Patents by Inventor Eric James Hanson
Eric James Hanson 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).
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Publication number: 20240110795Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to state-based autonomous-vehicle operations. In particular, the methods, devices, and systems of the present disclosure can: determine, based at least in part on one or more actions of a passenger associated with a trip of an autonomous vehicle, a current state of the trip from amongst a plurality of different predefined states of the trip; identify, based at least in part on the current state of the trip, one or more computing devices associated with the passenger; generate, based at least in part on the current state of the trip, data describing one or more interfaces for display by the computing device(s) associated with the passenger; and communicate, to the computing device(s) associated with the passenger, the data describing the interface(s) for display.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 11, 2023Publication date: April 4, 2024Inventors: Dennis Zhao, Sean Chin, Molly Castle Nix, Eric James Hanson
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Patent number: 11782439Abstract: A method for determining and providing alternative routes receives request data associated with a request from a user device. A first canonical route is determined from a plurality of canonical routes based on the request data. Each respective canonical route of the plurality of canonical routes satisfies at least one autonomy criteria associated with whether an autonomous vehicle can travel on the respective canonical route. First route data associated with the first canonical route is provided. Route identification data associated with identifying an alternative canonical route is received after providing the first route data associated with the first canonical route. A second canonical route is determined from the plurality of canonical routes based on the route identification data. Second route data associated with the second canonical route is provided for controlling travel of the autonomous vehicle on the second canonical route.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2020Date of Patent: October 10, 2023Assignee: UATC, LLCInventors: Molly Castle Nix, Dennis Zhao, Eric James Hanson, Sean Rhee Chin
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Patent number: 11781873Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to state-based autonomous-vehicle operations. In particular, the methods, devices, and systems of the present disclosure can: determine, based at least in part on one or more actions of a passenger associated with a trip of an autonomous vehicle, a current state of the trip from amongst a plurality of different predefined states of the trip; identify, based at least in part on the current state of the trip, one or more computing devices associated with the passenger; generate, based at least in part on the current state of the trip, data describing one or more interfaces for display by the computing device(s) associated with the passenger; and communicate, to the computing device(s) associated with the passenger, the data describing the interface(s) for display.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2021Date of Patent: October 10, 2023Assignee: Uber Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Dennis Zhao, Sean Chin, Molly Castle Nix, Eric James Hanson
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Publication number: 20220185113Abstract: The present disclosure provides an autonomous vehicle and associated interface system that includes multiple vehicle interface computing devices that provide redundant vehicle commands. As one example, an autonomous vehicle interface system can include a first vehicle interface computing device located within the autonomous vehicle and physically coupled to the autonomous vehicle. The first vehicle interface computing device can provide a first plurality of selectable vehicle commands to a human passenger of the autonomous vehicle. The autonomous vehicle interface system can further include a second vehicle interface computing device that provides a second plurality of selectable vehicle commands to the human passenger. For example, the second vehicle interface computing device can be the passenger's own device (e.g., smartphone). The second plurality of selectable vehicle commands can include at least some of the same vehicle commands as the first plurality of selectable vehicle commands.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 4, 2022Publication date: June 16, 2022Inventors: Molly Castle Nix, Sean Chin, Dennis Zhao, Eric James Hanson
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Patent number: 11285965Abstract: The present disclosure provides an autonomous vehicle and associated interface system that includes multiple vehicle interface computing devices that provide redundant vehicle commands. As one example, an autonomous vehicle interface system can include a first vehicle interface computing device located within the autonomous vehicle and physically coupled to the autonomous vehicle. The first vehicle interface computing device can provide a first plurality of selectable vehicle commands to a human passenger of the autonomous vehicle. The autonomous vehicle interface system can further include a second vehicle interface computing device that provides a second plurality of selectable vehicle commands to the human passenger. For example, the second vehicle interface computing device can be the passenger's own device (e.g., smartphone). The second plurality of selectable vehicle commands can include at least some of the same vehicle commands as the first plurality of selectable vehicle commands.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2018Date of Patent: March 29, 2022Assignee: UATC, LLCInventors: Molly Castle Nix, Sean Chin, Dennis Zhao, Eric James Hanson
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Publication number: 20220034666Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to state-based autonomous-vehicle operations. In particular, the methods, devices, and systems of the present disclosure can: determine, based at least in part on one or more actions of a passenger associated with a trip of an autonomous vehicle, a current state of the trip from amongst a plurality of different predefined states of the trip; identify, based at least in part on the current state of the trip, one or more computing devices associated with the passenger; generate, based at least in part on the current state of the trip, data describing one or more interfaces for display by the computing device(s) associated with the passenger; and communicate, to the computing device(s) associated with the passenger, the data describing the interface(s) for display.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 18, 2021Publication date: February 3, 2022Inventors: Dennis Zhao, Sean Chin, Molly Castle Nix, Eric James Hanson
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Patent number: 11195353Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to communicating autonomous-vehicle status. In particular, the methods, devices, and systems of the present disclosure can: determine one or more maintenance statuses of one or more of multiple different systems of an autonomous vehicle; and depict at least one of the status(es) via a display device affixed to an exterior of the autonomous vehicle and configured to display information associated with the multiple different systems such that the information is visible to an observer located outside the autonomous vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2018Date of Patent: December 7, 2021Assignee: UATC, LLCInventors: Molly Castle Nix, Sean Chin, Eric James Hanson, Philipp Haban, Richard Brian Donnelly, David Patrick Rice, Thomas Jeffery Watson, Jr.
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Patent number: 11187543Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to state-based autonomous-vehicle operations. In particular, the methods, devices, and systems of the present disclosure can: determine, based at least in part on one or more actions of a passenger associated with a trip of an autonomous vehicle, a current state of the trip from amongst a plurality of different predefined states of the trip; identify, based at least in part on the current state of the trip, one or more computing devices associated with the passenger; generate, based at least in part on the current state of the trip, data describing one or more interfaces for display by the computing device(s) associated with the passenger; and communicate, to the computing device(s) associated with the passenger, the data describing the interface(s) for display.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2018Date of Patent: November 30, 2021Assignee: UATC, LLCInventors: Dennis Zhao, Sean Chin, Molly Castle Nix, Eric James Hanson
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Patent number: 10996668Abstract: Systems and methods for recovering an autonomous vehicle in a fleet of vehicles are provided. In one example embodiment, a computer-implemented method includes detecting an existence of an adverse condition associated with an autonomous vehicle in the fleet. The method includes determining in response to detecting the adverse condition, a recovery plan for the first autonomous vehicle based at least in part on one or more attributes associated with the adverse condition, the recovery plan including one or more actions to recover the first autonomous vehicle at a remote location. The method includes initiating the recovery plan to recover the first autonomous vehicle at the remote location.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2020Date of Patent: May 4, 2021Assignee: UATC, LLCInventors: Dennis Zhao, Eric James Hanson, Molly Castle Nix, Sean Chin
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Publication number: 20200363803Abstract: A method for determining and providing alternative routes receives request data associated with a request from a user device. A first canonical route is determined from a plurality of canonical routes based on the request data. Each respective canonical route of the plurality of canonical routes satisfies at least one autonomy criteria associated with whether an autonomous vehicle can travel on the respective canonical route. First route data associated with the first canonical route is provided. Route identification data associated with identifying an alternative canonical route is received after providing the first route data associated with the first canonical route. A second canonical route is determined from the plurality of canonical routes based on the route identification data. Second route data associated with the second canonical route is provided for controlling travel of the autonomous vehicle on the second canonical route.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 6, 2020Publication date: November 19, 2020Inventors: Molly Castle Nix, Dennis Zhao, Eric James Hanson, Sean Rhee Chin
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Patent number: 10768621Abstract: A method for determining and providing alternative routes receives request data associated with a request from a user device. A first canonical route is determined from a plurality of canonical routes based on the request data. Each respective canonical route of the plurality of canonical routes satisfies at least one autonomy criteria associated with whether an autonomous vehicle can travel on the respective canonical route. First route data associated with the first canonical route is provided. Route identification data associated with identifying an alternative canonical route is received after providing the first route data associated with the first canonical route. A second canonical route is determined from the plurality of canonical routes based on the route identification data. Second route data associated with the second canonical route is provided for controlling travel of the autonomous vehicle on the second canonical route.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2017Date of Patent: September 8, 2020Assignee: UATC, LLCInventors: Molly Castle Nix, Dennis Zhao, Eric James Hanson, Sean Rhee Chin
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Publication number: 20200233412Abstract: Systems and methods for recovering an autonomous vehicle in a fleet of vehicles are provided. In one example embodiment, a computer-implemented method includes detecting an existence of an adverse condition associated with an autonomous vehicle in the fleet. The method includes determining in response to detecting the adverse condition, a recovery plan for the first autonomous vehicle based at least in part on one or more attributes associated with the adverse condition, the recovery plan including one or more actions to recover the first autonomous vehicle at a remote location. The method includes initiating the recovery plan to recover the first autonomous vehicle at the remote location.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 10, 2020Publication date: July 23, 2020Inventors: Dennis Zhao, Eric James Hanson, Molly Castle Nix, Sean Chin
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Patent number: 10579054Abstract: Systems and methods for recovering an autonomous vehicle in a fleet of vehicles are provided. In one example embodiment, a computer-implemented method includes detecting an existence of an adverse condition associated with an autonomous vehicle in the fleet. The method includes determining in response to detecting the adverse condition, a recovery plan for the first autonomous vehicle based at least in part on one or more attributes associated with the adverse condition, the recovery plan including one or more actions to recover the first autonomous vehicle at a remote location. The method includes initiating the recovery plan to recover the first autonomous vehicle at the remote location.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2018Date of Patent: March 3, 2020Assignee: UATC, LLCInventors: Dennis Zhao, Eric James Hanson, Molly Castle Nix, Sean Chin
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Publication number: 20190370575Abstract: Systems and methods are directed to using machine learning in determining vehicle status and/or rider status associated with a service trip. In one example, a computer-implemented method for providing a vehicle trip check includes obtaining sensor data from one or more sensors positioned within a cabin of a vehicle, the sensor data being descriptive of objects located within the cabin of the vehicle. The method further includes inputting the sensor data to a machine-learned trip check model, and includes receiving, as an output of the machine-learned trip check model, trip check analysis data. The method further includes determining, based on the trip check analysis data, that the trip check analysis data meets one or more predetermined criteria. The method further includes in response to determining that the trip check analysis data meets the one or more predetermined criteria, generating a trip control signal associated with operation of the vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 19, 2018Publication date: December 5, 2019Inventors: Anand Nandakumar, Eric James Hanson
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Patent number: 10421396Abstract: Systems and methods are directed to signaling status of an autonomous vehicle to a rider or potential rider. In one example, a computer-implemented method for communicating autonomous vehicle status includes obtaining, by a computing system comprising one or more computing devices, data associated with a state of an autonomous vehicle. The method further includes determining, by the computing system, one or more vehicle indications indicative of the state of the autonomous vehicle based at least in part on the data associated with the state of the autonomous vehicle. The method further includes providing, by the computing system, control data for one or more visual indicators associated with the autonomous vehicle to communicate the one or more determined vehicle indications.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2017Date of Patent: September 24, 2019Assignee: Uber Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Eric James Hanson, Molly Castle Nix, Sean Chin, Dennis Zhao
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Publication number: 20190250002Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to state-based autonomous-vehicle operations. In particular, the methods, devices, and systems of the present disclosure can: determine, based at least in part on one or more actions of a passenger associated with a trip of an autonomous vehicle, a current state of the trip from amongst a plurality of different predefined states of the trip; identify, based at least in part on the current state of the trip, one or more computing devices associated with the passenger; generate, based at least in part on the current state of the trip, data describing one or more interfaces for display by the computing device(s) associated with the passenger; and communicate, to the computing device(s) associated with the passenger, the data describing the interface(s) for display.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 19, 2018Publication date: August 15, 2019Inventors: Dennis Zhao, Sean Chin, Molly Castle Nix, Eric James Hanson
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Publication number: 20190248378Abstract: The present disclosure provides an autonomous vehicle and associated interface system that includes multiple vehicle interface computing devices that provide redundant vehicle commands. As one example, an autonomous vehicle interface system can include a first vehicle interface computing device located within the autonomous vehicle and physically coupled to the autonomous vehicle. The first vehicle interface computing device can provide a first plurality of selectable vehicle commands to a human passenger of the autonomous vehicle. The autonomous vehicle interface system can further include a second vehicle interface computing device that provides a second plurality of selectable vehicle commands to the human passenger. For example, the second vehicle interface computing device can be the passenger's own device (e.g., smartphone). The second plurality of selectable vehicle commands can include at least some of the same vehicle commands as the first plurality of selectable vehicle commands.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 21, 2018Publication date: August 15, 2019Inventors: Molly Castle Nix, Sean Chin, Dennis Zhao, Eric James Hanson
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Publication number: 20190235487Abstract: Systems and methods for recovering an autonomous vehicle in a fleet of vehicles are provided. In one example embodiment, a computer-implemented method includes detecting an existence of an adverse condition associated with an autonomous vehicle in the fleet. The method includes determining in response to detecting the adverse condition, a recovery plan for the first autonomous vehicle based at least in part on one or more attributes associated with the adverse condition, the recovery plan including one or more actions to recover the first autonomous vehicle at a remote location. The method includes initiating the recovery plan to recover the first autonomous vehicle at the remote location.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 31, 2018Publication date: August 1, 2019Inventors: Dennis Zhao, Eric James Hanson, Molly Castle Nix, Sean Chin
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Publication number: 20190221058Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to communicating autonomous-vehicle status. In particular, the methods, devices, and systems of the present disclosure can: determine one or more maintenance statuses of one or more of multiple different systems of an autonomous vehicle; and depict at least one of the status(es) via a display device affixed to an exterior of the autonomous vehicle and configured to display information associated with the multiple different systems such that the information is visible to an observer located outside the autonomous vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 29, 2018Publication date: July 18, 2019Inventors: Molly Castle Nix, Sean Chin, Eric James Hanson, Philipp Haban, Richard Brian Donnelly, David Patrick Rice, Thomas Jeffery Watson, JR.
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Publication number: 20190171207Abstract: Systems, methods, tangible non-transitory computer-readable media, and devices for autonomous vehicle operation are provided. For example, a method can include receiving trip data that includes information associated with a request for the autonomous vehicle at a pick-up location. The autonomous vehicle can then travel to the pick-up location. The autonomous vehicle can detect one or more signals associated with the trip data. In response to determining that the one or more signals satisfy one or more broadcast criteria associated with authorizing access to the autonomous vehicle, the autonomous vehicle can activate one or more vehicle systems associated with fulfilling the request for the autonomous vehicle at the pick-up location. The one or more broadcast criteria can be based in part on one or more properties of the one or more signals.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 23, 2018Publication date: June 6, 2019Inventors: Eric James Hanson, Molly Castle Nix, Sean Chin, Dennis Zhao