Patents by Inventor Brian Douglas Cullinane
Brian Douglas 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).
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Patent number: 10191491Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to providing information about a vehicle dispatched to pick up the user. In one example, a request for the vehicle to stop at a particular location is sent. In response, information identifying a current location of the vehicle is received. A map is generated. The map includes a first marker identifying the received location of the vehicle, a second marker identifying the particular location, and a shape defining an area around the second marker at which the vehicle may stop. The shape has an edge at least a minimum distance greater than zero from the second area. A route is displayed on the map between the first marker and the shape such that the route ends at the shape and does not reach the second marker. Progress of the vehicle towards the area along the route is displayed based on received updated location information for the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 2017Date of Patent: January 29, 2019Assignee: Waymo LLCInventors: Jennifer Arden, Brian Douglas Cullinane, Min Li Chan, Renaud-Roland Hubert
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Publication number: 20190019411Abstract: Systems and methods for communicating autonomous vehicle confidence levels 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 the autonomous vehicle. The method includes determining, by the computing system, a vehicle confidence level associated with one or more system actions of the autonomous vehicle based at least in part on the data associated with the autonomous vehicle. The method includes determining, by the computing system, an external vehicle indication that is indicative of the vehicle confidence level. The method includes outputting, by the computing system via an output device onboard the autonomous vehicle, the external vehicle indication that is indicative of the vehicle confidence level. The external vehicle indication is outputted to at least a portion of a surrounding environment of the autonomous vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 14, 2017Publication date: January 17, 2019Inventors: Matthew Sweeney, Brian Douglas Cullinane
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Patent number: 10168710Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 23, 2017Date of Patent: January 1, 2019Assignee: Waymo LLCInventors: Robertus Christianus Elisabeth Mariet, Manuel Christian Clement, Philip Nemec, Brian Douglas Cullinane
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Patent number: 10139829Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 17, 2016Date of Patent: November 27, 2018Assignee: Waymo LLCInventors: Robertus Christianus Elisabeth Mariet, Manuel Christian Clement, Philip Nemec, Brian Douglas Cullinane
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Patent number: 10140870Abstract: A vehicle for maneuvering an occupant of the vehicle to a destination autonomously as well as providing information about the vehicle and the vehicle's environment for display to the occupant.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2016Date of Patent: November 27, 2018Assignee: Waymo LLCInventors: Min Li Chan, Philip Nemec, Brian Douglas Cullinane, Julien Charles Mercay, Peter Crandall
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Publication number: 20180334173Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate switching between autonomous and manual driving modes. In order to do so, the vehicle's computer may conduct a series of environmental, system, and driver checks to identify certain conditions. The computer may correct some of these conditions and also provide a driver with a checklist of tasks for completion. Once the tasks have been completed and the conditions are changed, the computer may allow the driver to switch from the manual to the autonomous driving mode. The computer may also make a determination, under certain conditions, that it would be detrimental to the driver's safety or comfort to make a switch from the autonomous driving mode to the manual driving mode.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 17, 2018Publication date: November 22, 2018Inventors: Brian Douglas Cullinane, Philip Nemec, Manuel Christian Clement, Robertus Christianus Elisabeth Mariet, Lilli Ing-Marie Jonsson
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Patent number: 10093181Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate to a vehicle for maneuvering an occupant of the vehicle to a destination autonomously as well as providing information about the vehicle and the vehicle's environment for display to the occupant.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2016Date of Patent: October 9, 2018Assignee: Waymo LLCInventors: Min Li Chan, Philip Nemec, Brian Douglas Cullinane, Julien Charles Mercay, Peter Crandall
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Patent number: 10088326Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 8, 2017Date of Patent: October 2, 2018Assignee: Waymo LLCInventors: Anne Kristiina Aula, Brian Douglas Cullinane, Daniel Jules Switkin, Jennifer Arden, Renaud-Roland Hubert
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Publication number: 20180267531Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 25, 2018Publication date: September 20, 2018Inventors: Philip Nemec, Anne Kristiina Aula, David Tse-Zhou Lu, Brian Douglas Cullinane, Calvin Karl Johnson, Albert Shane, Christopher Kennedy Ludwick, YooJung Ahn
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Patent number: 10036648Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 15, 2016Date of Patent: July 31, 2018Assignee: Waymo LLCInventors: Nicholas Kenneth Hobbs, Lawrence Burns, Brian Douglas Cullinane
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Patent number: 10000216Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate switching between autonomous and manual driving modes. In order to do so, the vehicle's computer may conduct a series of environmental, system, and driver checks to identify certain conditions. The computer may correct some of these conditions and also provide a driver with a checklist of tasks for completion. Once the tasks have been completed and the conditions are changed, the computer may allow the driver to switch from the manual to the autonomous driving mode. The computer may also make a determination, under certain conditions, that it would be detrimental to the driver's safety or comfort to make a switch from the autonomous driving mode to the manual driving mode.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2017Date of Patent: June 19, 2018Assignee: Waymo LLCInventors: Brian Douglas Cullinane, Philip Nemec, Manuel Christian Clement, Robertus Christianus Elisabeth Mariet, Lilli Ing-Marie Jonsson
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Patent number: 9983582Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 8, 2016Date of Patent: May 29, 2018Assignee: Waymo LLCInventors: Philip Nemec, Anne Kristiina Aula, David Tse-Zhou Lu, Brian Douglas Cullinane, Calvin Karl Johnson, Albert Shane, Christopher Kennedy Ludwick, YooJung Ahn
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Publication number: 20180118052Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to vehicles capable of autonomous driving. These vehicles may include seats for accommodating different numbers of passengers. In some cases, the seats may be reconfigurable. For instance, a vehicle may include a first row of seating having a first, passenger use configuration. The first row may allow a passenger to sit in a seat of the first row of seating and access user input controls for the vehicle. The first row of seating may also have a second, folded configuration where the first row is in a folded configuration and no longer usable for passenger seating. The vehicle may also have a second row of seating. When the first row of seating is in the second, folded configuration, the second row of seating may still be usable for seating and may include additional legroom for the passenger as compared to when the first row of seating is in the first passenger use configuration.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 22, 2017Publication date: May 3, 2018Inventors: YooJung Ahn, David Tse-Zhou Lu, Min Li Chan, Brian Douglas Cullinane, Adam Lee Frost, Philippe Robert Agostino Holland, Hassan Rashid Mir, Marcos Aniceto Villalón Caro, Isaac Lopes Nogueras
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Patent number: 9950619Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate to a vehicle for maneuvering an occupant of the vehicle to a destination autonomously as well as providing information about the vehicle and the vehicle's environment for display to the occupant.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2016Date of Patent: April 24, 2018Assignee: Waymo LLCInventors: Min Li Chan, Philip Nemec, Brian Douglas Cullinane, Julien Charles Mercay, Peter Crandall
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Patent number: 9910438Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate to a vehicle having one or more computing devices that may receive instructions to pick up a passenger at a location, determine when the vehicle is within a first distance of the location, provide a first notification that the vehicle is within the first distance, and stop the vehicle. When the vehicle is stopped, the computing device may initiate a countdown. When a client computing device associated with the passenger has not been authenticated, the computing devices may provide a second notification based on a first amount of time remaining in the countdown and a third notification indicating that the trip is cancelled based on a second amount of time remaining in the countdown less than the first amount of time. Once the third notification is provided, the computing devices move the vehicle from the where the vehicle is stopped without the passenger.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2014Date of Patent: March 6, 2018Assignee: Waymo LLCInventors: Jennifer Arden, Anne Kristiina Aula, Brian Douglas Cullinane
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Publication number: 20180043904Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate switching between autonomous and manual driving modes. In order to do so, the vehicle's computer may conduct a series of environmental, system, and driver checks to identify certain conditions. The computer may correct some of these conditions and also provide a driver with a checklist of tasks for completion. Once the tasks have been completed and the conditions are changed, the computer may allow the driver to switch from the manual to the autonomous driving mode. The computer may also make a determination, under certain conditions, that it would be detrimental to the driver's safety or comfort to make a switch from the autonomous driving mode to the manual driving mode.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 17, 2017Publication date: February 15, 2018Inventors: Brian Douglas Cullinane, Philip Nemec, Manuel Christian Clement, Robertus Christianus Elisabeth Mariet, Lilli Ing-Marie Jonsson
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Patent number: 9855860Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to vehicles capable of autonomous driving. These vehicles may include seats for accommodating different numbers of passengers. In some cases, the seats may be reconfigurable. For instance, a vehicle may include a first row of seating having a first, passenger use configuration. The first row may allow a passenger to sit in a seat of the first row of seating and access user input controls for the vehicle. The first row of seating may also have a second, folded configuration where the first row is in a folded configuration and no longer usable for passenger seating. The vehicle may also have a second row of seating. When the first row of seating is in the second, folded configuration, the second row of seating may still be usable for seating and may include additional legroom for the passenger as compared to when the first row of seating is in the first passenger use configuration.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2016Date of Patent: January 2, 2018Assignee: Waymo LLCInventors: YooJung Ahn, David Tse-Zhou Lu, Min Li Chan, Brian Douglas Cullinane, Adam Lee Frost, Philippe Robert Agostino Holland, Hassan Rashid Mir, Marcos Aniceto Villalón Caro, Isaac Lopes Nogueras
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Patent number: 9849784Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate to a vehicle for maneuvering an occupant of the vehicle to a destination autonomously as well as providing information about the vehicle and the vehicle's environment for display to the occupant.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2016Date of Patent: December 26, 2017Assignee: Waymo LLCInventors: Min Li Chan, Philip Nemec, Brian Douglas Cullinane, Julien Charles Mercay, Peter Crandall
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Patent number: D812070Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2016Date of Patent: March 6, 2018Assignee: Waymo LLCInventors: Robertus Christianus Elisabeth Mariet, Manuel Christian Clement, Philip Nemec, Brian Douglas Cullinane, Andrew Timothy Szybalski, Dmitri A. Dolgov
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Patent number: D837232Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 2017Date of Patent: January 1, 2019Assignee: Waymo LLCInventors: Robertus Christianus Elisabeth Mariet, Brian Douglas Cullinane, Manuel Christian Clement