Patents by Inventor Michael WOOTTON

Michael WOOTTON 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).

  • Publication number: 20240116630
    Abstract: Methods for predicting a yield of fruit growing in an agricultural plot are provided. At a first time, a first plurality of images of a canopy of the agricultural plot is obtained from an aerial view of the canopy of the agricultural plot. From the first plurality of images, a first number of detectable fruit is estimated. At a second time, a second plurality of images of the canopy of the agricultural plot is obtained from the aerial view of the canopy of the agricultural plot. From the second plurality of images, a second number of detectable fruit is estimated. Using at least the first number of detectable fruit and the second number of detectable fruit and agricultural plot information, predict the yield of fruit from the agricultural plot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2023
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Inventors: Benjamin MELTZER, Michael WOOTTON, James PATERSON, Munsanje MWEENE, Joshua Washington PERRY
  • Publication number: 20230365258
    Abstract: Methods for predicting a yield of fruit growing in an agricultural plot are provided. At a first time, a first plurality of images of a canopy of the agricultural plot is obtained from an aerial view of the canopy of the agricultural plot. From the first plurality of images, a first number of detectable fruit is estimated. At a second time, a second plurality of images of the canopy of the agricultural plot is obtained from the aerial view of the canopy of the agricultural plot. From the second plurality of images, a second number of detectable fruit is estimated. Using at least the first number of detectable fruit and the second number of detectable fruit and agricultural plot information, predict the yield of fruit from the agricultural plot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2023
    Publication date: November 16, 2023
    Inventors: Benjamin MELTZER, Michael WOOTTON, James PATERSON, Munsanje MWEENE, Josh Perry
  • Patent number: 11718401
    Abstract: A computer system obtains, in electronic format, a training dataset. The training dataset comprises a plurality of training images from a plurality of agricultural plots. Each training image is from a respective agricultural plot in the plurality of agricultural plots and comprises at least one identified fruit. The computer system determines, for each respective fruit in each respective training image in the plurality of training images, a corresponding contour. The computer system trains an untrained or partially trained computational model using at least the corresponding contour for each respective fruit in each respective training image in the plurality of training images, thereby obtaining a first trained computational model that is configured to identify fruit in agricultural plot images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: Aerobotics (Pty) Ltd
    Inventors: Benjamin Meltzer, Michael Wootton, James Paterson, Munsanje Mweene
  • Publication number: 20230056226
    Abstract: Compositions and methods for treating neurofibromatic disorders are provided herein, such as expressing Merlin protein or a functional fragment thereof from a viral vector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2022
    Publication date: February 23, 2023
    Inventors: Scott R. Plotkin, Michael Wootton, David Suhy, Shih-chu Kao
  • Patent number: 11495016
    Abstract: A computer system obtains, using a camera, a first plurality of images of a canopy an agricultural plot. For each respective fruit of a plurality of fruit growing in the agricultural plot, the computer system identifies a first respective image in the first plurality of images that comprises the respective fruit. The first respective image has a corresponding first camera location. The computer system also identifies a second respective image in the first plurality of images that comprises the respective fruit. The second respective image has a corresponding second camera location. The computer system uses at least i) the first and second respective images and ii) a distance between the first and second camera locations to determine a corresponding size of the respective fruit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: Aerobotics (Pty) Ltd
    Inventors: Benjamin Meltzer, Michael Wootton, James Paterson, Munsanje Mweene
  • Publication number: 20210282338
    Abstract: Methods for predicting a yield of fruit growing in an agricultural plot are provided. At a first time, a first plurality of images of a canopy of the agricultural plot is obtained from an aerial view of the canopy of the agricultural plot. From the first plurality of images, a first number of detectable fruit is estimated. At a second time, a second plurality of images of the canopy of the agricultural plot is obtained from the aerial view of the canopy of the agricultural plot. From the second plurality of images, a second number of detectable fruit is estimated. Using at least the first number of detectable fruit and the second number of detectable fruit and agricultural plot information, predict the yield of fruit from the agricultural plot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2021
    Publication date: September 16, 2021
    Inventors: Benjamin MELTZER, Michael WOOTTON, James PATERSON, Munsanje MWEENE
  • Publication number: 20210287000
    Abstract: A computer system obtains, using a camera, a first plurality of images of a canopy an agricultural plot. For each respective fruit of a plurality of fruit growing in the agricultural plot, the computer system identifies a first respective image in the first plurality of images that comprises the respective fruit. The first respective image has a corresponding first camera location. The computer system also identifies a second respective image in the first plurality of images that comprises the respective fruit. The second respective image has a corresponding second camera location. The computer system uses at least i) the first and second respective images and ii) a distance between the first and second camera locations to determine a corresponding size of the respective fruit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2021
    Publication date: September 16, 2021
    Inventors: Benjamin MELTZER, Michael WOOTTON, James PATERSON, Munsanje MWEENE
  • Publication number: 20210287001
    Abstract: A computer system obtains, in electronic format, a training dataset. The training dataset comprises a plurality of training images from a plurality of agricultural plots. Each training image is from a respective agricultural plot in the plurality of agricultural plots and comprises at least one identified fruit. The computer system determines, for each respective fruit in each respective training image in the plurality of training images, a corresponding contour. The computer system trains an untrained or partially trained computational model using at least the corresponding contour for each respective fruit in each respective training image in the plurality of training images, thereby obtaining a first trained computational model that is configured to identify fruit in agricultural plot images.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2021
    Publication date: September 16, 2021
    Inventors: Benjamin MELTZER, Michael WOOTTON, James PATERSON, Munsanje MWEENE