Patents by Inventor W. Scott Dow

W. Scott Dow 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: 20230121363
    Abstract: A method and system for developing a flight plan for taking images from an area of interest is disclosed. A series of trajectories is determined. Each trajectory is determined based on a logarithmic spiral curve derived from a range of predetermined basis angles and selecting a constant tangent angle between a radial line from the location of an image sensor to a target location, and a tangent line to the logarithmic spiral curve at the location of the image sensor. A set of trajectories from the series of trajectories is selected. The selected trajectories are scaled to cover the area of interest. The selected trajectories are transformed to coordinates corresponding to the area of interest. The set of scaled and transformed trajectories are stored as the flight plan for taking images of the area of interest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2022
    Publication date: April 20, 2023
    Inventors: James W. Dow, W. Scott Dow
  • Patent number: 11587446
    Abstract: A method and system for developing a flight plan for taking images from an area of interest is disclosed. A series of trajectories is determined. Each trajectory is determined based on a logarithmic spiral curve derived from a range of predetermined basis angles and selecting a constant tangent angle between a radial line from the location of an image sensor to a target location, and a tangent line to the logarithmic spiral curve at the location of the image sensor. A set of trajectories from the series of trajectories is selected. The selected trajectories are scaled to cover the area of interest. The selected trajectories are transformed to coordinates corresponding to the area of interest. The set of scaled and transformed trajectories are stored as the flight plan for taking images of the area of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Inventors: James W. Dow, W. Scott Dow
  • Publication number: 20200372812
    Abstract: A method and system for developing a flight plan for taking images from an area of interest is disclosed. A series of trajectories is determined. Each trajectory is determined based on a logarithmic spiral curve derived from a range of predetermined basis angles and selecting a constant tangent angle between a radial line from the location of an image sensor to a target location, and a tangent line to the logarithmic spiral curve at the location of the image sensor. A set of trajectories from the series of trajectories is selected. The selected trajectories are scaled to cover the area of interest. The selected trajectories are transformed to coordinates corresponding to the area of interest. The set of scaled and transformed trajectories are stored as the flight plan for taking images of the area of interest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2020
    Publication date: November 26, 2020
    Inventors: James W. Dow, W. Scott Dow
  • Patent number: 10741086
    Abstract: A method and system for developing a flight plan for taking images from an area of interest is disclosed. A series of trajectories is determined. Each trajectory is determined based on a logarithmic spiral curve derived from a range of predetermined basis angles and selecting a constant tangent angle between a radial line from the location of an image sensor to a target location, and a tangent line to the logarithmic spiral curve at the location of the image sensor. A set of trajectories from the series of trajectories is selected. The selected trajectories are scaled to cover the area of interest. The selected trajectories are transformed to coordinates corresponding to the area of interest. The set of scaled and transformed trajectories are stored as the flight plan for taking images of the area of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Inventors: James W. Dow, W. Scott Dow
  • Publication number: 20190295423
    Abstract: A method and system for developing a flight plan for taking images from an area of interest is disclosed. A series of trajectories is determined. Each trajectory is determined based on a logarithmic spiral curve derived from a range of predetermined basis angles and selecting a constant tangent angle between a radial line from the location of an image sensor to a target location, and a tangent line to the logarithmic spiral curve at the location of the image sensor. A set of trajectories from the series of trajectories is selected. The selected trajectories are scaled to cover the area of interest. The selected trajectories are transformed to coordinates corresponding to the area of interest. The set of scaled and transformed trajectories are stored as the flight plan for taking images of the area of interest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2018
    Publication date: September 26, 2019
    Inventors: James W. Dow, W. Scott Dow
  • Patent number: 9947109
    Abstract: A method and system for processing digital image data taken from a three-dimensional topographic area including terrain and a right of way including a first and a second object to establish a clearance surface to define clearance violations within a boundary area. Waypoints are located to define a centerline and the boundary area to be analyzed. Vegetation coordinate points in the scene are determined from the digital image data. Ground coordinate points are determined from the digital image data. A clearance surface segment is constructed within the boundary area between the first and second object. The clearance surface is determined from the location of the first and second object and clearance criteria. The clearance surface is used to define a violation region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: Aerotec, LLC
    Inventors: James W. Dow, Michael D. Rhodes, William A. Openshaw, W. Scott Dow, Alan R. Page
  • Publication number: 20170132802
    Abstract: A method and system for processing digital image data taken from a three-dimensional topographic area including terrain and a right of way including a first and a second object to establish a clearance surface to define clearance violations within a boundary area. Waypoints are located to define a centerline and the boundary area to be analyzed. Vegetation coordinate points in the scene are determined from the digital image data. Ground coordinate points are determined from the digital image data. A clearance surface segment is constructed within the boundary area between the first and second object. The clearance surface is determined from the location of the first and second object and clearance criteria. The clearance surface is used to define a violation region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2016
    Publication date: May 11, 2017
    Inventors: James W. Dow, Michael D. Rhodes, William A. Openshaw, W. Scott Dow, Alan R. Page
  • Patent number: 9536313
    Abstract: A method and system for processing digital image data taken from a three-dimensional topographic area including terrain and a right of way including a first and a second object to establish a clearance surface to define clearance violations within a boundary area. Waypoints are located to define a centerline and the boundary area to be analyzed. Vegetation coordinate points in the scene are determined from the digital image data. Ground coordinate points are determined from the digital image data. A clearance surface segment is constructed within the boundary area between the first and second object. The clearance surface is determined from the location of the first and second object and clearance criteria. The clearance surface is used to define a violation region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Inventors: James W. Dow, Michael D. Rhodes, William A. Openshaw, W. Scott Dow, Alan R. Page
  • Publication number: 20160012601
    Abstract: A method and system for processing digital image data taken from a three-dimensional topographic area including terrain and a right of way including a first and a second object to establish a clearance surface to define clearance violations within a boundary area. Waypoints are located to define a centerline and the boundary area to be analyzed. Vegetation coordinate points in the scene are determined from the digital image data. Ground coordinate points are determined from the digital image data. A clearance surface segment is constructed within the boundary area between the first and second object. The clearance surface is determined from the location of the first and second object and clearance criteria. The clearance surface is used to define a violation region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2015
    Publication date: January 14, 2016
    Inventors: James W. Dow, Michael D. Rhodes, William A. Openshaw, W. Scott Dow, Alan R. Page
  • Patent number: 9140548
    Abstract: A method and system for processing digital image data taken from a three-dimensional topographic area including terrain and a right of way including a first and a second object to establish a clearance surface to define clearance violations within a boundary area. Waypoints are located to define a centerline and the boundary area to be analyzed. Vegetation coordinate points in the scene are determined from the digital image data. Ground coordinate points are determined from the digital image data. A clearance surface segment is constructed within the boundary area between the first and second object. The clearance surface is determined from the location of the first and second object and clearance criteria. The clearance surface is used to define a violation region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: Aerotec, LLC
    Inventors: James W. Dow, Michael D. Rhodes, William A. Openshaw, W. Scott Dow, Alan R. Page
  • Publication number: 20140211005
    Abstract: A method and system for processing digital image data taken from a three-dimensional topographic area including terrain and a right of way including a first and a second object to establish a clearance surface to define clearance violations within a boundary area. Waypoints are located to define a centerline and the boundary area to be analyzed. Vegetation coordinate points in the scene are determined from the digital image data. Ground coordinate points are determined from the digital image data. A clearance surface segment is constructed within the boundary area between the first and second object. The clearance surface is determined from the location of the first and second object and clearance criteria. The clearance surface is used to define a violation region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2014
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: Aerotec, LLC
    Inventors: James W. Dow, Michael D. Rhodes, William A. Openshaw, W. Scott Dow, Alan R. Page
  • Patent number: 8724900
    Abstract: A method and system for processing digital image data taken from a three-dimensional topographic area including terrain and a right of way including a first and a second object to establish a clearance surface to define clearance violations within a boundary area. Waypoints are located to define a centerline and the boundary area to be analyzed. Vegetation coordinate points in the scene are determined from the digital image data. Ground coordinate points are determined from the digital image data. A clearance surface segment is constructed within the boundary area between the first and second object. The clearance surface is determined from the location of the first and second object and clearance criteria. The clearance surface is used to define a violation region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Aerotec, LLC
    Inventors: James W. Dow, Michael D. Rhodes, William A. Openshaw, W. Scott Dow, Alan R. Page
  • Patent number: 8374431
    Abstract: A method and system for processing digital image data taken from a three-dimensional topographic area including terrain and a right of way including a first and a second object to establish a clearance surface to define clearance violations within a boundary area. Waypoints are located to define a centerline and the boundary area to be analyzed. Vegetation coordinate points in the scene are determined from the digital image data. Ground coordinate points are determined from the digital image data. A clearance surface segment is constructed within the boundary area between the first and second object. The clearance surface is determined from the location of the first and second object and clearance criteria. The clearance surface is used to define a violation region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Aerotec, LLC
    Inventors: James W. Dow, Michael D. Rhodes, William A. Openshaw, W. Scott Dow, Alan R. Page
  • Publication number: 20120027298
    Abstract: A method and system for processing digital image data taken from a three-dimensional topographic area including terrain and a right of way including a first and a second object to establish a clearance surface to define clearance violations within a boundary area. Waypoints are located to define a centerline and the boundary area to be analyzed. Vegetation coordinate points in the scene are determined from the digital image data. Ground coordinate points are determined from the digital image data. A clearance surface segment is constructed within the boundary area between the first and second object. The clearance surface is determined from the location of the first and second object and clearance criteria. The clearance surface is used to define a violation region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2010
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Applicant: Aerotec, LLC
    Inventors: James W. Dow, Michael D. Rhodes, William A. Openshaw, W. Scott Dow, Alan R. Page