Patents by Inventor Brian Cullinane

Brian Cullinane 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: 11692841
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate generally to generating and providing route options for an autonomous vehicle. For example, a user may identify a destination, and in response the vehicle's computer may provide routing options to the user. The routing options may be based on typical navigating considerations such as the total travel time, travel distance, fuel economy, etc. Each routing option may include not only an estimated total time, but also information regarding whether and which portions of the route may be maneuvered under the control of the vehicle alone (fully autonomous), a combination of the vehicle and the driver (semiautonomous), or the driver alone. The time of the longest stretch of driving associated with the autonomous mode as well as map information indicating portions of the routes associated with the type of maneuvering control may also be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: Waymo LLC
    Inventors: Nicholas Kenneth Hobbs, Lawrence Burns, Brian Cullinane
  • Patent number: 11231292
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate generally to generating and providing route options for an autonomous vehicle. For example, a user may identify a destination, and in response the vehicle's computer may provide routing options to the user. The routing options may be based on typical navigating considerations such as the total travel time, travel distance, fuel economy, etc. Each routing option may include not only an estimated total time, but also information regarding whether and which portions of the route may be maneuvered under the control of the vehicle alone (fully autonomous), a combination of the vehicle and the driver (semiautonomous), or the driver alone. The time of the longest stretch of driving associated with the autonomous mode as well as map information indicating portions of the routes associated with the type of maneuvering control may also be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: Waymo LLC
    Inventors: Nicholas Kenneth Hobbs, Lawrence Burns, Brian Cullinane
  • Publication number: 20210217306
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for providing information about road features. A server can receive reports from information sources associated with a road feature that can include a road intersection. Each report can include source data obtained at a respective time. The source data from the reports can be stored at the server. The server can construct a phase map, where the phase map is configured to represent a status of the road feature at one or more times. The server can receive an information request related to the road feature at a specified time. In response to the information request, the server can generate an information response including a prediction of a status related to the road feature at the specified time. The prediction can be provided by the phase map and is based on information request. The information response can be sent from the server.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2021
    Publication date: July 15, 2021
    Inventors: Chris Urmson, Bradley Templeton, Anthony Levandowski, Eric Teller, Brian Cullinane
  • Patent number: 10971002
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for providing information about road features. A server can receive reports from information sources associated with a road feature that can include a road intersection. Each report can include source data obtained at a respective time. The source data from the reports can be stored at the server. The server can construct a phase map, where the phase map is configured to represent a status of the road feature at one or more times. The server can receive an information request related to the road feature at a specified time. In response to the information request, the server can generate an information response including a prediction of a status related to the road feature at the specified time. The prediction can be provided by the phase map and is based on information request. The information response can be sent from the server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Waymo LLC
    Inventors: Chris Urmson, Bradley Templeton, Anthony Levandowski, Eric Teller, Brian Cullinane
  • Patent number: 10816983
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for customizing driving operations of a vehicle based on occupant(s) of the vehicle. An autonomous vehicle that includes a passenger compartment can determine a presence of an occupant of the passenger compartment. The autonomous vehicle can determine a location of the occupant within the passenger compartment. Additional information about the occupant can be determined. A driving operation can be selected from among a plurality of driving operations based on the location and additional information about the occupant. The selected driving operation can be performed, perhaps by the autonomous vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: Waymo LLC
    Inventors: Brian Cullinane, Nicholas Kenneth Hobbs
  • Patent number: 10493622
    Abstract: Systems and methods for communicating future autonomous vehicle actions are provided. In one example embodiment, a computer implemented method includes obtaining, by a computing system including one or more computing devices onboard an autonomous vehicle, data associated with a planned motion of the autonomous vehicle. The method includes identifying, by the computing system, a future vehicle action to be performed by the autonomous vehicle based at least in part on the data associated with the planned motion. The method includes determining, by the computing system, an external vehicle indication that is indicative of the future vehicle action to be performed by the autonomous vehicle. The method includes outputting, by the computing system via an output device onboard the autonomous vehicle, the external vehicle indication. The external vehicle indication is outputted to at least a portion of a surrounding environment of the autonomous vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: UATC, LLC
    Inventors: Matthew Sweeney, Brian Cullinane
  • Patent number: 10451433
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate generally to generating and providing route options for an autonomous vehicle. For example, a user may identify a destination, and in response the vehicle's computer may provide routing options to the user. The routing options may be based on typical navigating considerations such as the total travel time, travel distance, fuel economy, etc. Each routing option may include not only an estimated total time, but also information regarding whether and which portions of the route may be maneuvered under the control of the vehicle alone (fully autonomous), a combination of the vehicle and the driver (semiautonomous), or the driver alone. The time of the longest stretch of driving associated with the autonomous mode as well as map information indicating portions of the routes associated with the type of maneuvering control may also be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: Waymo LLC
    Inventors: Nicholas Kenneth Hobbs, Lawrence Burns, Brian Cullinane
  • Publication number: 20190015976
    Abstract: Systems and methods for communicating future autonomous vehicle actions are provided. In one example embodiment, a computer implemented method includes obtaining, by a computing system including one or more computing devices onboard an autonomous vehicle, data associated with a planned motion of the autonomous vehicle. The method includes identifying, by the computing system, a future vehicle action to be performed by the autonomous vehicle based at least in part on the data associated with the planned motion. The method includes determining, by the computing system, an external vehicle indication that is indicative of the future vehicle action to be performed by the autonomous vehicle. The method includes outputting, by the computing system via an output device onboard the autonomous vehicle, the external vehicle indication. The external vehicle indication is outputted to at least a portion of a surrounding environment of the autonomous vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2017
    Publication date: January 17, 2019
    Inventors: Matthew Sweeney, Brian Cullinane
  • Publication number: 20180364723
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for customizing driving operations of a vehicle based on occupant(s) of the vehicle. An autonomous vehicle that includes a passenger compartment can determine a presence of an occupant of the passenger compartment. The autonomous vehicle can determine a location of the occupant within the passenger compartment. Additional information about the occupant can be determined. A driving operation can be selected from among a plurality of driving operations based on the location and additional information about the occupant. The selected driving operation can be performed, perhaps by the autonomous vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2018
    Publication date: December 20, 2018
    Inventors: Brian Cullinane, Nicholas Kenneth Hobbs
  • Patent number: 9950708
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for customizing driving operations of a vehicle based on occupant(s) of the vehicle. An autonomous vehicle that includes a passenger compartment can determine a presence of an occupant of the passenger compartment. The autonomous vehicle can determine a location of the occupant within the passenger compartment. Additional information about the occupant can be determined. A driving operation can be selected from among a plurality of driving operations based on the location and additional information about the occupant. The selected driving operation can be performed, perhaps by the autonomous vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Waymo LLC
    Inventors: Brian Cullinane, Nicholas Kenneth Hobbs
  • Patent number: 9779621
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for providing information about road features. A server can receive reports from information sources associated with a road feature that can include a road intersection. Each report can include source data obtained at a respective time. The source data from the reports can be stored at the server. The server can construct a phase map, where the phase map is configured to represent a status of the road feature at one or more times. The server can receive an information request related to the road feature at a specified time. In response to the information request, the server can generate an information response including a prediction of a status related to the road feature at the specified time. The prediction can be provided by the phase map and is based on information request. The information response can be sent from the server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Waymo LLC
    Inventors: Chris Urmson, Bradley Templeton, Anthony Levandowski, Eric Teller, Brian Cullinane
  • Patent number: 9631933
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate to a vehicle for maneuvering a passenger to a destination autonomously. The vehicle includes one or more computing devices that receive a request for a vehicle from a client computing device. The request identifies a first location. The one or more computing devices also determine whether the first location is within a threshold outside of a service area of the vehicle. When the location is within the threshold distance outside of the service area of the vehicle, the one or more computing devices identify a second location within the service area of the vehicle where the vehicle is able to stop for a passenger and based on the first location. The one or more computing devices then provide a map and a marker identifying the position of the second location on the map for display on the client computing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Anne Aula, Brian Cullinane, Daniel Jules Switkin, Jennifer Arden, Renaud-Roland Hubert
  • Patent number: 9501058
    Abstract: A vehicle has a plurality of control apparatuses, a user input, a geographic position component, an object detection apparatus, memory, and a display. A processor is also included and is programmed to receive the destination information, identify a route, and determine the current geographic location of the vehicle. The processor is also programmed to identify an object and object type based on object information received from the object detection apparatus and to determine at least one warning characteristic of the identified object based on at least one of: the object type, a detected proximity of the detected object to the vehicle, the location of the detected object relative to predetermined peripheral areas of the vehicle, the current geographic location of the vehicle, and the route. The processor is also configured to select and display on the display an object warning image based on the at least one warning characteristic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Robertus Christianus Elisabeth Mariet, Manuel Christian Clement, Philip Nemec, Brian Cullinane
  • Patent number: 9436182
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate to a vehicle for maneuvering a passenger to a destination autonomously. The vehicle includes one or more computing devices and a set of user input buttons for communicating requests to stop the vehicle and to initiate a trip to the destination with the one or more computing devices. The set of user input buttons consisting essentially of a dual-purpose button and an emergency stopping button different from the dual-purpose button configured to stop the vehicle. The dual-purpose button has a first purpose for communicating a request to initiate the trip to the destination and a second purpose for communicating a request to pull the vehicle over and stop the vehicle. The vehicle has no steering wheel and no user inputs for the steering, acceleration, and deceleration of the vehicle other than the set of user input buttons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Philip Nemec, Anne Aula, David Tse-Zhou Lu, Brian Cullinane, Calvin Karl Johnson, Albert Shane, Christopher Ludwick, YooJung Ahn
  • Publication number: 20150338849
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate to a vehicle for maneuvering a passenger to a destination autonomously. The vehicle includes one or more computing devices and a set of user input buttons for communicating requests to stop the vehicle and to initiate a trip to the destination with the one or more computing devices. The set of user input buttons consisting essentially of a dual-purpose button and an emergency stopping button different from the dual-purpose button configured to stop the vehicle. The dual-purpose button has a first purpose for communicating a request to initiate the trip to the destination and a second purpose for communicating a request to pull the vehicle over and stop the vehicle. The vehicle has no steering wheel and no user inputs for the steering, acceleration, and deceleration of the vehicle other than the set of user input buttons.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2014
    Publication date: November 26, 2015
    Inventors: Philip Nemec, Anne Aula, David Tse-Zhou Lu, Brian Cullinane, Calvin Karl Johnson, Albert Shane, Christopher Ludwick, YooJung Ahn
  • Patent number: 9188985
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate generally to generating and providing route options for an autonomous vehicle. For example, a user may identify a destination, and in response the vehicle's computer may provide routing options to the user. The routing options may be based on typical navigating considerations such as the total travel time, travel distance, fuel economy, etc. Each routing option may include not only an estimated total time, but also information regarding whether and which portions of the route may be maneuvered under the control of the vehicle alone (fully autonomous), a combination of the vehicle and the driver (semiautonomous), or the driver alone. The time of the longest stretch of driving associated with the autonomous mode as well as map information indicating portions of the routes associated with the type of maneuvering control may also be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas Kenneth Hobbs, Lawrence Burns, Brian Cullinane
  • Patent number: D741904
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Manuel Christian Clement, Brian Cullinane, Robertus Christianus Elisabeth Mariet, Philip Nemec
  • Patent number: D746836
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Robertus Christianus Elisabeth Mariet, Brian Cullinane, Manuel Christian Clement
  • Patent number: D754189
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Robertus Christianus Elisabeth Mariet, Manuel Christian Clement, Philip Nemec, Brian Cullinane, Andrew Szybalski, Dmitri A. Dolgov
  • Patent number: D754190
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Robertus Christianus Elisabeth Mariet, Manuel Christian Clement, Philip Nemec, Brian Cullinane, Andrew Szybalski, Dmitri A. Dolgov