Patents by Inventor Ethan Eade

Ethan Eade 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: 20240094975
    Abstract: A computing device and method are provided for transmitting a relevant subset of map data, called a neighborhood, to enable mutual spatial understanding by multiple display devices around a target virtual location to display a shared hologram in the same exact location in the physical environment at the same moment in time. The computing device may comprise a processor, a memory operatively coupled to the processor, and an anchor transfer program stored in the memory and executed by the processor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2023
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Applicant: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Ethan EADE, Jeroen VANTURENNOUT, Jonathan LYONS, David FIELDS, Gavin Dean LAZAROW, Tushar Cyril BHATNAGAR
  • Patent number: 11933902
    Abstract: Determining classification(s) for object(s) in an environment of autonomous vehicle, and controlling the vehicle based on the determined classification(s). For example, autonomous steering, acceleration, and/or deceleration of the vehicle can be controlled based on determined pose(s) and/or classification(s) for objects in the environment. The control can be based on the pose(s) and/or classification(s) directly, and/or based on movement parameter(s), for the object(s), determined based on the pose(s) and/or classification(s). In many implementations, pose(s) and/or classification(s) of environmental object(s) are determined based on data from a phase coherent Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) component of the vehicle, such as a phase coherent LIDAR monopulse component and/or a frequency-modulated continuous wave (FMCW) LIDAR component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: AURORA OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Warren Smith, Ethan Eade, Sterling J. Anderson, James Andrew Bagnell, Bartholomeus C. Nabbe, Christopher Paul Urmson
  • Patent number: 11926066
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for carpet drift estimation are disclosed. In certain implementations, a robotic device includes an actuator system to move the body across a surface. A first set of sensors can sense an actuation characteristic of the actuator system. For example, the first set of sensors can include odometry sensors for sensing wheel rotations of the actuator system. A second set of sensors can sense a motion characteristic of the body. The first set of sensors may be a different type of sensor than the second set of sensors. A controller can estimate carpet drift based at least on the actuation characteristic sensed by the first set of sensors and the motion characteristic sensed by the second set of sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: iRobot Corporation
    Inventors: Dhiraj Goel, Ethan Eade, Philip Fong, Mario E. Munich
  • Patent number: 11874660
    Abstract: An autonomous vehicle uses a secondary vehicle control system to supplement a primary vehicle control system to perform a controlled stop if an adverse event is detected in the primary vehicle control system. The secondary vehicle control system may use a redundant lateral velocity determined by a different sensor from that used by the primary vehicle control system to determine lateral velocity for use in controlling the autonomous vehicle to perform the controlled stop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: AURORA OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Ethan Eade, Nathaniel Gist, IV, Thomas Pilarski
  • Patent number: 11859994
    Abstract: Systems and methods for landmark-based localization of an autonomous vehicle (“AV”) are described herein. Implementations can generate a first predicted location of a landmark based on a pose instance of a pose of the AV and a stored location of the landmark, generate a second predicted location of the landmark relative to the AV based on an instance of LIDAR data, generate a correction instance based on the comparing, and use the correction instance in generating additional pose instance(s). Systems and methods for validating localization of a vehicle are also described herein. Implementations can obtain driving data from a past episode of locomotion of the vehicle, generate a pose-based predicted location of a landmark in an environment of the vehicle, and compare the pose-based predicted location to a stored location of the landmark in the environment of the vehicle to validate a pose instance of a pose of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: AURORA INNOVATION, INC.
    Inventors: Yekeun Jeong, Ethan Eade, Adam Richard Williams, Abhay Vardhan, Nicholas George Dilip Roy, James Andrew Bagnell
  • Patent number: 11853639
    Abstract: A computing device and method are provided for transmitting a relevant subset of map data, called a neighborhood, to enable mutual spatial understanding by multiple display devices around a target virtual location to display a shared hologram in the same exact location in the physical environment at the same moment in time. The computing device may comprise a processor, a memory operatively coupled to the processor, and an anchor transfer program stored in the memory and executed by the processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Ethan Eade, Jeroen Vanturennout, Jonathan Lyons, David Fields, Gavin Dean Lazarow, Tushar Cyril Bhatnagar
  • Patent number: 11829143
    Abstract: One or more instances of sensor data collected using an autonomous vehicle sensor suite can be labeled using corresponding instance(s) of sensor data collected using an additional sensor suite. The additional vehicle can include a second autonomous vehicle as well as a non-autonomous vehicle mounted with a removable hardware pod. In many implementations, an object in the sensor data captured using the autonomous vehicle can be labeled by mapping a label corresponding to the same object captured using the additional vehicle. In various implementations, labeled instances of sensor data can be utilized to train a machine learning model to generate one or more control signals for autonomous vehicle control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: AURORA OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Jean-Sebastien Valois, Ethan Eade
  • Publication number: 20230373520
    Abstract: A method may include obtaining lidar data comprising a plurality of lidar returns from an environment of an autonomous vehicle. The lidar data may be processed with a machine learning model to generate, for the plurality of lidar returns, a plurality of first outputs that each identify a respective lidar return as belonging to an object or non-object and a plurality of second outputs that identify lidar returns belonging to objects as harmful or non-harmful to the autonomous vehicle. A subset of the lidar returns identified as belonging to objects that (i) do not correspond to any of a plurality of pre-classified objects and (ii) were identified as harmful to the autonomous vehicle may be determined. The autonomous vehicle may be controlled based at least in part on the subset of lidar returns.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2023
    Publication date: November 23, 2023
    Applicant: Aurora Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Jake Charland, Ethan Eade, Karthik Lakshmanan, Daniel Munoz, Samuel Sean, Yuchen Xie, Luona Yang
  • Publication number: 20230271615
    Abstract: Determining an instantaneous vehicle characteristic (e.g., at least one yaw rate) of an additional vehicle that is in addition to a vehicle being autonomously controlled, and adapting autonomous control of the vehicle based on the determined instantaneous vehicle characteristic of the additional vehicle. For example, autonomous steering, acceleration, and/or deceleration of the vehicle can be adapted based on a determined instantaneous vehicle characteristic of the additional vehicle. In many implementations, the instantaneous vehicle characteristics of the additional vehicle are determined based on data from a phase coherent Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) component of the vehicle, such as a phase coherent LIDAR monopulse component and/or a frequency-modulated continuous wave (FMCW) LIDAR component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2023
    Publication date: August 31, 2023
    Inventors: Warren Smith, Ethan Eade, Sterling J. Anderson, James Andrew Bagnell, Bartholomeus C. Nabbe, Christopher Paul Urmson
  • Patent number: 11718320
    Abstract: Systems and methods for using transmission sensor(s) in localization of an autonomous vehicle (“AV”) are described herein. Some implementations receive instance(s) of transmission sensor data generated by transmission sensor(s) of the AV, generate pose instance(s) of a pose of the AV based on the instance(s) of the transmission sensor data, and cause the AV to be controlled based on the pose instance(s). In some of those implementations, the pose instance(s) can be generated based on steering data the AV that indicates steering angle(s) of the autonomous, and that temporally correspond to the instance(s) of the transmission sensor data. In various implementations, the pose instance(s) may only be generated or utilized based on the instance(s) of the transmission sensor data (and optionally the steering data) in response to detecting an adverse event at the AV.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: AURORA OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: James Scott Jackson, Abhay Vardhan, Adam Richard Williams, Yekeun Jeong, Ethan Eade
  • Patent number: 11654917
    Abstract: Determining yaw parameter(s) (e.g., at least one yaw rate) of an additional vehicle that is in addition to a vehicle being autonomously controlled, and adapting autonomous control of the vehicle based on the determined yaw parameter(s) of the additional vehicle. For example, autonomous steering, acceleration, and/or deceleration of the vehicle can be adapted based on a determined yaw rate of the additional vehicle. In many implementations, the yaw parameter(s) of the additional vehicle are determined based on data from a phase coherent Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) component of the vehicle, such as a phase coherent LIDAR monopulse component and/or a frequency-modulated continuous wave (FMCW) LIDAR component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: AURORA OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Warren Smith, Ethan Eade, Sterling J. Anderson, James Andrew Bagnell, Bartholomeus C. Nabbe, Christopher Paul Urmson
  • Publication number: 20230133611
    Abstract: Determining classification(s) for object(s) in an environment of autonomous vehicle, and controlling the vehicle based on the determined classification(s). For example, autonomous steering, acceleration, and/or deceleration of the vehicle can be controlled based on determined pose(s) and/or classification(s) for objects in the environment. The control can be based on the pose(s) and/or classification(s) directly, and/or based on movement parameter(s), for the object(s), determined based on the pose(s) and/or classification(s). In many implementations, pose(s) and/or classification(s) of environmental object(s) are determined based on data from a phase coherent Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) component of the vehicle, such as a phase coherent LIDAR monopulse component and/or a frequency-modulated continuous wave (FMCW) LIDAR component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2022
    Publication date: May 4, 2023
    Inventors: Warren Smith, Ethan Eade, Sterling J. Anderson, James Andrew Bagnell, Bartholomeus C. Nabbe, Christopher Paul Urmson
  • Patent number: 11630458
    Abstract: Sensor data collected from an autonomous vehicle data can be labeled using sensor data collected from an additional vehicle. The additional vehicle can include a non-autonomous vehicle mounted with a removable hardware pod. In many implementations, removable hardware pods can be vehicle agnostic. In many implementations, generated labels can be utilized to train a machine learning model which can generate one or more control signals for the autonomous vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: AURORA OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Jean-Sebastien Valois, Ethan Eade
  • Patent number: 11623658
    Abstract: A method may include obtaining sensor data that include a plurality of sensor returns from an environment of an autonomous vehicle. A first set of features may be extracted from the sensor data. The first set of features may be processed with a machine learning model to generate, for at least a subset of the plurality of sensor returns, a first output that classifies a respective sensor return as corresponding to an object or non-object and a second output that indicates a property of the object. The sensor returns classified as corresponding to objects may be compared to a plurality of pre-classified objects to generate one or more generic object classifications. The autonomous vehicle may be controlled based at least in part on the one or more generic object classifications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: AURORA OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Jake Charland, Ethan Eade, Karthik Lakshmanan, Daniel Munoz, Samuel Sean, Yuchen Xie, Luona Yang
  • Patent number: 11550061
    Abstract: Determining classification(s) for object(s) in an environment of autonomous vehicle, and controlling the vehicle based on the determined classification(s). For example, autonomous steering, acceleration, and/or deceleration of the vehicle can be controlled based on determined pose(s) and/or classification(s) for objects in the environment. The control can be based on the pose(s) and/or classification(s) directly, and/or based on movement parameter(s), for the object(s), determined based on the pose(s) and/or classification(s). In many implementations, pose(s) and/or classification(s) of environmental object(s) are determined based on data from a phase coherent Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) component of the vehicle, such as a phase coherent LIDAR monopulse component and/or a frequency-modulated continuous wave (FMCW) LIDAR component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: Aurora Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Warren Smith, Ethan Eade, Sterling J. Anderson, James Andrew Bagnell, Bartholomeus C. Nabbe, Christopher Paul Urmson
  • Patent number: 11526538
    Abstract: A relative atlas graph maintains mapping data used by an autonomous vehicle. The relative atlas graph may be generated for a geographical area based on observations collected from the geographical area, and may include element nodes corresponding to elements detected from the observations along with edges that connect pairs of element nodes and define relative poses between the elements for connected pairs of element nodes, as well as relations that connect multiple element nodes to define logical relationships therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: Aurora Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Ethan Eade, Michael Bode, James Andrew Bagnell
  • Publication number: 20220308580
    Abstract: An autonomous vehicle uses a secondary vehicle control system to supplement a primary vehicle control system to perform a controlled stop if an adverse event is detected in the primary vehicle control system. The secondary vehicle control system may use a redundant lateral velocity determined by a different sensor from that used by the primary vehicle control system to determine lateral velocity for use in controlling the autonomous vehicle to perform the controlled stop.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2022
    Publication date: September 29, 2022
    Inventors: Ethan Eade, Nathaniel Gist, IV, Thomas Pilarski
  • Publication number: 20220300242
    Abstract: A computing device and method are provided for transmitting a relevant subset of map data, called a neighborhood, to enable mutual spatial understanding by multiple display devices around a target virtual location to display a shared hologram in the same exact location in the physical environment at the same moment in time. The computing device may comprise a processor, a memory operatively coupled to the processor, and an anchor transfer program stored in the memory and executed by the processor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2022
    Publication date: September 22, 2022
    Applicant: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Ethan EADE, Jeroen VANTURENNOUT, Jonathan LYONS, David FIELDS, Gavin Dean LAZAROW, Tushar Cyril BHATNAGAR
  • Patent number: 11450007
    Abstract: A relative atlas graph is generated to store mapping data used by an autonomous vehicle. The relative atlas graph may be generated for a geographical area based on observations collected from the geographical area, and may include element nodes corresponding to elements detected from the observations along with edges that connect pairs of element nodes and define relative poses between the elements for connected pairs of element nodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: Aurora Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Ethan Eade, Michael Bode
  • Patent number: 11360731
    Abstract: A computing device and method are provided for transmitting a relevant subset of map data, called a neighborhood, to enable mutual spatial understanding by multiple display devices around a target virtual location to display a shared hologram in the same exact location in the physical environment at the same moment in time. The computing device may comprise a processor, a memory operatively coupled to the processor, and an anchor transfer program stored in the memory and executed by the processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Ethan Eade, Jeroen Vanturennout, Jonathan Lyons, David Fields, Gavin Dean Lazarow, Tushar Cyril Bhatnagar