Patents Assigned to UATC, LLC
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Patent number: 11644537Abstract: A LIDAR system is provided. In one example, the LIDAR system can include an emitter configured to emit a light signal through one or more transmit lenses positioned along a transmit path to provide transmit signals to a surrounding environment. The LIDAR system can include a receiver spaced apart from the emitter. The receiver configured to detect return signals corresponding to reflected transmit signals from the surrounding environment. The return signals can be received via one or more receive lenses positioned along a receive path. The LIDAR system can include an actuator coupled to the one or more transmit lenses. The actuator can be operable to impart a motion to the one or more transmit lenses to provide for steering of the transmit signals in the surrounding environment.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2020Date of Patent: May 9, 2023Assignee: UATC, LLCInventors: Martin Millischer, Gaetan Pennecot
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Patent number: 11642985Abstract: Systems, methods, tangible non-transitory computer-readable media, and devices associated with the operation of a vehicle are provided. For example a vehicle computing system can receive occupancy data that includes information associated with occupancy of a vehicle that includes seats. One or more states of the vehicle can be determined. The states of the vehicle can include a disposition of any object that is within the vehicle. Further, a configuration of the seats in the vehicle can be determined based on the occupancy data and the states of the vehicle. The configuration can include a disposition of the seats inside the vehicle. Furthermore, at least one of the seats can be adjusted based on the configuration that was determined.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2022Date of Patent: May 9, 2023Assignee: UATC, LLCInventors: Christopher Matthew D'Eramo, Nicolas Bryan Chan, Janna Urbanski
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Patent number: 11635764Abstract: Systems, methods, tangible non-transitory computer-readable media, and devices associated with the motion prediction and operation of a device including a vehicle are provided. For example, a vehicle computing system can access state data including information associated with locations and characteristics of objects over a plurality of time intervals. Trajectories of the objects at subsequent time intervals following the plurality of time intervals can be determined based on the state data and a machine-learned tracking and kinematics model. The trajectories of the objects can include predicted locations of the objects at subsequent time intervals that follow the plurality of time intervals. Further, the predicted locations of the objects can be based on physical constraints of the objects. Furthermore, indications, which can include visual indications, can be generated based on the predicted locations of the objects at the subsequent time intervals.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2019Date of Patent: April 25, 2023Assignee: UATC, LLC.Inventors: Nemanja Djuric, Henggang Cui, Thi Duong Nguyen, Fang-Chieh Chou, Tsung-Han Lin, Jeff Schneider, David McAllister Bradley
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Patent number: 11636307Abstract: Systems and methods for generating motion forecast data for actors with respect to an autonomous vehicle and training a machine learned model for the same are disclosed. The computing system can include an object detection model and a graph neural network including a plurality of nodes and a plurality of edges. The computing system can be configured to input sensor data into the object detection model; receive object detection data describing the location of the plurality of the actors relative to the autonomous vehicle as an output of the object detection model; input the object detection data into the graph neural network; iteratively update a plurality of node states respectively associated with the plurality of nodes; and receive, as an output of the graph neural network, the motion forecast data with respect to the plurality of actors.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2020Date of Patent: April 25, 2023Assignee: UATC, LLCInventors: Raquel Urtasun, Renjie Liao, Sergio Casas, Cole Christian Gulino
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Patent number: 11634162Abstract: Systems and methods for motion planning by a vehicle computing system of an autonomous vehicle are provided. The vehicle computing system can input sensor data to a machine-learned system including one or more machine-learned models. The computing system can obtain, as an output of the machine-learned model(s), motion prediction(s) associated with object(s) detected by the system. The system can convert a shape of the object(s) into a probability of occupancy by convolving an occupied area of the object(s) with a continuous uncertainty associated with the object(s). The system can determine a probability of future occupancy of a plurality of locations in the environment at future times based at least in part on the motion prediction(s) and the probability of occupancy of the object(s). The system can provide the motion prediction(s) and the probability of future occupancy of the plurality of locations to a motion planning system of the autonomous vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2020Date of Patent: April 25, 2023Assignee: UATC, LLC.Inventor: Galen Clark Haynes
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Patent number: 11635502Abstract: A LIDAR system includes a plurality of LIDAR units. Each of the LIDAR units includes a housing defining a cavity. Each of the LIDAR units further includes a plurality of emitters disposed within the cavity. Each of the plurality of emitters is configured to emit a laser beam. The LIDAR system includes a rotating mirror and a retarder. The retarder is configurable in at least a first mode and a second mode to control a polarization state of a plurality of laser beams emitted from each of the plurality of LIDAR units. The LIDAR system includes a polarizing beam splitter positioned relative to the retarder such that the polarizing beam splitter receives a plurality of laser beams exiting the retarder. The polarizing beam is configured to transmit or reflect the plurality of laser beams exiting the retarder based on the polarization state of the laser beams exiting the retarder.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2020Date of Patent: April 25, 2023Assignee: UATC, LLCInventors: James Allen Haslim, Michael Bryan Borden
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Patent number: 11625045Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling an autonomous vehicle are provided. In one example embodiment, a computer-implemented method includes obtaining sensor data indicative of a surrounding environment of the autonomous vehicle, the surrounding environment including one or more occluded sensor zones. The method includes determining that a first occluded sensor zone of the occluded sensor zone(s) is occupied based at least in part on the sensor data. The method includes, in response to determining that the first occluded sensor zone is occupied, controlling the autonomous vehicle to travel clear of the first occluded sensor zone.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2018Date of Patent: April 11, 2023Assignee: UATC, LLCInventor: Brian C. Becker
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Patent number: 11621025Abstract: A method for receiving autonomous vehicle (AV) map data associated with an AV map of a geographic location and coverage map data associated with a coverage map of the geographic location. The AV map data is associated with an AV lane of a roadway in the geographic location, and the coverage map data is associated with a coverage lane of the roadway in the geographic location. The method includes generating a hybrid map of the geographic location based on the AV map data and the coverage map data and providing hybrid map data associated with the hybrid map for routing of an AV. The hybrid map includes the AV lane linked with the coverage lane of the roadway.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2021Date of Patent: April 4, 2023Assignee: UATC, LLCInventors: Gordon Peter Bailey, Bryan John Nagy, Adam Henry Polk Milstein, Robert Zlot, Adam Panzica, Brett Bavar, David Prasser, Peter Hansen, Ethan Duff Eade, Xxx Xinjilefu, Brett Browning
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Patent number: 11620838Abstract: Systems and methods for answering region specific questions are provided. A method includes obtaining a regional scene question including an attribute query and a spatial region of interest for a training scene depicting a surrounding environment of a vehicle. The method includes obtaining a universal embedding for the training scene and an attribute embedding for the attribute query of the scene question. The universal embedding can identify sensory data corresponding to the training scene that can be used to answer questions concerning a number of different attributes in the training scene. The attribute embedding can identify aspects of an attribute that can be used to answer questions specific to the attribute. The method includes determining an answer embedding based on the universal embedding and the attribute embedding and determining a regional scene answer to the regional scene question based on the spatial region of interest and the answer embedding.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2020Date of Patent: April 4, 2023Assignee: UATC, LLCInventors: Sean Segal, Wenjie Luo, Eric Randall Kee, Ersin Yumer, Raquel Urtasun, Abbas Sadat
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Patent number: 11614735Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for remotely detecting a status associated with an autonomous vehicle and generating control actions in response to such detections. In one example, a computing system can access a third-party communication associated with an autonomous vehicle. The computing system can determine, based at least in part on the third-party communication, a predetermined identifier associated with the autonomous vehicle. The computing system can determine, based at least in part on the third-party communication, a status associated with the autonomous vehicle, and transmit one or more control messages to the autonomous vehicle based at least in part on the predetermined identifier and the status associated with the autonomous vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2018Date of Patent: March 28, 2023Assignee: UATC, LLCInventors: Scott C. Poeppel, Noah Zych, Matthew Shaw Wood, Dirk John Vandenberg, III
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Patent number: 11607973Abstract: An autonomous can include one or more configurable passenger seats to accommodate a plurality of different seating configurations. For instance, the one or more passenger seats can include a passenger seat defining a seating orientation. The passenger seat can be configurable in a first configuration in which the seating orientation is directed towards a forward end of the autonomous vehicle and a second configuration in which the seating orientation is directed towards a rear end of the autonomous vehicle. The passenger seat can include a seatback rotatable about a pivot point on a base of the passenger seat to switch between the first configuration and the second configuration. Alternatively, or additionally, the autonomous vehicle can include a door assembly pivotably fixed to a vehicle body of the autonomous vehicle such that a swept path of the door assembly when moving between an open position and a closed position is reduced.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2020Date of Patent: March 21, 2023Assignee: UATC, LLCInventor: Daniel Adam Kanitz
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Patent number: 11608002Abstract: Systems, methods, tangible non-transitory computer-readable media, and devices associated with the operation of a vehicle are provided. For example, a receptacle system can determine states of a receptacle of a vehicle. Further, the states of the receptacle can be associated with accommodation of objects by the receptacle. The receptacle system can receive object data that includes information associated with accommodation of the objects by the receptacle. The receptacle system can also determine operations associated with the receptacle based at least in part on the object data and the states of the receptacle. Furthermore, the receptacle system can generate control signals to perform the operations associated with the receptacle which can include transporting objects in the receptacle, charging objects in the receptacle, extending the receptacle, or retracting the receptacle.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2018Date of Patent: March 21, 2023Assignee: UATC, LLCInventors: Johad Husseini Ellis, Christopher Matthew D'Eramo
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Patent number: 11609314Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure involve systems, methods, and devices for mitigating Lidar cross-talk. Consistent with some embodiments, a Lidar system is configured to include one or more noise source detectors that detect noise signals that may produce noise in return signals received at the Lidar system. A noise source detector comprises a light sensor to receive a noise signal produced by a noise source and a timing circuit to provide a timing signal indicative of a direction of the noise source relative to an autonomous vehicle on which the Lidar system is mounted. A noise source may be an external Lidar system or a surface in the surrounding environment that is reflecting light signals such as those emitted by an external Lidar system.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2019Date of Patent: March 21, 2023Assignee: UATC, LLCInventor: Soren Juelsgaard
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Patent number: 11604908Abstract: Systems, methods, tangible non-transitory computer-readable media, and devices associated with testing, simulation, or operation of an autonomous device including an autonomous vehicle are provided. For example, a service entity computing system can perform operations including obtaining operating software data associated with operating software of the autonomous vehicle. Log data associated with one or more real-world scenarios can also be obtained. One or more first simulations of the operating software can be performed based on the one or more real-world scenarios. A latency distribution profile associated with the operating software can be generated based on the one or more first simulations. One or more second simulations of the operating software can be performed based on the latency distribution profile and one or more artificially generated scenarios. Furthermore, a real-world behavior of the autonomous vehicle can be predicted based on the one or more second simulations.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2021Date of Patent: March 14, 2023Assignee: UATC, LLCInventor: Arun Dravid Kain Venkatadri
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Patent number: 11606215Abstract: Systems and methods for onboard vehicle certificate distribution are provided. A system can include a plurality of devices including a master device for authenticating processes and one or more requesting devices. The master device can include a master host security service configured to authenticate the one or more processes of the system. The master host security service can run a certificate authority to generate a root certificate and a private root key corresponding to the root certificate. A respective host security service can receive a request for a process manifest for a requesting process of a respective device from a respective orchestration service. The respective host security service can generate the process manifest for the requesting process and provide the process manifest to the requesting process. The requesting process can use the process manifest to communicate with the certificate authority to obtain an operational certificate based on the root certificate.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2020Date of Patent: March 14, 2023Assignee: UATC, LLCInventors: Michael David Sorensen, Matthew Charles Ellis Wood, Matthew James Harris
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Patent number: 11604475Abstract: A planar-beam, light detection and ranging (PLADAR) system can include a laser to output a laser beam and a collimator configured to collimate the laser beam axially to emit a planar beam from the laser. The PLADAR system can further include a detector to detect reflected light based on the planar beam being reflected from external surfaces of target objects.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2021Date of Patent: March 14, 2023Assignee: UATC, LLCInventor: Scott Boehmke
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Patent number: 11597342Abstract: Systems and methods for a moveable cover panel of an autonomous vehicle is provided. A vehicle can include a front panel disposed proximate to the front end of the passenger compartment, a vehicle motion control device located at the front panel, and a cover panel located at the front panel. The cover panel moveable relative to the front panel between an isolating position and an exposing position. The cover panel can isolate the vehicle motion control device from the passenger compartment when in the isolating position and expose the vehicle motion control device to the passenger compartment when in the exposing position. A method can include obtaining vehicle data identifying an operational mode, state, and/or status of the vehicle, determining a first position of the cover panel, and initiating a positional change for the cover panel based on the vehicle data and the first position.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2020Date of Patent: March 7, 2023Assignee: UATC, LLCInventor: Philipp Haban
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Patent number: 11597406Abstract: An autonomous vehicle computing system can include a primary perception system configured to receive a plurality of sensor data points as input generate primary perception data representing a plurality of classifiable objects and a plurality of paths representing tracked motion of the plurality of classifiable objects. The autonomous vehicle computing system can include a secondary perception system configured to receive the plurality of sensor data points as input, cluster a subset of the plurality of sensor data points of the sensor data to generate one or more sensor data point clusters representing one or more unclassifiable objects that are not classifiable by the primary perception system, and generate secondary path data representing tracked motion of the one or more unclassifiable objects. The autonomous vehicle computing system can generate fused perception data based on the primary perception data and the one or more unclassifiable objects.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2020Date of Patent: March 7, 2023Assignee: UATC, LLCInventors: Abhishek Sen, Ashton James Fagg, Brian C. Becker, Yang Xu, Nathan Nicolas Pilbrough, Carlos Vallespi-Gonzalez
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Patent number: 11599112Abstract: An autonomous vehicle which includes multiple independent control systems that provide redundancy as to specific and critical safety situations which may be encountered when the autonomous vehicle is in operation.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2022Date of Patent: March 7, 2023Assignee: UATC, LLCInventors: Nicholas Letwin, Sean Kelly
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Patent number: 11593950Abstract: Systems and methods for movement detection are provided. In one example embodiment, a computer-implemented method includes obtaining image data and range data representing a scene external to an autonomous vehicle, the image data including at least a first image and a second image that depict the scene. The method includes identifying a set of corresponding image features from the image data, the set of corresponding image features including a first feature in the first image having a correspondence with a second feature in the second image. The method includes determining a respective distance for each of the first feature and the second feature based at least in part on the range data. The method includes determining a velocity associated with a portion of a scene represented by the set of corresponding image features based at least in part on the respective distance for the first feature and the second feature.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2021Date of Patent: February 28, 2023Assignee: UATC, LLCInventors: Ashton James Fagg, Narek Melik-Barkhudarov