Patents by Inventor Jon Robert Torrey

Jon Robert Torrey 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).

  • Sensor obstruction detection and mitigation using vibration and/or heat
    Patent number: 11176426
    Abstract: A system for detecting and/or mitigating the effects of an obstruction on a surface of a sensor may include a surface configured to receive the sensor, and comprising a sensor window configured to provide a path through which the sensor senses the environment. The system may also include a vibratory actuator configured to facilitate vibration of the sensor window and a heating element configured to heat the sensor window. The system may further include an obstruction detection system configured to detect an obstruction, such as moisture, and an obstruction mitigation controller configured to initiate activation of the vibratory actuator and/or the heating element to mitigate the obstruction. The obstruction detection system may be configured to receive a signal from one or more sensors and detect the obstruction based at least in part on the signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: Zoox, Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan McMichael, Daniel Elliot Schabb, Anubhav Thakur, Timothy David Kentley-Klay, Jon Robert Torrey
  • SENSOR OBSTRUCTION DETECTION AND MITIGATION USING VIBRATION AND/OR HEAT
    Publication number: 20190385025
    Abstract: A system for detecting and/or mitigating the effects of an obstruction on a surface of a sensor may include a surface configured to receive the sensor, and comprising a sensor window configured to provide a path through which the sensor senses the environment. The system may also include a vibratory actuator configured to facilitate vibration of the sensor window and a heating element configured to heat the sensor window. The system may further include an obstruction detection system configured to detect an obstruction, such as moisture, and an obstruction mitigation controller configured to initiate activation of the vibratory actuator and/or the heating element to mitigate the obstruction. The obstruction detection system may be configured to receive a signal from one or more sensors and detect the obstruction based at least in part on the signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2018
    Publication date: December 19, 2019
    Inventors: Ryan McMichael, Daniel Elliot Schabb, Anubhav Thakur, Timothy David Kentley-Klay, Jon Robert Torrey