Patents by Inventor Bruce Mai
Bruce Mai 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: 20260198769Abstract: A vision evaluation system is provided that includes portable device with a display, and a controller. The vision evaluation system can operate in a mode in which the controller defines a virtual space and displays an image on the display that represents a portion of the virtual space that is based the position of the portable device. The vision evaluation system can display a visual target that moves or relocates once the user tags the visual target by tapping it or by gazing at it.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 10, 2025Publication date: July 16, 2026Applicant: MENICON CO., LTDInventors: Tsuyoshi OKAMOTO, Stephen D. NEWMAN, Bruce MAI
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Patent number: 12630193Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to providing transportation services with autonomous vehicles. For instance, a first route to a first destination may be determined. The first route may have a first cost. Weather information for the first destination may be received. A characteristic is determined based on the weather information. A second destination having the characteristic may be selected. The second destination may be different from the first destination. A second route to the second destination may be determined. The second route may have a second cost. The first cost may be compared to the second cost, and the vehicle may use the comparison to set one of the first destination or the second destination as a current destination for a vehicle to cause the vehicle to control itself in an autonomous driving mode to the current destination.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2024Date of Patent: May 19, 2026Assignee: Waymo LLCInventors: Salil Pandit, Robert Chen, Bruce Mai
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Publication number: 20250389545Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure provide for generating and using a model for identifying a plurality of pick up or drop off locations for a large venue point of interest. For instance, a large venue point of interest may be identified. The plurality may be identified for the large venue point of interest based on a combination of historical trip data and map information. The plurality may be associated with the large venue point of interest. The association may be stored in memory for later use. Thereafter, a request for a trip identifying the large venue point of interest may be received from a client computing device, and the plurality may be provided to the client computing device in response to the request. A pickup and drop off location of the plurality may be provided to an autonomous vehicle in order to cause the autonomous vehicle to transport a passenger to the pickup or drop off location.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 26, 2025Publication date: December 25, 2025Inventors: Kevin Malta, Bruce Mai, Reed Morse, Victor Chan, Celia Zhang, Jonathan Willing, Shiqian Zhang, Donghyun Kim
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Publication number: 20250321112Abstract: The technology uses augmented reality (AR) elements for enhanced wayfinding with autonomous vehicle pickups and drop-offs. The approach includes generating, for presentation in a first region of a client device UI, trip information regarding a trip. Map information associated with the trip is generated for presentation in a second UI region, including at least one of a pickup location for a rider, a walking path from a current location of the rider to the pickup location, a planned route of the vehicle to the pickup location, or a current location of the vehicle. An AR indicator is generated for presentation in the second UI region. Upon selection of the indicator, the system modifies the second region into a first section to display at least a portion of the map information and a second section to display an augmented reality view, or replace the map information with the AR view.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 23, 2025Publication date: October 16, 2025Inventors: Bruce Mai, Maria Moon, Jonathan Willing, Peter Crandall, Steven Kleiser, Kevin Malta
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Patent number: 12435986Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure provide for generating and using a model for identifying a plurality of pick up or drop off locations for a large venue point of interest. For instance, a large venue point of interest may be identified. The plurality may be identified for the large venue point of interest based on a combination of historical trip data and map information. The plurality may be associated with the large venue point of interest. The association may be stored in memory for later use. Thereafter, a request for a trip identifying the large venue point of interest may be received from a client computing device, and the plurality may be provided to the client computing device in response to the request. A pickup and drop off location of the plurality may be provided to an autonomous vehicle in order to cause the autonomous vehicle to transport a passenger to the pickup or drop off location.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 2023Date of Patent: October 7, 2025Assignee: WAYMO LLCInventors: Kevin Malta, Bruce Mai, Reed Morse, Victor Chan, Celia Zhang, Jonathan Willing, Shiqian Zhang, Donghyun Kim
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Patent number: 12422266Abstract: The technology uses augmented reality (AR) elements for enhanced wayfinding with autonomous vehicle pickups and drop-offs. The approach includes generating, for presentation in a first region of a client device UI, trip information regarding a trip. Map information associated with the trip is generated for presentation in a second UI region, including at least one of a pickup location for a rider, a walking path from a current location of the rider to the pickup location, a planned route of the vehicle to the pickup location, or a current location of the vehicle. An AR indicator is generated for presentation in the second UI region. Upon selection of the indicator, the system modifies the second region into a first section to display at least a portion of the map information and a second section to display an augmented reality view, or replace the map information with the AR view.Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 2022Date of Patent: September 23, 2025Assignee: WAYMO LLCInventors: Bruce Mai, Maria Moon, Jonathan Willing, Peter Crandall, Steven Kleiser, Kevin Malta
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Patent number: 12415548Abstract: The technology employs a holistic approach to passenger pickups and other wayfinding situations. This includes identifying where passengers are relative to the vehicle and/or the pickup location. One aspect leverages camera imagery from a rider's client device when providing rider support. This enables an agent to receive the imagery to help guide the rider to the vehicle. Another aspect provides audio information to the rider to help them get to the vehicle. This can include selecting or curating various tones or melodies, giving the rider advanced notice of sounds to listen for, and modifying sounds as the rider approaches the vehicle or to address ambient noise in the environment. Different wayfinding tools may be selected for presentation to the rider based on their proximity state to a pickup location or to the vehicle. Gracefully transitioning between different tools can enhance their usefulness and elevate the rider's experience for a trip.Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 2023Date of Patent: September 16, 2025Assignee: Waymo LLCInventors: Kevin Malta, Maria Moon, Lauren Schwendimann, Bruce Mai, Jonathan Willing
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Publication number: 20250244136Abstract: The technology uses augmented reality (AR) elements for enhanced wayfinding with autonomous vehicle pickups and drop-offs. The approach includes generating, for presentation in a first region of a client device UI, trip information regarding a trip. Map information associated with the trip is generated for presentation in a second UI region, including at least one of a pickup location for a rider, a walking path from a current location of the rider to the pickup location, a planned route of the vehicle to the pickup location, or a current location of the vehicle. An AR indicator is generated for presentation in the second UI region. Upon selection of the indicator, the system modifies the second region into a first section to display at least a portion of the map information and a second section to display an augmented reality view, or replace the map information with the AR view.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 19, 2022Publication date: July 31, 2025Inventors: Bruce Mai, Maria Moon, Jonathan Willing, Peter Crandall, Steven Kleiser, Kevin Malta
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Patent number: 12359932Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to arranging trips for an autonomous vehicle transportation service. In one instance, a request for a first trip from a user is received. The trip may include a pickup location and a destination location. Whether the user has previously completed the first trip may be determined by comparing the pickup location and the destination location to a trip history for the user. Based on the determination, a notification suggesting that the user establish a routine may be provided for display to the user. Confirmation that the user wants to establish a routine based on the pickup location and the destination location may be received. The routine may be stored in memory for later use.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2022Date of Patent: July 15, 2025Assignee: Waymo LLCInventors: Maria Moon, Ryan Hendrickson, Victor Chan, Reed Morse, Ricardo Gonzalez Ramirez, Hans-olav CaveLie, Kerry Brennan, Bruce Mai
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Publication number: 20250187533Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure provide for displaying notifications on a display of an autonomous vehicle 100. In one instance, a distance from the vehicle to a destination of the vehicle or a passenger may be determined. When the distance is between a first distance and a second distance, a first notification 650 may be displayed on the display. The second distance may be less than the first distance. When the distance is less than the second distance, a second notification 660 may be displayed on the display. The second notification provides additional information not provided by the first notification.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2024Publication date: June 12, 2025Applicant: WAYMO LLCInventors: Maria Moon, Philip Nemec, Ryan Powell, Bruce Mai
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Patent number: 12214721Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure provide for displaying notifications on a display of an autonomous vehicle 100. In one instance, a distance from the vehicle to a destination of the vehicle or a passenger may be determined. When the distance is between a first distance and a second distance, a first notification 650 may be displayed on the display. The second distance may be less than the first distance. When the distance is less than the second distance, a second notification 660 may be displayed on the display. The second notification provides additional information not provided by the first notification.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2023Date of Patent: February 4, 2025Assignee: WAYMO LLCInventors: Maria Moon, Philip Nemec, Ryan Powell, Bruce Mai
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Publication number: 20250012582Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to evaluating quality of a predetermined pullover location for an autonomous vehicle. For instance, a plurality of inputs for the predetermined pullover location may be received. The plurality of inputs may each include a value representative of a characteristic of the predetermined pullover location. The plurality of inputs may be combined to determine a pullover quality value for the predetermined pullover location. The pullover quality value may be provided to a vehicle in order to enable the vehicle to select a pullover location for the vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 17, 2024Publication date: January 9, 2025Inventors: Salil Pandit, Daniella Gutlansky, Eamonn Doherty, Eric Friedman, Jonathan Pedersen, Andrew Chan, Gaurav Agarwal, Bruce Mai
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Patent number: 12130147Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to evaluating quality of a predetermined pullover location for an autonomous vehicle. For instance, a plurality of inputs for the predetermined pullover location may be received. The plurality of inputs may each include a value representative of a characteristic of the predetermined pullover location. The plurality of inputs may be combined to determine a pullover quality value for the predetermined pullover location. The pullover quality value may be provided to a vehicle in order to enable the vehicle to select a pullover location for the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2021Date of Patent: October 29, 2024Assignee: Waymo LLCInventors: Salil Pandit, Daniella Gutlansky, Eamonn Doherty, Eric Friedman, Jonathan Pedersen, Andrew Chan, Gaurav Agarwal, Bruce Mai
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Publication number: 20240351613Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to providing transportation services with autonomous vehicles. For instance, a first route to a first destination may be determined. The first route may have a first cost. Weather information for the first destination may be received. A characteristic is determined based on the weather information. A second destination having the characteristic may be selected. The second destination may be different from the first destination. A second route to the second destination may be determined. The second route may have a second cost. The first cost may be compared to the second cost, and the vehicle may use the comparison to set one of the first destination or the second destination as a current destination for a vehicle to cause the vehicle to control itself in an autonomous driving mode to the current destination.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 2, 2024Publication date: October 24, 2024Inventors: Salil Pandit, Robert Chen, Bruce Mai
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Patent number: 12077188Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to providing transportation services with autonomous vehicles. For instance, a first route to a first destination may be determined. The first route may have a first cost. Weather information for the first destination may be received. A characteristic is determined based on the weather information. A second destination having the characteristic may be selected. The second destination may be different from the first destination. A second route to the second destination may be determined. The second route may have a second cost. The first cost may be compared to the second cost, and the vehicle may use the comparison to set one of the first destination or the second destination as a current destination for a vehicle to cause the vehicle to control itself in an autonomous driving mode to the current destination.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2020Date of Patent: September 3, 2024Assignee: Waymo LLCInventors: Salil Pandit, Robert Chen, Bruce Mai
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Publication number: 20240157872Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure provide for displaying notifications on a display of an autonomous vehicle 100. In one instance, a distance from the vehicle to a destination of the vehicle or a passenger may be determined. When the distance is between a first distance and a second distance, a first notification 650 may be displayed on the display. The second distance may be less than the first distance. When the distance is less than the second distance, a second notification 660 may be displayed on the display. The second notification provides additional information not provided by the first notification.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 25, 2023Publication date: May 16, 2024Inventors: Maria Moon, Philip Nemec, Ryan Powell, Bruce Mai
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Patent number: 11840173Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure provide for displaying notifications on a display of an autonomous vehicle 100. In one instance, a distance from the vehicle to a destination of the vehicle or a passenger may be determined. When the distance is between a first distance and a second distance, a first notification 650 may be displayed on the display. The second distance may be less than the first distance. When the distance is less than the second distance, a second notification 660 may be displayed on the display. The second notification provides additional information not provided by the first notification.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2022Date of Patent: December 12, 2023Assignee: Waymo LLCInventors: Maria Moon, Philip Nemec, Ryan Powell, Bruce Mai
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Publication number: 20230324192Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure provide for generating and using a model for identifying a plurality of pick up or drop off locations for a large venue point of interest. For instance, a large venue point of interest may be identified. The plurality may be identified for the large venue point of interest based on a combination of historical trip data and map information. The plurality may be associated with the large venue point of interest. The association may be stored in memory for later use. Thereafter, a request for a trip identifying the large venue point of interest may be received from a client computing device, and the plurality may be provided to the client computing device in response to the request. A pickup and drop off location of the plurality may be provided to an autonomous vehicle in order to cause the autonomous vehicle to transport a passenger to the pickup or drop off location.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 6, 2023Publication date: October 12, 2023Inventors: Kevin Malta, Bruce Mai, Reed Morse, Victor Chan, Celia Zhang, Jonathan Willing, Shiqian Zhang, Donghyun Kim
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Publication number: 20230094179Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure provide for displaying notifications on a display of an autonomous vehicle 100. In one instance, a distance from the vehicle to a destination of the vehicle or a passenger may be determined. When the distance is between a first distance and a second distance, a first notification 650 may be displayed on the display. The second distance may be less than the first distance. When the distance is less than the second distance, a second notification 660 may be displayed on the display. The second notification provides additional information not provided by the first notification.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 3, 2022Publication date: March 30, 2023Inventors: Maria Moon, Philip Nemec, Ryan Powell, Bruce Mai
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Publication number: 20220390938Abstract: A method for controlling an autonomous vehicle includes using one or more computing devices to transmit a request for a trip. The trip is from a pickup location to a destination location. The method also includes determining the autonomous vehicle for the trip is within a predetermined distance from the pickup location, providing a set of component controls to receive user input at a user interface after the determining. The set of component controls includes interactive controls for identifying or accessing the autonomous vehicle. A first user input is received at the user interface for one or more of the set of component controls, and control instructions for the autonomous vehicle based on the first user input are transmitted.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 7, 2021Publication date: December 8, 2022Inventors: Guilherme Villar, Clement Wright, Maria Moon, Bruce Mai