Patents by Inventor Westin Sykes

Westin Sykes 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: 12263596
    Abstract: Systems and methods for performing a task in an operation environment of an aerial device with an autonomous or semi-autonomous robot are described. In some embodiments, a robot is disposed at an end of a boom of an aerial device. The robot may comprise cameras, actuators, sensors, processors, and manipulators that work together to perform tasks fully autonomously or semi-autonomously. Furthermore, the robot may comprise tools for performing the tasks and computer-executable instructions for performing the tasks may be based on the various sensory inputs, the tools, and the tasks to be performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2025
    Assignee: Altec Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Westin Sykes, Timothy J. Mourlam, David Lindquist, William Naber, Robert Nichols
  • Patent number: 12240106
    Abstract: A system, method, and device for a remotely controlled robot unit affixed to a boom assembly. The robot unit comprises at least one arm for performing an action, a remotely controlled movable six-degree-of freedom camera mount, at least one camera disposed on the camera mount to capture visual information, and at least one depth camera disposed on the camera mount to capture three-dimensional depth information. Captured sensory information may be transmitted to an operator using a head mount and motion controls for controlling movement of the robot unit. Operator movement captured by the head mount and motion controls may be compared to a digital representation generated from the three-dimensional depth information to aid in positioning and moving the robot unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2025
    Assignee: Altec Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Westin Sykes, Timothy J. Mourlam, David Lindquist, William Naber, Robert Nichols
  • Publication number: 20250065526
    Abstract: Systems and methods for cutting aerial objects by a remotely operated cutting system disposed on a boom tip of an aerial device are disclosed. In some embodiments, a remotely operated cutting system may be operable to translate and rotate in three dimensions to obtain an optimal cutting position. The cutting device may be configured to cut tree limbs, power lines, metal bars, or the like. A sensor may detect electrical energy in proximity to a cutting location associated with the cutting device. The cutting device may be controlled by an operator at a remote location communicatively connected to control the cutting device and view the cutting device by a camera mounted on the boom tip or the cutting system. The cutting device may further be automatically operated based on stored computer-executable instructions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2023
    Publication date: February 27, 2025
    Inventors: Robert Nichols, Jonathan Westin Sykes, Timothy J. Mourlam, Douglas E. Frazier, Stephen J. Driscoll, Timothy L. McHugh
  • Publication number: 20240275925
    Abstract: Media, systems, and methods for reducing latency in a head-mounted display for the remote operation of machinery. A remote camera sends raw video to a graphics processing unit which processes the video and transmits the updated video to a head-mounted display with limited latency such that the control of remote devices may be improved. The image may be spherically rendered and projected onto the head-mounted display with a rectangular view. The graphics processing unit may determine a rotation matrix based on a pose of the remote camera and a pose of the head-mounted display, and the image may be projected based on the rotation matrix.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2024
    Publication date: August 15, 2024
    Inventors: Jonathan Westin Sykes, Timothy J. Mourlam
  • Publication number: 20240208066
    Abstract: A system and method for providing real-time, sensory information associated with a remote location using a remote capture device and a head-mounted display. In some embodiments, the system comprises a fiber-optic cable to transmit a signal comprising sensory information collected by the remote capture device to the head-mounted display. Further, the remote capture device may be secured onto a boom of an aerial device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2024
    Publication date: June 27, 2024
    Inventors: Westin Sykes, Timothy J. Mourlam, Aaron Beck, William Naber
  • Patent number: 11997429
    Abstract: Media, systems, and methods for reducing latency in a head-mounted display for the remote operation of machinery. A remote camera sends raw video to a graphics processing unit which processes the video and transmits the updated video to a head-mounted display with limited latency such that the control of remote devices may be improved. The image may be spherically rendered and projected onto the head-mounted display with a rectangular view. The graphics processing unit may determine a rotation matrix based on a pose of the remote camera and a pose of the head-mounted display, and the image may be projected based on the rotation matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: Altec Industries, nc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Westin Sykes, Timothy J. Mourlam
  • Patent number: 11945123
    Abstract: A system and method for providing real-time, sensory information associated with a remote location using a remote capture device and a head-mounted display. In some embodiments, the system comprises a fiber-optic cable to transmit a signal comprising sensory information collected by the remote capture device to the head-mounted display. Further, the remote capture device may be secured onto a boom of an aerial device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: Altec Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Westin Sykes, Timothy J. Mourlam, Aaron Beck, William Naber
  • Publication number: 20240033925
    Abstract: Systems and methods for cooperative aerial robotics for working in an aerial work environment. In some embodiments, a robot system may comprise a robot unit comprising high-dexterity manipulators for performing high-dexterity work. The robot system may further comprise a high-capacity manipulator for performing high-capacity work. The robot system may comprise a plurality of sensors for detecting the work environment and providing a representative work environment to an operator and/or a controller for operation of the robot system to complete the aerial work. The robot system may be remotely operated by an operator, automatically, and/or autonomously. The robot system may be disposed at the top of a boom of an aerial device for performing work in high-voltage areas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2023
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Inventors: Timothy J. Mourlam, David Lindquist, William Naber, Jonathan Westin Sykes
  • Publication number: 20240033928
    Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling motion of remotely operated equipment such that a motion path is automatically determined for a plurality of joints of the remotely operated equipment based on an updated target position input received from an operator, a current position of the remotely operated equipment, and predetermined parameters indicative of the geometry of the plurality of joints. An optimized motion path may be provided that avoids detected obstacles and joint singularities of the remotely operated equipment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2023
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Inventors: Timothy J. Mourlam, Jonathan Westin Sykes, Riley Gossling
  • Publication number: 20240040087
    Abstract: Media, systems, and methods for reducing latency in a head-mounted display for the remote operation of machinery. A remote camera sends raw video to a graphics processing unit which processes the video and transmits the updated video to a head-mounted display with limited latency such that the control of remote devices may be improved. The image may be spherically rendered and projected onto the head-mounted display with a rectangular view. The graphics processing unit may determine a rotation matrix based on a pose of the remote camera and a pose of the head-mounted display, and the image may be projected based on the rotation matrix.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2023
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Inventors: Jonathan Westin Sykes, Timothy J. Mourlam
  • Publication number: 20240033916
    Abstract: Systems and methods for performing a task in an operation environment of an aerial device with an autonomous or semi-autonomous robot are described. In some embodiments, a robot is disposed at an end of a boom of an aerial device. The robot may comprise cameras, actuators, sensors, processors, and manipulators that work together to perform tasks fully autonomously or semi-autonomously. Furthermore, the robot may comprise tools for performing the tasks and computer-executable instructions for performing the tasks may be based on the various sensory inputs, the tools, and the tasks to be performed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2023
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Inventors: Jonathan Westin Sykes, Timothy J. Mourlam, David Lindquist, William Naber, Robert Nichols
  • Publication number: 20240038413
    Abstract: Systems and methods for establishing and maintaining an electrical bonding connection between remotely operated equipment and an energized power line using one or more robotic arms disposed on the remotely operated equipment. Sensory information is communicated to an operator at a remote location across a dielectric gap to maintain electrical isolation of the remotely operated equipment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2023
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Inventors: William Naber, Timothy J. Mourlam, David Lindquist, Jonathan Westin Sykes
  • Publication number: 20240033950
    Abstract: A system, method, and device for a remotely controlled robot unit affixed to a boom assembly. The robot unit comprises at least one arm for performing an action, a remotely controlled movable six-degree-of freedom camera mount, at least one camera disposed on the camera mount to capture visual information, and at least one depth camera disposed on the camera mount to capture three-dimensional depth information. Captured sensory information may be transmitted to an operator using a head mount and motion controls for controlling movement of the robot unit. Operator movement captured by the head mount and motion controls may be compared to a digital representation generated from the three-dimensional depth information to aid in positioning and moving the robot unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2023
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Inventors: Jonathan Westin Sykes, Timothy J. Mourlam, David Lindquist, William Naber, Robert Nichols
  • Patent number: 11794359
    Abstract: A system, method, and device for a remotely controlled robot unit affixed to a boom assembly. The robot unit comprises at least one arm for performing an action, a remotely controlled movable six-degree-of freedom camera mount, at least one camera disposed on the camera mount to capture visual information, and at least one depth camera disposed on the camera mount to capture three-dimensional depth information. Captured sensory information may be transmitted to an operator using a head mount and motion controls for controlling movement of the robot unit. Operator movement captured by the head mount and motion controls may be compared to a digital representation generated from the three-dimensional depth information to aid in positioning and moving the robot unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: Altec Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Westin Sykes, Timothy J. Mourlam, David Lindquist, William Naber, Robert Nichols
  • Patent number: 11742108
    Abstract: Systems and methods for establishing and maintaining an electrical bonding connection between remotely operated equipment and an energized power line using one or more robotic arms disposed on the remotely operated equipment. Sensory information is communicated to an operator at a remote location across a dielectric gap to maintain electrical isolation of the remotely operated equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Altec Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: William Naber, Timothy J. Mourlam, David Lindquist, Jonathan Westin Sykes
  • Patent number: 11717969
    Abstract: Systems and methods for cooperative aerial robotics for working in an aerial work environment. In some embodiments, a robot system may comprise a robot unit comprising high-dexterity manipulators for performing high-dexterity work. The robot system may further comprise a high-capacity manipulator for performing high-capacity work. The robot system may comprise a plurality of sensors for detecting the work environment and providing a representative work environment to an operator and/or a controller for operation of the robot system to complete the aerial work. The robot system may be remotely operated by an operator, automatically, and/or autonomously. The robot system may be disposed at the top of a boom of an aerial device for performing work in high-voltage areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: Altec Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy J. Mourlam, David Lindquist, William Naber, Jonathan Westin Sykes
  • Patent number: 11697209
    Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling motion of remotely operated equipment such that a motion path is automatically determined for a plurality of joints of the remotely operated equipment based on an updated target position input received from an operator, a current position of the remotely operated equipment, and predetermined parameters indicative of the geometry of the plurality of joints. An optimized motion path may be provided that avoids detected obstacles and joint singularities of the remotely operated equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: Altec Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy J. Mourlam, Jonathan Westin Sykes, Riley Gossling
  • Patent number: 11660750
    Abstract: Systems and methods for performing a task in an operation environment of an aerial device with an autonomous or semi-autonomous robot are described. In some embodiments, a robot is disposed at an end of a boom of an aerial device. The robot may comprise cameras, actuators, sensors, processors, and manipulators that work together to perform tasks fully autonomously or semi-autonomously. Furthermore, the robot may comprise tools for performing the tasks and computer-executable instructions for performing the tasks may be based on the various sensory inputs, the tools, and the tasks to be performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: Altec Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Westin Sykes, Timothy J. Mourlam, David Lindquist, William Naber, Robert Nichols
  • Publication number: 20210331321
    Abstract: A system and method for providing real-time, sensory information associated with a remote location using a remote capture device and a head-mounted display. In some embodiments, the system comprises a fiber-optic cable to transmit a signal comprising sensory information collected by the remote capture device to the head-mounted display. Further, the remote capture device may be secured onto a boom of an aerial device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2020
    Publication date: October 28, 2021
    Inventors: Westin Sykes, Timothy J. Mourlam, Aaron Beck, William Naber