Patents by Inventor Eric K. Thong

Eric K. Thong 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: 11995920
    Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods are provided for sensor health and regression testing. A sensor testing system may include a first plurality of sensor testing targets positioned on a first side of a vehicle at a first distance from the vehicle, a second plurality of sensor testing targets positioned on a second side of the vehicle at the first distance, and a first sensor testing target positioned at a second distance from the vehicle, the second distance further from the vehicle than the first distance. The first and second pluralities of sensor testing targets both may include three or more sensor testing targets for testing cameras and light detection and ranging (LIDAR) sensors of the vehicle. The first sensor testing target may be used to test at least one of camera or LIDAR data. The sensor testing system may identify degradation of sensor performance, triggering further analysis and/or repairs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: Argo AI, LLC
    Inventors: Michael V. Morelli, Laurens M. Schouten-Evers, Alan William Yip, Duc H. Vu, Koji L Gardiner, Christopher N. St. John, Eric K. Thong, Morgan M. Wagner
  • Patent number: 11997252
    Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods are provided for testing and validation of a cleaning system for a sensor such as a camera. A device may capture a first image of a target using the sensor, wherein the sensor is in a clean state, and wherein the target is in a line of sight of the sensor. The device may apply an obstruction to a portion of a lens of the sensor. The device may apply a cleaning system to the lens. The device may capture a post-clean image after applying the cleaning system. The device may determine a post-clean image quality score based on comparing the post clean image to the first image. The device may compare the post-clean image quality score to a validation threshold. The device may determine a validation state of the cleaning system based on the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: Argo AI, LLC
    Inventors: Dustin Ryan Yautz, Morgan M. Wagner, Eric K. Thong, Christopher N. St. John
  • Publication number: 20230353722
    Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods are provided for testing and validation of a cleaning system for a sensor such as a camera. A device may capture a first image of a target using the sensor, wherein the sensor is in a clean state, and wherein the target is in a line of sight of the sensor. The device may apply an obstruction to a portion of a lens of the sensor. The device may apply a cleaning system to the lens. The device may capture a post-clean image after applying the cleaning system. The device may determine a post-clean image quality score based on comparing the post clean image to the first image. The device may compare the post-clean image quality score to a validation threshold. The device may determine a validation state of the cleaning system based on the comparison.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2023
    Publication date: November 2, 2023
    Inventors: Dustin Ryan Yautz, Morgan M. Wagner, Eric K. Thong, Christopher N. St. John
  • Patent number: 11758121
    Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods are provided for testing and validation of a camera. A device may capture a first image of a target using a camera, wherein the camera is in a clean state, and wherein the target is in a line of sight of the camera. The device may apply an obstruction to a portion of a lens of the camera. The device may apply a camera cleaning system to the lens of the camera. The device may capture a post-clean image after applying the camera cleaning system. The device may determine a post-clean SSIM score based on comparing the post clean image to the first image. The device may compare the post-clean SSIM score to a validation threshold. The device may determine a validation state of the camera cleaning system based on the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: Argo AI, LLC
    Inventors: Dustin Ryan Yautz, Morgan M. Wagner, Eric K. Thong, Christopher N. St. John
  • Publication number: 20230007234
    Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods are provided for testing and validation of a camera. A device may capture a first image of a target using a camera, wherein the camera is in a clean state, and wherein the target is in a line of sight of the camera. The device may apply an obstruction to a portion of a lens of the camera. The device may apply a camera cleaning system to the lens of the camera. The device may capture a post-clean image after applying the camera cleaning system. The device may determine a post-clean SSIM score based on comparing the post clean image to the first image. The device may compare the post-clean SSIM score to a validation threshold. The device may determine a validation state of the camera cleaning system based on the comparison.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2022
    Publication date: January 5, 2023
    Applicant: Argo AI, LLC
    Inventors: Dustin Ryan YAUTZ, Morgan M. WAGNER, Eric K. THONG, Christopher N. ST. JOHN
  • Patent number: 11368672
    Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods are provided for testing and validation of a camera. A device may capture a first image of a target using a camera, wherein the camera is in a clean state, and wherein the target is in a line of sight of the camera. The device may apply an obstruction to a portion of a lens of the camera. The device may apply a camera cleaning system to the lens of the camera. The device may capture a post-clean image after applying the camera cleaning system. The device may determine a post-clean SSIM score based on comparing the post clean image to the first image. The device may compare the post-clean SSIM score to a validation threshold. The device may determine a validation state of the camera cleaning system based on the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: ARGO AI, LLC
    Inventors: Dustin Ryan Yautz, Morgan M. Wagner, Eric K. Thong, Christopher N. St. John
  • Publication number: 20220130185
    Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods are provided for sensor health and regression testing. A sensor testing system may include a first plurality of sensor testing targets positioned on a first side of a vehicle at a first distance from the vehicle, a second plurality of sensor testing targets positioned on a second side of the vehicle at the first distance, and a first sensor testing target positioned at a second distance from the vehicle, the second distance further from the vehicle than the first distance. The first and second pluralities of sensor testing targets both may include three or more sensor testing targets for testing cameras and light detection and ranging (LIDAR) sensors of the vehicle. The first sensor testing target may be used to test at least one of camera or LIDAR data. The sensor testing system may identify degradation of sensor performance, triggering further analysis and/or repairs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2020
    Publication date: April 28, 2022
    Applicant: Argo AI, LLC
    Inventors: Michael V. Morelli, Laurens M. Schouten-Evers, Alan William Yip, Duc H. Vu, Koji L. Gardiner, Christopher N. St. John, Eric K. Thong, Morgan W. Wagner
  • Publication number: 20220086423
    Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods are provided for testing and validation of a camera. A device may capture a first image of a target using a camera, wherein the camera is in a clean state, and wherein the target is in a line of sight of the camera. The device may apply an obstruction to a portion of a lens of the camera. The device may apply a camera cleaning system to the lens of the camera. The device may capture a post-clean image after applying the camera cleaning system. The device may determine a post-clean SSIM score based on comparing the post clean image to the first image. The device may compare the post-clean SSIM score to a validation threshold. The device may determine a validation state of the camera cleaning system based on the comparison.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2020
    Publication date: March 17, 2022
    Applicant: Argo AI, LLC
    Inventors: Dustin Ryan Yautz, Morgan M. Wagner, Eric K. Thong, Christopher N. St. John