Joshua M Watson

US Patent:

20210012518, Jan 14, 2021

Filed:

May 28, 2020

Appl. No.:

16/886328

Inventors:

- Seattle WA, US
Barry James O'Brien - Seattle WA, US
Joshua John Watson - Seattle WA, US

International Classification:

G06T 7/55
G06T 7/593
G06T 7/62
H04N 7/18

Abstract:

This disclosure describes a configuration of an aerial vehicle, such as an unmanned aerial vehicle (“UAV”), that includes a plurality of cameras that may be selectively combined to form a stereo pair for use in obtaining stereo images that provide depth information corresponding to objects represented in those images. Depending on the distance between an object and the aerial vehicle, different cameras may be selected for the stereo pair based on the baseline between those cameras and a distance between the object and the aerial vehicle. For example, cameras with a small baseline (close together) may be selected to generate stereo images and depth information for an object that is close to the aerial vehicle. In comparison, cameras with a large baseline may be selected to generate stereo images and depth information for an object that is farther away from the aerial vehicle.

US Patent:

20200413026, Dec 31, 2020

Filed:

Sep 9, 2020

Appl. No.:

17/015997

Inventors:

- Seattle WA, US
Barry James O'Brien - Seattle WA, US
Joshua John Watson - Seattle WA, US
Ricky Dean Welsh - Seattle WA, US

International Classification:

H04N 13/243
H04N 5/247
B64C 39/02
B64D 47/08
H04N 13/239
B64C 29/00
B64C 27/26
B64C 27/20

Abstract:

Described is an aerial vehicle, such as an unmanned aerial vehicle (“UAV”), that includes a plurality of sensors, such as stereo cameras, mounted along a perimeter frame of the aerial vehicle and arranged to generate a scene that surrounds the aerial vehicle. The sensors may be mounted in or on winglets of the perimeter frame. Each of the plurality of sensors has a field of view and the plurality of optical sensors are arranged and/or oriented such that their fields of view overlap with one another throughout a continuous space that surrounds the perimeter frame. The fields of view may also include a portion of the perimeter frame or space that is adjacent to the perimeter frame.

US Patent:

20200108946, Apr 9, 2020

Filed:

Jul 29, 2019

Appl. No.:

16/525271

Inventors:

- Seattle WA, US
Barry James O'Brien - Seattle WA, US
Joshua John Watson - Seattle WA, US

International Classification:

B64D 47/08
H04N 5/33
G08G 5/04
B64C 39/02
H04N 13/239
G06T 7/593
G06K 9/00
H04N 13/271
H04N 13/25
H04N 13/243

Abstract:

Described is an imaging component for use by an unmanned aerial vehicle (“UAV”) for object detection. As described, the imaging component includes one or more cameras that are configured to obtain images of a scene using visible light that are converted into a depth map (e.g., stereo image) and one or more other cameras that are configured to form images, or thermograms, of the scene using infrared radiation (“IR”). The depth information and thermal information are combined to form a representation of the scene based on both depth and thermal information.

US Patent:

20190104297, Apr 4, 2019

Filed:

Nov 15, 2018

Appl. No.:

16/191820

Inventors:

- Seattle WA, US
Barry James O'Brien - Seattle WA, US
Joshua John Watson - Seattle WA, US
Ricky Dean Welsh - Seattle WA, US

International Classification:

H04N 13/243
B64C 39/02
B64D 47/08
H04N 13/239
H04N 5/247

Abstract:

Described is an aerial vehicle, such as an unmanned aerial vehicle (“UAV”), that includes a plurality of sensors, such as stereo cameras, mounted along a perimeter frame of the aerial vehicle and arranged to generate a scene that surrounds the aerial vehicle. The sensors may be mounted in or on winglets of the perimeter frame. Each of the plurality of sensors has a field of view and the plurality of optical sensors are arranged and/or oriented such that their fields of view overlap with one another throughout a continuous space that surrounds the perimeter frame. The fields of view may also include a portion of the perimeter frame or space that is adjacent to the perimeter frame.

US Patent:

20180324403, Nov 8, 2018

Filed:

Jul 20, 2018

Appl. No.:

16/041441

Inventors:

- Seattle WA, US
Barry James O'Brien - Seattle WA, US
Joshua John Watson - Seattle WA, US
Scott Michael Wilcox - Kirkland WA, US

International Classification:

H04N 13/128
B64D 47/08
B64D 31/00
B64C 39/02
G06T 7/70
H04N 13/239
G03B 35/02
G01C 3/10
B64C 11/00

Abstract:

A propeller provided on an aerial vehicle may include a digital camera or other imaging device embedded into a surface of one of the blades of the propeller. The digital camera may capture images while the propeller is rotating at an operational speed. Images captured by the digital camera may be processed to recognize one or more objects therein, and to determine ranges to such objects by stereo triangulation techniques. Using such ranges, a depth map or other model of the surface features in an environment in which the aerial vehicle is operating may be defined and stored or used for any purpose. A propeller may include digital cameras or other imaging devices embedded into two or more blades, and may also use such images to determine ranges to objects by stereo triangulation techniques.

US Patent:

20180194489, Jul 12, 2018

Filed:

Mar 6, 2018

Appl. No.:

15/913599

Inventors:

- Seattle WA, US
Barry James O'Brien - Seattle WA, US
Joshua John Watson - Seattle WA, US

International Classification:

B64D 47/08
B64C 39/02
H04N 5/33
G08G 5/04
G06T 7/593
G06K 9/00
G06K 9/20

Abstract:

Described is an imaging component for use by an unmanned aerial vehicle (“UAV”) for object detection. As described, the imaging component includes one or more cameras that are configured to obtain images of a scene using visible light that are converted into a depth map (e.g., stereo image) and one or more other cameras that are configured to form images, or thermograms, of the scene using infrared radiation (“IR”). The depth information and thermal information are combined to form a representation of the scene based on both depth and thermal information.

US Patent:

20180077350, Mar 15, 2018

Filed:

Sep 14, 2016

Appl. No.:

15/265793

Inventors:

- Seattle WA, US
Barry James O'Brien - Seattle WA, US
Joshua John Watson - Seattle WA, US
Ricky Dean Welsh - Bellevue WA, US

International Classification:

H04N 5/232
H04N 5/247
H04N 13/02
B64C 39/02
B64D 47/08

Abstract:

Described is an aerial vehicle, such as an unmanned aerial vehicle (“UAV”), that includes a plurality of sensors, such as stereo cameras, mounted along a perimeter frame of the aerial vehicle and arranged to generate a scene that surrounds the aerial vehicle. The sensors may be mounted in or on winglets of the perimeter frame. Each of the plurality of sensors has a field of view and the plurality of optical sensors are arranged and/or oriented such that their fields of view overlap with one another throughout a continuous space that surrounds the perimeter frame. The fields of view may also include a portion of the perimeter frame or space that is adjacent to the perimeter frame.

US Patent:

20180054604, Feb 22, 2018

Filed:

Aug 22, 2016

Appl. No.:

15/243844

Inventors:

- Seattle WA, US
Barry James O'Brien - Seattle WA, US
Joshua John Watson - Seattle WA, US
Scott Michael Wilcox - Bothell WA, US

International Classification:

H04N 13/00
G06T 7/70
H04N 13/02
B64D 47/08
B64C 39/02
B64D 31/00

Abstract:

A propeller provided on an aerial vehicle may include a digital camera or other imaging device embedded into a surface of one of the blades of the propeller. The digital camera may capture images while the propeller is rotating at an operational speed. Images captured by the digital camera may be processed to recognize one or more objects therein, and to determine ranges to such objects by stereo triangulation techniques. Using such ranges, a depth map or other model of the surface features in an environment in which the aerial vehicle is operating may be defined and stored or used for any purpose. A propeller may include digital cameras or other imaging devices embedded into two or more blades, and may also use such images to determine ranges to objects by stereo triangulation techniques.