Patents by Inventor David Neil Hutchison

David Neil Hutchison 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).

  • Publication number: 20240036196
    Abstract: One example system comprises a light source configured to emit light. The system also comprises a waveguide configured to guide the emitted light from a first end of the waveguide toward a second end of the waveguide. The waveguide has an output surface between the first end and the second end. The system also comprises a plurality of mirrors including a first mirror and a second mirror. The first mirror reflects a first portion of the light toward the output surface. The second mirror reflects a second portion of the light toward the output surface. The first portion propagates out of the output surface toward a scene as a first transmitted light beam. The second portion propagates out of the output surface toward the scene as a second transmitted light beam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2023
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Inventors: Pierre-Yves Droz, David Neil Hutchison, James Dunphy, Nathaniel Golshan, Ralph Hamilton Shepard
  • Patent number: 11867808
    Abstract: One example system comprises a light source configured to emit light. The system also comprises a waveguide configured to guide the emitted light from a first end of the waveguide toward a second end of the waveguide. The waveguide has an output surface between the first end and the second end. The system also comprises a plurality of mirrors including a first mirror and a second mirror. The first mirror reflects a first portion of the light toward the output surface. The second mirror reflects a second portion of the light toward the output surface. The first portion propagates out of the output surface toward a scene as a first transmitted light beam. The second portion propagates out of the output surface toward the scene as a second transmitted light beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Waymo LLC
    Inventors: Pierre-Yves Droz, David Neil Hutchison, James Dunphy, Nathaniel Golshan, Ralph Hamilton Shepard
  • Publication number: 20230417880
    Abstract: One example system includes a light source that emits light. The system also includes a waveguide that guides the emitted light from a first side of the waveguide toward a second side of the waveguide opposite the first side. The waveguide has a third side extending between the first side and the second side. The system also includes a mirror that reflects the guided light toward the third side of the waveguide. At least a portion of the reflected light propagates out of the waveguide toward a scene. The system also includes a light detector, and a lens that focuses light from the scene toward the waveguide and the light detector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2023
    Publication date: December 28, 2023
    Inventors: Pierre-Yves Droz, David Neil Hutchison, Ralph Hamilton Shepard, Nathaniel Golshan
  • Patent number: 11802942
    Abstract: One example system includes a light source that emits light. The system also includes a waveguide that guides the emitted light from a first side of the waveguide toward a second side of the waveguide opposite the first side. The waveguide has a third side extending between the first side and the second side. The system also includes a mirror that reflects the guided light toward the third side of the waveguide. At least a portion of the reflected light propagates out of the waveguide toward a scene. The system also includes a light detector, and a lens that focuses light from the scene toward the waveguide and the light detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: Waymo LLC
    Inventors: Pierre-Yves Droz, David Neil Hutchison, Ralph Hamilton Shepard, Nathaniel Golshan
  • Publication number: 20230280450
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to limitation of noise on light detectors using an aperture. One example implementation includes a system. The system includes a lens disposed relative to a scene. The lens focuses light from the scene. The system also includes an opaque material that defines an aperture. The system also includes a waveguide having a first side that receives light focused by the lens and transmitted through the aperture. The waveguide guides the received light toward a second side of the waveguide opposite to the first side. The waveguide has a third side extending between the first side and the second side. The system also includes a mirror that reflects the guided light toward the third side of the waveguide. The system also includes an array of light detectors that detects the reflected light propagating out of the third side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2023
    Publication date: September 7, 2023
    Inventors: Pierre-Yves Droz, David Neil Hutchison, Ralph Hamilton Shepard
  • Patent number: 11686823
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to limitation of noise on light detectors using an aperture. One example implementation includes a system. The system includes a lens disposed relative to a scene. The lens focuses light from the scene. The system also includes an opaque material that defines an aperture. The system also includes a waveguide having a first side that receives light focused by the lens and transmitted through the aperture. The waveguide guides the received light toward a second side of the waveguide opposite to the first side. The waveguide has a third side extending between the first side and the second side. The system also includes a mirror that reflects the guided light toward the third side of the waveguide. The system also includes an array of light detectors that detects the reflected light propagating out of the third side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Waymo LLC
    Inventors: Pierre-Yves Droz, David Neil Hutchison, Ralph Hamilton Shepard
  • Publication number: 20230055071
    Abstract: One example system comprises a light source configured to emit light. The system also comprises a waveguide configured to guide the emitted light from a first end of the waveguide toward a second end of the waveguide. The waveguide has an output surface between the first end and the second end. The system also comprises a plurality of mirrors including a first mirror and a second mirror. The first mirror reflects a first portion of the light toward the output surface. The second mirror reflects a second portion of the light toward the output surface. The first portion propagates out of the output surface toward a scene as a first transmitted light beam. The second portion propagates out of the output surface toward the scene as a second transmitted light beam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2022
    Publication date: February 23, 2023
    Inventors: Pierre-Yves Droz, David Neil Hutchison, James Dunphy, Nathaniel Golshan, Ralph Hamilton Shepard
  • Patent number: 11520044
    Abstract: One example system comprises a light source configured to emit light. The system also comprises a waveguide configured to guide the emitted light from a first end of the waveguide toward a second end of the waveguide. The waveguide has an output surface between the first end and the second end. The system also comprises a plurality of mirrors including a first mirror and a second mirror. The first mirror reflects a first portion of the light toward the output surface. The second mirror reflects a second portion of the light toward the output surface. The first portion propagates out of the output surface toward a scene as a first transmitted light beam. The second portion propagates out of the output surface toward the scene as a second transmitted light beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: Waymo LLC
    Inventors: Pierre-Yves Droz, David Neil Hutchison, James Dunphy, Nathaniel Golshan, Ralph Hamilton Shepard
  • Publication number: 20210149027
    Abstract: One example system includes a light source that emits light. The system also includes a waveguide that guides the emitted light from a first side of the waveguide toward a second side of the waveguide opposite the first side. The waveguide has a third side extending between the first side and the second side. The system also includes a mirror that reflects the guided light toward the third side of the waveguide. At least a portion of the reflected light propagates out of the waveguide toward a scene. The system also includes a light detector, and a lens that focuses light from the scene toward the waveguide and the light detector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2020
    Publication date: May 20, 2021
    Inventors: Pierre-Yves Droz, David Neil Hutchison, Ralph Hamilton Shepard, Nathaniel Golshan
  • Patent number: 10890650
    Abstract: One example system includes a light source that emits light. The system also includes a waveguide that guides the emitted light from a first side of the waveguide toward a second side of the waveguide opposite the first side. The waveguide has a third side extending between the first side and the second side. The system also includes a mirror that reflects the guided light toward the third side of the waveguide. At least a portion of the reflected light propagates out of the waveguide toward a scene. The system also includes a light detector, and a lens that focuses light from the scene toward the waveguide and the light detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: Waymo LLC
    Inventors: Pierre-Yves Droz, David Neil Hutchison, Ralph Hamilton Shepard, Nathaniel Golshan
  • Publication number: 20200300979
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to limitation of noise on light detectors using an aperture. One example implementation includes a system. The system includes a lens disposed relative to a scene. The lens focuses light from the scene. The system also includes an opaque material that defines an aperture. The system also includes a waveguide having a first side that receives light focused by the lens and transmitted through the aperture. The waveguide guides the received light toward a second side of the waveguide opposite to the first side. The waveguide has a third side extending between the first side and the second side. The system also includes a mirror that reflects the guided light toward the third side of the waveguide. The system also includes an array of light detectors that detects the reflected light propagating out of the third side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2020
    Publication date: September 24, 2020
    Inventors: Pierre-Yves Droz, David Neil Hutchison, Ralph Hamilton Shepard
  • Patent number: 10698088
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to limitation of noise on light detectors using an aperture. One example implementation includes a system. The system includes a lens disposed relative to a scene. The lens focuses light from the scene. The system also includes an opaque material that defines an aperture. The system also includes a waveguide having a first side that receives light focused by the lens and transmitted through the aperture. The waveguide guides the received light toward a second side of the waveguide opposite to the first side. The waveguide has a third side extending between the first side and the second side. The system also includes a mirror that reflects the guided light toward the third side of the waveguide. The system also includes an array of light detectors that detects the reflected light propagating out of the third side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: Waymo LLC
    Inventors: Pierre-Yves Droz, David Neil Hutchison, Ralph Hamilton Shepard
  • Publication number: 20200096634
    Abstract: One example system comprises a light source configured to emit light. The system also comprises a waveguide configured to guide the emitted light from a first end of the waveguide toward a second end of the waveguide. The waveguide has an output surface between the first end and the second end. The system also comprises a plurality of mirrors including a first mirror and a second mirror. The first mirror reflects a first portion of the light toward the output surface. The second mirror reflects a second portion of the light toward the output surface. The first portion propagates out of the output surface toward a scene as a first transmitted light beam. The second portion propagates out of the output surface toward the scene as a second transmitted light beam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2018
    Publication date: March 26, 2020
    Inventors: Pierre-Yves Droz, David Neil Hutchison, James Dunphy, Nathaniel Golshan, Ralph Hamilton Shepard
  • Patent number: 10578724
    Abstract: One example method involves obtaining a plurality of images using a camera located at a given position relative to a light detection and ranging (LIDAR) device. A first image of the plurality may be obtained while a first aperture is interposed between the camera and the LIDAR device. A second image of the plurality may be obtained while a second aperture is interposed between the camera and the LIDAR device. The method also involves determining one or more alignment offsets between a transmitter of the LIDAR device and a receiver of the LIDAR device based on the plurality of images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: Waymo LLC
    Inventors: Pierre-Yves Droz, David Neil Hutchison, Luke Wachter, Alexander McCauley
  • Publication number: 20190235064
    Abstract: One example method involves obtaining a plurality of images using a camera located at a given position relative to a light detection and ranging (LIDAR) device. A first image of the plurality may be obtained while a first aperture is interposed between the camera and the LIDAR device. A second image of the plurality may be obtained while a second aperture is interposed between the camera and the LIDAR device. The method also involves determining one or more alignment offsets between a transmitter of the LIDAR device and a receiver of the LIDAR device based on the plurality of images.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2019
    Publication date: August 1, 2019
    Inventors: Pierre-Yves Droz, David Neil Hutchison, Luke Wachter, Alexander McCauley
  • Patent number: 10302749
    Abstract: One example method involves obtaining a plurality of images using a camera located at a given position relative to a light detection and ranging (LIDAR) device. A first image of the plurality may be obtained while a first aperture is interposed between the camera and the LIDAR device. A second image of the plurality may be obtained while a second aperture is interposed between the camera and the LIDAR device. The method also involves determining one or more alignment offsets between a transmitter of the LIDAR device and a receiver of the LIDAR device based on the plurality of images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: Waymo LLC
    Inventors: Pierre-Yves Droz, David Neil Hutchison, Luke Wachter, Alexander McCauley
  • Publication number: 20190072649
    Abstract: One example system includes a light source that emits light. The system also includes a waveguide that guides the emitted light from a first side of the waveguide toward a second side of the waveguide opposite the first side. The waveguide has a third side extending between the first side and the second side. The system also includes a mirror that reflects the guided light toward the third side of the waveguide. At least a portion of the reflected light propagates out of the waveguide toward a scene. The system also includes a light detector, and a lens that focuses light from the scene toward the waveguide and the light detector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2017
    Publication date: March 7, 2019
    Inventors: Pierre-Yves Droz, David Neil Hutchison, Ralph Hamilton Shepard, Nathaniel Golshan
  • Publication number: 20190041498
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to limitation of noise on light detectors using an aperture. One example implementation includes a system. The system includes a lens disposed relative to a scene. The lens focuses light from the scene. The system also includes an opaque material that defines an aperture. The system also includes a waveguide having a first side that receives light focused by the lens and transmitted through the aperture. The waveguide guides the received light toward a second side of the waveguide opposite to the first side. The waveguide has a third side extending between the first side and the second side. The system also includes a mirror that reflects the guided light toward the third side of the waveguide. The system also includes an array of light detectors that detects the reflected light propagating out of the third side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2017
    Publication date: February 7, 2019
    Inventors: Pierre-Yves Droz, David Neil Hutchison, Ralph Hamilton Shepard
  • Publication number: 20180372853
    Abstract: One example method involves obtaining a plurality of images using a camera located at a given position relative to a light detection and ranging (LIDAR) device. A first image of the plurality may be obtained while a first aperture is interposed between the camera and the LIDAR device. A second image of the plurality may be obtained while a second aperture is interposed between the camera and the LIDAR device. The method also involves determining one or more alignment offsets between a transmitter of the LIDAR device and a receiver of the LIDAR device based on the plurality of images.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2018
    Publication date: December 27, 2018
    Inventors: Pierre-Yves Droz, David Neil Hutchison, Luke Wachter, Alexander McCauley
  • Patent number: 10094916
    Abstract: One example method involves obtaining a plurality of images using a camera located at a given position relative to a light detection and ranging (LIDAR) device. A first image of the plurality may be obtained while a first aperture is interposed between the camera and the LIDAR device. A second image of the plurality may be obtained while a second aperture is interposed between the camera and the LIDAR device. The method also involves determining one or more alignment offsets between a transmitter of the LIDAR device and a receiver of the LIDAR device based on the plurality of images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: Waymo LLC
    Inventors: Pierre-Yves Droz, David Neil Hutchison, Luke Wachter, Alexander McCauley