Patents by Inventor Stephen L. Schultz

Stephen L. Schultz 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: 20200191969
    Abstract: Automated methods and systems are disclosed, including a method comprising: obtaining a first three-dimensional-data point cloud of a horizontal surface of an object of interest, the first three-dimensional-data point cloud having a first resolution and having a three-dimensional location associated with each point in the first three-dimensional-data point cloud; capturing one or more aerial image, at one or more oblique angle, depicting at least a vertical surface of the object of interest; analyzing the one or more aerial image with a computer system to determine three-dimensional locations of additional points on the object of interest; and updating the first three-dimensional-data point cloud with the three-dimensional locations of the additional points on the object of interest to create a second three-dimensional-data point cloud having a second resolution greater than the first resolution of the first three-dimensional-data point cloud.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2020
    Publication date: June 18, 2020
    Inventors: Stephen L. Schultz, David R. Nilosek, David S. Petterson, Timothy S. Harrington
  • Publication number: 20200159896
    Abstract: A wearable device having one or more processors configured to receive one or more signals representative of biometric parameter(s) and sensed presence of a user. The one or more processors configured to compare the biometric parameter to a stored user parameter for authentication of the user. Upon authentication, the one or more processors switch from a locked mode to an unlocked mode to enable communication.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2019
    Publication date: May 21, 2020
    Inventors: Steve Shapiro, Melanie Shapiro, Richard Lourette, Michael W. Allen, Stephen L. Schultz
  • Publication number: 20200143164
    Abstract: Computerized systems and methods are disclosed, including a computer system that executes software that may receive a geographic location having one or more coordinates of a structure, receive a validation of the structure location, and generate unmanned aircraft information based on the one or more coordinates of the validated location. The unmanned aircraft information may include an offset from the walls of the structure to direct an unmanned aircraft to fly an autonomous flight path offset from the walls, and camera control information to direct a camera of the unmanned aircraft to capture images of the walls at a predetermined time interval while the unmanned aircraft is flying the flight path. The computer system may receive images of the walls captured by the camera while the unmanned aircraft is flying the autonomous flight path and generate a structure report based at least in part on the images.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2019
    Publication date: May 7, 2020
    Inventors: Stephen L. Schultz, John Monaco
  • Patent number: 10607357
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed including a computerized system, comprising: a computer system running image display and analysis software that when executed by the computer system causes the computer system to: display an oblique image; reference positional data for the oblique image; create a ground plane for the oblique image, the ground plane comprising a plurality of facets, the facets conforming to a topography of an area captured within the oblique image; receive a selection of at least two pixels within the oblique image; and calculate a desired measurement using the selection of the at least two pixels and the ground plane, the desired measurement taking into account changes within the topography of the area captured within the oblique image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: Pictometry International Corp.
    Inventors: Stephen L. Schultz, Frank D. Giuffrida, Robert L. Gray, Charles Mondello
  • Publication number: 20200096618
    Abstract: A light deflection system for a LIDAR system on an aerial vehicle and method of use are herein disclosed. The light deflection system includes a light deflection element having a first end and a second end. The light deflection element is rotatable and balanced about an axis extending from the first end to the second end. The light deflection element has a first side with a first reflective surface at a first angle in relation to the axis and deflects light in a nadir direction relative to the aerial vehicle. The light deflection element also has a second side having a second reflective surface at a second angle in relation to the axis. The first angle is different from the second angle and configured to deflective light at an oblique angle relative to the aerial vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2019
    Publication date: March 26, 2020
    Inventor: Stephen L. Schultz
  • Publication number: 20200084414
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed including a moving platform system suitable for mounting and use on a moving platform for communicating in real-time, comprising: a position system monitoring location of the moving platform and generating a sequence of time-based position data; a non-line of sight communication system; a high-speed line of sight communication system; and a computer system monitoring an availability of the non-line of sight communication system and the high-speed line of sight communication system and initiating connections when the non-line of sight communication system and the high-speed line of sight communication system are available, and receiving the sequence of time-based position data and transmitting the sequence of time-based position data via the at least one of the currently available non-line of sight communication system and the high-speed line of sight communication system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2019
    Publication date: March 12, 2020
    Inventors: Frank D. Giuffrida, Mark A. Winkelbauer, Charles Mondello, Robert S. Bradacs, Craig D. Woodward, Stephen L. Schultz, Scott D. Lawrence, Matt Kusak, Kevin G. Willard
  • Patent number: 10580169
    Abstract: Image processing systems and methods are disclosed, including an image processing system comprising a computer running image processing software causing the computer to divide an oblique aerial image into a plurality of sections having different color distributions, choose a first reference aerial image, having a consistent color distribution, for the first section, color-balance at least one pixel in the first section of the oblique aerial image, such that the first color distribution of the first section matches the consistent color distribution of the first reference aerial image, by performing color-balancing transformations for color bands for each of the at least one pixel in the first section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: Pictometry International Corp.
    Inventors: Stephen L. Schultz, Frank D. Giuffrida, Robert Gray
  • Patent number: 10571575
    Abstract: Automated methods and systems are disclosed, including a method comprising: capturing images and three-dimensional LIDAR data of a geographic area with an image capturing device and a LIDAR system, the images depicting an object of interest and the three-dimensional LIDAR data including the object of interest, the image capturing device capturing the images of a vertical surface of the object of interest at one or more oblique angle, and the LIDAR system capturing the three-dimensional LIDAR data of a horizontal surface of the object of interest at a nadir angle; analyzing the images with a computer system to determine three dimensional locations of points on the object of interest; and updating the three-dimensional LIDAR data with the three dimensional locations of points on the object of interest determined by analyzing the images to create a 3D point cloud having a resolution greater than a resolution of the three-dimensional LIDAR data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: Pictometry International Corp.
    Inventors: Stephen L. Schultz, David R. Nilosek, David S. Petterson, Timothy S. Harrington
  • Publication number: 20200033479
    Abstract: Automated methods and systems are disclosed, including a method comprising: capturing images and three-dimensional LIDAR data of a geographic area with an image capturing device and a LIDAR system, the images depicting an object of interest and the three-dimensional LIDAR data including the object of interest, the image capturing device capturing the images of a vertical surface of the object of interest at one or more oblique angle, and the LIDAR system capturing the three-dimensional LIDAR data of a horizontal surface of the object of interest at a nadir angle; analyzing the images with a computer system to determine three dimensional locations of points on the object of interest; and updating the three-dimensional LIDAR data with the three dimensional locations of points on the object of interest determined by analyzing the images to create a 3D point cloud having a resolution greater than a resolution of the three-dimensional LIDAR data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2019
    Publication date: January 30, 2020
    Inventors: Stephen L. Schultz, David R. Nilosek, David S. Petterson, Timothy S. Harrington
  • Patent number: 10502813
    Abstract: LiDAR scanning methods are disclosed, including a method comprising forming a first scan path with a light detection and ranging (LiDAR) scanning system on an aircraft flying above the ground, the first scan path at a first angle in relation to the aircraft toward the ground; forming a second scan path with the LiDAR scanning system, the second scan path at a second angle in relation to the aircraft, the second angle toward the ground and different relative to the first angle; and creating a digital elevation map of the ground, and vertical and horizontal surfaces above the ground, using the first and second scan paths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: Pictometry International Corp.
    Inventor: Stephen L. Schultz
  • Publication number: 20190325217
    Abstract: A computerized system is disclosed. The computer system executes software that receives a geographic location having one or more coordinates of a roof, receives a validation of the location of the roof, and generates unmanned aircraft information based on the one or more coordinates of the validated location. The unmanned aircraft information includes an offset from the roof to direct an unmanned aircraft to fly an autonomous flight path above the roof, and camera control information to direct a camera of the unmanned aircraft to capture images of the roof at a predetermined time interval while the unmanned aircraft is flying the flight path. The computer system receives images of the roof captured by the camera while the unmanned aircraft is flying the autonomous flight path and generates a structure report for the roof based at least in part on the images.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2019
    Publication date: October 24, 2019
    Inventors: Stephen L. Schultz, John Monaco
  • Patent number: 10455197
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes a method for transmitting sensor data and positional data for geo-referencing oblique images from a moving platform to a ground station system in real-time. The method involves the aid of a moving platform system to capture sensor data and positional data for the sensor data, save the sensor data and positional data to one or more directories of one or more computer readable medium, monitor the one or more directories of the one or more computer readable medium for sensor data and positional data, and transmit the sensor data and positional data from the moving platform system to the ground station system over a wireless communication link responsive to the sensor data and positional data being detected as within the one or more directories.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: Pictometry International Corp.
    Inventors: Frank D. Giuffrida, Mark A. Winkelbauer, Charles Mondello, Robert S. Bradacs, Craig D. Woodward, Stephen L. Schultz, Scott D. Lawrence, Matt Kusak, Kevin G. Willard
  • Publication number: 20190304062
    Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed including a method comprising, with one or more computer processors, associating geographic position data and orientation data of the one or more video capture devices with each video frame of a geographic area; analyzing the geographic position data and orientation data and the video frames to generate geo-referencing data for pixels of the video frames; determining a geographical boundary of the video frame from the geo-referencing data; receiving, one or more layers of geographic information system (GIS) data using the determined geographical boundary of the video frame; and determining overlay position of the geographic information system (GIS) data on the video frames in real time based at least in part on the geo-referencing data; and overlaying at least a portion of the geographic information system (GIS) data on the video frames based on the overlay position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2019
    Publication date: October 3, 2019
    Inventor: Stephen L. Schultz
  • Patent number: 10366220
    Abstract: A wearable device having one or more processors configured to receive one or more signals representative of biometric parameter(s) and sensed presence of a user. The one or more processors configured to compare the biometric parameter to a stored user parameter for authentication of the user. Upon authentication, the one or more processors switch from a locked mode to an unlocked mode to enable communication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: Tokenize, Inc.
    Inventors: Steve Shapiro, Melanie Shapiro, Richard Lourette, Michael W. Allen, Stephen L. Schultz
  • Patent number: 10338222
    Abstract: Automated methods and systems are disclosed, including a method comprising: capturing images and three-dimensional LIDAR data of a geographic area with an image capturing device and a LIDAR system, as well as location and orientation data for each of the images corresponding to the location and orientation of the image capturing device capturing the images, the images depicting an object of interest and the three-dimensional LIDAR data including the object of interest; storing the three-dimensional LIDAR data on a non-transitory computer readable medium; analyzing the images with a computer system to determine three dimensional locations of points on the object of interest; and updating the three-dimensional LIDAR data with the three dimensional locations of points on the object of interest determined by analyzing the images to create a 3D point cloud.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Pictometry International Corp.
    Inventors: Stephen L. Schultz, David R. Nilosek, David S. Petterson, Timothy S. Harrington
  • Patent number: 10318809
    Abstract: A computerized system, comprising: a computer system having an input unit, a display unit, one or more processors and one or more non-transitory computer readable medium, the one or more processors executing image display and analysis software to cause the one or more processors to: receive an identification of a structure from the input device, the structure having multiple sides, an outline, and a height; obtain characteristics of a camera mounted onto an unmanned aircraft; generate unmanned aircraft information including: flight path information configured to direct the unmanned aircraft to fly a flight path around the structure that is laterally and vertically offset from the structure, the lateral and vertical offset being dependent upon the height of the structure, an orientation of the camera relative to the unmanned aircraft, and the characteristics of the camera; and, store the unmanned aircraft information on the one or more non-transitory computer readable medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: Pictometry International Corp.
    Inventors: Stephen L. Schultz, John Monaco
  • Patent number: 10311238
    Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed including dividing a sensitive geographic region into three or more work regions; selecting geo-referenced aerial images for each particular work region such that at least a portion of the particular work region is depicted; transmitting, without information indicative of the geographic location depicted, a first of the images for a first of the work regions to an operator user device; receiving, from the device, at least one image coordinate selected within the first image by the operator, wherein the image coordinate is a relative coordinate based on a unique pixel location within the image raster content of the first image; and transmitting, without information indicative of the geographic location depicted, a second of the images for a second of the work regions to the operator user device, wherein the first and second work regions are not geographically contiguous.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: Pictometry International Corp.
    Inventors: Stephen L. Schultz, Frank Giuffrida
  • Publication number: 20190102915
    Abstract: Image processing systems and methods are disclosed, including an image processing system comprising a computer running image processing software causing the computer to divide an oblique aerial image into a plurality of sections having different color distributions, choose a first reference aerial image, having a consistent color distribution, for the first section, color-balance at least one pixel in the first section of the oblique aerial image, such that the first color distribution of the first section matches the consistent color distribution of the first reference aerial image, by performing color-balancing transformations for color bands for each of the at least one pixel in the first section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2018
    Publication date: April 4, 2019
    Inventors: Stephen L. Schultz, Frank D. Giuffrida, Robert Gray
  • Patent number: 10204269
    Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods are disclosed including an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), comprising: a collision detection and avoidance system comprising at least one active distance detector; and one or more processors configured to: receive a flight path with instructions for the UAV to travel from its current location to at least one other location; determine direction priorities for the collision detection and avoidance system based at least in part on the flight path; determine an obstacle for avoidance by the UAV based on the flight path going through the obstacle; receive distance data generated by the collision detection and avoidance system concerning the obstacle; process the distance data based at least in part on the determined direction priorities; and execute a target path for traveling around the obstacle and to the at least one other location based at least in part on the flight path and the distance data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: Pictometry International Corp.
    Inventors: Stephen L. Schultz, John Monaco
  • Patent number: 10181080
    Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed including a computer storage medium, comprising instructions that when executed by one or more processors included in an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), cause the UAV to perform operations, comprising: receiving, by the UAV, a flight plan configured to direct the UAV to fly a flight path having a plurality of waypoints adjacent to and above a structure and to capture sensor data of the structure from a camera on the UAV while the UAV is flying the flight path; adjusting an angle of an optical axis of the camera mounted to a gimbal to a predetermined angle within a range of 25 degrees to 75 degrees relative to a downward direction, and capturing sensor data of at least a portion of a roof of the structure with the optical axis of the camera aligned with at least one predetermined location on the structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: Pictometry International Corp.
    Inventors: Stephen L. Schultz, John Monaco