Patents by Inventor Dave Ferguson
Dave Ferguson 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: 11913807Abstract: Example methods and systems for calibrating sensors using road map data are provided. An autonomous vehicle may use various vehicle sensors to assist in navigation. Within examples, the autonomous vehicle may calibrate vehicle sensors through performing a comparison or analysis between information about the environment received by sensors with similar information provided by map data (e.g., a road map). The autonomous vehicle may compare object locations as provided by the sensors and as shown by map data. Based on the comparison, the autonomous vehicle may adjust various sensors to accurately reflect the information as provided by the road map. In some instances, the autonomous vehicle may adjust the position, height, orientation, direction-of-focus, scaling, or other parameters of a sensor based on the information provided by a road map.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2022Date of Patent: February 27, 2024Assignee: Waymo LLCInventors: Dave Ferguson, Dorel Ionut Iordache
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Patent number: 11804049Abstract: An autonomous vehicle is configured to detect an active turn signal indicator on another vehicle. An image-capture device of the autonomous vehicle captures an image of a field of view of the autonomous vehicle. The autonomous vehicle captures the image with a short exposure to emphasize objects having brightness above a threshold. Additionally, a bounding area for a second vehicle located within the image is determined. The autonomous vehicle identifies a group of pixels within the bounding area based on a first color of the group of pixels. The autonomous vehicle also calculates an oscillation of an intensity of the group of pixels. Based on the oscillation of the intensity, the autonomous vehicle determines a likelihood that the second vehicle has a first active turn signal. Additionally, the autonomous vehicle is controlled based at least on the likelihood that the second vehicle has a first active turn signal.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2021Date of Patent: October 31, 2023Assignee: Waymo LLCInventors: Abhijit Ogale, Dave Ferguson
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Publication number: 20230069346Abstract: Example methods and systems for detecting weather conditions using vehicle onboard sensors are provided. An example method includes receiving laser data collected for an environment of a vehicle, and the laser data includes a plurality of laser data points. The method also includes associating, by a computing device, laser data points of the plurality of laser data points with one or more objects in the environment, and determining given laser data points of the plurality of laser data points that are unassociated with the one or more objects in the environment as being representative of an untracked object. The method also includes based on one or more untracked objects being determined, identifying by the computing device an indication of a weather condition of the environment.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 26, 2022Publication date: March 2, 2023Inventors: Jiajun Zhu, Dmitri Dolgov, Dave Ferguson
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Patent number: 11487046Abstract: Example methods and systems for detecting weather conditions using vehicle onboard sensors are provided. An example method includes receiving laser data collected for an environment of a vehicle, and the laser data includes a plurality of laser data points. The method also includes associating, by a computing device, laser data points of the plurality of laser data points with one or more objects in the environment, and determining given laser data points of the plurality of laser data points that are unassociated with the one or more objects in the environment as being representative of an untracked object. The method also includes based on one or more untracked objects being determined, identifying by the computing device an indication of a weather condition of the environment.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2019Date of Patent: November 1, 2022Assignee: Waymo LLCInventors: Jiajun Zhu, Dmitri Dolgov, Dave Ferguson
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Publication number: 20220163349Abstract: Example methods and systems for calibrating sensors using road map data are provided. An autonomous vehicle may use various vehicle sensors to assist in navigation. Within examples, the autonomous vehicle may calibrate vehicle sensors through performing a comparison or analysis between information about the environment received by sensors with similar information provided by map data (e.g., a road map). The autonomous vehicle may compare object locations as provided by the sensors and as shown by map data. Based on the comparison, the autonomous vehicle may adjust various sensors to accurately reflect the information as provided by the road map. In some instances, the autonomous vehicle may adjust the position, height, orientation, direction-of-focus, scaling, or other parameters of a sensor based on the information provided by a road map.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 11, 2022Publication date: May 26, 2022Inventors: Dave Ferguson, Dorel Ionut Iordache
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Patent number: 11287284Abstract: Example methods and systems for calibrating sensors using road map data are provided. An autonomous vehicle may use various vehicle sensors to assist in navigation. Within examples, the autonomous vehicle may calibrate vehicle sensors through performing a comparison or analysis between information about the environment received by sensors with similar information provided by map data (e.g., a road map). The autonomous vehicle may compare object locations as provided by the sensors and as shown by map data. Based on the comparison, the autonomous vehicle may adjust various sensors to accurately reflect the information as provided by the road map. In some instances, the autonomous vehicle may adjust the position, height, orientation, direction-of-focus, scaling, or other parameters of a sensor based on the information provided by a road map.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2020Date of Patent: March 29, 2022Assignee: Waymo LLCInventors: Dave Ferguson, Dorel Ionut Iordache
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Patent number: 11181914Abstract: Methods and systems for the use of detected objects for image processing are described. A computing device autonomously controlling a vehicle may receive images of the environment surrounding the vehicle from an image-capture device coupled to the vehicle. In order to process the images, the computing device may receive information indicating characteristics of objects in the images from one or more sources coupled to the vehicle. Examples of sources may include RADAR, LIDAR, a map, sensors, a global positioning system (GPS), or other cameras. The computing device may use the information indicating characteristics of the objects to process received images, including determining the approximate locations of objects within the images. Further, while processing the image, the computing device may use information from sources to determine portions of the image to focus upon that may allow the computing device to determine a control strategy based on portions of the image.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2019Date of Patent: November 23, 2021Assignee: Waymo LLCInventors: Dave Ferguson, Abhijit Ogale
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Patent number: 10963707Abstract: An autonomous vehicle is configured to detect an active turn signal indicator on another vehicle. An image-capture device of the autonomous vehicle captures an image of a field of view of the autonomous vehicle. The autonomous vehicle captures the image with a short exposure to emphasize objects having brightness above a threshold. Additionally, a bounding area for a second vehicle located within the image is determined. The autonomous vehicle identifies a group of pixels within the bounding area based on a first color of the group of pixels. The autonomous vehicle also calculates an oscillation of an intensity of the group of pixels. Based on the oscillation of the intensity, the autonomous vehicle determines a likelihood that the second vehicle has a first active turn signal. Additionally, the autonomous vehicle is controlled based at least on the likelihood that the second vehicle has a first active turn signal.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2019Date of Patent: March 30, 2021Assignee: Waymo LLCInventors: Abhijit Ogale, Dave Ferguson
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Patent number: 10724865Abstract: Example methods and systems for calibrating sensors using road map data are provided. An autonomous vehicle may use various vehicle sensors to assist in navigation. Within examples, the autonomous vehicle may calibrate vehicle sensors through performing a comparison or analysis between information about the environment received by sensors with similar information provided by map data (e.g., a road map). The autonomous vehicle may compare object locations as provided by the sensors and as shown by map data. Based on the comparison, the autonomous vehicle may adjust various sensors to accurately reflect the information as provided by the road map. In some instances, the autonomous vehicle may adjust the position, height, orientation, direction-of-focus, scaling, or other parameters of a sensor based on the information provided by a road map.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2017Date of Patent: July 28, 2020Assignee: Waymo LLCInventors: Dave Ferguson, Dorel Ionut Iordache
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Publication number: 20200117196Abstract: Methods and systems for the use of detected objects for image processing are described. A computing device autonomously controlling a vehicle may receive images of the environment surrounding the vehicle from an image-capture device coupled to the vehicle. In order to process the images, the computing device may receive information indicating characteristics of objects in the images from one or more sources coupled to the vehicle. Examples of sources may include RADAR, LIDAR, a map, sensors, a global positioning system (GPS), or other cameras. The computing device may use the information indicating characteristics of the objects to process received images, including determining the approximate locations of objects within the images. Further, while processing the image, the computing device may use information from sources to determine portions of the image to focus upon that may allow the computing device to determine a control strategy based on portions of the image.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 13, 2019Publication date: April 16, 2020Inventors: Dave Ferguson, Abhijit Ogale
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Publication number: 20200117915Abstract: An autonomous vehicle is configured to detect an active turn signal indicator on another vehicle. An image-capture device of the autonomous vehicle captures an image of a field of view of the autonomous vehicle. The autonomous vehicle captures the image with a short exposure to emphasize objects having brightness above a threshold. Additionally, a bounding area for a second vehicle located within the image is determined. The autonomous vehicle identifies a group of pixels within the bounding area based on a first color of the group of pixels. The autonomous vehicle also calculates an oscillation of an intensity of the group of pixels. Based on the oscillation of the intensity, the autonomous vehicle determines a likelihood that the second vehicle has a first active turn signal. Additionally, the autonomous vehicle is controlled based at least on the likelihood that the second vehicle has a first active turn signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 13, 2019Publication date: April 16, 2020Inventors: Abhijit Ogale, Dave Ferguson
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Patent number: 10509402Abstract: Methods and systems for the use of detected objects for image processing are described. A computing device autonomously controlling a vehicle may receive images of the environment surrounding the vehicle from an image-capture device coupled to the vehicle. In order to process the images, the computing device may receive information indicating characteristics of objects in the images from one or more sources coupled to the vehicle. Examples of sources may include RADAR, LIDAR, a map, sensors, a global positioning system (GPS), or other cameras. The computing device may use the information indicating characteristics of the objects to process received images, including determining the approximate locations of objects within the images. Further, while processing the image, the computing device may use information from sources to determine portions of the image to focus upon that may allow the computing device to determine a control strategy based on portions of the image.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2017Date of Patent: December 17, 2019Assignee: Waymo LLCInventors: Dave Ferguson, Abhijit Ogale
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Patent number: 10509970Abstract: An autonomous vehicle is configured to detect an active turn signal indicator on another vehicle. An image-capture device of the autonomous vehicle captures an image of a field of view of the autonomous vehicle. The autonomous vehicle captures the image with a short exposure to emphasize objects having brightness above a threshold. Additionally, a bounding area for a second vehicle located within the image is determined. The autonomous vehicle identifies a group of pixels within the bounding area based on a first color of the group of pixels. The autonomous vehicle also calculates an oscillation of an intensity of the group of pixels. Based on the oscillation of the intensity, the autonomous vehicle determines a likelihood that the second vehicle has a first active turn signal. Additionally, the autonomous vehicle is controlled based at least on the likelihood that the second vehicle has a first active turn signal.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 2018Date of Patent: December 17, 2019Assignee: Waymo LLCInventors: Abhijit Ogale, Dave Ferguson
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Publication number: 20190179052Abstract: Example methods and systems for detecting weather conditions using vehicle onboard sensors are provided. An example method includes receiving laser data collected for an environment of a vehicle, and the laser data includes a plurality of laser data points. The method also includes associating, by a computing device, laser data points of the plurality of laser data points with one or more objects in the environment, and determining given laser data points of the plurality of laser data points that are unassociated with the one or more objects in the environment as being representative of an untracked object. The method also includes based on one or more untracked objects being determined, identifying by the computing device an indication of a weather condition of the environment.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 15, 2019Publication date: June 13, 2019Inventors: Jiajun Zhu, Dmitri Dolgov, Dave Ferguson
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Patent number: 10247854Abstract: Example methods and systems for detecting weather conditions using vehicle onboard sensors are provided. An example method includes receiving laser data collected for an environment of a vehicle, and the laser data includes a plurality of laser data points. The method also includes associating, by a computing device, laser data points of the plurality of laser data points with one or more objects in the environment, and determining given laser data points of the plurality of laser data points that are unassociated with the one or more objects in the environment as being representative of an untracked object. The method also includes based on one or more untracked objects being determined, identifying by the computing device an indication of a weather condition of the environment.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2017Date of Patent: April 2, 2019Assignee: Waymo LLCInventors: Jiajun Zhu, Dmitri Dolgov, Dave Ferguson
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Publication number: 20180129886Abstract: An autonomous vehicle is configured to detect an active turn signal indicator on another vehicle. An image-capture device of the autonomous vehicle captures an image of a field of view of the autonomous vehicle. The autonomous vehicle captures the image with a short exposure to emphasize objects having brightness above a threshold. Additionally, a bounding area for a second vehicle located within the image is determined. The autonomous vehicle identifies a group of pixels within the bounding area based on a first color of the group of pixels. The autonomous vehicle also calculates an oscillation of an intensity of the group of pixels. Based on the oscillation of the intensity, the autonomous vehicle determines a likelihood that the second vehicle has a first active turn signal. Additionally, the autonomous vehicle is controlled based at least on the likelihood that the second vehicle has a first active turn signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 4, 2018Publication date: May 10, 2018Inventors: Abhijit Ogale, Dave Ferguson
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Patent number: 9928431Abstract: A vehicle configured to operate in an autonomous mode may engage in a reverse-parallax analysis that includes a vehicle system detecting an object, capturing via a camera located at a first location a first image of the detected object, retrieving location data specifying (i) a location of a target object, (ii) the first location, and (iii) a direction of the camera, and based on the location data and the position of the detected object in the first image, predicting where in a second image captured from a second location the detected object would appear if the detected object is the target object.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2016Date of Patent: March 27, 2018Assignee: Waymo LLCInventors: Bradley Templeton, Nathaniel Fairfield, Dave Ferguson
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Patent number: 9892327Abstract: An autonomous vehicle is configured to detect an active turn signal indicator on another vehicle. An image-capture device of the autonomous vehicle captures an image of a field of view of the autonomous vehicle. The autonomous vehicle captures the image with a short exposure to emphasize objects having brightness above a threshold. Additionally, a bounding area for a second vehicle located within the image is determined. The autonomous vehicle identifies a group of pixels within the bounding area based on a first color of the group of pixels. The autonomous vehicle also calculates an oscillation of an intensity of the group of pixels. Based on the oscillation of the intensity, the autonomous vehicle determines a likelihood that the second vehicle has a first active turn signal. Additionally, the autonomous vehicle is controlled based at least on the likelihood that the second vehicle has a first active turn signal.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2016Date of Patent: February 13, 2018Assignee: Waymo LLCInventors: Abhijit Ogale, Dave Ferguson
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Patent number: 9804597Abstract: Methods and systems for the use of detected objects for image processing are described. A computing device autonomously controlling a vehicle may receive images of the environment surrounding the vehicle from an image-capture device coupled to the vehicle. In order to process the images, the computing device may receive information indicating characteristics of objects in the images from one or more sources coupled to the vehicle. Examples of sources may include RADAR, LIDAR, a map, sensors, a global positioning system (GPS), or other cameras. The computing device may use the information indicating characteristics of the objects to process received images, including determining the approximate locations of objects within the images. Further, while processing the image, the computing device may use information from sources to determine portions of the image to focus upon that may allow the computing device to determine a control strategy based on portions of the image.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2015Date of Patent: October 31, 2017Assignee: Waymo LLCInventors: Dave Ferguson, Abhijit Ogale
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Patent number: 9719801Abstract: Example methods and systems for calibrating sensors using road map data are provided. An autonomous vehicle may use various vehicle sensors to assist in navigation. Within examples, the autonomous vehicle may calibrate vehicle sensors through performing a comparison or analysis between information about the environment received by sensors with similar information provided by map data (e.g., a road map). The autonomous vehicle may compare object locations as provided by the sensors and as shown by map data. Based on the comparison, the autonomous vehicle may adjust various sensors to accurately reflect the information as provided by the road map. In some instances, the autonomous vehicle may adjust the position, height, orientation, direction-of-focus, scaling, or other parameters of a sensor based on the information provided by a road map.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2013Date of Patent: August 1, 2017Assignee: Waymo LLCInventors: Dave Ferguson, Dorel Ionut Iordache