Patents by Inventor Stephen Thomas Safarik

Stephen Thomas Safarik 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).

  • Patent number: 11238281
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a first image may be captured from a first field of view using a first exposure time. A second image may be captured from a second field of view using a second exposure time that is different than the first exposure time. An overlapping field of view may be defined by an overlapping portion of the first field of view and the second field of view. Histograms may be created for the first image and the second image, and possibly more images that include different exposure times and represent the overlapping field of view. The histograms may be analyzed to determine a presence or an absence of a light source in the overlapping field of view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Chengwu Cui, Stephen Thomas Safarik, Yves Albers Schoenberg
  • Patent number: 10871702
    Abstract: Described are systems and methods for surveying a destination as an unmanned aerial vehicle (“UAV”) descends toward the destination. To confirm that the destination is clear of objects and includes a safe landing or delivery location, such as a substantially planar surface, the UAV may capture and process images at different altitudes during the descent. Feature points of a first image captured at a first altitude may be paired with feature points of a second image captured at a second, different altitude. A homography may be computed to confirm that the paired feature points lie in the same plane and then the two images may be registered based on the paired feature points. The registered images may then be processed to determine depth information and determine if descent of the UAV is to continue or be aborted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Raymond Harris, Stephen Thomas Safarik, Paul Viola
  • Publication number: 20180364546
    Abstract: Described are systems and methods for surveying a destination as an unmanned aerial vehicle (“UAV”) descends toward the destination. To confirm that the destination is clear of objects and includes a safe landing or delivery location, such as a substantially planar surface, the UAV may capture and process images at different altitudes during the descent. Feature points of a first image captured at a first altitude may be paired with feature points of a second image captured at a second, different altitude. A homography may be computed to confirm that the paired feature points lie in the same plane and then the two images may be registered based on the paired feature points. The registered images may then be processed to determine depth information and determine if descent of the UAV is to continue or be aborted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2018
    Publication date: December 20, 2018
    Inventors: Scott Raymond Harris, Stephen Thomas Safarik, Paul Viola
  • Patent number: 10088736
    Abstract: Described are systems and methods for surveying a destination as an unmanned aerial vehicle (“UAV”) descends toward the destination. To confirm that the destination is clear of objects and includes a safe landing or delivery location, such as a substantially planar surface, the UAV may capture and process images at different altitudes during the descent. Feature points of a first image captured at a first altitude may be paired with feature points of a second image captured at a second, different altitude. A homography may be computed to confirm that the paired feature points lie in the same plane and then the two images may be registered based on the paired feature points. The registered images may then be processed to determine depth information and determine if descent of the UAV is to continue or be aborted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Raymond Harris, Stephen Thomas Safarik, Paul Viola
  • Publication number: 20170257547
    Abstract: An incident light meter on an autonomous vehicle receives ambient light and outputs an incident light measurement in response the ambient light. One or more image sensors of the autonomous vehicle image the environment of the autonomous vehicle. An exposure setting is generated at least in part on the incident light measurement. The one or more image sensors capture a digital image at the exposure setting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2016
    Publication date: September 7, 2017
    Inventor: Stephen Thomas Safarik
  • Patent number: 9753460
    Abstract: An incident light meter on an autonomous vehicle receives ambient light and outputs an incident light measurement in response the ambient light. One or more image sensors of the autonomous vehicle image the environment of the autonomous vehicle. An exposure setting is generated at least in part on the incident light measurement. The one or more image sensors capture a digital image at the exposure setting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen Thomas Safarik
  • Publication number: 20170090271
    Abstract: Described are systems and methods for surveying a destination as an unmanned aerial vehicle (“UAV”) descends toward the destination. To confirm that the destination is clear of objects and includes a safe landing or delivery location, such as a substantially planar surface, the UAV may capture and process images at different altitudes during the descent. Feature points of a first image captured at a first altitude may be paired with feature points of a second image captured at a second, different altitude. A homography may be computed to confirm that the paired feature points lie in the same plane and then the two images may be registered based on the paired feature points. The registered images may then be processed to determine depth information and determine if descent of the UAV is to continue or be aborted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2015
    Publication date: March 30, 2017
    Inventors: Scott Raymond Harris, Stephen Thomas Safarik, Paul Viola
  • Patent number: 9454154
    Abstract: An incident light meter on an autonomous vehicle receives ambient light and outputs an incident light measurement in response the ambient light. One or more image sensors of the autonomous vehicle image the environment of the autonomous vehicle. An exposure setting is generated at least in part on the incident light measurement. The one or more image sensors capture a digital image at the exposure setting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen Thomas Safarik