Patents Assigned to Argo AI, LLC
  • Publication number: 20220277486
    Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods are provided for testing and validation of a camera. For example, a system includes a camera that is configured to capture an image of a content object. A processor is programmed to: receive a signal indicative of the image of the content object during an electromagnetic event; generate an image quality score of the image; and generate a validation status of the camera based on a comparison of the image quality score to a validation threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2022
    Publication date: September 1, 2022
    Applicant: Argo AI, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher N. ST. JOHN, Morgan M. WAGNER
  • Patent number: 11430224
    Abstract: Systems and methods for object detection. Object detection may be used to control autonomous vehicle(s). For example, the methods comprise: obtaining, by a computing device, a LiDAR dataset generated by a LiDAR system of autonomous vehicle; and using, by the computing device, the LiDAR dataset and image(s) to detect an object that is in proximity to the autonomous vehicle. The object is detected by performing the following operations: computing a distribution of object detections that each point of the LiDAR dataset is likely to be in; creating a plurality of segments of LiDAR data points using the distribution of object detections; merging the plurality of segments of LiDAR data points to generate merged segments; and detecting the object in a point cloud defined by the LiDAR dataset based on the merged segments. The object detection may be used by the computing device to facilitate at least one autonomous driving operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: Argo AI, LLC
    Inventors: Arsenii Saranin, Basel Alghanem, G. Peter K. Carr
  • Patent number: 11429107
    Abstract: A system of creating a simulation to simulate behavior of an autonomous vehicle includes a simulation system having an electronic device and a computer-readable storage medium having one or more programming instructions. When executed, the one or more programming instructions cause the electronic device to identify an event that is to be analyzed, receive from an autonomous vehicle system a first data stream that includes event information from one or more vehicle event log files that corresponds to the event, receive from a vehicle dynamics model a second data stream that includes synthetic event information that corresponds to the event, until a switch point is detected operate in a pure log execution stage, upon detection of the switch point operate in a play-forward execution stage, and cause the new simulation to be executed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: Argo AI, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Carl Ackenhausen, Patrick Michael Carmody, Albert Costa
  • Patent number: 11429290
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing lockless access to a buffer ring are disclosed. The systems include a shared memory comprising the buffer ring. The buffer ring includes a plurality of sequentially arranged fixed size buffers configured to store messages, and a global header comprising a counter and a lock. The systems further include a publisher configured to write a plurality of messages to the plurality of fixed sized buffers in the buffer ring, and a subscriber configured to read one or more of the plurality of messages written by the publisher. The counter provides information relating to a fixed size buffer in the buffer ring to which the publisher will next write a message.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: Argo AI, LLC
    Inventor: Randall Nortman
  • Publication number: 20220268895
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided herein for improved short range object detection in LiDAR systems. The associated systems may include a first portion and a second portion configured to rotate relative to one another. The system may also include a first magnet located on the second portion and arranged with a north pole of the first magnet facing a first direction. The system may also include a second magnet located on the second portion and arranged with a south pole of the second magnet facing the first direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2021
    Publication date: August 25, 2022
    Applicant: Argo AI, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Entwistle, Bayard G. Gardineer, IV, Gary Burkholder, Chris J. Trowbridge
  • Publication number: 20220266867
    Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods are provided for indoor localization. A self-driving vehicle may detect a first fiducial marker located at a first location within a building, wherein the first fiducial marker comprises first fiducial marker information associated with the first location. The self-driving vehicle may retrieve the first fiducial marker information from the first fiducial marker. The self-driving vehicle may generate localization information of the self-driving vehicle based on the first fiducial marker information. The self-driving vehicle may utilize the localization information to transition to a second location within the building, wherein the second location comprises a second fiducial marker.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2021
    Publication date: August 25, 2022
    Applicant: Argo AI, LLC
    Inventors: Benjamin David Ballard, Matthew Puchalski, Dale Humbert Lord, Jason Paul Ziglar, John Martin Seminatore, Adela Hsien-Neng Wee, Kevin Scott Swanson
  • Patent number: 11420647
    Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods are provided for classifying detected objects as static or dynamic. A device may determine first light detection and ranging (LIDAR) data associated with a convex hull of an object at a first time, and determine second LIDAR data associated with the convex hull at a second time after the first time. The device may generate, based on the first LIDAR data and the second LIDAR data, a vector including values of features associated with the first convex hull and the second convex hull. The device may determine, based on the vector, a probability that the object is static. The device may operate a machine based on the probability that the object is static.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: ARGO AI, LLC
    Inventor: Kevin L. Wyffels
  • Patent number: 11422534
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are disclosed for a systems and methods for improved LIDAR return light capture efficiency. One example method may include comparing, by a controller including a processor and at a first time, a first temperature of a first computing element to a first threshold temperature and a second temperature of a second computing element to a second threshold temperature. The example method may also include sending, based on a determination that the first temperature is below the first threshold temperature and the second temperature is above the second threshold temperature, a first signal to a switch to activate a data output corresponding to the second computing element. The example method may also include sending, to the second computing element, a second signal to cause a third computing element to increase heat dissipation from the third computing element to the first computing element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: ARGO AI, LLC
    Inventors: Joshua S. Smith, Brian T. Margosian, Kevin J. Nealis, Ryan J. Skaff, Kenneth John Jackson
  • Patent number: 11422233
    Abstract: An assembly includes a housing arranged to house a sensor. The assembly includes a ring-shaped first shield supported by the housing. The assembly includes a second shield supported by the housing above the first shield and defining an outer perimeter greater than an inner perimeter, and less than an outer perimeter, of the first shield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignees: Ford Global Technologies, LLC, Argo AI, LLC
    Inventors: Dustin Yautz, Kenneth Jackson, Srinivasa Damaraju, Ahmad Soufan
  • Publication number: 20220260692
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are disclosed for characterizing LIDAR point cloud quality. An example method may involve capturing a first point cloud for a test target including a retroreflective object, the first point cloud including a first region. The example method may also involve capturing, by a LIDAR system, a second point cloud for the test target. The example method may also involve applying a penalty function to a first point in the second point cloud, wherein the first point is within an acceptable error threshold based on the first region. The example method may also involve applying a penalty function to a second point in the second point cloud, wherein the second point is outside of the acceptable error threshold based on the first region. The example method may also involve generating a first score for the first point and a second score for the second point based on the penalty function.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2021
    Publication date: August 18, 2022
    Applicant: Argo AI, LLC
    Inventors: Michael V. Morelli, Laurens M. Schouten-Evers
  • Patent number: 11414130
    Abstract: A method and a system for maneuvering an autonomous vehicle is disclosed. The system includes an autonomous vehicle including one or more sensors and a processor. The processor is configured to generate a nominal route from a start position toward a destination with reference to a road network map. The nominal route includes a plurality of consecutive lane segments from the start position to the destination. The processor is further configured to use the road network map to identify at least one candidate lane segment corresponding to one or more of the plurality of consecutive lane segments to generate an expanded route representation, generate a multi-corridor representation of a local region around the autonomous vehicle while travelling on the nominal path, and generate a trajectory for the autonomous vehicle to traverse the local region using the multi-corridor representation and perception data corresponding to the autonomous vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: Argo AI, LLC
    Inventors: Neal Seegmiller, Christopher Cunningham, Ramadev B. Hukkeri, Thomas Petroff, Albert Costa
  • Publication number: 20220256339
    Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods are provided for communications between autonomous and emergency vehicles. A method may include identifying, by an autonomous vehicle (AV), a first message received from a first vehicle, and identifying, by the AV, in the first message, information associated with identifying the AV, a security key associated with identifying the first vehicle, and an instruction associated with causing the AV to perform an action. The method may include authenticating, by the AV, based on the security key, the first vehicle, and controlling operation, based on the instruction and the information associated with identifying the AV, of the AV to perform the action.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2021
    Publication date: August 11, 2022
    Applicant: Argo AI, LLC
    Inventor: Kleanthes G. Koniaris
  • Patent number: 11403943
    Abstract: A node is provided for capturing information about moving objects at an intersection. The node includes a plurality of first cameras that are positioned to capture first digital images of an intersection from different fields of view and a second camera positioned to capture second digital images in a field of view that is wider than that of each first camera. The node includes a processor that detects in the first and second digital images a set of objects of interest of the intersection, determines motion of each detected object of interest in the set from consecutive images of the first digital images or the second digital images. The node generates, for each object of interest of the set, augmented perception data that includes location data in the global coordinate system and the determined motion of each object of interest in the set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: Argo AI, LLC
    Inventors: Sean Foley, Ilan Biala, Michel Laverne, James Hays, Brett Browning
  • Patent number: 11402472
    Abstract: A light detection and ranging (LiDAR) system includes light emitters that emit beams of light of substantially equal intensities. The light emitters form a beam polarization pattern with beams having varying polarizations. The LiDAR system also will include a receiver to receive light reflected from the object. An analyzer will determine characteristic differences between the beam polarization pattern of the beams emitted toward the object and an intensity pattern of the light reflected from the object, determine a reflection position that is associated with the light reflected from the object, and use the determined characteristic differences to determine whether the reflection position is a position of the object or a position of a ghost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: Argo AI, LLC
    Inventors: Viorel C. Negoita, Christopher John Trowbridge, Gary W. Kamerman
  • Patent number: 11405462
    Abstract: Provided are systems, methods, and computer program products for monitoring, testing, or debugging transportation services, generating or transmitting an initiating message from a global manager cloud to an external service cloud, to invoke a transportation as a service (TaaS) message from external service clouds that comprise confirmation, also including generating or transmitting a simulated message from the global manager cloud to mirror the TaaS message, or a portion, transmitted on a TaaS link from the external service cloud to the on-vehicle modem, determining, a confidence threshold for a capability or security of the TaaS link, validating AV service data sent from the global manager cloud to a TaaS component in an on-vehicle black box of the autonomous vehicle system, validating AV compute data sent from the autonomous vehicle system to the TaaS component in the on-vehicle black box, validating TaaS message data received from the external service cloud.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: Argo AI, LLC
    Inventors: Matthew Puchalski, Scott Anthony Plant
  • Publication number: 20220221560
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for a fanless design of a rotating LIDAR system with integrated cleaning and cooling. An example system may include an enclosure including one or more electronics. The example system may also include a cooling element provided externally to the enclosure, the cooling element comprising one or more horizontal fins.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2021
    Publication date: July 14, 2022
    Applicant: Argo AI, LLC
    Inventors: Paul Karayacoubian, Aaron Rifkin, Arnab Bagchi, Miguel Angel Avila Diaz, Bilge Kocer, Chris J. Trowbridge, Morgan M. Wagner
  • Publication number: 20220214217
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are disclosed for a systems and methods for intra-shot dynamic LIDAR detector gain. One example method my include receiving first image data associated with a first image of an object illuminated at a first wavelength and captured by a camera at the first wavelength, the first image data including first pixel data for a first pixel of the first image and second pixel data for a second pixel of the first image. The example method may also include calculating a first reflectance value for the first pixel using the first pixel data. The example method may also include calculating a second reflectance value for the second pixel using the second pixel data. The example method may also include generating, using first reflectance value and the second reflectance value, a first reflectance distribution of the object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2021
    Publication date: July 7, 2022
    Applicant: Argo AI, LLC
    Inventors: Michael V. Morelli, Laurens M. Schouten-Evers, Minseok Oh
  • 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: 20220187795
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are disclosed for a systems and methods for improved LIDAR return light capture efficiency. One example method may include comparing, by a controller including a processor and at a first time, a first temperature of a first computing element to a first threshold temperature and a second temperature of a second computing element to a second threshold temperature. The example method may also include sending, based on a determination that the first temperature is below the first threshold temperature and the second temperature is above the second threshold temperature, a first signal to a switch to activate a data output corresponding to the second computing element. The example method may also include sending, to the second computing element, a second signal to cause a third computing element to increase heat dissipation from the third computing element to the first computing element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2020
    Publication date: June 16, 2022
    Applicant: Argo AI, LLC
    Inventors: Joshua S. Smith, Brian T. Margosian, Kevin J. Nealis, Ryan J. Skaff, Kenneth John Jackson
  • Publication number: 20220189294
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are disclosed for a systems and methods for improved smart infrastructure data transfer. An example method may involve receiving, by a smart infrastructure device and from a first vehicle, first information associated with the first vehicle. The example method may also include receiving an image, video, or real-time feed of an environment of the smart infrastructure device, the environment including the first vehicle. The example method may also include determining an inconsistency between the first information received from the first vehicle and the image, video, or real-time feed of the environment. The example method may also include flagging, based on determining the inconsistency between the first information received from the first vehicle and the image, video, or real-time feed of the environment, the first vehicle as a source of erroneous data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2020
    Publication date: June 16, 2022
    Applicant: Argo AI, LLC
    Inventors: Ilan Biala, Michel H.J. Laverne