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).
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Publication number: 20240036196Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 16, 2023Publication date: February 1, 2024Inventors: Pierre-Yves Droz, David Neil Hutchison, James Dunphy, Nathaniel Golshan, Ralph Hamilton Shepard
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Patent number: 11867808Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 7, 2022Date of Patent: January 9, 2024Assignee: Waymo LLCInventors: Pierre-Yves Droz, David Neil Hutchison, James Dunphy, Nathaniel Golshan, Ralph Hamilton Shepard
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Publication number: 20230417880Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2023Publication date: December 28, 2023Inventors: Pierre-Yves Droz, David Neil Hutchison, Ralph Hamilton Shepard, Nathaniel Golshan
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Patent number: 11802942Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 29, 2020Date of Patent: October 31, 2023Assignee: Waymo LLCInventors: Pierre-Yves Droz, David Neil Hutchison, Ralph Hamilton Shepard, Nathaniel Golshan
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Publication number: 20230280450Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 15, 2023Publication date: September 7, 2023Inventors: Pierre-Yves Droz, David Neil Hutchison, Ralph Hamilton Shepard
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Patent number: 11686823Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 8, 2020Date of Patent: June 27, 2023Assignee: Waymo LLCInventors: Pierre-Yves Droz, David Neil Hutchison, Ralph Hamilton Shepard
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Publication number: 20230055071Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 7, 2022Publication date: February 23, 2023Inventors: Pierre-Yves Droz, David Neil Hutchison, James Dunphy, Nathaniel Golshan, Ralph Hamilton Shepard
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Patent number: 11520044Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 25, 2018Date of Patent: December 6, 2022Assignee: Waymo LLCInventors: Pierre-Yves Droz, David Neil Hutchison, James Dunphy, Nathaniel Golshan, Ralph Hamilton Shepard
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Publication number: 20210149027Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 29, 2020Publication date: May 20, 2021Inventors: Pierre-Yves Droz, David Neil Hutchison, Ralph Hamilton Shepard, Nathaniel Golshan
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Patent number: 10890650Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 5, 2017Date of Patent: January 12, 2021Assignee: Waymo LLCInventors: Pierre-Yves Droz, David Neil Hutchison, Ralph Hamilton Shepard, Nathaniel Golshan
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Publication number: 20200300979Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 8, 2020Publication date: September 24, 2020Inventors: Pierre-Yves Droz, David Neil Hutchison, Ralph Hamilton Shepard
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Patent number: 10698088Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 1, 2017Date of Patent: June 30, 2020Assignee: Waymo LLCInventors: Pierre-Yves Droz, David Neil Hutchison, Ralph Hamilton Shepard
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Publication number: 20200096634Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 25, 2018Publication date: March 26, 2020Inventors: Pierre-Yves Droz, David Neil Hutchison, James Dunphy, Nathaniel Golshan, Ralph Hamilton Shepard
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Patent number: 10578724Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 10, 2019Date of Patent: March 3, 2020Assignee: Waymo LLCInventors: Pierre-Yves Droz, David Neil Hutchison, Luke Wachter, Alexander McCauley
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Publication number: 20190235064Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 10, 2019Publication date: August 1, 2019Inventors: Pierre-Yves Droz, David Neil Hutchison, Luke Wachter, Alexander McCauley
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Patent number: 10302749Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 3, 2018Date of Patent: May 28, 2019Assignee: Waymo LLCInventors: Pierre-Yves Droz, David Neil Hutchison, Luke Wachter, Alexander McCauley
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Publication number: 20190072649Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 5, 2017Publication date: March 7, 2019Inventors: Pierre-Yves Droz, David Neil Hutchison, Ralph Hamilton Shepard, Nathaniel Golshan
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Publication number: 20190041498Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 1, 2017Publication date: February 7, 2019Inventors: Pierre-Yves Droz, David Neil Hutchison, Ralph Hamilton Shepard
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Publication number: 20180372853Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 3, 2018Publication date: December 27, 2018Inventors: Pierre-Yves Droz, David Neil Hutchison, Luke Wachter, Alexander McCauley
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Patent number: 10094916Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 9, 2017Date of Patent: October 9, 2018Assignee: Waymo LLCInventors: Pierre-Yves Droz, David Neil Hutchison, Luke Wachter, Alexander McCauley