Patents by Inventor Scott Velez
Scott Velez 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: 11794922Abstract: A mobile nest for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) includes a cuboid-shaped frame, staging pads, charging electronics, and exterior siding. The cuboid-shaped frame includes vertical supports positioned at corners of the cuboid-shaped frame. The staging pads are adapted for landing, launching, and charging the UAVs. The staging pads are mounted to pivot about two or more of the vertical supports. Each of the staging pads rotates into the cuboid-shaped frame when stowed and rotates out of the cuboid-shaped frame when deployed for launching or landing the corresponding one of the UAVs. The charging electronics are disposed within the cuboid-shaped frame and coupled to the staging pads to charge the UAVs when the UAVs are positioned on the staging pads. The exterior siding is mounted to the cuboid-shaped frame to provide a weather barrier that protects the UAVs from weather when the UAVs are stowed within the mobile housing structure.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2022Date of Patent: October 24, 2023Assignee: Wing Aviation LLCInventors: Evan Twyford, Thorsten Schilling, Jesse Blake, Scott Velez, James Schmalzried, Ray Leung, Greg Vulikh
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Patent number: 11745899Abstract: An apparatus for visual navigation of a UAV includes a geo-fiducial mat and a plurality of geo-fiducials. The geo-fiducial mat includes a landing pad region that provides a location for aligning with a landing pad of a UAV. The geo-fiducials each includes a two-dimensional (2D) pattern that visually conveys a code. The 2D pattern has a shape from which a visual navigation system of the UAV can visually triangulate a position of the UAV.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2022Date of Patent: September 5, 2023Assignee: WING Aviation LLCInventors: Damien Jourdan, Anthony Sekine, Scott Velez, André Prager
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Patent number: 11733716Abstract: An example method involves determining an expected demand level for a first type of a plurality of types of transport tasks for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), the first type of transport tasks associated with a first payload type. Each of the UAVs is physically reconfigurable between at least a first and a second configuration corresponding to the first payload type and a second payload type, respectively. The method also involves determining based on the expected demand level for the first type of transport tasks, (i) a first number of UAVs having the first configuration and (ii) a second number of UAVs having the second configuration. The method further involves, at or near a time corresponding to the expected demand level, providing one or more UAVs to perform the transport tasks, including at least the first number of UAVs.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2022Date of Patent: August 22, 2023Assignee: Wing Aviation LLCInventors: Jesse Blake, James Schmalzried, Scott Velez, Andre Prager, Eric Teller, Matthew Nubbe
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Patent number: 11618565Abstract: Example implementations may relate to self-deployment of operational infrastructure by an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). Specifically, a control system may determine operational location(s) from which a group of UAVs is to provide aerial transport services in a geographic area. For at least a first of the operational location(s), the system may cause a first UAV from the group to perform an infrastructure deployment task that includes (i) a flight from a source location to the first operational location and (ii) installation of operational infrastructure at the first operational location by the first UAV. In turn, this may enable the first UAV to operate from the first operational location, as the first UAV can charge a battery of the first UAV using the operational infrastructure installed at the first operational location and/or can carry out item transport task(s) at location(s) that are in the vicinity of the first operational location.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2020Date of Patent: April 4, 2023Assignee: Wing Aviation LLCInventors: Jesse Blake, James Schmalzried, Siegfried Zerweckh, Andre Prager, Scott Velez
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Publication number: 20230054875Abstract: An apparatus for visual navigation of a UAV includes a geo-fiducial mat and a plurality of geo-fiducials. The geo-fiducial mat includes a landing pad region that provides a location for aligning with a landing pad of a UAV. The geo-fiducials each includes a two-dimensional (2D) pattern that visually conveys a code. The 2D pattern has a shape from which a visual navigation system of the UAV can visually triangulate a position of the UAV.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 26, 2022Publication date: February 23, 2023Inventors: Damien Jourdan, Anthony Sekine, Scott Velez, André Prager
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Patent number: 11511885Abstract: An apparatus for visual navigation of a UAV includes a geo-fiducial mat and a plurality of geo-fiducials. The geo-fiducial mat includes a landing pad region that provides a location for aligning with a landing pad of a UAV and a survey point. The geo-fiducials are each specified for a unique directional and offset position in or about the landing pad region relative to the survey point. The geo-fiducials each includes a two-dimensional (2D) pattern that visually conveys an alphanumerical code. The 2D pattern has a shape from which a visual navigation system of the UAV can visually triangulate a position of the UAV.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2020Date of Patent: November 29, 2022Assignee: WING Aviation LLCInventors: Damien Jourdan, Anthony Sekine, Scott Velez, André Prager
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Publication number: 20220137646Abstract: An example method involves determining an expected demand level for a first type of a plurality of types of transport tasks for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), the first type of transport tasks associated with a first payload type. Each of the UAVs is physically reconfigurable between at least a first and a second configuration corresponding to the first payload type and a second payload type, respectively. The method also involves determining based on the expected demand level for the first type of transport tasks, (i) a first number of UAVs having the first configuration and (ii) a second number of UAVs having the second configuration. The method further involves, at or near a time corresponding to the expected demand level, providing one or more UAVs to perform the transport tasks, including at least the first number of UAVs.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 12, 2022Publication date: May 5, 2022Inventors: Jesse Blake, James Schmalzried, Scott Velez, Andre Prager, Eric Teller, Matthew Nubbe
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Patent number: 11256271Abstract: An example method involves determining an expected demand level for a first type of a plurality of types of transport tasks for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), the first type of transport tasks associated with a first payload type. Each of the UAVs is physically reconfigurable between at least a first and a second configuration corresponding to the first payload type and a second payload type, respectively. The method also involves determining based on the expected demand level for the first type of transport tasks, (i) a first number of UAVs having the first configuration and (ii) a second number of UAVs having the second configuration. The method further involves, at or near a time corresponding to the expected demand level, providing one or more UAVs to perform the transport tasks, including at least the first number of UAVs.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 2020Date of Patent: February 22, 2022Assignee: Wing Aviation LLCInventors: Jesse Blake, James Schmalzried, Scott Velez, Andre Prager, Eric Teller, Matthew Nubbe
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Publication number: 20210284356Abstract: An apparatus for visual navigation of a UAV includes a geo-fiducial mat and a plurality of geo-fiducials. The geo-fiducial mat includes a landing pad region that provides a location for aligning with a landing pad of a UAV and a survey point. The geo-fiducials are each specified for a unique directional and offset position in or about the landing pad region relative to the survey point. The geo-fiducials each includes a two-dimensional (2D) pattern that visually conveys an alphanumerical code. The 2D pattern has a shape from which a visual navigation system of the UAV can visually triangulate a position of the UAV.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2020Publication date: September 16, 2021Inventors: Damien Jourdan, Anthony Sekine, Scott Velez, André Prager
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Publication number: 20210188434Abstract: Example implementations may relate to self-deployment of operational infrastructure by an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). Specifically, a control system may determine operational location(s) from which a group of UAVs is to provide aerial transport services in a geographic area. For at least a first of the operational location(s), the system may cause a first UAV from the group to perform an infrastructure deployment task that includes (i) a flight from a source location to the first operational location and (ii) installation of operational infrastructure at the first operational location by the first UAV. In turn, this may enable the first UAV to operate from the first operational location, as the first UAV can charge a battery of the first UAV using the operational infrastructure installed at the first operational location and/or can carry out item transport task(s) at location(s) that are in the vicinity of the first operational location.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 14, 2020Publication date: June 24, 2021Inventors: Jesse Blake, James Schmalzried, Siegfried Zerweckh, Andre Prager, Scott Velez
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Patent number: 10953984Abstract: Example implementations may relate to using an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) dedicated to deployment of operational infrastructure, with such deployment enabling charging of a battery of a UAV from a group of UAVs. More specifically, the group of UAVs may include at least (i) a first UAV of a first type configured to deploy operational infrastructure and (ii) a second UAV of a second type configured to carry out a task other than deployment of operational infrastructure. With this arrangement, a control system may determine an operational location at which to deploy operational infrastructure, and may cause the first UAV to deploy operational infrastructure at the operational location. Then, the control system may cause the second UAV to charge a battery of the second UAV using the operational infrastructure deployed by the first UAV at the operational location.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2017Date of Patent: March 23, 2021Assignee: Wing Aviation LLCInventors: Jesse Blake, James Schmalzried, Siegfried Zerweckh, Andre Prager, Scott Velez
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Patent number: 10894601Abstract: Example implementations may relate to self-deployment of operational infrastructure by an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). Specifically, a control system may determine operational location(s) from which a group of UAVs is to provide aerial transport services in a geographic area. For at least a first of the operational location(s), the system may cause a first UAV from the group to perform an infrastructure deployment task that includes (i) a flight from a source location to the first operational location and (ii) installation of operational infrastructure at the first operational location by the first UAV. In turn, this may enable the first UAV to operate from the first operational location, as the first UAV can charge a battery of the first UAV using the operational infrastructure installed at the first operational location and/or can carry out item transport task(s) at location(s) that are in the vicinity of the first operational location.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2017Date of Patent: January 19, 2021Assignee: Wing Aviation LLCInventors: Jesse Blake, James Schmalzried, Siegfried Zerweckh, Andre Prager, Scott Velez
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Patent number: 10882410Abstract: An example embodiment includes a landing pad having a housing and a power terminal configured to draw electric power from a power source. The landing pad further includes an electrically conductive landing terminal dorsal to the housing and configured such that, during a landing state of an aerial vehicle, the landing terminal makes contact with a plurality of electric contacts disposed ventrally to a fuselage of the aerial vehicle. The landing terminal is configured to transfer electric power drawn by the power terminal to the aerial vehicle via the electric contacts during the landing state of the aerial vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2017Date of Patent: January 5, 2021Assignee: Wing Aviation LLCInventors: Nick Renold, Matthew Nubbe, Jim Schmalzried, Jesse Blake, Scott Velez, Dustin Sanders, Stephen Benson, Evan Twyford
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Publication number: 20200278702Abstract: An example method involves determining an expected demand level for a first type of a plurality of types of transport tasks for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), the first type of transport tasks associated with a first payload type. Each of the UAVs is physically reconfigurable between at least a first and a second configuration corresponding to the first payload type and a second payload type, respectively. The method also involves determining based on the expected demand level for the first type of transport tasks, (i) a first number of UAVs having the first configuration and (ii) a second number of UAVs having the second configuration. The method further involves, at or near a time corresponding to the expected demand level, providing one or more UAVs to perform the transport tasks, including at least the first number of UAVs.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 12, 2020Publication date: September 3, 2020Inventors: Jesse Blake, James Schmalzried, Scott Velez, Andre Prager, Eric Teller, Matthew Nubbe
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Patent number: 10691142Abstract: An example method involves determining an expected demand level for a first type of a plurality of types of transport tasks for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), the first type of transport tasks associated with a first payload type. Each of the UAVs is physically reconfigurable between at least a first and a second configuration corresponding to the first payload type and a second payload type, respectively. The method also involves determining based on the expected demand level for the first type of transport tasks, (i) a first number of UAVs having the first configuration and (ii) a second number of UAVs having the second configuration. The method further involves, at or near a time corresponding to the expected demand level, providing one or more UAVs to perform the transport tasks, including at least the first number of UAVs.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2017Date of Patent: June 23, 2020Assignee: Wing Aviation LLCInventors: Jesse Blake, James Schmalzried, Scott Velez, Andre Prager, Eric Teller, Matthew Nubbe
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Publication number: 20190196512Abstract: An example method involves determining an expected demand level for a first type of a plurality of types of transport tasks for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), the first type of transport tasks associated with a first payload type. Each of the UAVs is physically reconfigurable between at least a first and a second configuration corresponding to the first payload type and a second payload type, respectively. The method also involves determining based on the expected demand level for the first type of transport tasks, (i) a first number of UAVs having the first configuration and (ii) a second number of UAVs having the second configuration. The method further involves, at or near a time corresponding to the expected demand level, providing one or more UAVs to perform the transport tasks, including at least the first number of UAVs.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2017Publication date: June 27, 2019Inventors: Jesse Blake, James Schmalzried, Scott Velez, Andre Prager, Eric Teller, Matthew Nubbe
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Publication number: 20190185158Abstract: Example implementations may relate to self-deployment of operational infrastructure by an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). Specifically, a control system may determine operational location(s) from which a group of UAVs is to provide aerial transport services in a geographic area. For at least a first of the operational location(s), the system may cause a first UAV from the group to perform an infrastructure deployment task that includes (i) a flight from a source location to the first operational location and (ii) installation of operational infrastructure at the first operational location by the first UAV. In turn, this may enable the first UAV to operate from the first operational location, as the first UAV can charge a battery of the first UAV using the operational infrastructure installed at the first operational location and/or can carry out item transport task(s) at location(s) that are in the vicinity of the first operational location.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2017Publication date: June 20, 2019Inventors: Jesse Blake, James Schmalzried, Siegfried Zerweckh, Andre Prager, Scott Velez
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Publication number: 20190185157Abstract: Example implementations may relate to using an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) dedicated to deployment of operational infrastructure, with such deployment enabling charging of a battery of a UAV from a group of UAVs. More specifically, the group of UAVs may include at least (i) a first UAV of a first type configured to deploy operational infrastructure and (ii) a second UAV of a second type configured to carry out a task other than deployment of operational infrastructure. With this arrangement, a control system may determine an operational location at which to deploy operational infrastructure, and may cause the first UAV to deploy operational infrastructure at the operational location. Then, the control system may cause the second UAV to charge a battery of the second UAV using the operational infrastructure deployed by the first UAV at the operational location.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2017Publication date: June 20, 2019Inventors: Jesse Blake, James Schmalzried, Siegfried Zerweckh, Andre Prager, Scott Velez
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Publication number: 20190023133Abstract: An example embodiment includes a landing pad having a housing and a power terminal configured to draw electric power from a power source. The landing pad further includes an electrically conductive landing terminal dorsal to the housing and configured such that, during a landing state of an aerial vehicle, the landing terminal makes contact with a plurality of electric contacts disposed ventrally to a fuselage of the aerial vehicle. The landing terminal is configured to transfer electric power drawn by the power terminal to the aerial vehicle via the electric contacts during the landing state of the aerial vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 19, 2017Publication date: January 24, 2019Inventors: Nick Renold, Matthew Nubbe, Jim Schmalzried, Jesse Blake, Scott Velez, Dustin Sanders, Stephen Benson, Evan Twyford