Patents by Inventor Tad Christiansen

Tad Christiansen 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: 11878797
    Abstract: An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) solar irradiation assessment system may automate several design parameters of solar panel design, cost and payoff estimations, and installation. The system determines the irradiance at various locations on a roof during various time periods. The system accounts for the effects of various existing, potential, or future obstacles proximate the structure. In some embodiments, a visual model of the roof may be shown with a heatmap of irradiance values and/or graphical placement of solar panels. In other embodiments, the data may be analyzed and reported without visual presentation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Inventors: Jim Loveland, Leif Larson, Dan Christiansen, Tad Christiansen
  • Patent number: 11783544
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are described herein to model divergent beam ray paths between locations on a roof (e.g., of a structure) and modeled locations of the sun at different times of the day and different days during a week, month, year, or another time period. Obstructed and unobstructed divergent beam ray paths are identified. Unobstructed divergent beam ray paths contribute to the calculation of a solar irradiance value for each location on the roof. Divergent beam ray paths, such as cones or pyramid ray paths, allow for sparse or lower-resolution spatial and/or temporal sampling without sacrificing obstacle detection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Inventors: Jim Loveland, Leif Larson, Dan Christiansen, Tad Christiansen, Daniel Gerszewski
  • Patent number: 11731762
    Abstract: An unmanned autonomous vehicle assessment and reporting system may implement a boustrophedonic flight pattern for capturing images of a structure to develop a three-dimensional model of the same. A crisscross boustrophedonic flight pattern may include two or more boustrophedonic flight patterns that are at angles relative to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Inventors: Jim Loveland, Leif Larson, Dan Christiansen, Tad Christiansen
  • Patent number: 11720104
    Abstract: An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) assessment and reporting system may conduct micro scans of a wide variety of property types. Scan data from any of a wide variety of sensor types may be compared with profile data using computer vision techniques to identify characteristics, defects, damage, construction materials, and the like. A hierarchal structure of the scan data may reduce the size of data sets used for property identification. For example, identifying a material type of a property may reduce or eliminate the need to compare scan data with specific data profiles for defects not related to the identified material type. Similarly, identifying a particular characteristic of a property may narrow down the data sets of possible material types. A rule set evaluator may evaluate matched profile data to determine adaptive actions to modify the navigation or scanning process of the UAV.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Inventors: Jim Loveland, Leif Larson, Dan Christiansen, Tad Christiansen, Cam Christiansen
  • Patent number: 11699261
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are described herein to model divergent beam ray paths between locations on a roof (e.g., of a structure) and modeled locations of the sun at different times of the day and different days during a week, month, year, or another time period. A graphical user interface allows for visualization of the modeled ray paths and graphical manipulation of the resolution and parameters of the modeling process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Inventors: Jim Loveland, Leif Larson, Dan Christiansen, Tad Christiansen, Daniel Gerszewski
  • Publication number: 20230117643
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are described herein to model divergent beam ray paths between locations on a roof (e.g., of a structure) and modeled locations of the sun at different times of the day and different days during a week, month, year, or another time period. A graphical user interface allows for visualization of the modeled ray paths and graphical manipulation of the resolution and parameters of the modeling process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2022
    Publication date: April 20, 2023
    Inventors: Jim Loveland, Leif Larson, Dan Christiansen, Tad Christiansen, Daniel Gerszewski
  • Patent number: 11532116
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are described herein to model divergent beam ray paths between locations on a roof (e.g., of a structure) and modeled locations of the sun at different times of the day and different days during a week, month, year, or another time period. A graphical user interface allows for visualization of the modeled ray paths and graphical manipulation of the resolution and parameters of the modeling process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: Loveland Innovations, Inc.
    Inventors: Jim Loveland, Leif Larson, Dan Christiansen, Tad Christiansen, Daniel Gerszewski
  • Publication number: 20220198084
    Abstract: A solar panel placement system models the location of one or more solar panels in one or more groupings, rows, or columns on a roof of a structure. The solar panel placement system may generate a graphical user interface to present one or more possible solar panel arrangements on the roof of the structure that attain a target parameter and conform to one or more user-provided or system-default solar panel parameters, solar array parameters, and/or aesthetic parameters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2021
    Publication date: June 23, 2022
    Inventors: Jim Loveland, Leif Larson, Dan Christiansen, Tad Christiansen, Daniel Gerszewski
  • Publication number: 20220139024
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are described herein to model divergent beam ray paths between locations on a roof (e.g., of a structure) and modeled locations of the sun at different times of the day and different days during a week, month, year, or another time period. A graphical user interface allows for visualization of the modeled ray paths and graphical manipulation of the resolution and parameters of the modeling process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2021
    Publication date: May 5, 2022
    Inventors: Jim Loveland, Leif Larson, Dan Christiansen, Tad Christiansen, Daniel Gerszewski
  • Publication number: 20220100995
    Abstract: An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) solar irradiation assessment system may automate several design parameters of solar panel design, cost and payoff estimations, and installation. The system determines the irradiance at various locations on a roof during various time periods. The system accounts for the effects of various existing, potential, or future obstacles proximate the structure. In some embodiments, a visual model of the roof may be shown with a heatmap of irradiance values and/or graphical placement of solar panels. In other embodiments, the data may be analyzed and reported without visual presentation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2021
    Publication date: March 31, 2022
    Inventors: Jim Loveland, Leif Larson, Dan Christiansen, Tad Christiansen
  • Publication number: 20220092305
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are described herein to model divergent beam ray paths between locations on a roof (e.g., of a structure) and modeled locations of the sun at different times of the day and different days during a week, month, year, or another time period. Obstructed and unobstructed divergent beam ray paths are identified. Unobstructed divergent beam ray paths contribute to the calculation of a solar irradiance value for each location on the roof. Divergent beam ray paths, such as cones or pyramid ray paths, allow for sparse or lower-resolution spatial and/or temporal sampling without sacrificing obstacle detection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2021
    Publication date: March 24, 2022
    Inventors: Jim Loveland, Leif Larson, Dan Christiansen, Tad Christiansen, Daniel Gerszewski
  • Patent number: 11210514
    Abstract: An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) solar irradiation assessment system may automate several design parameters of solar panel design, cost and payoff estimations, and installation. The system models a structure and surrounding obstacles in a three-dimensional space. The system maps ray paths between each of a plurality of locations on a roof of a structure and modeled locations of the sun at various time intervals during a selected time period to determine the solar irradiance at various locations. Obstacles modeled in three-dimensional space that block the ray-paths during some or all of the various time intervals result in decreased solar irradiance values for the affected locations on the roof. A visual model of the roof may be shown with a heatmap of irradiance values and/or a graphical placement of solar panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: Loveland Innovations, LLC
    Inventors: Jim Loveland, Leif Larson, Dan Christiansen, Tad Christiansen, Daniel Gerszewski
  • Patent number: 11205072
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are described herein to model divergent beam ray paths between locations on a roof (e.g., of a structure) and modeled locations of the sun at different times of the day and different days during a week, month, year, or another time period. Obstructed and unobstructed divergent beam ray paths are identified. Unobstructed divergent beam ray paths contribute to the calculation of a solar irradiance value for each location on the roof. Divergent beam ray paths, such as cones or pyramid ray paths, allow for sparse or lower-resolution spatial and/or temporal sampling without sacrificing obstacle detection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: Loveland Innovations, LLC
    Inventors: Jim Loveland, Leif Larson, Dan Christiansen, Tad Christiansen, Daniel Gerszewski
  • Publication number: 20210380239
    Abstract: An unmanned autonomous vehicle assessment and reporting system may implement a boustrophedonic flight pattern for capturing images of a structure to develop a three-dimensional model of the same. A crisscross boustrophedonic flight pattern may include two or more boustrophedonic flight patterns that are at angles relative to one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2021
    Publication date: December 9, 2021
    Inventors: Jim Loveland, Leif Larson, Dan Christiansen, Tad Christiansen
  • Patent number: 11188751
    Abstract: An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) solar irradiation assessment system may automate several design parameters of solar panel design, cost and payoff estimations, and installation. The system determines the irradiance at various locations on a roof during various time periods. The system accounts for the effects of various existing, potential, or future obstacles proximate the structure. In some embodiments, a visual model of the roof may be shown with a heatmap of irradiance values and/or graphical placement of solar panels. In other embodiments, the data may be analyzed and reported without visual presentation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: Loveland Innovations, LLC
    Inventors: Jim Loveland, Leif Larson, Dan Christiansen, Tad Christiansen
  • Patent number: 11097841
    Abstract: An unmanned autonomous vehicle assessment and reporting system may implement a boustrophedonic flight pattern for capturing images of a structure to develop a three-dimensional model of the same. A crisscross boustrophedonic flight pattern may include two or more boustrophedonic flight patterns that are at angles relative to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: Loveland Innovations, LLC
    Inventors: Jim Loveland, Leif Larson, Dan Christiansen, Tad Christiansen
  • Publication number: 20210117677
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are described herein to model divergent beam ray paths between locations on a roof (e.g., of a structure) and modeled locations of the sun at different times of the day and different days during a week, month, year, or another time period. Obstructed and unobstructed divergent beam ray paths are identified. Unobstructed divergent beam ray paths contribute to the calculation of a solar irradiance value for each location on the roof. Divergent beam ray paths, such as cones or pyramid ray paths, allow for sparse or lower-resolution spatial and/or temporal sampling without sacrificing obstacle detection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2020
    Publication date: April 22, 2021
    Inventors: Jim Loveland, Leif Larson, Dan Christiansen, Tad Christiansen, Daniel Gerszewski
  • Patent number: 10984182
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed herein relating to the annotation of microscan data/images and the generation of context-rich electronic reports. Microscan images are imported and displayed in a context-rich environment to provide contextual information for an operator to annotate microscan images. Markers are used to identify the relative location of a microscan image on a full-subject image. Reports are generated that include a full-subject image with one or more markers identifying the relative locations of annotated image data in one or more locations on the full-subject image. Hyperlinked data elements allow for quick navigation to detailed report information in location selection sections of the report for each marked location on the full-subject image in the report.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: Loveland Innovations, LLC
    Inventors: Jim Loveland, Leif Larson, Dan Christiansen, Tad Christiansen, Cam Christiansen
  • Publication number: 20210110156
    Abstract: An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) solar irradiation assessment system may automate several design parameters of solar panel design, cost and payoff estimations, and installation. The system determines the irradiance at various locations on a roof during various time periods. The system accounts for the effects of various existing, potential, or future obstacles proximate the structure. In some embodiments, a visual model of the roof may be shown with a heatmap of irradiance values and/or graphical placement of solar panels. In other embodiments, the data may be analyzed and reported without visual presentation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2020
    Publication date: April 15, 2021
    Inventors: Jim Loveland, Leif Larson, Dan Christiansen, Tad Christiansen
  • Publication number: 20210049918
    Abstract: An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) assessment and reporting system may conduct micro scans of a wide variety of property types. Scan data from any of a wide variety of sensor types may be compared with profile data using computer vision techniques to identify characteristics, defects, damage, construction materials, and the like. A hierarchal structure of the scan data may reduce the size of data sets used for property identification. For example, identifying a material type of a property may reduce or eliminate the need to compare scan data with specific data profiles for defects not related to the identified material type. Similarly, identifying a particular characteristic of a property may narrow down the data sets of possible material types. A rule set evaluator may evaluate matched profile data to determine adaptive actions to modify the navigation or scanning process of the UAV.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2020
    Publication date: February 18, 2021
    Inventors: Jim Loveland, Leif Larson, Dan Christiansen, Tad Christiansen, Cam Christiansen