Patents by Inventor Jeremy Dittmer
Jeremy Dittmer 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: 20220150423Abstract: Examples described may related to an imaging sensor used by a vehicle, including a light sensor. The light sensor comprises a plurality of cells aligned in a plurality of horizontal rows and a plurality of vertical columns. The apparatus further includes an optical system configured to provide the light sensor with a field of view of an external environment of the apparatus. Additionally, the system includes a processing unit configured to: divide the plurality of horizontal rows of the light sensor into one or more enabled rows and one or more disabled rows; obtain image data from the light sensor by sampling one or more cells in the one or more enabled rows; and store the received image data in a memory.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 24, 2022Publication date: May 12, 2022Inventors: Andreas Wendel, Jeremy Dittmer
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Publication number: 20220060616Abstract: Example embodiments relate to multiple operating modes to expand dynamic range. An example embodiment includes a camera system. The camera system may include a first image sensor having a first dynamic range corresponding to a first range of luminance levels in a scene. The system may also include a second image sensor having a second dynamic range corresponding to a second range of luminance levels in the scene. The camera system may further include a processor coupled to the first image sensor and the second image sensor. The processor may be configured to execute instructions to identify objects of a first type in a first image of the scene captured by the first image sensor and identify objects of a second object type in a second image of the scene captured by the second image sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 3, 2021Publication date: February 24, 2022Inventors: Andreas Wendel, Jeremy Dittmer, Brendan Hermalyn, Benjamin Ingram
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Publication number: 20220035005Abstract: The technology relates to autonomous vehicles that use a perception system to detect objects and features in the vehicle's surroundings. A camera assembly having a ring-type structure is provided that gives the perception system an overall 360° field of view around the vehicle. Image sensors are arranged in camera modules around the assembly to provide a seamless panoramic field of view. One subsystem has multiple pairs of image sensors positioned to provide the overall 360° field of view, while another subsystem provides a set of image sensors generally facing toward the front of the vehicle to provide enhanced object identification. The camera assembly may be arranged in a housing located on top of the vehicle. The housing may include other sensors such as LIDAR and radar. The assembly includes a chassis and top and base plates, which may provide EMI protection from other sensors disposed in the housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 18, 2021Publication date: February 3, 2022Inventors: Kimberly Geneva Toth, Brendan Hermalyn, Shane Mcguire, Felix Jose Alvarez Rivera, Jeremy Dittmer, Andreas Wendel
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Patent number: 11196916Abstract: Example embodiments relate to multiple operating modes to expand dynamic range. An example embodiment includes a camera system. The camera system may include a first image sensor having a first dynamic range corresponding to a first range of luminance levels in a scene. The system may also include a second image sensor having a second dynamic range corresponding to a second range of luminance levels in the scene. The camera system may further include a processor coupled to the first image sensor and the second image sensor. The processor may be configured to execute instructions to identify objects of a first type in a first image of the scene captured by the first image sensor and identify objects of a second object type in a second image of the scene captured by the second image sensor.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2020Date of Patent: December 7, 2021Assignee: Waymo LLCInventors: Andreas Wendel, Jeremy Dittmer, Brendan Hermalyn, Benjamin Ingram
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Publication number: 20210368109Abstract: An optical system for a vehicle may be configured with a plurality of camera sensors. Each camera sensor may be configured to create respective image data of a respective field of view. The optical system is further configured with a plurality of image processing units coupled to the plurality of camera sensors. The image processing units are configured to compress the image data captured by the camera sensors. A computing system is configured to store the compressed image data in a memory. The computing system is further configured with a vehicle-control processor configured to control the vehicle based on the compressed image data. The optical system and the computing system can be communicatively coupled by a data bus.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 5, 2021Publication date: November 25, 2021Inventors: Andreas Wendel, Jeremy Dittmer, Brendan Hermalyn
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Patent number: 11181619Abstract: The technology relates to autonomous vehicles that use a perception system to detect objects and features in the vehicle's surroundings. A camera assembly having a ring-type structure is provided that gives the perception system an overall 360° field of view around the vehicle. Image sensors are arranged in camera modules around the assembly to provide a seamless panoramic field of view. One subsystem has multiple pairs of image sensors positioned to provide the overall 360° field of view, while another subsystem provides a set of image sensors generally facing toward the front of the vehicle to provide enhanced object identification. The camera assembly may be arranged in a housing located on top of the vehicle. The housing may include other sensors such as LIDAR and radar. The assembly includes a chassis and top and base plates, which may provide EMI protection from other sensors disposed in the housing.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2018Date of Patent: November 23, 2021Assignee: Waymo LLCInventors: Kimberly Geneva Toth, Brendan Hermalyn, Shane Mcguire, Felix Jose Alvarez Rivera, Jeremy Dittmer, Andreas Wendel
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Publication number: 20210250527Abstract: Examples described may related to an imaging sensor used by a vehicle, including a light sensor. The light sensor comprises a plurality of cells aligned in a plurality of horizontal rows and a plurality of vertical columns. The apparatus further includes an optical system configured to provide the light sensor with a field of view of an external environment of the apparatus. Additionally, the system includes a processing unit configured to: divide the plurality of horizontal rows of the light sensor into one or more enabled rows and one or more disabled rows; obtain image data from the light sensor by sampling one or more cells in the one or more enabled rows; and store the received image data in a memory.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 29, 2021Publication date: August 12, 2021Inventors: Andrea Wendel, Jeremy Dittmer
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Publication number: 20210201054Abstract: The technology relates to an exterior sensor system for a vehicle configured to operate in an autonomous driving mode. The technology includes a close-in sensing (CIS) camera system to address blind spots around the vehicle. The CIS system is used to detect objects within a few meters of the vehicle. Based on object classification, the system is able to make real-time driving decisions. Classification is enhanced by employing cameras in conjunction with lidar sensors. The specific arrangement of multiple sensors in a single sensor housing is also important to object detection and classification. Thus, the positioning of the sensors and support components are selected to avoid occlusion and to otherwise prevent interference between the various sensor housing elements.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 8, 2020Publication date: July 1, 2021Inventors: Kimberly Toth, Jeremy Dittmer, Giulia Guidi, Peter Avram
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Publication number: 20210134012Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a target, a method, and a system for calibrating a camera. One example embodiment includes a target. The target includes a first pattern of fiducial markers. The target also includes a second pattern of fiducial markers. The first pattern of fiducial markers is a scaled version of the second pattern of fiducial markers, such that a calibration image captured of the target simulates multiple images of a single pattern captured at multiple calibration perspectives.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 14, 2021Publication date: May 6, 2021Inventors: Andreas Wendel, Volker Grabe, Jeremy Dittmer, Zachary Morriss
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Publication number: 20210131816Abstract: Example implementations may relate to sun-aware vehicle routing. In particular, a computing system of a vehicle may determine an expected position of the sun relative to a geographic area. Based on the expected position, the computing system may make a determination that travel of the vehicle through certain location(s) within the geographic area is expected to result in the sun being proximate to an object within a field of view of the vehicle's image capture device. Responsively, the computing system may generate a route for the vehicle in the geographic area based at least on the route avoiding travel of the vehicle through these certain location(s), and may then operate the vehicle to travel in accordance with the generated route. Ultimately, this may help reduce or prevent situations where quality of image(s) degrades due to sunlight, which may allow for use of these image(s) as basis for operating the vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 15, 2021Publication date: May 6, 2021Inventors: Jeremy Dittmer, Andreas Wendel
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Patent number: 10999539Abstract: Examples described may related to an imaging sensor used by a vehicle, including a light sensor. The light sensor comprises a plurality of cells aligned in a plurality of horizontal rows and a plurality of vertical columns. The apparatus further includes an optical system configured to provide the light sensor with a field of view of an external environment of the apparatus. Additionally, the system includes a processing unit configured to: divide the plurality of horizontal rows of the light sensor into one or more enabled rows and one or more disabled rows; obtain image data from the light sensor by sampling one or more cells in the one or more enabled rows; and store the received image data in a memory.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2018Date of Patent: May 4, 2021Assignee: Waymo LLCInventors: Andreas Wendel, Jeremy Dittmer
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Patent number: 10930014Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a target, a method, and a system for calibrating a camera. One example embodiment includes a target. The target includes a first pattern of fiducial markers. The target also includes a second pattern of fiducial markers. The first pattern of fiducial markers is a scaled version of the second pattern of fiducial markers, such that a calibration image captured of the target simulates multiple images of a single pattern captured at multiple calibration perspectives.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2019Date of Patent: February 23, 2021Assignee: Waymo LLCInventors: Andreas Wendel, Volker Grabe, Jeremy Dittmer, Zachary Morriss
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Patent number: 10921142Abstract: Example implementations may relate to sun-aware vehicle routing. In particular, a computing system of a vehicle may determine an expected position of the sun relative to a geographic area. Based on the expected position, the computing system may make a determination that travel of the vehicle through certain location(s) within the geographic area is expected to result in the sun being proximate to an object within a field of view of the vehicle's image capture device. Responsively, the computing system may generate a route for the vehicle in the geographic area based at least on the route avoiding travel of the vehicle through these certain location(s), and may then operate the vehicle to travel in accordance with the generated route. Ultimately, this may help reduce or prevent situations where quality of image(s) degrades due to sunlight, which may allow for use of these image(s) as basis for operating the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2017Date of Patent: February 16, 2021Assignee: Waymo LLCInventors: Jeremy Dittmer, Andreas Wendel
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Publication number: 20200351434Abstract: Example embodiments relate to multiple operating modes to expand dynamic range. An example embodiment includes a camera system. The camera system may include a first image sensor having a first dynamic range corresponding to a first range of luminance levels in a scene. The system may also include a second image sensor having a second dynamic range corresponding to a second range of luminance levels in the scene. The camera system may further include a processor coupled to the first image sensor and the second image sensor. The processor may be configured to execute instructions to identify objects of a first type in a first image of the scene captured by the first image sensor and identify objects of a second object type in a second image of the scene captured by the second image sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 22, 2020Publication date: November 5, 2020Inventors: Andreas Wendel, Jeremy Dittmer, Brendan Hermalyn, Benjamin Ingram
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Patent number: 10757320Abstract: Example embodiments relate to multiple operating modes to expand dynamic range. An example embodiment includes a camera system. The camera system may include a first image sensor having a first dynamic range corresponding to a first range of luminance levels in a scene. The system may also include a second image sensor having a second dynamic range corresponding to a second range of luminance levels in the scene. The camera system may further include a processor coupled to the first image sensor and the second image sensor. The processor may be configured to execute instructions to identify objects of a first type in a first image of the scene captured by the first image sensor and identify objects of a second object type in a second image of the scene captured by the second image sensor.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2018Date of Patent: August 25, 2020Assignee: Waymo LLCInventors: Andreas Wendel, Jeremy Dittmer, Brendan Hermalyn, Benjamin Ingram
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Publication number: 20200151468Abstract: Example implementations may relate to use of a light-control feature to control extent of light encountered by an image capture device of a self-driving vehicle. In particular, a computing system of the vehicle may make a determination that quality of image data generated by an image capture device is or is expected to be lower than a threshold quality due to external light encountered or expected to be encountered by the image capture device. In response to the determination, the computing system may make an adjustment to the light-control feature to control the extent of external light encountered or expected to be encountered by the image capture device. This adjustment may ultimately help improve quality of image data generated by the image capture device. As such, the computing system may operate the vehicle based at least on image data generated by the image capture device.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 13, 2020Publication date: May 14, 2020Inventors: Brendan Hermalyn, Andreas Wendel, Jeremy Dittmer
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Patent number: 10558873Abstract: Example implementations may relate to use of a light-control feature to control extent of light encountered by an image capture device of a self-driving vehicle. In particular, a computing system of the vehicle may make a determination that quality of image data generated by an image capture device is or is expected to be lower than a threshold quality due to external light encountered or expected to be encountered by the image capture device. In response to the determination, the computing system may make an adjustment to the light-control feature to control the extent of external light encountered or expected to be encountered by the image capture device. This adjustment may ultimately help improve quality of image data generated by the image capture device. As such, the computing system may operate the vehicle based at least on image data generated by the image capture device.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2017Date of Patent: February 11, 2020Assignee: Waymo LLCInventors: Brendan Hermalyn, Andreas Wendel, Jeremy Dittmer
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Publication number: 20190384313Abstract: The technology relates to autonomous vehicles that use a perception system to detect objects and features in the vehicle's surroundings. A camera assembly having a ring-type structure is provided that gives the perception system an overall 360° field of view around the vehicle. Image sensors are arranged in camera modules around the assembly to provide a seamless panoramic field of view. One subsystem has multiple pairs of image sensors positioned to provide the overall 360° field of view, while another subsystem provides a set of image sensors generally facing toward the front of the vehicle to provide enhanced object identification. The camera assembly may be arranged in a housing located on top of the vehicle. The housing may include other sensors such as LIDAR and radar. The assembly includes a chassis and top and base plates, which may provide EMI protection from other sensors disposed in the housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 14, 2018Publication date: December 19, 2019Inventors: Kimberly Geneva Toth, Brendan Hermalyn, Shane Mcguire, Felix Jose Alvarez Rivera, Jeremy Dittmer, Andreas Wendel
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Publication number: 20190378300Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a target, a method, and a system for calibrating a camera. One example embodiment includes a target. The target includes a first pattern of fiducial markers. The target also includes a second pattern of fiducial markers. The first pattern of fiducial markers is a scaled version of the second pattern of fiducial markers, such that a calibration image captured of the target simulates multiple images of a single pattern captured at multiple calibration perspectives.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 21, 2019Publication date: December 12, 2019Inventors: Andreas Wendel, Volker Grabe, Jeremy Dittmer, Zachary Morriss
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Patent number: 10432912Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a target, a method, and a system for calibrating a camera. One example embodiment includes a target. The target includes a first pattern of fiducial markers. The target also includes a second pattern of fiducial markers. The first pattern of fiducial markers is a scaled version of the second pattern of fiducial markers, such that a calibration image captured of the target simulates multiple images of a single pattern captured at multiple calibration perspectives.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2017Date of Patent: October 1, 2019Assignee: Waymo LLCInventors: Andreas Wendel, Volker Grabe, Jeremy Dittmer, Zachary Morriss