Patents by Inventor David Ian Franklin Ferguson
David Ian Franklin 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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Publication number: 20200233430Abstract: A computing device of a first vehicle may receive a first image and a second image of a second vehicle having flashing light signals. The computing device may determine, in the first image and the second image, an image region that bounds the second vehicle such that the image region substantially encompasses the second vehicle. The computing device may determine a polar grid that partitions the image region in the first image and the second image into polar bins, and identify portions of image data exhibiting a change in color and a change in brightness between the first image and the second image. The computing device may determine a type of the flashing light signals and a type of the second vehicle; and accordingly provide instructions to control the first vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 1, 2020Publication date: July 23, 2020Inventors: Wan-Yen Lo, David Ian Franklin Ferguson, Abhijit Ogale
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Patent number: 10678258Abstract: A computing device of a first vehicle may receive a first image and a second image of a second vehicle having flashing light signals. The computing device may determine, in the first image and the second image, an image region that bounds the second vehicle such that the image region substantially encompasses the second vehicle. The computing device may determine a polar grid that partitions the image region in the first image and the second image into polar bins, and identify portions of image data exhibiting a change in color and a change in brightness between the first image and the second image. The computing device may determine a type of the flashing light signals and a type of the second vehicle; and accordingly provide instructions to control the first vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2018Date of Patent: June 9, 2020Assignee: Waymo LLCInventors: Wan-Yen Lo, David Ian Franklin Ferguson, Abhijit Ogale
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Patent number: 10496091Abstract: As an example, data identifying characteristics of a road user as well as contextual information about the vehicle's environment is received from the vehicle's perception system. A prediction of the intent of the object including an action of a predetermined list of actions to be initiated by the road user and a point in time for initiation of the action is generated using the data. A prediction of the behavior of the road user for a predetermined period of time into the future indicating that the road user is not going to initiate the action during the predetermined period of time is generated using the data. When the prediction of the behavior indicates that the road user is not going to initiate the action during the predetermined period of time, the vehicle is maneuvered according to the prediction of the intent prior to the vehicle passing the object.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2016Date of Patent: December 3, 2019Assignee: Waymo LLCInventors: Stéphane Ross, David Ian Franklin Ferguson
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Patent number: 10421453Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to detecting and responding to objects in a vehicle's environment. For example, an object may be identified in a vehicle's environment, the object having a heading and location. A set of possible actions for the object may be generated using map information describing the vehicle's environment and the heading and location of the object. A set of possible future trajectories of the object may be generated based on the set of possible actions. A likelihood value of each trajectory of the set of possible future trajectories may be determined based on contextual information including a status of the detected object. A final future trajectory is determined based on the determined likelihood value for each trajectory of the set of possible future trajectories. The vehicle is then maneuvered in order to avoid the final future trajectory and the object.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2017Date of Patent: September 24, 2019Assignee: Waymo LLCInventors: David Ian Franklin Ferguson, David Harrison Silver, Stéphane Ross, Nathaniel Fairfield, Ioan-Alexandru Sucan
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Patent number: 10401859Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to detecting and responding to stop signs. An object detected in a vehicle's environment having location coordinates may be identified as a stop sign and, it may be determined whether the location coordinates of the identified stop sign correspond to a location of a stop sign in detailed map information. Then, whether the identified stop sign applies to the vehicle may be determined based on the detailed map information or on a number of factors. Then, if the identified stop sign is determined to apply to the vehicle, responses of the vehicle to the stop sign may be determined, and, the vehicle may be controlled based on the determined responses.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2018Date of Patent: September 3, 2019Inventors: David Harrison Silver, David Ian Franklin Ferguson, Abhijit S. Ogale, Wan-Yen Lo
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Patent number: 10346696Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to an autonomous vehicle having a vehicle control system. The vehicle control system includes an image processing system. The image processing system receives an image that includes a plurality of image portions. The image processing system also calculates a score for each image portion. The score indicates a level of confidence that a given image portion represents an illuminated component of a traffic light. The image processing system further identifies one or more candidate portions from among the plurality of image portions. Additionally, the image processing system determines that a particular candidate portion represents an illuminated component of a traffic light using a classifier. Further, the image processing system provides instructions to control the autonomous vehicle based on the particular candidate portion representing an illuminated component of a traffic light.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2018Date of Patent: July 9, 2019Assignee: Waymo LLCInventors: Andreas Wendel, David Ian Franklin Ferguson
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Publication number: 20190197903Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for determining whether a driving environment has changed relative to previously stored information about the driving environment. The apparatus may include an autonomous driving computer system configured to detect one or more vehicles in the driving environment, and determine corresponding trajectories for those detected vehicles. The autonomous driving computer system may then compare the determined trajectories to an expected trajectory of a hypothetical vehicle in the driving environment. Based on the comparison, the autonomous driving computer system may determine whether the driving environment has changed and/or a probability that the driving environment has changed, relative to the previously stored information about the driving environment.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2018Publication date: June 27, 2019Inventor: David Ian Franklin Ferguson
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Patent number: 10293822Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate controlling autonomous vehicles or vehicles having an autonomous driving mode. More particularly, these vehicles may identify and respond to other vehicles engaged in a parallel parking maneuver by receiving sensor data corresponding to objects in an autonomous vehicle's environment and including location information for the objects over time. An object corresponding to another vehicle in a lane in front of the first vehicle may be identified from the sensor data. A pattern of actions of the other vehicle identified form the sensor data is used to determine that the second vehicle is engaged in a parallel parking maneuver based on a pattern of actions exhibited by the other vehicle identified from the sensor data. The determination is then used to control the autonomous vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2017Date of Patent: May 21, 2019Assignee: Waymo LLCInventors: David Harrison Silver, David Ian Franklin Ferguson
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Publication number: 20190101928Abstract: A computing device of a first vehicle may receive a first image and a second image of a second vehicle having flashing light signals. The computing device may determine, in the first image and the second image, an image region that bounds the second vehicle such that the image region substantially encompasses the second vehicle. The computing device may determine a polar grid that partitions the image region in the first image and the second image into polar bins, and identify portions of image data exhibiting a change in color and a change in brightness between the first image and the second image. The computing device may determine a type of the flashing light signals and a type of the second vehicle; and accordingly provide instructions to control the first vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 15, 2018Publication date: April 4, 2019Inventors: Wan-Yen Lo, David Ian Franklin Ferguson, Abhijit Ogale
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Patent number: 10203696Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to maneuvering a vehicle. As an example, sensor information identifying a set of objects as well as a set of characteristics for each object of the set of objects is received from a perception system of a vehicle. The set of objects is filtered to remove objects corresponding to vehicles, bicycles, and pedestrians. An object within an expected future path of the vehicle is selected from the filtered set of objects. The object is classified as drivable or not drivable based on the set of characteristics. Drivable indicates that the vehicle can drive over the object without causing damage to the vehicle. The vehicle is maneuvered based on the classification such that when the object is classified as drivable, maneuvering the vehicle includes driving the vehicle over the object by not altering the expected future path of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2016Date of Patent: February 12, 2019Assignee: Waymo LLCInventors: David Ian Franklin Ferguson, Andreas Wendel, Zhinan Xu, David Harrison Silver, Brandon Douglas Luders
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Patent number: 10181084Abstract: A vehicle is provided that may combine multiple estimates of an environment into a consolidated estimate. The vehicle may receive first data indicative of the region of interest in an environment from a sensor of the vehicle. The first data may include a first accuracy value and a first estimate of the region of interest. The vehicle may also receive second data indicative of the region of interest in the environment, and the second data may include a second accuracy value and a second estimate of the region of interest. Based on the first data and the second data, the vehicle may combine the first estimate of the region of interest and the second estimate of the region of interest.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2017Date of Patent: January 15, 2019Assignee: Waymo LLCInventors: David Ian Franklin Ferguson, David Harrison Silver
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Patent number: 10173673Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to autonomous vehicle having a vehicle control system. The vehicle control system includes a processing system that receives input values that indicate attributes of an object within a threshold distance of the autonomous vehicle and variance values indicating uncertainty associated with the input values. The processing system also provides a plurality of outcomes that are associated with combinations of split decisions. A given split decision indicates whether a particular input value is above or below a threshold value associated with the given split decision. The processing system further determines (i) a probability that the particular input value is above a threshold value and (ii) a probability that the particular input is below the threshold value for a given split decision. Additionally, the processing system determines one or more likelihoods associated with a given outcome. Further, the processing system provides instructions to control the autonomous vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2017Date of Patent: January 8, 2019Assignee: Waymo LLCInventors: David Ian Franklin Ferguson, Abhijit Ogale
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Patent number: 10168712Abstract: A computing device of a first vehicle may receive a first image and a second image of a second vehicle having flashing light signals. The computing device may determine, in the first image and the second image, an image region that bounds the second vehicle such that the image region substantially encompasses the second vehicle. The computing device may determine a polar grid that partitions the image region in the first image and the second image into polar bins, and identify portions of image data exhibiting a change in color and a change in brightness between the first image and the second image. The computing device may determine a type of the flashing light signals and a type of the second vehicle; and accordingly provide instructions to control the first vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2017Date of Patent: January 1, 2019Assignee: Waymo LLCInventors: Wan-Yen Lo, David Ian Franklin Ferguson, Abhijit Ogale
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Patent number: 10108868Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to an autonomous vehicle having a vehicle control system. The vehicle control system includes an image processing system. The image processing system receives an image that includes a plurality of image portions. The image processing system also calculates a score for each image portion. The score indicates a level of confidence that a given image portion represents an illuminated component of a traffic light. The image processing system further identifies one or more candidate portions from among the plurality of image portions. Additionally, the image processing system determines that a particular candidate portion represents an illuminated component of a traffic light using a classifier. Further, the image processing system provides instructions to control the autonomous vehicle based on the particular candidate portion representing an illuminated component of a traffic light.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 2018Date of Patent: October 23, 2018Assignee: Waymo LLCInventors: Andreas Wendel, David Ian Franklin Ferguson
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Patent number: 9939815Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to detecting and responding to stop signs. An object detected in a vehicle's environment having location coordinates may be identified as a stop sign and, it may be determined whether the location coordinates of the identified stop sign correspond to a location of a stop sign in detailed map information. Then, whether the identified stop sign applies to the vehicle may be determined based on the detailed map information or on a number of factors. Then, if the identified stop sign is determined to apply to the vehicle, responses of the vehicle to the stop sign may be determined, and, the vehicle may be controlled based on the determined responses.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2017Date of Patent: April 10, 2018Assignee: Waymo LLCInventors: David Harrison Silver, David Ian Franklin Ferguson, Abhijit S. Ogale, Wan-Yen Lo
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Patent number: 9914452Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to detecting and responding to objects in a vehicle's environment. For example, an object may be identified in a vehicle's environment, the object having a heading and location. A set of possible actions for the object may be generated using map information describing the vehicle's environment and the heading and location of the object. A set of possible future trajectories of the object may be generated based on the set of possible actions. A likelihood value of each trajectory of the set of possible future trajectories may be determined based on contextual information including a status of the detected object. A final future trajectory is determined based on the determined likelihood value for each trajectory of the set of possible future trajectories. The vehicle is then maneuvered in order to avoid the final future trajectory and the object.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2016Date of Patent: March 13, 2018Assignee: Waymo LLCInventors: David Ian Franklin Ferguson, David Harrison Silver, Stéphane Ross, Nathaniel Fairfield, Ioan-Alexandru Sucan
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Patent number: 9910439Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and apparatus for controlling autonomous vehicles utilizing maps that include visibility information. A map is stored at a computing device associated with a vehicle. The vehicle is configured to operate in an autonomous mode that supports a plurality of driving behaviors. The map includes information about a plurality of roads, a plurality of features, and visibility information for at least a first feature in the plurality of features. The computing device queries the map for visibility information for the first feature at a first position. The computing device, in response to querying the map, receives the visibility information for the first feature at the first position. The computing device selects a driving behavior for the vehicle based on the visibility information. The computing device controls the vehicle in accordance with the selected driving behavior.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 2016Date of Patent: March 6, 2018Assignee: Waymo LLCInventors: David Ian Franklin Ferguson, Nathaniel Fairfield, Bradley Templeton
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Patent number: 9892332Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to an autonomous vehicle having a vehicle control system. The vehicle control system includes an image processing system. The image processing system receives an image that includes a plurality of image portions. The image processing system also calculates a score for each image portion. The score indicates a level of confidence that a given image portion represents an illuminated component of a traffic light. The image processing system further identifies one or more candidate portions from among the plurality of image portions. Additionally, the image processing system determines that a particular candidate portion represents an illuminated component of a traffic light using a classifier. Further, the image processing system provides instructions to control the autonomous vehicle based on the particular candidate portion representing an illuminated component of a traffic light.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2017Date of Patent: February 13, 2018Assignee: Waymo LLCInventors: Andreas Wendel, David Ian Franklin Ferguson
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Publication number: 20180032078Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to maneuvering a vehicle. As an example, sensor information identifying a set of objects as well as a set of characteristics for each object of the set of objects is received from a perception system of a vehicle. The set of objects is filtered to remove objects corresponding to vehicles, bicycles, and pedestrians. An object within an expected future path of the vehicle is selected from the filtered set of objects. The object is classified as drivable or not drivable based on the set of characteristics. Drivable indicates that the vehicle can drive over the object without causing damage to the vehicle. The vehicle is maneuvered based on the classification such that when the object is classified as drivable, maneuvering the vehicle includes driving the vehicle over the object by not altering the expected future path of the vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 13, 2016Publication date: February 1, 2018Inventors: David Ian Franklin Ferguson, Andreas Wendel, Zhinan Xu, David Harrison Silver, Brandon Douglas Luders
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Patent number: 9864378Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for providing supplemental identification abilities to an autonomous vehicle system. The sensor unit of the vehicle may be configured to receive data indicating an environment of the vehicle, while the control system may be configured to operate the vehicle. The vehicle may also include a processing unit configured to analyze the data indicating the environment to determine at least one object having a detection confidence below a threshold. Based on the at least one object having a detection confidence below a threshold, the processor may communicate at least a subset of the data indicating the environment for further processing. The vehicle is also configured to receive an indication of an object confirmation of the subset of the data. Based on the object confirmation of the subset of the data, the processor may alter the control of the vehicle by the control system.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 2017Date of Patent: January 9, 2018Assignee: Waymo LLCInventors: David Ian Franklin Ferguson, Wan-Yen Lo, Nathaniel Fairfield