Patents by Inventor Michael von Bertouch
Michael von Bertouch 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: 11962903Abstract: Aerial camera systems are disclosed, including an aerial camera system that comprises at least one camera arranged to capture a plurality of successive images; the at least one camera being rotatable such that the field of view of the camera traverses across a region of the ground that includes multiple different swathes extending in different directions, the at least one camera having a steering mirror to direct light reflected from the ground onto a lens assembly, the lens assembly having a central longitudinal axis extending in a direction generally parallel to a direction of movement of a survey aircraft; and the system arranged to control the at least one camera to capture successive images at defined intervals as the at least one camera rotates.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2022Date of Patent: April 16, 2024Assignee: Spookfish Innovation PTY LTDInventors: Simon Cope, Michael Von Bertouch
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Publication number: 20230356836Abstract: An aerial vehicle has a fuselage, at least one wing, propulsion means for forward flight and at least two pairs of arms. Each arm supports at least one rotor powered for vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) and each arm is in a deployed position for vertical take-off or hovering and transitions to a retracted position for forward flight using the at least one wing, and the arms re-transition to a deployed position for vertical landing or hovering.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 12, 2023Publication date: November 9, 2023Inventors: Michael VON BERTOUCH, Adam KELLY
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Publication number: 20220247905Abstract: Aerial camera systems are disclosed, including an aerial camera system that comprises at least one camera arranged to capture a plurality of successive images; the at least one camera being rotatable such that the field of view of the camera traverses across a region of the ground that includes multiple different swathes extending in different directions, the at least one camera having a steering mirror to direct light reflected from the ground onto a lens assembly, the lens assembly having a central longitudinal axis extending in a direction generally parallel to a direction of movement of a survey aircraft; and the system arranged to control the at least one camera to capture successive images at defined intervals as the at least one camera rotates.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 15, 2022Publication date: August 4, 2022Inventors: Simon Cope, Michael Von Bertouch
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Patent number: 11310427Abstract: Aerial camera systems are disclosed, including an aerial camera system that comprises at least one camera arranged to capture a plurality of successive images; the at least one camera being rotatable such that the field of view of the camera traverses across a region of the ground that includes multiple different swathes extending in different directions, the at least one camera having a steering mirror to direct light reflected from the ground onto a lens assembly, the lens assembly having a central longitudinal axis extending in a direction generally parallel to a direction of movement of a survey aircraft; and the system arranged to control the at least one camera to capture successive images at defined intervals as the at least one camera rotates.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2019Date of Patent: April 19, 2022Assignee: Spookfish Innovations PTY LTDInventors: Simon Cope, Michael Von Bertouch
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Patent number: 11265472Abstract: An aerial camera system is disclosed that comprises at least one camera arranged to capture a plurality of successive images. Each camera including at least one respective image sensor, and the field of view of each camera is movable in a substantially transverse direction across a region of the ground. The system also includes a stabilisation assembly associated with each camera that has at least one steering mirror. The steering mirror is controllably movable so as to translate the optical axis of the camera relative to the at least one image sensor in synchronization with image capture, so as to effect stabilisation of an image on the at least one image sensor during image capture as the field of view of the camera moves in a substantially transverse direction across a region of the ground. The system is arranged to control the at least one camera to capture successive images at defined intervals as the field of view of the camera moves in a substantially transverse direction across a region of the ground.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2018Date of Patent: March 1, 2022Assignee: Spookfish Innovations PTY LTDInventors: Simon Cope, Michael von Bertouch
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Patent number: 11175135Abstract: Systems and methods for aerial survey image capture are disclosed, including a system, comprising a camera system arranged to capture successive images of ground beneath a survey aircraft as the aircraft travels on a defined flight path, the camera system having associated camera parameters indicative of image capture characteristics of the camera system including defined image overlap between captured images; and, a camera parameter modifier arranged to produce at least one modified camera system parameter in response to an indication of a change in at least one navigation parameter of the aircraft, the modified camera system parameter modifying at least one characteristic of image capture by the camera system so as to substantially maintain the defined image overlap between captured images and thereby at least partially compensate for a change in survey efficiency when the changed navigation parameter is used to navigate the aircraft without modifying the defined flight path.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 2020Date of Patent: November 16, 2021Assignee: Spookfish Innovations PTY LTDInventors: Simon Cope, Michael Von Bertouch
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Publication number: 20200333138Abstract: Systems and methods for aerial survey image capture are disclosed, including a system, comprising a camera system arranged to capture successive images of ground beneath a survey aircraft as the aircraft travels on a defined flight path, the camera system having associated camera parameters indicative of image capture characteristics of the camera system including defined image overlap between captured images; and, a camera parameter modifier arranged to produce at least one modified camera system parameter in response to an indication of a change in at least one navigation parameter of the aircraft, the modified camera system parameter modifying at least one characteristic of image capture by the camera system so as to substantially maintain the defined image overlap between captured images and thereby at least partially compensate for a change in survey efficiency when the changed navigation parameter is used to navigate the aircraft without modifying the defined flight path.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 6, 2020Publication date: October 22, 2020Inventors: Simon Cope, Michael Von Bertouch
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Patent number: 10612923Abstract: An aerial survey image capture system for a survey aircraft is disclosed. The system comprises a camera system arranged to capture successive images of ground beneath a survey aircraft. The camera system has associated camera parameters, and a loss of separation (LOS) avoidance system for a survey aircraft. The LOS avoidance system is arranged to determine a predicted closest point of approach (CPA) distance between the survey aircraft and the nearby aircraft based on their locations and movements, compare the CPA distance with a defined minimum separation distance corresponding to a LOS, and determine an estimate for at least one navigation parameter of the survey aircraft required for the CPA distance to remain above the defined minimum separation distance. The system is further arranged to modify camera system parameters so as to at least partially compensate for a change in survey efficiency when the estimated at least one navigation parameter is used to navigate the survey aircraft.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2019Date of Patent: April 7, 2020Assignee: Spookfish Innovations PTY LTDInventors: Simon Cope, Michael von Bertouch
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Publication number: 20200106941Abstract: Aerial camera systems are disclosed, including an aerial camera system that comprises at least one camera arranged to capture a plurality of successive images; the at least one camera being rotatable such that the field of view of the camera traverses across a region of the ground that includes multiple different swathes extending in different directions, the at least one camera having a steering mirror to direct light reflected from the ground onto a lens assembly, the lens assembly having a central longitudinal axis extending in a direction generally parallel to a direction of movement of a survey aircraft; and the system arranged to control the at least one camera to capture successive images at defined intervals as the at least one camera rotates.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 19, 2019Publication date: April 2, 2020Inventors: Simon Cope, Michael Von Bertouch
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Patent number: 10378895Abstract: An aerial survey image capture system for a survey aircraft is disclosed. The system comprises a camera system arranged to capture successive images of ground beneath a survey aircraft. The camera system has associated camera parameters, and a loss of separation (LOS) avoidance system for a survey aircraft. The LOS avoidance system is arranged to determine a predicted closest point of approach (CPA) distance between the survey aircraft and the nearby aircraft based on their locations and movements, compare the CPA distance with a defined minimum separation distance corresponding to a LOS, and determine an estimate for at least one navigation parameter of the survey aircraft required for the CPA distance to remain above the defined minimum separation distance. The system is further arranged to modify camera system parameters so as to at least partially compensate for a change in survey efficiency when the estimated at least one navigation parameter is used to navigate the survey aircraft.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2015Date of Patent: August 13, 2019Assignee: Spookfish Innovagtions PTY LTDInventors: Simon Cope, Michael von Bertouch
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Patent number: 10361719Abstract: A method of managing data captured in an aerial camera system is disclosed. The method comprises commencing an aerial survey so as to produce aerial survey data, storing the aerial survey data on the survey aircraft directly on at least one magnetic tape cartridge, completing the aerial survey, sending the at least one magnetic tape cartridge to a data processing facility, and retrieving the aerial survey data from the at least one magnetic tape cartridge at the data processing facility. A corresponding system is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2017Date of Patent: July 23, 2019Assignee: Spookfish Innovations Pty Ltd.Inventors: Simon Cope, Michael Von Bertouch
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Publication number: 20190204079Abstract: An aerial survey image capture system for a survey aircraft is disclosed. The system comprises a camera system arranged to capture successive images of ground beneath a survey aircraft. The camera system has associated camera parameters, and a loss of separation (LOS) avoidance system for a survey aircraft. The LOS avoidance system is arranged to determine a predicted closest point of approach (CPA) distance between the survey aircraft and the nearby aircraft based on their locations and movements, compare the CPA distance with a defined minimum separation distance corresponding to a LOS, and determine an estimate for at least one navigation parameter of the survey aircraft required for the CPA distance to remain above the defined minimum separation distance. The system is further arranged to modify camera system parameters so as to at least partially compensate for a change in survey efficiency when the estimated at least one navigation parameter is used to navigate the survey aircraft.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 11, 2019Publication date: July 4, 2019Inventors: Simon Cope, Michael Von Bertouch
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Publication number: 20190149710Abstract: An aerial camera system is disclosed that comprises at least one camera arranged to capture a plurality of successive images. Each camera including at least one respective image sensor, and the field of view of each camera is movable in a substantially transverse direction across a region of the ground. The system also includes a stabilisation assembly associated with each camera that has at least one steering mirror. The steering mirror is controllably movable so as to translate the optical axis of the camera relative to the at least one image sensor in synchronization with image capture, so as to effect stabilisation of an image on the at least one image sensor during image capture as the field of view of the camera moves in a substantially transverse direction across a region of the ground. The system is arranged to control the at least one camera to capture successive images at defined intervals as the field of view of the camera moves in a substantially transverse direction across a region of the ground.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2018Publication date: May 16, 2019Inventors: Simon Cope, Michael von Bertouch
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Publication number: 20170257115Abstract: A method of managing data captured in an aerial camera system is disclosed. The method comprises commencing an aerial survey so as to produce aerial survey data, storing the aerial survey data on the survey aircraft directly on at least one magnetic tape cartridge, completing the aerial survey, sending the at least one magnetic tape cartridge to a data processing facility, and retrieving the aerial survey data from the at least one magnetic tape cartridge at the data processing facility. A corresponding system is also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 2, 2017Publication date: September 7, 2017Inventors: Simon Cope, Michael Von Bertouch
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Publication number: 20170248421Abstract: An aerial survey image capture system for a survey aircraft is disclosed. The system comprises a camera system arranged to capture successive images of ground beneath a survey aircraft. The camera system has associated camera parameters, and a loss of separation (LOS) avoidance system for a survey aircraft. The LOS avoidance system is arranged to determine a predicted closest point of approach (CPA) distance between the survey aircraft and the nearby aircraft based on their locations and movements, compare the CPA distance with a defined minimum separation distance corresponding to a LOS and determine an estimate for at least one navigation parameter of the survey aircraft required for the CPA distance to remain above the defined minimum separation distance. The system is further arranged to modify camera system parameters so as to at least partially compensate for a change in survey efficiency when the estimated at least one navigation parameter is used to navigate the survey aircraft.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 28, 2015Publication date: August 31, 2017Inventors: Simon Cope, Michael von Bertouch
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Publication number: 20170244880Abstract: An aerial camera system is disclosed that comprises at least one camera arranged to capture a plurality of successive images. Each camera including at least one respective image sensor, and the field of view of each camera is movable in a substantially transverse direction across a region of the ground. The system also includes a stabilisation assembly associated with each camera that has at least one steering mirror. The steering mirror is controllably movable so as to translate the optical axis of the camera relative to the at least one image sensor in synchronization with image capture, so as to effect stabilisation of an image on the at least one image sensor during image capture as the field of view of the camera moves in a substantially transverse direction across a region of the ground. The system is arranged to control the at least one camera to capture successive images at defined intervals as the field of view of the camera moves in a substantially transverse direction across a region of the ground.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 8, 2015Publication date: August 24, 2017Inventors: Simon Cope, Michael von Bertouch