Patents by Inventor James Allen-White Hoffacker
James Allen-White Hoffacker 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: 20230406207Abstract: A method of installing a sensor pod on a vehicle includes aligning a sensor pod arm with a bracket attached to the vehicle, lowering the sensor pod arm onto the bracket, supporting the weight of the sensor pod on a support axle between the bracket and the sensor pod arm before rigidly coupling the sensor pod arm to the bracket, rotating the sensor pod arm into alignment with the bracket, and securing the sensor pod arm to the bracket. A method of uninstalling the sensor pod on a vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 26, 2022Publication date: December 21, 2023Inventors: Court Scott Hinricher, Gauri Rajendra Khanolkar, Jay Kuvelker, James Allen-White Hoffacker, Robert Arnold Hegdahl, Laura Weeks Shane, Donald Burnette, Tyler Lawrence Rosengren, Michael Wiesinger
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Publication number: 20230382314Abstract: A universal bracket for connecting a sensor pod and a vehicle. The universal bracket includes a first end having a surface for connecting to the vehicle, a second end for connecting to the sensor pod, three fixation points extending perpendicular to and through the surface for preventing lateral movement, vertical movement, and forward movement of the universal bracket with respect to the vehicle, the three fixation further preventing rotational movement of the universal bracket with respect to the vehicle, and at least one port extending from the first end to the second end, the at least one port configured to allow passage of one or more conduits extending from the vehicle to the sensor pod. A connecting assembly includes the universal bracket.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 26, 2022Publication date: November 30, 2023Inventors: Court Scott Hinricher, Gauri Rajendra Khanolkar, Jay Kuvelker, James Allen-White Hoffacker, Robert Arnold Hegdahl, Laura Weeks Shane
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Publication number: 20230382302Abstract: A quick swap sensor pod for a truck having an arm having a protrusion with a lower surface, a pin receiving opening extending through the protrusion to the lower surface, the pin receiving opening having a depth and aligned vertically, and a conduit connector within the arm for coupling a conduit to the quick swap sensor pod. The arm is configured to rotate about an axis of the pin receiving opening between an initial position and a final position. In both the initial position and the final position, the depth of the pin receiving opening is configured to counteract a moment created by a weight of the quick swap sensor pod and the lower surface is configured to support the weight of the quick swap sensor pod.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 26, 2022Publication date: November 30, 2023Inventors: Court Scott Hinricher, Gauri Rajendra Khanolkar, Jay Kuvelker, James Allen-White Hoffacker, Robert Arnold Hegdahl, Laura Weeks Shane
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Publication number: 20230382315Abstract: An apparatus for reducing damage and debris in a sensor pod collision. The apparatus having a bracket configured to couple a sensor pod to a vehicle, the bracket having a post, a sensor pod arm rotatable about the post, a fastener for securing the sensor pod arm to the post, and a frangible fixation point spaced apart from the post, the frangible fixation point configured to break apart at a predetermined force.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 26, 2022Publication date: November 30, 2023Inventors: Court Scott Hinricher, Gauri Rajendra Khanolkar, Jay Kuvelker, James Allen-White Hoffacker, Robert Arnold Hegdahl, Laura Weeks Shane
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Publication number: 20230382322Abstract: A connecting assembly for connecting sensors in a sensor pod to a vehicle. The connecting assembly has a conduit connector located on a housing of the sensor pod, a conduit configured to connect with the conduit connector and extending from the conduit connector to the vehicle, and a conduit connector point located at a connection between the conduit connector and the conduit. The conduit connector point has a first shear strength when the conduit is in tension and the conduit has a second shear strength when the conduit is in tension. The first shear strength is less than the second shear strength.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 26, 2022Publication date: November 30, 2023Inventors: Court Scott Hinricher, Gauri Rajendra Khanolkar, Jay Kuvelker, James Allen-White Hoffacker, Robert Arnold Hegdahl, Laura Weeks Shane
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Patent number: 11514371Abstract: In one embodiment, a computing system may receive an uncompressed image from a camera. The computing system may generate a compressed image by performing a compression process on the uncompressed image, wherein a decompressed image may be generated as a byproduct during the compression process. The computing system may send the decompressed image to a machine-learning model that was trained using decompressed images. The computing system may generate, by the machine-learning model, an output based on the decompressed image. The computing system may provide operational instructions to a vehicle based on the output.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2019Date of Patent: November 29, 2022Assignee: Woven Planet North America, Inc.Inventors: Forrest Samuel Briggs, James Allen-White Hoffacker, Dhruv Lamba, Yi Lu, Phillip Sawbridge
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Patent number: 11240404Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes, by a computing device of a first sensor receiving synchronization information from a controller. The synchronization information being generated based on a clock of the controller. The method also includes determining, based on the synchronization information, a first offset between a first clock of the first sensor and the clock of the controller; storing the first offset; and synchronizing, based on the stored first offset and the first clock of the first sensor, a first data capture by the first sensor with a second data capture by a second sensor. The first data capture and the second data capture being requested by the controller.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2021Date of Patent: February 1, 2022Assignee: Woven Planet North America, Inc.Inventors: Corey Frederick Bangs, Forrest Samuel Briggs, George James Hansel, James Allen-White Hoffacker, Dhruv Lamba, Chi Hoon Lee, Yi Lu, Brian Thomas McGinn, Phillip Sawbridge
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Patent number: 11214274Abstract: In one embodiment, a computing system receives sensor data from one or more sensors of a vehicle. The computing system determines a metric associated with the vehicle based on the received sensor data. The computing system determines, based on the metric, a length of a transmission cycle of a communication network of the vehicle. The transmission cycle comprises one or more scheduled time periods dedicated for transmitting data from respective first nodes in the communication network. The computing system configures the communication network of the vehicle based at least in part on the length of the transmission cycle to adjust respective occurrence frequencies of the scheduled time periods over multiple instances of the transmission cycle.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2019Date of Patent: January 4, 2022Assignee: Woven Planet North America, Inc.Inventors: George James Hansel, James Allen-White Hoffacker, Yi Lu, Helen Ruth Lurie
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Patent number: 11115646Abstract: In particular embodiments, a computing system may detect a number of objects captured within an overlapping region between a first field of view associated with a first camera and a second field of view associated with a second camera. The system may determine a respective priority ranking for each of the objects. The system may select an object from the objects based on the respective priority ranking for the object. The system may determine, for the first camera, a first lighting condition associated with the first field of view. The system may determine, for the second camera, a second lighting condition associated with the second field of view. The system may determine a shared exposure time for the selected object based on the first lighting condition and the second lighting condition. The system may cause at least one image of the selected object to be captured using the shared exposure time.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2020Date of Patent: September 7, 2021Assignee: Woven Planet North America, Inc.Inventors: Forrest Samuel Briggs, James Allen-White Hoffacker, Dhruv Lamba, Phillip Sawbridge
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Publication number: 20210274064Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes, by a computing device of a first sensor receiving synchronization information from a controller. The synchronization information being generated based on a clock of the controller. The method also includes determining, based on the synchronization information, a first offset between a first clock of the first sensor and the clock of the controller; storing the first offset; and synchronizing, based on the stored first offset and the first clock of the first sensor, a first data capture by the first sensor with a second data capture by a second sensor. The first data capture and the second data capture being requested by the controller.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 11, 2021Publication date: September 2, 2021Inventors: Corey Frederick Bangs, Forrest Samuel Briggs, George James Hansel, James Allen-White Hoffacker, Dhruv Lamba, Chi Hoon Lee, Yi Lu, Brian Thomas McGinn, Phillip Sawbridge
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Patent number: 11054826Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes receiving data from one or more sensors associated with a vehicle; and receiving a message from a first processor. The message from the first processor includes a first control command for an actuator of the vehicle and a first certificate function. The method also includes receiving a message from the second processor. The message from the second processor includes a second control command for the actuator of the vehicle and a second certificate function. The method also includes computing a first certificate based on the first certificate function and the data; computing a second certificate based on the second certificate function and the data; determining a valid control signal based on an accuracy of the first second control command and second control command relative the first certificate and second certificate; and transmitting the valid control signal to the actuator of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2019Date of Patent: July 6, 2021Assignee: Lyft, Inc.Inventors: George James Hansel, Gerard Joyce, Palak Talwar, Helen Ruth Lurie, James Allen-White Hoffacker
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Patent number: 10972637Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes, by a computing device of a first sensor receiving synchronization information from a controller. The synchronization information being generated based on a clock of the controller. The method also includes determining, based on the synchronization information, a first offset between a first clock of the first sensor and the clock of the controller; storing the first offset; and synchronizing, based on the stored first offset and the first clock of the first sensor, a first data capture by the first sensor with a second data capture by a second sensor. The first data capture and the second data capture being requested by the controller.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2019Date of Patent: April 6, 2021Assignee: Lyft, Inc.Inventors: Corey Frederick Bangs, Forrest Samuel Briggs, George James Hansel, James Allen-White Hoffacker, Dhruv Lamba, Chi Hoon Lee, Yi Lu, Brian Thomas McGinn, Phillip Sawbridge
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Publication number: 20210092349Abstract: In particular embodiments, a computing system may detect a number of objects captured within on overlapping region between a first field of view associated with a first camera and a second field of view associated with a second camera. The system may determine a respective priority ranking for each of the objects. The system may select an object from the objects based on the respective priority ranking for the object. The system may determine, for the first camera, a first lighting condition associated with the first field of view. The system may determine, for the second camera, a second lighting condition associated with the second field of view. The system may determine a shared exposure time for the selected object based on the first lighting condition and the second lighting condition. The system may cause at least one image of the selected object to be captured using the shared exposure time.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 5, 2020Publication date: March 25, 2021Inventors: Forrest Samuel Briggs, James Allen-White Hoffacker, Dhruv Lamba, Phillip Sawbridge
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Publication number: 20210072747Abstract: In particular embodiments, a computing system may receive, by a processor in communication with an actuator of a vehicle, an instruction associated with an environment external to the vehicle and configured for controlling the actuator of the vehicle. The system may receive, by the processor, sensor data associated with the environment and generated by one or more sensors associated with the vehicle. The system may determine, by the processor, a state associated with an operation mode of the vehicle based on the received sensor data. The system may evaluate, by the processor, whether the instruction is invalid based on the state associated with the operating mode of the vehicle. The system may, subsequent to determining that the instruction is invalid, based on the evaluation, prevent transmission of the instruction to the actuator of the vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 21, 2020Publication date: March 11, 2021Inventors: Helen Ruth Lurie, George James Hansel, James Allen-White Hoffacker, Osama M. Salem
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Patent number: 10798368Abstract: In one embodiment, a computing system may determine a first target region within a first field of view of a first camera and a second target region within a second field of view of a second camera. The first field of view and the second field of view may be partially overlapping. The system may determine first lighting conditions of the first target region. The system may determine a first exposure time for at least the first camera and the second camera based at least in part on the determined first lighting conditions. The system may instruct the first camera and the second camera to take pictures using the determined first exposure time.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2019Date of Patent: October 6, 2020Assignee: Lyft, Inc.Inventors: Forrest Samuel Briggs, James Allen-White Hoffacker, Dhruv Lamba, Phillip Sawbridge
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Patent number: 10782684Abstract: In one embodiment, a computing system of an autonomous vehicle may receive a first set of data packets on one or more networks. The computing system may analyze the data packets to determine, for each packet, one or more of an authenticity, a validity, or a correctness of the data packet. The computing system may perform a first action for the first set of data packets based on the analysis. The first action may include signaling a safety driver of the autonomous vehicle to take over manual control of the vehicle in response to the data packets failing to satisfy the one or more of the authenticity, the validity, or the correctness criteria.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2018Date of Patent: September 22, 2020Assignee: Lyft, Inc.Inventors: Helen Ruth Lurie, George James Hansel, James Allen-White Hoffacker, Osama M. Salem
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Publication number: 20190324450Abstract: In one embodiment, a computing system of an autonomous vehicle may receive a first set of data packets on one or more networks. The computing system may analyze the data packets to determine, for each packet, one or more of an authenticity, a validity, or a correctness of the data packet. The computing system may perform a first action for the first set of data packets based on the analysis. The first action may include signaling a safety driver of the autonomous vehicle to take over manual control of the vehicle in response to the data packets failing to satisfy the one or more of the authenticity, the validity, or the correctness criteria.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 20, 2018Publication date: October 24, 2019Inventors: Helen Ruth Lurie, George James Hansel, James Allen-White Hoffacker, Osama M. Salem
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Publication number: 20190324454Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes receiving data from one or more sensors associated with a vehicle; and receiving a message from a first processor. The message from the first processor includes a first control command for an actuator of the vehicle and a first certificate function. The method also includes receiving a message from the second processor. The message from the second processor includes a second control command for the actuator of the vehicle and a second certificate function. The method also includes computing a first certificate based on the first certificate function and the data; computing a second certificate based on the second certificate function and the data; determining a valid control signal based on an accuracy of the first second control command and second control command relative the first certificate and second certificate; and transmitting the valid control signal to the actuator of the vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 24, 2019Publication date: October 24, 2019Inventors: George James Hansel, Gerard Joyce, Palak Talwar, Helen Ruth Lurie, James Allen-White Hoffacker
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Publication number: 20190322288Abstract: In one embodiment, a computing system receives sensor data from one or more sensors of a vehicle. The computing system determines a metric associated with the vehicle based on the received sensor data. The computing system determines, based on the metric, a length of a transmission cycle of a communication network of the vehicle. The transmission cycle comprises one or more scheduled time periods dedicated for transmitting data from respective first nodes in the communication network. The computing system configures the communication network of the vehicle based at least in part on the length of the transmission cycle to adjust respective occurrence frequencies of the scheduled time periods over multiple instances of the transmission cycle.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 24, 2019Publication date: October 24, 2019Inventors: George James Hansel, James Allen-White Hoffacker, Yi Lu, Helen Ruth Lurie
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Publication number: 20190289172Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes, by a computing device of a first sensor receiving synchronization information from a controller. The synchronization information being generated based on a clock of the controller. The method also includes determining, based on the synchronization information, a first offset between a first clock of the first sensor and the clock of the controller; storing the first offset; and synchronizing, based on the stored first offset and the first clock of the first sensor, a first data capture by the first sensor with a second data capture by a second sensor. The first data capture and the second data capture being requested by the controller.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 11, 2019Publication date: September 19, 2019Inventors: Corey Frederick Bangs, Forrest Samuel Briggs, George James Hansel, James Allen-White Hoffacker, Dhruv Lamba, Chi Hoon Lee, Yi Lu, Brian Thomas McGinn, Phillip Sawbridge