publication number: 20260001529Abstract: Methods and systems are described herein for predicting collisions between uncrewed vehicles and preventing those collisions. A collision prevention system may generate collision spheroids for a multitude of uncrewed vehicles. Those collision spheroids may represent a plurality of three-dimensional points around each uncrewed vehicle. When the collision prevention system determines that collision spheroids corresponding to two uncrewed vehicles intersect, the collision prevention system may determine that a collision is imminent and may attempt to prevent the collision by causing one or both uncrewed vehicles to change velocity.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 28, 2024Publication date: January 1, 2026Applicant: AeroVironment, Inc.Inventors: William S. BOWMAN, Mark B. MOFFETT, Daniel R. HEDMAN, Michael E. BOWMAN, Bryce KORTE, Matthew D. SUMMER
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Publication number: 20250232467Abstract: Methods and systems are described herein for enabling aerial vehicle navigation in GPS-denied areas. The system may use a camera to record images of terrain as the aerial vehicle is flying to a target location. The system may then detect (e.g., using a machine learning model) objects within those images and compare those objects with objects within an electronic map that was loaded onto the aerial vehicle. When the system finds one or more objects within the electronic map that match the objects detected within the recorded images, the system may retrieve locations (e.g., GPS coordinates) of the objects within the electronic map and calculate, based on the coordinates, the location of the aerial vehicle. Once the location of the aerial vehicle is determined, the system may navigate to a target location or otherwise adjust a flight path of the aerial vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 7, 2025Publication date: July 17, 2025Applicant: Tomahawk Robotics, Inc.Inventors: William S. BOWMAN, Mark B. MOFFETT, Andrew D. FALENDYSZ, Michael E. BOWMAN, Michael W. HOLT, Timothy M. WILLIAMS, Matthew R. DANKO, Matthew D. SUMMER
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Publication number: 20250147598Abstract: Methods and systems are described herein for detecting motion-induced errors received from inertial-type input devices and for generating accurate vehicle control commands that account for operator movement. These methods and systems may determine, using motion data from inertial sensors, whether the hand/arm of the operator is moving in the same motion as the body of the operator, and if both are moving in the same way, these systems and methods may determine that the motion is not intended to be a motion-induced command. However, if the hand/arm of the operator is moving in a different motion from the body of the operator, these methods and systems may determine that the operator intended the motion to be a motion-induced command to a vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 9, 2025Publication date: May 8, 2025Applicant: Tomahawk Robotics, Inc.Inventors: Michael E. BOWMAN, William S. BOWMAN, Daniel R. HEDMAN, Matthew D. SUMMER, Andrew D. FALENDYSZ, Kevin MAKOVY, Michael W. HOLT
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Patent number: 12293538Abstract: Methods and systems are described herein for enabling aerial vehicle navigation in GPS-denied areas. The system may use a camera to record images of terrain as the aerial vehicle is flying to a target location. The system may then detect (e.g., using a machine learning model) objects within those images and compare those objects with objects within an electronic map that was loaded onto the aerial vehicle. When the system finds one or more objects within the electronic map that match the objects detected within the recorded images, the system may retrieve locations (e.g., GPS coordinates) of the objects within the electronic map and calculate, based on the coordinates, the location of the aerial vehicle. Once the location of the aerial vehicle is determined, the system may navigate to a target location or otherwise adjust a flight path of the aerial vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2023Date of Patent: May 6, 2025Assignee: Tomahawk Robotics, Inc.Inventors: William S. Bowman, Mark B. Moffett, Andrew D. Falendysz, Michael E. Bowman, Michael W. Holt, Timothy M. Williams, Matthew R. Danko, Matthew D. Summer
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Publication number: 20250086831Abstract: Methods and systems are described herein for determining three-dimensional locations of objects within identified portions of images. An image processing system may receive an image and an identification of location within an image. The image may be input into a machine learning model to detect one or more objects within the identified location. Multiple images may then be used to generate location estimations of those objects. Based on the location estimations, an accurate three-dimensional location may be calculated.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 25, 2024Publication date: March 13, 2025Applicant: Tomahawk Robotics, Inc.Inventors: Daniel R. HEDMAN, Matthew D. SUMMER, William S. BOWMAN, Michael E. BOWMAN, Brad TRUESDELL, Andrew D. FALENDYSZ
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Publication number: 20250054175Abstract: Methods and systems are described herein for enabling aerial vehicle navigation in GPS-denied areas. The system may use a camera to record images of terrain as the aerial vehicle is flying to a target location. The system may then detect (e.g., using a machine learning model) objects within those images and compare those objects with objects within an electronic map that was loaded onto the aerial vehicle. When the system finds one or more objects within the electronic map that match the objects detected within the recorded images, the system may retrieve locations (e.g., GPS coordinates) of the objects within the electronic map and calculate, based on the coordinates, the location of the aerial vehicle. Once the location of the aerial vehicle is determined, the system may navigate to a target location or otherwise adjust a flight path of the aerial vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 8, 2023Publication date: February 13, 2025Applicant: Tomahawk Robotics, Inc.Inventors: William S. BOWMAN, Mark B. MOFFETT, Andrew D. FALENDYSZ, Michael E. BOWMAN, Michael W. HOLT, Timothy M. WILLIAMS, Matthew R. DANKO, Matthew D. SUMMER
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Patent number: 12223124Abstract: Methods and systems are described herein for detecting motion-induced errors received from inertial-type input devices and for generating accurate vehicle control commands that account for operator movement. These methods and systems may determine, using motion data from inertial sensors, whether the hand/arm of the operator is moving in the same motion as the body of the operator, and if both are moving in the same way, these systems and methods may determine that the motion is not intended to be a motion-induced command. However, if the hand/arm of the operator is moving in a different motion from the body of the operator, these methods and systems may determine that the operator intended the motion to be a motion-induced command to a vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2023Date of Patent: February 11, 2025Assignee: Tomahawk Robotics, Inc.Inventors: Michael E. Bowman, William S. Bowman, Daniel R. Hedman, Matthew D. Summer, Andrew D. Falendysz, Kevin Makovy, Michael W. Holt
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Publication number: 20250030576Abstract: Methods and systems are described herein for a layered fail-safe redundancy system and architecture for privileged operation execution. The system may receive vehicle maneuvering commands from a controller over a first channel. When a user input is received to initiate a privileged mode for executing privileged commands, the system may receive a privileged command over a second channel. The system may identify, based on the privileged mode of operation and the privileged command, a privileged operation to be performed by a vehicle. The system may then transmit a request to the vehicle to perform the privileged operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 17, 2023Publication date: January 23, 2025Applicant: Tomahawk Robotics, Inc.Inventors: William S. BOWMAN, Andrew D. FALENDYSZ, Kevin M. MAKOVY, Matthew D. SUMMER, Michael E. BOWMAN, Michael W. HOLT, Mark B. MOFFETT
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Publication number: 20250022167Abstract: Methods and systems are described herein for determining three-dimensional locations of objects within identified portions of images. An image processing system may receive an image and an identification of location within an image. The image may be input into a machine learning model to detect one or more objects within the identified location. Multiple images may then be used to generate location estimations of those objects. Based on the location estimations, an accurate three-dimensional location may be calculated.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 11, 2023Publication date: January 16, 2025Applicant: Tomahawk Robotics, Inc.Inventors: Daniel R. HEDMAN, Matthew D. SUMMER, William S. BOWMAN, Michael E. BOWMAN, Brad TRUESDELL, Andrew D. FALENDYSZ
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Patent number: 12198377Abstract: Methods and systems are described herein for determining three-dimensional locations of objects within identified portions of images. An image processing system may receive an image and an identification of location within an image. The image may be input into a machine learning model to detect one or more objects within the identified location. Multiple images may then be used to generate location estimations of those objects. Based on the location estimations, an accurate three-dimensional location may be calculated.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2023Date of Patent: January 14, 2025Assignee: Tomahawk Robotics, Inc.Inventors: Daniel R. Hedman, Matthew D. Summer, William S. Bowman, Michael E. Bowman, Brad Truesdell, Andrew D. Falendysz
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Publication number: 20240005801Abstract: A common command and control architecture (alternatively termed herein as a “universal control architecture”) is disclosed that allows different unmanned systems, including different types of unmanned systems (e.g., air, ground, and/or maritime unmanned systems), to be controlled simultaneously through a common control device (e.g., a controller that can be an input and/or output device). The universal control architecture brings significant efficiency gains in engineering, deployment, training, maintenance, and future upgrades of unmanned systems. In addition, the disclosed common command and control architecture breaks the traditional stovepipe development involving deployment models and thus reducing hardware and software maintenance, creating a streamlined training/proficiency initiative, reducing physical space requirements for transport, and creating a scalable, more connected interoperable approach to control of unmanned systems over existing unmanned systems technology.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 19, 2023Publication date: January 4, 2024Applicant: Tomahawk RoboticsInventors: Matthew D. SUMMER, William S. BOWMAN, Andrew D. FALENDYSZ, Daniel R. HEDMAN, Brad TRUESDELL, Jeffrey S. COOPER, Michael E. BOWMAN, Sean WAGONER, Kevin MAKOVY
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Patent number: 11854410Abstract: A common command and control architecture (alternatively termed herein as a “universal control architecture”) is disclosed that allows different unmanned systems, including different types of unmanned systems (e.g., air, ground, and/or maritime unmanned systems), to be controlled simultaneously through a common control device (e.g., a controller that can be an input and/or output device). The universal control architecture brings significant efficiency gains in engineering, deployment, training, maintenance, and future upgrades of unmanned systems. In addition, the disclosed common command and control architecture breaks the traditional stovepipe development involving deployment models and thus reducing hardware and software maintenance, creating a streamlined training/proficiency initiative, reducing physical space requirements for transport, and creating a scalable, more connected interoperable approach to control of unmanned systems over existing unmanned systems technology.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 2022Date of Patent: December 26, 2023Assignee: Tomahawk RoboticsInventors: Matthew D. Summer, William S. Bowman, Andrew D. Falendysz, Daniel R. Hedman, Brad Truesdell, Jeffrey S Cooper, Michael E. Bowman, Sean Wagoner, Kevin Makovy
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Publication number: 20230333671Abstract: Methods and systems are described herein for detecting motion-induced errors received from inertial-type input devices and for generating accurate vehicle control commands that account for operator movement. These methods and systems may determine, using motion data from inertial sensors, whether the hand/arm of the operator is moving in the same motion as the body of the operator, and if both are moving in the same way, these systems and methods may determine that the motion is not intended to be a motion-induced command. However, if the hand/arm of the operator is moving in a different motion from the body of the operator, these methods and systems may determine that the operator intended the motion to be a motion-induced command to a vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 3, 2023Publication date: October 19, 2023Applicant: Tomahawk RoboticsInventors: Michael E. BOWMAN, William S. BOWMAN, Daniel R. HEDMAN, Matthew D. SUMMER, Andrew D. FALENDYSZ
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Patent number: 11675445Abstract: Methods and systems are described herein for detecting motion-induced errors received from inertial-type input devices and for generating accurate vehicle control commands that account for operator movement. These methods and systems may determine, using motion data from inertial sensors, whether the hand/arm of the operator is moving in the same motion as the body of the operator, and if both are moving in the same way, these systems and methods may determine that the motion is not intended to be a motion-induced command. However, if the hand/arm of the operator is moving in a different motion from the body of the operator, these methods and systems may determine that the operator intended the motion to be a motion-induced command to a vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 2022Date of Patent: June 13, 2023Assignee: Tomahawk RoboticsInventors: Michael E. Bowman, William S. Bowman, Daniel R. Hedman, Matthew D. Summer, Andrew D. Falendysz, Kevin Makovy, Michael W. Holt
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Publication number: 20220413490Abstract: A common command and control architecture (alternatively termed herein as a “universal control architecture”) is disclosed that allows different unmanned systems, including different types of unmanned systems (e.g., air, ground, and/or maritime unmanned systems), to be controlled simultaneously through a common control device (e.g., a controller that can be an input and/or output device). The universal control architecture brings significant efficiency gains in engineering, deployment, training, maintenance, and future upgrades of unmanned systems. In addition, the disclosed common command and control architecture breaks the traditional stovepipe development involving deployment models and thus reducing hardware and software maintenance, creating a streamlined training/proficiency initiative, reducing physical space requirements for transport, and creating a scalable, more connected interoperable approach to control of unmanned systems over existing unmanned systems technology.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 7, 2022Publication date: December 29, 2022Inventors: Matthew D. Summer, William S. Bowman, Andrew D. Falendysz, Daniel R. Hedman, Brad Truesdell, Jeffrey S. Cooper, Michael E. Bowman, Sean Wagoner, Kevin Makovy